Wireless Federation

Nextel Brazil gives $714 million for nationwide 3G license

On 12.15.10, In Mobile, By Editor

NII Holdings has announced that its subsidiary, Nextel Brazil was the winning bidder for 20 MHz licenses in the 1.9-2.1GHz frequency band (H band) auctioned by Brazil’s telecoms regulator, Anatel.

Nextel Brazil was the successful bidder for 11 of the 13 lots included in the H Band auction. The regional licenses won by Nextel Brazil cover approximately 182.4 million people in the country, or 97% of the Brazilian population, and 97% of the areas that generate the GDP in Brazil. These licenses cover all major metropolitan areas in Brazil including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia.

According to Nextel Brazil, it plans to utilize this spectrum to invest, build and deploy a 3G network across Brazil.

This 3G network will complement the company’s existing iDEN network, and it expects to launch commercial services on this network in certain markets in the next 12 to 18 months.

Nextel Brazil’s winning bids for the spectrum totaled US$714.4 million for the 20MHz in eleven of the thirteen lots included in the H band auction.

According to Steven Dussek, Chief Executive Officer of NII Holdings, this is an exciting time for NII and Nextel Brazil. Winning 3G spectrum in Brazil is an important milestone for the company, and it will allow them to invest, build and deploy a 3G network across the country, expanding their coverage and enabling them to provide a wider range of high-value wireless services to their current and future customers in the country.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G license • Anatel • Brasilia • Brazil • Chief Executive Officer of NII Holdings • GDP • H Band • iDen network • Mobile • Nextel Brazil • NII Holdings • Rio de Janeiro • Sao Paulo • Steven Dussek • Telecoms Regulator

Etisalat Nigeria acquires 3G license

On 12.03.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Etisalat Nigeria has reportedly acquired a 3G license through the purchase of another company that had been granted the license by the Nigerian Communications Commission. According to Etisalat Nigeria’s CEO, Mr. Steven Evans, with the acquisition, the telecoms operator would now have access to a 3G license like the other three GSM companies in the country.

He added that now, with 3G, the company can further develop their data and mobile broadband portfolio and offer customers even higher levels of service. There is unexpressed demand in Nigeria for broadband and they intend to be leaders in satisfying it.

According to local media, the operator has plans for US$400 million expenditure for 2011, of which US$50 million will be spent on 3G equipment.

According to Evans, the 3G network service will be launched in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja very soon, while other parts of the country will be covered in 2011.

As per the Managing Director, Alheri Mobile, Mr. Boye Olusanya, it makes sense for them to sell Alheri Mobile to Etisalat Nigeria as they believe that the market here can only sustain four mobile operators in the medium to long-term.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G license • Abuja • Alheri Mobile • CEO • Etisalat • GSM • Lagos • Managing Director • Mobile • Mr. Boye Olusanya • Mr. Steven Evans • Niger • Nigeria • Nigerian Communications Commission • Port Harcourt • USA

Cape Verde announces 3G License Tender

On 09.24.10, In Mobile, By Editor

The telecoms regulator for the Atlantic island nation of Cape Verde has announced a tender for 3G licenses. The National Agency of the Communications (ANAC) alleged that it plans to offer a total of three 3G licenses and one GSM license in the tender.

The licenses includes 2x15MHz of paired spectrum in the bands 1920-1980MHz / 2110-2170 MHz and 5 MHz of unpaired spectrum in the 1900-1920 MHz band, for each one of the rights of frequency, and the allotment of one nationwide right of frequency use in the range reserved for GSM services.

7th December 2010 has been set as the deadline for the submission of proposals.The country currently has two mobile networks, T+ and Cabo Verde Telecom.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 2x15MHz • 3G • 3G license • ANAC • Cabo Verde Telecom • Cape Verde • GSM • Mobile

Videocon launches sub-1 paise plan (India)

On 03.26.10, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Consumer electronics major, Videocon Group is all set to invest Rs 14,000 crore in its mobile service division over the next three years.

According to Videocon Group chairman Venugopal Dhoot, the company is targeting new customers to begin with, but is also betting on migration, once number portability comes in place.

In his opinion, the company wants to be the top 3 service provider in the country over the next three years. By the end of September, Videocon, which has licenses for all the 23 circles would become pan-India operator.

The company is a latest entrant in the mobile service arena and it has seen the likes of the other new players like MTS, Uninor and Tata Docomo is marketing its service with a sub 1 paise effective tariffâ€ to attract customers.

The target of the company is 100million users in three years and it hopes to break even in two years. In the opinion of Dhoot, they will bag 3G licenses, which Videocon has bid for in all circles, barring Delhi and Mumbai.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • 3G license • Delhi • DoCoMo • India • Mobile • Number Portability • Tata • Tata DoCoMo • Videocon • Wireless

India’s 3 telecom biggies to join 3G race

On 03.25.10, In Mobile, By Editor

India’s Telecoms majors including names like Bharti, Reliance and Vodafone have confirmed that they are all set to bid for 3G licenses.

According to the reports, Idea Cellular is also expected to submit its application for 3G spectrum very soon.

While Bharti and Reliance are seeking spectrum in each of India’s 22 telecom zones, Telenor-backed Uninor might also bid for 2100 MHz in the metro circles apart from other lucrative regions in the country.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G license • 3G spectrum • Bharti • CDMA2000 • Idea • Idea Cellular • India • Reliance • telecom • Telecom Zones • Telenor • Telenor-backed • UK • Ukrain • Ukraine • Uninor • Vodafone

Mobistar considering 4G, can also challenge MTR proposals

On 03.25.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Belgian mobile network Mobistar has announced that the company is looking forward to acquire 4G concession following reports earlier this month that the government would offer such licenses later half of 2010.

Earlier it was reported that Belgian authorities are planning to offer a fourth 3G license alongside five 2600 MHz concessions in September 2010, with an auction for five 15Mhz blocks of 2600MHz spectrum suitable for offering Long Term Evolution (LTE) services to take place immediately after the UMTS frequency sale, with an expected minimum price of EUR15 million per 15MHz block.

According to Mobistar CEO Benoit Scheen, the company will have to see what the conditions are for these 4G licenses, but it is logical that the company is interested. Scheen also informed that Mobistar would seek to challenge regulatory proposals put forward with a view to cut fees for routing calls.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • 3G license • Belgian • Government • Mobistar • MTS • spectrum

MNP aimed by Azerbaijan later this year

On 01.28.10, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The mobile subscribers of Azerbaijan can enjoy the facility of Mobile Number Portability later this year as the plans of Ministry of Communications and Information Technology have been submitted to the Cabinet for approval.

There is one issue outstanding and the mobile operators and stationary communication operators have to reach agreement after which the service will be implemented by the government.

Azercell, which was the first candidate to apply for a 3G license may get it this year. However, it was earlier reported that other mobile operator, Azerfon, had already been granted a 3G license.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • 3G license • Azerbaijan • Azercell • Europe • Ministry of Communications and Information Technology • Mobile Number Portability • Mobile Subscribers • operator

Application for 3G license submitted by Schutzengel Telecom

On 01.28.10, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in the Philippines has received an application from market newcomer Schutzengel Telecom Inc to get provisional authority to build, install, operate and maintain a national 3G mobile network.

As per the application submitted by Schutzengel Telecom, the company is fully aware and cognizant of the vital need to provide the general public with an adequate, efficient and cost effective means of mobile communications and is open and amenable to operate within any of the frequency bandwidth which is presently available or may be made available for the 3G standard.

With NTC looking to award the country’s fifth and final 3G operating license through a â€˜beauty contest’ style process, Schutzengel claims it is â€˜legally, technically and financially capable to put up a 3G network’. Besides, it also possesses the requisite financial resources and capability to render the proposed service which shall be sourced from a combination of internally generated funds, supplier’s credit, loans and other forms of financing, and should it be necessary, from equity infusion

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • 3G license • ASIA • Essar • National Telecommunications Commission • Philippines • Schutzengel Telecom

TOT launches 3G network in Thailand

On 12.05.09, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The launch of 3G network by Thailand’s state-controlled mobile network TOT got a cold response from the subscribers. However, initially the network will be available only in Bangkok and the areas surrounding it. Expansion of the network in the near future relies on the auction of the 3G license.

National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will offer four licenses- three of 10 Mhz and a fourth with 15Mhz of radio spectrum while the reserve price will range between US$100-US$200 million. The process will not take place until next year as there is a lack of executives to form a quorum.

Small trials of 3G networks are already run by the current operators over their existing GSM radio spectrum, while CAT Telecom which is a CDMA operator, is seeking an overseas investor to assist in 3G rollout plans

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G license • 3G networks • ASIA • Auction • Bangkok • CAT Telecom • CDMA • GSM • Investor • Launch • Licenses • national telecommunications • National Telecommunications Commission • Network • operator • overseas investor • quorum • Radio Spectrum • rollout plans • spectrum • Subscribers • Telecommunications • telecommunications commission • Thailand • TOT

Vinaphone to launch Vietnam’s first 3G Network.

On 10.02.09, In Mobile, By admin

VinaPhone, the Vietnamese mobile operator has announced that its 3G network will be launched on October 12th. Vinaphone will be first to go live on 3G in Vietnam.

VinaPhone’s deputy director Ho Duc Thang told a media house that Vinaphone has finalised the installation of thousands of 3G transceiver base stations will announce 3G tarriffs on the day of launch.

Vinaphone officially launched in June 2006 and currently has over 13 million subscribers. Vinaphone is among the top three mobile operators in Vietnam now.

Motorola has earlier announced that it had won the 3G upgrade contract from Vinaphone.

Three more operators in Vietnam have a 3G license – Viettel, EVN Telecom-Hanoi Telecom and Mobifone are testing their networks and will be launching shortly.