Bharti Airtel’s Q4 results to rise 3.5 percent at $3.73 billion (India)
According to estimates from research firms, leading telecom operator Bharti Airtel is expected to see a 3.5 per cent increase in its Q4 results, reaching $3.73 billion, as reported by Moneycontrol. The report reveals that the company’s net profit is expected to rise up to 28.1 per cent at $252 million, QoQ.
As per the report, Bharti is expected to report 3.5 per cent qoq revenue growth. Indian mobile revenue is expected to growth 3.7 per cent, while ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) is expected to be at $ 3.7. The revenue from its African operations is expected to bring in revenues of $ 1.07 billion.
The key things the operator plans to focus on include increasing its subscriber base owing to the roll-out of the 3G network. Also, improved network management and data traffic will remain a key point for the operator.
Vodafone launches special service for corporate segment (UK)
Mobile operator Vodafone said that its new service offers mobile network priority to corporate customers. According to reports, a company spokesman said that subscribers to Vodafone’s two most expensive data bundles used in laptops or tablet PCs, but not in smartphones, will benefit from the new service in a six-month pilot project at no extra cost.
As per reports, Vodafone also said it will raise investment in current fiscal 2013, which ends March 31, to $ 340 million from $ 327 million in the previous year, to improve its mobile networks. The move will offer corporate customers more bandwidth to better deal with heavy traffic. Further, the operator has claimed that the priority treatment is limited to some customers only and other clients won’t be disadvantaged by it.
du announces ‘The Executive Plan’: the new business class mobile plan (UAE)
du has introduced ‘The Executive Plan’ for its users which is a premium experience that ensures total comfort and ease during their business travels. It offers the ultimate communications solution to keep one connected no matter where they are in the world, with bundled national and international minutes; generous roaming benefits; a choice of national data or international BlackBerry service; a special number inclusive of a smartphone.
In addition, the plan entitles the customer to a free annual membership to Priority Pass with access to over 600 airport lounges in 300 cities over 100 countries. Additionally, dedicated Customer Care services are available 24/7 to take care of any communications needs. Users can avail all these benefits and conveniences for US$ 273 per month.
Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du, said that they wanted to create the perfect plan for busy business executives and small business owners across the UAE – a plan that’s reliable, that makes business travel convenient and even easier, and delivers a premium experience time and again. The executive plan is an essential communications and experience tool for business executives on the move. The benefits not only give peace of mind, but also help to make business life easier whether in the UAE or abroad.
Business customers can subscribe to ‘The Executive Plan’ at du Shops in more than 40 locations across the UAE or contact their account manager or du’s channel partners.
LIME launches 4G in select areas (UK)
Telecom operator LIME has rolled out its 4G service for users in certain regions. According to reports, the operator has dubbed this next generation service as the ‘4G Experience Zones’, which will initially focus on certain commercial and residential areas. Users in these areas will be able to access faster data transfer speeds on their 4G enabled handsets.
Reports reveal that Grace Silvera, Regional Vice President, Marketing & Corporate Communications, has said that LIME is proud to be the first to bring to Jamaica the experience of 4G technology which builds on their track record of having the best mobile data experience, full stop. This has catapulted Jamaica into the realm of a handful of countries around the world with this technology standard.
Silvera also claims that LIME will be the first to offer an opportunity for customers to experience the capability of the most advanced network technology in the world within the selected zones covering the large business district of Knutsford Boulevard and sections of New Kingston, Carlton Crescent, Half Way Tree Road, Portmore Mall and immediate surrounding areas plus Fairview Mall in Montego Bay, St. James.
eMobile launches 4G-LTE mobile data services (Japan)
Telecom operator eMobile has reportedly launched ultra-high speed Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile data services with download speeds up to 75 Mbps and upload speeds up to 25 Mbps. The new service is expected to cost US$ 47 per month.
According to reports, the launch will initially cover the Kanto area with other major cities to receive the service by mid 2012. Rival operator NTT DoCoMo launched its 4G network in December 2010, while Softbank mobile launched its 4G services last month.
4G LTE service offers user faster access to mobile data and enables them to stream and download high-definition videos faster and without interruptions. With voice revenues declining, mobile operators have been turning towards revenue from mobile data services to maintain their profit margins.
Meteor abolishes roaming charges in Europe (Ireland, Europe)
Mobile operator Meteor Ireland has become the first operator to abolish roaming charges in Europe enabling consumers to pay the same charges for calls and texts as when they are at home.
According to the company, the new service applies to both Pay-as-you-go and Bill pay customers. Further, the new policy would enable customers to pay more than 60 per cent less than Vodafone and O2 while roaming.
For users on the operator’s pay-as-you-go service, the call rates will be dropped to US$ 0.38 while texts will be charged at US$ 0.16. While, on the other hand, Bill Pay customers will be charged US$ 0.13 for a text and US$ 0.33 for a call. Also, all incoming calls and texts would be free for the consumer.
Reports reveal that Bill Blake, spokesman for Meteor has classified this decision as a groundbreaking one. He said that their customers will no longer have to worry about paying more for calls and texts while in the EU, with the added benefit of being able to receive calls from family and friends for free, as reported by the Irishtimes.
Talking about mobile data charges while roaming, Blake said that the wholesale rate for data in Europe at the moment is US$ 1.04 per Mb so they will be dropping their charges by 90 per cent. He concluded by saying that as this price continues to drop they will be hoping to pass that on to consumers but they’ve unfortunately not been able to bring it in line with domestic rates just yet.
3 Italy selects Ericsson to upgrade its network with LTE and HSPA (Italy)
Ericsson is strengthening its partnership with 3 in Italy and managed services network infrastructure. To cope with the boom in mobile data traffic, 3 Italy has renewed its agreement with Ericsson with the objective to enhance its broadband network mobile in terms of coverage, capacity and performance.
After the end of March 2012, three Italy is the only operator in the country to offer network-wide access to mobile broadband internet with speeds up to 42Mbps in the downlink and up to 5.76 Mbps on the uplink. The agreement will also enable 3 Italy to have a network already LTE prepared at 100 Mbps for commercial launch in 2012. With this contract Ericsson strengthens its position as a leading provider of 3 for Italy network infrastructure.
Once the upgrade is complete, customers will have access to a 3 Italy network Mobile Broadband technology. The extension of the partnership, which already included an agreement for managed services, will enable 3 Italy to pursue a constant improvement of processes, a reduction in costs and a greater operational efficiency. Furthermore, the introduction of advanced plant operations at Package EPC (Evolved Packet Core), will enable the early stages of launch LTE services, connection speed to 100Mbps.
Vincenzo Novari, CEO, 3 Italy, said that thanks to the success and effectiveness of cooperation with Ericsson, they continue to be a reference in Italy for innovation and development of mobile broadband network. They are doing a step further to meet the growing demand for connectivity and services mobile broadband by businesses and consumers Italians, extending the end of March HSPA + coverage to the whole Italian territory and launch services LTE already this year. Their network will become even more efficient in managing data traffic, thus ensuring the customer a better experience.
Blueberry Nuncio, President of Ericsson Mediterranean Region, said that the trust 3 Italy has placed in making them the partner of choice for infrastructure network is an additional incentive to support operators that want to be competitive market and are investing in updating networks offer better performance, capacity and a more extensive coverage in the area.
Further, they are excited to continue to support 3 Italy, former long-time partner, evolution of its infrastructure to a fourth-generation mobile network, at a time when innovation and dynamism are crucial for their Country.
AT&T to expand 4G LTE presence (USA)
Mobile operator AT&T plans to roll out 4G LTE services soon in Naples, Bloomington, Lafayette and Muncie, Ind.; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, La.; St. Louis, Mo; Akron, Canton and Cleveland, Ohio; Bryan-College Station, Texas; and Staten Island in New York City.
As per the company, AT&T 4G LTE is now live in 28 markets and is the only U.S. carrier providing 4G using both HSPA+ and LTE technologies. Further, 80 percent of AT&T’s mobile data traffic now runs over enhanced backhaul that supports both HSPA+ and 4G LTE data traffic. The operator expects its LTE deployment to be largely complete by year-end 2013.
MTN launches new ‘Free beyond 3 Campaign’ (Ghana)
Mobile operator MTN Ghana has launched a new promotion titled ‘Free Beyond 3 Campaign’ in an attempt to reward its prepaid customer base for their loyalty towards the operator. According to a company statement, the promotion will reward existing prepaid customers by providing them with free talk time after every three minutes of call, made to other MTN numbers.
The statement claims that in order to access Free Beyond 3, MTN customers may subscribe by either calling 315, sending a free text message to 315 or by dialing *315#.
Rahul De, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Ghana said that the Free Beyond 3 campaign is to reward MTN subscribers for their continuous loyalty to MTN over the years. He added that MTN will continue exciting and rewarding its cherished subscribers with meaningful unique value add offers such as this, and assured customers of more exciting customer experience on the network.
The statement added that the company will still empower their subscribers to enjoy full authority over their choices including BB Social, Complete and Absolute; regarding the data bundles introduced for Blackberry users.
