Telecoms watch
Allied Telesis - Does your network survive maintenance?
Strange question isn’t it, especially considering that many times proactive maintenance is carried out in order to avoid faults and service interruptions. In reality every time an engineer works on a network its operations are at risk. Certainly the old PPT2 rule can be applied – No - the solution is not using PowerPoint twice, it is People, Procedures, Training and Tools. Having the right people trained to follow correct procedures and equipping them with the right tools can avoid most issues, but there are still situations where certain actions may result in the operation stopping, even if for a limited amount of time. A typical disrupting action is the rebooting of the equipment. Some vendors implement a very sophisticated software mechanism in order to avoid the need for rebooting, but sooner or later the time will come when a reboot is necessary and network operations will inevitably cease - unless your network is powered by Allied Telesis xSeries switches implementing VCStack and the Rolling Reboot feature. The combination of VCStack Active-Active architecture, where all switches in a VCStack concurrently switch Ethernet packets, and Rolling Reboot functionality guarantee that the Virtual Chassis will continue switching even during a system reboot.
(continuare)
Asian Vendors Watchdata, Eastcompeace, KEB Technology, Datang, and Wuhan Tianyu Continue to Apply Pressure on the 'Big Four' Smart Card Vendors
The market for smart cards and secure ICs achieved double digit YoY growth for shipments in 2011, demonstrating increases of 16% and 15%, respectively. Volumes continued ramping up, driven by further mobile penetration, the ongoing development in the SIM card sector, and the number of countries migrating to EMV. The top three applications (government ID, payment cards, and SIM) accounted for 88% of the total seven billion smart cards shipped in 2011, according ABI Research. Further adoption in contactless cards added increased value to the market, as will the greater demand for multi-application cards. However, manufacturers remain aware of ongoing price pressures, apparent across all vertical sectors in the smart card market. For smart card manufacturers this activity is focused around software and services such as online identity and trusted service management; for IC vendors, activity focuses around new applications such as anti-counterfeiting and brand protection, device authentication, and the use of smart card IP in new devices.
(continuare)
Endpoint Protector adds Content Aware Protection to Prevent Data Leaks to the Cloud
Company data security is under threat more than ever with cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox and iCloud finding their way on company PCs. Endpoints such as USB ports, CD/DVD drives, printers etc. are no longer the only concern when it comes to stopping leaks of sensitive data. The Internet and the cloud poses an even greater security threat by allowing an easy transfer of data through file upload services, e-mail, instant messaging applications and other types of applications. On top of these are the currently expanding cloud services, which bring new security risks for companies worldwide. To prevent data loss for businesses via the cloud and at the endpoint, CoSoSys announces today the availability of the latest Endpoint Protector 4.1 version as a customer preview with an advanced Content Aware Protection feature available for its Windows Endpoint Protector Client.
(continuare)
AMD unveils Trinity chipsets to challenge Ivy Bridge
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has launched its new Trinity processor family boasting "twice the performance per watt" of its earlier Llano chips. Like Intel's rival Ivy Bridge release, the update includes up to four CPU (central processing unit) cores and a single GPU (graphics processing unit). AMD claims its product offers gamers a superior experience, according BBC News. The first computers using the chips go on sale in June, with the US launch of a Hewlett Packard "Sleekbook". AMD's focus on low power requirements reflects manufacturers' desire to offer thinner laptops and slimmer all-in-one desktop models. Trinity can be set to run off as low as 17 watts, half the minimum amount possible using Llano. The move should also allow traditional-sized laptops to run off their batteries for longer. The firm says systems could last up to 12 hours, although the figure cannot be verified until models utilising the chips are released.
(continuare)
WSIS Forum 2012 launches 10-year review to measure goals set at UN World Summit on the Information Society
Stakeholders from government, civil society and the private sector are meeting in Geneva this week to agree on an effective and meaningful review process (WSIS+10) for measuring progress towards targets set in 2005 in Tunis at the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), and to forge a common vision for new actions beyond 2015. Co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD and UNDP, the WSIS Forum 2012 event (14-18 May) is the world’s largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community. It aims to define strategies and tactics to help countries and organizations more effectively harness the power of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, now just three years away.
(continuare)
comScore Selected by Libero, Italy’s Leading, Locally-Owned Web Destination, as Analytics Provider
comScore, Inc. announced that Libero, Italy’s largest locally-owned portal has selected comScore Digital Analytix as its analytics platform provider. The selection follows an in-depth review process including a number of web analytics providers, and was awarded to comScore for its comprehensive digital expertise and breadth of solutions. A key differentiator of comScore’s Digital Analytix platform is that it provides insight into ad inventory dynamics, including individual ad placement viewability, which will provide Libero advanced inventory monetisation capabilities. comScore also provides advanced segmentation capabilities that will help Libero to manage their customer experience more efficiently and increase the effectiveness of their targeting capabilities. Furthermore, the implementation process for comScore Digital Analytix was done in less than one month with an Italian language interface and customer support, which enabled Libero to quickly extract the most value from its investment with minimal disruption to ongoing business activities.
(continuare)
COSMOTE Romania continues to improve its performance in Q1, 2012
COSMOTE Romania announces key performance indicators for the first quarter of 2012 fiscal year, ended March 31, 2012, as reported today by OTE Group. "COSMOTE Romania continued to improve its performance for yet another quarter, posting significant growth on many areas, despite the difficult economic conditions and intense competition. The company increased its EBITDA profitability, revenues, and ARPU, year on year. Moreover, the strong and sustained growth in the corporate segment, a valuable segment for the company, further consolidates COSMOTE’s market position", said Konstantinos Apostolou (photo), COSMOTE Romania’s Chief Financial Officer.
(continuare)
Telefonica unveils data-based communication app Tu Me
Telefonica is launching an app that allows smartphone users to make calls and send messages without using up their quota of call minutes or texts. Actions taken by "Tu Me" will instead be deducted from data allowances, according BBC mobile. It poses a challenge to existing apps including Skype, Viber and Whatsapp. Network operators have traditionally viewed such programs as a threat, but the owner of O2 said it would "rather keep the customer than lose them to other products and services". Tu Me is free to download and will be promoted to members of Spanish telecom Telefonica's O2, Movistar and Vivo networks. The company has about 300 million customers across the world. However, subscribers to other brands will also be able to use the program.
(continuare)
Alcatel-Lucent bolsters the performance of enterprise data center networks, making them faster, more responsive, more flexible and ‘cloud-ready’
Alcatel-Lucent announced a major upgrade of its award-winning data center switching solution or ‘fabric’, the Alcatel-Lucent Mesh. By extending high-performance 40 gigabit Ethernet (40 GigE) links throughout the Mesh, the company has dramatically increased the speed, responsiveness and flexibility of enterprise data center networks, making them better able to support bandwidth-devouring, real-time applications like video collaboration, virtual desktop, and the growing array of cloud services. Camille Janssens, ICT Director of DHL Express said: "The demand for more bandwidth is a constant challenge. New technology implementations like those from Alcatel-Lucent are delivering the ability to scale to faster speeds in the future while creating a highly reliable data center capable of acting as a global hub."
(continuare)
Facebook IPO values company at between $85bn and $95bn
Facebook has set the share price for its upcoming initial public offering (IPO) at between $28 and $35 per share, valuing the company at between $85bn-$95bn (£52bn-£59bn). The IPO is set to be the largest ever for an internet firm, bigger than Google's valuation of $23bn in 2004, according BBC Mobile. IPOs are when companies list shares on the stock market for the first time. Facebook is set to list on the Nasdaq and would rival Amazon's and Cisco System's current market values. It is thought that Facebook will start promoting the share offering on Monday. Its shares are expected to start trading under the symbol "FB" on 18 May. More than 10% of the business is being sold, which is expected to raise about $12bn for the company. The eight-year-old social network has 900 million users worldwide and made a profit of $1bn last year.
(continuare)
COSMOTE Romania launches a new advertising campaign promoting its Business Portfolio
COSMOTE Romania presents a new advertising campaign, developed by Ogilvy&Mather Romania, highlighting the integrated business solutions the company provides for business customers choosing to enhance their employees’ productivity by adopting state of the art, customized communication solutions. "A successful and powerful business starts with a very good communication. The top management needs to be connected in every moment with all the news from inside and outside of the company and we have the technology which offers this great possibility. COSMOTE believes that employees are one of the main drivers for a business to grow and they also represent a key decision factor. The employees need a good communication so that the company can have the best performance on the market", stated Dana Bursuc, Marketing Communications Senior Manager, COSMOTE Romania.
(continuare)
Insecure Britain: A third of us spend more time on Facebook than talking to friends in real life - and we lie to make ourselves sound 'cool and interesting'
A survey of 2,000 social network users has given us a few home truths to think about. For British people on social networks like Facebook and Badoo seem quite happy to lie about what they have done and who they have seen - and spend more time keeping their virtual life up-to-date than keeping up with 'real-life' friendships, according dailymail.co.uk. Some people admit their online friendships are all about looking 'cool and interesting' - with a third of us lying in order to look better. Equally, a third of people admit they are more likely to speak to strangers over a social network compared to face-to-face, a third spend more time chatting with online friends than with offline friends, and a quarter of us feel more confident communicating online.
(continuare)
iPad '4G' claims face scrutiny from UK regulator
The Advertising Standards Authority has widened its inquiry into the advertising of the Apple iPad. The BBC understands the regulator is not satisfied that Apple has complied with an agreement to amend claims about the latest iPad's 4G capabilities, according BBC mobile. The UK does not yet have widespread 4G coverage, and the iPad will be incompatible with it when it does. The regulator said it had received dozens of complaints in relation to the issue. Apple has declined to comment. The regulator had resolved some of the complaints after discussions with Apple about changes to its advertising, but said it is now looking into further concerns raised by consumers. A letter to one complainant seen by the BBC says that Apple "have advised us that no further reference to the 4G capabilities of the iPad will be made on their UK website".
(continuare)
Sony Xperia S is now available in the retail networks of COSMOTE and Germanos Romania
COSMOTE and Germanos Romania announce the availability in all stores of the new Sony Xperia S smartphone. Sony Xperia S integrates both the well known Android operating system and also the latest image and sound technologies from Sony into one easy-to-use device, allowing users to watch movies, listen to music and play games. "Xperia S is the excellence in HD technology, which users can enjoy thanks to the special features of the phone, especially in terms of image and sound. This new Sony smartphone, combined with the COSMOTE subscriptions, perfectly matches the communication needs of dynamic, unique experience seekers", stated Alexandru Munteanu, Senior Sales Operations Manager, COSMOTE & Germanos Romania.Sony Xperia S is a PlayStation certified smartphone and benefits of the experience that Sony Computer Entertainment has in the entertainment services area.
(continuare)
KPMG study - Cloud, the accelerator of efficiency in the public sector
During a period when lack of transparency and unnecessary complexity of processes create obstacles in adequately using Romanian government organizations’ capabilities, the Cloud meets these constraints by providing an array of ancillary benefits. This is not the case only in Romania. Other governments have been faced with the same problems and have had to act to transform themselves and create value. Even though it is new and still maturing, Cloud services have proved to be an alternative to consider and many governments have already decided to take advantage of the benefits of Cloud. A study undertaken by KPMG on Cloud exploration from the public sector perspective revealed that government adoption of Cloud is happening slowly, but is poised to accelerate. Cloud environments are already at work today reducing operating costs. Such models are enabling optimization of asset utilization and flexibility in both the scale and scope of IT services.
(continuare)
Tele2 to enhance mobile broadband across three Baltic countries
Tele2 customers in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will soon enjoy superior mobile broadband with faster data speeds and improved coverage. Nokia Siemens Networks has been selected as the sole supplier of the operator’s 4G, LTE (long term evolution)* radio and core network. In addition, the company will modernize and expand Tele2’s GSM and 3G networks. The 4G deployment and network modernization will be enabled using Nokia Siemens Networks’ Single RAN (radio access network) and Liquid Core** technology. "We wanted to further improve the coverage and quality of mobile services for our customers by expanding and upgrading our existing networks to the latest technology. In addition, with increased adoption of smart devices and demand for high speed data services, we want to build LTE networks in the Baltics," said Niklas Sonkin, Central Europe and Eurasia market area director, Tele2. "Nokia Siemens Networks’ advanced radio and core platforms will ensure reliable network connections and high speed mobile broadband services for our customers. With the company’s Single RAN, we will soon be able to launch LTE services, efficiently utilizing different frequency bands."
(continuare)
80% of Tablet App Downloads Will Be from Games, Digital Publishing, Social Networking, and E-Commerce Categories in 2016
iPad and Android media tablet users have become and will remain avid app users over the next five years, averaging more than 31 downloads per year per media tablet. A new market intelligence study on emerging tablet applications found that 11 of the 13.7 billion app downloads forecasted for iPad and Android media tablets in 2016 will be focused on four categories: games, digital publishing, social networking, and e-commerce, according ABI Research. "Media tablet app consumption will mimic smartphone app use in some ways, but in many ways, it will be very different," says Mark Beccue, senior analyst. Digital publishing of books, magazines, and newspapers will flourish on media tablets in a way never seen on smartphones. Increasingly, consumers will opt for the more versatile media tablet over dedicated eBook readers. Leveraging unparalleled interactivity and design, publishers will gain new readers, including seniors (ages 60+) – who won’t need custom, large-print publications anymore – and children (ages 1-9). E-commerce will be transformed by media tablets as significant numbers of consumers forego online shopping on desktop computers for shopping on media tablets. And while e-commerce will continue to depend on websites, apps will become increasingly important to shoppers who will take full advantage of the media tablet’s touchscreen interface and even camera and microphone capabilities.
(continuare)
Intel's Ivy Bridge chips launch using '3D transistors'
Intel is launching its Ivy Bridge family of processors - the first to feature what it describes as a "3D transistor". The American firm says the innovation allows it to offer more computational power while using less energy, according BBC Mobile. The initial release includes 13 quad-core processors, most of which will be targeted at desktop computers. Further dual core processors, suitable for ultrabooks - thin laptops - will be announced "later this spring". Intel and PC manufacturers expect the release to drive a wave of new sales. "The momentum around the system design is pretty astonishing," Intel's PC business chief, Kirk Skaugen, who is spearheading the launch, told the BBC. "There are more than 300 mobile products in development and more than 270 different desktops, many of which are all-in-one designs. "This is the world's first 22 nanometre product and we'll be delivering about 20% more processor performance using 20% less average power." The firm has already built three factories to fabricate the new chips and a fourth will come online later this year. "This is Intel's fastest ramp ever," Mr Skaugen added.
(continuare)
Windows Phone proves a difficult sell
After just five months in the job, Gavin Kim, the marketing manager for Windows Phone, is leaving the company. Kim is leaving Microsoft for "personal reasons", and Microsoft thanked him for his efforts. However his departure is surely linked to the limited success of Windows Phone to date, according Telecompaper. This is yet another setback for Microsoft in its efforts to carve out a share of the market for Windows Phone. Reuters reports that European operators are not satisfied with the operating system, an issue key to the success of Nokia's new smartphones. Complaints include limited innovation, too expensive and a lack of marketing spend to boost sales of Nokia Windows phones. And this despite Nokia and Microsoft's significant efforts to promote the phones. The situation appears to be going better in the US. Shortly after the launch of the Lumia 900 there in early April, AT&T and Amazon were already listing it as out of stock. The Windows phone was reportedly selling better than popular phones such as the Motorola Razr Max and Galaxy Nexus, raising hopes that Microsoft would soon issue a long-awaited update for the Windows Phone OS.
63% of Asia’s Carriers Have LTE Rolled Out, Are Conducting Trials, or Have Announced Plans
In 2002, Asia-Pacific mobile operators lagged behind their North American and European counterparts in terms of service development. Fast forward to the present day and the situation is very different. Out of 110 networks, 10 operators (9%) have commercial 4G LTE networks up and running. Another 58 (53%) either have specific plans to roll out LTE or are conducting trials, according ABI Research. "We estimate total Asia-Pacific mobile capital expenditure to reach US$53.3 billion by the end of 2012," says Jake Saunders, vice president of forecasting. "62% is still very much earmarked for radio access network deployment. Other key investment areas include EPC and gateway upgrades to the core network at 9%, as well as improving in-building wireless coverage into dense urban centers at 5.7%."
(continuare)
Broadcom, Qualcomm, CSR, and Texas Instruments are Benefiting from $8 Billion Wireless Connectivity IC Market Bonanza
Wireless connectivity ICs totaled more than $8 billion in 2011 and will produce revenues close to $40 billion for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, and combo ICs through 2016. Broadcom continues to dominate, owning 30% of the worldwide connectivity IC shipment volume due to its success in the rapidly growing combo IC market, according ABI Research. Qualcomm’s market share reached almost 20% due to its strength in the GPS market. CSR, with its acquisition of SiRF technologies, is still a major presence in the worldwide market, despite losing its leading position in the Bluetooth market many years ago. Texas Instruments is in fourth position, narrowly behind CSR with 10% share, and is another company benefiting from entering the combo IC market early. The overall market saw strong growth in 2011," says Peter Cooney (photo), practice director, semiconductors. "Attach rates for all technologies are increasing, leading to combo IC growth. The next challenge for IC vendors is integration into higher level SoCs."
(continuare)
Euro MP David Martin dismisses anti-counterfeiting treaty
A controversial anti-piracy agreement should be rejected by the European Parliament, a key Euro MP has said. David Martin, the MEP responsible for its report on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (Acta), said the treaty threatened civil liberties. His comments came less than three months after the previous rapporteur, Kader Arif, resigned from his post in protest at the plans, according BBC Mobile. To date, 22 EU member states have signed the agreement. However, the treaty will need to be ratified by the European Parliament before it can be enacted. Mr Martin has strongly advised that this ratification should not happen. "The intended benefits of this international agreement are far outweighed by the potential threats to civil liberties," he said in a written recommendation to the European Parliament.
(continuare)
COSMOTE Romania, the first operator announcing an extra-option with minutes included also to mobile networks form Europe
COSMOTE Romania launches Xpand, the first prepaid extra-option including minutes to mobile networks in six countries from Europe and also to mobile networks from SUA, Canada and Israel, offering customers the possibility to talk with their loved ones who are abroad, also on their cell phone number. The new extra-option is completed by On top Xtra, bringing more benefits to the users at a very accessible price. Thus, COSMOTE Romania introduces Xpand extra-option, available for all Cartela COSMOTE users offering 75 national and international fix and mobile minutes, 75 national SMSes, 75 MB of mobile data traffic, 3,000 minutes/SMSes in COSMOTE and minutes in Romtelecom fixed networks. The international minutes can be used towards mobile networks from Italy, Spain, France, Hungary, Germany, United Kingdom, SUA, Canada & Israel and fixed networks from European Union, United States of America, Canada and Israel.
(continuare)
LTE Smartphones Will Help Drive Total Device Intellectual Property Royalties 14% Higher in 2012
LTE smartphones will top 65 million units in 2012, led by the anticipated LTE-enabled iPhone 5 and Samsung’s LTE smartphones, according ABI Research. "Mobile wireless royalties for GSM, WCDMA, and LTE smartphones were just under $20 billion in 2011 but the increase to 65 million LTE smartphones will help push the 2012 royalty total higher," states research director Philip Solis. "Even though LTE handsets will only total 4% of the total handsets shipped in 2012, total royalty rates will be 14% higher." Although some 2G royalties are expiring, the growing base of 3G handsets and acceleration of LTE handsets – with combined, but not quite additive, royalties for 2G, 3G, and 4G patents – will keep total mobile wireless royalties growing. Over the last several years, annual handset shipments have gone from hundreds of millions to more than a billion, while the market has shifted toward 3G handsets.
(continuare)
COSMOTE Romania introduces the online payment service
COSMOTE Romania introduces the online payment service, an easier and time-saving way to pay the monthly bill or to recharge a prepaid SIM card. The online payment service is available by simply accesing/creating a WebCare account. The new service is available for all COSMOTE’s prepaid and postpaid (residential and business) customers, Customers have to access their WebCare account at http://webcare.cosmote.ro and pay online the monthly invoice and recharge a prepaid SIM card. The online payment invoice service allows transactions of up to 5,000 RON and offers the possibility to pay the current invoice or pay it in advance. Users can also choose to pay the invoice for another COSMOTE subscriber.
(continuare)