US Cellular announces availability of Samsung Gloss
Samsung Mobile and US Cellular have announced the launch of the Samsung Gloss (SCH-u440) flip phone with QWERTY keyboard. The handset is available in pink and charcoal and is equipped with stereo Bluetooth for hands-free communication, a built-in 1.3 megapixel camera and music player.
The handset supports up to 16GB of external memory for storing music, pictures or videos. The Samsung Gloss also includes easyedge, US Cellular’s suite of enhanced wireless data application services. easyedge enables users access to Your Navigator with voice turn by turn directions, news and weather applications, games and other applications.
The phone also comes preloaded with Tone Room, a ringtone shop that is updated daily with music from every genre and City ID, an enhanced Caller ID feature that displays the city and state of incoming calls. The handset is available at US Cellular retail locations or at www.uscellular.com.
TTSL & Yahoo! India ink a partnership (India)
www.WirelessFederaion.com/news: TTSL, the Indian mobile operator, has entered into a deal with Yahoo! India to offer a web experience and an online user interface to all Tata Indicom subscribers.
As a part of the deal, a co-branded Yahoo! India website would serve as the default homepage across all Tata Indicom internet access devices, TTSL said in a statement.
The subscribers will be able to find information regarding the services of bill payment, tariff plans and promotions on the portal. Apart from this, the users will also have access to online content and communication services through Yahoo!’s properties like Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! Search, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Cricket, Yahoo! Mobile and more, said Tata Indicom.
TTSL Chief Marketing Officer Lloyd Mathias said in a statement This alliance will allow Yahoo! to reach a wider audience in the internet and digital spaces and gain access to a captive user base to create not only a deeper connection with users, but also deliver a seamless user experience across platformsâ€
The partnership will make Yahoo! India reach millions of users directly.
Telecom New Zealand and Research In Motion to deliver the BlackBerry Bold with an XT Experience
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Telecom New Zealand and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM; TSX:RIM) have announced the BlackBerry® Boldâ„¢ smartphone will be available on Telecom New Zealand’s XT Mobile Network from 29th May 2009. The new HSDPA high-speed mobile network will allow customers to experience the full power of the BlackBerry Bold with fast performance for a variety of communications and multimedia applications.
Designed to provide a premium mobile experience, the BlackBerry Bold smartphone features a stunning LCD colour display and precision keyboard surrounded by a lustrous black exterior with satin chrome finished frame and stylish leatherette backplate, making it one of the most distinctive smartphones available on the market.
Zain Uganda rolls-out Jagaza promotion
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Zain Uganda has introduced JAGAZA Crush the Crunch to reward subscribers with free shopping every week for the 8 weeks. The subscribers of this promotion will automatically enter a weekly draw for Shs 20 million worth of shopping at selected partner outlets. Every week, 10 winners will be drawn, each winning shopping vouchers worth Shs 2 million. Another 10 customers will take away Shs 100,000 worth of airtime each while another 10 will win the popular Nokia Ka-Portable phone.
Yesse Oenga, Managing Director at Zain Uganda said, Rewarding 30 customers every week for eight weeks means that in the end, a wide cross section of our customers from across the country will have experienced the Wonderful World that the Zain brand promises.†Levi Nyakundi, the Zain Marketing Manager Consumer and Payphone said, The JAGAZA promotion is the latest channel through which we can show our loyal customers how much they mean to us and how they are top of our minds during this economic crisis.â€
Nigeria cancels three wireless frequency licences-report
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Nigeria has reportedly cancelled three licenses to operate in the 2.3 gigahertz frequency range. According to a report, the three firms that have the licences will be refunded the 4.10 billion naira ($27.5 million) that has already been paid, and a new licensing round will be held. The licences were cancelled due to a lack of transparency in the award process. Communications Minister, Dora Akunyili has cancelled licenses.
Nokia to launch N97 in June (Taiwan)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Nokia will launch Nokia N97, the touchscreen handset, in the Taiwanese mobile handset market in June. The world’s largest handset manufacturer also intends to introduce more touchscreen models based on the Symbian S60 5.1 platform, according to Michael Hsu, General Manager of Nokia Taiwan.
Hsu said he expects handset sales in the local market to pick up again in June after experiencing slow sales in April and May.
SingTel may reduce its stake in Bharti Airtel to 19.4% post – MTN merger deal
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: SingTel, the Singapore’s leading mobile operator, which holds 30% stake in Bharti Airtel is likely to dilute its holding to 19.4%, if the merger between Bharti Airtel and MTN materialises.
According to Citigroup, the financial firm, though SingTel holds no direct involvement in the merger deal, its holdings in Bharti may reduce due to the increased size of the merged entity.
However a SingTel spokesperson, after the announcement of renewal of talks between Bharti and MTN came, said, Talks between Bharti and MTN are in the early stages. SingTel, a major existing shareholder of Bharti, will continue to be a strategic partner and a significant shareholder after implementation of potential transaction.”
JTG only bidder to 3G tender, says TRC (Jordan)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The Jordan Telecom Group (JTG) was the only bidder to submit technical and financial offers to win the first Third Generation (3G) frequencies licence tender by the May 26 deadline, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) said.
TRC Chief Commissioner Ahmad Hiyasat reportedly said that the commission will today announce the results of a long-awaited public tender, but it will not necessarily go to JTG.
“Technical and financial offers will be opened Wednesday and if JTG meets the conditions and specifications, it will be awarded the bid,” the TRC Chief said.
Earlier, ICT officials said several regional and international telecom companies have showed interest in bidding for the tender. The TRC decided to float the tender late December 2008; however, it later decided to delay the step following requests by several local mobile operators.
If everything goes by the schedule, subscriber will soon have access to 3G services before the end of 2009, including making video calls, traditional SMS and MMS as well as hi-speed mobile data and Internet access.
NSN grabs 5 year network upgradation contract from MobileOne
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Nokia Siemens Networks, the telecom gear vendor, has grabbed a 5 – year contract from MobileOne (M1), the Singaporean mobile operator to upgrade its 2G networks for inroads of high speed mobile broadband.
The move forms a part of network modernization initiative, which will include an upgradation to an all IP network that will build the foundation for Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 4G subsequently.
Under the deal, NSN will install its Flexi Base Station and provide network optimization and related maintenance services. The complete modernization of the network is expected to be completed by 2011.
Yes Telecom to enter German mobile market (Netherlands)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Dutch MVNO Yes Telecom has reportedly announced that it is planning to enter the German Mobile Market in summers of 2009. The mobile market of Germany is quite competitive with biggies like Vodafone and Telefonica. MVNO has to work extra hard to differentiate itself with more innovative offers.
