Maxis Berhad offers attractive data plans for new ipad (Malaysia)
Maxis Berhad announced that it will offer a range of attractive data plans for the new iPad. These plans take advantage of Maxis’ recent and widespread network upgrades using ‘HSPA+ Dual Carrier’ technology, doubling the download and websurfing performance previously available.
The third generation iPad is a category defining mobile device that features a stunning new Retina display, Apple’s new A5X chip with quad-core graphics and a 5 megapixel iSight camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video. It also still delivers the same all-day 10 hour battery life while remaining amazingly thin and light. iPad is world-ready, allowing users to connect to fast networks worldwide when they travel.
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.
Apple releases new iPad in South Korea and 11 additional countries (USA)
Apple launched the new iPad, the third generation of its category defining mobile device, in South Korea and 11 additional countries on Friday, April 20. The new iPad features a stunning new Retina display, Apple’s new A5X chip with quad-core graphics and a 5 megapixel iSight camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video. The new iPad still delivers the same all-day 10 hour battery life while remaining amazingly thin and light.
In addition to South Korea, the new iPad also will be available beginning on Friday, April 20 in Brunei, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia, Panama, St Maarten, Uruguay and Venezuela. Beginning on Friday, April 27, the new iPad will be available in Colombia, Estonia, India, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, South Africa and Thailand.
The new iPad Wi-Fi models will be available in black or white for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model and $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The iPad Wi-Fi + 4G models will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model.
The new iPad will be sold through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com) and select Apple Authorized Resellers. Additionally, iPad 2 is available at a more affordable price starting at just $399.
Maxis introduces cloud computing service in schools (Malaysia)
Telecom operator Maxis developed Cyberkids with Cloud as a computing platform for schools to have instant access to virtual servers for the running of web-based applications. Cloud computing is about outsourcing server and storage functions (that is, computing power), allowing users to keep and access all data, software and applications via the Internet. In addition, the elasticity of cloud allows schools to tap into more computing power on demand. Cyberkids with Cloud frees schools from operating, maintaining and supporting servers and related hardware. Each school will be given free access to a cloud computing platform with 20GB storage with 100mbps bandwidth for a period of one year.
The deployment of the Maxis Cyberkids with Cloud programme encourages the integration of ICT in education as part of the daily teaching and learning process. With this, schools can boost the efficiency and productivity of both teachers and students through greater flexibility to experiment with newer apps and platforms. This beneficial service also further exemplifies the Company’s integrated position by enabling education that is available anytime and anywhere for teachers and students.
The Maxis Cyberkids with Cloud programme is a natural extension of Maxis’ award-winning Maxis Cyberkids programme which has entered its 10th year. It supports the government’s effort towards Vision 2020 – to transform the Malaysian education system by integrating ICT into mainstream education. The Company continuously strives to provide leading-edge technology and innovation to create value for the communities in which the company operates.
The most recent school to receive Maxis Cyberkids with Cloud training, SMK Merotai Besar in Tawau, is also the first rural school in Sabah to receive cloud technology. The school won the Cyberkids Challenge in 2010 and the Star Award in 2011 due to its commitment in sharing its Cyberkids experience with 40 other schools in the area. The school’s alumni now count themselves amongst the programme’s trainers as they seek to share what they have learnt to the benefit of the other schools in Tawau. This highlights one of the core goals of the programme which is to train teachers and students on how to use cloud.
Cloud technology is especially important for schools such as SMK Merotai Besar as it is able to remove barriers in education, providing equal opportunities for various communities to learn and obtain information, including special needs groups.
P1 to offer fibre optics broadband along with 4G wireless service (Malaysia)
Malaysia’s pioneer in 4G broadband, Packet One Networks (P1) has announced plans slated to propel the organisation to an eminent next generation telco that is ‘Built for More’.
According to Michael Lai, Chief Executive Officer of P1, the company will be the only telco in Malaysia and one of the few telcos in the world to offer fibre optics broadband alongside a 4G wireless service. This exclusive combination is designed to meet the needs of customers who desire premium grade broadband service at a fixed location while must have the convenience of 4G wireless broadband when out and about. P1’s fibre optics will be available to Malaysians within its coverage and details of the exciting best of both worlds’ packages will make its debut in late March.
Lai added that with the advent of the Internet, time and space are irrelevant. He said that they see a lot of momentum in Malaysian SMBs for information and communications technology service development so that they can be more competitive locally and globally. P1’s business suites range from fibre optics broadband, session initiation protocol (SIP) trunking service, voice services to a plethora of Internet Protocol-related offerings.
The new strategy is expected to enable P1 to become a full-fledged wired and wireless 4G broadband provider with value-added multi-services solutions.
Axiata may be looking to acquire stake in Tikona (Asia)
Leading telecommunications company Axiata is reportedly looking to buy a stake in Indian internet service provider, Tikona Digital, in an attempt to increase its presence in the Indian broadband market. According to reports, the Malaysian telecom operator has been holding discussions with Tikona’s main shareholders comprising of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Oak Investment Partners and Everstone Capital Advisors Ltd.
As per industry reports, Tikona acquired broadband spectrum in five circles including Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh (East and West), for US$ 206 million, during the 2010 auctions.
In the event that the deal goes through, it is likely to intensify competition in one of the world’s largest telecom market with a huge potential for data revenue. With voice and text revenues steadily declining, operators have been turning towards data services to maintain their profit margins.
The company is yet to make an official statement concerning the same.
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.
China Mobile launches new daily data roaming package (Asia)
China Mobile, the world’s leading mobile phone operator, has reportedly launched a new daily data roaming tariff package for its users. The company had earlier introduced a package offering reduced international roaming tariffs for voice, text messages and mobile data across 23 countries and regions.
According to reports, currently, the new tariff plan has been launched in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea and Thailand, and is largely aimed at international travelers using their mobile handset to surf the internet. As per sources, customers subscribing to the daily data tariff package can access unlimited roaming data in specific operator networks for a daily fixed charge while roaming in any of the aforesaid places. Further, reports suggest that the per day charge for the service will be around $14 in Hong Kong as compared to $15.3 payable at the other places.
Sale of India’s Aircel to Malaysia’s Maxis for $1 billion to be investigated (India)
The Indian criminal investigation body, CBI is tipped to initiate a probe into allegations with regard to the sale of shares in Aircel, a local mobile network to Maxis based in Malaysia, saying that the transaction was forcefully facilitated by the then telecom minister of India, Dyanidhi Maran.
Former CEO of Aircel, C Sivasankaran had alleged in the past that he was forced by Maran to sell his stake in Aircel to Maxis in December 2005 for $ 1.08 billion, in view of the minister withholding mobile licenses.
According to the Aircel’s former CEO, the minister’s actions had imposed on him to complete the sale to Maxis. In addition, Maxis’ promoter was also said to be a close aid of the Maran family. Eventually, the licenses were issued by Maran once the Maxis had taken over Aircel.
Maxis’ official holdings in the Indian mobile network stand at 65% while it owns an additional but indirect stake of 9% through a separate holding company in Deccan Digital.
Meanwhile, a report has also surfaced recently; claiming even though, the official majority stake holder in Deccan Digital is the Indian Apollo Hospitals, controlled by Suneeta Reddy, there is a gap with regard to the equity capital and share capital; insinuating that Maxis owns 97% of the capital through preference shares, higher than the government limit on foreign shareholders.
Operators launch prepay data roaming service in Asia on the back of an alliance
In order to offer a universal prepaid SIM card designed for mobile data roaming, eleven Asian mobile networks have joined hands. The rate for data usage would be a uniform one at $12 per day for unlimited downloads.
Singapore (SingTel Mobile), Malaysia (Maxis), Indonesia (Telkomsel), Philippines (Globe Telecom), Thailand (AIS) and India (Airtel) constitute the Bridge Alliance member networks across which countries, the Bridge AsiaRoamData SIM will be usable.
The Bridge AsiaRoamData SIM starter kit will cost $15 that is comprised of a data SIM card bundled with 1-day unlimited data roaming plan. Subsequent daily usage charges will be US$12 per day.
Currently, eleven Asian mobile operators constitute the Bridge Alliance partnership.
