Posts Tagged Orange
Six operators to launch LiMo handsets this year
Six operators will launch mobile phones based on the LiMo operating system this year, announced the LiMo Foundation, an industry group promoting Linux software for mobile services. The operators planning LiMo devices include NTT Docomo, Orange, SK Telecom, Telefonica, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone. Further active operator participants in the LiMo Foundation include KTF, SFR, Softbank Mobile, Swisscom and Telecom Italia. To date 33 commercial handset models have been certified as LiMo Compliant, of which 10 will be on display at the Mobile World Congress by NEC and Panasonic. LG and Samsung will also show new prototype models at MWC in Barcelona.
The LiMo Foundation also announced that all technologies specified for the R2 release of the LiMo Platform have been contributed on time, and LiMo members are currently introducing reference implementations for devices. The LiMo Reference Implementations will include code specified within both LiMo Platform R1 and LiMo Platform R2. This code includes source code contributions from members as well as components originating from open source communities. LiMo Reference Implementation contributors include Access, Azingo, LG Electronics, Purple Labs and Samsung Electronics. The latest technologies in the LiMo Platform include support for features such as advanced multimedia, location-based services, device management and enhanced security. The LiMo Foundation also announced its endorsement of the OMTP Bondi specification, which future LiMo handsets using a web runtime will support for widgets.
Add comment February 11, 2009
Appeal court upholds ban on Apple’s iPhone deal with Orange (France)
The French courts have ruled that Orange France must relinquish its exclusive rights to sell the Apple iPhone in France, upholding an earlier ruling by the country’s anti-competition authorities. On 17 December 2008 the competition watchdog effectively tore up the exclusivity contract when it ordered Orange France and Apple to suspend the deal they brokered which allowed the mobile operator to control the sale of the much-hyped Apple device in the country. The Competition Council’s ruling followed a complaint filed by Bouygues Telecom which argued the exclusivity deal breached local competition laws. A spokesman for Orange has told AFP it would seek to overturn the ruling before France’s high court of appeal, the Cour de Cassation.
Add comment February 5, 2009
Carrefour targets m-payments trials by year-end
The retail chain Carrefour has announced plans to work with a number of French mobile operators to begin trials of Near Field Communications (NFC) m-payments trials in the country by December 2009. Carrefour says the trial will allow customers of Orange, SFR and Bouygues to make secure mobile contactless payments via a version of its MasterCard loyalty card, known as Pass. The mobile payments can be redeemed as mobile coupons and will effectively replace their existing store cards.
Add comment February 4, 2009
Etisalat to sell Apple’s iPhone 3G in UAE, Saudi Arabia
UAE-based operator Etisalat has signed an agreement to sell Apple’s iPhone 3G mobile phone in the United Arab Emirates from later this month. The operator will simultaneously launch the device in Saudi Arabia through its operator there, Mobily. The iPhone 3G, available in 8GB and 16GB models, is already available in some countries in the Middle East, through agreements with Vodafone and Orange affiliates.
Add comment February 3, 2009
FT to launch Armenian venture in autumn 2009
France Telecom (Orange) aims to launch its new Armenian operation in autumn 2009, its CEO Didier Lombard is quoted as saying in an interview with the Armenia President, Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Mr Lombard announced only scant details of the French firm’s rollout plan, but did say that he expected the new services would be ‘in demand’.
The French heavyweight was unveiled as the winner of Armenia’s third mobile operator licence in October 2008, after submitting the highest bid in the ongoing tender process. The French telco was one of three groups shortlisted in August that year to participate in an international tender for the third mobile concession. Orange tendered roughly EUR51.5 million (USD72 million) for the concession, roughly five times the state’s EUR10 million minimum asking price. The other bidders, Tele2 of Sweden and the UK-Irish group Blackrock Communications, bid EUR45.6 million and EUR31.7 million, respectively.
Add comment February 2, 2009
Jordan Telecom reports 2008 results
According to the Jordan Times, Jordan Telecom Group (JTG) grew its customer base to 2.52 million subscribers at the end of 2008, up 3.4% year-on-year. The company said the rise was mainly driven by growth from its Orange internet subscriber base, which reported 55.6% subscriber growth to 102,200. The Orange mobile customer base rose by 2.6% to 1.76 million, while the number of fixed line subscribers was up 0.5% to 663,400. The group’s net profit increased 6.1% to JOD100.3 million (USD142.7 million), while EBITDA was up 5.5% to JOD183.2 million. Revenues edged up 0.9% to JOD401.4 million, while JTG’s operating expenses before depreciation and amortisation declined by 2.7% to JOD218.2 million. Capital expenditure in 2008 amounted to JOD55.8 million, 6.7% lower than the JOD59.8 million in 2007.
Add comment February 2, 2009
Israel to allow MVNOs on market
The Israeli government has announced that it will permit the launch of MVNOs on the local market. The ministry of communications said that several companies have already expressed their interest for various new business models, including full MVNO. The government expects that the entry of more mobile operators to the market, along with the already existing number postability, will boost competition and encourage operators to come up with more attractive offers for customers. The ministry has prepared a draft ‘Licence for the provision of mobile telephony services involving the use of a mobile telephony network of another company’, and has laid down the main conditions and requirements of applying for an MVNO licence. There are currently three main mobile network operators in Israel: Orange, Pelephone and Cellcom.
Add comment January 29, 2009
3G deal offered to mobile operators (UK)
British broadsheet The Times is reporting that mobile operators including Vodafone and Orange may be allowed to retain their 3G licences indefinitely if they commit to follow spending plans put forward by the communications minister Lord Carter. It is believed that the offer has been made in a bid to quell concerns over the cost of introducing a universal obligation to provide every home in the UK with a 2Mbps broadband connection. The obligation is one of the key elements of Lord Carter’s Digital Britain report. Industry estimates have suggested that in order to provide such a service to 99.5% of the population it would cost up to GBP2 billion (USD2.75 billion), a cost that would have to be met by operators.
With the government also trying to encourage a further GBP5 billion investment from operators in new fibre-optic networks, the licence deal is seen as a means of offsetting costs. The five UK-based 3G operators – Orange, Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile and 3 – spent a collective GBP22.5billion on their 20-year 3G licences.
Add comment January 27, 2009
Operators may have to cut termination charges (UK)
British mobile operators including Vodafone UK, T-Mobile and O2 may have to cut mobile termination rates (MTR) following a ruling by the Competition Commission, Reuters reports. In a submission to the Competition Appeals Tribunal (CAT) the Competition Commission has upheld an appeal by BT Group against regulator Ofcom. The submission calls for a reduction of termination rates; it recommends that the charges for connections to the networks of O2, Orange, Vodafone and T-Mobile be reduced to GBP0.04 (USD0.06) by 2010/11. Ofcom’s original recommendation was for a charge of GBP0.051. The Competition Commission has also recommended charges for connecting to the network of Hutchison Whampoa-owned 3 UK be lowered to GBP0.44 by the same date, against Ofcom’s GBP0.059 suggestion. The CAT will now consider the proposals, and the next case-management conference in the appeals process is expected on 2 February 2009.
Add comment January 23, 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
Orange signs cooperation agreement with Space Telecom (Jordan)
Orance, the sole integrated operator in the Kingdom, has signed a cooperation agreement with Space Telecom, the leading company in telecommunications and security systems for commercial and governmental institutions, whereby Orange will support, activate and develop the telecommunications system for private and public entities in different areas of the Kingdom.
The agreement was signed by Jordan Telecom Group CEO. Mr. Mickael Ghossein, and Eng. Akram Abu Hamdan, Chairman of Space Telecom, and Mr. Ali Shukri Kinj General Manager of Space Telecom, the ceremony was also attended by Mr. Sami Smeirat, Vice President of Jordan Telecom Group / Chief Executive Officer of the Internet and Data Business Unit.
“We are delighted to sign this agreement with Space Telecom due to its experience in these applications. This agreement will enhance our position as the sole integrated operator in the Kingdom that combines the most unique telecommunication solutions (fixed, internet, mobile). We are always looking to forge such positive alliances in a bid to offer our best services to the Jordanian companies,” said Ghossein.
For his part, Mr. Smeirat clarified that this agreement is part of Orange plans to develop the local telecommunications market through providing different segments of the Jordanian society with integrated solutions.
Mr. Hamdan expressed his delight for this partnership with Orange as a leading operator that provides the most advanced telecommunications technologies in the world. He said: “This agreement will assist the two companies in providing telecommunications solutions through a variety of joint projects in the Jordanian market.”
Source: http://www.zawya.com
Add comment January 21, 2009
Yoigo claims one million subscribers (Spain)
Spanish mobile operator Xfera Moviles (Yoigo) has announced that it has reached one million subscribers. The operator, which launched services in December 2006, also revealed that it has deployed 2,500 mobile antennas across the country since it began operations. Commenting on the milestone Yoigo CEO, Johan Andsjo, said, ‘The market has changed incredibly in two years, and we have been a cornerstone of this change.’ Yoigo is 76% owned by Nordic telecoms group TeliaSonera, and according to AIKresearch’s database the cellco had a market share of just 1.40% at the end of September 2008, some way behind its three rivals Telefonica Moviles, Vodafone Spain and Orange Espana.
Add comment January 14, 2009
France to split fourth 3G licence into 5MHz lots
The French authorities have opted against awarding the country’s fourth and final 3G mobile licence to a sole bidder, preferring instead to split the blocks of frequency on offer into three lots of 5MHz, with one reserved for a new market entrant. Prime Minister Francois Fillon announced that the government would ring-fence one block of available frequencies when it launches the tender for the licences next month; the radio spectrum is expected to be allocated before the end of the year.
In September 2008 the telecoms regulator Arcep announced plans to re-launch its campaign to issue a fourth and final 3G mobile licence via a new competitive tender process. In 2007 the watchdog tried and failed to auction off the concession when domestic broadband operator Iliad’s sole bid, through its mobile unit Free Mobile, was rejected for failing to meet the financial conditions of the award. In a statement underlining decision no. 2007-0862, adopted in October 2007, the watchdog said ‘the candidature of Free Mobile cannot be retained under the financial conditions currently defined in the law’. As a condition of its bid, Iliad said it believed the success of the fourth mobile operator was dependent on the winner being allowed to make a deferred annual payment of the licence fee instead of an upfront one-off payment of EUR619 million. ‘Iliad believes that a single payment of the rental charge represents a barrier to entering the market,’ the company said.
Although the authorities’ decision to split the frequencies into blocks has greatly increased the likelihood of a new player entering the mobile market, it is unclear how anyone can make great capital from such a small 5MHz allocation. Moreover, with only two blocks open to bidding from the three incumbent operators – Orange France, SFR and Bouygues Telecom – all three firm’s shares dropped following the PM’s announcement. On a more positive note, the news will no doubt be welcome to Iliad which is still keen to enter the domestic mobile market in some form or other.
Add comment January 13, 2009
Alcatel-Lucent deploys HSPA network for SRR in Reunion
Alcatel-Lucent has successfully deployed a 3G+ network for the mobile operator Societe Reunionnaise de Radiotelephone (SRR). In a statement, Alca-Lu said the initial roll out of the UMTS/HSPA network was made in 2008 mostly covering Reunion’s Saint-Denis commune and in the island’s main towns. The vendor has installed its UMTS Radio Access Network (UTRAN) and mobile NGN (Next Generation Network) core network solutions allowing SRR to expand and improve its portfolio of voice and high speed data services. ‘We are extremely proud to be the first to deploy an Alcatel-Lucent 3G network in Reunion; with it we will be able for the first time to offer our customers new high speed user-centric services, thanks to Alcatel-Lucent’s unrivalled UMTS radio access solution’, said Pierre-Antoine Legagneur, SRR’s network technical director.
SRR, trades under the brand name SFR Reunion, is the largest mobile telecoms provider in the French overseas departments of Mayotte and Reunion. Operational since 1995, SRR currently commands a more than 65% market share with about 650,000 customers. SRR Reunion’s network covers more than 99% of the population.
In June 2008 the French telecoms regulator Arcep awarded 3G spectrum licences for the French overseas departments and territories. SRR, Orange and Outremer Telecom were each awarded spectrum in the 2100MHz band in La Reunion, while Orange and Outremer Telecom were awarded spectrum for the French Antilles and Guyana. 3G services were expected to be introduced by the end of the year, and licensees are obliged to provide 70% population coverage by 2013.
Add comment January 8, 2009
FNAC sells contract-free iPhone 3G in France
After the recent ruling by the French telecoms regulator, the people in France will now be able to buy an iPhone 3G without the contract which is Apple-sanctioned for Orange.
The French retailer FNAC is now selling a contract-free version of the black 8GB iPhone for $1,123, while black or white 16GB models are fetching $1,263. The cost will be five times more than the $210.01 in-contract cost for the 8GB model sold by Orange.
Add comment December 30, 2008
Spanish mobile subscribers pass 50 mln mark in Q3
Spanish mobile phone users rose to 50.74 million for a 109.9 percent penetration at the end of the third quarter from 47.61 million, or 105.3 percent, a year earlier, according to telecommunications regulator CMT. Postpaid lines rose to 29.46 million from 27.06 million, and prepaid lines fell to 20.22 million from 20.55 million. Notably, the number of datacards doubled to 1.06 million from 554,218 over the same period, with 574,201 UMTS cards and 482,131 HSDPA cards at the end of September. Mobile call minutes grew to 18.44 billion from 17.75 billion, with calls to fixed lines rising to 1.84 billion from 1.83 billion and calls to mobiles growing to 15.49 billion from 14.84 billion. Movistar had a 45.8 percent share of customers, followed by Vodafone with 30.6 percent, Orange with 20.7 percent, Yoigo with 1.5 percent, Euskaltel with 0.5 percent and other MVNOs 0.9 percent.
Add comment December 26, 2008
Orange Romania invests EUR200m in 2008
Orange Romania has announced that its investments in 2008 totalled EUR200 million (USD280 million), including EUR5 million on the expansion of its network of retail outlets. The French-owned cellco says it has now spent a total of EUR1.6 billion on the development of its operations in Romania. It claimed more than 10.2 million subscribers and a 38% market share at the end of September.
Add comment December 24, 2008
France Telecom Exclusive Deal To Sell iPhone In France Banned
In a move that France Telecom itself has called a “serious blow,” France’s Competition Council has temporarily suspended the agreement the firm has with Apple that lets its French operator Orange sell the iPhone 3G exclusively. The competition watchdog said the ban, which takes effect on Thursday, is aimed at letting consumers buy the gadget on contract from competing operators SFR and Bouygues Telecom, right in time for the holiday sales season. France Telecom said it would appeal the decision.
So, how angry are France Telecom execs with this decision? In a statement issued today, the global telecoms group had nothing but sharp criticism for the Competition Council whom it accused of making a decision without “in-depth examination,” that would not only “undermine Orange’s efforts to develop high-speed mobile services in France,” but would have a “major impact” on the market, with possible “serious consequences on manufacturers, as well as their subcontractors and software suppliers.” The best, however, was reserved for the number three operator Bouygues Telecom, which initiated the complaint in mid-September.
France Telecom basically accused its smaller rival, which it noted was “most behind” in rolling out its 3G network,” of crying to the Competition Council, rather than “offering genuine competition based on innovative offers.” It also noted that Orange has had the iPhone exclusive deal for a year now, but that it took Bouygues Telecom until now, just before the lucrative holiday sales season to request these “urgent conservative measures.”
The Council said in a statement that France Telecom’s five-year deal with Apple, which locks subscribers into a 12-24 month contract with Orange, adds another obstacle for consumers in a market already suffering from a lack of competition. Any future exclusivity deals would also be limited to three months at a time. As for an appeal, it’s going to take a long time for France Telecom to get the decision reversed, if at all. An “in-depth examination of the agreement” would likely take 12-15 months to complete, a Council spokesperson told Reuters.
Bouygues Telecom said in a statement it hoped to start selling the iPhone as soon as possible, while France’s second largest operator the Vivendi-Vodafone owned SFR, said it has “always been interested” in selling the iPhone, “but not at any price.”
L’iPhone, as its known in France, has been good to France Telecom, which said it has sold 450,000 of the 3G gadgets to date. As for other operators around the world, the iPhone has helped lure subscribers and boost data usage. The council estimated that Orange raked in 220 million euros ($308.2 million) from iPhone 3G sales from its July 18 launch to November 5. As for Apple, the ruling probably won’t be as much of a blow, especially as it has already dropped its exclusivity strategy in favor of selling through multiple operators in other European countries.
Add comment December 18, 2008
Polish cellcos join hands for mobile TV bid
Poland’s four mobile operators have united to bid for a DVB-licence. According to Wirtualne Media, Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa (PTC), P4 (Play), Polkomtel and PTK Centertel (Orange) will each hold a 25% stake in the new joint venture. The move follows a ruling last week by Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) that said it would not be anti-competitive. The Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) is currently holding a tender for a spectrum licence to broadcast DVB-H services; applications are due on 15 January 2009.
Add comment December 16, 2008
