Citi and Firethorn Introduce Citi MobileSM for Cards (USA)
Citi and Firethorn Holdings, a Qualcomm company, introduced Citi Mobile for Cards, an advanced mobile solution that allows Citi credit card customers to securely access real-time credit card account information on their mobile phones.
Citi Mobile for Cards is now available to AT&T subscribers as part of AT&T Mobile Banking, and to Verizon Wireless customers who download and use the free mobile banking application on Get It Now, the company said.
“Citi’s goal is to be everywhere our customers need us to be and interact with them however they choose – in person, online, while in transit or on their mobile phone. Citi Mobile for Cards is a testament to how Citi is innovating with mobile phone-based financial services to provide new experiences for customers,” said Raja Rajamannar, chief marketing officer, Citi Global Cards. “By collaborating with best in class technology provider Firethorn, Citi Mobile for Cards is uniquely positioned to meet our cardmembers’ demands for fast, secure, on-the-go account management through their mobile phones.”
Eric Bruno, senior vice president for consumer products at Verizon, said, “In these trying economic times, many customers want immediate access to their account information. By enabling Citi Cards within mobile banking, consumers get another useful tool in taking control over their financial lives. This is a big step forward for our shared customers.”
“This addition to our mobile banking solution gives shared AT&T and Citi customers simplicity and convenience in getting real-time information about their credit card accounts–and right as the holiday shopping season swings into gear,” said Mark Collins, vice president of Voice and Data Services for AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.
Firethorn chief executive officer, Tripp Rackley adds, “We are very pleased to be working with Citi, AT&T and Verizon Wireless to offer their customers a cutting-edge mobile solution. Firethorn’s commitment to the future of mobile commerce will extend the convenience and simplicity of the mobile device to Citi cardmembers nationwide.”
About Wireless Federation
Wireless Federation is an industry research conglomerate headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The mandate of the Wireless Federation is to provide its members and customers industry knowledge that can further enhance their understanding of the wireless industry. Wireless Federation conducts bespoke research and produces boxed reports in collabaration with Industry Bodies, Telecom Operators for Issues that revolve around ARPU, CHURN and Loyalty.
They have been associated with more than 225 mobile operators globally to set their Pricing/ Tariff Strategies, Go-To-Market Strategies for Mobile Advertising, Mobile Payments, Cutting VAS among others amongst 59 countries globally.
For more information please log on to www.wirelessfederation.com
Jordan Government unveils 3G auction plans
Jordan Government reveals its plans to issue 3G licences in the country. The telecoms regulator of Jordan will in the first phase will auction one 3G licence, a tender open to all the incumbents and new entrants as well. After the establishment of an acceptable price, it’ll then move on to offer licences to the incumbent operators like Orange, Zain and Umniah. The minimum bid for a paired block of 5 MHz in the 2.1 GHz band priced at $35.26 million, with a maximum limit of 10-Mhz in total. After 10 months the Jordan goverment will again 10 MHz each to the incumbent operators that didn’t win the bid. The acquisition price will be the same as the winning bid in the initial auction. Any remaining spectrum will be issued three months later. The winner of the initial tender will also be offered 2G spectrum priced at 130% of the cost of the 3G licence. Tender documents will be issued mid-December’08, with the auction and winner announced January. The winners will be required to roll out service within one year and cover the major cities within a certain period.
AT&T spreads out its 3G wings to Monroe country
AT&T has expanded its 3G network to 22 cell sites in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Currently, its wireless 3G network is available in Stroudsburg, Mt Pocono, Tobyhanna and Hamilton Square. The 3G network has also been enhanced along I-80, I-380, and routes 33, and 209.
The company said, its 3G network is available in 320 US metropolitan areas. By the end of 2008, it is expected that 3G services will be offered in nearly 350 US metro areas.
“Monroe County is a picturesque destination in the Pocono mountains where visitors and residents want fast wireless connections for live video, web browsing, and e-mail. The expansion of our 3G network means consumers travelling through this area, whether it be ‘leaf-peeping’ in fall or skiing this winter now have more places to access the information they need to stay connected to family, friends and business associates, ” Dan Lafond, Vice President and General Manager for AT&T’s wireless division in Pennsylvania.
Low tariffs come along with 3G (India)
The call charges were likely to drop with telecom companies — global and domestic — keen to launch third-generation (3G) mobile services in the country, said Telecom Minister A. Raja. Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar, Reliance Communications and global firms such as the UK’s AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, France-based Orange and Japan’s NTT DoCoMo have expressed interest in bidding for 3G mobile licence which will lead to stiff competition in the market, will reflect in lower tariffs.
Motorola rolls-out its QWERTY keypad slider handset, Motorola Hint QA30
Motorola, one of the leading mobile handset maker launches its all new slider phone dubbed as the Motorola Hint QA30, which when slided shows a QWERTY keypad. Mark Shockley, the corporate vice president and general manager of Motorola Mobile Devices, says that Motorola Hint is the stylish solution for those multi-taskersâ€, who are used to having several conversations at once and demand quick, reliable access and communication.
Staying in touch with friends and family, keeping networks updated and ensuring constant access to social circles are top priorities for many consumers,†said Shockley.
Motorola Hint is a dynamic combination of threaded text messaging and instant messaging along with reading and sending email. The device also features an dashboard interface, high-speed connectivity and optimized predictive text capabilities. Motorola Hint has a full-color 2.5-inch widescreen display, along with a 2.0 megapixel digital zoom camera.
Motorola Hint QA30 is likely to be available by Q4 2008 and its pricing is yet to be announced.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
Nokia fails to compete in Japanese mobile handset market (Japan)
Nokia, which a few days back announced to launch mobile services of its own using the network of NTT DoCoMo, plans to stop selling its mobile handsets apart its high-end brand Vertu. Nokia took this descision as the handset maker has been struggling to keep and expand its presence in the Japanese mobile market. Nokia, which on the world map has a market share 40% enjoys only 1% in the Japanese handset market as it fails to compete with the high-performance Japanese-made devices. “We have judged that we cannot continue to invest in product development just for Japan amid the current tough economic conditions,” Nokia executive vice president Timo Ihamuotila said in a statement.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
Mobile Internet outshines Wired broadband
According to a study, Mobile internet usage between Q2 and Q3 ’08 has risen by 25% in comparison to the three per cent growth rate of PC-based usage over the same time period. The study reveals that 7.3 million people are now using mobile internet rather than wired broadband. The reason behind this surge is developed countries like UK have reached broadband saturation point and it is becoming difficult to add new subscribers.
Another study reveals that by 2013 there will be a broadband connectivity increase of only 11 % year on year, rather than 28 % per year seen over the 2004 to 2008 period.
Mobile Internet caters a quarter of consumer’s aged 15-24 age in comparison to 16% of PC-based consumers. Only 12% of the over 55 demographic use mobile Internet.
Further the study says that BBC News is the most visited site on mobile Internet whereas on PC-based Internet surfing, Google search is most popular.
According to a Research Analyst, the fact that the most weather, sports, news and email sites make up the majority of leading mobile sites show that mobile Internet is mainly about functionality and need at the moment as opposed to the more entertainment and ecommerce-focused makeup of the leading PC-based sites.
Tele2 acquires Digital Expansion’s mobile network in Russia
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.
OTE reports a rise of 30% in net profit in Q3’08 (Greece)
OTE, Greece largest telecoms firm, posts a rise of 30% to $260.4 million in net proft in the third quarter attributed to a strong performance in its mobile phone units. The revenues increase to 0.7% to euro1.64 billion from euro1.63 billion in the third quarter of 2007. OTE chairman and CEO Panagis Vourloumis said strong results in the mobile phone sector more than offset a “mediocre” performance in fixed-line revenues in Greece. The company said, OTE expects 2009 profits to “at least match” this year’s, despite the global economic crisis. The Greek Government and Deutsche Telekom smacked a deal in May on sharing OTE ownership and management control. Greece’s parliament has approved the deal in June, the government and Deutsche Telekom each control 25 % plus one share of OTE.
TRA’s Board approves 2009 Budget and Schedule of fees paid by operators
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Board of Directors at their 46th meeting approved TRA’s 2009 Budget together with a revised schedule of fees paid by licensed operators and users of spectrum.
TRA’s Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Al Amer said “The approved 2009 fees have been adjusted and will assist the smaller telecommunications companies in these difficult financial times. Further they will encourage the larger companies who use significant spectrum and telephone numbers to efficiently utilize theses scarce resources”.
TRA’s General Director Mr. Alan Horne said: “TRA has an objective to rebalance its charges to reflect actual costs associated with its main regulatory activities. It is also important that Licensees use the scarce resources of spectrum, rights of way over land and numbers wisely”.
About TRA
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) was established by Legislative Decree No. 48 of 2002 promulgating the Telecommunications Law. TRA is an independent body and its duties and powers include, among other things, protecting the interests of subscribers and users and promoting effective and fair competition among existing and new licensed operators.
For more information please visit www.tra.org.bh
About Wireless Federation
Wireless Federation is an industry research conglomerate headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The mandate of the Wireless Federation is to provide its members and customers industry knowledge that can further enhance their understanding of the wireless industry. Wireless Federation conducts bespoke research and produces boxed reports in collabaration with Industry Bodies, Telecom Operators for Issues that revolve around ARPU, CHURN and Loyalty.
They have been associated with more than 225 mobile operators globally to set their Pricing/ Tariff Strategies, Go-To-Market Strategies for Mobile Advertising, Mobile Payments, Cutting VAS among others amongst 59 countries globally.
For more information please visit www.wirelessfederation.com
