Verizon Wireless launches new global data plan (USA)
American mobile operator Verizon Wireless is launching a new, easy-to-understand Global Data Plan. Starting April 23, the new Verizon Wireless Global Data Plan offers U.S.-based customers 100 MB of data for $25 a month. For one low cost, customers can access email, browse the Web and update social networks while traveling outside the United States in 120 countries and destinations, including all of Europe, South America, the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada.
With the new Verizon Wireless Global Data Plan, customers can purchase 100 MB of data for $25 a month. Prior to traveling outside the United States, customers should visit the website to determine their coverage needs. To purchase a Global Data plan, customers are required to have a domestic data package and international eligibility, which requires minimum payment history.
Customers who require more than 100 MB of data while traveling will receive a notification via text message when an additional 100 MB of data for $25 has been automatically made available to them once they exceed their initial allotment. Customers traveling to countries not covered under the Global Data Plan, but within Verizon Wireless global coverage areas, will be charged at Pay Per Use rates of $0.02 per KB.
Whether traveling to London for the big games this summer or Oktoberfest in Munich this fall, Verizon Wireless customers with global calling and data services can make and change hotel reservations on the fly, call for and download directions to local attractions and restaurants, and stay in touch with family and friends back home by sharing pictures via email and social networks.
Verizon Wireless customers planning international getaways can take advantage of first-class tools and resources to help manage their wireless travel needs, putting their minds and budgets at ease before they go and once they arrive, such as, Verizon Wireless Trip Planner provides customers information they can use to plan their travels before they leave home, including details about global calling, country-specific coverage and device functionality.
To help travelers get their wireless bearings, Verizon Wireless greets travelers to most overseas destinations with a free welcome text message featuring helpful information for the country they are visiting, including dialing instructions for calling within and to phones outside the country; voice, text and data rates; as well as the ability to reach Verizon Wireless Global Technical Support.
Free Global Data Roaming Usage Alerts help travelers keep an eye on their wireless usage. Verizon Wireless customers automatically receive free alerts via text message or email when Global Data Roaming charges exceed certain thresholds.
Verizon Wireless operates a dedicated, toll-free global support number that will put customers in touch with one of the company’s U.S.-based support centers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers outside the United States can reach the Global Technical Support Team by dialing the appropriate exit code for the country they are in and then 908-559-4899 – a free call from their device. Customers may also reach Global Technical Support free of charge by using the Verizon Wireless Global Calling Card, provided with their global-ready device, if their device is not usable.
America Movil Partners with Appia for the launch of ‘iApps’ (Latin America)
Wireless service provider America Movil, has announced the launch of its iApps Application Stores powered by Appia, bringing a vast catalog of apps and games to all America Movil subscribers across Latin America. According to company reports, the iApps Application Stores are now available through America Movil’s operating partners Claro, Comcel, and Telcel reaching over 240 million mobile subscribers in 18 countries across Latin America including Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.
Marco Quatorze, Director of Value Added Services, America Movil, has said that with the launch of the Application Stores powered by Appia to all America Movil subscribers, Apps are now available to the majority of Latin American Mobile subscribers. Further, Appia’s carrier-grade solution enabled them to quickly roll out the largest Application Store across Latin America.
Appia’s Application Catalog includes thousands of applications and games for Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, and Java phones. The iApps Application Stores include both paid and free applications such as social media, news, weather and sports apps in Spanish, English and Portuguese. Leading application developers including Rovio and Gameloft are distributing their app through the iApps Application store, along with internationally recognized application developers including Facebook, Electronic Arts, and MocoSpace.
Lukasz Deszczulka, Executive VP Marketing, Tequila Mobile, has said that America Movil’s iApps Application Stores have been a great source of traffic for them. Also, the Latin American apps market is growing rapidly, and Appia and America Movil have made it incredibly easy to reach users and generate downloads.
Jud Bowman, CEO, Appia, has said that Appia is excited to partner with America Movil to bring apps to the hundreds of millions of mobile subscribers in North, Central and South America. As app use continues to grow globally, Latin American is a phenomenal opportunity for application distribution and we expect tremendous growth in app consumption.
Televisa’s plea to acquire stake in Iusacell faces rejection (Mexico)
Mexican multimedia conglomerate Televisa’s attempt to acquire a 50 percent stake in mobile operator Iusacell has reportedly been rejected by the Mexican regulatory authority. The deal has been under review for nine months and estimated to be worth US$ 1.6 billion.
According to reports, the decline by the regulatory authority CFC, could have negative consequences for both companies. Sources claim that this move was important for Televisa as it provided the media company an entry into the wireless market. Further, the money would provide Iusacell with the much required financial support to maintain its position in the industry as well as increase its business.
As per sources, the companies can appeal to the agency to review its decision.
Telefonica signs network sharing agreement with China Unicom (Spain, China)
Spanish telecom operator Telefonica has reportedly entered into a strategic partnership with China Unicom, wherein both operators will use each other’s networks to expand their coverage. According to reports, the deal will provide Telefonica access to China Unicom’s network in the regions of Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Australia, France and Sweden.
In return, China Unicom can reportedly increase its presence through Telefonica’s network in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico, USA, Puerto Rico, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland.
Reports suggest that Telefonica believes this agreement will help both operators expand their capabilities to provide telecom services to various customers in different geographic areas.
Virgin Mobile receives MVNO licence for wireless services (Latin America)
The Ministry of Communications and Transportation in Mexico has reportedly approved Virgin Mobile Latin America’s (VMLA) request to offer wireless services as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the country.
According to reports, Virgin Mobile is hopeful of offering its services within one year of its wholesale agreement with a mobile network operator. Phil Wallace, Chairman, VMLA has reportedly said that by having their licence in hand they expect discussions with the operators to proceed along at a quicker pace.
As per sources, in June, Virgin Mobile had announced plans to launch MVNO services in Latin America, following which it signed an agreement with Movistar in Chile where it expects to launch its services by early 2012.
America Movil to cut down interconnection costs (Mexico)
America Movil’s Mexican unit has reportedly agreed to lower the interconnection costs with four operators. Interconnection cost is the charge levied by network operators on other service providers to recover the costs of the interconnection facilities (including the hardware and software for routing, signalling, and other basic service functions) provided by the network operators.
According to reports, telecom regulatory authority, Cofetel, had asked America Movil’s Telecel unit to reduce the charges in an attempt to improve the competition in the mobile phone market. As per sources, Telecel is expected to reduce the interconnection costs progressively to US$ 0.026 in 2012, US$ 0.024 in 2013 and US$ 0.022 in 2014 from US$ 0.028.
Reports suggest that the regulator has said that the deal includes traffic with NII Holdings Inc’s Mexican unit, Nextel Mexico; America Movil’s fixed-line affiliate Telefonos de Mexico and Marcatel.
Telefonica may sell assets to reduce debt (Europe)
Europe’s largest telecom operator, Telefonica, may reportedly sell off its underperforming assets in an attempt to reduce its debt and regain investors confidence after the revenue loss in Spain. According to reports, the operator has no intention of selling its operations in Germany, Mexico and the Czech Republic, or its 9.7 percent stake in China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd.
However, sources claim that the operator has been assessing its business to identify the underperforming assets which can be sold off to reduce their debt amount. As per reports, Cesar Alierta, CEO, Telefonica has been actively cutting down on the size of the workforce along with putting a stop to any merger or amalgamation activity to make up for the losses faced in the year. Further, it has been reported that the operator has been relying heavily on the Latin American economy which accounts for 47 percent of its sales.
Virgin Mobile to launch MVNO services in Chile in 2012 (Latin America)
Virgin Mobile, an innovative wireless service provider, plans to launch mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services in Chile in Latin America by early 2012. As per reports, the company will use Movistar’s (Telefonica) network and has signed an agreement for the same. The company, which begins its MVNO services in Chile, plans to expand its services in Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, Colombia and Mexico. The company aims to target the youth consumers by positioning itself as a fresh alternative to existing wireless providers.
As per sources, Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin, has said that they are very excited about what they have achieved in their first commercial operation in Chile. He added that this is a very interesting project for Virgin and they believe that all Virgin Mobile Chile clients will be very satisfied with the services they will offer with this launch. Further, Claudio Muñoz, Executive President, Movistar has said they are convinced that this agreement will make the telecommunications market grow in Chile. The fact that Virgin Mobile will start operating as a new mobile operator shows that this type of business is likely between companies.
America Movil and Citigroup to launch mobile banking services (Latin America)
America Movil, Mexico based wireless service provider, has reportedly entered into a joint venture with Citigroup to provide mobile banking services in Latin America. The $50 million venture has been named ‘Transfer’ and is expected to begin in Mexico by early next year.
As per reports, the joint venture will enable customers to open bank accounts, transfer money, withdraw cash from the ATMs along with shop, receive payments and pay bills via their mobile handsets. The service will initially be offered to clients of Citi’s Mexican subsidiary, Banamex and Telcel.
Manuel Medina-Mora, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Latin America & Mexico of Citigroup Inc. has reportedly said that the governments could use ‘Transfer’ as a platform for making benefits available to the poor, as well as for civil service payroll.
Visually impaired to be able to use a tablet as a Braille keyboard (USA)
In what could be a one of the most revolutionary ideas in technology, US researchers have come up with an innovative design thereby allowing visually impaired people to use the touchscreen of a tablet like a Braille keyboard.
As per reports, the software creates a smart keyboard for the users. When users place eight fingers on the screen, the keyboard appears. Further, the menu is activated by shaking the device and regular touch gestures enable further interaction.
This concept was introduced by Stanford’s Sohan Dharmaraja along with Adam Duran, an undergraduate from new Mexico University and assistant professor Adrian Lew at the boffin’s X-Factor-style contest. Professor Lew reportedly said that this technology will help empower the visually impaired during the regular course of their lives. For example, this can help them in basic activities like taking notes in a classroom, or needing to take down someone’s phone number while walking down the street.
Further, Mr. Dharmaraja added that while current physical note takers are big and clunky and range from $3,000 to $6,000; tablets are available for a fraction of the cost while performing many more services.
