Wireless Federation

Telefonica and RIM to offer wallet services on NFC enabled BlackBerry phones (Spain, Canada)

On 11.24.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Telefonica Digital is reportedly launching a pilot programme for its Telefonica wallet services for BlackBerry smartphones, in collaboration with Canada based Research In Motion (RIM). According to reports, Telefonica plans to roll out the Telefonica wallet for about 350 employees at its Spain headquarters. Sources believe that this service will enable users to make payments in a convenient manner by simply tapping their BlackBerry smartphone against a reader.

As per sources, Julio Linares, COO, Telefónica, S.A has said that they have chosen the BlackBerry solution for this pilot because of the security that the platform brings. Further, Matthew Key, Chairman & CEO Telefonica Digital, has said that they are getting closer to the point where customers will be able to take the contents of their wallets and put them on their mobiles. He added that such trials are an important step towards ensuring a great customer experience and that they look forward to seeing the launch of commercial wallet services in several markets next year.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Blackberry • Canada • NFC • RIM • Spain • Telefonica Digital • wallet services

RIM stock stumbles 6.1 percent as analysts reduce profit estimates (Canada)

On 11.22.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Canada based BlackBerry manufacturer, Research In Motion (RIM), received yet another blow as industry analysts have reportedly cut their profit estimates for the company on the basis of increase in competition and problems regarding the BlackBerry Bold device.

According to reports, analysts have lowered their price targets on the stock citing lesser sales and reduced earnings projections. The news has caused RIM’s stock to fall 6.1 percent to $17.09. As per sources, the BlackBerry Bold introduced in September, is RIM’s main competitor against Apple’s iPhone and Android smartphones.

Further, while there have been reports suggesting that users have been facing problems with the BlackBerry Bold device wherein some of the users haven’t been able to turn on their device, analysts have also said that low priced and affordable smartphones, powered by Google’s Android software, have been causing a steady decline in RIM’s revenues.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apple iPhone • BlackBerry Bold • Canada • Google Android • profit estimates • Research In Motion (RIM)

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

Vimplecom blames forex loss for decline in Q3 results (Russia)

On 11.15.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Russian telecom operator, Vimplecom has reportedly listed the $400 million foreign exchange related losses as a key factor for the $356 million decline in the third-quarter net profit of the operator. According to reports, the network operator had said that its net profit was $104 million, down from $460 million on a proforma basis in the third quarter of 2010.

As per company reports, as much as $180 million was lost on movements in the euro/USD exchange rate. Further, the company also said that $110 million was attributable to the intercompany loan to Wind Mobile in Canada. Vimplecom has also reportedly claimed that it recorded a non-cash loss of around $110 million related to the fair value adjustment of embedded derivatives in Wind Italy.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Canada • Italy • q3 • Russia • Vimplecom • Wind Mobile

RIM sees huge opportunity for mobile application development in India

On 11.14.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Canada based BlackBerry handset maker, Research In Motion (RIM), has reportedly said that there is tremendous potential for mobile applications development in India. According to reports, Annie Matthew, Head of Alliance and Developer Relations, RIM India has said that they see huge opportunity in mobile application development. Further, the BlackBerry App World currently has 26,000-odd registered developers from India, against 5,000 two years ago, with the applications numbering over 40,000.

As per sources, Matthew also said that they have commenced a pilot project in Tamil Nadu for applications created by youths for youths and are keen to take this project across the country. She added that the company has a 70:30 revenue share where the app developer receives the majority chunk.

Regarding the new Near Field Communications (NFC) technology, she said that they are looking at launching the NFC application in India by November-end, which will benefit the domestic healthcare industry immensely. Through NFC, pharma companies will be able to get data from consumers instantly.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Blackberry • Canada • India • Mobile Application • NFC • Research In Motion (RIM)

RIM to lose Google’s Gmail app for BlackBerry (Canada)

On 11.10.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Things seem to be getting from bad to worse for Canada based BlackBerry maker, Research In Motion (RIM), with Google reportedly announcing that it will no longer support the Gmail app for blackberry smartphones. According to reports, Google’s web-based e-mail app will not be supported after 22^nd November; however, users who have already downloaded the app may continue to use it.

RIM has already been losing a significant amount of its market share with users preferring the Apple iPhone and the Samsung smartphones. As per sources, industry analysts claim that this move by Google is more of a signal to RIM as BlackBerry users would still be able to access their Gmail accounts on their phone’s Web browser, or by synchronizing their Google account with their BlackBerry service, but the app just makes it more convenient.

According to reports, RIM’s share of the global smartphone market fell from 15 percent for the third quarter in 2011 to 10 percent this year. Further, the handset maker witnessed a massive decline in the U.S. market alone wherein its market share fell from 24 percent to just 9 percent.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apple • Blackberry • Canada • Gmail • Google • RIM • Samsung

China Telecom may launch wireless services in U.S. next year (China, USA)

On 11.10.11, In Mobile, By Editor

China’s largest fixed-line service provider may be planning to start a wireless service for its U.S. consumers by next year in an attempt to target Chinese-Americans, students and tourists travelling between the two countries, as reported by reports.

According to reports, Donald Tan, President, China Telecom (America), has said that the company will offer its users handsets with two lines, one that will work in the U.S., and another in China. He added that the company is already in trials with several possible wholesale partners, and will soon choose one as the service’s network. Further, Mr. Tan also said that if the wireless service grows fast, China Telecom may consider building its own wireless network infrastructure in the U.S., as money is not a problem for the company.

As per sources, the Chinese firm had current assets totalling $ 9.6 billion inclusive of $ 4 billion in cash, in June. However, as per industry sources, China Telecom’s wireless network infrastructure plans in the U.S. may be subject to the terms laid out by the country’s government agencies.

Reports suggest that Mr. Tan has hinted that if success is achieved in their U.S. venture, the company may expand similar services to other markets such as Canada.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Canada • China • China Telecom • Donald Tan • Wireless Services

RIM faces legal action over BlackBerry outage (USA, Canada)

On 10.28.11, In Mobile, By Editor

The recent BlackBerry service outage has still left a few customers fuming even after an apology from RIM’s executives and the extension of free apps for BlackBerry users. According to reports, two lawsuits have been filed against the Canadian handset maker by users seeking compensation for their loss. The outage which lasted for almost five day, left millions of users in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas unable to receive emails and messages.

Sources claim that BlackBerry user Eric Mitchell has filed a lawsuit in the United States seeking compensation for service fees and legal costs. The claim filed on behalf of all American users along with Mitchell’s expenses could be expensive for RIM which reportedly has a customer base of 2.4 million BlackBerry users in the state. Similarly, a lawsuit has been filed in Canada asking for cash compensation along with a full responsibility for the outage.

Sources claim that RIM receives almost $3.4 million per day in service revenue from the BlackBerry handsets with over 16 million users in the United States alone.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Blackberry • Canada • Eric Mitchell • RIM

RIM to offer customers free apps worth $100 (Canada)

On 10.18.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Research in Motion (RIM), the company behind the BlackBerry product line, will offer its customers a selection of apps worth $100 free of charge, as a token of gratitude for their patience during the failure of the company’s network services. The problem that started at RIM’s European data centre soon spread across the world, causing discontent among millions of BlackBerry loyalists. Some of the apps offered include Bejeweled, Bubble bash 2, Shazam Encore and Nobex Radio. The apps will be made available to the customers over the coming weeks on BlackBerry App World and will be available till December 31, 2011.

As per reports, Mike Lazardis, Co-CEO, RIM said that their global network supports the communications needs of more than 70 million customers. He added that they were grateful to their loyal BlackBerry customers for their patience and will work tirelessly to restore their confidence.

The company also said that RIM’s enterprise customers will be offered one month of free technical support. While current customers will be offered a complimentary one month extension of their existing technical support contract, customers who do not currently have a contract will be offered a one month trial of RIM’s BlackBerry technical support services – enhanced support, free of charge.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apps • Blackberry • Canada • Mike Lazardis • RIM

Free domestic roaming may result in a loss of $400 million for telecom operators (India)

On 10.18.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

Indian mobile users may need to wait for a little while longer for the free nationwide roaming as proposed by the telecom department in the National Telecom Policy 2011. While free domestic roaming is prevalent in countries like the US, Canada, France, Germany and England; in India, service providers may be hesitant due to the negative financial implications that could concern them. As per sources, this policy could result in a $400 million hit for the industry as a whole.

Reports suggest that GSM operators such as Airtel and Vodafone earn almost 8% of their revenues from roaming tariffs while in the case of CDMA operators, it accounts for almost 5% of their total revenues. As per sources, the overall domestic roaming business accounts for about $600 million every year while international roaming charges amount to as much as $1.2 billion.

However, Rajan S Mathews, Director General, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has reportedly said that free roaming should not have a negative impact on an operator’s revenue. He added that the national MNP, free roaming and other points in the draft will have to be studied but this will surely ease the tariffs for consumers.

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: Canada • COAI • domestic roaming • France • Germany • India • National telecom policy • Telecom Department