Improved user experience for 3 and Telenor subscribers in Sweden
Nokia Siemens Networks undertakes modernization of operators’ shared network
Telenor and 3 (Hi3G Access AB) subscribers in large parts of Sweden can now enjoy mobile data at up to 42 megabits per second (Mbps) and an overall enhanced mobile communications experience. 3GIS AB, which provides the shared 3G network for Telenor Sweden AB and Hi3G Access AB, has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to continue to modernize and expand its capacity. With this, Telenor and 3 are able to offer twice the existing bandwidth, and also reduce the energy consumption*.
“The dramatic surge in subscribers’ data use means that we need to continue to upgrade the network,” said Michael Yngvesson, CEO, 3GIS. “Nokia Siemens Networks has been our long-standing partner in our commitment to providing the latest services backed by innovative technology. The increased capacity delivers an improved end-user experience while also being environmentally responsible.”
“With a number of smart devices flooding the market, it is imperative for leading operators like Telenor and 3 to adapt accordingly,” said Hasan Mian, head of the 3GIS customer team at Nokia Siemens Networks. “3GIS has been very consistent with its network upgrade plans and is always looking to invest where it matters the most – technology modernization. The improved, high-quality network allows 3GIS to boost the end-user experience and optimize its operating expenditure with reduced carbon footprint.”
Under the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks is modernizing high traffic areas of the network with its energy-efficient, Flexi Multiradio Base Stations**, in addition to expanding the capacity for a majority of the network. The modernization introduces Dual-Cell functionality***, enabling the operator to offer 42Mbps HSPA+ data capability in the network. Nokia Siemens Networks is also providing implementation, planning as well as optimization services which is based on its network management system, NetAct.
Nokia Siemens Networks operates the 3GIS network under a managed services contract. In addition, the company provides full spare part management as well as other care services for 3GIS.
About 3GIS
3G Infrastructure and Services (3GIS) was founded April 2001 and is jointly owned by 3 Scandinavia and Telenor Sweden. 3GIS is a shared network mobile operator that provides 3G service to its owners end users outside the three main cities of Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenbourg and Malmö). The 3GIS network covers 70% of the population in Sweden and has been in full service since 2002.
About Nokia Siemens Networks
Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of telecommunications services. With its focus on innovation and sustainability, the company provides a complete portfolio of mobile, fixed and converged network technology, as well as professional services including consultancy and systems integration, deployment, maintenance and managed services. It is one of the largest telecommunications hardware, software and professional services companies in the world. Operating in 150 countries, its headquarters are in Espoo, Finland. www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
Orange Austria offers unlimited data use tariffs
Orange Austria has launched a new tariff structure called Supernet. All Supernet tariffs include unlimited mobile data use. Supernet is available in five variaties: Supernet 300, 2000, 3000 Young, 4000 and 6000.
The number in the tariff name stands for included minutes and SMSs which can be used within Austria and the tariffs cost US$12.85, US$21.42, US$35.70 and US$57.12 per month respectively. Supernet 2000, 3000 Young, 4000 and 6000 include 1 GB, 2 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB data use at the highest speed available after which the data download speeds are dropped to GPRS level until a new month begins.
Minutes and SMS used on top of the included units are charged at US$0.13 per message or minute. The tariffs are directly available for new customers or existing customers extending their contracts, while existing customers with an ongoing contract will be offered to change to the new tariffs in July of this year, according to Orange Austria CEO Michael Krammer.
Krammer also stated that 80 percent of new Orange Austria customers also purchased a smartphone during this year and that Austria has the highest iPhone penetration of Europe, 50 percent more than Android. He cites a European-wide network study by ARCchart which claims that Finland has the highest Android smartphone penetration as well as the highest smartphone penetration.
The Netherlands is second with smartphone penetration followed by Austria. Krammer would not comment on Orange Austria’s quarterly figures, but said that the revenues dropped slightly while the EBITDA is stable and customer base is growing slightly with a stable ARPU of US$41.41 per month.
Nokia to Give Up the Ovi Service Brand Name (Finland)
Nokia has announced a significant rebranding change to its Ovi Store that sells mobile apps and software. According to the company’s blog post, starting with first services on some of the new Nokia devices in July and August, Ovi services will be rebranded as Nokia services in a transition expected to
continue into 2012.
Each of the services under the Ovi umbrella will simply be rebranded as Nokia, with no planned disruption to the service roadmaps.
According to Nokia’s EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Jerri DeVard, they have made the decision to change our service branding from Ovi to Nokia. By centralizing their services identity under one brand, not two, they will reinforce the powerful master brand of Nokia and unify our brand architecture.
It’s likely that anybody buying a new Nokia smartphone or mobile phone later this year will start to see the new branding on services included within. However anybody already owning a Nokia phone will see this new rebranding through future software updates.
This is solely a name-changing exercise and the service roadmaps will continue exactly as planned. The only difference consumers can expect to see is the replacement of the word Ovi with Nokia, not only on their device software but also in other places such as printed material or online media and
advertisements.
Ovi was announced in August 2007, with the public beta almost exactly a year later. As of April 2011 there were 5 million downloads per day, also 158 developers reached over 1 million downloads for their Applications. The word “ovi” means “door” in Finnish.
NetCom alters roaming prices (US)
TeliaSonera’s subsidiary NetCom has announces that it has altered the tariff charges for calling within Nordic countries is now the same as the one charged for calling within Norway.
This offer is available for new and existing customers of Fastpris S/M/L/XL, Fastpris Data and FlexiTalk.
The new price applies for all mobile networks, not only TeliaSonera ones, in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. NetCom, as other TeliaSonera subsidiaries in Baltic and Nordic countries, also launched a new pricing model offering 90 percent percent lower prices for mobile browsing in the Nordic and Baltic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia).
Under the new pricing structure, NetCom customers can get a surf package that contains either 20 MB or 50 MB per day at a price of US$7.07 or US$14.33. Once this quota is used up, the customer can buy a new surf daily add-on of 20 MB or 50 MB.
D.cn to launch Angry Birds game in China
Angry Birds has selected Chinese mobile phone game platforms D.cn to offer free-to-download services in various editions. With Angry Birds, Rovio Mobile hopes to gain 100 million users in China this year.
TeliaSonera reduces Nordic, Baltic data roaming prices (Sweden)
TeliaSonera has reduced data roaming prices for customers in the Nordic and Baltic countries by approximately 90 percent.
New lower prices and the cost control function automatically apply to all customers who travel to Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
All customers have total control over costs since a text message is sent by TeliaSonera to the customer if the customer needs to buy more data to stay online. Actual pricing will differ slightly in each of the aforementioned markets.
The offer is network independent, meaning that the customer does not need to actively choose a specific network. When the daily amount is used up and the customer chooses not to buy more data, the surfing function is closed for the rest of the day.
208 operators in 80 countries currently investing in LTE- Report
A recent report by Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) has revealed that around 208 operators are now investing in LTE, which is 98 operators more than in June 2010.
According to the report, the number of countries and territories where LTE systems are deployed or planned has increased by 32 in the same period.
The report confirms 154 firm LTE network deployments are in progress or planned in 60 countries, including 20 networks which have commercially launched. A further 54 operators in 20 more countries are engaged in LTE technology pilot trials or tests.
Taken together, it means that 208 operators in 80 countries are now investing in LTE. The report covers both LTE FDD and LTE TDD systems. The 60 countries and territories having firm LTE network commitments are Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong S.A.R., Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore , South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, UAE, UK, Uruguay, USA, and Uzbekistan.
LTE networks are launched in 14 countries, namely Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Sweden, USA, and Uzbekistan. GSA forecasts that at least 81 LTE networks will be in commercial service by end-2012.
Akos slashes roaming rates (Russia)
Akos has lowered its international roaming rates in several countries. The rates have been reduced when using networks of Telia Danmark, TeliaSonera Finland, Norwegian operator Net Com, TeliaSonera Mobile Networks, Lithuanian mobile operator Omnitel and Latvian mobile operator LMT.
The operator has also launched its new multi-branded outlet in Vladivostok.
Elisa checks network performance with Watch4net software (Finland)
Elisa has contracted Watch4net to use Watch4net’s APG software platform for unified performance monitoring and service level reporting across its entire infrastructure.
The Watch4net APG software will consolidate Elisa’s performance measurements and events into one single, unified platform.
The software will offer centralised multi-tenant portal and performance analysis on the converged IP and MPLS networks, cable/DSL broadband networks, and wireless/mobile environments.
Mobey Forum adds new members (Finland)
Mobey Forum has added six new companies since the beginning of the year, namely China Guangfa Bank, Infobip, Misys, Nykredit, Oberthur Technologies and Western Union.
They will work alongside the 50 current members to accelerate the take-off of user-friendly mobile financial services by promoting open, non-proprietary technology standards.
With Mobey Forum’s membership comprising large financial institutions, mobile network operators, mobile handset manufacturers, payment processors and vendors, it now collectively represents more than 460 million banking customers globally, which is more than 25 percent of the global customer base.
Organisations that participate in the forum have an opportunity to contribute to and influence the industry recommendations developed and published by Mobey Forum, as well as take an active role when new trials and implementations are planned and created.
Resources are also focused on peer interaction and networking to bring together the latest thinking and insight on making mobile payments a mass market reality.
