SingTel launches global cloud-based service (Singapore)

On 02.03.12, In Mobile, By Editor

SingTelMobile operator SingTel has launched a global cloud-based service that enables companies to secure, control and manage corporate data and mobile devices of their employees, regardless of their location. The SingTel Mobility Device Manager (MDM) service, enables companies to manage devices of different mobile OS and ensure information security for mobile devices used by their workforce. This includes company-issued devices, as well as those belonging to employees.

According to company reports, Bill Chang, Executive Vice President (Business Group), SingTel has said that they are seeing a surge in the number of companies that allow their employees to bring their own mobile devices for work.  In fact, the use of smartphones for business activities worldwide is projected to grow by 116 per cent by 2014.  This opens up new security issues, particularly for companies with regional operations. With SingTel MDM, companies can secure data through security policy settings and governance, control on devices, manage apps deployment and control cost through usage policy management. These can all be done via the simple-to-use web-based portal.

Further, in the event of the loss or theft of an employee’s mobile device, an administrator can remotely lock the device or selectively erase corporate data to prevent market sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.  Administrators can determine the location of the missing devices and remotely deploy and track apps downloads within the enterprise. They are also able to configure and provision the devices over-the-air.

The report alsoreveals that SingTel MDM is compatible with all mobile OS platforms including iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone, Symbian and Windows Mobile. In addition, it is independent of the location and mobile network, thus facilitating the seamless control of mobile devices globally.

Chang added that as SingTel MDM is offered on a monthly subscription basis, companies do not need to make upfront investments in equipment and can avoid the ongoing costs of managing and maintaining complex systems and hardware. This allows them to improve their productivity, increase business agility and reduce their operating costs significantly.

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T-Mobile UK launches unlimited plan for voice, text and data (UK)

On 01.30.12, In Mobile, By Editor

T-MobileMobile network provider T-Mobile UK has launched a new unlimited plan titled ‘The Full Monty’ offering users unlimited access to voice calls, text messaging and data services. The new plan will be offered for a period of two years at a charge of US$ 54 per month from 1 February 2012.

According to reports, the new plan is applicable on all T-Mobile phones and does not impose any restriction on the consumer in terms of usage of services. However, for voice calls, this plan offers unlimited calls to other T-Mobile customers whereas it includes a 2000 minute limit for calls made to other networks. In the event, that a customer wants unlimited calls for other networks as well, the plan is charged at US$ 64 per month.

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Mobile internet usage sees tremendous growth in India

On 11.15.11, In Mobile, By Editor

According to industry research reports, the mobile data usage in India has gone up by almost 35 percent between June 2011 and September 2011. Sources suggest that analysts have credited the rise in data usage to increased availability and affordable pricing, not just for people living in urban areas, but for people from different income segments.

As per reports, there were a total of 26 million mobile internet users in March 2011 which went up to 35 million in September 2011. Industry analysts predict tremendous growth in mobile data usage and expect this number to increase to 41 million users by the year end.

India saw the introduction of the 3G services towards the end of last year, which has increased the use of the internet on mobile handsets, due to increased speeds and better features. Further, easy accessibility and competitive pricing are significant in contributing towards the increased adoption of the mobile phone in the country.

 

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Safaricom to launch fibre-optic network (Kenya)

On 11.11.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Kenya’s dominant mobile network operator, Safaricom, has reportedly announced that it plans to roll out its own independent fibre-optic network, in an attempt to strengthen its position in the mobile data market, and reduce its dependence on the declining voice market.

According to reports, Bob Collymore, CEO, Safaricom has said that this move is a part of their strategic decision to be the regional leader in broadband provision. He added this new direction will offer them greater control of the quality of service offered to their customers. As per sources, the operator is on the lookout for a company to build and maintain the inland network expected to cost US$10.22 million.

As per sources, Safaricom activated a fibre-optic link between Nairobi and Mombasa in February last year, using infrastructure leased from the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) for $ 2.9 million.

 

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China Mobile launches new daily data roaming package (Asia)

On 11.03.11, In Mobile, By Editor

China Mobile, the world’s leading mobile phone operator, has reportedly launched a new daily data roaming tariff package for its users. The company had earlier introduced a package offering reduced international roaming tariffs for voice, text messages and mobile data across 23 countries and regions.

According to reports, currently, the new tariff plan has been launched in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea and Thailand, and is largely aimed at international travelers using their mobile handset to surf the internet. As per sources, customers subscribing to the daily data tariff package can access unlimited roaming data in specific operator networks for a daily fixed charge while roaming in any of the aforesaid places. Further, reports suggest that the per day charge for the service will be around $14 in Hong Kong as compared to $15.3 payable at the other places.

 

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EarthLink completes acquisition of STS Telecom

On 03.03.11, In Mobile, By Editor

EarthLink, Inc., a leading IP infrastructure and services company, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of STS Telecom, a privately-held business providing voice, data and internet services to small to medium-sized business customers in Florida and Georgia.

For 2011 EarthLink expects STS Telecom to contribute approximately $15 to $18 million to EarthLink revenues and for the transaction to be accretive on a free cash flow basis.  EarthLink will integrate STS Telecom into its newly established “EarthLink Business” division.

“We are very impressed with the experience level and processes STS Telecom built to sell and support a hosted VoIP platform,” stated Rolla P. Huff, EarthLink’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We will leverage this platform and the talented people at STS to launch a nationwide hosted VoIP product for EarthLink Business over our ubiquitous IP network. In addition, STS Telecom’s customer base overlaps with our fiber network in South Florida so this acquisition is an opportunity to layer a growing and profitable revenue stream onto the EarthLink Business southeast fiber network.”

Mark Amarant, Chief Executive Officer of STS Telecom, added, “STS has successfully provided a Hosted PBX solution to small and medium-sized businesses on our proprietary platform since 2005. I am pleased that EarthLink will be able to scale our capability of offering a complete hosted voice and data solution to businesses with solid average revenue per customer (ARPU) to a national level. The completion of this transaction is an extremely positive next step for our company, our employees and our customers.”

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Bell wins $41mn federal telecom contract (Canada)

On 03.02.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Bell Canada has won a multiyear contract to maintain and support the telecommunications network that connects more than 200 Canadian government offices abroad.

The deal between DFAIT and Bell Canada is worth more than $42.21 million and will run for five years, with one two-year optional extension.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s calls the multipurpose integrated telecommunications network (MITNET), its digital backbone.”

Carrying voice, video, data and providing Internet access, the network links Canadian government offices in more than 110 countries as well as various DFAIT offices inside the country.

According to solicitation documents, as per the agreement, Bell will provide telecommunications services, as-and-when-requested hardware and software, maintenance, support, and professional services.

 

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Palestine telecom profit increases by 22.8%

On 02.18.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Palestinian telco network, PalTel has reported that its full-year revenues for 2010 increased by 7.88% to US$479 million, while it also saw a 22.75% rise in net profits to US$122 million.

The rise in net profits was put down to a decline in investment losses by 40.28%. The decline in other non-recurring expenses by 32.66%; non recurring expenses are mainly related to the financial settlement which was signed during 2010 between Paltel Group and the Palestinian National Authority.

In regards to the operating revenues of each segment, the company achieved a growth in its Fixed Line, Mobile, Data and IT revenues by 10.04%, 9.07%, 9.52% and 13.60% respectively.

According to Ammar Aker, CEO of the Paltel Group, the positive financial results for 2010 is due to the successful implementation of the strategic direction approved by the board at the outset of 2010 and is a result of the company’s settlement of some non recurring expenses for license fees and reconciliation of portfolio investment losses carried over from previous years. They are able to claim in 2011 that they are a healthy operation, looking forward to continue their focus on growing their core services.

Mobile and ADSL subscribers grew by 26.58% and 16.12%, respectively reaching a customer base of 2.26mn and 107,389 compared with 1.80 milion and 92,483 as of the end of FY-2009. The number of fixed line subscribers witnessed 2.08% decline rate to stand at 362,792 subscribers compared with 370,483 as of the end of FY-2009. This decline was a result of the new disconnection policy for inactive lines.

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IBM introduces new services for communications service providers to build high quality multi-play networks

On 02.16.11, In Mobile, By Editor

IBM today announced new services for mobile operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), communication service providers and cable companies transforming their network infrastructures to address exploding data demands while launching their next generation voice, video, data and mobile services.

With a crowded marketplace and increased price volatility, subscribers expect their providers to offer the latest cutting edge services — and furthermore, they expect superior quality of service, security and reliability. To compete, communications service providers need data and application aware networks that support new innovative consumer services and the ability to support advanced analytics in their network to ensure high quality and reduced costs.

IBM’s Communications Service Provider Network Infrastructure Services tackles the challenges in building advanced networks by enabling providers to develop new revenue generating services while controlling costs. More specifically, IBM’s services provide the professional services for solution planning, migration, architecture, detailed design, project planning, deployment, and end-to-end multi-vendor infrastructures.

Major French communication service provider, Bouygues Telecom, worked with IBM to consolidate its multiple networks — voice, data, TV and mobile — into one high end multi-vendor backbone with advanced policy control features to support quadruple play. This solution gives Bouygues Telecom the agility needed for their daily operations and provides to their consumers a higher level of quality and availability with dynamic network backup.

IBM delivered Bouygues Telecom an end to end network solution by providing services from high level design to daily maintenance,” said Jean Paul Arzel, Network Director, Bouygues Telecom. They worked with us to integrate solutions from third-parties such as BootEdge from ActivNetworks to compress and optimize data traffic over 3G to save bandwidth. Their understanding of our constantly evolving industry and the unique challenges we face has been key to the success of the project.”

We have built worldwide expertise based on nearly a decade of helping clients build next generation network infrastructures and new services,” said Laurence, Guihard-Joly, VP, Integrated Communications & Security Services, IBM. This portfolio is the result of that experience and our ongoing investments in new solution capabilities such as mobile broadband, video distribution, cloud and the service assurance monitoring infrastructure that is the foundation for deploying the advanced analytics required by our clients.”

IBM works with the top 1,000 communications service providers worldwide, including all 20 of the largest global providers.

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Americans overpay $336 on wireless bills every year

On 02.14.11, In Mobile, By Editor

A price-comparison website has claimed that US consumers pay an average of US$336 per year, too much for their cell phone service, by miscalculating their use of voice minutes, texts and data. It was found that people are more likely to overestimate their anytime minutes and texts, but underestimate their data usage.

Consumers are therefore purchasing wireless plans that don’t actually fit their needs and in doing so, are giving an estimated extra $79 million to wireless companies each year.

The company claims that the discrepancy likely stems from opaque bills, where vague fees get buried within utilization breakdowns.

According to sources, despite the best efforts from the FCC and the carriers to create transparency in wireless fees, they’ve found that people are becoming even more confused about how to right-size their cell phone plans. While tiered pricing creates more choice, it makes it paramount for people to accurately assess their phone usage. Even though data usage is surging, the majority of wireless customers are still throwing away money by getting plans with too much data capacity.

As per studies conducted from December 2009 to December 2010, it was found that more than 230,000 individuals are seeking advice on wireless plans. They found that over that time frame, anytime minutes increased by 229% over the last year (from 193 minutes in 2009 to 634 minutes in 2010), while text message usage increased by 170% over the last year (from 660 messages in 2009 to 1782 messages in 2010).

Less surprising, thanks to the rise in smartphone sales, is that the data usage increased by 94% over the last year (from 64 MB in 2009 to 124 MB in 2010). However, people assume that they need 54MB of data per month,but they are actually using 81MB, which is still considerably less than the  current tiered data options which start at 150 MB.

While most people pay too much upfront by overestimating their need for voice and text messages, their underestimates on mobile data use leave them open to excess usage fees afterwards.

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