Wireless Federation

Smart Communications starts public trial of its LTE network (Philippines)

On 11.29.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Philippines’ leading wireless services provider, Smart Communications, has reportedly started the public trial of its LTE network in Manila which is expected to last for three months. According to reports, the operator plans to offer selected users access to thirty LTE sites in the capital, by providing them with LTE and HSPA capable dongles.

As per sources, the dongle is expected to offer users speeds of up to 42 Mbps during the trial period which will be till mid-February next year. Further, Smart is the first operator in Philippines to launch LTE services, which is currently limited to the region of Boracay.

Reports reveal that rival operator Globe Telecom has secured a loan amounting to US$ 114.2 million in order to funds its network upgradation, and is currently working towards launching its HSPA+ network.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Globe Telecom • HSPA • LTE • Philippines • Smart Communications

Bakcell launches 3G services (Azerbaijan)

On 11.29.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Azerbaijan’s second largest mobile operator in terms of subscribers, Bakcell, has reportedly launched its 3G services in 62 cities under the brand ‘sur@’. The operator which received the 3G licence from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) earlier this month reportedly plans to extend its 3G services to the country’s rural areas during the next year.

As per sources, the mobile broadband service provides users access to a maximum download speed of up to 14.4 Mbps across all coverage cities, with the speed reaching up to 28 Mbps in the capital, Baku. Further, reports reveal that Bakcell plans to launch Dual Carrier HSPA+ services over the network, which would raise the download speeds to 42Mbps.

Bakcell is the third operator in the country to offer its users 3G services. Mobile network operator Azerfon was the first to launch 3G in December 2009, followed by Azercell, subsidiary of TeliaSonera, which launched its 3G services last week.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • Azerbaijan • Azercell • Azerfon • Bakcell • HSPA • Sur • TeliaSonera

Comcel to offer users access to high speed mobile internet (Columbia)

On 11.24.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Comcel, a leading mobile phone operator in Columbia, has reportedly announced the launch of the new HSPA+ (High Speed Packet Access) technology in the main cities of the country, in an attempt to provide users access to high speed internet on their mobile phones.

According to reports, the new technology will enable users to browse mobile internet at speeds up to four times faster, between 1 and 1.2 megabytes per second. Further, Juan Carlos, President, Comcel has reportedly said that the service will initially be offered in Bogota, Cali, Medellín, Barranquilla and Pereira.

Further, as per sources, mobile operator Tigo’s internet services are currently limited to USB modems, but the operator has hinted at plans to make this service available to users on their mobile phones in the near future.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Comcel • HSPA • mobile internet • Tigo

Claro Paraguay expected to launch HSPA+ network in coming weeks (Paraguay)

On 11.09.11, In Mobile, By Editor

America Movil owned Claro Paraguay is reportedly planning to launch its HSPA+ (High Speed Packet Access) network in the country in the coming weeks. As per reports, the mobile network operator is expected to offer its users download speeds of upto 5Mbps. As per sources, Claro Argentina launched its own HSPA+ network last week, whilst Claro Uruguay is expected to launch its HSPA+ network later this month.

According to industry sources, Paraguay’s 3G subscribers had gone up by 14 percent in the first half of 2011, reaching almost 250,000 subscribers in June 2011 as compared to 217,000 subscribers in December 2010. Reports indicate that Tigo Paraguay is the market leader in terms of 3G subscribers, followed by Telecom Personal Paraguay and Claro, as at June 2011.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • Argentina • Claro Paraguay • HSPA • Paraguay • Telecom Personal • Tigo • Uruguay

MTC Touch launches 3.9G services in Lebanon

On 11.08.11, In Mobile, By Editor

MTC Touch, the leading telecommunications mobile operator in the Middle East and Africa, has officially launched 3.9G HSPA+ services in Lebanon. According to reports, Nicolas Sehnaoui, the minister of telecommunications said the launch of the 3.9G services and fiber optics will help in the upliftment of the telecommunication network in Lebanon to meet the highest international standards.

As per sources, Claude Bassil, General Manager, MTC Touch stated that the network will equip 50 sites with Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology – known as 4G technology – with a speed of 173 MB/second; thus, positioning Lebanon as one of the very few countries to enjoy this advanced technology.

Further, Mr Nadim Khater, CCO, MTC Touch also unveiled the company’s brand new “Pay as you go” service for postpaid lines, allowing customers to choose the internet consumption they need outside the existing offers. He added that the commercial offers were already available to all customers holding postpaid and prepaid lines in addition to every new customer who would like to benefit from the 3.9G services via their network.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3.9G • 3G • HSPA • Lebanon • LTE • MTC Touch

Wind Italy carries out trial for HSPA+ in Milan (Italy)

On 09.26.11, In Mobile Technology, By Editor

Italy’s third largest mobile operator in terms of subscribers, Wind Italy, has reportedly tested HSPA+ in Milan. Wind partnered with Nokia Siemens for the trial of the new technology which offers download speeds of upto 42 Mbps.

According to reports, Ziad Shatara, CTO of Wind Italy, has said that in order to improve the quality of services for their customers, and rapidly expand their mobile broadband business, they needed strategic partners to implement technology quickly and smoothly. With its ability to innovate, vast experience in network modernisation and focus on energy efficiency, they found an ideal partner in Nokia Siemens Networks’.

The HSPA+ technology enables operators to better meet the subscriber’s needs leading to enhanced customer experience. Further, HSPA benefits operators by making more efficient use of spectrum. Thus operators can easily and cost-effectively accommodate more users and services without having to buy additional spectrum. Also, it reduces operators’ overhead costs, and thus, makes them better able to price their HSPA services at a point that is competitive yet profitable.

Filed under:Mobile Technology Tagged with: HSPA • Italy • Milan • Nokia • Wind (Italy)

Axis Telecom signs deal with Huawei for network expansion (Indonesia)

On 09.19.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

Axis Telecom, the Indonesian mobile phone operator, has signed a deal with Huawei in an attempt to enhance its network capacity. As per the deal, Huawei will provide equipment to Axis Telekom enabling it to double its network services. The $500 million deal is reportedly expected to add 5,000 new sites to Axis’ base, 4,000 of which will be 3G sites capable of supporting HSPA.

As per reports, Michael McPhail, Chief Technology Officer, Axis, has said that with this expansion, they will be able to double their coverage area and improve the capacity per area. He added that the expansion will allow the operator to accommodate 40 million subscribers, up from about 20 million currently.

Sources claim that according to, Erik Aas, President Director and CEO, Axis, the company’s target was to gain at least 17 million subscribers by the end of 2011. Further, he believed that by the end of its rollout in 2014, Axis would be able to compete with the nation’s largest GSM operators. He also said that this partnership reinforces Axis’ commitment to providing a high quality network, in order to deliver enhanced mobile broadband and quality voice services.

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: 3G • Axis Telecom • HSPA • Huawei • Indonesia

TrueMove H launches 3G services in Bangkok

On 08.31.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

TrueMove H, Thailand’s third largest mobile operator launched 3G wireless broadband services in Bangkok and 16 other provinces. The company launched the service under the slogan ‘Free You’ and plans to introduce five phases at a combined cost of $831.7 million. The spectrum using the high speed packet access (HSPA) technology, will offer the company WiFi internet speed capability of 8Mbps.

As per reports, CEO of Thailand’s True Corp, Supachai Chearavanont says that True will spend $6.6 million on an initial marketing campaign for TrueMove H, expected to be launched next month. The aim is to acquire 1 million users by year end as compared to the current customer base of 1 Lac. In its aim to be the market leader in 3G services, TrueMove H faces tough competition from Advanced Info Service (AIS) and Digital Total Access Communication (DTAC).

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: 3G • AIS • Bangkok • DTAC • HSPA • Supachai Chearavanont • Thailand • TrueMove H

Telekom Deutschland continues to deploy HSPA+ in rural Lower Saxony (Germany)

On 03.29.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Telekom Deutschland continues to deploy UMTS in rural areas to offer broadband services, where no broadband services are available currently.

In three municipalities in Lower Saxony: Vienenburg, Scheden and Hemsloh, the operator upgraded its network with HSPA+ technology to offer mobile broadband with a maximum download speed of 21.6 Mbps.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Germany • Hemsloh • HSPA • operator • Saxony • Scheden • Telekom Deutschland • UMTS • Vienenburg

AT&T to enhance HSPA+ network coverage in Connecticut (US)

On 03.28.11, In Mobile, By Editor

AT&T plans to expand backhaul connections designed to enable HSPA+ speeds and enhanced reliability across Connecticut in 2011.

The mobile network enhancement plans are part of AT&T’s planned USD 19 billion investment in its mobile and wireline networks and other capital projects. AT&T plans the network improvements in Connecticut by deploying enhanced backhaul connections to approximately 750 mobile sites to enable HSPA+ speeds and add capacity to support mobile traffic.

It also plans to install roughly fifteen new mobile sites to improve network coverage and add spectrum carriers to around 500 mobile sites to support traffic. AT&T plans to deploy Distributed Antenna System (DAS) networks in high-traffic areas and facilities, including a planned project at Hartford’s sports and entertainment arena to enhance network coverage during events.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: AT&T • Connecticut • Distributed Antenna System (DAS) • Hartford's sports and entertainment arena • HSPA • Network Coverage • operator • reliability