Wireless Federation

Ofcom revises proposal for LTE auction plans (UK)

On 01.13.12, In Mobile, By Editor

Independent regulator and competition authority Ofcom, has reportedly made changes to its proposal for the upcoming LTE mobile spectrum auction in an attempt to provide better mobile internet services in many rural and underserved areas.

As per sources, Ed Richards, CEO, Ofcom, has said that they are proposing a significant enhancement of mobile broadband, extending 4G coverage beyond levels of existing 2G coverage – helping to serve many areas of the UK that have traditionally been underserved by network coverage.

Further, reports reveal that the competition authority had initially reserved some portion of the spectrum for Everthing Everywhere which is no longer a part of the revised proposal. Ofcom claims that because of their current spectrum holdings, and/or the much lower risk that these national wholesalers would fail to acquire further spectrum in the auction, they do not consider it necessary to reserve any spectrum for Everything Everywhere, Telefonica or Vodafone.

The regulator also believes it is more viable to reserve some of the available spectrum for a fourth national wholesaler, someone other than Everything Everywhere, Telefonica or Vodafone.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 4G • Everything Everywhere • LTE • Ofcom • Spectrum Auction • Telefonica • Vodafone

Vodafone seeks to acquire additional spectrum and raise data revenue (India)

On 01.13.12, In Mobile, By Editor

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.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • 4G • data revenue • India • Samaresh Parida • spectrum • Vodafone India

Rostelecom and MegaFon sign 4G service agreement with Scartel (Russia)

On 12.01.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Mobile operator MegaFon along with State-owned telecommunications company Rostelecom, have reportedly signed an agreement with Scartel to offer 4G services in Russia. According to reports, the agreement with Scartel, which operates under the brand ‘Yota’, will enable the two operators to act as mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) for offering 4G services.

As per sources, as part of the agreement, Yota would use Rostelecom and MegaFon’s infrastructure, in exchange for its 4G network. Further, industry analysts have reportedly said that as Scartel is the only company in Russia which has built a 4G network, the two operators will gain significant lead in providing users with 4G services as compared to TeleSystems and VimpleCom.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 4G • MegaFon • MVNO • Rostelecom • Russia • Scartel • Telesystems • Vimplecom • Yota

Belgium’s 4G spectrum auction valued at US$ 103.7 million (Belgium)

On 11.29.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Belgian regulatory body BIPT (Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications) has reportedly said that it has sold 4G licences to four bidders at a value of US$ 103.7 million. According to reports, the 2,575-2,620 MHz frequency block (TDD spectrum) along with 6 frequency blocks in the 2,500-2,570 MHz and 2,620-2,690 MHz frequency bands (FDD spectrum) were put up for the auction.

As per sources, the operators who were successful in the 4G spectrum auction include Belgacom at US$ 26.9 million, BUCD BVBA at US$ 29.9 million, KPN Group Belgium at US$ 20.04 million and Mobistar at US$ 26.7 million. Mobile operator Craig Wireless Belgium also bid for the 4G licence spectrum but was not successful.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 4G • Belgacom • Belgium • BIPT (Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications) • BUCD BVBA • Craig Wireless • KPN Group Belgium • Mobistar

Bharti Airtel signs managed services contract with Ericsson (India, Sweden)

On 11.29.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Bharti Airtel, a dominant player in the global telecommunications market, has reportedly expanded the managed services contract with Ericsson for its India operations. Company reports indicate that Ericsson will operate, maintain and provide services across 70 percent of Bharti Airtel’s network in India, as part of this five year managed services agreement.

Further, it has been reported that Ericsson will also be responsible for the Intelligent Network that manages Airtel’s prepaid customer base, keeping in line with Airtel’s commitment to take user experience in wireless communications to the next level. Sources claim that the operator will extend the contract across fifteen circles for five years.

According to reports, Sanjay Kapoor, CEO, India and South Asia, Bharti Airtel, has said that with India emerging as the third largest internet market and a multi-fold growth in data traffic on the back of a rising number of smartphones, wireless networks need to be ready for the data revolution that has only just begun. This unique multi-technology Managed Services partnership with Ericsson will help them focus on creating a compelling service proposition for their customers, as they look to ramp up their market access for next generation services on 3G and 4G.

The fifteen circles that are covered in the partnership consist of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, UP(W), UP(E), Rajasthan, North Eastern states, Assam, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chennai and Kerala.

Further, Fredrik Jejdling, President and India region-head, Ericsson, claims that the rapid increase in customer numbers and the network complexities due to multiple technology overlays defines the need for a renewed focus on differentiated user experience. As more and more people are joining the Networked Society, in which everybody and everything is connected it is imperative that they continue to provide high-quality, innovative services to the end users.

As per the contract, Ericsson will reportedly work towards ensuring effective management of operational expenditure and maximizing the efficiencies of scale along with improving the overall quality of the network in these circles.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • 4G • Bharti Airtel • CEO Sanjay Kapoor • Ericsson • India • Managed services contract

China Mobile seeks to add 20,000 TD-LTE stations in 2012 (China)

On 11.23.11, In Mobile, By Editor

China Mobile, a leading mobile operator is reportedly planning to add around 20,000 TD-LTE base stations to its trial network next year, as a result of the increase in demand for 3G data services, which may pave the way for 4G services earlier than expected. According to reports, China Mobile which currently has less than 7 percent of its customers on 3G services, aims to provide higher quality data services in a bid to better compete with its rivals.

In keeping with this, Xi Guohua, Vice Chairman, China Mobile has reportedly said that the company will build between 10,000 and 20,000 additional TD-LTE base stations around China in 2012. Further, it has already installed 850 base stations in six cities and 50 percent of its 250,000 TD-SCDMA base stations can be gradually upgraded to the new standard.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • 4G • China • China Mobile • TD-LTE

Any consolidation of mobile market in Russia to include Tele2 says VimpleCom (Europe)

On 11.21.11, In Mobile, By Editor

VimpleCom, the third largest telecom operator in Russia, has reportedly said that any consolidation in the telecom industry in Russia will have to involve Tele2 as there will be no consolidation among the top three wireless operators of the country.

Mobile TeleSystems is the leading operator in the country followed by MegaFon and VimpleCom. Tele2 is currently the fourth largest player serving over 20 million customers. As per sources, Jo Lunder, CEO, VimpleCom said that the outcome of the 4G spectrum auction would be crucial in deciding the future performance of the operators.

He added that VimpelCom’s biggest operational challenge is to improve its performance in its Russian home market. As per reports, the CEO also said that the focus of the firm, which also has operations in parts of Asia and Africa, as well as in Italy and Canada, is more on cash generation and less on building subscriber and revenue market share.

According to reports, Lunder also said that they are very optimistic with regards to Wind and the Italian market, having secured good spectrum for 4G in Italy, and expect it to develop into an advanced data market.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 4G • Canada • Italy • Jo Lunder • MegaFon • Russia • Tele2 • Vimplecom

O2 kicks off the first LTE network in UK

On 11.16.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Mobile operator O2 has reportedly commenced UK’s first LTE network service. Accroding to reports, the wireless carrier switched on the first 4G base station in the 2.6 GHz band, with the remaining 24 stations expected to be made active by the end of this month, covering key areas in the capital city.

As per sources, O2 has said that the LTE network will offer its users a data experience that can rival home fibre connections. Further, it has been reported that around 1,000 users would use the trial service through Samsung dongles, personal hotspots along with handsets from different vendors.

Ronan Dunne, CEO, Telefonica has reportedly said that their work in London will give them a better understanding of the capabilities of 4G technology and will further allow them to explore the superfast benefits it will bring to the people and the industry across UK.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 4G • LTE • Mobile Data • O2 • Ronan Dunne

Tata communications may offer telecom infrastructure to RIL (India)

On 11.15.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Tata Communications, a leading telecommunications provider in India, may provide Mukesh Ambani’s energy company, Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), with telecommunications infrastructure as the company is reportedly planning to launch wireless broadband services. According to reports, Srinivasa Addepalli, senior vice president (corporate strategy and communications), Tata Group firm, said that the operator had made its presentations to Reliance.

As per sources, RIL bought 95 per cent of Infotel Broadband Services Ltd., for which it reportedly paid US$ 960 million, so as to offer wireless broadband services across the country. Further, reports reveal that Reliance aims to offer 4G wireless broadband services across India in 2012, along with its new range of affordable tablet computers.

Industry analysts have reportedly said that a business deal with reliance would be beneficial to Tata communications as it would increase their revenue thereby reducing their loss, which has gone down from US$ 40 million in 2010 to $32.5 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 4G • India • Mukesh Ambani • Reliance • RIL • Tata Communications

Sprint introduces new 3G/4G mobile broadband plans (USA)

On 11.15.11, In Mobile, By Editor

America based mobile network operator, Sprint, has reportedly launched new 3G and 4G mobile broadband plans, delivering an increased amount of data at lower rates than its rival carriers. According to reports, customers can choose from 6GB of combined on-network 3G/4G data usage for $49.99 per month or 12GB of 3G/4G data usage for $79.99 per month. The new plans reportedly deliver 20 percent more data for the same price as similar plans from Verizon and AT&T.

As per sources, Will Souder, Vice President (Pricing), Sprint has said that the company is committed to delivering exceptional value to its customers, and their new 3G/4G Mobile Broadband plans are the latest example of that. He added that Sprint gives customers more data at lower prices than competitors, so they can do more with their mobile broadband devices on Sprint’s 3G and 4G networks.

Company reports reveal that the $49.99/6GB and $79.99/12GB plans are compatible with all Mobile Broadband devices sold by Sprint, including tablets, dedicated mobile hotspot devices, USB modems, netbooks and notebooks. Further, Sprint is also launching a new plan available for tablets and dedicated mobile hotspot devices priced at $34.99 per month for 3GB of 3G/4G data usage, along with a new plan for tablets priced at $19.99 per month for 1GB of 3G/4G data usage.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • 4G • AT&T • Mobile broadband • Sprint • USA • Verizon