Posts Tagged Huawei
Ancel subscribers top 1.5 million (Uruguay)
Uruguayan state-owned telecoms operator Antel has announced its mobile unit Ancel has reached 1.5 million subscribers. Ancel is closing the gap between itself and rival cellco America Movil-owned Claro Uruguay, which had 1.459 million wireless subscribers at 31 March 2009. Ancel launched a GSM-1800 network including GPRS in Montevideo April 2004, with an EDGE upgrade initiated in the following October. Ancel first trialled 3G services in September 2005, in partnership with Chinese vendor Huawei. 3.5G services were launched in July 2007 in Montevideo and a year later its 3G network was available nationwide. Ancel plans to invest USD81 million in 2009, mainly to expand its GSM and 3G coverage.
Add comment May 15, 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
China Unicom selects W-CDMA vendors
According to The South China Post, five firms have won significant contracts from China Unicom in the tender for the deployment of W-CDMA infrastructure. The winners have been announced as Huawei, Ericsson, ZTE, Nokia Siemens Networks and Alcatel-Lucent all winning a share of the spoils. The results were released in the form of percentages awarded to various equipment suppliers: Huawei, which has a partnership with Motorola, was the largest winner with a 30.6% share of the 70,000 base station deployment; Ericsson which partners Fiberhome Telecommunication Technologies and Guangzhou New Postcom Equipment won a 26.5% share; ZTE won 21.5%; Nokia Siemens Networks 11.1%; and Alcatel-Shanghai Bell 10.2%.
China Unicom plans to deploy 3G networks in 55 cities in the first half of this year, spending RMB30 billion (USD4.39 billion), and 280 cities by the end of 2009, at a cost of RMB60 billion. The firm is targeting the completion of the first flagship city networks by 17 April and the first commercial network launches on 17 May 2009, the paper says.
1 comment January 28, 2009
LTT plans WiMAX launch in Libya
Libyan internet service provider (ISP) Libya Telecom and Technology (LTT) plans to launch its first commercial WiMAX wireless network, and says it hopes to start with WiMAX coverage, including mobile WiMAX, in 18 cities. LTT hopes the deployment will provide internet access via a USB dongle plugged into a laptop to anyone within 50km of one of its towers. The operator’s new system, which has initial capacity for 300,000 subscribers, will begin signing up business users from next week and residential customers the week after.
Libya is home to around 51,000 broadband subscribers, while a further 170,000 of the population rely on slower dial-up internet access. The slow pace of broadband development in the country is hampered by poor PSTN provisioning, and the infrastructure that does exist is by and large outdated and limited in terms of coverage. LTT’s WiMAX network, which does not reply on the PSTN, will sidestep this problem and allow the operator to help bridge the so-called ‘digital divide’ in Libya when it launches the service priced at USD30 per month and a one-off payment of USD400 to include the USB device.
Libya Telecom and Technology is a pioneer in the internet and ICT field and has been in operation since 1997. It has signed equipment contracts with Huawei and ZTE of China for the new WiMAX network which will offer maximum connections speeds of 70Mbps. The new network is expected to go live in the first half of next year.
Add comment January 23, 2009
Huawei readied itself for Android launch
We already knew Huawei’s gearing up to enter the Android smartphone market, and have confirmed plans to show its first device at Mobile World Congress which will happen on February. We haven’t seen any Huawei set as of yet, so the new phone might just stay in China. Huawei isn’t the only one with Android phones this year, Samsung is also planning a launch of their own. So stay tuned for more Android action on down the road.
Add comment January 23, 2009
Ghana Telecom inks 3G deal with Huawei
Ghanaian fixed line and mobile operator Ghana Telecom (GT) has inked a USD120 million contract with China’s Huawei Technologies to upgrade its existing 2G network with 3G technology. The project is expected to take 18 months to complete, at which date GT’s mobile service, which will soon be rebranded to Vodafone Ghana, will be able to offer high speed internet access, multimedia content and videocalling, amongst other advanced features.
Add comment January 22, 2009
Oman Mobile launches 3.5G network
After mobilising an extensive team, ranging from telecom engineers to marketing specialists, Oman Mobile yesterday announced the launch of its state-of-the-art 3.5G network.
Dr Amer Al Rawas, MD of Oman Mobile, expressed his joy at the launch, saying, “Today is a remarkable day in Oman Mobile’s history as we are proud to announce the launch of our brand-new 3.5G network. This state-of-the-art network will complement the various other wireless and broadband technologies with which Omantel and Oman Mobile are serving the country.”
Providing the highest service quality and speed is clearly a main objective of the company, as Dr Amer explains: “Our teams have already finished extensive testing of the network, and I am extremely pleased with the results. Still, this is not enough.
We are now submitting our services to the toughest test panel imaginable: the Sultanate’s major corporations. Selected clients will be enjoying superfast mobile broadband, and we will use their feedback to finetune our network and services. Only after these most demanding clients confirm the excellence of our network will we be prepared to go live.”
Oman Mobile 3.5G network will enable provisioning of new and exciting services to its clients. “Based on extensive market research, we have prepared a host of new services adapted to the mobile lifestyle of our customers. We will reveal information about our services at a later stage; however we can assure our customers that our tariffs will be competitive, simple and transparent, and everyone will be able to enjoy our services”, Dr Amer added.
Dr Amer pointed out that coverage is another main priority of the company. “Ubiquitous coverage was always there and will always be the distinguishing factor of Oman Mobile. As of today, we have extensive 3.5G coverage in Muscat Governorate, and our implementation teams are already working in each area of Oman. By combining our 3.5G network with our existing EDGE network, we offer our customers seamless coverage, virtually everywhere across the Sultanate.” Dr Amer also commented on the timing of the 3.5G launch: “We decided to invest now as the technology has become mature and stable, as is the case with 3.5G and, specifically, HSDPA, offering mobile broadband speeds up to 7.2 Mbps. We did not want to build a network that provided only marginal consumer benefits compared to existing technologies.”
“When European and GCC operators deployed the first 3G networks, customer uptake was limited, as the technology was not yet mature. For the customers that opted for rather expensive 3G services, the benefits in terms of speed, services and mobility fell short of expectations”, Dr Amer added.
Dr Amer concluded his declaration by thanking the extensive team involved in the project. “I recognise the remarkable work done by the joint Oman Mobile and Huawei team responsible for implementing the network in record time. I also would like to extend my sincere thanks to Telecommunication Regulatory Authority and all government entities that were part of the success of this project.”
Source- http://www.zawya.com
Add comment January 21, 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
Russia’s MTS picks Huawei for 3G Armenia network
MTS, Russia’s largest mobile phone service provider, has selected China’s Huawei Technologies to supply gear for its third-generation (3G) network in Armenia, the Russian company said on Friday. MTS said in a statement Huawei, China’s largest telecoms equipment maker, will supply base stations and controllers but gave no size of the contract. The carrier, part of services conglomerate Sistema, plans to launch the network this spring.
Add comment January 19, 2009
TeliaSonera picks Ericsson, Huawei to roll out 4G networks
TeliaSonera has selected Ericsson for the initial 4G city network in Stockholm and Huawei for the initial 4G city network in Oslo. The 4G services in Stockholm and Oslo are slated for commercial launch in 2010. In Stockholm, Ericsson will perform network implementation services and will manage the network during the initial operation period. The agreement between Ericsson and TeliaSonera also includes a long-standing partnership where both parties will jointly evolve the way consumers use mobile broadband with LTE. The new 4G networks will offer about 10 times higher data rates compared to today’s mobile broadband network. The contract between TeliaSonera and Ericsson is Ericsson’s first for commercial deployment of LTE. Under the agreement with Huawei, the Chinese equipment maker will provide LTE base stations, core network and OSS covering Oslo. Huawei will also provide services including network design, implementation, systems integration and support.
Add comment January 16, 2009
Huawei wins ICE 3G contract (Costa Rica)
Chinese telecoms equipment supplier Huawei has won a USD235 million contract to develop a 3G network for Costa Rican state telecoms operator ICE, writes BNamericas. The 3G network, which will comprise 950,000 lines and will be financed by the Central American Bank for Economic Development (Cabei), is expected to be operational by the fourth quarter. Huawei submitted the lowest of three bids in November; the other two bidding companies were Ericsson (which bid USD341 million) and ZTE (USD447 million).
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
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
Vodafone Turkey chooses Huawei for 3G
Vodafone Turkey has contracted Chinese vendor Huawei Technologies to provide equipment for its 3G network rollout. ‘We signed a five-year agreement with Huawei, which we believe will offer the best technical solution for 3G,’ Ian Gray, head of Vodafone Turkey, said in a statement which was quoted in a Reuters’ report. Vodafone, plus rivals Turkcell and Avea, won 3G licences in Turkey earlier this month.
Add comment December 16, 2008
