Posts Tagged GSM
MTNL launches Mumbai 3G network, reveals network deal with Alcatel-Lucent (India)
State-owned Indian telco Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) has announced a deal with French-US hardware vendor Alcatel-Lucent that will see that latter provide its mobile next generation (NGN) solution. The deployment is a part of a multi-year agreement under which Alcatel-Lucent is providing an end-to-end GSM/EDGE solution to MTNL. Alcatel claims that its NGN product, which is based on a secure, distributed architecture, will allow MTNL to optimize and simplify its mobile network, flexibly address traffic growth, reduce operation costs and simplify network maintenance.
As part of the announcement MTNL announced that its 3G network had been launched in Mumbai, and said it was ready to offer service to both residential and enterprise customers. MTNL was the first operator to launch commercial 3G services in India in February 2009; the telco offers the service under the ‘Jadoo’ brand and it was initially available only in central areas of Delhi.
Add comment May 15, 2009
Motorola signs frame agreement with China Mobile
Motorola has announced that it has signed a one-year frame agreement with China Mobile Communications Corporation (CMCC) to provide wireless equipment and services. The frame agreement’s projected shipment and services value is estimated to be USD310 million. Under the deal Motorola will supply GSM/GPRS/EDGE infrastructure and related services in various markets already served by its radio infrastructure equipment. The kit will be used by China Mobile to provide voice and data capacity and will ensure interoperability between the cellco’s GSM and TD-SCDMA networks. ‘Motorola has worked with China Mobile for more than 20 years,’ said Dr. Mohammad Akhtar, vice president and general manager of Home and Networks Mobility, Motorola China. ‘As a long-term strategic partner of China Mobile, Motorola is proud to continue being a part of its growth. Motorola has always been an innovator and pioneer in the mobile telecoms industry. With the comprehensive end-to-end portfolio that covers 2G, 3G and LTE, Motorola stands ready to support China Mobile in building a state-of-the-art network that maximises investments and delivers the most appealing communications experiences to its end users at home and on-the-go.’
Add comment May 14, 2009
SingTel’s mobile customer base reaches 249m (Singapore)
Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) says it added 64 million net new customers (+35%) in the year to 31 March 2009, to take its combined regional mobile customer base to 249 million. The group’s aggregate mobile customer base in all eight markets – Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – grew 7.3%, or 17 million on a sequential quarterly basis despite the intense competition in the markets and the slowdown in the economies. Meanwhile, the proportionate mobile customer base rose 33% from a year ago or 7% from a quarter ago, it said.
SingTel’s regional associates continued to post double-digit customer growth of between 10% and 52% compared to a year ago. Bharti, India’s number one mobile phone operator by subscribers, posted the biggest jump in customers: its mobile base reached 93.9 million customers as at 31 March 2009, an increase of 52% from a year ago or 9.7% on a quarterly basis. Indonesian cellco Telkomsel increased its base by 41% or 20.8 million from a year ago, and added 6.8 million new customers in 1Q09 alone, and grew its market share by three percentage points to 49% by end-March. Thailand and the Philippines, classed as ‘more mature markets’ by SingTel, also posted strong mobile customer additions. AIS in Thailand added 2.5 million mobile subscribers, up 10%, while Globe added 4.5 million mobile customers or 21% more than a year ago. In Pakistan, Warid grew its total customer base by three million to 17.4 million, an increase of 21% from a year ago. PBTL’s total mobile customer base in Bangladesh was 1.9 million, an increase of 315,000, or 20% on 1Q08. Elsewhere, Australian subsidiary Optus’ mobile customer base expanded 9.1% from a year ago to 7.79 million as at 31 March 2009.
In its home market, SingTel extended its market share and leadership position in the mobile segment it said, adding 405,000 new customers, or 16% more from a year ago, bringing its total mobile customer base to 2.98 million and extending its market share to 46.4% as at 31 March 2009, an increase of three percentage points from a year ago. A total of 34,000 new mobile customers were added during the quarter, of which 22,000 were post-paid net additions. Demand for 3G services continued to remain strong, with 72,000 subscribers added. As at 31 March 2009, SingTel’s total 3G mobile subscriber base reached 1.21 million, it said.
Add comment May 13, 2009
UK mobile advertising expenditure doubles in 2008
Expenditure on mobile advertising in the UK exceeded market expectation in 2008 and grew 99.2 percent year-on-year to reach a total of GBP 28.6 million, according to a study by the Internet Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Investment in mobile advertising grew at a faster rate than predicted as more UK brands invested in the medium due to its exceptional targeting, immediacy and return on investment. Mobile display advertising, which includes banners, text links, tenancies pre/post roll and in-game, accounted for GBP 14.2 million in 2008, 49.8 percent of all mobile advertising spend. Paid-for search advertising on mobile internet was estimated to account for GBP 14.4 million, 50.2 percent of all mobile advertising spend. In 2008, online advertising rose to GBP 3.35 billion, accounting for 19.2 percent of all advertising spend. A bigger audience is a key driver for the growth, where mobile internet usage increased in 2008 from 8.6 million in December 2007 to over 11 million in December 2008, and people on unlimited data plans has grown by a massive 109 percent in 2008. Other key drivers include advertising on mobile phones, social networking driving growth of mobile internet usage, better and smarter handsets, growth in mobile departments and mobile advertising knowledge in the market. This survey represents solely mobile media spend, and therefore do not include mobile marketing expenditure such as SMS or MMS production and delivery costs.
Source- www.telecompaper.com
Add comment May 13, 2009
AT&T Offering Phones, BlackBerrys On Rural Spectrum (USA)
AT&T announced that the 1.5 million subscribers it will acquire from Verizon Wireless will be shifted from Verizon’s CDMA network to AT&T’s GSM network within 12 months of the deal’s completion. The assets were previously owned and managed by Alltel, which was acquired by Verizon Wireless earlier this year for $28.1 billion. AT&T, which will pay $2.35 billion for the assets, said it will spend another $400 million on the switchover. The AT&T-Verizon deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2009, AT&T said. Subscribers in the mostly rural regions will be able to receive mobile broadband on AT&T smartphones, including iPhones and BlackBerry Bolds, after the transition is completed, the company indicated in an announcement late Friday. In a smaller deal in the wireless-infrastructure musical chairs exercises between the two largest U.S. wireless carriers, AT&T said it will sell some wireless assets of Centennial Communications to Verizon Wireless.
1 comment May 13, 2009
AT&T to acquire mobile assets from Verizon Wireless (USA)
AT&T has agreed to acquire mobile assets from Verizon Wireless for USD 2.35 billion in cash. AT&T will acquire mobile properties, including licences, network assets and 1.5 million current subscribers in 79 service areas, primarily in rural areas across eighteen states. Verizon Wireless is required to divest these properties as part of the regulatory approvals granted for its purchase of Alltel earlier this year. The states represented are Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming. While the transaction primarily represents former Alltel assets, but it also includes assets from Verizon Wireless and the former Rural Cellular. AT&T expects integration costs for network conversion, amortisation of intangible assets and subscriber migration to result in dilution to EPS of approximately USD 0.06 per share in the first year after closing and to improve thereafter. Network conversion from Verizon’s CDMA network to GSM technology and transition of the operations to AT&T is expected to take no longer than 12 months from the date the transaction closes and to result in an additional planned capital investment of approximately USD 400 million over 2009 and 2010. The transaction is contingent upon regulatory approval and is expected to close in the fourth quarter. AT&T has also agreed to sell certain mobile assets of Centennial Communications to Verizon Wireless for USD 240 million.
Add comment May 11, 2009
Econet Wireless pushes ahead
Zimbabwean GSM operator Econet Wireless is aiming to increase its network capacity beyond its previously announced target of 1.2 million subscriber lines by the end of this year, reports IT News Africa. Econet’s corporate communications manager, Rangarirai Mberi, said that the company is working closely with its technical partners including Ericsson and ZTE to complete the current phase of expansion, whilst ‘work is already under way for further expansion to drive capacity beyond this level.’
Add comment February 10, 2009
Mobile Handset sales in Turkey hit by economic crisis
Mobile phone sales in Turkey are being hit by the global economic downturn, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reports. Recep Uzelli, chairman of the executive board of Teleses, a solution partner of GSM operator Turkcell, is quoted as saying: ‘In 2007, 11,488,000 mobile phones were sold in Turkey. An average of 957,000 mobile phones were sold every month. But in January this year, only 700,000 mobile phones were sold.’ He added: ‘In the past two months, imports of mobile phones dropped by 40% in Turkey.’
Add comment February 10, 2009
NSN launches combined 2G/3G/LTE base station
Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) has launched a new base station that will support GSM/EDGE, WCDMA/HSPA and LTE in a single unit. The vendor said the new multi-radio base station – part of its ‘Flexi’ range – is targeted at existing 2G and 3G operators that are looking for a simple software upgrade to next generation mobile technologies; it is also aimed at CDMA operators planning to migrate to WCDMA/HSPA or LTE. NSN claimed that running multiple radio technologies in a single base station would cut costs as it maximises the re-use of existing infrastructure, and requires fewer site visits and maintenance.
NSN also talked up the new product’s green credentials, claiming the base station has the lowest energy consumption in the market. It said that an average three sector base station site running GSM/EDGE and WCDMA/HSPA simultaneously would consume as little as 790W. The new base stations will start being deployed at the beginning of 2010.
Add comment February 10, 2009
Movilnet bolsters regional GSM, CDMA networks
Venezuelan cellco Movilnet has reported that in 2008 it strengthened its coverage in western central areas of the country, by deploying 109 GSM and 14 CDMA2000 1x base stations covering Lara, Yaracuy and Portuguesa, to take its total in those cities to 232 base stations. Asdrubal Pire, head of operations and systems for Movilnet in the central region, explained, ‘We had already covered most of the major roads and major towns, and additionally, there were increases in capacity in urban areas.’ Movilnet, a wholly owned subsidiary of state-owned telco CANTV, launched commercial GSM services with limited coverage in December 2008. At that date the GSM network spanned 1,000 base stations (up from 760 in September 2008). Commercial GSM coverage was initially only available in the Portuguesa and Nueva Esparta areas.
Add comment February 9, 2009
RCOM completes nationwide GSM rollout (India)
Following a string of recent GSM-based service launch announcements, Indian mobile operator Reliance Communications (RCOM) has said it has now completed its nationwide GSM footprint, the Business Standard reports. As RCOM announced its most recently launched GSM infrastructure, adding coverage of more than 50 towns and 5,000 villages in the Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) circle, RCOM President SP Shukla, said, ‘The launch of Reliance Mobile’s GSM services in J&K marks the completion of the company’s nationwide footprint, which already covers over one billion Indians in other states of the country.’ January 2009 saw the cellco announce GSM launches in Mumbai, Rajasthan and Punjab, while earlier this month Delhi was added to the list of regions in which RCOM offered its GSM-based services.
Add comment February 9, 2009
Vietnamobile to launch GSM services
HT Mobile successor, Vietnamobile, is set to launch wireless services in the first quarter of 2009, after it finishes converting its CDMA technology to GSM. Vietnamobile will be the country’s fourth GSM service provider to launch services, after MobiFone, Vinaphone and Viettel. HT Mobile, a joint venture between Hanoi Telecom and Hong Kong-based Hutchison Telecommunications, launched in 2007 and received a licence to convert to GSM in March 2008, as a result of its poor service provision. It purchased GSM equipment worth USD600 million from Ericsson and China’s Huawei in August 2008.
Add comment February 6, 2009
Wana awarded third 2G licence (Morocco)
The prime minister of Morocco has approved the award of the country’s third 2G mobile licence to Wana, a subsidiary of domestic conglomerate Omnium Nord Afrique (ONA), after studying a recommendation by the National Agency of Telecommunications Regulation (ANRT). The award follows the launch of a tender by the ANRT on 30 October 2008, in accordance with its plan for the development of the telecoms sector and a decision by the regulator’s board in May 2008. After Wana submitted a bid by a deadline of 6 January 2009, an evaluation of its offer was made on technical and economic aspects, including commitments on infrastructure, coverage, quality of service, the diversity of product offerings and coherency of its business plan.
The 15-year nationwide licence includes frequencies in the 1800MHz band suitable for GSM-based services, but is technology-neutral. Wana (formerly Maroc Connect) won a 3G licence in July 2006, which it added to an existing concession to offer CDMA-based services, and will join rivals Maroc Telecom and Meditel in the 2G GSM-based market. According to the ANRT, the concession winner must undertake to make a significant investment and provide innovative services to meet market expectations and contribute to the improvement of telecoms facilities in Morocco. In addition to direct financial investment, Wana must help finance the redevelopment of the frequency spectrum under a budget of MAD36 million (USD4.6 million), the regulator said in its report.
Add comment February 5, 2009
3 Sweden to get 2G frequencies under new PTS proposals
Swedish regulator the PTS is launching a public consultation on a draft decision for the allocation of GSM 900MHz frequencies. The proposal states that all existing GSM-900 licences will be renewed, but that in addition, all of the available spectrum space in the 900MHz band will be allocated, to allow 3G-only cellco Hi3G Access Sweden (3) to gain access to 2G spectrum for the first time. 3, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa, currently uses third-party roaming to provide its users with full nationwide 2G/3G services. Current GSM-900 licences of TeliaSonera, Tele2, Telenor and Swefour expire at the end of 2010. The draft decision will be published on the PTS’s website next week.
Add comment February 5, 2009
RCOM launches GSM network in New Delhi (India)
India’s Economic Times is reporting that Reliance Communications (RCOM) has launched GSM-based mobile services in the capital Delhi, following a string of GSM rollouts across the country. The operator has installed approximately 950 new cellular towers in the region for the launch, and is expected to share the existing infrastructure of its CDMA-based operations in the circle; it has around 850 existing towers in Delhi. Initially only pre-paid GSM services are available, although RCOM has indicated that post-paid options will be offered in approximately three weeks.
Add comment February 3, 2009
TDF to fund rural wireless coverage (Afghanistan)
The Afghani administration has revealed how it plans to spend the Telecom Development Fund (TDF), mainly on the expansion of wireless and landline services in underserved rural areas. According to the terms of Afghani GSM licences, cellcos are required to pay 2.5% of their net revenues into the TDF; to date the fund has accumulated around USD26 million. Five rural provinces – Badakhshan, Paktika, Zabul, Daikundi, and Nooristan – will be among the first to benefit from the fund.
Add comment January 30, 2009
ETC details expansion and upgrade projects (Ethiopia)
State-owned incumbent Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation (ETC) has announced expansion and integration plans for its next generation mobile network, fixed line infrastructure and broadband services, African News reports. The operator has revealed it will carry out eleven separate projects, costing an estimated total of USD1.8 billion. Approximately USD1.5 billion of the funds for the expansion will come from a loan from Chinese hardware vendor ZTE; the remainder will come from the operator itself. ETC’s recently launched 3G services are expected to benefit from the investment. Currently the service is only available in ten districts of the capital Addis Ababa, and this will increase as part of the network development. It also plans to increase its capacity for mobile lines on its GSM-based infrastructure to 15 million, whilst expanding mobile coverage to reach 64% of the population by the end of 2009, and 85% by end-2010.
Broadband service, which is currently limited to just 16 areas of the country, is expected to be expanded to 500 areas, with almost 14,000 metres of fibre-optic cable set to be installed across the country. Public phones will also be increased, with the operator revealing the total in operation would reach 50,000 by the end of the project. ETC claims that once the projects are complete all kebeles (local administrative regions with populations between 5,000 and 10,000) will have access to telephone and internet services.
Add comment January 30, 2009
Telkomsel gets new boss as price war toughens (Indonesia)
Shareholders of PT Telekomunikasi Seluler (Telkomsel), the nation’s largest cellular operator, introduced Thursday Sarwoto Atmosutarno as the company’s new president director replacing Kiskenda Suriahardja.
Sarwoto moves on from his post as executive general manager of the infrastructure division for Telkomsel’s parent state-run PT Telkom, the nation’s largest telecom firm. Telkomsel is 65 percent owned by publicly listed Telkom, while the remaining 35 percent is owned by Singapore Telecom Mobile Pte Ltd.
“My priority will be to improve the quality of our voice and broadband products by expanding network and bandwidth. This is to keep up with the current stiff competition,” Sarwoto told The Jakarta Post Thursday after the inauguration.
“I will also take advantage of the market community of both Telkom and Telkomsel customers, and leverage synergy between the companies to boost efficiency.”
The replacement of Telkomsel’s chief was made without going through the regular shareholder’s meeting, amid the company’s losing price war against rivals that sent its profits plunging by 7 percent during the first nine months of last year to Rp 9.7 trillion (US$858 million) from Rp 9.08 trillion in the same period of 2007 despite a 36 percent jump in subscribers to 60.5 million, or a 46 percent market share.
Telkomsel is the operator of Kartu Halo, Simpati and Kartu As. This year, Kartu Halo’s call rate fell 30 percent, Simpati’s by 47 percent and Kartu AS’s by 25 percent.
“We are going to see the price war more wisely. That’s why we’re going to focus on improving our service (rather) than getting drowned with our rivals in cutting the call rates,” said Sarwoto, who is a Telkom career official dealing mostly with satellite technology.
Indonesia is home to 11 GSM and CDMA-based cellular phone operators, backed by international giants including Qatar Telecom, Telekom Malaysia, Saudi Telecom, and Hutchison Telecommunications International.
Telkomsel’s former president director Kiskenda, who was on the post since 2005, said in November last year that the company had been more supportive of the public by providing cheaper call rates than to the shareholders by slapping on higher rates to earn more profits. “This is the consequence (of the cheap rate), which eventually (has) trimmed our profit,” said Kiskenda in his defense over Telkomsel’s slumped first nine months profits.
Add comment January 30, 2009
Vodafone Qatar chooses 1,000 users for launch
Mobile start-up Vodafone Qatar has confirmed that it will choose 1,000 people to trial its new GSM network when it is switched on at the beginning of March, reports The Peninsula. The company will conduct a two-month ‘beta trial’, to garner feedback from volunteers ahead of a full commercial launch later in the year. ‘We want a wide sample as possible, reflective of the rich diverse society in Qatar, different ages, men and women,’ a company spokeswoman said.
Add comment January 29, 2009
USD250 million equity investment for Warid Telecom (Pakistan)
The Pakistan Observer is reporting that mobile operator Warid Telecom has received equity investment of USD250 million from its joint shareholders, the Abu Dhabi Group and SingTel. Warid, launched commercial services in May 2005, is likely to use the funds to further expand its network coverage. At the end of December 2008 the cellco claimed it had coverage in over 450 cities and 7,200 towns across the country, offering services over its GSM-based infrastructure. Tariq Gulzar, Warid’s chief financial officer said of the announcement, ‘This equity injection…demonstrates the confidence reposed by our shareholders in the company’s ability to continue to provide highest level of quality services to our valued subscribers at very affordable prices. We are going to further enhance our technical and retail network across the country to exceed the expectations of our existing and potential subscribers’.
1 comment January 29, 2009
TRAI proposes more players in CDMA 3G (India)
TRAI want DoT to bring in atleast two operators for 3G services in the CDMA space in opposition to the current situation which has only one 3G operator being offered a 3G spectrum. The DoT present policy guidelines which only offers a single 3G block for CDMA operators.
“The authority understands that it is perhaps possible to identify more than one carrier in the 800-MHz band. It is all the more imperative as there are more than two access service providers in this category of technology for competition. Therefore, the authority recommends DoT may explore more than one block in the 800-MHz band for CDMA 3G services,” said Trai in a communication to DoT.
Trai also proposed that the base price for CDMA operators should be 25% of that of the GSM players.
Add comment January 29, 2009
Nar Mobile reaches the mark of 1Mn subscribers (Azerbaijan)
The Nar Mobile, Azerbaijan based GSM operator, has reportedly achieved a subscriber base of 1,000,000 at the end of January’09. Nar Mobile occupies nearly 20% of Azerbaijan’s GSM market.
“The main aim of Nar Mobile is to constantly develop and become the customers’ number one choice. We proudly announce that our customer base has exceeded over one million as a result of successful operating for less than 2 years,” Mr. Guido Helbich, General Director of Azerfon LLC said.
Add comment January 29, 2009
Intracom Wins Bulgarian GSM Network Contract
Intracom Telecom says that it has signed a BGN 30 million (US$19.8 million) contract with the Bulgarian Telecommunication Company (BTC), for the turn-key construction of telecommunication infrastructure works of its GSM network.Within the framework of the contract, Intracom Bulgaria has undertaken the provision of services and the supply of materials related to the built-out of BTC’s GSM network. The project is expected to be completed within two years.
Mr. Manos, Managing Director of Intracom Telecom, said: We are excited to further expand our cooperation with BTC, one of the most dynamic players in the Bulgarian market. We look forward to contribute through the accumulated experience and high quality of Intracom Bulgaria’s technical services to the rapid rollout and support of BTC”s GSM network.
Add comment January 28, 2009
New Porsche Mobile Phone Coming Soon
Porsche Design Group is introducing its new mobile phone P’9522, blending a linear shape with innovative communications technology.
The Porsche Design P’9522 is milled from a single solid aluminum block and a single sheet of scratchproof glass, its finish is pure and sleek. The rough, raw materials used to build the P’9522 have been crafted to underscore the refined design. In combination with its quintessential black and brushed aluminum finish, the P’9522 represents the timeless and authentic design philosophy of the brand. The P’9522 has the very latest communications technology together with excellent sound and picture reproduction:
Display. The touchscreen display makes navigating through the menus smooth, easy and intuitive. The AM OLED display ensures top quality color reproduction and brightness.
Mobile navigation. The phone has a built-in GPS receiver for mobile navi-gation purposes. The 2.8 inch widescreen display makes it easy to read the information on the screen.
Finger print sensor. Access to personal data is secured by means of a sensor which identifies the user’s finger print.
Pictures and video. The P’9522 is equipped with a stills and video camera with auto focus. The camera has a resolution of five megapixels, integrated flash and digital zoom.
Music. The P’9522 is equipped with an MP3 player for music, ring tones and voice reproduction in stereo quality.
Internet. Speedy internet access is assured, thanks to the P’9522’s WiFi technology.
Quad band. This is a quad band cell phone, compatible with most global networks (with the exception of Japan and Korea).
The P’9522 thus reflects the brand’s clear design language and lives up to its promise of blending together high quality materials, top of the range workmanship and innovative technology. On sale in November 2008 the premium mobile phone will be available worldwide in Porsche Design Stores and in specialist shops.
Porsche Design is a luxury brand with particular focus on technically inspired products. The brand was founded in 1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, and since then its products have stood for functional, timeless and purist design. The product portfolio includes classic men’s accessories, a sport and fashion collection as well as electronic products and a men’s fragrance range. The products are designed in the Porsche Design Studio in Zell am See, Austria, and sold worldwide in own stores, shop-in-shops, high quality department stores and exclusive retail outlets.
Technical Data-
Cellular standard: GSM-GPRS / EDGE Class 10: Quadband 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
Fingerprint sensor: Secured Documents / PIN code replacement / Shortcuts
Display: AM-OLED 262k color, 2.8″ widescreen touch display, 400 x 240 [WQVGA] pixels
GPS
Size: 112 [4.4] x 49 [1.9] x 12 [0.5] (Height x Width x Depth/ mm [inches])
Weight: 115 [4.1] (gram [ounce])
Camera: 5 Megapixels, Auto-focus, LED-Flash
Images formats: BMP, GIF, PNG, JPEG
Video formats: MPEG-4 (record & play), H263, H264, 3GP (play)
Video application: Video Streaming, Progressive Download, Pack Video
Zoom: Digital on photo and video
Audio: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, Midi, WAV, AMR NB and WB, 3D sound, FM Radio, iMelody 1.2, XMF
Battery: Lithium-ion battery [880mAh]
Power: Talk Time: up to 4h; Standby Time: up to 300h
Memory: Up to 8 GB with microSD and up to 5 MB embedded
Data transfer: Bluetooth, USB 2.0, Mass Storage, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), Porsche Design Mobile Phone Manager Suite (PC), Plugin iSync (MAC)
Bluetooth: Version 2.0; Supported profiles: AADP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP, OPP, SPP/DUNP, FTP, PBAP and SAP
Messaging: SMS with T9 / EMS / MMS
Internal phone book: Up to 5,000 (positions)
Messaging memory: Up to 700 (SMS/EMS/MMS)
Call history (positions): Up to 80 (for missed / made / received calls)
Applications & features: Organizer, To dos, Voice recorder, Currency converter, Alarm clock, Stop watch, Calculator, Modem, Web browser
In the box: Charger, MicroSD 2 GB with SD Adaptor, Multimedia Remote Control, Stereo Ear Kit, USB Data Cable, User Guide, Software Suite
Accessories: Bluetooth Headset, Leather Pouch, Charger (AU, CN, EU, GB, US), Car Charger, USB Data Cable, Stereo Ear Kit, Battery
1 comment January 28, 2009
Armenia gets new VAS provider in Playfon
Value added services (VAS) provider Playfon has launched commercial services in Armenia, offering a suite of products ranging from mobile gaming by the world’s top publishers to the greatest music hits from the major Russian and international record labels. The company’s extensive portfolio of games, videos and music downloads is available for all subscribers of local GSM operators ArmenTel (Beeline) and K Telecom (VivaCell-MTS).
Add comment January 27, 2009
RCOM Q3 consolidated net up 3% (India)
Indian cellco Reliance Communications (RCOM) has revealed a 2.7% rise year-on-year in consolidated net profit for the three months ended 31 December 2008. Net profit for the quarter stood at INR14.1 billion (USD286.7 million), up from INR1.37 million a year earlier. Revenues for the operator also rose against the same period last year, climbing 20% to INR58.5 billion, whilst earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 11% y-o-y to INR23.5 billion. RCOM attributed the growth to the increased subscriber numbers, boosted by the launch of GSM and DTH services. RCOM chairman and managing director has announced that the cellco will reduce CAPEX for the next financial year to INR150 billion, down from the INR250 billion it has planned for the existing year; the operator claims to have spent INR160 billion so far this financial year ending March.
RCOM’s subscriber base climbed to 61.35 million at the end of December 2008, up from 56.05 million a year earlier, with the operator reporting that it had signed up ten million customers to its GSM-based services since launch in December 2008. RCOM has announced that its GSM network coverage will expand to approximately 24,000 towns from the current 14,000 it covers in the near future.
In separate but related news RCOM has also announced that it has integrated its GSM and CDMA services in the Orissa circle, and will now offer both under the united banner of ‘Reliance Mobile’. The cellco has claimed that merger will allow it to better utilise its resources and improve growth prospects.
Add comment January 27, 2009
Idea Cellular revenue up 13.9 pct (India)
Idea Cellular Limited (Idea) announced its unaudited results (limited review) for the 3rd quarter (Q3) and nine months ended December 31, 2008.
Revenues for Idea’s 13 operating service areas for Q3 at Rs. 26,209 mn, grew by 13.9% on a QoQ basis and by 53.2% on a YoY basis.
The EBITDA for the 11 Idea service areas in Q3 enhanced to Rs 7,570 mn compared to Rs 6,446 mn in Q2, representing a margin improvement from 28.1% to 29.4%. However, Q3 captures the impact of Mumbai and Bihar launches for the entire quarter, whereas Q2 had the impact only of Mumbai for 5 weeks. Consequently, Total EBITDA margin declined marginally from 26.4% to 26.0%, even though Total EBITDA increased by 11.9% from Rs 6081 mn in Q2 to Rs 6,805 mn in Q3.
On a consolidated basis, Revenues for Q3 at Rs. 27,311 mn, grew by 18.5% on a QoQ basis. The EBITDA at Rs 6,974 mn showed a growth of 14.9% on a QoQ basis. Consolidated PAT for Q3 was Rs 2,195 mn as against Rs 2,562 mn on a standalone basis. The consolidated PAT is depressed by Rs 367 mn on account of the consolidation of Idea’s 41.09% shareholding in Spice Communications from 16th Oct 08 and on account of Idea group’s 16% shareholding in Indus Towers.
On 5th Dec 08, an affiliate of Providence Equity Partners has invested Rs. 21 bn in Aditya Birla Telecom Limited (ABTL) by way of subscription to 1.925 mn Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares to be converted into 16.14% of equity share capital of ABTL post conversion.
Idea, including service areas of Punjab, Karnataka and Bihar, added 4.03 mn subscribers during Q3 taking its subscriber tally to 38.01 mn, reflecting a national market share of 11.0%.
Idea, along with Spice and ABTL, now holds GSM spectrum for every service area in India.
Add comment January 23, 2009
BTC awards Intracom GSM contract (Bulgaria)
Intracom Telecom’s Bulgarian unit has announced the signing of a BGN30 million (USD20 million) contract with Bulgarian Telecommunication Company (BTC), for the turnkey construction of GSM network infrastructure. Intracom Bulgaria is expected to complete the expansion project within two years. The technology vendor said in a statement: ‘We are excited to expand our cooperation with BTC, one of the most dynamic players in the Bulgarian market. We look forward to contribute through the accumulated experience and high quality of Intracom Bulgaria’s technical services to the rapid rollout and support of BTC’s GSM network.’ BTC’s mobile division launched its GSM services in November 2005 under the VivaTel brand.
Add comment January 23, 2009
Doubling the GSM Voice Capacity with Standard Handsets
For the first time in the world, four calls have been carried in one GSM radio timeslot. This significant step in GSM evolution path was taken today by Nokia Siemens Networks who successfully completed a drive test for the Orthogonal Sub Channel (OSC), that doubles the voice capacity of GSM radio network.This successful demonstration opens up a profitable growth path for operators, evolving their networks to a new level of efficiency with minimized CAPEX and OPEX. This is made possible by a software upgrade to existing Flexi EDGE Base Station and Base Station Controller. OSC is fully interoperable with existing handsets, so it promises immediate cost saving for operators, said Prashant Agnihotri, Head of GSM/EDGE product management, Nokia Siemens Networks.
With OSC, operators can gain more capacity from the same base station hardware, meaning fewer base station sites are needed in network rollouts and capacity extensions, which in turn saves energy and decreases the CO2 emissions.The OSC demonstration was conducted as a drive test using four handsets sharing only one radio timeslot and without compromising the call quality. The demonstration with existing commercially available GSM handsets was the first one of its kind in the world, strengthening Nokia Siemens Networks’ leadership in GSM/EDGE radio technology.
Add comment January 22, 2009
Rwandatel to import additional GSM enabled phones
Libyan-owned Rwandatel plans to import more GSM-enabled mobile phones in response to growing demand in the local market. Rwandatel’s U120 handsets manufactured by Huawei sold-out a month after their introduction on the local market. According to Patrick Kariningufu, Rwandatel’s chief executive officer, the phones are expected in the country in the next three to four weeks. Rwandatel launched its GSM and W-CDMA network in early December 2008 after its acquisition by LAP Green Network a subsidiary of Libyan African Portfolio. Within the first week it recorded over 55,000 wireless subscribers, increasing to 120,000 in the first three weeks. According to allAfrica.com, the company is set to construct 86 masts by end of February in order to improve its national network coverage.
Add comment January 19, 2009
Batelco To Buy 49% Of India’s S Tel For $225M
The Indian telecom story is gaining muscle. The latest to join the world’s second largest telecom market is Bahrain’s Batelco which has signed a deal to buy 49% in Chennai-based S-Tel, a GSM service provider, for $225 million.
The Indian telecom company has licences to operate in six circles in Bihar, Orissa, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, North East and Assam.
Santosh Robert, director, S-Tel, said the deal would enable his company to partner with an experienced operator for the GSM roll-out which is slated for the middle of this year.
Batelco has partnered with Millennium Private Equity (MPE), a Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)-regulated entity to form Batelco Millennium India Company Ltd (BMICL) a special purpose vehicle to purchase the shares in S Tel. The transaction would go in for formal approvals and it is expected to become operational upon receiving regulatory approval by the end of April this year.
S-Tel was established to gain entry into the rapidly growing mobile markets of north east and north-west India. The population in these areas is approximately 230 million and mobile penetration rate is less than 20%. “We will focus on delivering innovation and value, and aspires to grow rapidly to respond to the needs of these largely untapped areas,” Robert said.
Besides, Batelco being a mid-sized operator has a medium appetite for investment found S-Tel very attractive. “They were clear that they did not want to invest in a pan-India operator, instead were looking at a smaller company to invest, which is where we fit in very well,” Robert said.
S-Tel is a Chennai-based company promoted by Skycity Foundations (P) Ltd and Telecom Investments, Mauritius. The company received unified access services licenses (UASL) and start-up spectrum in six category C circles, besides a category A all India internet service provider (ISP) licence.
Other major telecom deals include NTT DoCoMo’s 26% stake buy in Tata Tele for $2.70 billion, Etilasat’s 45% equity purchase in Swan Telecom for $900 million and Telenor’s buy of 60% in Unitech Wireless for $1.23 billion.
Add comment January 19, 2009
Digitel gets extra spectrum (Venezuela)
Venezuelan telecoms regulator Conatel has awarded a concession to GSM mobile operator Digitel for 10MHz of radio spectrum in the 900MHz frequency band, local press reported, quoted by BNamericas. The spectrum was originally promised last May, and cost the country’s third largest cellco over USD26 million, according to the report. Digitel has revealed plans to roll out 3G UMTS services by the end of this quarter. Via the new bandwidth allocation Digitel will be able to expand its services in several states including Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Barinas, Delta Amacuro, Lara, Merida, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo and Zulia. According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms database, both of Digitel’s larger rivals Movistar and Movilnet were awarded additional 30MHz spectrum blocks in the 1900MHz band in October 2007, in an auction in which Digitel was left empty handed. In June 2004 Digitel was awarded 10MHz of spectrum in the 900MHz range to alleviate problems of network saturation; in return the operator handed back trunking spectrum in the 800MHz range to Conatel.
Add comment January 13, 2009
Airtel Launches Sri Lanka Ops; VAS & 3G Services, Free Sim Cards
Bharti Airtel has announced the launch of its Sri Lanka operations: via its subsidiary Bharti Airtel Lanka Pvt Ltd, Airtel is offering 2.5G and 3.5G services (HSPA). The services that have been launched are, predictably, GSM. The company will be investing around $200 million in its Sri Lanka operations.
Tariff Plans
What is interesting about the launch are the changes they claim to have made to standard tariff offerings in Sri Lanka – things that we here in India tend to take for granted:
– Same tariffs for peak and off-peak hours (i.e. doing away with the concept altogether)
– Unconditional free incoming calls
– Uniform call charges to any network
The company is also leveraging its network in India by offering 50% lower rates while roaming in India. Airtels network has been rolled out in Lanka over a period of a year – they have a three-year managed network deal with Huawei, partnered with IBM to manage its comprehensive IT infrastructure and application requirements, and selected iSmart Timex as its customer care partner.
Free Sim Card
Airtel took out ads in Sri Lanka offering Free Sim Cards between January 12 and 25; the connection gets activated on a recharge of Rs. 100. There have, apparently, been long queues outside Airtel’s office at Narahenpita, Colombo. So a price war is beginning in Sri Lanka now.
VAS Services
Airtel’s Sri Lanka site appears to be a work in progress, but we gleaned the following from the site:
– I-Moved is a service which allows users that have signed up for Airtel services to inform others.
– RingBack Tones: while no specific VAS company has been mentioned on the site, a statement on their site “BTSL will provide the backend pages for this and we need “Airtel Ring back Tune Search” as a button to click.” indicates that Bharti Telesoft may be powering CRBT for Airtel Lanka
– SMS services – the usual: News, Jokes, Astrology, Lottery Results, Sports, Health and Stock Markets.
– Voice SMS
– Voice Mail
3G Services
– Video Media Portal: dial 7561 as a Video call for the video portal
– 3G Broadband (mobile phone access)
– Phone Backup Service
– 3G Data Services (USB/Router based)
Why Enter Sri Lanka?
The Teledensity in Sri Lanka appears to be quite high at 61.3%, with 45.7 mobile phones per 100 people and 9,253,067 subscribers. There are already4 other mobile operators in Sri Lanka, and the country has 3G:
– Dialog
– Mobitel (Sri Lanka Telecom)
– Hutch
– Tigo
Some market stats (Q2 2008):
Total Telecom subscribers (Fixed+Mobile): 12,399,024
Total Teledensity (Fixed & Cellular): 61.3%
Fixed Line Phones: 3,145,957
Fixed Line Teledensity: 15.5%, 36.4% in Colombo District
Cellular Mobile Subscribers: 9,253,067
Mobile Phones per 100 people: 45.7
Internet & Email Subscribers: 215,000
Add comment January 12, 2009
Iusacell to invest USD 400 mln in GSM network development
Mexican mobile operator Iusacell plans to invest around USD 400 million this year to build a GSM network, alongside its existing CDMA network, local paper Excelsior reports, citing company officials. The deployment of a parallel network based on a different platform is expected to enable Iusacell to enhance its presence on the prepaid mobile market segment. Over 90 percent of Mexico’s mobile customer base are prepaid users, and nearly 92 percent of the overall mobile base uses GSM services. Another player on the local mobile market, Nextel Mexico, is also considering adopting new platforms such as GSM or CDMA. According to Gustavo Cantu, vice president of new business development at Nextel, the adoption of new platforms will largely depend on new blocks of radio spectrum coming available. Iusacell had around 4.71 million customers or 5 percent of the local mobile market at the end of the third quarter of 2008, being the only company in Mexico which operates a CDMA platform. Nextel, which leverages iDen technology, saw around 2.58 million in the same period, covering 3 percent of the market. Using GSM networks, Telcel and Telefonica served 54.38 million and 14.66 million subscribers at end-September 2008, according to data provided by the companies.
Source: http://www.telecompaper.com
Add comment January 8, 2009
RCOM adds Rajasthan to GSM list; seeks TDSAT involvement in GSM spectrum allotment issue (India)
Completing a trio of launch announcements this week, Indian cellco Reliance Communications (RCOM) has reportedly begun offering services on its GSM-based network in the circle of Rajasthan, LiveMint is reporting. Having launched its GSM operations in both Punjab and Mumbai earlier this week, the new infrastructure in Rajasthan is expected to be available to over 1,450 cities and 10,000 villages in the state.
In separate but related news, The Economic Times reports that RCOM will approach India’s telecoms tribunal, the Telecoms Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) in a bid to resolve an issue with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) regarding GSM spectrum allocation. RCOM received in-principle approval for GSM spectrum in six circles – Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Kolkata and West Bengal – in October 2007. The DoT however withdrew its approval in December 2008, claiming that RCOM was already in possession of spectrum through its subsidiary Reliance Telecom. RCOM contends the DoT was aware of the subsidiary at the time of giving in-principal approval for the new spectrum.
Add comment January 8, 2009
NHH: GSM/UMTS/WiMAX frequency tender attracts high level of interest (Hungary)
The National Communications Authority of Hungary (NHH) has announced that it has received a higher than expected number of applications for its tenders to increase competition in the mobile market and to increase broadband internet coverage via WiMAX technology. By the deadline, a total of four bids had been received for bundle ‘A’, which allows a fourth GSM/UMTS service provider to enter the market, exceeding expectations. The tenders were submitted by Digi, Dream Com Tavkozlesi, Invitel Tavkozlesi and Mobinet Tavkozlesi Projekt.
Two firms submitted applications for the so-called bundle ‘B’ allocation (450MHz), namely Digi and Mobil Wireless Broadband Hungary. The regulator says that if either of these tenders prove to be successful, the winner will be allowed to deploy wireless broadband coverage to sparsely populated areas and municipalities. Under the terms of the tender conditions, incumbent mobile operators, enterprises belonging to the same company group, companies directly or indirectly owned by the Hungarian state and service providers with spectrum usage rights for the 3.5GHz frequency were barred from bidding for bundle ‘B’.
The NHH also opened up the 26GHz frequency band (bundle ‘C’), allocating five frequency blocks in all. In a press release the watchdog stressed that the 26GHz band is considered crucial ‘in the development of the internal infrastructure of future winners, and could contribute to the significant increase of wireless broadband coverage in Hungary.’ Bundle ‘C’ will be awarded to a consortium – one member of which must have also won the tender for bundle ‘A’. Invitel Tavkozlesi and Vodafone Magyarorszag were the applicants to submit a joint bid on Friday for bundle ‘C’. In addition, at the end of November 2008 two 26GHz frequency bundles (‘D’ and ‘E’) were also made available for bidding. Bundle ‘D’, for which there are no specific restrictions on bidders, received one application from Magyar Telekom. Meanwhile, bundle ‘E’ was open for bidding to all companies except incumbent mobile service providers, and by the deadline had received interest from Antenna Hungaria and GTS Datanet Tavkozlesi, the NHH said. The regulator has also reserved 26GHz frequency bundles (classed ‘F’ and ‘G’) for the bidders of bundles ‘A’ and ‘B’ – that is, for each of the future winners of the bundles. Invitel Tavkozlesi, Mobil Wireless Broadband Hungary and Mobinet Tavkozlesi Projekt all entered bids for both bundle ‘F’ and bundle ‘G’.
In the case of successful bids, winners of bundles ‘A’ and ‘B’ will be granted frequency usage rights for 15 years, and winners of bundles ‘C-G’ will enjoy such rights for a period of ten years.
Add comment January 8, 2009
MobileOne CEO Announces Resignation (Singapore)
Neil Montefiore, the CEO of Singapore telco, MobileOne (M1) has announced that he is resigning from the company effective at the end of this month. The company has named Chief Financial Officer, Ms Karen Kooi Lee Wah as acting CEO until a permanent replacement can be found.Mr Montefiore, 55, indicated that he wishes to pursue other personal interests as the reason for his sudden, and unexpected resignation.Mr Montefiore said, It has been my great pleasure and privilege to have been intimately involved with the inception and growth story of M1. This period has been a tremendous source of pride and satisfaction for me personally and professionally and I will treasure all the memories and experiences I take away from the more than 12 years of close association with M1.
Mr. Lim Chee Onn, Chairman of M1, said, “Neil has very ably led M1 from its launch in April 1997, through its public listing in 2002 and to its current strong position in the telecommunications market. M1 is now poised and ready for future challenges and further growth as a multiple play operator. The Board and I would like to acknowledge his significant contributions to the success of M1 and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Add comment January 6, 2009
Airtel to launch operations in Sri Lanka on 12 January
Indian telecommunication services provider Bharti Airtel’s Sri Lanka unit will launch its operations on 12 January, writes the Lanka Business Online. The Board of Investment (BOI) has granted concessions to the local operating unit RTEC Mobile Lanka and the project envisages an investment of USD 100 million, which is sponsored by Global Electroteks. The firm will offer GSM and WCDMA voice and broadband internet services.
Add comment January 6, 2009
Vodafone Fiji slashes call rates by 44%
Vodafone Fiji has slashed Prepay call rates by about 44% for three months. This move is attributed to the stiff competition that prevails in the Fiji mobile market.
Peak rates for Vodafone “on-net” calls have been dropped from 27 cents a unit to 15 cents a unit or 30 cents a minute in comparison to 54 cents previously. Off peak rates have been slashed from 18 cents a unit to 12 cents a unit or 24 cents a minute. SMS charges have been dropped by 50 per cent to 10 cents per txt compared to 20 cents earlier.
According to Vodafone, this is the most competitive rates offered by any mobile company and clearly sets the benchmark for the other mobile operators.
“We have heard many claims and counter claims on who offers the best mobile rates in Fiji. We strongly believe that actions speak louder then words,” said Aslam Khan, Vodafone Fiji managing director.
“So far we have been watching how the market would evolve under competition. Time is now opportune for us to announce another unbeatable offer to our loyal customers”, Khan added
“We already offer the best in mobile phone technology with the launch of our third generation (3.5G) network. We are the only mobile network operator to offer video calling and wireless mobile broadband.” “Our post pay rates remain the most competitive in the market while the uptake of our $0 rental plan has surpassed all expectations,” Khan further said.
Add comment January 6, 2009
TTSL plans to launch GSM services by Jan-end (India)
Tata Teleservices Ltd. is all set to go for a domestic GSM launch by the end of January. TTSL said that new entrants to India’s already crowded GSM market will likely face challenges in gaining subscribers and market share. Tata’s Managing Director, Anil Sardana, said, the company is a long term player in a market which is adding more than 8 million users a month.
Tata Teleservices plans to use part of the funds raised from the sale of a 49% stake in its tower arm for its GSM operations, in which the company intends to invest about $2 billion, added Sardana.
“All equipment has been ordered for all circles. Transmission is ready for all circles. Orders have been placed with NSN (Nokia Siemens Networks), Huawei (Technologies Co.) and ZTE (Corp.), for core telecom equipment, and NEC (Corp) for transmission,” Sardana further said.
Add comment January 6, 2009
