NarrowMinds to introduce MVNE on T-Mobile NL network
Narrow minds has inked an agreement with T-Mobile Netherlands to start MVNE services in the Netherlands via T-Mobile’s network.
NarrowMinds wants to launch services from June and combine telephony with location based services (using cell tower ID) and dialogue marketing, which the company has been specialised since 2007.
Two years ago, NarrowMinds announced the launch of MVNO Youpinie via Elephant Talk, but the deal was hampered by technical problems and the lack of a clear proposition.
The step to become an MVNE was then taken. The MVNE platform will be supplied by Belgian company Artilium. The private, sim-only MVNO ,will be called Simpathiek and should go live at the end of May, first with prepaid and then postpaid services.
According to company spokesperson, the company will launch the MVNE in three month’s time with an investment of US$21,355.5, and go faster and cheaper than existing MVNEs. NarrowMinds declined to as yet disclose any customer names.
TomTom plans to reduce to traffic congestion in US
TomTom has recently launched TomTom HD Traffic in the US. TomTom’s Traffic Manifesto outlines four action areas, designed to enhance mass adoption of intelligent route guidance systems.
TomTom will encourage people in reducing traffic congestion. TomTom will increase the availability of TomTom HD Traffic. TomTom will lead the improvement of traffic and route guidance technology.
TomTom will bring together traffic stakeholders to share ideas and drive actions forward.
mGovernment implementation driven by advanced technologies- study
A recent study has revealed that with mobile penetration crossing 100 percent in many European countries, the best way to initiate participation-driven government is the use of mobile technologies. Various mobile technologies such as mobile technologies, LBS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth offer an unmatched platform, for enabling participation-based government.
The study also shows that accelerated shift toward participation-based government, increased penetration of mobile phones, evolving alternative mobile technologies, wider involvement of mobile industry participants and greater awareness created by governments are generating considerable potential for mobile industry participants in the mGovernment market.
A number of pilots have been conducted in countries such as Germany, Sweden, Estonia and Netherlands, with encouraging results, the report indicates. The report outlines that there is a need for uniform regulations that would bring disparate mGovernment initiatives within a country under a common platform.
Governments need to invest in mGovernment initiatives and establish proper standards for implementation to encourage the participation of all market participants. In regions where cellular technologies are not effective, alternative mobile technologies such as Wi-Fi should be utilized.
M-banking surges as emerging markets embrace mobile finance – Research
A recent research has revealed that Global use of ‘mobile finance’ surged in the past year as the spread of new technology and mobile banking infrastructure drove a huge increase in take-up rates around the world.
In countries as diverse as China, Brazil and Kenya, the number of new users of mobile banking soared over 100 percent in 12 months as banks leapfrogged traditional service models and moved directly to mobile.
The increases were not restricted to emerging markets alone though. Take-up rates also surged in the UK, the US, Singapore, South Korea and Sweden, where banks offered customers new services via their mobile handset. In China, mobile banking is used by 25 percent of consumers, up 150 percent from 2010.
In the UK, the proportion of people using mobile banking increased from 9.7 percent in 2010 to 20.4 percent in 2011, while in the US the rates rose from 11.4 percent to 21.9 percent. In Sweden it was greater still: 8.1 percent to 20 percent.
And while adoption rates increased, desire for mobile banking in areas where it is not widespread is strong, peaking in sub-Saharan Africa, where almost two-thirds (63 percent) of mobile owners expressed an interest in mobile banking. Developed countries such as the US, Singapore and Hong Kong have made minimal progression in mobile wallet adoption over the past year.
The US moved from 6 percent in 2010 to 8 percent in 2011, Singapore increased from 10 percent to 13 percent and Hong Kong from 16 percent to 17 percent. In contrast, mobile wallet usage in Chile was below 1 percent in 2010, but has risen to 7 percent in 2011, just one percentage point below the US and higher than Australia (6 percent), France (5 percent) and the Netherlands (5 percent).
In China, mobile wallet usage grew by 133 percent to 21 percent of consumers, in Brazil by 122 percent to 20 percent and in Kenya by 150 percent to 25 percent. The financial services that capture the highest interest in China are paying bills (25 percent), getting money out of the bank (15 percent), and receiving wages (15 percent).
China’s usage of mobile wallet is already a considerable 52 percent above the global average and less than a quarter (23 percent) of Chinese consumers says they are not interested in mobile wallet.
Dutch govt to boost DECT guard band for license free use (Netherlands)
The Dutch ministry of economic affairs has stated that it wants to keep the digital dividend (762-890 MHz) free for mobile Internet and permanently allow the DECT guard band suitable for license free use, such as for microphones and low power networks (pico cells).
The measures are included in a proposal for amending the National Frequency Plan 2005, together with the implementation of the Strategic Memorandum mobile communications.
The high part of the UHF band, between 762 MHz and 890 MHz, is now being reserved for DVB-T. License holders NPO and Digitenne will be offered alternative, equivalent, spectrum. The ministry hopes to come out with the new rules by 1 January 2013.
Pico Cells
In an NFP amendment dated 18 December 2008, the 1877.5-1880 MHz frequency band (and its 1782.5-1785 MHz duplex band) is aimed at mobile communications with a low power (also known as pico cells, with only a notification duty at AT).
This frequency band occupies the upper part of the GSM 1800 band that was left unused until then as a buffer to prevent interference between DECT and GSM1800 application. This is also known as the ‘DECT guard band.’
According to the ministry, there exist interesting niche applications, which could boost innovation. The original use of the band, to run until January 1 2013, will therefore be extended for an indefinite period. The spectrum will be extended to a duplex of 5 MHz. The widening of the DECT guard band will kick in at the end of the current licenses. Nothing changes therefore for the current spectrum holder, T-Mobile Netherlands. Less spectrum will be available in the multiband auction.
Microphones
Then there is the programme and special events (PMSE) sector. These use wireless microphones and similar devices in residual space in the UHF band. Here, the loss of spectrum will be partly offset by the exclusive availability of the duplex gap of wireless audio connections. This involves the space in the 1800 MHz portion: 1780-1785 MHz paired with 1875-1880 MHz.
PMSE will also get channel 39, 614-622 MHz for wireless audio connections. The space that channels 39, 40 and 41 (614-638 MHz) occupy, together offer an alternative to the removal of then nationally available channel 63 (806-814 MHz). The proposed PMSE solution means that at least some of the industry will have to buy other equipment.
That is why the sector has until 2015 to adapt, which according to the ministry gives them more than enough time to write off their equipment. The new-to-be auctioned licenses for mobile 1800 spectrum will begin as soon as 2013, although the ministry does not expect more than limited use in the first years. Conversely, low-power devices are not expected to experience interference on mobile communications.
Google to appeal CBP decision (Netherlands)
Google is planning to appeal the decision of Dutch privacy watchdog CBP regarding its StreetView data.
Google has been told to destroy all router network names that were collected via WiFi sniffing. The CBP said that router SSID and MAC addresses, couple with location data, qualify as personal data.
Google wants to stick with its map of 3.6 million network names (SSIDs) of wireless routers which its StreetView cars created in the Netherlands.
Google also sees no reason to set up an opt-out system which would allow users to delete MAC addresses, which Google also collected, from the database. Google will ask the court to suspend the decision during its appeal period.
Getronics selects RadioAccess for private GSM (Netherlands)
KPN’s IT services unit Getronics has selected RadioAccess as a supplier for private GSM systems.
Getronics will include the Clarity line in its portfolio of wireless systems and fixed-mobile integration for offices, industry and the healthcare sector.
The Clarity line has been certified on KPN Getronics PABX platforms. The spectrum is also suitable for mobile data via private UMTS.
208 operators in 80 countries currently investing in LTE- Report
A recent report by Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) has revealed that around 208 operators are now investing in LTE, which is 98 operators more than in June 2010.
According to the report, the number of countries and territories where LTE systems are deployed or planned has increased by 32 in the same period.
The report confirms 154 firm LTE network deployments are in progress or planned in 60 countries, including 20 networks which have commercially launched. A further 54 operators in 20 more countries are engaged in LTE technology pilot trials or tests.
Taken together, it means that 208 operators in 80 countries are now investing in LTE. The report covers both LTE FDD and LTE TDD systems. The 60 countries and territories having firm LTE network commitments are Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong S.A.R., Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore , South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, UAE, UK, Uruguay, USA, and Uzbekistan.
LTE networks are launched in 14 countries, namely Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Sweden, USA, and Uzbekistan. GSA forecasts that at least 81 LTE networks will be in commercial service by end-2012.
Google boasts first own-brand laptops (US)
Google has finally boasted its first own-branded computers – the Chromebook – which are being supplied by Samsung and Acer.
The devices are designed to last an entire day on a single charge and will
start up within just a few seconds of being switched on.
At the core of each Chromebook is the Chrome web browser, and possibly a red-flag to hackers, Google claimed that the Chromebooks have many layers of security built in so there is no anti-virus software to buy and maintain.
Chromebooks will be available online June 15 in the USA, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and Spain.
More countries will follow in the coming months. Pricing is still to be confirmed. The company has also announced a service – Chromebooks for Business and Education. This service from Google includes Chromebooks and a cloud management console to remotely administer and manage users, devices, applications and policies.
Also included is enterprise-level support, device warranties and replacements as well as regular hardware refreshes. Monthly subscriptions will start at $28/user for businesses and $20/user for schools.
SIM Services partners with Telenor Connexion on M2M services (Netherlands)
SIM Services has partnered with Telenor Connexion to address the needs of the M2M market in Europe.
Under the partnership, Telenor Connexion will provide SIM Services with a mobile connectivity system, including Sim-card management tools.
Under the agreement, SIM Services will be able to offer customised services, particularly with regards to multi-operator coverage in The Netherlands and also in other parts of Europe.
With the collaboration both partners expect to expand their market shares in the M2M market.
