India Passes 500M Mobile Mark

India's mobile operators activated a staggering 17.65 million new lines during November to take the country's total to just more than 506 million, according to new data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) .

Iliad’s Free Mobile wins 4th French 3G license

French communications company Iliad this morning (18 December 2009) announced that the country’s regulator, ARCEP, has awarded its mobile subsidiary (Free) a 3G license. The decision ends years of speculation concerning the country’s fourth 3G license holder, although today’s decision is not a surprise as Free was the only bidder.

Huawei supplies China Unicom with femtocells

China Unicom - the world’s second-largest mobile operator by subscribers - is quietly rolling out a 3G femtocell service. Chinese vendor Huawei announced today it is providing kit for the operator’s ‘3G Inn’ service, designed to boost indoor mobile coverage.

Telefonica sets up international M2M unit

Telefonica has set up an international Machine to Machine (M2M) business unit that will support its enterprise customer base in all the markets where it operates. The newly created M2M Unit consists of more than 100 Telefonica staff incorporating sales, marketing, technical and innovation resources.

TeliaSonera reveals LTE tariffs and 2010 expansion plans

As for the pricing of initial LTE services now available in Oslo and Stockholm, very low introductory offers have been set. In Stockholm, consumers signing up to a 12-month contract can get the world’s first commercial LTE service for just SEK4 (US$0.56) a month until 1 July 2010. Users will receive the Samsung dongle (currently compatible with LTE networks only), with a free upgrade to Samsung’s backward-compatible 3G/LTE dongle when it is available in the second quarter of 2010. From 1 July 2010, customers will pay SEK599 (US$83) per month for 30GB of data, and the modem will be charged as an extra, as yet unspecified, fee. In Oslo, the same procedure applies, except the initial monthly cost until 1 April 2010 is NOK1 (US$0.17), after which time the monthly tariff is increased to NOK699 (US$120). 

TeliaSonera launches ‘world-first’ commercial LTE networks

TeliaSonera today (14 December 2009) launched the world’s first commercial LTE networks, a major development that sees the Nordic operator steal a march in this heavily-hyped sector. The operator has switched on networks in Oslo, Norway (using kit from Huawei) and Stockholm, Sweden (using equipment from Ericsson). Samsung is supplying an LTE dongle (pictured) that operates in the 2.6GHz band, which can be connected to a laptop via USB.

Vodafone to launch smart metering project in Germany

Vodafone is the latest major operator to test the waters of the Machine-to-Machine (M2M) space, teaming with network vendor Alcatel-Lucent on a smart metering project in Germany targeting the energy supplier space.

LTE vs. WiMAX: average speeds

Verizon LTE launch date has not yet confirmed.
Verizon expects average data speed of LTE of
DL 5-12 Mbps
UL 2-5 Mbps
which is slightly speedier than Clearwire's average WiMAX speed of
DL 2-6 Mbps
UL 1 Mbps
source: Unstrung, Unstrung

Ericsson quits Voice-Over-LTE Forum

Ericsson quits Voice-Over-LTE Forum and is believed to back one of two 3GPP's solutions: CS fallback and One Voice initiative (IMS-based). The move is significant because Ericsson's support, or lack of it, for mobile industry initiatives is important, given that it's the largest single global supplier of mobile infrastructure and one of the early movers in the emerging market for LTE systems.

source: Unstrung

Could LTE offer better battery life?

SC-FDMA was introduced in the uplink to optimize the handset's transmit power without the need for expensive power amplifier (due to better PAPR requirement). But the question is with the initial silicon and hardware, the handset will suck down more power than 2G and 3G chipsets that have been refined over many generations of development. It will be interesting to see whether SC-FDMA can help offset this.
source: Unstrung

Orange jumps on apps store bandwagon

France Telecom’s Orange has become the latest mobile operator to move into the apps store space, announcing today the launch of the ‘Orange App Shop.’ The service is available initially ‘over-the-air’ to 1 million customers in France and the UK via Orange Signature devices made by Nokia and Sony Ericsson. From January, these devices will ship preloaded with App Shop. Support for Samsung, LG, HTC, Motorola and RIM (BlackBerry) handsets is also in the pipeline, and the store is able to run across multiple platforms including Java, Android, BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows Mobile. The store launches with over 5,000 applications, games, ringtones and wallpapers and includes Orange services such as Orange TV, Orange Games and Orange Maps, as well as third-party content. All purchases are automatically added to an Orange mobile bill, so customers do not need to pre-register or use personal credit cards.

Verizon Wireless reveals LTE speeds

Verizon Wireless claims that next year’s launch of its LTE network will enable average downlink data rates per user of 5-12 Mb/s and 2-5 Mb/s in the uplink. The figures were made public on a website promoting the technology and are said to be “over 10x faster than current 3G technology.” Interestingly, WiMAX service provider Clearwire says its network gives “average mobile download speeds of 3 to 6 Mb/s with bursts over 10 Mb/s." Although Verizon’s LTE website does not reveal specific launch dates, it does state that “Verizon Wireless will be the first in the US and among the first in the world to launch LTE, starting with 25 to 30 markets in 2010, covering approximately 100 million people; and extending to cover our current 3G footprint in 2013.”

Thai Mobile launches 3G services in Bangkok

Thai Mobile – the 3G subsidiary of Thai state-owned operator, TOT – launched its first 3G services in the capital city, Bangkok, yesterday. According to a Bangkok Post report, the operator has 548 base stations up and running in Bangkok and surrounding areas in association with an MVNO partner, Samart I-Mobile. The services – in the 1900MHz band - require a user to buy a new SIM card and sign up for a 12-month subscription. However, the report notes that TOT has already given away 3G SIM cards and mobile handsets free to its existing 10,000 Thai Mobile customers. Under the cheapest package, customers pay THB199 (US$6) per month for 199 minutes of both voice and video calls, plus 199MB of data usage.

Indonesia’s Telkom linked with merger with CDMA rival, Bakrie

PT Telekomunikasi (Telkom), owner of Indonesia’s largest mobile operator, is looking to acquire a smaller rival, with local fixed-wireless operator Bakrie Telecom tipped as a potential target. “We’re still in the discussion stage, looking for opportunities,” commented Telkom CFO Sudiro Asno, reports Jakarta Globe. “We’re looking at other smaller operators, but not the big players like [rival operators] PT Indosat and PT Excelcomindo Pratama.” The report notes that the government is keen for consolidation in the sector as the high number of operators in the country is causing large levels of “unhealthy” competition and affecting earnings at the big players.

Clearwire expands WiMAX in the US

US WiMAX operator Clearwire continues to launch the technology across the country, opening new retail stores and promising WiMAX smartphones by the end of next year. Following a number of market launch announcements yesterday, Unstrung notes that Clearwire’s mobile WiMAX service is now available in 27 markets across the US, potentially covering over 30 million people and meeting its deployment targets for 2009. In addition, CEO Bill Morrow is also reported this week to have addressed one of the biggest challenges facing the company; a lack of compelling devices. Although the operator is currently focused on laptops and datacards, Morrow said WiMAX-capable smartphones will be available by Christmas 2010.

Spanish cablecos to jointly bid for mobile spectrum

Spain’s four largest cable operators - Ono, Euskaltel, R and Telecable - are in talks to join forces in order to bid for mobile spectrum in the country’s upcoming 2.6GHz auctions. One of the cable operators' CEO's told Spanish newspaper Expansion that the Spanish authorities are in favour of the cable companies jointly bidding for spectrum in the auctions, which are scheduled for the first quarter of next year. The spectrum is to be partly allocated on a regional basis to facilitate cable operators applying. The move would mark a significant shift in strategy for the cable firms, which have traditionally offered mobile services in Spain via MVNO arrangements. Currently, regional firms Euskaltel, R and Telecable are with Vodafone Spain, while Ono – a national firm – has an MVNO deal in place with Telefonica’s Movistar.

Finland's 4G Wireless Auction Results

Finland’s first radio spectrum auction closed on 23 November. The auction lasted five days and included 27 rounds. The final sum amounted to 3,797,800 euros.
The winning bids for FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) spectrum were submitted by the following operators:

Elisa Oyj that bid 50 MHz for 834,700 euros, TeliaSonera Finland Oyj that bid 50 MHz for 819,200 euros and DNA Oy that bid 40 MHz for 675,700 euros.

In TDD (Time Division Duplex) spectrum the highest bid was made by Pirkanmaan Verkko Oy that bid 50 MHz for 1,468,200 euros.

Ms Suvi Lindén, Finland’s Minister of Communications, says that the auctioning process went as expected.

“Now we will assess the results of the trial auction and the impact it will have in future”, Ms Lindén says.

According to Minister Lindén a report of the impacts of the auction will be submitted to Parliament in autumn 2010. By then there will be information available as to how the winners use the spectrum.

The Government will later grant operating licences on the basis of the auction.

source: 4g.co.uk

India's 3G auction faces further delays

India's 3G spectrum auction could be delayed yet again, as the Department of Telecom sorts out the last of its issues with the nation's armed forces, according to a government source.


Although the DoT has finally convinced the Department of Defense to vacate 25 MHz of 3G spectrum for the auctions, both ministries now need to comb through the bands to determine which specific frequencies or sub-bands can be auctioned off.

This could delay the 3G auctions - currently scheduled for January 14 - until mid-February, the source told the Economic Times.

Thai 3G auction set for another delay as govt revisits 2G terms

Thailand’s long-awaited 3G auctions look set to suffer another delay after the Thai government said it may first need to renegotiate the country’s existing 2G licenses, reports the Financial Times today. In an interview, Thailand’s finance minister, Korn Chatikavanij, said that it would need to sort existing licenses before it could issue the four new 3G licenses, which were scheduled to go to auction next month. “We have a legacy of different concessions being given by different state agencies to different people on different terms,” he said. “We want to provide a standardisation so that free and fair competition could exist and the private sector could have a greater level of confidence to make the kind of investments we want to see.” The original licenses issued to the country’s three main operators – AIS, DTAC and TrueMove – were granted under previous governments amid rumours of corruption and political influence. As a consequence, they have wide variations in the terms.

Orange and TDC’s Sunrise to merge in Switzerland

France Telecom and Denmark’s TDC are to merge their Swiss mobile networks - Orange Switzerland and Sunrise, respectively - to create a powerful rival to the market leader, Swisscom. France Telecom said it will pay a closing net amount of EUR1.5 billion to TDC to become a 75 percent shareholder in the combined entity, while TDC will hold the remaining 25 percent. According to France Telecom’s own figures, the new firm will become an operator with approximately 3.4 million mobile and 1.1 million fixed and broadband customers, accounting for a 38 percent share of the Swiss mobile market and 13 percent of the country’s fixed broadband connections. For 2008, the combined entity would have generated total pro-forma revenues of CHF 3.1 billion (EUR2.0 billion) and EBITDA of CHF809 million (EUR534 million). “The planned merger of Sunrise and Orange Switzerland marks a new significant step in the long-term investment by France Telecom-Orange in Switzerland,” said Gervais Pellissier, France Telecom’s deputy CEO and CFO. “Following the UK joint venture between Orange and T-Mobile, France Telecom completes another major in-market consolidation, consistent with its M&A policy.”

O2 and E-Plus to appeal German auction rules

Germany’s two smallest mobile networks – Telefonica’s O2 Germany and KPN’s E-Plus – are taking legal action against the country’s regulator, arguing that an upcoming spectrum auction favours the larger players. According to a Dow Jones Newswires report, Germann regulator Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA) is planning to auction new spectrum – including 800MHz digital dividend spectrum – next year in order to provide for so-called next-generation services and extend services to rural areas. However, the smaller operators argue that, under the rules of the auction, market leaders Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile) and Vodafone could secure two thirds of the new spectrum below 1GHz, which could curb future competition. The situation has arisen because T-Mobile and Vodafone already mainly use frequencies in the 900MHz band, while E-Plus and O2 operate mainly in the 1,800MHz band.

Ruckus & the Revenge of Metro Wireless

Metro WiFi is back, according to Ruckus Wireless Inc. , but this isn't like your father's mesh network, unless you happen to have relatives in Mumbai.


Ruckus is using its deal with Indian carrier Tikona Digital Networks Pvt. Ltd. to highlight its 802.11n-based outdoor access points, customer premises equipment, and backhaul boxes. Tikona is using the gear to build out WiFi clusters on business or residential buildings in Mumbai.

"We call it metro broadband 2.0, or maybe 3.0," says Ruckus CEO Selina Lo.

France Fires Up Femtocells

French mobile operator SFR launched a 3G femtocell service today using petit base stations from Ubiquisys Ltd.


SFR is the second operator to launch a femtocell service in Europe, after Vodafone UK in (where else?) the U.K., and the second commercial customer for femto maker Ubiquisys, after Softbank in Japan.

With the new femto service, dubbed "SFR Home 3G," SFR is targeting customers that suffer from poor indoor 3G coverage with a standalone femtocell access point. The femtocell is not integrated into the operator's Neufbox residential gateways.

Mexico publishes 3G spectrum auction details, looks to stimulate competition

The Mexican regulator has published details of the country’s long-awaited 3G mobile spectrum auctions, a process that is expected to lead to new competition for Mexico’s runaway market leader, Telcel. Cofetel will auction nine blocks of spectrum in the 1850MHz-1990MHz band in eight of the country's nine mobile operating regions, including the capital Mexico City, the regulator said in an official document. Cofetel said it will also offer seven blocks of spectrum between 1710MHz and 2170MHz in all nine operating regions, which could give auction winners a nationwide presence. The auction is open to both existing spectrum holders and potential new market entrants. No start date for the auction was indicated.

Finnish operators acquire LTE spectrum

Finland’s three main mobile operators – Elisa, TeliaSonera and DNA – were all successful in acquiring mobile broadband spectrum in a national auction that closed yesterday. The auction – in the 2500-2690MHz band - closed after five days and 27 rounds and raised EUR3.8 million for the government in total. Market-leader Elisa bid EUR834,700 for 50MHz of spectrum, TeliaSonera Finland bid EUR810,200 for 50MHz and DNA bid EUR675,700 for 40MHz. The spectrum will allow all three operators to launch LTE. There was also one block of spectrum suitable for WiMAX services, which was acquired by Finland’s Pirkanmaan Verkko, which paid EUR1.47 million for 50MHz. The auction was the first ever radio spectrum auction in Finland.

กำเนิด China Mobile

ยักษ์ใหญ่ China Mobile เพิ่งจะถือกำเนิดมาได้เพียง 10 ปีเท่านั้น แต่ก็เป็นองค์กรที่โตมาแต่กำเนิด!

แต่เดิมผู้ให้บริการโทรคมนาคมในจีน มีแต่ China Telecom ของกระทรวงไปรษณีย์และโทรคมนาคมซึ่งให้บริการ fixed line เป็นหลัก ภายหลังในปี 1994 รัฐบาลจีนจึงตั้ง China Unicom ขึ้นมาเพื่อสร้างการแข่งขันในตลาดโทรคมนาคม แต่ก็ดูเหมือนจะช้าไปเสียแล้วเพราะ China Unicom ที่เพิ่งก่อตั้งใหม่จะไปสู้กับยักษ์ใหญ่กับ China Telecom ได้อย่างไร?

China Mobile

หนึ่งในปรากฏการณ์ โลกาภิวัฒน์ หรือ globalization ที่เราสามารถสัมผัสได้คือเราสามารถหาสินค้า Made in China ได้จากทั่วทุกมุมโลก ทศวรรษที่ผ่านมาจีนเติบโตอย่างรวดเร็วอย่างน่าตกใจ ในขณะที่เศรษฐกิจโลกตะวันตกกำลังสั่นคลอน จีนดูเหมือนจะเป็นความหวังใหม่ของเศรษฐกิจโลก ในโลกของวงการโทรคมนาคมก็เช่นเดียวกัน

3G มีแพร่หลายในตลาดโลก...?

ถ้าถามว่าในโลกนี้โทรศัพท์มือถือใช้ระบบใดมากที่สุด ทุกคนคงตอบได้ว่าระบบ GSM เป็นระบบที่มีผู้ใช้งานเยอะที่สุดในโลก แต่รู้หรือไม่ว่ามือถือระบบ GSM นั้นมีเยอะขนาดที่ว่าถ้าสุ่มหยิบมือถือในโลกนี้มา 10 เครื่องเราจะได้มือถือระบบ GSM มา 8 เครื่อง ข้อมูลล่าสุดชี้ให้เห็นว่า ผู้ใช้โทรศัพท์ระบบ GSM มีสูงถึง 3,550 ล้านคน จากจำนวนผู้ใช้โทรศัพท์มือถือในทุกระบบรวมกัน 4,475 ล้านคน แล้วระบบที่ไม่ใช่ GSM คืออะไร?

ระบบอื่นนอกจาก GSM แบ่งออกเป็น 2 ค่ายใหญ่คือ ค่าย CDMA2000 ซึ่งก็คือระบบที่ฮัทช์เปิดให้บริการในประเทศไทย แบ่งเป็น CDMA2000 1X ที่ให้บริการ voice เป็นหลัก และ CDMA2000 1xEV-DO ที่ให้บริการ data เพียงอย่างเดียวซึ่งถือว่าเป็นเทคโนโลยี 3G ของค่ายนี้ อีกค่ายหนึ่งใช้เทคโนโลยี WCDMA ซึ่งก็คือเทคโนโลยีในยุค 3G ที่ต่อยอดมาจากระบบ GSM นั่นเองซึ่งทรูมูฟ ได้เปิดให้ประชาชนได้ทดลองใช้แล้วตั้งแต่ต้นปีนี้เอง (เป็นที่ทราบกันดีว่าทรูมูฟได้เปิดให้ประชาชนทดลองใช้ 3G ในย่านความถี่ 850 MHz เมื่อต้นปีที่ผ่านมา และขณะนี้กำลังจะเข้าร่วมการประมูลคลื่นความถี่ในย่าน 2100 MHz ที่ กทช. กำลังเปิดรับฟังความคิดเห็นสาธารณะเพื่อเตรียมการประมูลอยู่ คลื่นความถี่ในย่านนี้ถือว่ามีความสำคัญมาเพราะถือเป็นย่านหลักของ 3G ที่ใช้กันทั่วโลก)

Emerging market ops eye new mobile broadband pricing models

Leading mobile operators in India and Bangladesh are mulling a range of new pricing models in order to support their new mobile broadband networks. Speaking on a panel at the Mobile Asia Congress this afternoon, Rajat Mukarji, chief corporate affairs officer at India’s Idea Cellular, Riyead Mahmud of Bangladesh’s GrameenPhone and Telenor Asia’s Sigve Brekke all agreed that there was a demand for mobile broadband but that delivering services would be a challenge in markets where prices are among the lowest in the world. “We have low ARPU on voice and [mobile broadband] data will not be much different, so we need to look at pricing,” said Mahmud. “It definitely can’t be a flat rate, it must be variable.” Telenor’s Brekke agreed, suggesting that mobile broadband pricing should be introduced on a per-day or per-week prepaid basis. “It’s very important to keep customers in control of their spending,” he said. “Mobile broadband is a big opportunity in Asia but only if we get the pricing strategies right.”

SingTel to trial LTE across Asia

Asia’s largest multi-market mobile operator SingTel plans to conduct a regional trial of LTE technology in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore in partnership with its subsidiaries Optus, Globe Telecom and Telkomsel. The trials, which are scheduled to commence in the first half of 2010, will last six to nine months. “They will help SingTel and its associates and joint venture companies better understand LTE and determine the best approach and strategy for its adoption in their respective local markets,” noted a statement. SingTel boasts a mobile customer base of 273 million.

SoftBank turns to Wi-Fi to support mobile

Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son turned heads this morning at the Mobile Asia Congress by declaring that mobile networks alone are not capable of supporting future data-intensive devices and offloading to Wi-Fi will become a core strategy of the Japanese operator. “Over 50 percent of data traffic happens from home [in Japan], so we have to have Wi-Fi handsets,” he said. To that end, Son cited the operator’s recent release of eight new ‘mobile Wi-Fi’ handsets. “3G and 4G is the way to have blanket coverage, but to have an even richer experience we need Wi-Fi.”

CSL takes swipe at rivals

Tarek Robbiati, CEO of Hong Kong’s first and largest mobile network operator, CSL, used his time in the spotlight at today's GSMA Mobile Asia Congress to talk up the company’s offering over its many rivals, promising a smooth ride to next-generation LTE technology. Since launch of CSL’s Next G network in March - claimed to be the world’s first all-IP HSPA+ network, supporting theoretical peak speeds of up to 21Mb/s - the operator has been preparing its eventual move to LTE. “We already have the first LTE site live in Asia, just across from here in Kowloon Bay,” revealed Robbiati, referencing a pilot site established in September with the operator’s long-term equipment partner ZTE where speeds of 120 Mb/s were recorded whilst stationary, and 43 Mb/s on the move. Although the operator’s head man wouldn’t reveal specific timeframes for commercial launch, stating only that it would happen sometime in 2010-2011, he said that rollout would be a phased approach, “ramping up as devices emerge.”

Bharti to launch HSPA next year

Manoj Kohli - CEO of Indian mobile market-leader Bharti Airtel - this morning said that mobile broadband is set to become a key driver of growth in India’s mobile market following the long-awaited award of 3G licenses in the country early next year. “Wireless broadband will be a major source of growth for the next five years,” Kohli told delegates in his keynote address. “DSL is too expensive so wireless broadband will be a great success and will overtake [DSL] in the next two to three years.” He added that he expects Bharti to switch on its first HSPA networks in time for India’s Diwali celebrations next Autumn. He admitted that data revenues in India have stagnated at around 10 percent but said that Bharti would “really focus on data when HSPA is ready.”

China Mobile reveals LTE ambitions

Wang Jianzhou - chairman and CEO of China Mobile, the world’s largest operator by subscribers - today revealed further details on his company’s planned move to LTE technology. Reiterating hopes that a unified TDD/FDD standard for LTE can be developed, he spoke of his desire to see a “single [TDD/FDD] chipset to achieve global economies of scale and global roaming capability.” He said that this idea “is not only supported by operators, the GSMA and NGMN, but has also gotten commitment of manufacture from network vendors and chipset suppliers. All of them agree to support the merger of TD-LTE and FDD-LTE.”

China Unicom updates on 3G

Chairman Chang Xiaobing of China Unicom - China’s second-largest mobile operator – this morning provided delegates with an update on the operator’s 3G rollout, proclaiming that the new network will cover all of China’s urban areas by the middle of next year. The WCDMA-based network – branded as ‘Wo’ – launched commercially on 1 October this year and Chairman Chang said that some 285 cities have been covered to date with this figure expected to rise to 335 cities by year-end. He noted that 110,000 3G base stations had been build to date with around 10,000 of these shared with rival operators. Specialist 3G Unicom stores have now been opened in 285 Chinese cities.

Chairman Chang said that Unicom is deploying a “unified branding, packaging and marketing” strategy for the new network based around the Wo brand, while various subsidiaries have been set up to manage specific 3G service areas such as music, video and mobile broadband. He added that Unicom has also broken new ground in pricing, claiming to have launched one of China’s first nationwide, all inclusive data tariffs.

Docomo preps December 2010 LTE launch, to invest US$3.4B

NTT Docomo’s president and CEO, Ryuji Yamada, stole the headlines at this morning’s GSMA Mobile Asia Congress by announcing that Japan’s largest mobile operator will launch commercial LTE services in December next year. “We won’t use the interim technology of HSPA+ as it is more efficient to go straight to LTE,” he told delegates.

Asia Pacific to exceed 2B connections this year

The GSMA kicked off its Mobile Asia Congress event this week with news that the region will cross the 2 billion mobile connections threshold by the end of the year and will exceed 3 billion connections by 2013. Other findings from the association’s Asia Pacific Mobile Observatory Report – produced by management consultants A.T. Kearney – include a tripling in size of the market since 2003, adding over a billion connections and growing at 26 percent CAGR to reach 1.7 billion connections in 2008.

Huawei takes number two spot in mobile gear

China’s Huawei has underlined its status as a top tier vendor by becoming the world’s second-largest mobile network manufacturer in the third-quarter, according to research group Dell’Oro. The Chinese vendor almost doubled its market share from a year ago to 20 percent, surpassing Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN). Ericsson’s market share of 32 percent remained flat year-on-year. Huawei has been on the rise for several quarters, with the firm enjoying a 17 percent market share in the second quarter.

Google acquires AdMob for US$750M

The acquisition is the third-largest in Google's history after DoubleClick (US$3.1 billion, 2007) and YouTube (US$1.65 billion, 2006).

Google has acquired AdMob, the world's largest mobile advertising platform, for US$750 million in an all-stock deal. The move instantly establishes Google as a major player in the fast-growing market for serving up mobile advertising on smartphones.

T-Mobile and Orange begin UK merger process

Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile) and France Telecom (Orange) have formally signed an agreement to merge their UK mobile operations, reports Dow Jones Newswires. The development marks the start of a merger process that aims to create the UK's largest mobile operator. T-Mobile UK's managing director Richard Moat said that the deal was scheduled to be signed yesterday, and would lead to the two firm's moving on to discuss the networks, IT systems and the shape of the organisation. However, Moat warned that any changes would not be able to be implemented until the joint venture secures regulatory approval. "We hope that we can close the deal and implement the joint venture by the middle of next year," Moat said.

Telenor picks Huawei, Starent to replace network

In a hugely significant deal, Telenor announced today it is to replace its entire mobile infrastructure in its home market of Norway, with Huawei and Starent the new equipment suppliers. China's Huawei will provide the radio access network kit, whilst Starent will supply the mobile core network. The existing network was largely built by Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks.

South Korea to open up WiBro market

South Korea's telecoms regulator, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), will license new operators for WiBro technology in a bid to boost disappointing take-up of the mobile broadband technology. According to a Korea Times report, KCC will order existing WiBro operators KT and SK Telecom (SKT) to open up their networks to MVNOs and encourage roaming. The KCC will also reportedly allow VoIP calls on WiBro-enabled handsets.

Gartner: Smartphone sales to outstrip notebooks

Gartner predicts that worldwide sales of smartphones will grow by 29 percent year-on-year to reach 180 million units in 2009, overtaking notebooks in total unit terms. The research firm adds that it expects smartphone sales revenue to reach US$191 million by 2012, higher than end user spending on mobile PCs, which is forecast to reach US$152 million by the same point. Currently smartphones account for 14 percent of overall mobile device sales, but Gartner expects by 2012 they will make up around 37 percent of global handset sales. However, it adds that the PC vendors' cumulative share (Apple excluded) of the smartphone market has remained static at around 1 percent and is unlikely to rise above 2 percent during the next three years, highlighting the challenges faced by PC vendors looking to tap into smartphones.

ประเทศที่มีผู้ประกอบการ 3G มากกว่า 2G

นายสมเกียรติ ตั้งกิจวานิช ผู้อำนวยการวิจัยเศรษฐกิจยุคสารสนเทศ สถาบันวิจัยเพื่อการพัฒนาประเทศไทย (ทีดีอาร์ไอ) กล่าวผ่านสื่อหลายต่อหลายครั้งว่า ไม่เห็นด้วยที่กทช.จะประมูลใบไลเซ่นส์พร้อมกันทั้ง 4 ใบ เพราะไม่มีประเทศใดที่มีผู้ได้รับใบอนุญาต 3 จี มากกว่าระบบ 2 จีเดิม (ตัวอย่างเช่น โพสต์ทูเดย์ วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 22 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2552 หน้า B กล่าวในงานเสวนาเรื่อง “การนำคลื่นย่านความถี่ 3 จี มาบริหาร ประชาชนได้รับประโยชน์จริงหรือ” จัดโดยสหภาพแรงงานรัฐวิสาหกิจ บริษัท ทีโอที จำกัด (มหาชน) วันที่ 21 ต.ค. 2552)

เรื่องนี้เป็นความเข้าใจผิดคือ ประเทศที่ให้ใบอนุญาต 3G มากกว่าจำนวนผู้ให้บริการ 2G ก็มีอยู่หลายประเทศ เช่น

India publishes official 3G auction schedule

India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced that its long-awaited auction of 3G and WiMAX-capable Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum will begin on 14 January next year.

Ukraine president blocks 3G license auction

The president of the Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, has moved to block a planned auction of a new 3G license in the country next month, claiming that releasing the new spectrum would jeopardise Ukraine's national security.

AT&T hints at end to exclusive iPhone deal

AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega has hinted that the operator's exclusive deal to offer the iPhone in the US could soon be coming to an end - but was upbeat that the firm's smartphone portfolio would continue to prosper.

Who scores more LTE trials than others?

An Unstrung report provides insight into which vendors are enjoying early operator success with LTE trials, before lucrative commercial deals are awarded. Unstrung reveals that Chinese vendor Huawei says it will have more than 25 LTE trials as of the end of this year, whilst Alcatel-Lucent will have a total of 22 LTE trials underway by next year. The world's largest network infrastructure vendor, Ericsson, declined to give specific numbers, but said it has the largest number of trials. Nokia Siemens Networks told Unstrung it has four LTE deal references and a number of trials ongoing. Unstrung adds that ZTE has publicly announced trials with Hong Kong CSL and Telefonica, but ZTE did not provide further details prior to the report's publication. Motorola and NEC have scored an early commercial contract win at Japan's KDDI, although trial success was not reported.

Thailand confirms 3G prices; targets US$1.2B

Thailand's telecoms regulator has confirmed the reserve prices for its long-awaited 3G license auctions and predicted that the process will generate around US$1.2 billion. In line with earlier reports, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will start the auction at THB4.6 billion (US$138 million) for each of the three licences of 10MHz bandwidth and THB5.2 billion (US$156 million) for one license of 15MHz. The four licenses will be in the 2.1GHz 3G frequency and valid for 15 years. According to a Reuters report, prices will be announced on the NTC's website next week before a second round of public hearings on 12 November. The auction is scheduled to start in mid-December. "We should get about THB40 billion (US$1.2 billion) altogether from the bidding of the four licences," Prasert Apipunya, NTC's deputy-secretary general, told reporters yesterday.

Despite the developments, Reuters notes that some analysts and investors are worried that the process could still be derailed. Prasert admitted that the NTC still needs to consult with the government's legal agency over whether it has authority to hold the auction, a move that analysts say could bring it to a halt. The country's three largest mobile operators - AIS, DTAC and True Move - are all expected to bid for licenses, though the regulator stated that it also hoped the fourth license would be snapped up by a new market entrant. However, foreign investors looking to enter the market are required to form a joint-venture with a Thai company as current law limits foreign holdings in companies in the telecoms sector to 49 percent, the regulator said.

AT&T's Third-Quarter Highlights

S operator AT&T reported better-than-expected third-quarter profit today thanks to a strong showing in its mobile division, which was boosted by sales of Apple's iPhone.

China Mobile opens up on future plans

Wang Jianzhou, China Mobile's chairman and CEO said that by the end of this year TD-SCDMA network will cover 238 cities, ensuring coverage in 70 percent of the country's metropolitan areas. "We have three plans from 2009 to 2011... the lower target is 30 million subscribers, the middle plan is 50 million subscribers, and the high plan is 85 million subscribers."

Google records biggest profit, lauds Android

Google yesterday reported a record quarterly profit as the Internet giant proclaimed the economic downturn is coming to an end and declared its Android mobile platform is "about to explode."

Etisalat buys Millicom's Sri Lankan ops for US$155M

Luxembourg-based Millicom has sold its Tigo-branded mobile network in Sri Lanka to Etisalat for US$155 million in cash, ending months of speculation over the identity of an eventual acquirer. Previous names in the frame include Bharti, BSNL, VimpelCom, Axiata and NTT Docomo. In a statement, Millicom said the deal values the Sri Lankan operation at an enterprise value of US$207 million, which represents approximately 7.4x estimated 2009 EBITDA. The deal is expected to close by October 20. According to Wireless Intelligence, Tigo is Sri Lanka's third-largest mobile operator and had 2.3 million connections by 2Q09.

LG Telecom to merge with Dacom, Powercom

South Korean operator LG Telecom said today it will merge the fixed-line unit of LG Dacom and ISP LG Powercom with itself on January 1, 2010, reports Reuters. The boards of all three companies have approved the deal, noted LG Telecom in a regulatory filing. The newly merged entity will offer mobile phone, high-speed Internet, Internet phone as well as IPTV services. It will have combined assets of KRW7.88 trillion, sales of KRW7.72 trillion as well as 13.6 million subscribers.

TIM Brazil to offer 'open' app store

TIM Brazil has announced plans to launch an applications store that will be available across its entire device portfolio, allowing the operator to compete directly with handset and software companies offering stores of their own. Powered by Qualcomm's Plaza Retail service, the store will launch in the first quarter of 2010.

Wal-Mart ups the ante in US prepaid battle

The hugely competitive US prepaid market is expected to become even more cutthroat following news yesterday that Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, is to expand its mobile services nationwide. Its Straight Talk service - developed with TracFone Wireless, the US unit of Mexican giant America Movil - will be offered from 3,200 stores from October 18.

O2 Germany and AT&T first with Nokia's netbook

Nokia's high-profile 'Booklet 3G' - its first foray into the netbook space - will be launched in Germany and the US in the next few weeks. O2 will offer the device (pictured, right) in Germany for EUR249 (US$371) with an additional monthly charge of EUR20 over 24 months. There will also be an optional flat-rate data tariff which will cost EUR25 per month. The device will hit German shelves on October 22nd. Meanwhile US operator AT&T will carry the netbook over its nationwide 3G network, with Best Buy being the exclusive retailer initially. Best Buy will sell the device for US$299.99 with a two-year, US$60-a-month contract. The retailer will begin taking orders on October 22 with the device available from mid-November. Reuters notes that Best Buy said it will sell the netbook for US$599 to those consumers who do not opt for the AT&T contract plan and instead just connect to the Web using WiFi technology.

Mobilkom Thinks Small on Femtos

Austrian operator is looking for femto suppliers for a 2010 commercial launch but says the opportunity is limited

Cisco to buy Starent for US$2.9B

Cisco yesterday announced it is buying mobile packet core specialist Starent Networks for US$2.9 billion (US$35 per share). The price represents a premium of 21 percent over Monday's closing share price. Founded in 2000, Starent completed an IPO in 2007 and reported revenue of US$254.1 million last year, a 74 percent improvement on the year prior, and net income of US$60.5 million.

Vietnam gets 3G services with Vinaphone launch

Vietnam now has 3G services following the launch this week of state-owned Vinaphone's new network. AFP reports that the network is now available for three million subscribers in about 20 percent of provinces and cities around the country, with service expected to expand nationwide next year. Motorola, Ericsson and ZTE are Vinaphone's 3G network suppliers. According to Wireless Intelligence, Vinaphone is Vietnam's third-largest operator with 17.3 million subscribers.

Vinaphone's launch comes only two months after Vietnam's regulator released 3G spectrum to Viettel, Mobifone and Vinaphone, as well as a joint-venture between EVN Telecom and Hanoi Telecom. The total fees paid were VND8.1 trillion (US$450 million). Market-leader Viettel accounted for over half of the total, paying VND4.5 trillion. Viettel and MobiFone plan to launch services in December 2009, while EVN Telecom/Hanoi Telecom has been given nine months to launch services.

Axiata may focus on mobile and sell non-core assets

Reuters reports that pan-Asian telecoms firm Axiata is considering divesting its non-core assets to focus on its mobile businesses. "Divestment of our non-core assets, which are our non-mobile assets, is something we are looking at," chief executive Jamaludin Ibrahim told Reuters in an interview yesterday. Its non-mobile assets include Multinet in Pakistan and Samart in Thailand.

Orascom won't bid for 4th French 3G license

Egypt-based Orascom Telecom (OT) has ruled itself out of bidding for France's fourth 3G license. "It was announced today in our analyst day that OT/Weather will not be bidding," Reuters yesterday cited a company spokeswoman as stating in an email. No reason was given.

Lufthansa preps major wireless services push

German airline Lufthansa will today unveil the most extensive array of mobile phone and Internet services available on any air carrier, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The service - dubbed FlyNet - is being offered in partnership with Panasonic and will allow passengers on international flights not only to make calls and send emails whilst in the air, but also access the Web and download videos at faster speeds than currently available.

Thai 3G licenses to start at US$100M-US$200M

Thailand's National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has announced that the reserve price for a 3G license has been set in the range of THB3.3 billion to THB6.6 billion (US$100 million to US$200 million) in preparation for an auction later this year, writes the Bangkok Post. Choochart Promprasit, the chairman of the regulator, said the prices would be submitted to the NTC board for approval on Wednesday along with the draft 3G auction rules and comments added by the country's prime minister. He said the prices were based on criteria including industry data, auction prices in other countries, prices of spectrum that state-owned telco TOT had returned to the NTC, and the cost of the 3G spectrum that TOT bought from its sister company CAT Telecom as part of the transferral of ownership of cellular unit Thai Mobile.

3GPP - LTE-Advanced, IEEE - WiMAX 2.0

Candidate technologies for future mobile standard IMT-Advanced have this week been submitted to the ITU. In one camp, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has submitted LTE-Advanced, an upgrade to LTE technology, whilst the IEEE has submitted its successor to the mobile WiMAX standard 802.16e, called 802.16m (or WiMAX Release 2.0).

Clearwire to stick with WiMAX until 2011

Clearwire signed an 'Intel Market Development Agreement' with its own investor and major WiMAX proponent, Intel. The agreement forced Clearwire not to switch to alternative wireless broadband technology other than WiMAX until 28 Nov 2011.

Qualcomm: Networks need femtocells

The former and current CEOs of Qualcomm - Irwin and Paul Jacobs, respectively - fired a warning shot to operators this week during their appearance at CTIA Wireless IT & Entertainment, declaring that femtocells and other methods of increasing the density of radio networks will be key to future success.

Orascom linked to partnership for French 3G license

Egypt-based Orascom Telecom continues to seek a way into the French mobile market via a fourth 3G license, according to reports.

Clearwire to take mobile WiMAX to Spain

US WiMAX service provider Clearwire is prepping deployment of the technology in Spain after striking deals with network suppliers Alvarion and ZTE. Arguably WiMAX's biggest proponent, Clearwire yesterday announced that Clearwire International - a holding entity of Clearwire Corporation - will launch commercial services in two Spanish cities next year (using 3.5GHz spectrum) under its familiar 'Clear' brand. Alvarion will supply kit for launch in Malaga and ZTE will supply equipment for Seville.

Amazon takes Kindle e-book reader worldwide

Amazon today announced that its high-profile Kindle e-reader (pictured, right) will be available outside of the US from October 19. In a statement, Amazon touted the launch to more than 100 countries, priced at US$279. The Kindle Store offers over 200,000 English-language books, typically priced less than physical editions. Over 85 US and international newspapers and magazines are also available in the store for single purchase or subscription.

AT&T buys more LTE spectrum

AT&T has bought spectrum from Microsoft co-founder and billionaire Paul Allen to broaden its 4G LTE footprint.

Verizon and partners prep LTE VC fund

US operator Verizon Wireless yesterday announced plans to work with its vendors and venture capital partners to invest as much as US$1.3 billion in LTE technology.

Microsoft set to unveil new mobile strategy

Microsoft's new offering is expected to include integrated search using its new search engine Bing (a rival to Google), as well as Windows Marketplace for Mobile, a service similar to the iPhone's App Store that will allow users to download software and applications to their device. Over 250 applications are expected to be available at launch.

France Telecom's deputy CEO resigns over suicides

France Telecom's deputy chief executive Louis-Pierre Wenes has resigned from the firm, becoming the first high-profile executive to step down following criticism of the high number of suicide cases at the French telecoms giant. Stephane Richard, an ex-aide to the French finance minister who is to take over as CEO in 2011, will step up early to replace Wenes, the company said. According to an Associated Press report, Wenes and current chief executive Didier Lombard had faced calls to resign after 24 workers have killed themselves in 20 months.

Microsoft launches two phase apps store rollout

Microsoft has confirmed that it will launch its new 'Windows Marketplace for Mobile' applications store next Tuesday (6 October), initially available only on smartphones running Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows Mobile 6.5. Writing on the official Windows Mobile blog this week, Todd Brix, Microsoft's director of mobile services marketing, said the store would launch in two phases with support for Windows Mobile 6 and 6.1 to be included by the end of the year.

Telefonica to trial LTE in six countries

The company chooses six different providers to test their respective LTE technologies in six countries, taking advantage of Telefonica’s geographic scale. The trials include laboratory tests and the installation of e-node Bs in the field.

France Telecom CEO faces backlash over suicides

France Telecom CEO Didier Lombard (pictured, right) has faced calls for his resignation in France following the recent suicide of a France Telecom employee, the 24th such incident at the firm in the last 18 months.

China Mobile preps 2010 TD-LTE trials

China Mobile - the world's largest operator by subscribers - will begin large-scale outdoor TD-LTE trials next year. China Mobile will deploy 15 TD-LTE base stations at next year's Shanghai 2010 World Expo.

3G spectrum winners will also be allowed 2G entry

A key document prepared by the telecom ministry says successful bidders for third generation (3G) spectrum will also be alloted 2G airwaves, conceding a major demand of foreign telcos looking to take part in the 3G auctions.

Vodafone joins UK iPhone party

Just a day after rival Orange announced it is to break O2 UK's exclusive hold over the iPhone, Vodafone has said it plans to sell the iconic device in the UK and Ireland "in early 2010."

Unicom to launch 3G without the iPhone on Oct 1

Unicom chairman Chang Xiaobing told a press conference in Beijing yesterday the 3G service would be offered in 285 cities from October 1, China’s national day holiday. But the iPhone’s much-awaited debut in the world’s largest mobile market will have to wait until late in the month.

Earn Money With Free-Sims On Three

Three have announced the “Free Agent Programme” which enables customers to earn money for getting their friends to have a free 3 sim-card. The system works through people promoting free 3 sim-cards on their social networks and gaining commission once the SIM has been used.

O2 preps giffgaff, an MVNO 'run' by users

The idea to base a network offering around an online store that will enable self-service and encourage interaction between customers is a new business model for O2. It aims to attract customers by rewarding users depending on how much involvement they have; it goes as far as to state that members "could get back up to 100 percent of your top-ups... You can keep the cash, pool it amongst other members, or donate it to charity - so you can yik, yak and give back."

Orange UK to launch iPhone, ends O2 exclusive

France Telecom-owned Orange UK is to begin selling Apple's iPhone later this year, bringing an end to rival O2 UK's exclusive hold over the iconic handset. In a brief statement, Orange UK said it will begin offering the iPhone 3G and and iPhone 3GS "to UK subscribers later this year"

Thailand to auction 3G licenses mid-December

Thailand's long-awaited auction of 3G licenses could happen in December, according to reports. "In our rough timeframe, if there are no obstacles, we should be able to open the auction in the second week of December

Orange hints at merger with Switzerland's Sunrise

According to Wireless Intelligence data, Swisscom dominates the Swiss mobile market with an estimated 62 percent market share (5.5 million connections) in 2Q09. Sunrise is second on 1.9 million (a 21 percent market share) and Orange is third on 1.6 million (18 percent).

Verizon Wireless plans simultaneous LTE launches

Verizon Wireless is planning to simultaneously switch on its new Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile network in the US next year in as many markets as possible.

Vodafone unveils new mobile Internet initiative

Vodafone has officially announced details of its new Internet services initiative, 'Vodafone 360,' the UK-based operator's answer to rival services such as Apple's App Store and Nokia's Ovi.

South Korea gives green light to Apple's iPhone

The South Korean telecoms regulator today gave approval for Apple's iPhone to be sold in the country in a move that could shake-up a local handset market dominated by domestic vendors such as Samsung and LG.

source: GMBB

Meet AT&T 3G MicroCell

AT&T has posted a Web page unveiling its new 3G "MicroCell" home basestation, saying that the box is currently available for sale in "select markets."

As expected, the AT&T MicroCell was produced with Cisco. The initial box is a Y-shaped standalone home base station; Cisco has also been said to be working on a home gateway that integrates a femtocell.

Here's what AT&T is listing as the main features of its new box:

• Enhanced coverage indoors -- supports both voice and data up to 5000 square feet
• Available unlimited minute plans -- individual or FamilyTalk plans
• 3G handset compatible -- works with any AT&T 3G phone
• Supports up to four voice or data users at once
• Device is secure -- cannot be accessed by unauthorized users, easy and secure online management of device settings
• Seamless call hand-over -- start calls on your 3G MicroCell and continue without interruption, even if you leave the building and your name is Elvis

The latest word on the initial cities for launch is Atlanta, San Antonio, Seattle, and Raleigh, N.C. AT&T hasn't revealed pricing details yet. We hope to have more details on this soon, although Engadget reports that the carrier will charge $19.99 per month for unlimited calls, or $9.99 per month for unlimited calls if a customer already has a fixed line or Internet service with AT&T.

source: unstrung, AT&T

Huawei wins bulk of Singapore NBN contracts

Huawei has taken the lion’s share of the first infrastructure contracts for Singapore’s S$1 billion ($708.1 million) NBN project. Alcatel-Lucent has also been awarded the OSS/BSS system integrator contract.

Both vendors signed an agreement on Tuesday Starhub subsidiary Nucleus Connect, the designated NBN wholesale provider.

Nucleus would not reveal details of the financial value of the contracts, but said Huawei had won 70% of the value and Alcatel-Lucent the remaining 30%.

Huawei will roll out an end-to-end network with an IP MPLS core and a GPON and an active ethernet access network. It will also deliver professional services, CPE and network management.

Alcatel-Lucent will supply the OSS/BSS and act as systems integrator. The contract will include service assurance, customer care and billing and is targeted for completion by July next year.

source: telecomasia.net

Western Europe handset sales fall 6% in 2Q09

The Western European mobile devices market recorded another quarter of annual decline in 2Q09 despite a significant rise in smartphone sales, according to a new IDC study. According to the research firm's 'European Mobile Phone Tracker' report, handset vendors shipped 42 million units to Western Europe in 2Q09, down 6 percent from 2Q08 but an improvement on the 14 percent annual decline recorded in 1Q09. The switch from traditional mobile phones to smartphones continued to be a major trend in Western Europe, IDC said. Traditional mobile devices declined 12 percent during the quarter to 33.2 million units, while smartphones recorded a 25 percent increase to 8.8 million units compared to a year ago. For the full year, IDC believes that the Western European market will decline 10 percent, noting that demand for converged mobile devices will continue to grow, but will not be strong enough to reverse the overall market decline. "Despite the slight improvement in the second quarter of 2009, we will continue to see negative growth throughout the coming quarters, with full market recovery being seen only in 2011," said Francisco Jeronimo, European mobile devices research manager at IDC.

SmarTone wins Macau 3G bid

The DSRT, the Macau regulator, yesterday awarded the Hong Kong-owned company the fourth 3G license in the territory. SmarTone will spend 180 million patacas ($22.6 million) on its new 3G network in Macau.

SmarTone was the only bidder for the license. Rival 2G network providers China Telecom (Macau), Hutchison and incumbent CMT were all grant eight-year licenses in June 2007.

Macau, with a population of 560,000, already has 993,545 mobile users, or a mobile ownership rate of 177%. Of those, 440,000 are 3G customers, according to the DSRT.

source: telecomasia.net

New Huawei kit claims to double HSPA+ speeds

Chinese equipment vendor Huawei is to commercially launch a new HSPA+ solution next year offering theoretical download speeds of up to 56Mb/s. In a statement, the vendor said that the new solution - a software upgrade to existing HSPA networks - will enable its operator customers to offer download speeds that are twice what is available today. The solution, which features multi-carrier and MIMO (multiple-input-multiple-output) technologies, was successfully demonstrated in Beijing at the P&T/Wireless & Networks Comm China 2009 show, the vendor said.

source: GMBB

Korean regulator backs 20% cut in mobile prices

The South Korean regulator has backed the government's calls for lower mobile voice prices in the country in what is being reported as a blow to South Korea's three main mobile operators.

source: GMBB

Vodafone reveals major branding overhaul

Vodafone is to implement a major branding and marketing overhaul in a bid to position the operator at the forefront of the consumer smartphone market. In an interview with the UK's Sunday Times newspaper yesterday (Sept 20, 2009) , CEO Vittorio Colao confirmed that Vodafone will drop its current 'Make the most of now' tagline, in favour of a new slogan, 'Power to you.' The move is understood to be part of the largest shake-up of the operator's marketing strategy for five years.

source: GMBB

China Mobile hits half a billion subs milestone

China Mobile has become the world's first mobile operator to pass the half a billion subscriber milestone. In a brief customer data update on its website this morning, the Chinese market-leader said it had reached 503 million customers by the end of August.

source: GMBB

Multiple connections study reveals real market metrics

In North America, it became apparent that consumers on average held 1.3 mobile connections each in 3Q09. This means that real market penetration in the region stands at 71 percent compared to the reported figure of 92 percent. And whilst reported revenue per connection appears to be falling year-on-year, revenue per user is in fact increasing, meaning North American consumers are still spending more on mobile but spreading this across multiple connections. In fact, the study revealed that real revenue per user in North America has increased from US$60 to almost US$64 since 2006. Such growth counters fears that the economic situation has led to a slowdown in spending in the sector.

Interestingly, the report found a less encouraging situation in Western Europe. With regional consumers on average holding 1.5 mobile connections each in 3Q09, real market penetration per user has reached 87 percent (compared with 130 percent reported penetration per connection). However, real revenue per user is declining and will fall to EUR33 this year from EUR34.2 in 2008, reflecting a need for mobile operators in the region to ramp up investment in value-added services and network quality.

Nokia Siemens Networks claims first LTE callNokia Siemens Networks claims first LTE call

Nokia Siemens Networks recently made the world’s first LTE call using commercial base station and fully standard compliant software.

soruce: GMBB

Clearwire CEO open to switching technologies

Clearwire's chief executive, Bill Morrow, said that if LTE becomes the dominant next-generation mobile technology (rather than WiMAX), the company can easily switch technologies via a software upgrade. "We're the only carrier that can do this," he said. "We'll do what's right for the business. Whether it's LTE, WiMAX, future technology X, it doesn't matter to me."

source: GMBB

Docomo to exit Malaysian mobile market

Japan's NTT Docomo is to sell its 16.5 percent stake in Malaysian 3G operator U Mobile for US$100 million, the same amount it paid for the stake last year. U Mobile's parent company, U Television, will buy the stake off Docomo. In a statement, Docomo gave no reason for exiting the Malaysian market but reports have suggested there was a difference of opinion with other shareholders over management of the company. U Mobile has also struggled to gain market share in the country's competitive mobile market, racking up only 320,000 WCDMA/HSPA connections (according to Wireless Intelligence), giving it just a 1.18 percent market share.
The move is a surprise in light of Docomo's aggressive international expansion plans. Last year, Docomo set a target of achieving 10 percent of its sales from foreign ventures in a decade to compensate for slowing growth in the Japanese market. It already owns stakes in India's sixth-largest mobile operator, Tata Teleservices (26 percent), and Bangladesh's third-largest mobile operator, Aktel (30 percent), and last week announced plans to buy German content distribution platform vendor - net mobile - for EUR41.6 million.

source: GMBB, Wireless Intelligence

Femto fonera

A new working agreement has been reached involving 3G femtocells and FON wireless technology. The agreement made between Ubiquisys and FON introduces a new "femto fonera" device that can benefit from unused 3G capacity within the femtocell to be shared.

source: 3g.co.uk

NTC drafts 3G auction date

กทช. เตรียมรับฟังความคิดเห็นสาธารณะประเด็นการจัดสรรคลื่นความถี่ย่าน 2.1 GHz สำหรับ 3G วันที่ 28 ก.ย. 2552

- สรุปจัดสรรคลื่นฯ โดยวิธีประมูล Simultaneous Multiple Round (SMR)

- แบ่งเป็น 4 ใบอนุญาต

- 2x15 MHz 1 ใบ และ 2x10 MHz 3 ใบ

- ระยะเวลาใบอนุญาต 15 ปี

- ต้องครอบคลุม 50% ของประชากรภายใน 2 ปี, 80% ของประชากรภายใน 4 ปี

- ความเร็วดาวน์โหลด 700 kbps, อัพโหลด 240 kbps

- กำหนดให้แบ่งแยกบัญชี 2G/3G

- เริ่มประมูลประมาณต้นปี 2553

อ้างอิง: กทช

Australian government to separate Telstra

Telstra will be structurally separated under reforms announced today by the Australian government.

Telstra was one of the world’s most highly integrated telcos, operating fixed-line copper, cable access and mobile networks. It also owns 50% of the country’s biggest cable TV operator, Foxtel.

The bill would require that Telstra conduct its network operations and wholesale functions at arm’s length and that it offers equal terms to its retail and wholesale customers.

source: telecomasia.net

Deutsche Telekom mulls Sprint buy

T-Mobile USA's parent company has called in Deutsche Bank to advise it on the potential acquisition of rival operator Sprint, according to a Sunday Telegraph report.

According to Wireless Intelligence data, a merger of Sprint and T-Mobile USA, the country's third-and fourth-largest mobile operators respectively, would create a new number two player with 83 million subscribers (behind Verizon Wireless which has approximately 88 million). Such speculation comes hot on the heels of T-Mobile UK's planned tieup with Orange UK, announced last week.

[18 Sep 2009] CNBC, citing a person close to Sprint, says the two companies are not in talks, whilst Dow Jones Newswires reports that Deutsche Telekom will try by the end of the year to turn around its US mobile business and isn't planning a major acquisition there during this time. Meanwhile a Financial Times (FT) report states that Deutsche Telekom's top two shareholders - the German government and private equity group Blackstone - have told its management that it has until the middle of next year to turn round the German telecoms group's ailing US mobile phone business.

source: GMBB, FT

India sets dates for 3G, Wimax auctions

India's department of telecom (DoT) has finally set the deadline for the nation's 3G auctions, naming the December 7 as the opening date. The DoT has also decreed that the Wimax and EVDO auctions will commence two days after bidding for 3G closes.

Operators now have until November 13 to submit applications to take part in the auctions, and will be informed of their eligibility by November 27. Winners will have five days following the closure of the relevant auction to submit a deposit, and fifteen days to pay the remaining bill, the department said.

Late last month the government set the floor price for its 3G auctions at 35 billion rupees ($723.27 billion), and the Wimax floor price at 17.50 billion rupees. The government expects to reap at least 250 billion rupees from the auctions, India's telecom minister has revealed.

Only five players will be granted 3G licenses in each of India's telecom circles, of which one spot has been reserved for either BSNL or MTNL. Both these state-owned operators have already been allocated 3G spectrum. In return, they have agreed to match the maximum winning bid.

source: telecomasia.net

AT&T plans to deploy HSPA 7.2

AT&T plans to begin deployment of HSPA 7.2 in six major U.S. cities, including Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami, with initial service availability expected in these markets by the end of the year. All told, the company plans to deploy HSPA 7.2 in 25 of the nation’s 30 largest markets by the end of 2010, and to reach about 90 percent of its existing 3G network footprint with HSPA 7.2 by the end of 2011.

source: AT&T

Telefonica launches mobile apps store

The store - known as 'mstore' - will launch initially in the operator's home market of Spain (via its 'Movistar' mobile brand) but plans to be eventually rolled-out across its entire global footprint, serving over 200 million subscribers. The Spanish pilot will launch with 1,000 applications and be offered to around 10 million of its Movistar subscribers, rising to 12 million in the coming weeks.

source: GMBB

GSMA Endorses Integrated Mobile Broadcast (IMB),

IMB is a technology that enables spectrally-efficient delivery of broadcast services, based on techniques that are greatly aligned with existing FDD WCDMA but also allowing deployment in TDD spectrum. This allows for the smooth handover between IMB delivery and existing deployed technology. In short, it's a yet-another mobile TV standard!

source: IPWireless

Poor 3G services create negative consumer impression

Mobile operators have a lot of work to do to overcome the negative impression created by poor 3G services and regain consumer confidence in high-speed networks and the advantages they offer. CSL CEO Tarek Robbiati told an audience of about 150 at the LTE Asia conference in Hong Kong this week that when operators have over-promised and under-delivered in 3G.

“3G became synonymous with poor service. It was slow because the spectrum wasn’t sufficient and the coverage was limited,” he said.

source: telecomasia.net

Asia shows strong broadband growth

ASIA SHOWS STRONG BROADBAND GROWTH WITH NEARLY 40% OF GLOBAL BROADBAND MARKET
Japan shows biggest quarter on quarter growth of all top ten broadband countries while China strengthens their position as the largest broadband country in the world

source: broadband forum

SKT opens app store

SK Telecom today opened Korea’s first operator-based mobile apps store, with plans to take it global by 2011. The T Store can be accessed by more than 100 different devices with Wireless Internet Platform for Interoperability(WIPI) platform, a local middleware platform installed in all Korean phones.

It offers more than 6,500 applications, games and other content. It is open to all SK Telecom customers and by year-end will be accessible to customers of rival carriers using smartphones

source: telecomasia.net

T-Mobile, Orange UK JV creates new market leader

Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile and France Telecom's Orange have agreed to merge their UK operations in a 50/50 joint venture that will create a new UK market leader. The deal will reduce the number of mobile network operators in the UK market to four, which will bring it in line with most other comparable European markets.

In a statement citing Ofcom statistics, Orange and T-Mobile - currently the third- and fourth-largest mobile operators in the UK, respectively - said that the combined business would have 28.4 million customers, giving it an approximate 37 percent market share, pushing current market-leader Telefonica O2 into second place (on 28 percent) and Vodafone into third (23 percent). 3 UK remains the country's smallest network with an estimated 5.8 percent market share, while Virgin Mobile UK - an MVNO that uses T-Mobile's network - is also a major player with an estimated 6.2 percent share.

Nomura analyst Stuart Jeffrey commented "Nokia Siemens faces the biggest downside risk on the infrastructure side. In supplying both networks, NSN is exposed to almost all of the planned capex savings,"

source: GMBB, reuters, wireless intelligence

Docomo, ALU, NSN, Ericsson, Fujitsu, and NEC drafted IMS spec

The technical specifications recently demonstrated by the six companies support deployment of data processing functions, such as image conversion, on the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) network. The processing functions will also allow companies to develop a variety of application services.

Examples of value-added services

source: NTT Docomo

T-Mobile UK sale

According to a Financial Times report last week the German firm is in talks with Vodafone, France Telecom (Orange) and Telefonica (O2) over a sale of its UK unit, although negotiations are understood to be at a preliminary stage.

Wall Street Journal reported T-Mobile UK is to merge with France Telecom's Orange UK to form the country's biggest mobile operator. The deal is expected to officially announced on Tuesday 8th Sept.

source: Financial Times, Reuters, Wall Street Journal

Sony Ericsson entertains with move to Sony brand

Loss-making handset vendor Sony Ericsson yesterday announced plans to realign its brand towards a stronger entertainment profile and adopt the 'make.believe' brand concept currently pushed by Sony, one of the manufacturer's parent companies.

source: GMBB

Mexican market snapshot

source: Wireless Intelligence

CSL taps ZTE for LTE trial and UMTS900

CSL has announced the launch of a commercial trial of LTE, the first in Hong Kong and the first in the region outside Japan. Executives yesterday also announced plans to refarm its 900 MHz spectrum for 3G, and called on OEMs to help them develop devices for both. Both the LTE trial and the UMTS900 rollout will be backed by Chinese vendor ZTE.

CSL’s UMTS900 rollout – which not only boosts 3G data capacity, but also improves indoor coverage – will be complete by early 2010, with 5 MHz allocated to 3G and the rest for 2G GSM traffic. CSL chief executive Tarek Robbiati added that while few handsets support UMTS900, with only a handful of such launches in Europe and Australia, CSL will work with device makers to get phones in the pipeline.

source: telecomasia.net

China Mobile's OPhone

A new mobile phone platform has been launched by China Mobile for it's TD-SCDMA 3G mobile phone network. In fact, it’s the first ever mobile phone operating system designed by a 3G mobile phone operator and is called Ophone.

The OPhone is a linux-based terminal software platform for mobile internet. In conjunction with the announcement for the Ophone, China Mobile announced a number of Ophone compatible handsets from Samsung, Lenovo, Phillips and Dell.

China Mobile stated that by introducing the Ophone operating system, significant savings will be made on TD-SCDMA handset design and development. The official OPphone website can be located at www.ophonesdn.com

source: 3g.co.uk

Nokia launches first netbook!

Nokia Booklet 3G

Windows based, Intel Atom processor, 10-inch glass display, with up to 12 hours of battery life, aluminum chassis, 1.25 kilograms, slightly more than two centimeters thin, embedded 3G/ HSPA and Wi-Fi, HDMI port, a front facing camera for video calling, integrated Bluetooth, and SD card reader.

the price is set at EUR575.

source: GMBB, Nokia

NSN head resigns, services leader gets top job

Major mobile network vendor Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) today announced that its CEO Simon Beresford-Wylie is to step down and be replaced by current head of services, Rajeev Suri (pictured, right). The new head man (aged 41) will assume his role from 1 October.

source: GMBB

India mulls ban on Chinese telecom vendors

The proposed ban on Chinese firms will apply to all but eight states, but this too has been opposed by operators benefiting from cheap Chinese prices. A decision has been deferred until the DoT has further consulted with security officials.

Security fears over the two Chinese suppliers emerged two months ago when state-owned BSNL was not allowed to contract Huawei for rollouts in sensitive states bordering China. It was ordered to conduct a thorough security audit before any networks go live.

source: telecomasia.net

China Unicom to sell iPhone in 4Q09

China Unicom said it has reached a three-year deal with Apple to sell the touchscreen smartphone in the fourth quarter. The companies did not specify which models would be sold or how much they would cost, but the Chinese iPhone will lack Wi-Fi to comply with government regulations. The handset will be 3G-capable, and the carrier said it will be subsidizing the smartphone.

Apple has been trying to get the iPhone into China for more than a year, and the iPhone's release should coincide with China Unicom's rollout of 3G networks. The wireless operator plans to have 3G coverage in 335 cities by the end of the year, and Apple's device could be a key driver of mobile data adoption.

source: unstrung

India sets floor price for 3G, Wimax auctions

India has set the floor price for its long-awaited 3G spectrum auction, placing the minimum bid at 35 billion rupees ($717.5 million). The ministers have also set the Wimax auction floor price at 17.50 billion rupees. The government has also set a target of completing both the 3G and Wimax auctions within 90 days.

The group of ministers which set the prices has also declared that only five players will be allowed to offer 3G services in each of India's 22 telecom circles. Of these, one slot will be reserved for state-owned operators BSNL or MTNL. Initially up to seven 3G players would have been allowed to operate in each circle, but spectrum remains tight in several of the most populous circles.

source: telecomasia.net

Shares rise in Alcatel-Lucent on Chinese whispers

Shares in the French/US vendor were up 16 percent on the Euronext exchange in Paris and up 11 percent on the NYSE, while Natixis - an analyst firm - lifted its rating on Alcatel-Lucent to 'buy' from 'reduce.' An Alcatel-Lucent spokesperson declined to comment on the developments. Chinese equipment vendors Huawei or ZTE are considered the most likely buyers.

source: GMBB

China Mobile reports slowing revenue and profit growth in 1H09

China Mobile: Revenue/ARPU: 1H04 - 1H09
Source: Wireless Intelligence, company data

Sony takes on Kindle with wireless reader

Japan's Sony has unveiled its first electronic reader with wireless connectivity in a bid to take on Amazon's popular Kindle device, reports Reuters. The Sony 'Daily Edition' will go on sale in the US in December and will use AT&T's 3G network for connectivity. It will cost US$399, US$100 more than Amazon's basic version of the Kindle.

Amazon's Kindle was launched in 2007 - a year after Sony's first reader - but has enjoyed a considerably higher profile. The device costs US$299 for the basic version and US$489 for a large screen version geared toward newspaper reading.

Sony is hoping that adding wireless connectivity to its readers will give it parity with Kindle, which works with Sprint's network. Users of earlier Sony readers have had to plug their device into a computer when it comes time to download content.

source: GMBB

Microsoft unveils apps service for low-end phones

Microsoft OneApp will allow feature phones to run mobile apps like Facebook, Twitter, Windows Live Messenger, and other popular applications and games. It is targeted at users in emerging markets that use feature phones that can connect to basic data services and install applications but have limited memory and processing capability.

OneApp uses 'cloud' services to help shift processing and storage weight from the phone to the Internet, which means is has a small 'on-phone' footprint of just 150KB.

source: GMBB

AT&T improves 3G with move to 850MHz

US operator AT&T has reportedly begun rolling out 3G services in the 850MHz spectrum band with positive results from users. The company has previously operated 3G networks in the 1900MHz band, but the new spectrum has been freed up by the closure last year of its TDMA network. AT&T has not released specific details on the switchover, but reports suggest activation has already occurred in San Francisco, Atlanta and Las Vegas, amongst other areas.

source: GMBB

Docomo expects Tata JV to become profitable in 3 years

NTT Docomo expects its Indian joint venture with Tata Teleservices (TTSL) to be profitable in three years and would consider further investment in the world's fastest-growing mobile market, according to an Economic Times report.

Docomo bought its stake in TTSL for US$2.7 billion last year with initial plans to invest US$2 billion in a new GSM network.

source: GMBB

Windows Mobile 6.5 and Windows Mobile 7

Microsoft is expected to launch the next version of Windows Mobile - version 6.5 - on 1 October 2009 but will continue to develop the platform even after it launches the long-awaited Windows Mobile 7, which is scheduled to launch in the last quarter of the year. The reported roadmap will see Microsoft lower the price of 6.5 when Windows Mobile 7 arrives and will upgrade it with a touch interface in February 2010.

source: digitimes.com

Nokia eyes growth in rural India

According to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report, the Finnish vendor plans to sell handsets in some rural Indian areas under a programme that allows the purchasers to pay in installments. The report notes that Nokia plans to roll out the installment scheme to sell its handsets in 12 Indian states after a pilot programme covering more than 2,500 villages in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The report adds that under the pilot programme a micro-finance organisation bought handsets from Nokia and sold them to women in rural areas by charging them INR100 (US$2) for up to 25 weeks.

source: GMBB

KDDI aims LTE in 2012

Japan's second-largest operator KDDI revealed further plans for its launch of LTE networks, announcing Motorola (Motorola's first public order for LTE equipment) and NEC as suppliers of radio access (base station) kit and declaring commercial availability by December 2012. Trials are scheduled to begin in mid 2010. The network will be deployed in both 1.5GHz and 800MHz spectrum bands, with 96.5 percent of the country covered by the end of 2014. The operator also plans to launch LTE-equipped mobile phones in time for commercial launch. According to a Reuters report, KDDI will spend roughly JPY500 billion (US$5.3 billion) on its LTE technology.

In December the operator announced it had chosen Hitachi and Nortel as LTE vendors for its core network (before Nortel filed for bankruptcy protection).

source: GMBB

iPhone hurts operators!

Strand Consult says not one of the operators analysed have increased their market share, revenue, or earnings as a result of introducing the iPhone, whilst some operators have even sent out profit warnings because of the device.

source: Strand Consult

Vietnam awards 3G spectrum to four operators

The Vietnamese regulator has released 3G spectrum to four of the country's mobile operators and reports suggest that the first 3G services could launch as early as next month.

source: GMBB

Mobile network equipment market share ranking 2Q09

1 Ericsson 32% vs. 32% last year
2 Nokia Siemens 20% vs. 26% last year
3 Huawei 17% vs. 10% last year
4 Alcatel-Lucent 12% vs. 14% last year

source: reuters

China Mobile launches app store

The world's largest operator (by subscribers) ventured into an open-access business model that allows users to download music, games, videos and other entertainment applications direct to mobile phones. The report notes that Mobile Market currently supports ten handset models including Nokia, Samsung and LG phones.

source: GMBB

Verizon to begin LTE rollout in Boston and Seattle

The choice of Boston and Seattle as early launch markets could put the LTE network in direct competition with WiMAX operator Clearwire, which will have launched in both markets by next year.

Verizon's LTE game plan:
- To roll-out the network using the 700MHz spectrum it acquired last year.
- To rollout commercial LTE services in up to 30 US markets in 2010.
- To to cover 100 million POPS [US population coverage] by 2013.

Vendors involved in the rollout include Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks and Starent Networks.
source: GMBB

OECD's cheapest calls: Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden

Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden have the lowest prices for mobile phone calls among OECD countries, according to the latest OECD Communications Outlook. The highest were found in Canada, Spain and the United States.

The study found that between 2006 and 2008 mobile voice prices fell on average by 21 percent for low usage consumers, 28 percent for medium usage and by 32 percent for subscribers with the highest consumption patterns.

The decline in operators' revenue from fixed-line has been slowed by the expansion of high-speed broadband Internet, which usually relies on fixed-line.

source: GMBB

Hutchison confirms plan for Thailand sale

Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd. (HTIL) has agreed to the sale of its 51.31 percent controlling stake in Partner Communications Co. Ltd., its Israeli subsidiary, to Scailex an Israel-based importer of mobile phones, for 5.29 billion Israel New Sheckels (US$1.381 billion).

HTIL has made no secret of the fact that it has been looking for a buyer for Partner. The company's CEO, Dennis Lui, explains that, although it is a good business, it is in a mature market with limited growth opportunities and a long way from Hong Kong. Lui also confirms that HTIL is continuing its attempts to sell its operation in Thailand and says that now the changes in Hutchison CAT Wireless Multimedia Ltd. 's board have taken place, discussions could be reinvigorated. However, he cautions that no fixed timetable for negotiations was in place yet.