KPN terminates DVB-H mobile TV ( Netherlands)
KPN from June 1 will stop offering mobile TV via the DVB-H standard.
According to the operator, standard did not really develop into a global standard and so it was probably not worthwhile to continue supporting the technology. MobielTV made its debut on the Dutch market in 2008, with KPN offering three devices supporting the DVB-H standard: the Nokia N96, the Samsung P960 and the LG KB620. The devices made it possible for subscribers to watch live TV on ten channels and two pay-TV premium channels.
Within one year, KPN registered 40,000 customers for its mobile TV services; subscriber numbers began declining as no new phones were introduced. There are currently 20,000 customers. These customers will receive a letter informing them that KPN is ending the MobielTV service.
Mediate introduces MT6236 platform (Taiwan)
MediaTek, Taiwanese fabless semiconductor company has introduced its new MT6236 platform. MT6236 targets the feature-rich multimedia market and supports high-end graphic displays; web browsing and full-finger touch functionality.
It features 5 megapixel camera, mobile TV, HVGA display, integrated Bluetooth, and full HTML browser. The MT6236 platform is pre-integrated with MediaTek’s software solution to reduce the design cycle time. MediaTelk also announced that it has opened an office in Dubai.
With the new office, MediaTek hopes to strengthen its regional connections and to grow its business by over 20% in the region.
VimpelCom Selects Vantrix for Mobile and Web Video
Vantrix, the global leader of mobile video optimization and delivery solutions, announced today that VimpelCom (NASDAQ: VIP), Russia’s leading telecom group which provides voice and data services through a wide range of wireless, fixed and broadband technologies, has selected Vantrix Multi-screen Video solution for a nationwide deployment of its new Mobile TV and Video on Demand (VOD) services on their BeelineTM network.
Video is a key aspect of the services we are offering through our Beeline brand,†said Victor Markelov, Products Director at Vimpelcom. Vantrix’s solution features the unique Dynamic Bit Rate Adaptation, which allows real time adaptation to network conditions and guarantees the best user experience of video services. Quality of experience is a crucial element of our service offering and Vantrix is the best vendor to reach our goals. Amphora Group helped us to implement our ideas regarding video services offering, providing the seamless integration of new equipment with the current IT-infrastructure and making the services qualitative, convenient and fully meeting user expectationsâ€.
Vantrix Multi-screen Solution optimally delivers video and audio to any screen, regardless of the access network speed. It allows operators to manage subscriber services by providing a seamless experience across screens. Its content management and discovery capabilities, together with its catalogue, rules and permission management, provide a set of capabilities that are unique in the converged video market.
We are delighted to have been selected by VimpelCom after a rigorous evaluation,†said Charles Marsh, Senior Vice President of Sales at Vantrix. By deploying Vantrix Multi-screen Video solution, VimpelCom can optimize various TV & video formats, with dynamic bit rate adaptation and the capacity to handle the widest variety of devices.â€
About Vantrix Multi-screen Solution:
Vantrix Multi-screen Video is an end-to-end solution for the ingestion, optimization and delivery of live and on-demand video/audio across any devices; including feature phones, smartphones, PCs, tablets and set-top boxes. Multi-screen Video enables mobile TV, web TV and IPTV with a single point of management for subscribers, services and multimedia policies.
About VimpelCom
VimpelCom Ltd. consists of telecommunications operators providing voice and data services through a range of wireless, fixed and broadband technologies. The VimpelCom Ltd. group is headquartered in Amsterdam and has operations in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikstan, Georgia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam and Cambodia, covering territory with a total population of about 345 million. VimpelCom Ltd. operating companies provide services under the Beeline†and Kyivstar†brands. VimpelCom Ltd.’s ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VIPâ€.
About Vantrix
Vantrix, the global leader of mobile video optimization and delivery solutions, improves mobile and converged video economics for its customers by ensuring that content is delivered cost effectively, and with the best possible user experience, regardless of the service, device or network. Vantrix solutions are deployed in over 70 networks, serving over 1 billion subscribers worldwide. Vantrix is proud to count among its customers: Sprint (NYSE:S), Orange, Telefonica (NYSE:TEF), T-Mobile, TeliaSonera (OMX:TLSN), MTS, Etisalat (ADX:ETISALAT), Saudi Telecom Company (TADAWUL:STC), and Tata Telecom. Vantrix is headquartered in Montreal with offices in London, Hong Kong, and Dubai. To learn more about Vantrix, visit www.vantrix.com and follow us on Twitter at: @VantrixCorp.
About Amphora Group
Amphora Group is Russia’s leading supplier of IT and business solutions for finance and telecoms, manufacturing and commerce. Starting from 1998, the company offers systems integration, consulting, and IT/QA outsourcing. The company’s team includes more than 350 highly qualified experts in CIS and Central Asia. In 2005, the company was announced #2 among the fastest growing IT companies in Russia, having demonstrated revenue growth of more than 97%. In 2008, the overall revenue of the company exceeded 90 million Euro. The company was listed the 31st largest player in the Russian IT market and the 5th largest player in the IT outsourcing market. In 2009, the company became #8 and #10 among IT service suppliers for finance and telecoms. Today, Amphora Group customers include Alpha Bank, Raiffeisen bank, Home Credit Bank, MTS, VimpelCom, MegaFon etc.
For more details on the company and links to independent rating agencies, please visit our official Web site: www.amphora-group.ru.
Reliance Communications to launch 3G services in Rajasthan (India)
Reliance Communications has announced that it will be launching 3G services in 12 cities of Rajasthan, including Jaipur within a month.
According to Vinay Chandok, Hub Head– Gujarat and Rajasthan, Reliance, Communications, demonstration of 3G capabilities at Jaipur is an integral part of their vision 2015 of creating a Wirefree India, built upon the affordable 3G for all platforms.
He added that the 3G services will be launched within a month in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Bikaner, Ajmer, Udaipur, Sri Ganganagar, Bhiwadi, Alwar, Pilani, Pali and Bhilwara. The range of services to be offered includes video calling, mobile TV, video streaming.
All the applications will be accessed at superfast speeds ubiquitously on a variety of mobile and personal computing devices, for which the company will make available different customized plans for different users.
RCOM launches 3G service in Punjab (India)
Indian mobile network operator Reliance Communications (RCOM) has inaugurated commercial 3G services in the Punjab circle.
According to the company, it will initially offer 3G services in the cities of Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Bhatinda cities. According to Sabyasachi Chakraborty, who heads up the company’s wireless operations in the region, the launch of Reliance 3G is an integral part of their vision 2015 of creating a wire-free Punjab built upon the affordable 3G for all platform … Personalisation of services, simplification of tariffs and a content rich portfolio will enable Reliance customers to get better 3G experience in Punjab. They will offer the widest bouquet of cutting edge services including video calling, mobile TV and video streaming.
Virgin Mobile drpos mobile TV plans in France
Virgin Mobile will reportedly not launch mobile TV services as planned in France in the autumn, but instead will bring a quad-play package to market in September.
According to reports, the company, which already operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in France is planning to launch Virgin Box, which will offer fixed-line, Internet and TV services. The launch will take place on “la rentr©e”, the day the French return to work after the summer holidays.
As yet the company has not released details of whose ADSL network it will use to carry the services, nor has it provided more information on the box itself.
Meanwhile, Virgin Mobile has admitted that its plans to roll out DBV-H mobile TV services at a similar time this year will now not go ahead due to an increase in taxes.
According to reports, amongst other reasons, the service has been mothballed due to an increase in VAT on television services; Virgin Mobile stated that it had built its business plan for the service based on the lower rate. The MVNO also pointed to the lack of agreed standards for mobile TV.
As a result, the French press is expressing concerns over the viability of mobile TV in France altogether, pointing out that much now rests on the capabilities of 3G mobile networks to carry TV content and the ability of operators to shoulder the costs.
DoCoMo to launch mobile TV to Indian market
Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo Inc is reportedly planning to transfer television broadcast technology for cellular phones to Indian partner Tata Teleservices with an eye to launching mobile phone TV service in the South Asian country in 2014.
According to reports, once commercial service begins, DoCoMo will charge commissions to local TV broadcasters and Japanese content providers for use of the technology. The new service will likely help Tata Teleservices sign up more subscribers.
As per reports, DoCoMo expanded into the high-growth Indian mobile phone market in March 2009 by investing roughly 260 billion yen in Tata Teleservices. Unlike in the inactive Japanese market, mobile phone users in India expand by more than 15 million a month and are currently at roughly 700 million. Tata Teleservices had about 80 million subscribers at the end of October 40% more than DoCoMo has in Japan.
Reportedly the Indian partner is considering issuing shares to raise funds for setting up base stations for its 3G mobile phone service. DoCoMo will possibly buy US$20-30 billion in new Tata Teleservices shares to maintain the 26% stake that it currently owns in the company. If the service takes root in India, it will enable Japanese manufacturers boost exports of their high-performance handsets.
Ericsson win contract for 3G launch in six circles (India)
Ericsson, a telecom equipment maker has won a contract for launching 3G network infrastructure across six circles.
According to Ericsson, Aircel has selected Ericsson for the launch of 3G/HSPA network across six out of its 13 circles, which currently provide over 100 million subscribers. Ericsson will be Aircel’s largest partner for 3G implementation.
According to Aircel COO Gurdeep Singh, the company is confident that with this partnership, Aircel will be benefited from Ericsson’s global expertise of 3G deployments, and will be able to offer customers a world-class 3G experience.
With the roll out of 3G services, Aircel customers would have the access to the services like video telephony, mobile broadband, mobile TV and faster downloads on their handsets.
As per the agreement, Ericsson will provide core, radio and transmission network equipment along with network rollout, network technology and consulting and other support services.
The six Aircel circles cover — Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Orissa, Jammu and Kashmir, North East and Assam. The framework contract will be implemented from 2010 to 2012.
The company did not disclose financial details of the contract.
