www.WirelessFederation.com/news: With an addition of 148,300 new subscribers last month, Japan’s largest mobile operator by subscribers and revenues, NTT DoCoMo has reclaimed the top spot from Softbank Mobile for the first time in seven months. The subscribers gain by the telco is biggest gain of any of the country’s cellcos.

According to the company, the strong performance was the result of its data communication modems and discount billing programmes which helped entice customers to sign up to its services.

On the other hand, net 145,800 customers were added by the third largest player by subscribers, Softbank and 121,400 were gained by second-placed KDDI Corp. PHS operator Willcom lost 69,600 on the previous month, closing February with 4.171 million users.

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KDDI to reduce stake in J:COM (Japan)

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Japan’s second largest telecoms group KDDI Corp is set to buy a reduced stake in the firm from its owner US-based Liberty Global to scale back its aspirations for Japanese cable network operator J:COM. On January 25, a USD4 billion cash deal was signed between KDDI Corp and cable TV operator Jupiter Telecommunications (J:COM) from Liberty Global Inc. as per which 38% stake of the latter was acquired by the former.

Through this deal, KDDI hopes to get an access to a potential 3.2 million households for telephony services and simultaneously reduce its reliance of using NTT’s fibre-optic networks.

Soon after that, the deal got entangled and investigation into the legality of the plan was started by the regulators who were looking to slap an USD884 million fine on KDDI. According to KDDI spokeswoman Kayo Sekine at that time, the company will cooperate if the FSA should make a formal request for information and adhere to any FSA guidance. However, no comment was given on the rumored USD884 million fines.

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Japan’s KDDI Corp has signed a contract with global managed service provider company Virtela Communications in order to expand its reach for enterprise network products to more than 190 markets.

According to telecomworldwide reports, the multi-carrier network of Virtela will offer Japanese enterprises with cost effective choices for global network services and support.

However, the report did not disclose any financial details.

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www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Vodafone’s 3G network goes live in hundreds of regional areas today (Monday 31 August), increasing competition and offering choice and value to customers.
Vodafone customers in upgraded areas can now access 3G services on-the-move, such as internet and email on their mobile phone, or laptop via Vodafone Mobile Broadband*.
To celebrate the 3G upgrade, Vodafone is offering all new and existing customers (on prepaid and contract) unlimited, free access to Facebook on their mobile phone, until 31 October 2009^.
Nigel Dews, CEO at Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA), says regional customers can now enjoy 3G services at Vodafone’s great value prices.
“Vodafone is committed to investing in its network to make state-of-the-art 3G services more accessible and affordable.
“Vodafone’s great value 3G services are now available to Australians living and working in regional cities and towns, as well as business travellers and holiday-makers who need to stay connected.
“More Vodafone customers, in more places, can now get online on their mobile phone or laptop while they’re out and about, to keep up-to-date on emails, stay in-touch with friends and family via Facebook, MySpace or Twitter and blog, game or Google,” he said. Vodafone’s 3G network coverage now extends out to Kununurra in WA, Port Douglas in Queensland and Devonport in Tasmania, reaching 94 per cent of the Australian population. Vodafone’s 3G coverage previously reached 80 per cent of the Australian population.
To access Vodafone’s 3G services in both regional and metropolitan areas, customers can purchase one of 18 3G 900Mhz mobile phones available on Vodafone prepaid or contract, such as the prepaid Nokia 6220 for $229. Vodafone Prepaid Flexi Caps start at $29 (includes $300 total value)~ and give customers the freedom to spend their included Flexible Credit any way they like – on calls, txt, internet browsing, instant messaging and downloading games or music. As part of the upgrade, Vodafone’s regional 2G network will now support EDGE technology. Existing Vodafone customers with a 2G mobile phone will continue to access voice and txt services as normal and can experience an increase in data speeds. Coverage maps, information on compatible mobile phones and pricing details are available in Vodafone stores and online at www.vodafone.com.au.

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Samsung will soon reportedly launch a  new low cost touchscreen handset, dubbed as Samsung S3650 Corby.
Featuring a design and a choice of colors (yellow + black) that will probably attract many young mobile users, the Samsung S3650 Corby will be available in Europe in the next few weeks. The handset is likely to be priced at around EUR 200.

Here are the main specs of Samsung Corby:

  • Quad-band GSM connectivity with GPRS and EDGE
  • 2.8 inch QVGA touchscreen display
  • Access to YouTube, MySpace and Facebook
  • Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP
  • MP3 player
  • FM radio
  • 2MP camera
  • MicroSD card support
  • 103 x 57 x 13 mm
  • 92 grams

The handset has also received FCC’s approval and is likely to be launched in USA via AT&T or T-Mobile, as a 3G-less, inexpensive handset.

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Samsung has officially introduced the new Samsung S3100. The S3100 is a basic phone which targets at those who don’t want to spend much for a handset.
The specs of Samsung S3100 include:

  • Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
  • 2.1 inch TFT display with 176 x 220 pixels and 262k colors
  • Bluetooth 2.1
  • MP3 player
  • NetFront 3.5 Web browser
  • Email
  • 1.3MP camera
  • MicroSD card support
  • 800 mAh battery (talk-time: up to 530 minutes; stand-by time: up to 490 hours)
  • 95 x 47 x 14.9 mm
  • 99.2 grams

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Huawei, a leader in providing next-generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, today announced that it has been selected by Grameenphone (GP), a subsidiary of Telenor, to deploy Bangladesh’ s first solar-powered base transceiver stations (BTS).

Huawei will install its fourth-generation base stations, using a solar and diesel generator hybrid power solution to provide mobile connectivity in rural areas. The base stations will primarily be powered by harnessing solar energy without having to be linked to an electricity grid. The diesel generator will be used as a backup. (more…)

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www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The specifications of the new Dell Android handset which will be soon launched in China have been released. Firstly the handset looks like the smartphone is codenamed Benzine – but will probably be marketed as Dell Mini 3i.

The handset features:

  • Quad-band GSM connectivity with GPRS and EDGE
  • 3.5 inch touchscreen display with 640 x 360 pixels, 262K colors and handwriting recognition
  • Multi touch User Interface
  • Virtual QWERTY keyboard
  • A-GPS
  • Microsoft Exchange support
  • Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR, USB 2.0
  • 3MP autofocus camera with flash and 30fps video recording
  • MicroSD card support
  • 122 x 58 x 11.7 mm
  • 103 grams

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: ZTE Corporation, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions today announced that it has signed a cooperation agreement with WILLCOM, the fourth largest mobile operator in Japan. Under the agreement, ZTE has partnered with WILLCOM to supply its 3G Data Card MF633 (WILLCOM’s model is HX003ZT) to the Japan market, bringing high-speed Internet users access to rich 3G network applications.

Since making its debut in the Japan market in 2008, ZTE’s 3G Data Card products have been adopted by JCI.ZTE’s partnership with WILLCOM marks another significant business expansion into a high-end overseas market. As a top four mobile operator, and the largest Personal Handy-phone System (PHS) operatorin Japan, WILLCOM has 4.6 million users and commands great influence in the local market. (more…)

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Du has allocated AED200 million to expand and improve its indoor network coverage in hundreds of high traffic areas across the country, with the continued roll out of in-building upgrades. Since 2007, the telco has already made an investment of more than AED500 million in indoor connectivity improvements, which it says has enabled it to provide GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G and 3.5G capability in any location it covers, such as shopping centres, airport buildings, hospitals, universities, hotels and resorts.

‘We are committed to bringing our state-of-the-art EDGE network to customers across the UAE,’ said Hatem Bamatraf, senior VP of network development at Du, adding, ‘The EDGE network is compatible with the latest 3.5 and 3G mobile technologies, as well as the 4G technologies of the future. In addition to expanding our coverage, we are also dedicating substantial resources to vastly improve network reliability in indoor areas and ensure ultra-clear and dependable service where our subscribers live, play and do business.’