Windows phones overtake Apple iPhone in China (China)
The Chinese market has been showing great acceptance for Windows phones over other operating systems. According to a report by mobile and apps, just two months after the first set of Windows Phones entered the Chinese market, the platform made giant strides to take 7 percent of the market. In doing this, Windows has overtaken Apple and is now second only to Google’s Android based smartphones.
Microsoft’s ultimate target is to overtake Android to be the dominant player in the smartphone arena. As per the report, another 7 percent growth in similar time frame would propel Windows Phone to be viewed as a viable alternative to Android, which would boost growth more significantly.
Michel van der Bel, COO Greater China Region at Microsoft said that their smartphone and tablet-pc are hybrid, making them suitable for the consumer, but also easy to insert within an existing company infrastructure. This will allow them to better anticipate the consumerization of IT than many competitors.
Telefonica launches smartphone chat app titled ‘TU Me’ (Spain)
Mobile operator Telefónica is working towards winning back customers from the free instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Viber that have eaten into its text message revenues, by launching its own smartphone chat app, according to a report by FT.
As per the report, TU Me, developed by Telefónica Digital, the carrier’s innovation unit established last September, will allow customers of any mobile network to send free voice and text messages, photos, video and their location to friends who also use the same app. The app, which is available from Wednesday for Apple’s iPhone and will soon be released for Google Android smartphones, is free to download and use.
The report reveals analysts estimate that they have attracted tens of millions of users and cost operators billions of dollars in lost revenue, by cannibalising text and picture messaging.
Stephen Shurrock, chief commercial officer at Telefónica Digital, said it was important for the operator to meet consumers’ needs, while potentially generating extra revenues from spurring increased data consumption or selling digital goods. He said that they can see users increasingly starting to use Viber and WhatsApp. What they wanted to do is put themselves in the centre of that market as well. ?They thought it was important for them to be in that space.
He said Telefónica was broadly comfortable that there is not going to be a significant impact on its own texting revenues because it already offers inclusive bundles of text messages in many markets. Shurrock said if we are staying close to customers and giving them products they want, that should improve churn.
Verizon to focus on Windows phones this holiday season (USA)
Verizon Wireless plans to put its marketing weight behind Microsoft Corp’s next mobile phone software to help develop a strong competitor to Apple Inc and Google Inc, according to the chief financial officer of Verizon Communications, as told to Reuters.
Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon and Vodafone Group Plc, already sells the Apple iPhone and many devices based on Google’s Android software.
But Verizon’s CFO Fran Shammo said the company wants a third strong software competitor in the mobile market where operators pay hefty subsidies for smartphones like the iPhone.
As per the interview, Shammo said that they are really looking at the Windows Phone 8.0 platform because that’s a differentiator. They are working with Microsoft on it.
Microsoft has not said anything publicly about the next update of its mobile software, but Windows Phone 8 — codenamed ‘Apollo’ — is expected on phones this holiday season.
As per the report, Shammo said that Verizon Wireless expects to have phones based on the next Microsoft software in time for the 2012 end of year holiday shopping season. The executive suggested that Verizon could play a similar role with Microsoft as it did with Google’s Android.
Verizon Wireless marketing played a big part in boosting the popularity of Android phones from manufacturers including Motorola Mobility, Samsung Electronics and HTC Corp. Verizon’s Droid brand even managed to give a struggling Motorola a new lease of life.
Nokia is Microsoft’s closest mobile partner as the Finnish company has bet its smartphone business on the U.S. company’s software. But Nokia’s fortunes have fallen sharply since it took up with Microsoft.
While Samsung and HTC both already sell phones based on Microsoft software, Motorola Mobility’s future plans are uncertain as it is in the process of being bought by Google.
Rogers LTE network now live in Calgary and Halifax (Canada)
Rogers Communications announced that Canada’s fastest and largest LTE network is now live in Calgary and Halifax. With this further expansion, Rogers brings LTE to nearly 12 million Canadians with plans to cover almost 60 per cent of the population by the end of the year.
John Boynton, Rogers Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, said that they are thrilled to offer their LTE network to even more Canadians in the east and the west. Now, Calgarians and Haligonians can enjoy the benefits of speeds on their mobile devices comparable to what they would get at home. And, they can do it on an LTE network that is Canada’s fastest and largest for a robust and reliable experience.
LTE is the fastest mobile network technology in the world, enabling Canadians to use their mobile devices to download apps, stream live HD sports and download HD files, such as movies and music or play on-line games, with virtually no delays or buffering.
Rogers was the first to launch an LTE network in Canada last summer, starting with Ottawa, followed by Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and surrounding areas. The company will bring LTE to more than 25 additional cities across the country this year. On the east coast, in addition to Halifax, Rogers recently launched LTE in St. John’s being the first to bring the fastest speeds to Newfoundlanders. In the west, Rogers will continue to expand in Alberta, with plans to launch LTE in Edmonton in the coming months.
Rogers currently offers the largest selection of LTE devices of any carrier in Canada with seven in its line-up. This includes two smartphones, a smartphone-tablet hybrid, two tablets, a Rocket Stick and a mobile hotspot. Rogers also offers LTE-ready plans for the iPad.
This month, Rogers will launch two new exclusive smartphones including the first Windows LTE smartphone — the Nokia Lumia 900 and the HTC One X — the first smartphone in Canada designed with Beats Audio for an incredible audio experience.
The national launch of Rogers LTE network reinforces its proud history of innovative firsts and its commitment to investing in Canada’s digital future. Rogers was the first carrier in North America to launch an HSPA+ network and offers Canada’s only coast-to-coast GSM network. Rogers was also the first in the world to launch BlackBerry devices. In Canada, Rogers was the first to offer LTE devices, the first to offer iPhone and the first to bring Android products to customers.
Three records first annual profit (UK)
Telecom operator 3 has made its first annual operating profit as it shifted business to higher paying customers using the latest premium smartphones, as reported by FT.
The operator offered lower-cost mobile broadband data packages on smart devices such as Apple’s iPhone, which was significantly lower than the price charged by the rivals, thereby increasing customers to 8.2 million in 2011. The report also highlights that the increase in customers helped boost revenues by 14 per cent to US$ 2.8 billion during the year.
However, as per the report, average revenue per customer (ARPU) still fell 3 per cent to just under US$ 35, which reflects the impact of regulations that have stripped mobile termination rates – wholesale charges for connecting calls – as well as the company’s continued low pricing strategy.
David Dyson, chief executive of Three UK, said that the average customer use of data had increased fourfold in a year. Dyson pointed to forthcoming auctions of spectrum in the UK that can be used to carry the next generation of mobile broadband – called 4G or LTE – as important for the group given its emphasis on data provision.
Cell C may offer Apple iPhone (South Africa)
Mobile operator Cell C may have reached an agreement with US giant Apple to sell the iPhone in South Africa. According to reports, CEO Alan Knott-Craig said that they are planning to sell the iPhone in the coming months.
This will be a first for the operator as they have not signed a contract with Apple earlier. With Apple leading the global smartphone arena, selling the iPhone may give the operator a boost in subscribers as well as give it better grounds for competition. Rival operators Vodacom and MTN have been selling the iPhone which has been high in demand.
Globe Telecom to launch first GCASH mobile app for Apple iPhones (Philippines)
Philippine telecommunications giant Globe Telecom, through its internationally acclaimed mobile commerce service GCASH, announces a first in the industry with the launch of the GCASH mobile app for Apple iPhones by March 2012. The GCASH iPhone app will be available for download at the iTunes App Store for free.
The new GCASH iPhone app makes it more convenient for users to do their GCASH transactions like sending money, buying airtime load, and paying bills, without the need to memorize keywords or access numbers. In addition, the app boasts of a new feature enabling users to send money not only to people in their phonebook but also to their e-mail and Facebook contacts.
Paolo Baltao, President of G-Xchange, Inc., has said that the new GCASH mobile app for iPhones will make customers enjoy doing their GCASH transactions. Further, they are setting a new standard for customer experience in the field of financial services.
When a subscriber launches the GCASH mobile app, he just needs to type in his mobile number and Mobile PIN (MPIN) to log in. He will be greeted with his ‘moneybook’ which lists down all his GCASH transactions for the month in real-time. Clean and intuitively-designed screens will guide the subscriber in doing his GCASH transactions.
Samsung maintains lead in China over Apple’s iPhone (China)
South Korea’s Samsung Electronics has maintained its stronghold over the Chinese market, making it tougher for rival Apple Inc. to increase its presence there. According to a report by BN, Samsung currently boasts of a market share three times as much as Apple.
Currently, Apple controls 7.5 per cent share of the Chinese smartphone market while Samsung accounts for 24.3 per cent. Apple has tied up with China Telecom Corp. to sell the iPhone. The report reveals that Apple is shifting its focus towards China as shipments of smartphones in the country are projected to jump 52 per cent this year to 137 million units, overtaking the U.S. for the first time as the world’s biggest market. However, a concern for Apple is that the iPhone is not compatible with the nation’s largest operator, China Mobile.
Thus, while Apple might be maintaining the lead in the worldwide smartphone market, it still has a long way to go to become the leader in China. Samsung has tied up with all carriers thereby expanding its presence; whereas Apple has taken a big risk and eliminated a large portion of the market by focusing on the smaller carriers.
Android devices lead the way on Christmas
Smartphones have steadily been gaining popularity as the consumers’ preferred choice for a mobile device. According to reports, Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President (Mobile), Google, has reportedly revealed that over 3.7 million Android devices were activated during the Christmas weekend. Further, sources claim that the combined activation of Apple and Android devices have doubled as compared to the last year.
Industry analysts believe that a major reason for the success is the availability of affordable smartphones in the market. Also with Apple offering its earlier versions of the iPhone at discounted prices, the number of people using these devices has gone up considerably. Further, a large amount of mobile operators across the globe have introduced special data tariff plans keeping such devices in mind which have helped in the adoption of these handsets.
