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
add a comment
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.
Vodafone Portugal Tests Mobile Downloads at 16 Mbps February 6, 2009
Posted by aikservices in HSPA, Mobile Network Operator, Portugal, Vodafone.Tags: HSPA, Mobile Network Operator, Portugal, Vodafone
add a comment
Vodafone Portugal this morning initiated in Lisbon the first data session using the new HSPA+ 64QAM technology which makes it possible to use Mobile Broadband at a theoretical maximum download speed of 21.6 Mbps.The tests were carried out under real conditions on the Vodafone Portugal network in partnership with Ericsson, and real download peaks of 16 Mbps were achieved.These tests were carried out following those made in January by the Vodafone Group using the same technology.Vodafone Portugal is expecting to launch commercial HSPA+ Internet offers in 2009, as soon as compatible data devices come onto the market.
HSPA+ is the next step in the development of 3G/HSPA (High-Speed Packet Access) technology and uses the latest 64QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) modulation techniques. Vodafone estimates that the speeds achieved using HSPA+ technology could be increased even further with the MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) functionality which uses multiple antennas on base stations and data devices and supports a theoretical maximum speed of 28.8 Mbps.
Vodafone sales up 14%, raises outlook on forex boost February 4, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Financial, Mobile Network Operator, UK, Vodafone.Tags: Financial, Mobile Network Operator, UK, Vodafone
add a comment
Vodafone Group reported revenues for the three months to December of GBP 10.47 billion, up 14.3 percent from a year earlier on the back of positive currency effects and takeovers. On an organic basis, sales fell 1 percent year-on-year, as growth in Africa and Asia could not offset a decline in the mobile operator’s mature markets in Western Europe. Vodafone added 9.5 million new mobile customers in the period, led by its Indian operation gaining over 6.3 million and Vodacom in Africa adding over 1 million. The company finished 2008 with 289 million customers, proportionate for its ownership in subsidiaries. Due to the decline in pound sterling, Vodafone has increased its operating profit outlook for the full year by GBP 500 million, to GBP 11.5 billion, and raised the free cash flow forecast by GBP 300 million, to a range of GBP 5.5-6.0 billion. Revenues are now estimated at GBP 40.6-41.5 billion, up from the previous outlook of GBP 38.8-39.7 billion. Vodafone CEO Vittori Colao said in a statement that the underlying outlook remains the same, with results in the past quarter similar to the previous three months. He also reiterated a target for GBP 1 billion in cost savings by March 2011, of which half are expected by March 2010.
Etisalat to sell Apple’s iPhone 3G in UAE, Saudi Arabia February 3, 2009
Posted by aikservices in 3G, Apple, Etisalat, iPhone, Middle East, Mobily, Orange, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Vodafone.Tags: 3G, Apple, Etisalat, iPhone, Middle East, Mobily, Orange, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Vodafone
add a comment
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.
Vodafone issues handset strategy to manufacturers January 29, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Mobile, Mobile Network Operator, Telecom, UK, Vodafone, Wireless.Tags: Mobile, Mobile Network Operator, Telecom, UK, Vodafone, Wireless
add a comment
Vodafone told manufacturers that it would reduce the number of handsets in its range this year.The operator gathered all of the manufacturers it uses for its annual meeting at its head office in Newbury last week.Chairing the meeting was devices chief, Chris Edwards, who also hinted at standardised services and user experience on the handsets.One manufacturer in attendance said: The message was clear. They want to drive down how much we charge them, and they want a richer, more uniform “Vodafone” experience on handsets.
A spokeswoman for Vodafone said: At a recent device conference that Vodafone UK held for manufacturers, we updated on our strategy to continue to take best in class devices that meet the cross section of customer types. This will mean that we will continue to focus on a narrower range of devices overall, avoiding duplication and improving in market execution and the customer experience.
Vodafone Report Says Mobile Phones Drive Economic Growth January 20, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Asia, India, Mobile, Telecom, Vodafone, Wireless.Tags: India, Mobile, Telecom, Vodafone, Wireless
add a comment
A report funded by Vodafone has looked at mobile phone use in India, and found clear evidence to suggest that mobile penetration facilitates economic growth. It shows that Indian states with 10% higher mobile phone penetration will enjoy an annual average growth rate 1.2% higher than those with a lower teledensity.There have been similar claims in the past – but the difficulty has typically been in finding out which came first, the prosperity or the mobile phone.
The report on the socio-economic impact of mobile technology was carried out by a team of researchers led by Professor Rajat Kathuria of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). Funded by Vodafone as part of a series of studies on the socio-economic impact of mobile (SIM), the report demonstrates that mobiles aid the process by which disadvantaged groups, including the low-skilled labour force, enjoy the fruits of economic growth.
Vodafone UK tests Babelgum mobile internet TV service January 14, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Mobile, Mobile TV, Nokia, Telecom, UK, Vodafone, Wireless.Tags: Mobile, Nokia, Telecom, UK, Vodafone, Wireless
add a comment
Web TV service Babelgum has launched a six-month trial of the Babelgum Mobile internet mobile TV service with Vodafone UK. This will allow Vodafone UK 3G contract customers with mobile internet bundles to access a range of video clips free of charge. The Babelgum Mobile application can be downloaded from the Vodafone live! portal and initially supports the Nokia N96, N95 and 6210 handsets.
Vodafone to offer Bytemobile solution for mobile internet (Hungary) January 9, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Adobe, Bytemobile, Hungary, Mobile, Telecom, Vodafone, Wireless.Tags: Adobe, Bytemobile, Hungary, Mobile, Telecom, Vodafone, Wireless
add a comment
Vodafone Hungary and mobile internet solutions developer Bytemobile have successfully deployed the latter’s integrated web and multimedia content solution on the cellco’s network, Bytemobile said in a statement. As a result of the upgrade, Vodafone Hungary will now be able to deliver open internet applications including Adobe Flash Player animation and video, to virtually all wireless handheld devices.
Mobile Termination Rates to Fall in Hungary January 8, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Europe, Hungary, Magyar Telekom, Mobile, Pannon, Telecom, Vodafone, Wireless.Tags: Hungary, Mobile, Telecom, Wireless
add a comment
Hungary’s telecoms regulator, the National Communications Authority (NHH) has announced plans which will require the three Hungarian mobile operators to reduce their termination charges in their networks. Termination charges should uniformly fall to HUF 11.86 in three steps by 1 December 2010.Currently, the three service providers levy different termination charges. HUF 19.75 per minute is charged for the termination of calls made from an external network to the network of Magyar Telekom, and HUF 20.29 and HUF 20.99 are billed in Pannon’s and Vodafone’s network for such service, respectively.The decrease in termination charges will allow the retail prices of fixedline and mobile calls directed to (terminated in) mobile networks to be reduced further.
Termination charges will drop unvaryingly to HUF 14.13 on 1 January 2010 to reach the cost-based charge of HUF 11.86 on 1 December 2010, a charge determined by the Board on the basis of the BU LRIC (Bottom Up Long Run Incremental Cost) model which produced positive results in international regulatory practice. According to the decision, by December 2010 the wholesale charge for the termination of calls to mobile networks will fall by approximately 40 percent compared to current charges, with the termination charges of the three Hungarian mobile operators already having been cut by approximately 30 percent over the preceding three years.
Vodafone Fiji slashes call and SMS rates January 7, 2009
Posted by aikservices in 3G, CDMA, Fiji, GSM, Mobile, Telecom, Vodafone, Wireless.Tags: 3G, CDMA, Fiji, GSM, Mobile, Telecom, Vodafone, Wireless
add a comment
Vodafone Fiji has reduced its pre-paid voice call rates by as much as 44% in the last three months as competition heats up in the domestic mobile market following the arrival of Digicel. The Vodafone unit has cut its on-net (peak) call charges from FJD0.27 to FJD0.15 per unit, or FJD0.30 a minute from FJD0.54 previously. Off-peak rates have been trimmed from FJD0.18 a unit to FJD0.12, or FJD0.24 per minute, while text message charges have been halved to FJD0.10 per SMS. In a press statement, the company said the new charges clearly set out the benchmark to other domestic operators. ‘We have heard many claims and counter claims on who offers the best mobile rates in Fiji. We strongly believe that actions speak louder then words,’ said Aslam Khan, Vodafone Fiji managing director. ‘We already offer the best in mobile phone technology with the launch of our third generation (3.5G) network. We are the only mobile network operator to offer video calling and wireless mobile broadband,’ he added.
Vodafone Offers PrePay Top-Ups Via PayPal (Australia) December 9, 2008
Posted by aikservices in Australia, CDMA, GSM, Italy, Mobile, PayPal, Telecom, Vodafone, Wireless.Tags: Australia, Italy, Mobile, PayPal, Telecom, Vodafone, Wireless
add a comment
Vodafone Australia has launched a PrePay top-up option using PayPal’s mobile payment platform. Vodafone prepaid customers simply register for a PayPal account online and select from either direct debit or credit card payment. Once the PayPal account is activated, customers can recharge their Vodafone Prepaid Cap or Extras Pack directly from their mobile phone via the Vodafone live! mobile content portal.
Mobiles have come a long way in a short time, said Russell Hewitt, CEO at Vodafone Australia. Now, Vodafone is harnessing the capabilities of mobiles to make life even easier for our customers. Australians are highly mobile and they often need to recharge on the move, so we’ve made that possible today.
This is great news for Vodafone customers and is a perfect solution that is specifically designed to support mobile communications products and services, added Hewitt.Vodafone is the first company in Australia to offer mobile recharge services, and only the second company in the world to introduce PayPal mobile recharge, following a similar launch by Vodafone Italy in August.
Vodafone Loses $2 Billion Indian Tax Case December 5, 2008
Posted by aikservices in CDMA, GSM, Hutchisson, Mobile, Nokia, Vodafone, Wireless.Tags: Asia, Essar, Hutchison, India, Mobile, Vodafone, Wireless
add a comment
Vodafone has lost a significant tax bill in India after the Bombay High Court upheld a claim by the government for around US$2 billion following its purchase of a majority stake in Hutchison Essar. In a press statement, Vodafone said: “The written order of the court is awaited. However, the court has extended the stay order for eight weeks, preventing the tax authority from proceeding in the case. This will also allow time for Vodafone to review the grounds of the court’s decision, once the written order is received, and file an appeal in the Supreme Court of India.Vodafone, based on advice received, continues to believe that the transaction is not subject to tax in India and is confident of a positive outcome ultimately, it added.
Vodafone had paid US$11.2 billion for a 67 percent stake held by Hutch Telecommunications International in Indian GSM operator Hutchisson-Essar (now Vodafone Essar). Vodafone International Holdings BV, a company registered in the Netherlands, acquired the entire share capital of CGP Investments (Holdings) Ltd, a Cayman Islands based company from Hutchison International (HTIL). CGP, itself, owns 52 per cent stakes in Hutchison India.
Mobile News 