100k low-cost broadband subscriptions targeted by Telesp (Brazil)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Under the ‘Programa Banda Larga Popular’ project, 60,000 to 100,000 low-cost broadband lines could be sold by Telefonica de Brazil (including Telesp) this year. The project is designed to provide inexpensive high speed internet access to lower income households throughout the Sao Paulo state.
The commercial launch of the new service would begin on February 24 and BRL29.80 (USD16) per month would be charged for a line giving a 256kbps connection in the city of Sao Paulo as well as certain cities across the state. The service will be offered via cable and wireless technology.
Discount prepaid service O.tel.o to be launched by Vodafone Germany
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: With the re- launch of its mobile discount brand, o.tel.o, Vodafone Germany is ready to offer low-cost prepaid services through minute/SMS fee of EUR 0.09 for calls/messages within Germany.
EUR 0.09 per minute will be charged for calling fixed networks in 32 countries around the world and EUR 0.09 per minute is the amount to be paid while accessing mobile internet within Germany.
O.tel.o Prepaid is marketed via its website or retail partners offering a starter package for EUR 9.95 including SIM card with EUR 10 call credit.
Motorola & Google to design Nexus Two
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: With the huge success of Nexus One, Google is working on its sequel, Nexus Two, along with Motorola. According to Co-CEO Sanjay Jha, the company has the ambition to launch 20 smartphones in 2010 including one direct-to-consumer device with Google.
Google is selling the HTC designed Nexus One directly through a web-based sales channel, and through carrier partnerships and plans to sell Nexus Two the same way.
Vodafone Portugal to launch 43Mbps mobile broadband by year-end
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Deployment of HSPA+ Release 8 technology will be completed by Vodafone Portugal across its network by May 2010 with an aim to commercially launch the upgrade by year-end. The announcement was made after the successful demonstration of peak download speeds of 43Mbps, while claiming that upload speeds of up to 11Mbps will be available.
Currently, the deployment is carried out in partnership with Qualcomm and Ericsson. Although the completion of the up gradation is expected to be in the second quarter of 2010, the first compatible USB devices will be commercially available only until year-end 2010. The launch of the first handset can extend up to mid-2011.
Telekom Malaysia’s HSBB network costs MYR 55 per port
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: In order to access the ‘High Speed Broadband’ (HSBB) network of Telekom Malaysia (TM), access seekers will have to pay MYR 52 to MYR 55 per port, depending on volume and contract duration and they will be given preferences on first-come-first-served basis. The project is a public-private-partnership between the Malaysian government and TM and includes an investment of MYR 11.3 billion.
Access seekers planning to offer at least dual-play services to consumers have been offered these ports in order to prevent resellers offering only broadband at a higher price without adding value to the network. The consumer retail service will be launch in March, in Bangsar, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya and Taman Tun Dr Ismail.
Sony Ericsson to supply Android smartphone to DoCoMo
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Sony Ericsson signed a deal with Japan’s largest mobile carrier NTT DoCoMo to supply its first smartphone using Google Inc.’s Android operating system, Xperia X10, to be launched in April.
However, Sony’s Ericsson’s entry in the iPhone market is late to compete with Apple Inc.’s iPhone or Research In Motion Ltd.’s Blackberry devices.
According to Bert Nordberg, president of the loss-making joint venture between Sony Corp. and Sweden’s Ericsson, DoCoMo will be company’s first customer globally to get its new mobile phone.
Some of the features of the phone include four-inch touch-screen and a powerful mobile processor besides some software features that allows users to track all of their communication with friends or colleagues, spanning phone calls, e-mail and even social networks like Twitter and Facebook.
Nokia’s software updater gets Windows 7 support
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: A new version of the Nokia Updater software has been launched by Nokia’s Beta Labs which is compatible with computers running Windows 7.
After installation the software will allow Windows 7 users to plug their Nokia devices into their PC’s USB drive and perform system and other updates to their Nokia phone.
Vodafone UK to offer Truphone’s MVNO service
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Truphone, UK and US VoIP provider and British telco Vodafone UK has signed a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) deal. As per this deal, Vodafone’s UK mobile network could be accessed by Truphone, allowing it to deliver voice and data services to its Truphone Local Anywhere subscribers.
A quick hook will be offered by MVNO service allowing customers to pay local rates in countries where it has wholesale partnerships. Besides, users will also be able to store multiple local mobile numbers for different countries on a single SIM.
According to Geraldine Wilson, CEO of Truphone, similar wholesale partnership are being prepared for other key travel destinations around the world such as Australia, Hong Kong and South Africa, in time for launch and rollout throughout 2010.
Anywhere has also been launched in the US but the name of the operator offering the service has not been revealed.
Vodafone Qatar claims 20% market share
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: 353,580 customers had been signed by Vodafone Qatar by the end of December 2009. By this, it got a market share of over 20% just six months after its commercial network launch on 1 July.
The increase in the company’s user number is said to be beyond expectations with all financial indicators either in line or ahead of its plan. A nine-month revenue of QAR217 million (USD60 million) was posted by Vodafone Qatar even after introducing its service with a limited trial in March 2009.
Besides, the international calling promotion in 4Q 2009 also proved to be successful with users making over 70 million minutes of overseas calls in November alone.
Viettel hopes to offer iPhone from March; posts 80% increase in 2009 revenue
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: With an 80% year-on-year increase, Viettel’s 2009 full-year revenue reached VND60 trillion (USD3.2 billion). 60% increase in the turnover is eyed by the Vietnamese military-owned telecoms company in 2010. Besides, the company is also planning to invest in a total of 15 countries by 2015.
Cambodia and Laos also receives service from Viettel with revenue from these markets reaching USD70 million in 2009. An agreement with Apple is also on the verge of finalization after which Viettel may see the launch of its iPhone in Vietnam from March, thus, becoming the country’s official distributor of the handset.
