Telecoms watch
50th edition of IFA shatters records
Industry confident of strong market boost from IFA – IFA International Keynotes reports on key industry themes – IFA TecWatch displays the networked home – extensive services for trade visitors – more TV networks – new show sections IFA iZone and IFA eLibrary to premiere. With double-digit growth boosting the rented display area to 134.400 square meter (+11%) IFA’s 50th edition is due to be the largest. Leading international companies from the CE and home appliances industries are back in numbers and all areas of IFA continue to expand, further indicators of IFA’s success. From 3 to 8 September more than 1, 423 exhibitors (+ 22%) will be represented on the Berlin Exhibition Site at the world’s largest trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances. "We are delighted that the 50th IFA has made such a good start. This latest display area record reflects IFA’s high standing around the world. As a trade show for placing orders it is the number one meeting place for both sectors before the start of Christmas business, the most important time of the year", said Dr. Rainer Hecker, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Gesellschaft für Unterhaltungs- und Kommunikationselektronik mbH (gfu), the organisers of IFA.
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50th IFA INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE PROGRAM PREMIERES 3D CONTENT
Leaders from the worlds of cinema and sport take to the stage to demonstrate the power of 3D entertainment when the IFA International Keynote Program opens on September 3. Keynote attendees will hear from ESPN and Constantin Medien on the future of 3D entertainment as the 50th edition of IFA opens for business and to the public September 3 – 8 at the Berlin Exhibition Site a complete list of press conferences can be found at: IFA Press Conference Time Table. On September 3 at 3:00 p.m. Bryan Burns, vice president of strategic business planning and development at ESPN, takes the keynote stage to discuss the challenges and alliances that need to be formed to drive consumer interest in 3D – and his company’s experience with broadcasting sporting events in 3D. Mr. Burns will address lessons learned from pioneering 3D coverage of the Masters and World Cup. In addition to his review of what ESPN has already done, he will outline what is next in the 3D space for the next year for the network in the United States.
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Telecom Italia and Nokia Siemens Networks trial LTE in Turin
Telecom Italia, Italy’s largest communications service provider, is undertaking a trial of Long Term Evolution (LTE)* technology, in collaboration with Nokia Siemens Networks, in some city areas of Turin, Italy. The trial is a major step in the operator’s efforts to bring next-generation mobile services to its customers. Telecom Italia, together with Nokia Siemens Networks, started in various Turin city areas a trial of Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology. With the 4G mobile network TIM customers will enjoy services such as high definition video streaming, video conferencing, online gaming and many other multimedia applications for smart devices which respond exactly to the most exigent end user demand. Telecom Italia trials the impact of LTE technology on its own networks supported by Nokia Siemens Networks’ technologies to finetune its transition towards 4G.
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New Alcatel-Lucent book - The Evolving Market, Players and Business Models in a 2.0 World
Alcatel-Lucent announced the book launch of The Shift: The Evolving Market, Players and Business Models in a 2.0 World. This powerful new book, which draws on a wealth of research and features a forward by Marshall Kirkpatrick of ReadWriteWeb, a leading mind in the application developer community, discusses how the emerging ecosystem of service providers, developers, advertisers, consumers and business uses stands to benefit when smarter networks are used as development platforms. The resulting potential market opportunity is as much as $100 billion within the U.S. market alone. At its core The Shift: The Evolving Market, Players and Business Models in a 2.0 World analyzes the rapid pace of consumer technology adoption and its impact on service providers, enterprises, application developers, content providers, and handset manufacturers as they scramble to meet the exploding demand for bandwidth and Web 2.0 service access anytime, anywhere and over any device.
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Alcatel-Lucent reports adjusted operating profit
Alcatel-Lucent reports adjusted operating profit. Strong progress in Q2 and stronger second-half expected and full-year 2010 outlook maintained. Ben Verwaayen, CEO, commented: "I am pleased with the continuing progress in our transformation journey, illustrated in the second quarter both by the top line and profitability. Revenues for the quarter reflect the on-going and expected overall improvement in market conditions and the good traction of our product portfolio. This is notably highlighted by the good performance in IP and wireless and, from a geographic standpoint, by strong growth in North America. The quarter also saw strategic and major wins with our selection by the NBN Company as a supplier for the Australian nationwide superfast broadband network rollout and by the ACE consortium to deploy a submarine optical link between Europe and Africa. And I am proud to announce that Alcatel-Lucent has been selected by AT&T as one of its Domain Suppliers for IP/MPLS/EPC equipment."
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Wholesale Applications Community Accelerates Delivery of Open Applications Platform
The Wholesale Applications Community (WAC), an alliance of telecommunications companies committed to building an open applications platform, today announced its formation as a corporate entity, as well as the organisation’s leadership and board of directors. The company also announced that it will join forces with the Joint Innovation Lab (JIL), accelerating the commercial launch of WAC-enabled application stores. The transaction is expected to be completed in September 2010. Finally, WAC outlined the business models and technology evolution path that will enable developers, operators and other commercial organisations to monetise applications and services. Peters Suh has been named the CEO of the Wholesale Applications Community. Most recently Peters was the CEO of the Joint Innovation Lab (JIL), a joint venture between China Mobile, SOFTBANK MOBILE, Verizon Wireless, and Vodafone. Prior to JIL, Peters held a number of executive positions at Vodafone, Fremont Communications and AirTouch.
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Nokia CEO OPK looks set to leave the company in the near future, and he's not the only telecoms exec in the firing line
It has been some time since we the telecoms press have had a high-profile executive departure to report on, but here at Total Telecom we're pretty convinced that one is on the way. After a difficult week for handset maker Nokia, chief executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo's position now appears to be untenable. Rumours surrounding OPK's future have been swirling for some time, reaching fever pitch on Tuesday when the Wall Street Journal reported that Nokia is searching for a new top dog and has already lined up a couple of potential candidates, one of whom turned down the role. Naturally Nokia declined to comment, but Gartner vice president Nick Jones told us he felt Kallasvuo has lost the confidence of investors, suggesting that a change of leadership would be a positive move for the vendor.
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COSMOTE to launch pilot broadband LTE network
COSMOTE is preparing to launch a pilot broadband LTE (Long Term Evolution) network, paving the way for 4G networks and has filed a relevant licensing request for pilot tests to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks. LTE networks offer downlink speeds of 100 Mbps and uplink speeds of 45Mbps. Speeds like these, comparable only to those offered by optic fiber networks, will allow consumers to enjoy seamless access to services such as High Definition streaming and High Definition video-conferencing, ultra-fast browsing and file sharing etc. For example, users will be able to download a full HD movie in 2-3 minutes. Through LTE networks, customer experience will be significantly enhanced even in comparison with HSPA and HSPA+ networks, since users will enjoy much higher speeds and access to cutting edge applications.
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Intrinsyc licenses RapidRIL to Tattu Mobile for Android Tablet
Intrinsyc Software International, Inc. (TSX: ICS), a leading provider of software solutions for mobile and embedded devices, today announced a license and services agreement with Tattu Mobile for RapidRIL telephony technology. Tattu Mobile is developing a series of Google Android tablet devices based on ZiiLABS ZMS-05 processors. Licensing RapidRIL enables Tattu to integrate a cellular radio and handle the unique features needed for their platform and targeted carriers. "Using RapidRIL provides significant cost savings compared with developing this technology from scratch and will result in the product reaching market several weeks faster," said Andy Press, Chief Operating Officer, Tattu Mobile. "Intrinsyc’s solution flexibility and dedicated engineering department will help us to meet our deadlines and provide a better product."
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Orange opens 4G shop in Chisinau
Orange Moldova launched a 4G shop in Moldova's capital Chisinau on 14 July. During the store's inauguration day, Orange prepared a live 4G/LTE technology demonstration in cooperation with Alcatel-Lucent, Orange Labs, Moldova's telecommunications authority Anrceti, and Moldova's Telecommunications Ministry. Located on the Stefan cel Mare boulevard, the store introduces a so-called 'European' design and customer service and focuses on the operator's 4G/LTE products portfolio. The shop's visitors are able to test LTE technology between 14 and 15 July until 11 pm. The demonstration's purpose is to help Orange better understand the possibilities offered by LTE technology before implementing it across the entire country in the years to come.
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Digital Agenda: Commission launches consultation on net neutrality
A consultation on key questions arising from the issue of net neutrality has been launched by the European Commission today. It covers such issues as whether internet providers should be allowed to adopt certain traffic management practices, prioritising one kind of internet traffic over another, whether such traffic management practices may create problems and have unfair effects for users, whether the level of competition between different internet service providers and the transparency requirements of the new telecom framework may be sufficient to avoid potential problems by allowing consumers' choice and whether the EU needs to act further to ensure fairness in the internet market, or whether industry should take the lead.
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CA and SAP collaborate on big brother checks on IT
SAP and CA Technologies have collaborated on offering an integrated governance, regulation and compliance (GRC) tools for CIOs, which links SAP's enterprise software with CA Technologies' monitoring software. The two companies have linked the enterprise IT management products from CA Technologies with GRC software from the SAP Business Objects portfolio to provide businesses with continuous monitoring of IT control and risk metrics. The tools are designed to link IT more closely with general business GRC. According to SAP and CA enterprises around the globe operate IT processes covering areas such as security, availability, infrastructure and IT project management. These processes support the core business processes that organizations use to operate successfully, including procure-to-pay, order-to-cash and hire-to-retire.
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Spanish operators see record voice, SMS traffic at WC final
Vodafone reported a 325 percent surge in voice calls during the World Cup final, compared to a usual day. The growth in voice call usage during the match between Spain and the Netherlands was highest between 22:55 and 23:30 hours. The number of SMS sent in the Vodafone network also jumped by 225 percent versus the previous Sunday, ABC reports, citing operator data. Telefonica users sent 2.2 million SMS during the World Cup final, compared to 720,000 SMS sent on a usual day. Orange reported a 193.7 percent increase in SMS traffic and 250 percent surge in voice traffic during the same period. Yoigo saw a record SMS traffic during the 23:09 minute, when Spanish football player Andres Iniesta scored. The goal generated a 600 percent increase in SMS traffic in the Yoigo network, compared to the same time slot on a usual day. Between 20:30 and 23:30 hours, Yoigo saw a 46 percent in SMS traffic and a 134 percent voice traffic growth between 23:00 and 23:30 hours.
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Vodafone Germany plans LTE deployment within 12 months
Having acquired valuable spectrum within the 800 MHz band, Vodafone Germany has indicated it will launch LTE services targeted at rural areas within the next 12 months. CEO Fritz Joussen (photo) confirmed that Vodafone Germany will initially focus its LTE investment on upgrading base stations in so-called 'white spots', or rural areas that are currently without broadband access. "I am sure that [these areas] will be connected in approximately twelve months time," said Joussen. He added that operators that were first to provide broadband connections to consumers in these areas would reap the rewards. Once LTE coverage had been provided for these "white spot" regions, Joussen said that it would look to upgrade its remaining network to support LTE over the next three years.
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Verizon, Skype, Qualcomm, Microsoft sponsor mHealth Summit
Industry leaders Abbott, Microsoft Research, Pfizer, Qualcomm, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Skype and Verizon Wireless have joined the 2010 mHealth Summit as sponsors, the conference organizers announced today. The 2010 mHealth Summit, a partnership of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, the National Institutes of Health and the mHealth Alliance, will connect leaders in health, government, the private sector, academia and not-for-profit organizations to advance discussion and decision-making related to the intersection of mobile technology, health practice and research, and policy in the United States and abroad. The conference will be held November 8-10 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. As the Summit date nears a diverse group of sponsors is offering their support, from leading charitable organizations, to pharmaceutical and technology companies, wireless carriers and media groups.
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Netsize Enables Seamless SMS Messaging with Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Netsize, the leading mobile commerce and communications enabler, today announced version 2 of Netsize mPlug-in for Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Adding SMS as a standard communications channel in Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Netsize mPlug-in enables users of Dynamics CRM to leverage the mobile channel to increase business process efficiency and customer satisfaction. "Companies are recognizing that mobile messaging enables them to increase business agility and serve customers better," says Stanislas Chesnais, Chief Executive Officer, Netsize. "With Customer Relationship Management at the center of many business processes, being able to use the mobile channel like any other channel is a must-have." Netsize mPlug-in for Dynamics CRM features include quick SMS messaging, SMS campaigns, SMS workflows and dashboard statistics. All features are fully integrated in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM user interface.
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Jamcast Launches, Streams Audio from Any Source to Connected Devices
Software Development Solutions, Inc. (SDS) announced today the launch of JamcastTM, a streaming media software solution that enables consumers to effortlessly send digital audio from any source directly to their favorite devices. Jamcast’s exclusive Virtual Soundcard feature captures any audio playing on a consumer’s PC and then transmits it over their wireless network to DLNA and UPnP-compliant devices, such as gaming consoles, HDTVs, smartphones, media adapters, home theatre components and other popular connected devices in the home and beyond. "Jamcast has really caught the attention of consumers looking to enjoy their favorite music from popular streaming services like Pandora and Spotify away from their PC, in the living room or elsewhere," said SDS CEO Scott Streaker. "Jamcast’s Virtual Soundcard makes this easy when no solution from the device manufacturer or content provider is otherwise available," he added.
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Vodafone ex-CEO Sarin may head BSNL - report
The Indian government is looking at the possibility of roping in former CEO of Vodafone Arun Sarin (photo) to head state-owned Indian operator BSNL in a bid to turn around the company, reports The Hindu Business Line. The move is in line with the recommendations of the Sam Pitroda committee, which had suggested appointing talented professionals to run the company. According to top government sources, a list of possible candidates is being prepared which will be vetted by a selection committee. The government is also working towards taking BSNL's selection process out of the purview of the Public Enterprises Selection Board, which will enable it to offer a market-driven salary structure. The move will need cabinet approval after which an expert committee will be appointed for the selection process. The process may not be completed before the current BSNL's CMD Kuldeep Goyal retires in July. An insider may be given the job in the interim.
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Comviva Expands its Presence in Latin America and the Caribbean
Comviva, the global leader in providing mobile solutions beyond VAS, today announced its expansion into the Latin America and Caribbean region with the opening of its office in Miami. The company also announced the appointment of Max Padró as General Manager to head the region. "Our expansion into Latin America and the Caribbean is part of an ongoing strategy to forge closer ties with our customers across the globe by strengthening our presence and capabilities across our key markets. The setting up of the office in Miami will help us serve our customers better while responding faster to market opportunities." said Manoranjan Mohapatra, CEO, Comviva. "We are happy to appoint Max as the head of our regional operations. Max brings with him over 28 years of experience across the industry and a keen understanding of the market, which will further strengthen Comviva’s presence in the region."
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Nokia reduces projections for Q2, but demand in the Grey Market still outstrips supply!
Nokia announced last week that they are reducing their projections for Q2 after a series of poor results leading from a week Euro, competition in the Smart phone market and the continuation of low end phones from Chinese manufacturers. The latest news is surprising to phonelot.com who monitor the trading volumes of the businesses who use the platform to buy and sell wholesale mobile phones. Dan Quinn, Project Manager with www.phoneLot.com said "From the results we are generating for the grey market, we can see that Nokia’s trading volumes is strong, with demand occasionally outstripping supply for certain low end models including the 1208, 1661 and more recently 2220. For our analysis, we compared the trading volumes and average prices for May and March and was able to establish that trading volumes are being maintained across the portfolio, which has to be considered a good result for Q2".
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COSMOTE Romania reduces roaming tariffs and adds new roaming partners in exotic destinations
Starting July 1st, COSMOTE Romania reduces roaming tariffs within the European Union with up to 22%, according to the European Commission rulings. In addition, as the customers’ interest for exotic destinations increases during summer holydays, COSMOTE Romania adds new exotic roaming destinations in the grid. „The more affordable tariffs come to the benefit of our customers and encourage them to talk with their loved ones back home more relaxed and with no concerns about the communicating costs when they travel. Also, although we are passing tough times, people still need to relax and enjoy a vacation far away from their day to day activities, so we’ve introduced new exotic destinations in the grid" stated Oana Cristea, Roaming & Interconnection Senior Manager.
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Orange to debut Motorola's Milestone in Romania
Orange Romania will debut Motorola's Milestone smartphone in July, Daily Business reported. Milestone will be offered at prices starting from EUR 179 along with a two-year postpaid contract of EUR 20 per month as well as the add-on 'My smartphone.' The Android 2.1-powered Milestone features a 720p HD camcorder, an 8-megapixel camera, and a 3.7-inch pinch- and zoom screen. The phone also supports Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, and HSPA. Orange will open pre-ordering on its website.
Fixed Broadband Revenue Expected to Top $184 Billion by the End of 2010
Global fixed broadband service revenue totaled $170 billion by the end of 2009, with YoY growth of 14%. DSL remains the largest broadband revenue generator with 62% of total global broadband service revenue. Broadband fiber service revenue is the fastest-growing among the various platforms, primarily stimulated by subscriber adoption. The Asia-Pacific region is spearheading fiber installation, with 80% of the global broadband fiber market. In order to satisfy the need for high speed advanced services such as IPTV, operators in Western European countries are accelerating the rollout of broadband fiber. Recently, British Telecom set a target to provide fiber broadband to 40% of homes by 2012. "There is significant potential for broadband fiber service revenue growth," comments Jason Blackwell (photo), digital home practice director at ABI Research. "In Italy, the three operators, Fastweb, Vodafone and Wind are planning to launch a shared fiber optic network to deliver FTTH to end users. ABI Research expects that fiber broadband service revenue will approach $25 billion in 2010."
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COSMOTE launches MVPN Budget Control
COSMOTE Romania enriched its business products and services portfolio with the new MVPN Budget Control web application. Integrated on the WebCare portal, the new MVPN Budget Control application was created to offer companies a higher flexibility in using COSMOTE services by administrating their own mobile phones fleet and, most of all, for helping them optimizing their communication budgets. "We are constantly developing our products and services portfolio in order to offer our customers the best communication solutions. The new MVPN Budget Control service was specially created to provide an efficient product, best fit to our corporate customers need of optimizing the communication budget in the context of a challenging environment and also because we want to offer them the best cost control tool, both flexible and user friendly", stated Isabela Furtuna, Manager Postpaid Market Development and Retail International Offering, COSMOTE Romania.
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WiMAX equipment/device market down in Q1; 2010 prospects solid despite Yota defection
Infonetics Research (http://twitter.com/infonetics) released its first quarter (1Q10) WiMAX Equipment, Devices, and Subscribers market share and forecast report. "Whilst worldwide WiMAX equipment and device revenue saw a moderate decline in the first quarter of 2010, down 2% to $303 million, this decline is attributed to a seasonally slower first quarter, and does not alter our expectations for generally healthy growth through the rest of 2010. The recent defection from WiMAX to LTE by Russian operator Yota is undoubtedly a blow, but this is currently just one WiMAX operator out of nearly six hundred, so it is not yet certain whether this is the thin end of a wedge for WiMAX," notes Richard Webb, Infonetics Research's directing analyst for WiMAX.
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