Tata Communications selects Tranzeo for BWA (India)
Tranzeo Wireless Technologies, Inc. has been selected by Tata Communications to supply Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) equipment for network services to enterprise customers.
Tata will be deploying Tranzeo’s WiMAX and WiFi solutions in over 200 cities in India. Tranzeo will begin to ship immediately.
According to James Tocher, President and CEO of Tranzeo, they are excited and fortunate to be working with Tata to deploy broadband services across India. They have been successful in developing a broad family of products that meet the stringent requirements of Tier 1 service providers. Tata is the second Tier 1 service provider in India to select their equipment.
3G, MNP to describe telecom future in 2011 (India)
Projections have suggested that India will achieve 893 million wireless subscribers by 2012 & 1,243 million wireless subscribers by 2015.
This growth comes with economies of scale. India possesses the lowest tariffs in the world leading to lowest ARPU’s of $3 per subscriber per month, combined with the highest minutes of usage.
According to the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), every 10% increase in the mobile penetration rate leads to a 1.2% higher growth rate. A huge jinx for the sector, however, was the can of worms, which popped out with the 2G scam being busted. It is said to have robbed the exchequer of US$39.17 billion by offering licences to telecom companies in 2008 at prices prevailing in 2001.
For subscribers, apart from the intense tariff war, Mobile Number Portability (MNP) and 3G were the most consumer-friendly introductions during the year. While MNP would enable a consumer to choose a service provider and thus put pressure on companies to deliver the best service, 3G would open up a new range of services, including data downloads within the shortest possible time.
The 3G/BWA auctions held this year helped the government raise $16 billion and boost its fiscal situation. The spectrum has been allotted to the winners and services are expected to be launched shortly. MNP was first launched in the Haryana circle to begin with, with a pan-India launch scheduled by January 20th, 2010.
According to Rajan Mathews, Director General, COAI, the telecom sector has successfully withstood the challenges of global recession, an intense tariff war as a result of which tariffs fell to rock bottom levels, with some operators introducing paise per second rates as well as cheap service launches by new operators looking for a piece of the pie.
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is not expected to cause a major disruption or significantly shift market shares. While established players have the most to lose given their large customer base, they also have strong propositions and stand to benefit from lessons learnt from global markets that already have MNP. India has very high churn rates already. While MNP may have a one-time impact, it is likely that the winners will be those who are already winning the net acquisition battle.
Qualcomm to launch BWA services by mid-2011 (India)
Qualcomm is reportedly intending to launch commercial plans in the second half of 2011.
According to Qualcomm India and South Asia president Kanwalinder Singh, the devices (the chip) sets and the infrastructure would be ready by June next year, and in the second half, it (BWA service) will be ready for launch commercially. It is understood that Qualcomm, which paid US$1.1 billion for concessions covering Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerala, will offer its services in partnership with one or more other operators.
Meanwhile, following to the previous reports, the US Company was prepared to sell off its Indian wireless broadband subsidiary, seeking a minimum bid of US$1.10 billion for the concessions, Mr Singh noted that the talks with the operators are ongoing but there is no set time frame to exit the service. It is up to the operators … if some operator wants to [acquire] their stake it will happen quickly. If they want to launch with us having the spectrum that also is ok.
Qualcomm and Ericsson Demonstrate LTE TDD Mobility at 2.3 GHz in India
Wireless Broadband Business Services Private Limited, one of Qualcomm Incorporated’s India LTE Venture entities, and Ericsson today successfully demonstrated LTE TDD mobility at 2.3 GHz in an outdoor environment in India. This demonstration is part of Qualcomm’s previously stated plan for its LTE Venture to accelerate the deployment of LTE in concert with 3G to drive the growth of mobile broadband in India.
The demonstration live streamed multiple high-definition video feeds to a mobile van in the Gurgaon area, showing a seamless hand off between base stations while maintaining session continuity. The demonstration was carried out by using Radio Access Network (RAN) and Evolved Packet Core (EPC) solutions from Ericsson, and USB dongles based on Qualcomm’s MDM9x00 multimode chipset that supports both LTE and 3G.
“We are pleased to have collaborated with Ericsson on this demonstration showcasing LTE TDD mobility in an outdoor environment in India,” said Kanwalinder Singh, president of Qualcomm India and South Asia and senior vice president of Qualcomm. ”LTE TDD, with its attributes of mobility and 3G interoperability, is the technology most suited for deployment in India’s 2.3 GHz BWA spectrum. The demonstration today is a significant step towards commercial availability of infrastructure and chipsets that will support both 3G and LTE TDD in 2011, and we will continue to work with our ecosystem partners to drive the growth of mobile broadband in India with 3G and LTE.”
“LTE in India is a reality today,” said Gowton Achaibar, head of region for Ericsson India. ”We are honored to have been chosen by Qualcomm to showcase the field demonstration of LTE TDD using Qualcomm chipset-based USB dongles. This demonstration testifies the availability of the complete ecosystem for LTE TDD and opens up limitless opportunities of broadband with seamless connectivity on the move. LTE will enable richer communication services for consumers and businesses alike.”
Qualcomm won one slot of 20 MHz TDD spectrum in India’s 2.3 GHz band covering the key telecom circles of Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerala in the BWA auction earlier this year. In July 2010, Qualcomm announced Global Holding Corporation and Tulip Telecom as initial shareholders for its India LTE Venture. The outdoor mobility demonstration is a major step towards Qualcomm’s earlier announcement that the venture would accelerate ecosystem readiness and deployment of LTE TDD. The venture will work towards the next milestones of 3G-LTE interoperability trials in 2011 and the commercial availability of LTE TDD infrastructure, chipsets and devices. Qualcomm continues to execute on its previously stated plan for the India LTE Venture and expects to attract one or more experienced 3G HSPA and/or EV-DO operator(s) for the construction of an LTE network in compliance with the Indian government’s roll-out requirements for the BWA spectrum, and then to exit the venture.
About Ericsson
Ericsson is the world’s leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators. Ericsson is the leader in 2G, 3G and 4G mobile technologies, and provides support for networks with over 2 billion subscribers and has the leading position in managed services. The company’s portfolio comprises mobile and fixed network infrastructure, telecom services, software, broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and the media industry. The Sony Ericsson and ST-Ericsson joint ventures provide consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices.
Ericsson is advancing its vision of being the “prime driver in an all-communicating world” through innovation, technology and sustainable business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more than 80,000 employees generated revenue of SEK 206.5 billion (USD 27.1 billion) in 2009. Founded in 1876 with the headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on OMX NASDAQ, Stockholm and NASDAQ New York.
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About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Incorporated is the world leader in next-generation mobile technologies. For 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of wireless communications, connecting people more closely to information, entertainment and each other. Today, Qualcomm technologies are powering the convergence of mobile communications and consumer electronics, making wireless devices and services more personal, affordable and accessible to people everywhere. For more information, visit Qualcomm around the Web: www.qualcomm.com
RIL to take over 95% stakes in Infotel (India)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has entered into an agreement with Infotel Broadband Services (P) Ltd, owned by the son of Mahendra Nahata, managing director of Himachal Futuristic Communications Ltd (HFCL) to acquire a substantial stake in the latter, thus putting its interest firmly in the telecom space.
According to Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited, RIL see this as the next wave of value creation opportunity in the wireless broadband space and he believes this will pole-vault India’s economy into the digital world at an accelerated pace while creating next generation tools that will enhance productivity and create world-class consumer experiences.
Rs 4,800 crore will be invested by RIL by way of subscription to fresh equity capital at par to be issued by Infotel Broadband. Post this investment. Infotel Broadband will be a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited which will own 95% of the equity. Infotel has emerged as a successful bidder in all the 22 circles of the auction for Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) Spectrum conducted by the DoT.
RIL plans to create world class state- of-the-art technology using an asset light strategy and its initiative will usher in a wireless broadband revolution in both urban and rural areas by providing end-to-end data solutions for business enterprises, social organisations, educational and healthcare institutions and Indian consumers.
Indian operators file appeal against Trai’s 2G plan
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Airtel, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular filed an appeal on Monday to the telecom tribunal against deeply-flawed recommendations by the regulator on the pricing of second-generation (2G) spectrum that they currently use.
The issue is crucial for incumbent mobile operators as paying higher fees for existing as well as future 2G spectrum will be a big financial burden for telcos, especially Bharti and Vodafone, as their profits have already come under pressure due to the intense tariff war.
On the first day of the auction for wireless broadband spectrum, bidding closed 35% higher than the reserve price of Rs 1,750 crore and it is expected to be as frenetic as the auction for 3G airwaves that lasted 34 days and delivered an unexpected bonanza of Rs 67,719 crore to the government.
According to analysts all over the world, operators will be aggressive in procuring BWA licenses in those circles where they did not obtain 3G licenses.
India’s 3G auction enters final phase
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The final phase of the 3G auction in India seems to be nearing a conclusion with most of the circles, including Delhi and Mumbai, seeing either no or negative demand. Revenue of Rs 35,000 crore from the sale of spectrum for both 3G as well as Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) has been expected by the Indian government.
Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, RCom and Tatas along with five other telcos are in the fray to bag the spectrum but it has still not been disclosed who all are in the final round of bids being conducted online.
As per the rule, any operator who has quit at some stage during the process can come back and bid. Mumbai’s last bid stood at Rs 1,397.13 crore, while that of Delhi was Rs 1,363 crore against the reserve price of Rs 320 crore for both service areas. According to Telecom Minister A Raja, government’s revenues may touch Rs 50,000-55,000 crore from auction of spectrum for both 3G and BWA.
Nine operators cleared by DoT to bid for 3G auction (India)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The financial bidding of all nine companies has been cleared by the Department of Telecommunications. The companies had applied for taking part in the auction of 3G spectrum. The pre-qualification bids of 11 companies for the BWA auction has also been cleared which have been invited for providing the wireless broadband service (WiMAX).
The nine companies include Bharti Airtel, Aircel, Idea Cellular, Reliance Telecom, Tata Teleservices, Vodafone Essar, Videocon Telecommunications, Etisalat DB Telecom and S Tel and they will soon submit their financial bids. The final auction is scheduled for April 9 but before that on April 5 and 6, the mock auctions will be conducted.
Three slots in 17 telecom service will be auctioned by the government for the 3G service including four in the remaining five circles. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai will have three private players.
Bharti Airtel, Aircel, Idea Cellular, Reliance WiMAX Ltd., Tata Communications, Vodafone Essar, Qualcomm Incorporated, Augere (Mauritius) Ltd., Spice Internet, Infotel and Tikona Digital Networks are the 11 companies bidding for BWA.
9 applications for 3G & 11 for BWA auction received by Indian govt
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Eleven applications for the BWA spectrum auction along with nine applications for the upcoming 3G spectrum auction has been received by the Indian government.
Aircel, Bharti Airtel, Etisalat, Idea Cellular, Reliance Telecom, S Tel, Tata Teleservices, Vodafone Essar, and Videocon Telecommunications are included in the list of the bidders for 3G spectrum.
The list of applicants for BWA spectrum include Aircel, Augere, Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Infotel Broadband Services, Qualcomm, Reliance WiMax, Spice Internet Service Provider, Tata Communications Internet Services, Tikona Digital Networks, and Vodafone Essar.
April 5 and 6 has been planned as the dates for mock auctions while on April 9, actual bidding process will take place. Two days after the completion of the 3G spectrum auction, auctions for BWA license will be conducted.
