Telenor and BCG study: mHealth to change the face of healthcare (Norway)
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), in cooperation with Telenor Group, has now released the complete report on the “Socio-Economic Impact of Mobile Health”. The report explores the potential impact of mHealth solutions, such as how Norway can save $2 billion each year with remote monitoring solutions for the elderly and how Thailand can cure 40,000 cases of tuberculosis through SMS treatment compliance.
The report dives into the healthcare situations in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Thailand, Malaysia, Russia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. It presents potential solutions for each of these markets that are possible through mobile communications.
Jon Fredrik Baksaas, CEO, Telenor Group, has said that they commissioned this report because they wanted to better understand how their solutions can help improve the healthcare situations in the countries where we operate. For instance, how can they increase efficiency in modern healthcare through remote monitoring solutions that enable the elderly people to live longer in their own homes?
The most notable healthcare challenges faced in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro include their aging population and the rising costs of healthcare services. Solutions such as home monitoring aided by mobile technology can keep the elderly in their homes longer, easing the burden on care facilities. However, barriers to widespread mHealth solutions include privacy issues, interoperability challenges when sharing information electronically, and the lack of industry incentive when remuneration is often dependent on nights actually spent in the hospital, nursing facility or face-to-face consultations.
As countries in transition, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand face shared difficulty in ensuring proper maternal health and infant care, combating communicable diseases, and confronting new challenges such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Remote diagnostics and remote patient monitoring can be critical to bringing healthcare to the rural populations in these countries. However, the lack of common standards can prevent the spread of mHealth, along with limited commitment from regulatory bodies to ensure that mHealth happens.
Nations such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and India are struggling to deliver affordable healthcare to their citizens. Their resources are limited and much of their population is rural. mHealth deployment is currently limited in these countries, partly due to lack of awareness and action from the regulatory bodies. From maternal and infant health challenges to reducing disease, these countries need cost-efficient and widespread solutions that will help their citizens live longer and healthier. mHealth can fill these gaps, but access to mobile services needs to improve, along with government commitment and the creation of incentives to encourage the spread of mHealth.
Baksaas said that mHealth can be one of the keys to redefining and reinvigorating their struggling healthcare systems, as well as enhancing the healthy lifestyles and longevity of the citizens. The telecommunications industry is well-positioned to play a central role in the evolution of mobile health solutions worldwide.
Telenor Hungary upgrade HSPA+ network in Western regions (Europe)
Telenor Hungary, a major force in mobile voice-based and broadband services, has reportedly extended its HSPA+ services in Budapest as well as in a number of towns in the Transdanubian region. According to reports, the company has upgraded 415 base stations and commissioned 42 new ones apart from the 800 base stations upgraded in Budapest, in an attempt to make the HSPA+ services available in all areas of western Hungary.
As per sources, the upgraded network offers users download speeds upto 42 Mbps. Following this upgrade, sources claim that the company is also looking to improve its networks in areas of eastern Hungary. Reports suggest that the network upgrade project involves replacement of as many as 6,000 network components.
Telefonica signs network sharing agreement with China Unicom (Spain, China)
Spanish telecom operator Telefonica has reportedly entered into a strategic partnership with China Unicom, wherein both operators will use each other’s networks to expand their coverage. According to reports, the deal will provide Telefonica access to China Unicom’s network in the regions of Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Australia, France and Sweden.
In return, China Unicom can reportedly increase its presence through Telefonica’s network in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico, USA, Puerto Rico, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland.
Reports suggest that Telefonica believes this agreement will help both operators expand their capabilities to provide telecom services to various customers in different geographic areas.
Telenor combines with Google to enhance Android adoption (Asia, Europe)
Telecommunications giant, Telenor has entered into an agreement with Google in an attempt to increase Android adoption. According to reports, Telenor’s Android users will be able to access an updated range of apps on the front page of Android Market, pay for them apps via their mobile operator. This will also benefit local developers by increasing the accessibility of their apps while helping them increase their revenues.
As per sources, the deal is expected to be launched initially in Thailand, Sweden, Hungary, Malaysia and Denmark, early next year, and subsequently cover all of Telenor’s international markets. The deal comes as a result of the ever-increasing demand for mobile content across the European and the Asian economies.
Reports suggest that Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President & CEO, Telenor Group has said that this deal between Google and Telenor is designed to inject even more energy into the Android ecosystem. Most importantly, it means that millions of Telenor customers will experience easier access to more and richer mobile content, as well as flexible payment solutions.
Regulator puts in place, its radio spectrum auction plans (Hungary)
NMHH, the telecom regulator in Hungary put in place the auction plan for blocks of radio spectrum with 15 year licenses. The blocks of spectrum to be auctioned are constituted by three in the 2100 MHz spectrum, two in the 900 MHz spectrum, and another one in the 900 MHz spectrum that will be accompanied by an option for an additional 1800 MHz spectrum.
According to the regulator, consultation on the auction will be held on the 27 September while closing date for applications would be 20 October. In addition, 12 December, 2011 is set for the auction date.
The blocks of spectrum being offered are:
One EGSM-band duplex frequency block of 5 MHz in the 880.1-885.1 / 925.1-930.1 MHz band (hereinafter referred to as: frequency block “A”);
The winning participant in the first round of the auction becomes entitled to a purchase option for three duplex frequency blocks of 5 MHz each in the 1725.1-1740 / 1820-1835 MHz band (hereinafter collectively referred to as: frequency block “D”);
Three UMTS-band (2100 MHz) duplex frequency blocks of 5 MHz each, in the 1965-1980 / 2155-2170 MHz band (hereinafter collectively referred to as: frequency block “E”);
(b) One EGSM duplex frequency block (hereinafter referred to as: frequency block “C”) of 0.8 MHz, and four 1-MHz EGSM duplex frequency blocks (hereinafter collectively referred to as: frequency block “B”) in the 885.1-889.9 / 930.1-934.9 MHz band;
(c) One PGSM-band duplex frequency block of 1 MHz in the 913.9-914.9 / 958.9-959.9 MHz band (hereinafter referred to as: frequency block “B”).
Networks join hands to give shape to NFC standards (Hungary)
Magyar Telekom, Telenor and Vodafone constitute the three mobile networks that operate in Hungary. A consortium of these mobile networks has formed the Hungarian Mobile Wallet Association in a bid to promote mobile payment services based on the NFC technology. In addition, MasterCard, OTP Bank and SuperShop constitute the other founding members.
Designing and articulating the prerequisite technological standards for mobile NFC services by way of recommendations stand for the primary objective of the association, in addition to submitting proposals with respect to the successful implementation of the service, and ensuring that the partners may freely join the service, besides spreading awareness and education in relation to the implementation of the innovative mobile NFC services.
EU member states served notice to expedite implementation of new telecom regulations
25th May 2011 was the deadline set by the European Parliament and the EU’s Council of Ministers for the member states of the European Commission for full implementation of the new EU telecoms rules as part of their national law. Twenty of the EU member states have been sent information requests as to why they have not yet reverted with regard to the stipulated implementation of the telecoms rules.
Under the EU infringement procedures, the information requests are equivalent to letters of formal notice.
Under the ambit of the new EU telecoms rules, phones, mobile services and internet are taken into account with regard to rights of the consumers and businesses. The highlights of these rights comprise of customers being empowered to switch telecoms operators in just one day without changing their phone number, more transparency regarding the services customers are offered, in addition to securing their personal data online.
So far only seven Member States namely Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Malta, Sweden and the UK have confirmed the Commission of full implementation of the rules; a majority of the EU member states having notified the Commission of implementation to certain extents while the legislative processes are continuing.
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain constitute the twenty other Member States that are yet to respond to the letters of formal notice within two months, failing which or even not being convincing, the Commission stands to issue the concerned Member States, a formal request to implement the legislation. The second request will be the form of a ‘reasoned opinion’ under EU infringement procedures. Eventually, the matter will be referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Vodafone looks to improve customer experience while roaming with latest roaming offers (Malta)
Vodafone announces new call and internet usage rates while roaming. The new offerings lets consumers pay at local rates outside of the local zone.
At the cost of $1.39, customers will now be able to take advantage of a 10 minute call while roaming as well as use 30 MB of data per day for $4.17. Vodafone is looking to bring to customers an enhanced experience at competitive rates.
Vodafone’s latest offerings are applicable in Vodafone networks across Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and United Kingdom, in addition to roaming in Austria on Mobilkom, Belgium on Belgacom, France on SFR and Switzerland on Swisscom.
According to Daniel Grech, Business Marketing Manager at Vodafone Malta, Vodafone’s initiatives with regard to roaming are part of the bigger effort to provide customers the most competitive roaming rates as well as roaming service.
Magyar Telekom settles bribery probe in principle for $64 Million (Hungary)
A subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, Magyar Telekom of Hungary issued an statement saying that they have agreed upon a settlement with the USA’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with regard to an ongoing probe concerning accusations of bribery.
Previously, Magyar Telekom said that signed contracts worth more than $43.97 million that spanned across Montenegro and Macedonia are investigated into; had allegedly broken the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
As the company’s announcement came through, the allegations were neither admitted nor denied. The agreement with the SEC was reached in principle; eventually, resulting in a payment in the form of a civil penalty and the payment of disgorgement - the forced giving up of profits obtained by illegal and unethical acts.
The company is understood to be entering the $62.4 million amount as one-off cost into their financial statements in view of the intended settlement.
As the agreement is not yet final, the Company’s Board of Directors, SEC and a U.S. District Court need to approve of it before the settlement is ratified.
The USA’s Department of Justice and the company are understood to be in ongoing discussions with regard to the chances of getting the DOJ’s probe resolved through a settlement facilitated by negotiation.
Future Research Symposium: new-generation network for efficiency in education
Speakers of the first Telenor Future Research Symposium expect solutions made available by the new mobile network to trigger fundamental changes in education. Increasing broadband coverage and implementing new-generation networks are key to digital economy and information society. In response to this need, Telenor started developing its network in January this year. As a result, it will soon launch its new Hipernet service offering data rates higher than before. With this move, Telenor will provide subscribers with an enhanced user experience and pave the way for future developments. These developments will enable anytime and anywhere learning and lead to the emergence of rich interactive curricula.
The network modernization project of Telenor launched in January will open new chapter in the history of the Internet and make the Hipernet service offering higher data rates available to the entire population of Hungary. In addition to providing access to new technology, it will also make daily Internet use more enjoyable. “The event series launched by Telenor today aims to present seemingly futuristic mobile communications solutions that will become an integral part of daily life in the future”, said Frank Klausz III, Chief Corporate Development Officer, at the opening event of the Telenor Future Research Symposium.
The Telenor Future Research Symposium featured experts demonstrating how the growth of mobile communications will shape the future of education and how the learning process will change as a result of opportunities provided by the new infrastructure.
“By 2015, there will be 7.1 bn mobile Internet-enabled devices in use worldwide and tablets will generate a data traffic higher than that of all current mobile devices combined. Smartphones will also have a data traffic sixteen times higher than today’s average value [1]”, said Frank Klausz III. “The widespread use of infocommunications technologies will change school-based and other types of education out of recognition. With higher education being so open to adopting new technologies, this change may happen earlier than you would expect.”
Hipernet will make no-compromise Internet a reality which means that students may move from text-based learning to multimedia content. M-learning solutions offer real and immediate benefits enabling knowledge sharing from anywhere in the world. This will make learning an interactive cross-border experience.
“The ongoing information revolution will transform our life and learning the same way as the industrial revolution transformed everything from work to family structure and education. Teaching limited in time and space – e.g. classroom-based teaching – will be replaced by a new setup in which knowledge will be provided by an interactive environment rather than a specific educational institution. We’ll move from instructor-driven one-to-many information sharing to empirical learning focusing on relationships rather than facts”, said Zoltán Galántai, future researcher.
“The increasingly important role of mobile telephony has been supported by international statistics. There are over 5 bn mobile handsets in use worldwide which makes them the most widely used communication device. The trend is reinforced by the explosive growth of smartphones spreading four times faster than traditional handsets. There will be 450 million smartphones produced in 2011 alone. A major consequence for education is that e-learning will be replaced by a new phenomenon called m-learning which includes both the educational use of mobile technology and anywhere (mobile) learning”, said Róbert Pintér, Online Account Director of Szonda Ipsos.
In the UK, the benefits of m-learning have already been tested in practice. The pilot m-learning system called Mobile Learning Network (MoLeNet) has been used by 40,000 students and 7,000 staff in 100 different projects. Student performance is monitored and compared to that of students learning in a traditional environment and the results clearly show an increase in performance for those using a mobile device. [2]
“The world has changed. And this change is already a thing of the past. It is not a question for the digital generation. Anytime and anywhere access to content is part of their lifestyle and they no longer consider mobile telephony, television and network communication as different systems. They live in a dynamic world of content and relationships and they demand access from any device or terminal. For them, empirical learning is natural. But is education based on a 19th century model natural for this generation?”, asked film critic András Réz. He believes that being the primary source of knowledge, schools of the future will have to provide students with content management systems and introduce them to humane values.
Participants of the event were presented several futuristic solutions such as 3D presentations based on the stereoscopic display technology used in 3D cinemas. This technology uses two powerful projectors to project two images on a special silver screen converted into 3D experience by the human brain. Another highlight of the event was the forward-looking educational software of WebCam Laboratory, winner of the audience award for the most innovative solution at the recent Innovation TechShow. This tool was designed to make science education more spectacular and enjoyable.
