Posts Tagged Mobile
MasterCard to launch Mobile MoneySend platform
MasterCard is going to launch its P2P mobile remittance platform for issuers in the US later this month. MasterCard has partnered with The Bancorp Bank for this launch and worked with US mobile payments services provider Obopay to add a mobile channel to its money transfer platform MoneySend. In a first phase, consumers will be able to use MoneySend with a MasterCard prepaid card issued by The Bancorp Bank and link it to their mobile phone number to send or receive money. Banks who will use the platform will enable customers who register for MoneySend to use it with their everyday accounts, including MasterCard debit, credit, prepaid or checking, as determined by their issuer. The platform enables users to send and receive funds via SMS message, mobile web browser or a downloadable MoneySend application. Upon the initiation of the transfer, the sender approves the request by entering the MoneySend mobile PIN which is only known by the accountholder. Subsequently, the recipient receives a text message confirmation of the transfer (for pre-registered users) or that the transfer is pending (for yet to be registered users). The funds can then be accessed by the recipient through an account designated during the registration process. Initially, this will be a prepaid account with The Bancorp Bank. These funds are then available for access through the mobile phone. If the consumer has a MasterCard card associated with the account the funds can also be accessed at traditional points of interaction, including ATMs, over-the-counter at a bank branch, or at the point-of-sale.
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
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
Telenor acquires Danish mobile service provider Bibob
Telenor Denmark acquired mobile service provider BiBoB for DKK 93 million. The acquisition strengthens Telenor’s position via its subsdiary Sonofon on the Danish mobile market, adding 69,000 customers. The acquisition will not affect BiBoBs customers or employees, and BiBoB will remain a separate brand focussing on low-cost mobile services. The acqusition does not need approval from the Danish competition authority and has been completed. Sonofon had 1.833 million mobile customers on 31 March of this year.
Add comment May 11, 2009
Leap Wireless adds 493,000 new subscribers (USA)
Leap Wireless reported a hefty increase in its net new subscribers for the first quarter.However, it still came in behind competing wireless operator MetroPCS. Both companies have benefited from the current economic slowdown as mobile customers defect to their flat-rate, no-contract wireless services instead of sticking with landlines or high-end plans. MetroPCS appears to be doing a bit better than Leap after posting a net profit and higher customer additions in its latest quarter, although its churn rate and ARPU (average revenue per user) come in behind Leap’s. Leap added 493,000 new subscribers while MetroPCS plowed its way ahead with an additional 684,000 customers in the same period, and it expanded into highly-populated markets in New York and Boston and covered an additional 15 million people.Leap launched service in Chicago and Philadelphia toward the end of the first quarter, covering an additional 17 million people and adding 193,300 customers in those new markets.
Add comment May 11, 2009
Pre-paid users required to register from April (Mexico)
A requirement for pre-paid mobile phone users in Mexico to register their details with network operators has become law this week, coming into effect from April. Last September the Senate passed a bill saying that service providers have one year to register their existing customer base and collect proof of identity for all new sales. The move, largely an anti-crime measure, has been implemented in many other countries, often resulting in as much as a 10% fall in the overall subscriber base.
Add comment February 11, 2009
MVNOs to enter Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s assistant minister for communication, Zeljko Knezevic, has announced that mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) will ‘soon’ be allowed to enter the country’s telecoms market, according to local news source Nezavisne Novine. A new telecoms policy (‘2008–2012’), which comes into force today, stipulates that the regulator must define licence conditions for MVNOs by the end of 2010.
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
Bahrain- Pre-paid users given last chance to register
Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has extended a deadline for pre-paid mobile phone users to register their details to 31 March, because there still remain a significant number of unregistered subscribers. TRA general director Alan Horne said that only around half of an estimated 700,000 pre-paid users had registered by the original deadline on 31 December, and that ‘it could have been massive shock to the economy and to the telecom system of the country by taking such a big number of mobiles off the network.’ The registration scheme was introduced in the interests of public safety, security and to combat the use of mobile networks for illicit purposes.
1 comment February 6, 2009
Pakistan- New SOP for issuance, activation of SIMs begins
The Pakistan Observer is reporting that the new Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), requiring user verification before any SIM card is activated, has been officially implemented. Under the new SOP in order to obtain a new SIM card subscribers will first be required to provide a national identity card and complete a service agreement form. After this they will receive a non-activated SIM, and in order to activate it will be required to call a specified number from using the SIM and answer questions verifying the data they had provided. The new regulations have been introduced as the government and the regulator look to limit the use of mobile phones in anti-social activities.
Add comment February 2, 2009
ComReg slashes wholesale number portability costs (Ireland)
Ireland’s telecoms regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), has slashed wholesale prices operators charge one another for switching either a mobile phone or fixed line to a new service provider. SiliconRepublic reports that ComReg’s decision will cut 90% off the cost of wholesale mobile porting charges and 70% for a wholesale fixed line change in which the end user retains their existing number. New wholesale number portability (NP) rates – which have to be provided under law by both fixed and mobile operators – will be levied at a maximum EUR2.05 (USD2.62) for porting a cellular number and EUR4.02 for a corresponding landline switch.
ComReg has announced additional changes to other wholesale fixed line NP charging, including a new maximum EUR3.50 fee for Geographic Number Portability (GNP) in relation to Unbundled Local Metallic Path (ULMP) provisioning, and a maximum charge of EUR5.74 for Non-Geographic Number Portability (NGNP).
Add comment February 2, 2009
Germany- Cellcos propose increase in MTA fees
According to German press agency DPA, three of the country’s main cellcos have put forward a suggestion to increase mobile termination (MTA) fees from 1 April 2009. O2 Germany proposed the highest fee increase from the current EUR0.088 per minute to EUR0.1643, while rival T-Mobile Germany has suggested an increase from EUR0.0792 to EUR0.0839 per minute. Vodafone Germany wants to raise its fee to EUR0.0792 from the current EUR0.0823 per minute. E-Plus is the only operator to propose a decrease in MTA fees from EUR0.088 to EUR0.084. The German telecoms regulator BNA will publish its decision on 12 February 2009.
Add comment January 30, 2009
Etisalat Net Profits Grow 19% to Dhs8.7b in 2008
United Arab Emirates telco Etisalat has announced its consolidated annual net profit rose by 18.7% to AED8.7 billion (USD2.36 billion) during 2008 when compared to its 2007 net income of AED7.3 billion. Mohammed Khalfan Al Qamzi, CEO of Etisalat, said the improvement was due to an increase in subscribers at home and abroad; at the end of 2008, the company’s wireless subscriber base in the UAE increased to 7.3 million, a rise of 14% compared to the end of 2007, fixed line subscribers rose by 3% to 1.36 million and internet subscribers grew by 31% to 1.15 million. The company also reported its 2008 net revenues increased by 22% to AED26.1 billion when compared with the previous year. Chairman Mohammed Hassan Omran said ‘Acquiring new licences in Iran and India provides us with significant growth opportunities, and will support the development of our company for many years to come.’ Etisalat said it plans to invest USD1 billion in its first year of operations in Iran, after winning the country’s third mobile telephone licence in January.
However, while net profit increased when compared to the previous year, Reuters reported the telco’s fourth quarter net profit fell by 19.3% year-on-year to AED1.42 billion. Reuters calculated the quarterly data from previous financial statements, as Etisalat’s preliminary annual report did not provide quarterly breakdowns.
Add comment January 30, 2009
Joost reports more than 1 mln Joost iPhone app downloads
Joost(TM), the global web video service, today announced that more than one million iPhone and iPod Touch users have downloaded the free Joost application from Apple’s App Store. Introduced last November, the Joost app enables iPhone and iPod Touch users to enjoy thousands of hours of anime, comedy, drama, movies, music, documentaries, sci-fi and sports over their Wi-Fi connections.
Earlier this month, a new version of the Joost application became available. This new version features improved usability and stability for a cleaner, smoother interface and better overall performance.
“The Joost iPhone App has taken off because people want to be entertained, and there are many situations — like standing in line, waiting at an airport or doctor’s office, or commuting on a train — when TVs and computers can’t be found,” said Mike Volpi, CEO of Joost. “We’re continuing to innovate with this application and other devices in order to provide a complete premium entertainment experiment for users, content partners and advertisers.”
Similar to the web-based version of Joost, the Joost iPhone App is ad-supported and free to all users. Current advertisers on Joost’s iPhone App include the Canadian Tourism Commission through OMD Vancouver and Pangea Software.
“We’re constantly looking for ways to inform iPhone customers of our video games, and to get them to download the games,” said Brian Greenstone of Pangea Software. “Joost provides us with a unique proposition: we can show active iPhone users what our games are like, and after watching our video ad, they can download and start playing our games right away or return to viewing the video they have selected.”
Add comment January 30, 2009
Nortel exits Wimax business, Alvarion deal
Nortel Networks has pulled out of a deal to resell mobile Wimax equipment from Alvarion and help fund development of Alvarion’s Wimax base stations. The network equipment maker partnered with Alvarion last June after cutting back its own Wimax efforts. Alvarion said that the collapse of the deal will take USD 0.04 per share off its fourth-quarter profits, due to be announced 4 February. As a result the company will report a loss of USD 0.08 per share, includign 6 cents for earlier announced restructuring measures. The company won’t be able to recognize about USD 2.4 million in revenue from sales of products to Nortel in the quarter. This will put sales at around USD 70 million for the quarter, at the low end of its earlier guidance of USD 70-78 million. Nortel filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this month. Nortel said it will work closely with Alvarion to make sure it can continue to support existing Wimax customers. Nortel is obligated to pay Alvarion for certain research and development services beyond the fourth quarter, but in the wake of the bankruptcy, Alvarion said it’s not certain whether it will be able to collect. The companies are working on shifting over their joint Wimax customers to Alvarion.
Add comment January 30, 2009
Nar Mobile claims one million wireless subscribers (Azerbaijan)
Nar Mobile, Azerbaijan’s third largest cellco by subscribers, has announced its subscriber base reached the one million mark on 28 January 2009. During a press conference held in celebration of the event, Guido Helbich, general director of parent company Azerfon, said that Nar Mobile had a wireless market share of 20% at that date, and that its network covered 80% of the country, up from 40% a year earlier. In early January 2009, Nar Mobile launched 93 new base stations with the aim of improving network coverage and attracting new subscribers.
Add comment January 29, 2009
Tata Communications posts solid 3Q results; net profit, EBITDA, revenue all increase
Indian fixed line and broadband provider Tata Communications has released its financial results for the three months ended 31 December 2008, revealing a 17% increase in revenue against the same period last year. Tata’s revenue for its third fiscal quarter stood at INR9.9 billion (USD202 million), while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 43% year-on-year to INR2.3 billion. Net profit for the three-month period meanwhile was INR810 million, soaring 203% compared with the 3Q 2007. The large increase has been attributed to a one-off charge incurred by the operator in the same period last year following a revision of the its pricing arrangements. Tata has claimed however that its key operating sectors, business voice and data, have both continued to demonstrate strong growth in both revenue and operational parameters. Wholesale voice revenues for the nine months to end-December 2008 increased 73% to INR2.29 billion, while enterprise and carrier data revenue was up 23%.
Add comment January 29, 2009
Nokia adds 3 phones to classic range
Nokia has unveiled three new phones for its classic range. The Nokia 6700 classic is the successor to the 6300, one of the company’s top sellers in the mid-range market. The slim bar phone with metal keymat shares the same ‘DNA’ as its predecessor, according to the company, and Nokia expects it will be one of its best selling devices in 2009. The 6700 comes with a 5 megapixel camera, assisted GPS and Nokia Maps and 3G access. The phone will sell for EUR 235 before taxes and subsidies. Next up is the 6305 classic, priced at EUR 135. The handset has a 2.2-inch screen, 3.2 megapixel camera, 3.5 mm headset, music player, pre-loaded Nokia Maps and long battery life. Finally at the low end is the Nokia 2700 classic for EUR 65. The phone comes with a 2 megapixel camera, music player and up to 2 GB storage via a memory card slot. All three devices are expected to ship in the second quarter of 2009.
Add comment January 29, 2009
LG to Recall Mobile Phone Sold in Canada
LG Electronics Canada has issued a recall notice for one of its mobile phones after the handset was found to no longer comply with Canadian radio-emissions standards. The LG 150 is the only mobile phone manufactured by LG that is affected by the recall.LG has mobilized quickly in response to these findings on behalf of our customers, says Mr. William Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Canada. LG’s preliminary testing indicates that only LG 150 phones from specific production runs may be affected by this issue. LG is therefore recommending that all LG 150 phones manufactured within such production runs be returned in accordance with the guidelines set out below. LG is continuing to test the LG 150 phones. However, because customer satisfaction and safety continue to be our primary commitment, we are taking a proactive approach and working in cooperation with our carriers to recall all LG 150 phones in Canada.The company also noted that Health Canada is of the opinion, based on the review of test results and its assessment of current science, that the past and current use of the LG 150 should not pose immediate or long-term health concerns.
Add comment January 29, 2009
Econet’s post-paid services back on (Zimbabwe)
Zimbabwe’s mobile market leader Econet Wireless has resumed offering its post-paid services, which were suspended last November because of a shortage of foreign currency and lack of funding to pay for a new billing system. The move was made possible by the recent government initiative to allow operators to bill their users in foreign currency. A company statement said: ‘Econet is restoring contract services. The recent authorisation granted to the industry to bill in foreign currency allows us to re-engage our suppliers of billing systems.’ On related issues of affordability, the operator added, ‘The concerns raised by our customers on the cost of services are absolutely valid, we share these concerns and we will continue to engage relevant authorities with a view to lessening the impact of VAT on call charges.’ The statement said that VAT, pegged at 22.5%, is the highest in the region, and that government officials are currently in consultations to look at the possibility of reducing the tax.
Add comment January 28, 2009
Nokia Hits 1 Million 5800 XpressMusic 3G Mobile Phones Sales
Nokia has shipped the millionth Nokia 5800 XpressMusic device, a milestone that coincides with the successful sales start of the device in the UK. The latest in Nokia’s XpressMusic range, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic is the company’s first mass market touch screen device.
Following its introduction in October 2008, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic has seen successful sales starts in a number of markets, including Hong Kong and Moscow where the device sold out within hours of the sales start. Earlier today at the official sales start of the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic in the UK, more than 150 customers queued outside the Nokia Flagship Store on London’s Regent Street to be among the first to own the device.
“The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic has been received very positively and this milestone is just further proof that people all over the world want a device that is not only a great music experience, but also makes the most of touch screen technology,” said Jo Harlow, Vice President, Nokia.
The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic offers a complete music experience and features a number of music and entertainment essentials, including a graphic equalizer, 8GB memory for up to 6000 tracks, support for all main digital music formats, and a 3.5mm jack. Built-in surround sound stereo speakers offer the industry’s most powerful sound.
For the best screen resolution available on a mobile phone, the 3.2″ widescreen display brings photos, video clips and web content to life in vibrant color and true clarity. With a 16 by 9 aspect ratio and 30 frames-per-second playback and recording, the device is ideal for VGA quality video recording and playback. The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic also features a 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens and, with a single touch, images or videos can be shared via a favorite online community, such as Share on Ovi, Flickr, or Facebook.
Add comment January 28, 2009
NHH requests more information from mobile licence applicants (Hungary)
Hungary’s telecoms regulator the National Communications Authority (NHH) has requested that bidders in a tender for new mobile frequencies submit further information on their rollout commitments, local daily Nepszabadsag reports. The watchdog has asked applicants to provide greater details on their proposed rollout timetables and exactly how and where they intend to deploy their networks in the country. Local industry watchers say the NHH’s request could be interpreted as a sign that there is strong competition for the frequencies on offer, or conversely, it could be the case that bidders have tendered unrealistically low bids for the networks they have promised to build. It is understood the two lead bidders have each offered between HUF44 billion and HUF48 billion (USD200 million and USD218 million) for the frequencies and promised 70%-76% coverage, the paper wrote. The NHH called the tender in October 2008 and later extended the deadline for bidding to 12 December. The results of the tender were originally expected to be announced in January.
Add comment January 27, 2009
MVNO collective Libre Choix warns government to choose wisely on fourth 3G licence (France)
The French MVNO collective Libre Choix, which brings together a number of companies including Poweo, Altergaz, ipnotica Telecom, Gaz de Paris, Adrexo and Tele2 Mobile, has suggested the government should consult with MVNOs before it considers awarding the country’s fourth and final 3G licence. The group is keen to see the licence go to a new market entrant, saying such a move ‘would be the opportunity of a real market opening today locked by the oligopoly of the three incumbents’. Libre Choix believes that if a fourth operator is given free reign to enter the sector, ‘real competition’ will follow in the short term via MVNOs. Although Libre Choix welcomes the government’s willingness to accelerate the implementation of measures [i.e. awarding the fourth licence] to help revive the French economy, it stresses that splitting the frequency blocks on offer among the existing incumbents would not materially help achieve this goal.
Add comment January 27, 2009
Hong Kong Awards Three WiMAX Licenses
The auction of BWA (WiMAX) licenses in Hong Kong has been completed – with three winners. Three bidders have successfully bid for a total of 90 MHz of radio spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band at a total of spectrum utilization fee (SUF) of HK$1.5357 billion (US$198 million).With the assignment of the radio spectrum, the successful bidders will be able to deploy the next generation Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) technologies and offer a variety of advanced high-speed multimedia services. This should create a lot of opportunities for both network operators and providers of content and service applications, a spokesperson of the telecoms regulator, OFTA said.
This is the first time that the Government deploys an Internet-based software platform for auctioning radio spectrum, which is an important scarce public resource. With the participation of five bidders, we went through a total of 56 rounds of bidding over the past nine business days, the spokesperson said.
Add comment January 27, 2009
BSNL planning Kerala WiMAX launch for April 2009 (India)
Sstate-owned telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is planning to launch WiMAX-based services in the Kerala circle in April this year. Citing comments by Amit Mishra, general manager of marketing for BSNL-Kerala, the report says that the operator will install 450 WiMAX base stations in the first phase of deployment, as it aims to cover all major cities and highways in the region.
BSNL has also reportedly placed orders for 3G equipment in preparation for launching 3G services in the circle. It currently has 2,400 active cellular towers, and will add a further 200 in March 2009 and 1,800 more by December.
2 comments January 23, 2009
Wireless market continues to grow (UAE)
The subscriber base of United Arab Emirate’s two wireless operators, Etisalat and Du, has continued to grow in the fourth quarter of 2008, ArabianBusiness reports. Etisalat reported an estimated 7.3 million users at the end of December, up from 6.37 million a year earlier. Fixed line subscribers increased from 1.32 million at the end of 2007 to 1.38 million by December 2008, a market share of 84%. The company is forecasting a 28.2% rise in net income in 2008 to USD2.5 billion, although it has yet to publish its official results. However, Etisalat’s market share has decreased from 77.24% in September 2008 to 74% at the end of December 2008, while rival Du increased its share from 22.76% to 26% in the same time period. At the end of 2008 Du had an estimated 3.05 million subscribers, up from 2.07 million a year earlier. Du’s revenue is also expected to have grown by 8.6% in 2008, boosted by strong mobile revenue growth.
Add comment January 23, 2009
South Africa Mobile Penetration Level Breaks the 100% Mark
The South African market broke through the 100% penetration barrier during Q3 08 to finish the quarter on 101.8%. The total market reached 44.51m customers. Annual growth slowed from 24.2% for the 12 months ending 30th September 2007 to 10.7% for the subsequent 12 months, the lowest rate since Q2 02. However, this rate was the same as that recorded in Q2 08, and in real terms annual growth rose quarter-on-quarter, from 4.18m to 4.30m.
Vodacom remains the market leader in South Africa, and it reversed two quarters of net losses with a quarterly gain of 0.32m connections in Q3 08. However, this was the lowest figure in the market – the fourth time in a row it has picked up this dubious honour. Moreover, its third-quarter gain was not enough to compensate for the previous losses, with a resultant year-on-year decline of 24k. It finished Q3 with 22.48m and 50.5% market share, down from 56.0% a year earlier.
Add comment January 23, 2009
Nokia Q4 Profit Slumps 69% – Warns of Difficult 2009
Nokia has reported that its fourth-quarter sales dropped by 19% to €12.7 billion (US$16.4 billion) and profits slumped by a huge 69% to €576 million (US$744 million), compared to a profit of €1.84 billion (US$2.4 billion) a year ago. Analysts polled by Bloomberg News had estimated profit of €975 million on sales of €13.1 billion.Nokia’ mobile phone sales were down 15% year on year at 113.1 million units – and down 4% sequentially.
Nokia CEO, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo said “In recent weeks, the macroeconomic environment has deteriorated rapidly, with even weaker consumer confidence, unprecedented currency volatility and credit tightness continuing to impact the mobile communications industry. We are taking action to reduce overall costs and to preserve our strong capital structure. This is clearly our top priority in the current economic environment. However, it is important for Nokia to continue investing at the proper pace in future growth. We believe Nokia has a tremendous opportunity to capture value as the Internet services market evolves and grows,”The company warned that more limited availability of credit also reduced the purchasing ability of some its trade customers.
Add comment January 23, 2009
Israel’s WiMAX policy to be completed by end-January
Globes Online is reporting that Israel’s Ministry of Communications (MoC) has completed its hearing on WiMAX policy, and the final regulations are expected to be published by the end of the month. It is also expected that the regulator will announce a tender committee when it publishes the policy. No significant changes in the policy are expected from previous drafts, but the formulation of tenders for the licences is still understood to be unclear. Minister of Communications Ariel Atias has reportedly urged that the tender be based on the lowest price per minute, although the MoC is understood to be unsure how to implement this for the IP-based WiMAX technology.
Add comment January 22, 2009
Mobilkom Austria group expands mobile broadband with Nortel, Kapsch CarrierCom
As reported in a press release, Mobilkom Austria is deploying an enhanced network based on an IMS-ready Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) solution supplied by Kapsch CarrierCom and Nortel Networks, to support regional expansion of mobile broadband and other services. The solution is designed to convert Mobilkom Austria’s existing network into a robust, carrier-grade network with added flexibility for introducing new applications including TV- and GPS-based services, and enhanced reliability, as well as ensuring quality of service. The companies have completed the first phase of the project in Austria and work has already begun on upgrades at the group’s subsidiaries in Slovenia (Si.Mobil) and Liechtenstein (Mobilkom Liechtenstein). Mobilkom’s solution is founded on Nortel’s Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA)-based MSC server, which promises lower maintenance and operation costs and requires less space and power. ‘The ATCA-compliant, All-IP Voice Core Solution being used by Mobilkom Austria helps cut operating costs and offers ease of transition to enhanced services, including IMS,’ said Peter Newcombe, vice-president, Carrier Networks, EMEA, Nortel.
Add comment January 22, 2009
Spin3 Raises the Stakes With First Mobile Casino for the Groundbreaking Android G1
Leading full service mobile gaming solutions provider Spin3, powered by Microgaming, the world’s largest online gaming software provider, has today announced the launch of web-based mobile casino games for the Android G1 phone.
Spin3’s new casino games for the Android G1 operate as web applications. The web-based games, which include Blackjack and Roulette, the progressive play slot game Major Millions and the popular Tomb Raider, eliminate the need to download and install games and enable users to play instantly. By combining the Android G1’s screen quality and touch-screen controls, Spin3’s mobile casino games offer the most advanced mobile casino experience to date.
Matti Zinder, Head of Spin3, says, “Following hot on the heels of the iPhone, the G1, which uses the Google Android operating system, is a new must-have handset for the consumer market. Around 1.5 million Android G1 phones were pre-ordered before it was even launched. That’s a phenomenal number. The launch of mobile casino games on the Android G1 is part of Spin3’s wider strategy to offer its leading games as web applications for use on web-based smartphones. The G1 offers a powerful breakthrough for the mobile world with a fast, stable, operating system which is all about connectivity, interactivity and the internet. This technology and the mobile internet combine to provide a streamlined channel on which to deliver our games, and a mobile gaming experience that is on par with online.”
Matti Zinder continues, “Our ability to provide casino games for the foremost consumer handsets — the Android G1 and the iPhone — confirms Spin3’s leadership in the mobile gaming industry and enables our clients to offer their customers casino games on the most cutting-edge mobile devices.
“Mobile internet technology represents the next step in the evolution of mobile telephony. The versatility of the Google Android operating system and the fact that it is an open source system means that it is only a matter of time before other handset manufacturers launch devices based on this platform. Spin3 already supports the first device to run on the Google Android system and as new devices are launched, we are confident our development team will continue to adapt our games to support these as well. Spin3 is committed to driving change and innovation, and we are confident that the development of our games portfolio and systems for the new generation of smartphones, including the Android G1, will win mobile gaming that mass-market appeal that it deserves.”
Add comment January 22, 2009
Apple sells 4.36 million iPhone 3Gs in quarter
Apple announced financial results for its fiscal 2009 first quarter ended 27 December 2008, posting record revenue of USD 10.17 billion and record net quarterly profit of USD 1.61 billion. This compares to USD 1.78 per diluted share. In accordance with the subscription accounting treatment required by GAAP, the Company recognizes revenue and cost of goods sold for iPhone and Apple TV over their economic lives. Adjusting GAAP sales and product costs to eliminate the impact of subscription accounting, the corresponding non-GAAP measures for the quarter are USD 11.8 billion of Adjusted Sales and USD 2.3 billion of Adjusted Net Income. Apple sold 2,524,000 Macintosh computers during the quarter, representing 9 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter and at the same time, Apple sold a record 22,727,000 iPods during the quarter, representing 3 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. Quarterly iPhone units sold were 4,363,000, representing 88 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. In total, Apple sold 11.26 million iPhone 3Gs and 6.1 million first generation iPhones.
Add comment January 22, 2009
UCell Uzbekistan Deploys Comverse Billing, Ringback Tone, and Call Completion Services
Comverse announced today that UCell Uzbekistan will begin offering new products and services to derive more revenues from voice calls and also improve the experience of mobile phone users with expanded prepaid billing features and ringback tones.
“Comverse’s solutions provide us with the features we need to handle new growth and enrich the user experience with choice, convenience, control and fun,” says Helge Raitanen, Chief Technical Officer at UCell, which is owned by TeliaSonera and managed by the Fintur Holdings B.V. (a joint venture of TeliaSonera and Turkcell).
UCell subscribers now can find out who tried to call them when they were unreachable, even though a message was not left. In a similar fashion, another Comverse service can notify the calling subscriber as soon as the unreachable party becomes available in the network, eliminating the need for repeat dialing. In both cases, free text messages notify subscribers.
Comverse, the world’s leading supplier of software and systems enabling network-based billing and value-added messaging and content services, developed the two services, aptly known as “Who Called” and “Notify Me,” to address the fact that roughly 30 percent of calls go unanswered. These services comprise a part of the Comverse Total Call Completion Solution, whose goal is to bring each call to a satisfactory and billable conclusion.
The new prepaid billing features offer more account management capabilities to UCell subscribers, such as providing balance notifications at the end of calls and the ability to replenish their balances via various services. Comverse Fun Dial™ Ringback Tone service lets users select music and other content for their callers to hear while waiting for calls to be answered.
Comverse’s real-time billing capabilities support UCell’s expanding portfolio of value-added services. “UCell is a forward-thinking operator that realizes just as value-added services can increase user satisfaction and generate growth, the correct billing approach helps turn billing and customer care into new opportunities for revenue and growth,” said Dror Bin, President of Comverse Products Group. “We look forward to broadening our longstanding relationship with UCell.”
Add comment January 22, 2009
Azerbaijan calls for lowered mobile tariffs
Azerbaijan has taken a step further in lowering the mobile tariffs calling for greater savings for the consumers. According to Eliyar Temirov, officer of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies, the tariffs levied by operators, on an average, are higher that the tariffs in other nations. “To offset the balance in the market and to prevent unfair competition, asymmetrical regulation is exercised in the international practice by to supporting a new entrant against the established incumbent service providers. Moreover, the mobile call prices may be reduced by cutting the fees that operators levy for switching callers between each other’s networks,” he added.
The ministry has talked about this to Azercell and Bakcell, convincing them to cut down the tariffs. The Tariff Council has given a green signal to the lowering of so-called termination rates that mobile operators can charge each other to connect calls between their networks within the antimonopoly policy.
Add comment January 22, 2009
Microsoft unveils music download service on MSN Mobile
Microsoft has launched a music download service on MSN Mobile which will allow users with internet-enabled phones to purchase and download music via their mobile.
The new service is available across all UK network operators and boasts a catalogue of up to one million tracks, 25,000 Realtones and 10,000 Music Videos from record labels such as Sony Music and Warner Music.
Users who have an internet-enabled phone can purchase full tracks for £1.50 via the PayForIt billing framework. Charges appear on the user’s monthly bill in the case of post-pay contracts, or debited direct from pre-pay mobile plans.
Consumers enter www.msn.co.uk into their phone internet browser and select the music service from the menu. Alternatively users can text MSN to 63463 and will be sent a link to the service.
The MSN Mobile Music service is provided via an exclusive partnership with VidZone Digital Media.
Add comment January 22, 2009
Orange and RIM Introduce the New BlackBerry Curve 8900 Smartphone in Romania
Orange Romania and Research In Motion (RIM) launched the BlackBerry Curve 8900. In addition to exceptional phone, email, messaging, organizer, web browser and multimedia applications, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone features global connectivity support, built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, a next generation 512Mhz processor and a stunning hi-resolution display.
In a commitment to bring the latest BlackBerry smartphones to the Romanian market, Orange Romania now offers the BlackBerry Curve 8900 in its extensive BlackBerry smartphone portfolio. The choice for customers has never been wider in the BlackBerry smartphone portfolio from Orange Romania, which includes the BlackBerry Pearl 8120, BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220, BlackBerry Curve 8320, and BlackBerry Boldsmartphones, as well as four dedicated service plans starting from 5 Euros per month.
Sporting a sleek new style, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone incorporates video, text and maps, a full QWERTY keyboard and an intuitive trackball navigation system that gives users an exceptional mobile experience. The full-featured smartphone lets you take your favorite songs and videos with you and with its new 3.2 megapixel camera — including auto focus, digital zoom and flash — you can take sharp, print-quality pictures and send them to friends or post them on the Internet. The microSD/SDHC expandable memory card slot supports up to 16GB per card, giving users plenty of easily interchangeable storage.
”We believe that in 2009 this new BlackBerry smartphone will play a significant role in the smartphone market in Romania. Customers will easily recognize the optimal combination of price, design, functionality and services. Orange smartphone sales have grown by 20% in 2008 comparing to 2007 and we are positive that launching smarpthones such as the BlackBerry Curve 8900, which combines industry leading email and Internet access services with rich multimedia capabilities, will greatly appeal to our customers,” stated Razvan Sturza, Product Manager Orange Romania.
“The BlackBerry Curve 8900 lets you stay easily connected with work, family, friends and the web – all on a beautifully designed phone that looks and feels great,” said Mark Guibert, Vice President, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. “The combination of features is perfect for people who want the renowned functionality and usability of a BlackBerry smartphone in a beautiful and compact design.”
Enhanced web browsing and multimedia features
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 is a quad-band smartphone with EDGE network support, providing global connectivity, fast data access and powerful web browsing. The smartphone can be used with both BlackBerry Internet Service and BlackBerry Enterprise Server.
At approximately 110 grams and 109 x 60 x 13.5 millimeters, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone to date and comes in a sleek and refined design that feels comfortable for either one-handed or two-handed use. Its large, striking 2.4 inch HVGA+ display (480×360 resolution) projects vivid color and makes information easier to read. The BlackBerry Curve 8900 also provides flexible connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) support and helps people find their way with its GPS capabilities.
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone is available in all Orange shops and partners’ stores in Romania. Prices range from 229 EUR to 329 EUR depending on the BlackBerry smartphone tariff plan chosen.
Add comment January 22, 2009
Etisalat and RIM launch the BlackBerry Curve 8900 and BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 Smartphones in UAE
New BlackBerry Curve 8900 is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone.
BlackBerry Pearl Flip is the first flip phone from RIM.
Etisalat and Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the launch of the new BlackBerry Curve 8900 and BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 smartphones in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone delivers a sleek twist on a classic style and is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone on the market. In addition providing exceptional communications and multimedia features, this model includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, a faster processor (512Mhz) and a dazzling hi-resolution display. The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 enables users to remain productive, entertained and connected to friends, family and the office wherever they go.
In addition, its advanced multimedia capabilities include a 3.2-megapixel camera with image stabilization, digital zoom, flash and the ability to record video. It comes with a rich media player, 3.5mm stereo headset jack, headset and a hot-swappable microSD/SDHC memory card slot. A 256MB card is included and it supports memory cards of up to 16GB, enabling customers to carry, capture and enjoy more of their music, pictures and video on the go.
On the flipside, the BlackBerry Pearl Flip smartphone maintains the popular features and benefits of the BlackBerry Pearl series smartphones, plus it packs numerous enhancements into its sleek flip design. The spacious SureType keyboard allows easy typing and dialing while the flip design opens to a large, vibrant internal display and provides the satisfying finality of ending a call by closing the phone. Customers will also appreciate the external display for previewing calendar reminders, email, text messages and phone calls at a glance.
The BlackBerry Pearl Flip smartphone also boasts an advanced multimedia experience including a 2 megapixel camera with digital zoom, flash and video recording, stereo Bluetooth support and an easily accessible expandable memory card slot for up to 16GB of additional storage per card.
Abdulla Hashim, VP of Business Solutions at Etisalat said, “The launch of these new smartphones offers an even wider choice to our customers with an unbeatable combination of great design and exceptional features.”
Khaled Kefel, General Manager of RIM in the Middle East added, “The BlackBerry Curve 8900 and the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 both harness the power of the industry leading BlackBerry platform to give users everything they need to stay connected, productive and entertained. RIM is delighted to work with Etisalat in the UAE to launch these two impressive smartphones.”
Both models are now available in all Etisalat retail outlets and business centres in the UAE, offering customers the convenience of instalment plans on a one- or two-year contract.
Source- http://www.zawya.com
Add comment January 22, 2009
LG is the world third largest mobile manufacturer
According to Digitimes, LG shipped 100 million mobile devices during 2008, in this becoming the world’s third largest handset manufacturer. This allowed LG to exceed both Motorola and Sony Ericsson’s sales figures. Nokia still retains it top spot (470 million phones sold in 2008 and is followed up by Samsung (with 200 million units sold).
Add comment January 22, 2009
Sybase acquires mobile payments provider Paybox
Sybase has announced that it has acquired privately held, paybox Solutions, a developer of mobile payment solutions for an undisclosed amount. Sybase says that it will now provide its customers with a full suite of mobile payment solutions enabling their customers to undertake person-to-person remittances, make payments for goods and services, top-up mobile airtime and pay bills from a mobile device, in both developed and emerging markets.
Mobile payments are an increasingly critical part of mobile computing, a core component of our Unwired Enterprise strategy, said Marty Beard, president of Sybase 365. The sheer number of people with access to a mobile phone in both developed and emerging markets around the world, means the mobile device has the potential to become a dominant vehicle for consumers to connect and transact conveniently, anytime, anywhere, fuelling the mobile economy. This acquisition extends our offerings and capabilities to enable this mobile economy.A privately held company founded in 1999 and headquartered in Raunheim, Germany, paybox will be integrated into Sybase 365, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sybase.
Add comment January 22, 2009
