Apple’s iPhone5 will not support mobile payments via NFC
Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 5 will not support mobile payments via Near Field Technology (NFC) despite a recent surge in interest in the service, and its addition to the Android OS.
According to sources, Apple had disclosed in meetings that it would not add NFC to the next generation iPhone. Apple told the operators that it was concerned about the lack of a clear standard across the industry.
However, as per the recent speculations, Apple’s motives, as it is understood, are to develop its own iTunes based NFC payment platform which would compete with the services being planned by the mobile networks, who are typically working with banks on rolling out the necessary hardware into retailer and travel locations.
Voluntary code-of-practice for UK networks
A number of the UK’s internet providers and mobile networks have signed up to a voluntary code-of-practice that will govern how they advertise their internet services to customers.
Together these companies – BSkyB, BT, O2, TalkTalk, Three, Virgin Media and Vodafone – account for 90% of all fixed-line broadband customers and 60% of all mobile customers in the UK.
In the mobile arena, Orange and T-Mobile are not a part of the agreement.
The new code will ensure that consumers have access to more easily comparable information about the traffic management practices of different broadband providers. For the first time, information will be provided in a common format to explain what traffic management techniques are used, when and with what impact for each broadband service currently marketed by the code’s signatories.
Antony Walker, Chief Executive of the Broadband Stakeholder Group, which facilitated this voluntary industry code of practice stated that there has been more heat than light in the debate about traffic management over recent years. This commitment to provide clear and comparable information in a common format is very important. It will not only help to ensure consumers are better informed about the services they buy and use, but will also provide a clearer picture for policy makers of the way in which traffic management is actually used in the UK market.
The code of practice will also take into account any Net Neutrality issues if they crop up in the UK.
Walker added that consumers need to be able to make informed choices about the services they buy while the policy makers need to be able to make informed decisions about the policy and regulatory framework they set. This new commitment provides an essential building block for getting both of these things right.
The code will be piloted in 2011 by the signatories and its implementation will be reviewed in early 2012 to fine tune the approach. Interested parties, such as consumer groups, will be invited to provide feedback as part of the review process. It is also hoped that more ISPs will sign up to the code following its launch.
The network’s first step will be to publish a common Key Facts Indicator (KFI) table, summarizing the traffic management practices they use for each broadband product they currently market. This will be available on ISPs’ websites by the end of June 2011.
Operators want higher smartphone revenues, but need to educate customers on using advanced features
Customer care departments at the mobile networks are struggling to cope with the more complex demands from smartphone customers, as a survey found that smartphone-related support calls have increased 10 to more than 25% over the last two years.
Over 60% of service providers polled believe that the average cost of supporting smartphones is anywhere from 10 to 50% above that of standard feature phones, due in part to longer call-handling times. Additionally, more than half of the incoming calls are not resolved by the initial call center representative who handles the call, further driving up costs.
The survey also found that three-quarters of service providers surveyed are looking to advanced services to increase data usage and realize additional sources of revenue from smartphone customers. The research shows that over two-thirds of customers do not use advanced services, due to lack of awareness or understanding. In addition, customers are returning smartphone devices if they experience support issues or delays, even though there may be nothing wrong with them.
Almost one-third of respondents reported that between 10 to 25 percent of their customers return smartphones, and 40 percent said that 20 to 60 percent of these phones are no-fault returns.
Service providers recognize that they face an increased number of support calls, yet more than half of the providers surveyed do not plan on expanding their technical support staff by more than 10 percent. Instead, 40 percent plan to use better support tools and technologies to increase efficiencies and empower agents to resolve support inquiries during the first call. Service providers are also increasingly using the Internet to resolve support issues, with 61 percent of respondents reporting that they already direct customers to a self-service portal.
The survey confirms that smartphone support calls are increasing rapidly, caused by the dramatic increase in number of devices, features and services. Simply adding more call center representatives will not address the problem -efficiency, automation and outsourcing are the key mechanisms which operators will need to pursue in order to accommodate a higher volume of support calls while increasing their revenue margins.
Mobile Networks may reach 650Mbps Data download speed (USA)
Nokia Siemens Networks believes that operators would be able to achieve peak data rates of more than 650Mbps, owing to a HSPA standard being driven by itself and T-Mobile USA. Long Term HSPA Evolution would improve mobile broadband with speeds matching those promised by LTE Advanced.
According to Nokia Siemens Networks, the technology‘s standardization is aiming to make it available for commercial deployment by 2013. The proposed key features of Long Term HSPA Evolution were accepted during the plenary meeting of 3GPP RAN held on 7-10 December, 2010.
According to Neville Ray, chief technology officer, T-Mobile USA, the company strongly believes in continued HSPA evolution in parallel to the further development of LTE and LTE Advanced. Long Term HSPA Evolution will allow us to enhance their 4G mobile broadband network beyond its current and planned near term capabilities, and provide room for considerable growth and speed enhancements. As customer demand for wireless data increases, they are well positioned to compete based on the speed, breadth and evolution path of their mobile broadband service.
Nokia Siemens Networks’ Single Radio Access Network (RAN) platform is already prepared for Long Term HSPA Evolution. Operators would have a smooth evolution path to handle increased network traffic along with controlling costs with the introduction of the new technology.
In addition, all Long Term HSPA Evolution features are backwards compatible and can be used together with existing WCDMA and HSPA mobiles on the same carriers.
