Wireless Federation

Vodafone receives warning from ACMA to improve customer service (Australia)

On 12.23.11, In Mobile, By Editor

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a warning to telecommunications giant Vodafone, for going against regulations designed for protection of consumer interests. According to reports, the regulatory authority has threatened to fine the operator a fee of US$ 252,852 after it found that Vodafone Pty Ltd as well as Vodafone Network Pty Ltd had breached the regulations in the Consumer Protections Code.

As per sources, Chris Chapman, Chairman, ACMA has said that these directions are intended to make sure Vodafone remains focused on improving outcomes for its consumers by increasing the regulatory consequences of any further breach. Reports reveal that Nigel Dews, CEO, Vodafone Australia, has responded to the warning saying that they have supported the ACMA throughout their thorough and lengthy assessment, and, while they respect the ACMA’s view of past events, they haven’t waited for their report to tell them what they need to do.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: ACMA • Australia • Chris Chapman • Vodafone • Vodafone Network Pty Ltd • Vodafone Pty Limited

Apple wins patent battle against HTC (USA, Taiwan)

On 12.23.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Apple Inc has emerged victorious in its patent lawsuit against handset manufacturer HTC, as the International Trade Commission has reportedly ruled that HTC has infringed on one patent held by the iPhone maker. As per reports, any of HTC’s phones using the technology which has been infringed will be banned from sales in the USA from 19 April, 2012.

According to reports, industry analysts believe that the ruling is not expected to have a major impact on the company’s sales as the ruling gives them enough time to come up with another feature to compensate for the infringed feature.

As per sources, HTC has said that the feature in question is a common user-interface function which enables smartphone users to access information such as contact numbers and e-mail addresses from apps and other sources, and use them by simply tapping on the text.

The victory will be well received by Apple, after losing out to Korean giant Samsung, on a similar patent infringement case in Australia last month.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Android • Apple • Australia • Google • HTC • Patent • Samsung • smartphone • USA

Telstra receives telecom licences in Japan and Singapore (Australia, Asia)

On 12.16.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Australian telecom operator Telstra has reportedly been given operating licences in Singapore and Japan, enabling the operator to expand its footprint in the Asian continent. As per company reports, Telstra plans to open and operate voice and data networks that will allow the company to build the local backbone required for new cable submarine capacity to Singapore.

Further, the company has reportedly claimed that the license enables them to offer voice and data services as well as systems and facilities locally. As per sources, the operator had previously received three telecom licences in India for providing customers with international telecommunication services.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Australia • cable submarine • Data Service • India • Japan • Singapore • Telecom Licence • Telstra • Voice

Samsung wins appeal against Apple in Australia (South Korea, USA)

On 11.30.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Samsung Electronics emerged victorious against rival Apple Inc., as the federal court reversed its decision to ban the sale of Samsung’s Galaxy Tabs in Australia. According to reports, the court had granted Apple an injunction against Samsung in October, preventing any sale of the Galaxy 10.1 tab in Australia, over a patent infringement dispute.

Apple had alleged that Samsung’s Tab had infringed on its patents regarding touch screen technology and design imitation. Following this, Samsung had counter-sued the iPhone maker claiming patent infringement on wireless transmission in multiple devices.

As per sources, analysts believe that the decision has come at a right time, enabling Samsung to take advantage of the festive season; however, it is still not certain as to how soon Samsung can resume sales. Further, it has been reported that Apple will have to approach the High Court should it choose to extend the injunction.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apple • Australia • Galaxy Tab • iPad • iPhone • patent- infringement • Samsung

Vodafone to provide 3G services to Sony’s PlayStation Vita (Europe, Australia, New Zealand)

On 11.22.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Vodafone PLC, a London based global telecommunications company, has reportedly signed a deal with Sony to provide 3G services for its PlayStation Vita in various regions of Europe along with Australia and New Zealand. According to reports, the 3G enabled Vita devices will include a Vodafone SIM, and will be made available in all Sony stores. Further, it has been reported that while Vodafone is not the sole provider of 3G services, it will be given preference over the others.

As per sources, Sony has said that the data plans will be flexible so as to meet the needs of all its users and also partnering with Vodafone will enable PS Vita users in the selected countries to always be connected with their PlayStation life, friends and games, wherever they are. Reports suggest that the Vita devices are expected to be launched in February 2012.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • Australia • New Zealand • PlayStation Vita • Sony • Vodafone

Telefonica signs network sharing agreement with China Unicom (Spain, China)

On 11.22.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Spanish telecom operator Telefonica has reportedly entered into a strategic partnership with China Unicom, wherein both operators will use each other’s networks to expand their coverage. According to reports, the deal will provide Telefonica access to China Unicom’s network in the regions of Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Australia, France and Sweden.

In return, China Unicom can reportedly increase its presence through Telefonica’s network in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico, USA, Puerto Rico, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland.

Reports suggest that Telefonica believes this agreement will help both operators expand their capabilities to provide telecom services to various customers in different geographic areas.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Denmark • Argentina • Australia • Austria • Belgium • Brazil • Bulgaria • Chile • China • China Unicom • Colombia • Czech Republic • Ecuador • Estonia • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Guatemala • Hong Kong • Hungary • Ireland • Italy • Japan • Latvia • Lithuania • Mexico • Morocco • Netherlands • Network Sharing • Norway • Oman • Panama • Peru • Poland • Portugal • Puerto Rico • Romania • Singapore • Slovakia • Slovenia • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Telefonica • USA • Venezuela

NSN files lawsuit against Vodafone Hutchison Australia

On 11.15.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Telecommunications equipment company, Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) has reportedly filed a lawsuit against mobile operator Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) over a network performance payout of US$ 8.2 million. According to reports, NSN claims that VHA withdrew a network performance bond which had been set up NSN as part of a mobile network upgrade deal.

As per sources, VHA has asked NSN to fund the bond; however, an Australian court has said that NSN is not required to pay the amount. Further, VHA has been ordered by the court to maintain a minimum amount of US$ 10.25 million, in the event that it is asked to repay the bond, in the trial hearing on 7 December.

Reports suggest that the operator had claimed the sum when it decided to overhaul the Vodafone Australia network using Huawei equipment, as a consequence of the increased customer complaints over network quality and service outages.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Australia • Huawei • Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) • Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA)

Telstra launches 4G network (Australia)

On 09.29.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

Telstra, a leading telecom operator in Australia, will launch the nation’s first superfast 4G LTE mobile network in capital city CBDs and more than 30 regional and metropolitan centres.

As per reports, Telstra CEO David Thodey said Australians could now access one of the world’s most advanced mobile networks delivering some of the fastest mobile download and upload speeds available anywhere. He said that today marks a new high-speed chapter in Australian mobile telecommunications. Telstra’s 4G network delivers mobile speeds scarcely imagined a decade ago, making it easier for people to connect with the things they need and love when on the move.

He added that the superfast speeds mean consumers can download songs faster, get TV shows in minutes and do more things simultaneously. This is just the beginning. Telstra 4G will allow mobile devices to perform even more advanced tasks and open the door to a host of innovative high-speed services that have yet to be conceived.

Telstra claims that by using the Telstra USB 4G mobile broadband modem, which goes on sale today, customers in 4G coverage areas, can enjoy typical download speeds ranging from 2Mbps to 40Mbps – up to ten times faster than 3G speeds currently claimed by other Australian telecommunications companies. Customers can also experience typical upload speeds of 1Mbps to 10Mbps – three times faster than previous generations of mobile broadband in Australia.

Further, Mr. Thodey claims that Telstra is working with some of the world’s leading manufacturers to bring 4G-powered smartphones and tablets to customers in the first half of 2012. Telstra also announced that it would launch 4G services in more than 50 additional locations by year’s end.

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: 4G • Australia • David Thodey • LTE • Telstra

ACMA outlines LTE spectrum auction plans (Australia)

On 09.21.11, In Mobile Technology, By Editor

The Australian telecom regulator, Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), plans to use a combinatorial clock auction (CCA) format for the sale of the LTE spectrum.

According to reports, ACMA believes this process will allow bidders to bid on packages of spectrum in both the 700MHz and 2.5GHz bands, offering them the opportunity very importantly to acquire the specific combinations of spectrum which best meet their business needs. Further ACMA claims that the combinatorial clock auction is well suited to auctions where the value of an individual lot to a bidder depends significantly on what other lots that bidder can acquire. The winning bidders then are those that make the highest value combination of bids.

Sources claim that ACMA chairman, Chris Chapman believes that this decision paves the way for a successful auction, which is expected to take place in 2012. He further added that CCA format has already been used successfully overseas and is the methodology most likely to produce an efficient allocation of spectrum.

Filed under:Mobile Technology Tagged with: ACMA • Australia • CCA • LTE

Vodafone and Telstra to launch HTC EVO 3D this month (Australia)

On 09.13.11, In Mobile Phones, By Editor

HTC Corp’s recently launched 3D phone, the HTC EVO 3D will be available in Australia this month. The handset will be carried by Vodafone Australia and Telstra. The phone comes with a touch screen of 4.3” that enables the user to view photos and videos in 3D without the glasses. It has an internal storage capacity of 1GB, two cameras of 5MP with auto focus and a 1.2 GHz dual core processor.

As per reports, the handset is expected to be available on Vodafone by 14th September and on Telstra by 20th September. The EVO 3D has added a new dimension to the way users capture photos and videos and enjoy mobile gaming, and has been creating quite a buzz among the smartphone users.

Filed under:Mobile Phones Tagged with: Australia • HTC EVO3D • Telstra • Vodafone