www.WirelessFederation.com/news: India’s state owned mobile operator, BSNL awarded an USD11.7 million contract for networking, with Indian vendor Sterlite Technologies.
As per the agreement, 17,000km of fibre-optic cable across India will be laid by Sterlite, besides replacing existing copper cables as part of BSNL’s network expansion plans.
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The launch of 3G network by Thailand’s state-controlled mobile network TOT got a cold response from the subscribers. However, initially the network will be available only in Bangkok and the areas surrounding it. Expansion of the network in the near future relies on the auction of the 3G license.
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will offer four licenses- three of 10 Mhz and a fourth with 15Mhz of radio spectrum while the reserve price will range between US$100-US$200 million. The process will not take place until next year as there is a lack of executives to form a quorum.
Small trials of 3G networks are already run by the current operators over their existing GSM radio spectrum, while CAT Telecom which is a CDMA operator, is seeking an overseas investor to assist in 3G rollout plans
The cost of contract smartphones may rise in the UK if a price war erupts between operators over the iPhone.
Orange announced on September 28 and Vodafone on September 29 that they have successfully forged an alliance with Apple to launch the iPhone on their respective networks in the UK. T-mobile and 3 may be announcing something shortly too.
In an attempt to lure customers to the data-happy iPhone, mobile operators will have to increase subsidies on the iPhone. Meanwhile, the cost of other handsets will have to rise as a result. Operators could shift subsidies from other vendors, such as RIM, HTC and Samsung, thus increasing their handset prices.
Orange will be selling the iPhone before Christmas, while Vodafone will only be able to launch it early 2010.
O2 has been bit hard by Apple’s decision to remove its exclusivity after two years. It is thought the network may now look at alternative devices, such as the Palm Pre or Motorola’s android based range of phones to boost revenues.
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Wataniya, Kuwait based mobile operator, has started Maxpress, a new prepaid service that offers all subscribers a lifetime bonus credit. This service offers a 25% bonus on total monthly consumption, which is given to the subscriber in the beginning of the following month. The subscribers can sign up for the service by either calling the operator or they can visit a store.
3 and Vodafone launch their official AFL app (Australia)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: After Telstra which already has an official AFL app, Vodafone and 3 have joined the league by releasing their official cricket app. The application which can be downloaded at $1.19 allows the customers to watch live matches for $2.50 a day on their iPhone’s screen.
Even if the customers are on a different network, they can still buy the app but without added video goodness. The Live Summer App of Vodafone and 3 gives access to cricket TV channel featuring live streaming action including exclusive video highlights from Cricket Australia and Channel Nine.
The customers can also avail the facilities of getting live scores for every match, ball-by-ball text commentary, Face book, twitter & email in-app sharing• Full match schedules and reminders and latest cricket news stories are also available.