Wireless Federation

Iraq’s Ministry of Communications (MoC) reportedly to fine the country’s three main cellcos – Zain, Asiacell and Korek Telecom – for failing to meet the network rollout conditions specified under the terms of their operating licences. ‘Asiacell is bad and Zain is very bad,’ said Hayam al-Yasiri, an adviser to the MoC. ‘Korek is breaching the licence because of the coverage and the service. Korek up to this moment does not cover many cities, although according to the licence they should cover them,’ he added. It is believed that, Korek is lacking fund for expansion in the northern region of the country. Speculation is their in the market that Etisalat is in talks to obtain a stake in the company.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News

Tele2, the Swedish operator, acquires Digital Expansion’s mobile network in the Kaliningrad region of Russia for a cash prize of $18.78 million. The acquisition, according to Tele2’s statement, would be integrated in its existing operations in the region.

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Nextel Brasil unveils its plan to expand its footprint to the northeast of the country next year. Nextel is aiming to launch its services in the capital cities of states Bahia, Pernambuco, and Ceara in the first half of the year, media reported. In addition to this, Nextel is planning to extend services in the Espirito Santo state capital Vitoria, in the southeast region, completing the company’s presence in all southeastern states. An investment of USD48.1 million has already proclaimed to support the network expansion.

Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News

Thailand likely to have composite CDMA network under one shed, i.e. Hutch.  Currently, Most of the Bangkok area as well as the 25 central provinces have Hutch, as the service provider. Upcountry provinces are serviced by CAT’s CDMA network. According to the service agreement, Users of each brand have had the ability to cross over networks. Thailand’s ICT Ministry has decided to reduce the brand confusion, source reveal.

Comapnies previous plan has got the consent from the Ministry.  The plan is to have BFKT, a Hutch Subsidiary who currently own the infrastructure, transfer ownership of their network to CAT. Cat would then own the entire network and lease it to Hutch, who would be a service provider, would not have to deal with the maintenance and associated responsibilities with owning the hardware. With regard to the details of the Agreement they are still hazy. Talks over pricing  are yet to take place in regard to service agreement.

Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News

NZ communication, formerly known as Econet has hold-up its highly awaited launch of its network until late next year. Only 50 cell towers has build yet, but requires 400 for its launch.  Eight years has been spent by NZ communication in an attempt to build a national mobile network and become the country’s third mobile provider. For appealing customers,they have signed a roaming deal with Vodafone that enables future customers to get coverage in areas its mobile network doesn’t cover.  They have failed to the deal where it could place cellular equipment on Vodafone and Telecom towers  known as mobile co-location.

According to Commerce Commission, Progress with mobile co-location is slow, and issued a draft standard-terms determination on the non-price terms for the service. Regulation wasn’t anticipated to be finalised until mid-to-late November. Precisely, this is counted as the reason why NZ Communications has delayed the network launch.

Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News

Malcom, Megatel Communications and Globally Integrated Networks have all submitted bids for a mobile phone licence in Malawi. These local companies join two foreign bidders: South Africa’s Econet Wireless and US-based Millennium Globe Telecom. These five companies are the only ones to submit bids from 11 companies who purchased bid documents. Malawi currently has two mobile network operators: Celtel and TNM.

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IceBreaker, Inc., a pioneer in mobile social software, announced today that the company secured $7.2million in financing co-led by Frazier Technology Ventures, a leading
Pacific Northwest venture firm with highly relevant entrepreneurial and
mobile operating experience, and existing investor Lightspeed Venture
Partners, one of Silicon Valley’s leading early stage venture firms.
IceBreaker will use the funds to drive consumer marketing, new product
development and expansion of its Beijing research and development office.
  

Crush or Flush(TM) is the premier mobile social networking application
from IceBreaker that provides an easy way to flirt, chat and meet real
people with similar interests in their area — from their cell phone or PC.
 

“It’s a pleasure to reinvest in IceBreaker,” said Jake Seid, General
Partner of Lightspeed Venture Partners. “Since the last round of funding,
the company successfully brought Crush or Flush to market proving that
there’s pent up demand for connecting people through the world’s most
ubiquitous device.”
 

With a growing and active member base, Crush or Flush reached 20
million monthly page views and more than 150,000 registered mobile members
120 days after launch. Nearly 100 percent of members visit the service
through their cell phones, with members using the service on average of two
times per week.
“We’re excited about Crush or Flush’s rapid customer traction,” said
Peter Zaballos, Vice President at Frazier Technology Ventures.
“IceBreaker’s platform-approach to delivering easy to use and engaging
mobile solutions positions the company powerfully in the mobile social
software market.”
 ”It’s thrilling to see Crush or Flush being adopted so quickly as a
mobile offering on some of North America’s leading carrier and operator
decks,” said Michael Robinson, CEO of IceBreaker, Inc. “With an average of
20 minutes per session, Crush or Flush drives data usage and revenue for
our partners, and builds a stable fast growing community for members.”

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According to a new research report from the analyst firm Berg Insight, the number of machines connected to mobile networks in Europe will grow by 43.7 percent annually to reach 52.0 million by 2011.

At the end of 2006 there were about 8.5 million active cellular and satellite wireless M2M connections in the EU and Western Europe . Energy meters currently constitute the largest vertical market segment in terms of deployed units, followed by motor vehicles, security alarms and POS-terminals. In 2011, motor vehicles are forecasted to have become the largest segment, accounting for more than 60 percent of the total installed base.

“Remote meter reading is the fastest growing application area in Northern Europe, whereas demand for vehicle telematics is particularly strong in the UK and Italy �, said Tobias Ryberg, senior analyst, Berg Insight. “In the coming years we expect that the European automobile manufacturers will accelerate the market growth rate by introducing GSM/GPS emergency call devices as a standard safety feature.�

Automatic GPS-aided crash notification is already offered on all vehicles from GM and some other manufacturers on the North American market. The European Commission has proposed that a so called eCall device should be required on all new cars sold in the EU from 2010 at the earliest.

About Berg Insight
Berg Insight offers premier business intelligence to the telecom industry. We produce concise reports providing key facts and strategic insights about pivotal developments in our focus areas. Our vision is to be the most valuable source of intelligence for our customers.

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