Telefonica plans network expansion in Colombia
Telefonica will reportedly invest CLP465 billion (USD180 million) for its wireless network expansion in Colombia in 2009. The company is intending to increase coverage of its W-CDMA/HSDPA Movistar network to 30 million, equivalent to 67% of the population.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
Samsung Mobile and Paramount Digital Entertainment collaborate to offer Bundled Movie Content-Loaded Memory Card with Purchase of Samsung Delveâ„¢ from Alltel Wireless (USA)
Samsung Telecommunications America, (Samsung Mobile) a leading mobile phone distributor in the U.S., and Paramount Digital Entertainment announced the availability of a 2G microSD card pre-loaded with the Mission Impossible Trilogy with the purchase of a Samsung Delveâ„¢ from Alltel Wireless. This is the first time that Samsung Mobile and Paramount Digital Entertainment have worked together to bundle full-length feature films(s) to add promotional value to its mobile products, without creating a price impact on its carrier partners or consumers.
We are excited to bring an action-packed movie series like the Mission Impossible Trilogy to people who buy the Samsung Delve,†said Bill Ogle, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Mobile. When you combine this incredible content with the Delve’s full set of powerful features, it’s easy to stay entertained and connected no matter where you are.â€
The microSD card is available with the purchase of the Delve from February 20 through April 16, from participating Alltel Wireless retail stores and authorized dealers.
Alltel Wireless customers who purchase the Delve can send in a mail-in redemption card to receive the microSD within four to six weeks.
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America.
For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of US$105 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of two main business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solution. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs.
For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
Paramount Digital Entertainment
Paramount Digital Entertainment (PDE) is a division of Paramount Pictures Corporation. PDE develops and distributes filmed entertainment across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices, videogames, virtual worlds and emerging technologies.
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company’s labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group, and Worldwide Television Distribution.
Alltel Wireless
Alltel Wireless continues to be an industry-leader, providing choice and flexibility with its exclusive My Circle†feature, giving customers unlimited, free calling to and from any five, 10 or 20 numbers on any network, including a combination of home phone, office or wireless numbers located anywhere in the U.S. Alltel Wireless was also the first to offer Anytime Plan Changes, giving customers the flexibility to change their calling plans at any time, without extending their contract.
For more information, please visit www.alltel.com.
Vivacell launches GSM network in South Sudan
Vivacell has spread its wings to the South Sudan, where it launches its GSM network with a coverage of a million people. The operation has been launched by the Lebanese investment group, Fattouch Investment Group, after it bought the wireless licensee Network of the World (NOW) in 2007. ‘Fattouch owns 75% (of Vivacell) and Wawat 25%’ said south Sudanese telecoms minister Gier Chuang.
‘This is the NOW licence. Vivacell is a commercial name’ said south Sudanese telecommunications ministry undersecretary Stephen Juma.
Ice.net files for bankruptcy (Norway, Sweden)
Nordisk Mobiltelefon, Ice.net, has filed for bankruptcy in Norway and Sweden, after it went through an unsuccessful financial reconstruction process which was launched in December last year.
Nordisk is a wireless broadband and voice based service provider and operates in Norway, Sweden and Denmark under the banner name Ice.net and has subsidiaries in Poland, Ireland and Iceland.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
Maroc Telecom’s 2008 consolidated earnings rise by 13.5% (Morocco)
Maroc Telecom, the Moroccon incumbent has reported a 13.5% growth in its annual consolidated earnings to $1.60 billion in 2008, attributed to the mobile growth.
The operator’s annual revenues rose by 7.2% to $3.40 billion and further intends a revenue expansion of more than 3% and a rise of 47% in operating margin in 2009.
Zain Saudi Arabia reports a net loss of $608Mn in 2008
Zain Saudi Arabia anticipates its first positive Ebitda in 2010 after the kingdom’s third mobile operator reached a 7% market share in first four months of its operation, one of the top official revealed. The firm reported a net loss of 2.28 billion riyals ($608 million) in 2008. ‘In addition to 2 million active customers (by end December), the operating profit itself (in 2008), or the difference between costs of sales and revenues was positive,’ Chief Executive Marwan al-Ahmadi said.
‘We think these are positive results,’ he said. ‘We are still committed to achieving a positive Ebitda in 2010.’
The 2 million active users reached between August and the end of 2008 represented a 7% market share, he added.
‘We are talking about active subscribers, not users who do not generate revenues for the company. Anyone who does not recharge the account for 90 days is not considered,’ he said. Zain Saudi Arabia is in tough competition with Saudi Telecom and Mobily in which Emirates Telecommunications is the largest shareholder.
T-Mobile & Huawei in a deal to launch Google Android based handset in Q3’09
Huawei and T-Mobile have inked a deal for the carrier of Huawei’s Google Android based mobile handset, which will be on sale from Q3’09. Though according to the media reports, it is still unclear whether Huawei is in deal with T-Mobile USA or T-Mobile International.
It is also reported that the handset manufacturer will also bring Symbian OS based smartphones by H2’09.
Huawei is developing Symbian OS based mobile phones that support HSDPA, EV-DO and TD-SCDMA technologies. The company, along with Chinese telecom equipment vendor and handset maker ZTE, will be launching their own branded models in the future. ZTE, along with Huawei has indicated that they will reach to the consumers in the North American handset market.
Velcom & Priorbank together to launch SMS-Banking service (Belarus)
Velcom (Belorussian mobile operator) teamed up with financial institution Priorbank to launch mobile banking services. The subscribers of Velcom with a Priorbank account can avail the Prior Mobile SMS-Banking service at the 1212 short number. By sending an SMS to 1212, the users can get information about their Priorbank account balance, sum of compulsory credit payment, as well as request information on their balance and deposit interest accrued. As well as they can use their mobile phone to make payments, refill deposits, repay credits opened at Priorbank or pay bills.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
Boost Mobile $50 ‘Monthly Unlimited’ Plan saves subscribers upto $695/Year (USA)
Today, Boost Mobile customers can enjoy superior value in prepaid wireless services. By switching to Boost’s $50 ‘Monthly Unlimited’ plan, savings can increase up to $695/year when compared to T-Mobile’s $99.99/month prepaid unlimited talk, text and Web plan. Further, Boost Mobile customers can save up to $42/year compared to Cricket’s $45/month unlimited regional talk, text and Web offering, and up to $144/year compared to MetroPCS’s $45/month unlimited nationwide talk, text and Web offering, because with Boost, there are no roaming charges, convenience fees or additional telecom taxes.
Monthly Unlimited is the newly launched flat-rate prepaid plan from Boost, which offers unlimited nationwide talk, text and multimedia messaging, Web and nationwide Walkie-Talkie that reaches more than 274 million people in more than 15,800 cities across the U.S. for $50/month.
T-Mobile’s unlimited $99/month prepaid plan is double the cost of Monthly Unlimited, for almost similar services. Additionally, not only do Cricket’s and MetroPCS’s $45 unlimited prepaid plans ultimately fall short on price when compared to Boost’s all-inclusive offering, their networks fall short in scope of cities and population covered*. (more…)
Govt receives 7 applications for 3G network licenses (Vietnam)
Vietnam’s ministry of information and communication has received 7 applications for 3G network licenses. EVN Telecom and HT Mobile are sharing an application for the licence to build and develop a 3G network. MobiFone, Saigon Postel, GTel, Viettel Telecom, and VinaPhone are the other applicants. These applications will be reviewed by 3G Jury Council. The results are likely to be released in late April this year.
