BSNL targets a 3G subscriber base of 100,000 by Sept. (India)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: BSNL targets a 3G subscriber base of 100,000 by Sept. (India) State run PSU, BSNL has unveiled that it is targeting a 3G subscriber base of 100,000 by September. Presently, the next generation service is available in 70 cities and has gained just 9,000 subscribers since launching 3G in February 2009. The company’s Chairman and Managing Director, Kuldeep Goyal, reportedly said that BSNL hasn’t begun actively marketing and advertising the service, and won’t do so until July when the 3G network covers 150 cities. By March 2010 the company to cover 1,000 cities and achieve a 3G subscriber base of 1.2 million. MTNL has so far gained just 400 3G subscribers since the launch of the network a month ago. The operator anticipates reaching 300,000 subscribers mark in the first year.
Vodafone Fiji allows internet access to prepaid subscribers
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Vodafone Fiji is now offering its mobile Internet services to prepaid subscribers also. The service which was earlier restricted to the postpaid subscribers, now caters to nearly 600,000 subscribers. “The launch of our prepaid mobile internet is exciting news for most of our customers, 90 per cent of who are on pre-paid plans”, said Pradeep Lal, the company’s acting managing director.
“With pre-paid Internet accessible over mobile phones, we now provide wireless Internet service without contract, monthly subscriptions or activation fees,” he said.
“All a subscriber needs is a web-enabled phone and normal credit on their mobiles to access Internet anywhere, anytime at their convenience.”
Tata Teleservices to invest $2 billion in GSM network expansion (India)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Tata Teleservices, which recently launched its GSM services in India under the brand name Tata DoCoMo, plans to invest US$2 billion for the expansion of its GSM network. The operator promises one paisa per second for all calls – locals and STD, he said the company’s next gen GSM service with an aggressive back to back roll out plan started its GSM service in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Orissa covering a total a total of 20,847 towns and villages.
Vodafone considers acquisition of T-Mobile in UK
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Vodafone is eyeing the T-Mobile UK bid, a move which will have an influence over the British mobile market. The world’s largest mobile operator by revenue is considering the bid to acquire T-Mobile UK, which has an estimated enterprise value of €3bn-€4bn ($4.2bn-$5.6bn) even though any transaction runs the risk of being blocked by regulators.
According to the sources, Vodafone is examining the case to make an offer for the acquisition, or a setting up a Joint Venture.
If the deal turns out to be successful, Vodafone will then hold 40% share of revenues earned from the British mobile subscribers.
iPhone 3G S to launch in New Zealand on 10 July – Vodafone
www.WirelessFederation.com/news:New Zealanders will get the Apple iPhone 3G S handsets in their hands on 10 July, Vodafone reportedly revealed. Vodafone says the 16GB version of the phone will cost $1,179, while the 32GB is $1,379.
Contract prices and “handset subsidies” for people subscribing to different data plans will be announced closer to the launch date, says the company.
China Mobile & Far EasTone to launch telecom service cooperation – Source
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: China Mobile, China’s largest mobile operator, and the Taiwanese mobile operator, Far EasTone will soon ink a telecom service cooperation, a FET source revealed.
The cooperation will be in the fields of value-added telecom services and joint purchases of mobile phones, mobile Internet data cards, netbooks and other related products.
Bell & Telus likely to offer Apple iPhone 3G S in 2009 (Canada)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Bell Mobility and Telus, Canada’s leading mobile operators are anticipated to launch the iPhone 3G S on their networks this year. Telus and Bell are currently working on a C$1 billion joint upgrade of their wireless networks, which will enable them to begin supporting a range of GSM-based handsets, including the iPhone. The upgrade, according tot he sources is running before schedule and will be completed in fall.
At present only Rogers Wireless is the only iPhone carrier in the country, with stronger subscriber additions and profits.
But once the two operators launch the Apple device the competition will grow intense.
Vodafone Portugal launches summer roaming promotion
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Vodafone Portugal customers will be able to make calls on the networks of Vodafone operators in 19 countries, including the leading destinations in the European Union, for the price of the first minute in their national tariff. The offer applies between 1 July and 30 September 2009.
To benefit from this campaign, customers simply need to call 1222, activate Vodafone Travel and subscribe to the Summer Promotion. As from 1 July, subscribing customers will benefit from special terms from the date they subscribe until 30 September.
Vodafone operators can be found in the following countries: Albania, Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Subscribing to the offer costs €4.90 (including VAT).
This promotion is part of the differentiation strategy of Vodafone’s roaming service aimed at making it even more competitive and attractive to customers, both by reducing prices and by launching new tariffs and services that meet its customers’ varied usage profiles.
For further information, please contact Vodafone Portugal’s Corporate Communications, Governance Support and Social Responsibility Department on +351.210.915.219 (phone), +351.210.915.480 (fax) or by e-mail at press.pt@vodafone.com.
