EC picks Inmarsat, Solaris for mobile satellite services May 15, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Europe, Inmarsat, Mobile, Solaris Mobile, Telecom, Wireless.Tags: Europe, Inmarsat, Mobile, Solaris Mobile, Telecom, Wireless
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The European Commission has selected Inmarsat and Solaris Mobile to provide mobile satellite services across Europe. The services, such as high-speed internet access, mobile television and radio or emergency communications, will be provided over a specifically reserved spectrum. Mobile satellite services (MSS) are expected to offer wireless communications to millions of EU consumers and businesses with portable terminals carried by a person or mounted on a car or a ship. They can also help bridge the digital divide in the availability of high-speed internet coverage by reaching rural and less populated regions. Member states now have to ensure that Inmarsat Ventures and Solaris Mobile have the right to use the specific radio frequencies identified in the Commission’s decision and the right to operate their respective mobile satellite systems. These providers have to be authorised to use their satellite systems all over Europe for 18 years from the selection decision.
UK report recommends spectrum caps ahead of auctions May 14, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Europe, Mobile, Mobile Industry News, Mobile News, Telecom, UK, WiMAX, Wireless.Tags: Europe, Mobile, Mobile Industry News, Mobile News, Telecom, UK, WiMAX, Wireless
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The UK government has issued an independent report on dividing existing and future mobile network spectrum. After the mobile operators were unable to reach an industry agreement on their existing spectrum holdings, the government asked former Ofcom director Kip Meek to act as an independent broker and develop a plan for the 2G and 3G spectrum. His proposals also incorporate the 2.6GHz spectrum for Wimax and LTE and the so-called digital dividend in the 800 MHz band, which still must be auctioned. According to the report, the goal is to give network operators certainty on their future investments, encourage further take-up of mobile broadband and use new technologies to achieve the government’s goal of near universal broadband access. A quick and efficient division of the spectrum could mean all of the UK enjoying mobile broadband at 4 Mbps within five years, while many urban years would see up to 50 Mbps.
On the spectrum to be auctioned, Meek proposes an auction of the TDD 2.6GHz spectrum for Wimax services by year-end, and a later auction combining the FDD 2.6GHz and 800 MHz frequencies. Meek would like to see regional and speed obligations on services deployed in the 800 MHz band to enhance broadband access, while the current 3G licence holders would receive incentives for expanding broadband access, such as indefinite licence terms and relaxed rules on rural infrastructure sharing.
To enhance competition, Meek proposes a temporary cap on spectrum holdings, at 2 x 60MHz for overall mobile FDD spectrum. Existing holders of sub-1GHz frequencies would also face a cap, so as to obtain 800MHz frequencies they must give up 900MHz holdings. The caps would expire a year after the combined spectrum auction. The latter cap applies to Vodafone UK and O2 UK, who each already have 2 x 17.2MHz in the 900MHz band. Orange UK and T-Mobile UK each have 2 x 30MHz at 1800 MHz. While they could bid freely for 800MHz or any 900MHz given up by the other two operators, they would only be able to bid for 2 x 10Mhz of the 2.6GHz frequencies in order to remain under the cap. They would have to give up 1800MHz or 2.1GHz frequencies to gain more in the 2.6GHz band. 3 UK and any new entrants would be able to bid freely for any of the spectrum, within the limits of the auctions. Meek’s proposals will go to the department for business and regulatory reform, which will formulate a government decision for Ofcom to enact.
Clearwire selects Cisco for 4G mobile Wimax network (USA) May 14, 2009
Posted by aikservices in 4G, Cisco, Clearwire, Mobile, North America, USA, WiMAX.Tags: 4G, Cisco, Clearwire, Mobile, North America, USA, WiMAX
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Clearwire and Cisco will enhance and expand Clear 4G mobile Wimax services throughout the US. Under terms of an agreement, Clearwire has selected Cisco as its national core infrastructure provider, and Cisco has announced plans to build new mobile Wimax devices for the Clear 4G mobile Wimax service for the consumer, small office or home office (SOHO) and small and medium-sized business (SMB) markets. The Clear 4G will be available in major metropolitan areas across the US. Clearwire’s open all-IP network, combined with significant spectrum holdings, provides substantive network capacity to deliver broadband access. In addition, Cisco is aiming to introduce its first mobile Wimax device later this year.
Virgin Mobile USA Q1 net income up 301% May 13, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Financial, North America, USA, Virgin Mobile.Tags: Financial, North America, USA, Virgin Mobile
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Virgin Mobile USA has posted a net income of $19.1m for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009, an increase of 301%, compared to a net income of $4.7m for the same period in 2008. The company posted total operating revenue of $337.28m for the first quarter of 2009 as compared to $330.01m in the first quarter of 2008. Operating income for the first quarter of 2009 increased to $36.20m from $16.60m in the same quarter of 2008. Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009 increased to $49.54m from $28.70m in the comparable period of 2008. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the first quarter of 2009 was 15.6% compared to 9.3% in the first quarter of 2008.Dan Schulman, CEO of Virgin Mobile USA, said: “We are pleased with our first quarter results and the initial success of our new offers focused on high-quality customer additions. Gross customer additions on hybrid plans grew to 55% of the total in the first quarter. Because of our strong performance in the first quarter, we are increasing our guidance for adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow for 2009. Adjusted EBITDA excluding transition and restructuring expenses is expected to be $127 to $142m, and free cash flow is expected to be $45 to $55m for the full year 2009.”
Sprint Nextel Hires Wireless Veteran Bob Johnson To Head CDMA Business (USA) May 13, 2009
Posted by aikservices in AT&T, CDMA, McCaw Cellular, Mobile, North America, Sprint Nextel, USA.Tags: AT&T, CDMA, McCaw Cellular, Mobile, North America, Sprint Nextel, USA
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Sprint Nextel has appointed Bob Johnson to the position of president of its CDMA business unit, which continues to lose subscribers despite having a strong restructuring plan in place. Johnson replaces Keith Cowan, who was serving as interim president of Sprint’s CDMA business unit. Cowan will now be president of Spring’s strategy and corporate development, and lead the company’s overall strategic planning.Johnson, 55, will be in charge of Sprint’s postpaid consumer marketing and sales, including acquisition, growth and marketing, as well as the more than 11,000 retail locations. Johnson most recently served as COO of Sotto Wireless, a Bellevue, Wash.-based company he co-founded. The company focused on offering wireless phones as a replacement for landline phones for small businesses. The company shut down earlier this year after it failed to get enough traction. Before that, he served 16 years as a key executive at AT&T Wireless, including as EVP of the company’s marketing, sales and customer service functions. Prior to joining AT&T, Johnson worked at McCaw Cellular Communications. Johnson will start on May 20, and will likely be easily confused with another Bob Johnson, who currently serves as Chief Service Officer.
Award the 3G Licenses Urges Ericsson to Bangladesh May 11, 2009
Posted by aikservices in 3G, Asia, Bangladesh, Ericsson, GSM, Mobile.Tags: 3G, Asia, Bangladesh, Ericsson, GSM, Mobile
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Ericsson has urged the Bangladeshi government to speed up the process to offer 3G licenses so that the mobile operators can tap the existing 3G phone user base in the country. “If the government releases appropriate spectrum for 3G, which is the proven global mainstream for the mobile broadband, then we are confident that it will contribute significantly to the country’s GDP (gross domestic prodcut) growth,” Arun Bansal, managing director of the Ericsson Bangladesh, told the Reuters news agency.”It is estimated that there are over 6 million mobile internet users and already today 15 percent of the mobile handsets used in Bangladesh market are 3G enabled,” Bansal added.The regulator has delayed the award of 3G licenses several times, and they were last due to have been awarded a couple of months ago. A previous report by the GSMA had called on the regulator to issue the licenses by the 3rd quarter of last year.
Mobile Phones Rule In Haiti May 11, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Haiti, Mobile, Telecom, Wireless.Tags: Haiti, Mobile, Telecom, Wireless
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Mobile phones are likely to remain the main form of telecommunications in Haiti for the short-to-medium term, a new report says. A new report on the state of Haiti`s telecommunications by Research and Markets, claims that `given the stagnating fixed-line infrastructure and poor fixed-line penetration rates, mobile is likely to remain the principal form of telecommunications,` at least for now. Citing hurricane damage to fixed lines and the fact that the privatization of Telco seems to have slipped from the government’s agenda, the report, `Haiti: Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband,` insists that more and more, people are turning to mobile phone service. Researchers also cite the fact that political and economic turmoil has kept Haiti’s telecommunications sector as one of the least developed in the world, so mobile phone service is a welcome option.
Six operators to launch LiMo handsets this year February 11, 2009
Posted by aikservices in KTF, LiMo, Linux, Mobile Network Operator, NTT DoCoMo, Orange, SFR. Softbank Mobile, SK Telecom, Swisscom, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Verizon Wireless, Vodafone.Tags: KTF, LiMo, Linux, Mobile Network Operator, NTT DoCoMo, Orange, SFR. Softbank Mobile, SK Telecom, Swisscom, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Verizon Wireless, Vodafone
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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.
DiGi Appoints New Chief Technology Officer February 11, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Digi, Malaysia, Mobile Network Operator, Telenor.Tags: Digi, Malaysia, Mobile Network Operator, Telenor
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Ole Martin Gunhildsbu has been appointed by Malaysian mobile network, DiGi Telecommunications as its new Chief Technology Officer with immediate effect. He has been acting CTO since November 2008 when his predecessor left to take up a new role within the Telenor Group. On his appointment, DiGi Chief Executive Officer Johan Dennelind said: We are happy with Ole’s steady leadership, and his accomplishments in improving network coverage and quality over the past year. I am confident that he will manage this core business aspect of ours effectively as we move forward to take DiGi to the next level.
I’m thankful for this opportunity and really excited to take on the new challenge. Last year the technology organization made a big leap in terms of quality and coverage. I’m positive the organization has what it takes to improve even further and take on the broadband challenges as well, said Gunhildsbu.
One in three iPhone users use LBS in Q4 February 11, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Apple, iPhone, LBS, SMS.Tags: Apple, iPhone, LBS, SMS
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Users of Apple’s iPhone are more than twice as likely as non-iPhone users to browse the mobile web and more than three times as likely to use LBS or a location-based social network, according to a mobile advertising report by Limbo. The report suggests that advertisers can reach iPhone users with mobile campaigns more easily than with other platforms, with more than 80 percent of iPhone users taking advantage of non-voice mobile data services, compared to just over 60 percent of non-iPhone users. One in ten mobile phone users in the US used a location-based service such as a map, friend or restaurant finder in the fourth quarter. The 25-34 age group saw the highest levels of interest in this type of offering, with 22 percent penetration. In contrast, iPhone users are four times as likely to recall LBS ads as non-iPhone users. While 33 percent of mobile consumers recall seeing mobile advertisements, 41 percent of iPhone users recall seeing mobile ads, according to the survey. The vast majority of these ads were seen in SMS text messages, twice as much as mobile web ads, which are the second most common mobile ad viewed. Significantly fewer consumers see other forms of mobile advertising unless they have an iPhone.
Globecomm Systems 2Q profit falls 75 pct February 11, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Financial, Globecomm, Mobile, VoIP.Tags: Financial, Globecomm, Mobile, VoIP
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Satellite communications company Globecomm Systems Inc. reported a 75 percent decline in fiscal second quarter earnings Monday on falling sales in its infrastructure business. Globecomm said separately it has launched a global maritime broadband satellite service for cellular, VoIP, video teleconference, data and e-mail service. Globecomm is said it is pairing with the company Mach6, which provides applications including onboard computing, voice and video, mapping and others.
Globecomm posted a profit of $948,000, or 5 cents per share, for the three months ended Dec. 31 compared with $3.7 million, or 18 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter. Sales fell 26 percent to $40 million from $54.4 million, led by a 45 percent decline in the satellite infrastructure business, which the company attributed to the worldwide economic slowdown.
CSR expands in GPS market with Sirf takeover February 11, 2009
Posted by aikservices in CSR, GPS, Mobile, Sirf, Telecom, Wireless.Tags: CSR, GPS, Mobile, Sirf, Telecom, Wireless
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Bluetooth chip specialist CSR has agreed to merge with Sirf, a maker of GPS semiconductors. The merger is expected to diversify CSR’s product base and strengthen its position in the mobile phone market. Around 20 percent of mobile phones had GPS in 2008, and this is expected to double by 2012, CSR said. Under the terms of the deal, Sirf shareholders will receive 0.741 share in CSR for each Sirf share they hold. This will give Sirf shareholders 27 percent of the new company. Sirf’s executive chairman Diosdado P. Banatao and founder Kanwar Chadha will join the CSR board as non-executive director and executive director respectively; they have also both agreed to vote their shares in the merger. CSR expects annual cost savings of USD 35 million within two months of closing the deal. Sirf generated revenues of USD 232 million in 2008 and is expected to contribute immediately to profits. The merger is expected to close late in the second quarter of 2009.
Singtel mobile customer base grows 7.3% in Q4 February 10, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Airtel, Australia, Bangladesh, CityCell, Globe Telecom, India, Indonesia, Mobile Network Operator, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Singtel, Thailand, Warid.Tags: Airtel, Australia, Bangladesh, CityCell, Globe Telecom, India, Indonesia, Mobile Network Operator, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Singtel, Thailand, Warid
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SingTel reported a mobile customer base of 232.422 million at the end of 2008, up 35 percent from a year earlier and up 7.3 percent from September. The customer base includes its operations in Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Proportionate for its ownership, the operator had 82.364 million customers at year-end, up 34 percent from 2007 and up 6.8 percent from the third quarter. In its home market, the total mobile customer base rose to 2.942 million from 2.874 million in September. A total of 68,000 new mobile customers were added during the quarter of which 30,000 were postpaid net additions, with continued good take-up of Apple’s iPhone 3G, SingTel said. The operator’s largest affiliate market is India, where Bharti Airtel grew its base to 85.65 million at the end of 2008, from 77.48 million three months earlier. Telkomsel in Indonesia finished the year with 65.30 million customers, up from 60.50 million in Q3, and AIS in Thailand added 1.3 million customers in Q4 for a total 27.40 million at year-end. Australian operator Optus increased its base to 7.63 million from 7.42 million in September. Optus attracted 213,000 new customers, including 104,000 postpaid in the quarter, compared to 182,000 in the preceding quarter. Optus’ 3G subscriber base now stands at 2.33 million, an increase of 7.9 percent over the previous quarter. Globe Telecom in the Philippines grew to 24.70 million subscribers from 23.75 million three months earlier. In Pakistan, Warid grew its total customer base to 16.9 million, up 28 per cent year-on-year or 4.7 percent from a quarter ago. CityCell’s mobile customer base in Bangladesh was 1.8 million, up 29 percent from a year ago or 3.7 percent from a quarter ago.
Former Blyk chief takes the helm at O2’s media arm February 10, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Blyk, Mobile Network Operator, MVNO, O2, UK.Tags: Blyk, Mobile Network Operator, MVNO, O2, UK
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O2 has appointed former Blyk chief executive Shaun Gregory as managing director of media. He will take on the role on March 1. Gregory will be responsible for the overall media strategy at the operator, as well as building an advertising business to offer mobile and cross-media opportunities for brands in the UK. He will report to O2 UK customer director, Tim Sefton.
Prior to joining O2, Gregory was chief executive at ad-funded youth MVNO Blyk in the UK. He has also held positions including new media director at The Telegraph Media Group and board director at Emap.
VipNet to offer HSPA+ from spring February 10, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Croatia, Ericsson, HSPA, Mobile Network Operator, VipNet.Tags: Croatia, Ericsson, HSPA, Mobile Network Operator, VipNet
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Croatian mobile operator Vipnet has successfully tested and demonstrated mobile broadband HSPA technology with Ericsson Nikola Tesla at the Vipnet Technology Day. The operator says it will support the HSPA+ speeds of up to 21 Mbps starting from the spring in major cities. HSPA+ speeds require new devices to access the internet, and manufacturers are expected to start delivering devices for the Croatian market in the second semester this year. Vipnet also started to introduce HSUPA 5.7 technology, which offers data upload speeds almost four times higher than current levels.
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