TOT selects NSN to upgrade to HSPA+ for faster speed, better service (Thailand)
TOT, Thailand’s state-owned telecom operator, has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to upgrade its 3G network to HSPA+. This upgrade will improve mobile broadband services for the 7.2 million TOT customers and increase download speeds to even 42 megabits per second (Mbps) compared to the current 7.2 Mbps. The upgrade will be ready by April 2012.
Monchai Noosong, acting president at TOT, said that the Thai mobile market is extremely competitive, so they always need to ensure they are well ahead of the curve. With demand for data skyrocketing and operators looking to venture into the 3G space, they knew this was the right time to upgrade their 3G network. Nokia Siemens Networks has helped them scale up quickly enabling them to ride the mobile broadband wave sweeping the country. In addition, the company’s solution ensures an easy migration to LTE once that becomes topical for them.
Krittika Mahattanakul, head of Asia North, Asia Pacific region at Nokia Siemens Networks, said that as smartphones become more common also in Thailand and people start using data heavy applications on them, it is important that the mobile broadband networks can manage the capacity needs and provide enjoyable customer experience. Also, TOT is ensuring this by upgrading its network to HSPA+ early on.
Nokia Siemens Networks’ all-IP ready HSPA+ solution is based on the Dual Carrier HSDPA technology, Flexi Multiradio Base Station and the 3G Radio Network Multicontroller (RNC).The company will also deploy its Liquid Core’s COTS ATCA-based Open Mobile Switching Server (MSS), which together with the Flexi Multiradio Base Station enables a smooth transition to LTE.
The TOT network, including GSM and 3G, will be monitored and optimized by the Nokia Siemens Networks NetAct network management system. Nokia Siemens Networks will also provide its Location Based Services solution enabling TOT to offer Value Added Services (VAS), such as localized advertising.
Nokia Siemens Networks will provide TOT network planning, implementation and optimization services, as well as services for operations support and training.
India to become world’s second largest mobile broadband market (India)
The GSMA has announced that India will become the second largest Mobile Broadband market globally within the next four years with 367 million Mobile Broadband connections by 2016. In doing so, India will overtake the US, which will account for 337 million Mobile Broadband connections by 2016, but will still be second to China, which will have reached 639 million Mobile Broadband connections in the same period.
Since 3G licenses were first awarded to mobile operators in India in September 2010, Mobile Broadband connectivity has grown steadily. There are now more than 10 million HSPA connections across the country, and this is expected to grow exponentially, by 900 per cent, to more than 100 million connections in 2014. This will make India the largest HSPA market worldwide within the next two years, surpassing China, Japan and the US in the process.
According to a company report Anne Bouverot, director general of the GSMA, said that the mobile industry in India is set for immense growth as Mobile Broadband technologies such as HSPA and LTE start to proliferate, but there is scope for far greater development. Further, to take full advantage of this, the Indian government should facilitate the timely release of additional spectrum in a fair and transparent way for all stakeholders. The benefits are clear to see – a 10 per cent increase in Mobile Broadband penetration could contribute as much as US$80 billion of revenue across the country’s transport, healthcare and education sectors by 2015.
As per a GSMA study, despite a large rural population, mobile growth in India is being largely driven by more affluent communities in cities. Net additions in urban areas reached 85 million last year compared to 57 million in rural areas, with mobile penetration increasing by 20 percentage points in urban areas to 161 per cent, against a 6.5 percentage point rise in rural areas to 36.6 per cent.
The provision of Mobile Broadband in rural and remote areas will help India bridge the so-called ‘digital divide’. It will improve productivity, help overcome the constraints of transport infrastructure and provide much needed services such as banking, health and education. Given the significant social and economic benefits, expanding affordable access to Mobile Broadband should be a high priority of the Indian government.
The study reveals that with an average retail price of US$500, the cost of an LTE smartphone is four times the average monthly GDP per capita in India, and at an average of US$200, the retail price of an LTE USB dongle is twice an Indian’s monthly income on average. As LTE networks proliferate worldwide and more devices become available, costs will come down. Initiatives like the introduction of the low cost Aakash tablet in India are helping spur widespread access to the Internet in emerging markets, but more can be done.
Bouverot also said that it is important that all citizens in India have access to high-speed Internet connectivity and the transformative opportunities it provides. The current average cost of an LTE device is prohibitive for the uptake of Mobile Broadband for those on low incomes. The GSMA is committed to working with its mobile operator members to investigate innovative ways in which to make access to the mobile Internet more affordable for all.
3 Italy selects Ericsson to upgrade its network with LTE and HSPA (Italy)
Ericsson is strengthening its partnership with 3 in Italy and managed services network infrastructure. To cope with the boom in mobile data traffic, 3 Italy has renewed its agreement with Ericsson with the objective to enhance its broadband network mobile in terms of coverage, capacity and performance.
After the end of March 2012, three Italy is the only operator in the country to offer network-wide access to mobile broadband internet with speeds up to 42Mbps in the downlink and up to 5.76 Mbps on the uplink. The agreement will also enable 3 Italy to have a network already LTE prepared at 100 Mbps for commercial launch in 2012. With this contract Ericsson strengthens its position as a leading provider of 3 for Italy network infrastructure.
Once the upgrade is complete, customers will have access to a 3 Italy network Mobile Broadband technology. The extension of the partnership, which already included an agreement for managed services, will enable 3 Italy to pursue a constant improvement of processes, a reduction in costs and a greater operational efficiency. Furthermore, the introduction of advanced plant operations at Package EPC (Evolved Packet Core), will enable the early stages of launch LTE services, connection speed to 100Mbps.
Vincenzo Novari, CEO, 3 Italy, said that thanks to the success and effectiveness of cooperation with Ericsson, they continue to be a reference in Italy for innovation and development of mobile broadband network. They are doing a step further to meet the growing demand for connectivity and services mobile broadband by businesses and consumers Italians, extending the end of March HSPA + coverage to the whole Italian territory and launch services LTE already this year. Their network will become even more efficient in managing data traffic, thus ensuring the customer a better experience.
Blueberry Nuncio, President of Ericsson Mediterranean Region, said that the trust 3 Italy has placed in making them the partner of choice for infrastructure network is an additional incentive to support operators that want to be competitive market and are investing in updating networks offer better performance, capacity and a more extensive coverage in the area.
Further, they are excited to continue to support 3 Italy, former long-time partner, evolution of its infrastructure to a fourth-generation mobile network, at a time when innovation and dynamism are crucial for their Country.
Smart Communications starts public trial of its LTE network (Philippines)
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.
Bakcell launches 3G services (Azerbaijan)
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.
Comcel to offer users access to high speed mobile internet (Columbia)
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.
Claro Paraguay expected to launch HSPA+ network in coming weeks (Paraguay)
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.
MTC Touch launches 3.9G services in Lebanon
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.
Wind Italy carries out trial for HSPA+ in Milan (Italy)
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.
Axis Telecom signs deal with Huawei for network expansion (Indonesia)
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.
