Skip to Content »

Wireless Federation » archive for 'wireless operators'

Apple Up on iPhone Sale Expectations

  • July 13th, 2007
  • 10:42 am

Shares of Apple Inc. rose more than 3 percent on Thursday as investors bet on strong demand for its media-playing iPhone, almost a week after its U.S. launch, and speculation mounted over plans to sell the device in Europe.

Analyst estimates for iPhone sales in its first weekend run as high as 700,000 units and investors are expecting that momentum to continue.

AT&T Inc., the exclusive U.S. provider for the phone, said it had virtually sold out of the device in that time, though neither company has provided sales data.

“The stock is obviously anticipating very very strong sales for the iPhone and very good follow-through sales,” said Andy Hargreaves of Pacific Crest Securities. “The stock isn’t going to be a one-month wonder.”

Apple has said it will start selling iPhones in Europe this year and in Asia in 2008, but gave no further details.

European media reports this week have said Apple may be close to deals with carriers in France, Germany and Britain, a three-country strategy that would mimic the launch of its popular iTunes online music store in Europe in 2004.

Apple shares have increased more than 50 percent since the company unveiled in January the cell phone that combines Web browsing with the music and video playing capabilities of its best-selling iPod device.

“People are anticipating strong sales to continue through next year,” said Hargreaves. “If you don’t believe that’s true then definitely the stock is expensive. we’re kind of on the side that the momentum will continue.”

Hargreaves has a 12-month price target of $130 for the shares. That does yet not include full expectations for events such as widening iPhone distribution to electronics retailers including Best Buy.

Hargreaves said he expects Best Buy to start selling the phone in time for back-to-school shoppers.

Investors are also keeping close watch for news on how quickly Apple is able to replenish stocks of the phone and indicators of its financial impact. Research firm iSuppli said on Tuesday the phone would generate a 55 percent profit margin, after hardware and manufacturing costs.

In Europe, wireless operators including Vodafone Group Plc.,T-Mobile, owned by Deutsche Telekom and Orange, owned by France Telecom have been cited as potential iPhone partners.

Telefonica’s 02 said on Thursday that it had not signed a deal with Apple after reports that it was poised to clinch the first European agreement in what would be a blow to Vodafone, which operates in multiple countries.

“It would be a somewhat of a disappointment” if Vodafone did not reach a deal with Apple since it is such a large carrier size, Hargreaves said.

Apple shares were up $3.18, or 2.5 percent, to $130.35 on Nasdaq in the early afternoon, after trading as high as $131.75 earlier in the session. AT&T shares were down 31 cents to $41.19 on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

 

 

   

 

TerreStar Networks Selects Alcatel-Lucent for Development of ‘IMS-over- Satellite’ Network Integrated with Land-based Mobile Communications

  • July 12th, 2007
  • 9:32 am

TerreStar Networks Inc. has selected Alcatel-Lucent to supply a next generation solution for a significant test as TerreStar prepares to build an integrated mobile satellite and land-based communications network in North America, believed to be the first of its kind using the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) to deliver universal access and personalized services over standard wireless devices, such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

For the lab trial, Alcatel-Lucent will provide an IMS service delivery architecture that can enable TerreStar’s service provider customers to rapidly develop and integrate communications applications into the next generation network. TerreStar and its channel partners will test the ability of this new platform to help provide some of the fastest service provider response in the industry to new commercial market opportunities through rapid provisioning and deployment of new applications.

TerreStar, which has begun deploying its network for commercial launch in 2008 expects to operate as a carrier’s carrier, providing integrated next generation terrestrial and satellite mobility services to communications services providers¡ªsuch as wireless carriers, satellite vendors, wireless operators, and electric and telephony cooperatives¡ªand also providing services directly to companies and government entities.

“This type of innovative solution helps ensure that we can rapidly deliver the on-demand services over a mobile, ubiquitous next-generation satellite and land network that commercial service providers and enterprises need,” said Dennis Matheson, CTO at TerreStar.

“We are excited to work with TerreStar in helping transform communications in North America. Alcatel-Lucent’s leadership and experience in IMS-based services, innovation and operational capabilities can help TerreStar move swiftly along its path to deploy the first integrated satellite and land mobile broadband network and to bring ubiquitous mobile IP applications and services to North America,” said Cindy Christy, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s North American business.

Alcatel-Lucent’s solution for TerreStar will include key elements of its IMS portfolio including IMS session controller, consolidated subscriber management system, IMS media server, presence server and IMS application server. The combined capabilities can allow TerreStar to deliver an advanced set of services with multiple flexible quality of service options including: location based services which use presence technology to determine whether a person is available on the network, “push-to” technology that enables the convergence of voice, push-to-talk-over-cellular and push-to-view, to create personalized, presence-based services.