Google acquires Gizmo5 to take on Skype. Deal valued at US$ 30 Million.

On 11.10.09, In Mobile, By admin
Google has been on the prowl acquiring some strategic companies in what could be termed as the next frontier. After acquring Admob, Techcrunch has reported that it is to acquire VOIP Start-up Gizmo5 for about USD 30 Million.
The deal comes after Skype successfully negotiated a deal with its former owners Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, to maintain full possession of the technology it requires to operate.
Gizmo5, operated by Michael Robertson (of mp3.com fame), was reportedly in discussions with Skype about a potential acquisition should the company lose its legal battle with its former founders. But since that dela has gone through now, Skype no longer requires Gizmo5 as a potential back-up plan.
Google will now set itself up as a VOIP provider to rival Skype, which holds the vast majority of the market and accounts for 8% of all international voice traffic.
While Google already offers a feature for users to speak over the internet via Google Talk/Voice, it does not have the ability to make incoming or outbound calls to “real” telephones – a service Gizmo5 has already established. Interestingly, Gizmo5 has already been integrated with Google Voice, a service that replaces a user’s telephone numbers with a single number for all devices.

Google has been on the prowl acquiring some strategic companies in what could be termed as the next frontier. After acquring Admob, Techcrunch has reported that it is to acquire VOIP Start-up Gizmo5 for about USD 30 Million.

The deal comes after Skype successfully negotiated a deal with its former owners Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, to maintain full possession of the technology it requires to operate.

Gizmo5, operated by Michael Robertson (of mp3.com fame), was reportedly in discussions with Skype about a potential acquisition should the company lose its legal battle with its former founders. But since that dela has gone through now, Skype no longer requires Gizmo5 as a potential back-up plan.

Google will now set itself up as a VOIP provider to rival Skype, which holds the vast majority of the market and accounts for 8% of all international voice traffic.

While Google already offers a feature for users to speak over the internet via Google Talk/Voice, it does not have the ability to make incoming or outbound calls to “real” telephones – a service Gizmo5 has already established. Interestingly, Gizmo5 has already been integrated with Google Voice, a service that replaces a user’s telephone numbers with a single number for all devices.

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T-Mobile UK agrees ninth major MVNO partner, Vectone. To take on Lyca and Lebara Mobile.

On 10.02.09, In Mobile, By admin
T-mobile along with Vectone intends to capture a large chunk of the increasing migration of international calling minutes on to the mobile.
Vectone is already established across Europe and has over one million customers across Denmark, Norway, Austria, The Netherlands and Switzerland.
T-mobile claims to have over 50% of the wholesale market already (virgin’s MVNO operation rides on t-mobile).
The Ethnic focussed, low-cost prepay service is estimated to target ten million potential subscribers in the UK generating more than seven billion calls per year.
T-Mobile, managing director Richard Moat said: ‘We are delighted to be supporting Vectone’s ambitious expansion plans for the UK market. The deal with Vectone signals our intent to become a major player in the ethnic MVNO arena.
‘With international calling card minutes rapidly migrating to mobile, this is an excellent time to be forging new partnerships in a segment which is showing signs of bucking the recession with strong projected growth rates.
‘Vectone builds on our eight existing MVNO partnerships and underlines our ambitions to target new growth areas in the wholesale market.’
T-mobile along with Vectone intends to capture a large chunk of the potential 7 billion calls per year of international calling from the ethnic community within the UK.
Vectone is already established across Europe and has over one million customers across Denmark, Norway, Austria, The Netherlands and Switzerland.
T-mobile claims to have over 50% of the wholesale market already (virgin’s MVNO operation rides on t-mobile) and with its ninth major partnership, there may be more to cheer about.
The Ethnic focussed, low-cost prepay service is estimated to target ten million potential subscribers in the UK.
T-Mobile, managing director Richard Moat said: ‘We are delighted to be supporting Vectone’s ambitious expansion plans for the UK market. The deal with Vectone signals our intent to become a major player in the ethnic MVNO arena.
‘With international calling card minutes rapidly migrating to mobile, this is an excellent time to be forging new partnerships in a segment which is showing signs of bucking the recession with strong projected growth rates.
‘Vectone builds on our eight existing MVNO partnerships and underlines our ambitions to target new growth areas in the wholesale market.’
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Powertelto intends to launch CDMA wireless network in Bulawayo (Zimbabwe)

On 05.27.09, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Zimbabwe’s Powertel Communications is all set to launch CDMA wireless local loop network in the country’s second largest city Bulawayo before the end of 2009. Powertel has already sourced two base stations that will form the basis for the initial network in Bulawayo, according to a report. Presently, CDMA service is only available to subscribers of incumbent PSTN operator TelOne in the capital Harare and surrounding areas.

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