Wireless Federation

Alon Holdings Blue Square announces signing of Mou with Partner Communications for launching MVNO services (Israel)

On 03.24.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Alon Holdings Blue Square – Israel Ltd. announces that in connection with the Company’s plans to enter the cellular communication market by becoming a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (“MVNO”), on March 23, 2011 - Alon Cellular Ltd. (“Alon Cellular”), a joint- venture company in which the Company holds indirectly 70.1%, signed an MOU with Partner Communications LTD. (“Partner”) for launching cellular services in an MVNO model, which will enable Alon Cellular to offer cellular services and become a major player in Israel’scommunication market.

At this stage, there is no certainty that Alon Cellular will eventually operate such business, and the Company cannot assess at this stage the conditions and costs of such operation.

Alon Holdings Blue Square- Israel Ltd. (hereinafter: “Alon Holdings”) is the leading retail company in the State of Israel and operates in four reporting segments: In its supermarket segment, Alon Holdings as pioneer of modern food retailing, Alon Holdings, through its 100% subsidiary, Mega Retail Ltd., currently operates 210 supermarkets under different formats, each offering a wide range of food products, “Near Food” products and “Non-Food” products at varying levels of service and pricing. In its “Non-Food” segment, Alon Holdings, through its 100% subsidiary BEE Group Retail Ltd., operates specialist outlets in self-operation and franchises and offers a wide range of “Non-Food” products as retailer and wholesaler. In the Commercial and Fueling Sites segment, through its 78.38% subsidiary, which is listed on the Tel Aviv stock exchange. Dor Alon Energy inIsrael (1988) Ltd is one of the four largest fuel retail companies in Israel based on the number of petrol stations and a leader in the field of convenience stores. Dor Alon operates a chain of 188 petrol stations and 177 convenience stores in different formats in Israel. In its Real Estate segment, Alon Holdings, through its TASE traded 78.26% subsidiary Blue Square Real Estate Ltd., owns, leases and develops yield generating commercial properties and projects.

China Mobile full year profits rise by 3.9%

On 03.17.11, In Mobile, By Editor

China Mobile Corp has reported its full year results. As per the results, its full year revenues rose by 7.3% to US$73.8 billion, while net profit increased by 3.9% to US$18.2 billion.

The customer base rose by 11.8% to 584 million – a rise of 61.73 million over the previous year. Of the total, 20.70 million are using 3G services.

EBITDA rose 4.5% over last year to US$36.43 billion, with EBITDA margin reaching 49.3%.

In addition, voice usage volume continued to grow. Average minutes of usage per user per month (MOU) were 521 minutes, up by 5.4% over last year. Average revenue per user per month (ARPU) was US$11.10, exhibiting a slowdown in decline.

According to the company, it will accelerate the rollout of its TD-LTE network and will still consider suitable overseas acquisitions.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • ARPU • Average revenue per user per month • China • China Mobile • EBITDA • EBITDA margin • Mobile • MoU • Net Profit • operator • Revenues • TD-LTE • USA

Nepal telecom signs MoU with Qatar telecom

On 03.09.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Nepal Telecom has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qatar Telecom on operation of international telecommunication service at a subsidized rate through inter-connectivity.

Though the service had already come into operation since December last year through establishment of inter connectivity between the two companies, the formal accord to this effect was signed on Tuesday.

Managing Director of the Nepal Telecom, Amarnath Singh and Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Telecom, Dr Naser Marfiha signed the MoU amidst a function.

With the new agreement between the two telecom companies, Nepal Telecom customers can now make a call to Qatar at US$0.17 per minute as compared to US$0.28 per minute earlier.

The new provision is expected to benefit some 465,000 Nepalis currently working in Qatar.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Amarnath Singh • Chief Executive Officer • Dr Naser Marfiha • inter-connectivity • Managing Director • Memorandum of Understanding • Mobile • MoU • Nepal • Nepal Telecom • Qatar • Qatar Telecom

Vibo Telecom to set up HSPA+ network in Taiwan

On 01.21.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Vibo Telecom will establish HSPA+ (3.75G) infrastructure in Taiwan as soon as possible this year and has signed an MOU with Palau Mobile Corporation for seven-year cooperation to set up a HSPA+ network in the Pacific island nation.

According to the company, it has submitted an application to the government for procuring HSPA+ equipment consisting of a core network and base stations from China-based ZTE, the procurement will include base stations for Palau Mobile.

Vibo noted that Palau Mobile is one of the two mobile telecom carriers in the country, the other being state-run Palau National Communication. There is large market potential of data roaming services for international tourists in Palau, with 70-80% of Palau Mobile’s revenues in 2010 coming from voice roaming services. HSPA+ data roaming services in Palau will be launched in second-quarter 2011.

In line with HSPA+ deployment in Taiwan, Vibo stated that it is planning to procure 400,000-500,000 handsets or other types of terminal devices in 2011, much more than 250,000 units procured in 2010. Smartphones and smart devices will account for at least 50% of the 2011 procurement volume, Vibo emphasized, adding it expects the number of its subscribers to increase from 1.85 million currently to 2.5 million by the end of 2011 and to reach break-even operation some time during the year.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: China • HSPA+ (3.75G) • Mobile • MoU • Palau • Palau Mobile Corporation • Taiwan • Vibo Telecom • voice roaming service • ZTE

Reliance Comm increases $255 mln via ECB for 3G (India)

On 01.20.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Reliance Communications has raised $255 million of external commercial borrowing (ECB) to partly refinance payments made for acquiring 3G, air waves.

According to the company, this loan is funded by a consortium of banks led by Australian and New Zealand Banking Group, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, DBS Bank Ltd and Intesa Sanpaolo. Reliance Communications won bandwidth for 13 service areas in a government-led auction in May last year for US$1.88 billion.The refinancing extends the tenure of the borrowing as well as lowering the interest costs for the company.

Last month, Reliance Communications signed a memorandum of understanding with China Development Bank to refinance the $1.33 billion paid for 3G spectrum to the Department of Telecommunications. The MoU also covers financing of up to $600 million towards equipment and services to be procured from Chinese vendors such as ZTE Corporation and Huawei Technologies.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • air waves • Australia • BNP Paribas • China • Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank • DBS Bank Ltd • Department of Telecommunications • external commercial borrowing (ECB) • Huawei Technologies • Intesa Sanpaolo • Mobile • MoU • New Zealand • New Zealand Banking Group • Reliance Communications • ZTE Corporation

Celcom and DiGi extends MoU over network collaboration (Malaysia)

On 12.14.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Malaysian mobile network operators Celcom Axiata and DiGi Telecommunications have reportedly extended their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the exploration of long-term network and infrastructure collaboration.

It is understood that both the companies have extended discussions for a further three months, and as previously reported the MoU, which was initially signed in June 2010, focuses on three areas: operations and maintenance; transmission and site sharing; and radio access network.

The proposed active sharing model under discussion is intended to generate significant operation and cost efficiencies for both cellcos. The pair is believed to finalize a binding agreement by 31 January 2011.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Celcom Axiata • DiGi Telecommunications • infrastructure collaboration • long-term network • Malaysia • Mobile • MoU

Thai telecom companies sign deal to support national broadband plan

On 11.23.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Thailand’s six major telecom operators have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the country’s national broadband policy which aims to extend broadband coverage and accessibility nationwide.

Information and Communication Technology Minister Chuti Krairiksh has confirmed the report.

The six firms include two state-owned operators–TOT PCL and CAT Telecom PCL–and four private companies comprising Advanced Info Services PCL, Total Access Communication PCL, Digital Phone Ltd., and True Move, a mobile phone unit of True Corp. PCL.

As per the agreement, the companies will seek ways to promote infrastructure and network sharing as well as fair network management and network usage fees.

According to the national broadband policy approved by the Cabinet earlier this month, the government intends to boost broadband coverage to 80% of the population by 2015 and to 95% by 2020. It also aims to provide broadband Internet access at a speed of no less than 100 megabits per second in economically important provinces by 2020.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Advanced Info Services PCL • CAT Telecom PCL • Digital Phone Ltd. • Information and Communication Technology Minister Chuti Krairiksh • Mobile • MoU • Thailand • TOT PCL • Total Access Communication PCL • True Corp Pcl • True Move • USA

Italy telcos ink MOU for High-Speed broadband infrastructure company

On 11.11.10, In Mobile, By Editor

As per Industry Minister, Paolo Romani, Italian telecoms operators have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the formation of a new company to build a high-speed broadband infrastructure.

According to Romani, the new company will be responsible for building a basic fiber-optic infrastructure, avoiding duplications and coordinating investments by Italy’s seven leading operators. The companies include Italy’s largest operator Telecom Italia SpA, Fastweb SpA, Wind SpA, Vodafone Italia, Tiscali SpA, BT Group PLC’s Italian unit, and 3 Italia.

The new company, which will be based on both public and private funds, will have an executive committee chaired by the Industry ministry and will include one representative from each of the seven telecoms operators. The committee will be in charge of defining the new company’s governance and business plan within the next three months.

Romani confirmed that state-controlled fund Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) will play a role in the new broadband infrastructure company, providing the company’s capital or loans.

Telecom Italia , Chief Executive Franco Bernabe has welcomed the agreement among the operators stating that it will contribute to the re-launch of broadband in Italy.

According to Fastweb’s board member Stefano Parisi, the new company was an important step forward, but added its success will be influenced by the action of Italy’s telecoms regulator AGCOM, which will have to set clear rules.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3 Italia • Agcom • BT Group PLC's Italian unit • CDP • Chief Executive Franco Bernabe • Fastweb SpA • High-Speed broadband infrastructure company • Italy • Italy telcos • Italy telecoms regulator • Mobile • MoU • Oman • Telecom Italia SpA • Tiscali SpA • Vodafone Italia • Wind SpA

SK Telecom Joins Hands with Lenovo to Enter China Market

On 11.08.10, In Mobile, By Editor

SK Telecom announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lenovo, China’s leading PC and handset manufacturer, to cooperate in strengthening their competitiveness in the global content distribution market.

Under this MOU, SK Telecom will work together with Lenovo to provide T Store’s well-made contents to smartphones made by Lenovo and expand content distribution platform of T Store to a global scale, thereby supplying Korean contents to the global applications market including that of China.

The MOU can be seen as the first materialization of SK Telecom’s strategy, announced on 25 October, to nurture global platforms. Furthermore, it holds a significant meaning as it lays a foundation for high-quality contents made by Korean developers to enter into the global market.

Lenovo, based on its strong competitiveness in manufacturing built through its extensive experience in the PC industry and over 10,000 distribution channels, accounts for 12% of China’s Android-based smartphone market. The company has so far launched only one smartphone model named ‘Le phone.’

SK Telecom expects a successful outcome in the Chinese applications market by combining Lenovo’s brand power with its competence in platform and contents proven through the success of its T Store in Korea.

With the aim to secure competitiveness in China’s content market, SK Telecom and Lenovo agreed to install a brand shop of T Store in Lenovo’s smartphones. The shop will mainly offer popular games and fun contents, as well as cultural contents such as music and cartoon that are likely to appeal to the Chinese consumers.

SK Telecom plans to focus on selling high-quality paid applications in the Chinese market, which is currently centered on free applications, so as to create a solid profit model for Korean application developers. The company expects this move to result in a rapid increase in the number of T Store applications that target both Korean and Chinese customers.

To this end, SK Telecom has plans to develop a global content management system that links its T Store platform with Lenovo’s platform, making it easy for Korean developers to upload applications at the T Store brand shop and receive real-time download information. Moreover, the company has long-term plans to expand T Store’s content distribution platform to a global scale under close cooperation with Lenovo.

Additionally, SK Telecom and Lenovo will join hands to exchange contents and support development of applications; foster developers by holding conferences; and conduct promotional events taking into account the local market conditions. By working together in diverse areas, the two companies aim to boost growth of developer ecosystem of Korea and China.

As part of the effort, SK Telecom will enable developers to easily create/verify applications optimized for Lenovo’s handsets by offering Korean-Chinese translation service and allowing the use of Lenovo’s target handsets at its MD Test Center. The company’s future plans also include developing a system that enables developers to create applications in many different languages simultaneously.

Hong Sung-Cheol, Executive Vice President and Head of Service Division at SK Telecom said, “The alliance between SK Telecom and Lenovo holds great meaning as it creates a new growth path for Lenovo as well as Korean developers by expanding SK Telecom’s service platform to overseas markets. Based on this MOU, SK Telecom aims to become a global platform company that provides a comprehensive service for application registration, distribution and management based on its T Store service platform.”

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: China • Executive Vice President and Head of Service Division • Hong Sung-Cheol • Korea • Lenovo • Mobile • MoU • PC and handset manufacturer • SK Telecom • T Store

Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom and Telecom Italia to Audit Asian Suppliers

On 10.21.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom and Telecom Italia have announced that they are together conducting on site audits in Asia aimed at strengthening their commitment to developing a strategy of responsible and sustainable growth all along the Supply Chain of 40 suppliers based in Asia. This audit campaign follows the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in December 2009.

Through this MOU the three operators have defined a synchronized audit process based on a common evaluation methodology to verify and improve the social, ethical and environmental conditions of their suppliers’ manufacturing centres located in Asia. The audits are implemented by recognized international CSR audit companies that will release official and recognized audit reports. These will then be followed up by each of the operators. Other telecom operators are also welcome to be part of this Joint Audit Cooperation by signing the MoU.

The MoU will open potentials for partnership in the processes used to assess suppliers. These processes will be developed together and in cooperation with suppliers. The suppliers will then be assessed according to a defined set of parameters in favor of respecting people and the environment, mainly in line with SA 8000 and ISO 14001 standards.

According to Marc Fossier, France Telecom Social Responsibility Executive Director, this MoU will seek to enable the achievement of CSR goals on an international level and will allow the three operators to optimize their CSR assessment and follow up process through the application of common best practice. It will also enable operators and suppliers to save precious time and effort by joining forces. The company is delighted to be part of this joint venture between important Telcos. It will promote the ambition to enhance sustainable development as well as human rights principles among our suppliers.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Asian Suppliers • Audit • CSR • Deutsche Telekom • France • France Telecom • Mobile • MoU • Telecom Italia