MTS offers free Facebook SMS alerts (Russia)
MTS has announced that it has launched a free Facebok SMS alert offer for subscribers.
An incoming SMS message includes the link to the mobile version of Facebook, and the subsequent internet traffic is charged according to the customer’s tariff plan.
Velcom releases new business tariffs (Belarus)
Velcom has launched the new tariff dubbed ‘Business.Pro. Platinum tariff’ which focuses on VIP subscribers.
The tariff includes 200 minutes of international calls, 500 minutes of calls to all networks, 250MB of internet traffic, antivirus software, counter-number definition service, twin-card and SIM replacement if required.
Divided FCC adopts approve new rules to protect Web traffic (USA)
A divided Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved new rules to prohibit broadband companies from interfering with Internet traffic flowing to their customers.
The FCC’s three Democrats voted to pass the rules, while the two Republicans opposed them, calling them unnecessary regulation. The new rules are likely to face intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill once Republicans take over the House. Meanwhile, public interest groups decried the regulations as too weak, particularly for wireless systems.
Known as net neutrality, the rules prohibit phone and cable companies from favoring or discriminating against Internet content and services, such as those from rivals.
The rules require broadband providers to let subscribers access all legal online content, applications and services over their wired networks — including online calling services, Internet video and other Web applications that compete with their core businesses. But the rules give broadband providers flexibility to manage data on their systems to deal with problems such as network congestion and unwanted traffic including spam as long as they publicly disclose their network management practices.
The regulations prohibit unreasonable network discrimination — a category that FCC officials stated would most likely include services that favor traffic from the broadband providers themselves or traffic from business partners that could pay for priority. The rules do, however, leave the door open for broadband providers to experiment with routing traffic from specialized services such as smart grids and home security systems over dedicated networks as long as these services are separate from the public Internet.
Additionally, the regulations prohibit wireless carriers from blocking access to any websites or competing applications such as Internet calling services on mobile devices, and require them to disclose their network management practices, too. But the rules give wireless companies more leeway to manage data traffic because wireless systems have more bandwidth constraints than wired networks.
Genachowski stated “The regulations will prohibit broadband providers from abusing their control over the on-ramps that consumers use to get onto the Internet. The companies won’t be able to determine where their customers go and what they can do online. Today, for the first time, they are adopting rules to preserve basic Internet values. For the first time, they will have enforceable rules of the road to preserve Internet freedom and openness.”
FCC plans to vote on network neutrality rules
FCC is planning to tackle Internet traffic rules intended to prohibit broadband providers from blocking or slowing some traffic at a December 21 meeting contentious.
The Federal Communications Commission has announced a tentative agenda for its next meeting that included an order to adopt regulations to preserve the open Internet as a platform for innovation, investment, competition and free expression.
According to the agency, the rules would protect the transmission of lawful Internet traffic for consumers, while giving broadband providers the flexibility to manage their networks.
So-called net neutrality rules would determine whether high-speed Internet providers such as Comcast Corp and Verizon Communications Inc should be allowed to block or slow content information, or charge for a fast lane to reach users more quickly.
The main concern is how quickly consumers, particularly those using handheld devices such as Research in Motion Ltd’s BlackBerry and Apple Inc’s iPhone, can receive and download videos and other content.
Broadband providers say they should be able to manage networks, but some public interest groups and content providers argue that there should be a level playing field for all Internet users.
Moscow capacity tripled by Rostelecom
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The overhaul of the Moscow traffic exchange has been completed by the Russian long-distance carrier Rostelecom resulting in the tripling of the capacity to 30Gbps in response to growing local internet traffic.
State-owned conglomerate Svyazinvest that holds controlling interest in Rostelecom forms a major part of the company’s restructuring plans.
With the aim to provide fixed line telephony, broadband and mobile services across the whole country, Svyazinvest has planned to combine its seven regional fixed line operators with Rostelecom
Bezeq’s payment for internet traffic halted by NetVision (Israel)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: A payment deal has been unilaterally cancelled by Israeli telco NetVision which it had in place with fixed line incumbent Bezeq. The company expressed its unwillingness to pay Bezeq under the terms of the arrangement, in which fees owed to the latter are based on the volume of traffic over the network.
Netvision’s move is attributed to a surge in such fees related to internet traffic, however, the company has not yet revealed whether it intends to cancel a similar deal with cableco HOT Telecommunication Systems, as the two companies have a similar agreement, although the price per GB it pays HOT is lower.
Bezeq’s prices are claimed to be too high by Netvision, especially when considering the rising level of internet traffic, but has noted that it has no alternative other than to work with the incumbent.
By the End of March 2006, 25 Public Telecommunications Network Operators Were Authorised to Offer Services in Portugal
According to industry regulator ANACOM, Portugal’s electronic communications services market generated income of EUR 7,494.3 million in 2004 (latest data), up from EUR 7,160.5 million in 2003 and EUR 7,039.8 million in 2002. The fixed-line and mobile telephony services sectors accounted for the majority of this income, with mobile telephony leading the field with income of EUR 3,059.5 million in 2004 (up from EUR 2,796.8 million in 2003 and EUR 2,530.3 million in 2002) and fixed-line services bringing in EUR 1,703.7 million in 2004 (down from EUR 1,856.2 million in 2003 and EUR 1,939.9 million in 2002).
By the end of March 2006, ANACOM reported that 25 public telecommunications network operators were authorised to offer services in Portugal; of that number, 22 were registered as being fixed telecommunications service providers. Of those 22, however, only 12 were operational, including incumbent fixed-line operator Portugal Telecom. At that time, Portugal Telecom companies held a 75.2% share of the total traffic market (voice plus Internet), distributed between 72.2% of the voice traffic market and 93.8% of the Internet traffic market. Competitors accounted for just 13.1% of all fixed lines in service as of March 2006. Major alternative fixed-line operators in Portugal are Tele2, Novis, Oni Telecom, and cable TV operator Cabovisao.
There are just three cellular operators active in Portugal. TMN is a subsidiary of Portugal Telecom and accounted for 48.2% of all subscribers as of June 2006. Vodafone-controlled Telecel took second place with 34.5% of the market at that time, while third-placed Optimus accounted for just 17.3% of the market. There were 11.13 million cellular subscribers as of June 2006.
The market could conceivably undergo a significant change in structure if the Sonae group succeeds in acquiring a controlling stake in Portugal Telecom. Sonae launched an unsolicited offer for control of the incumbent in February 2006; this offer was valued at EUR 10,700 million, but it was rejected by Portugal Telecom. With Sonae owning Optimus, success in acquiring a majority stake in Portugal Telecom would mean that two out of the countries three cellular operators would come under the control of a single investor. It seems clear that Optimus would have to be divested if Sonae is to prove successful. The competition authority is likely to make this a condition of allowing the transaction to proceed. In the meantime, rival bids appear to be in the offing from several groups, including a party of private equity companies led by Blackstone, Cinven, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Permira, Providence Equity, and Texas Pacific.
In August 2006, it was reported that SonaeCom may have to sell off Portugal Telecom’s wireline infrastructure if it is to receive approval for the takeover bid. It was reported that the competition authority would demand the sale if it is to give approval to SonaeCom’s proposals.
Ahead of the sale, several minority shareholders in Portugal Telecom have increased their stakes in the company in an attempt to benefit financially should they be approached by Sonae or the private equity bidders for their shares. Such minority shareholders include ABN Amro, JP Morgan, and Telefonos de Mexico (Telmex).
Each extensive Market Intelligence Report includes the following sections: Economic, Social, Political, and Telecoms Indicators; key data presented in tabular form. Regulation; a summary/overview of the market and regulatory climate, followed by synopses of the regulators powers and other competition or ministerial bodies to which it reports or with which it co-operates. A summary of the regulations in force, a list of differences in the types of available licences and a list of the licences issued. Market Indicators; the available data is presented in tabular form with commentary and graphics. Major Operators; contact data and company information, including ownership, background where relevant for pan-European carriers, licensed activities, scope of activities/services, recent major equipment contracts, summary of network status, references to major subsidiaries, joint ventures, and alliances. Major Manufacturers; contact data and company information including ownership, background where relevant, manufacturing & distribution activities, recent major equipment contracts, references to major subsidiaries, joint ventures, and alliances. Industry Associations; contact data and organisation information covering background where relevant, activities/objectives and references to members.
Source- broadcastnewsroom Wireless Mobile Telecom
