European firms eye TOT for MVNO services (Thailand, Europe)
State-owned telecommunications company TOT is reportedly in talks with two European mobile operators to provide 3G wireless services as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO). As reported by BP, Panthep Chamrasromran, Chairman, TOT has said that they have held discussions with the operators regarding their business plan and strategy, and are likely to arrive at a decision next month.
He added that the operators are looking to tie-up with TOT if the Thai operator continues with its nationwide 3G network coverage plan. Further, while the names of the two operators have not yet been disclosed, Chamrasromran has revealed that one operator is from Norway.
The Thai operator is currently involved in regrouping its MVNOs into three categories: strategic partners, conventional MVNOs and resellers.
Airtel renews managed services contract with Nokia (Africa, India)
Leading telecom operator Bharti Airtel, has extended its managed services contract with Nokia Siemens Networks for an additional five years. According to company reports, the contract covers Airtel’s network in eight circles consisting of Bihar and Jharkhand; Kolkata; Gujarat; Maharashtra and Goa; Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh; Mumbai; Orissa and West Bengal.
Under this five-year managed services contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will manage and maintain Bharti Airtel’s 3G and GSM networks as well as iWAN (internet Wireless Access Network), the operator’s enterprise broadband service. This next phase of managed services relationship will help Bharti Airtel achieve better network efficiency, simplify operations and deliver better quality services.
Sanjay Kapoor, CEO, India and South Asia, Bharti Airtel has said that India started its journey of transformation from voice to data with the deployment of 3G.The data story in the country has just begun and they will witness increasing complexity due to multiplicity of network layers specifically when serving data. It is imperative for any service provider to have a complete end-to-end view to manage voice and data services. This initiative is in line with their strategy to create ubiquitous networks for offering enriched customer experience. Nokia Siemens Networks has been their long standing managed services partner and they are happy to continue their association further.
Ashish Chowdhary, head of customer operations Asia and Middle East, Nokia Siemens Networks said this deal will allow Bharti to simplify processes and improve end-to-end network and service performance. More importantly, stringent key performance indicators ensure they’re helping Bharti Airtel deliver an enhanced subscriber experience.
Apple iPhone 5 rumoured to arrive in fall 2012 (USA)
U.S. based manufacturer Apple Inc. may launch the iPhone 5 in the fall of 2012, as suggested by reports. The new handset is expected to go a step further than the iPhone 4S in delighting Apple customers.
Rumours suggest that the display screen of the iPhone 5 may be larger than its predecessors as well as include a stronger case at the back offering greater protection against a fall. Further, sources claim that the new iPhone will be equipped with a more sturdy touch panel, the Gorilla Glass 2. In most likelihood, the iPhone 5 will be powered by an upgraded processor offering users faster download and browse speeds.
Also, with many operators upgrading their wireless network to support 3G and 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology, it is rumoured that the processor chip included in the new iPhone will be compatible with the advanced network technology.
Airtel launches 3.75G service in Zambia (Africa)
Telecom giant Bharti Airtel has launched its 3.75G service in Zambia. The new technology will offer users high speed internet access enabling them to make video calls, stream and download music as well as watch live television on their mobile handset.
According to company reports, Fayaz King, Managing Director, Airtel Zambia, has said that the 3.75G technology will give their customers the opportunity to interact with data in a different way and that this is why Airtel doesn’t see 3.75G as a product but a platform that enables the community to expand its social and commercial horizons, alongside the rest of the world.
Further, as per the company, the latest technology will offer speeds up to 21 Mbps for its users including the business and youth segment and is similar to the technology being rolled out in Europe and USA. King also said that Airtel will be rolling out its data network across all its markets in Africa with the objective of building the largest 3G network across the continent.
King added that their 3.75G platform will allow customers to combine the enormous potential of the internet with the convenience of cellular phones and other devices. It will liberate the potential of the youth through enabling fast access to the internet for learning, sharing, social networking, creating and accessing content like music. Further, for the small and medium business, it will enable the entrepreneur to embrace a highly mobile way of working with high speed access to email and internet and it will allow large companies to increase productivity through vastly enhanced mobile internet speeds and access to record and allow for communication via video calls on handsets.
Vodafone seeks to acquire additional spectrum and raise data revenue (India)
Vodafone India is reportedly planning to acquire additional spectrum in an attempt to triple its data revenue in the Indian market. According to BN, Samaresh Parida, Director (Strategy), Vodafone India, said that the company expects data to account for 10 percent of the unit’s total revenue in two years, up from 3 percent end September last year.
He added that the company requires additional spectrum in order to expand its data services and accomplish its goals. Currently, Vodafone India accounts for an average of 5 to 6 MHz spectrum in most of the nine zones where it holds a licence, as compared to the 22 MHz average held by the Vodafone Group’s units in other countries.
Parida also claimed that Vodafone may also increase its spectrum holding by acquiring its competitors once the government eases the merger and acquisition rules. Sources reveal that Vodafone India acquired the 3G and 4G spectrum in the 2010 auction at a price of US$ 2.2 billion.
Vehicles to be equipped with internet services in future
The extensive use of data enabled smartphones and iPhones have got more and more consumers looking for internet services on the go. According to a new survey by KPMG, internet access in the car is likely to become a common feature soon. Further, the survey highlights the future possibility of a vehicle enabled with speech recognition as well as wi-fi and 3G services.
The report also reveals that as many as 37 percent of the car executives claimed that such services in the vehicle are as important as the safety features. Further, keeping the trend in mind, the future could see many agreements being signed between car companies and players in the music and telecom industry.
John Leech, Automative Head, KPMG has said that Intel claims that the connected car is the third-fastest growing technological device, following smartphones and tablets. For a car maker that offers huge potential.
The report also reveals that 53 percent of the executives agree that hybrid cars will consume a large part of the company investment in the coming years.
China Telecom to launch MVNO service in UK (China, UK)
China Telecom (Europe), China Telecom’s wholly-owned subsidiary for the EMEA region, has entered into a network sharing agreement with mobile operator Everything Everywhere for launching its MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) service in UK in the coming months.
According to company reports, the partnership was secured through Everything Everywhere’s Mobile Virtual Network Aggregator (MVNA) Transatel. Further, with this deal, China Telecom (Europe) plans to target Chinese residents and businesses in the UK, as well as visitors to the country such as students and tourists.
Yan Ou, Managing Director, China Telecom (Europe) has reportedly said that entering the UK mobile market is a strategic move for the operator. Also, they selected Everything Everywhere based on the strength of its network, and Transatel’s proven track record of getting MVNOs up and running quickly and efficiently. He added that they are keen to launch the service in the UK as soon as possible as there is a real gap in the market for the provision of tailored mobile services and competitive tariffs aimed at the growing Chinese population in the UK.
Company reports reveal that Marc Overton, Vice President (Wholesale and M2M), Everything Everywhere, said that they are delighted that they have been selected by China Telecom (Europe) as its MVNO partner in the UK. Further, Everything Everywhere offers MVNO customers the biggest 3G network and widest 3G coverage in the UK, making them the partner of choice for MVNOs.
Everything Everywhere plans US$ 2.35 billion network upgrade (UK)
Mobile network operator Everything Everywhere has reportedly revealed its plans to upgrade its network over the next three years for which it will be spend approximately US$ 2.35 billion. According to reports, Olaf Swantee, CEO, Everything Everywhere has said that with mobile data increasing 250 percent over the past two years, they are making these investments in an attempt to deliver on their ambition to provide the U.K.’s most reliable, biggest and best mobile data network.
Further, as per sources, the company has also said that said it is in the final stages of enabling Orange and T-Mobile customers to use 2G and 3G signals from either of the two networks, which should improve speeds in more locations. The operator added that the customers are already benefiting from a 20 percent reduction in dropped calls in localized areas.
New Telecom Policy to bring major reforms to Indian telecom sector (India)
The Indian telecom industry is expected to reach new heights and witness further changes with the new regulations to be announced by the government early next year. With a subscriber base of nearly 900 million users, the Indian telecom industry is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies.
The New Telecom Policy is expected to introduce new reforms for renewal of licences for telecom companies, sale of new licences to mobile operators, more transparent norms for mergers and acquisitions in the telecom sphere so as to maintain the competitiveness of the market and enhance growth.
In addition to its success, the telecom industry in India also faces a multitude of challenges which may be addressed by this policy. Concerns regarding network quality and 3G services have been raised by subscribers, while decreasing profit margins continue to worry the senior level management at major telecom companies. Further, scandals and cries of corruption have been keeping the regulatory authorities quite busy. As reported by Wireless Federation earlier, Bharti Airtel Ltd. and Vodafone India Ltd. were approached by federal officers on allegations of irregularities in the 2001 and 2002 spectrum allocation.
However, industry analysts believe that even with its fair share of challenges, an introduction of a favourable set of rules for telecom operators could see the Indian telecom sector emerge as a strong contender in the global mobile market.
Vodafone to offer 3G trials across 12 communities (UK)
Leading telecommunications operator Vodafone is reportedly planning to test its femtocell technology in twelve communities in UK, which could provide users with 3G access. According to reports, at present Vodafone is running a pilot in West Berkshire and wants to add as many as twelve more trials to its list.
As per sources, the operator has said that the trial communities are expected to include around 1,000 people and have access to good broadband connectivity. Guy Laurence, CEO, Vodafone UK has reportedly said that bringing mobile coverage and the benefits of the mobile internet to rural areas involves not just them, but local people, politicians and other infrastructure players all working together.
