Telefonica launches single pan-European mobile data tariff (Europe)
Telefónica banishes bill shock with the announcement of its first standard pan-European data roaming tariff – giving smartphone customers 25MB of high-speed Internet usage anywhere across the 27 European Union member states for just $2.54 a day.
Telefónica’s EU-wide tariff means mobile customers – on Movistar or O2 networks – will no longer have to worry about the cost of sending or receiving emails, updating their Facebook status or browsing the web on their smartphones when travelling or holidaying abroad.
For $2.54 a day, Telefónica is giving its smartphone customers travelling in the EU a data volume of 25 Megabytes – which translates to 250 visits to essential websites like Facebook, Twitter, Google or BBC Online and up to 500 emails.
Additionally, customers will only pay for days they choose to use data, and will not be charged should they wish to switch off their phone.
The Telefónica tariff weighs in at a fraction of new price caps announced by the European UnionFacebook, Twitter, Google – which ruled that as of 1 July, one data megabyte should cost no more than $0.9, or $22.25 for 25 MB. On a per megabyte basis, Telefónica’s European tariff works out considerably cheaper than the EU’s regulated rate.
José María Álvarez-Pallete, Chairman and CEO of Telefónica Europe, said that users no longer need to switch off their smartphones when travelling within the EU, and neither do they need to worry about bill shock when they get home. Further, their European data tariff gives smartphone customers great value while allowing them to do what really matters – to stay connected wherever they are in a simple and transparent way and with complete peace of mind.
Smartphone customers use on average around 6MB in a day, but any Telefónica customers exceeding 25 MB will be immediately notified. The Pan-European tariff launched in Germany in May and will be available this summer to O2 and Movistar customers in Spain, United Kingdom, Ireland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Samsung confirms use of 1.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor in Galaxy S III (South Korea)
In a recent press release, handset giant Samsung, has confirmed that it will be using the quad-core Exynos processor chip in its upcoming smartphone, the Galaxy S III. According to reports, the company said that the processor chip is scheduled to be adopted first into Samsung’s next Galaxy smartphone that will be officially announced on May 3, in London. The new chip is expected to offer significantly higher processing capability while using 20 percent lesser power consumption.
Samsung is yet to confirm other factors such as the screen size which is rumoured t be between 4.5 to 4.8 inches. Further, the phone is expected to be compatible with 4G/LTE. As per reports, Samsung has claimed that mobile operators Vodafone and O2 will sell the Galaxy SIII, while it is rumoured that Verizon may be approached to sell the phone in US.
O2 launches On and On tariff plan (UK)
O2 announced On & On, a new tariff that lets customers use their phone more than ever before, while paying less than ever before. For just $41.5 a month for customers keeping their current phone or from $57.5 a month with a new phone, On & On offers unlimited minutes to mobiles and landlines in the UK and unlimited text messages to UK based numbers. Also included is a gigabyte (GB) of data to use however they like, including tethering and streaming, without having to worry about extra data charges once it’s been used.
For just $41.5 a month for customers keeping their current phone or from $57.5 a month with a new phone, On & On offers unlimited minutes to mobiles and landlines in the UK and unlimited text messages to UK based numbers. Also included is a gigabyte (GB) of data to use however they like, including tethering and streaming, without having to worry about extra data charges once it’s been used.
Sally Cowdry, Marketing & Consumer Director for O2 in the UK, said that O2 On & On gives customers the most value they’ve ever offered in a Pay Monthly tariff. Whether they’re choosing to stay with the operator or joining O2 for the first time, they’ll be able to talk and text as much as they like, while enjoying the internet on their mobile absolutely worry-free. And only O2 has the added value benefits of priority access to 4000 acts a year with Priority Tickets and everyday offers and discounts with Priority Moments.
To help make that new phone even more affordable, On & On is available for either $57.5, $65.5 or $73.5 per month. Each price point gives customers the same unlimited UK minutes, the same unlimited UK texts and the same 1GB of data. For instance, the iPhone 4S 16GB has an up-front cost of $95 on the $57.5 On & On tariff, $32 on the $65.5 tariff or free on the $73.5 per month tariff.
On & On customers will also get the same peace of mind as all O2 Pay Monthly customers with regular text updates on how much data they’re using and, if they use all the 1GB data, no extra data charges. On & On customers looking to use more data can double it to 2GB for an extra $8.
Once they’ve joined On & On, O2 customers can then choose to personalise their tariff with a range of Bolt Ons to truly make it theirs, including phone insurance, international calling discounts and picture messaging bundles. They’ll also get all the great benefits of being on O2 including expert Guru help and O2 Priority Tickets. They’ll also get access to a range of exclusive discounts with Priority Moments which could help save customers up to $112 from a range of high street stores.
Telefonica announces major mobile content play with EA (Spain)
Telefónica Digital unveiled its latest play in its global gaming strategy by entering a strategic relationship with EA Mobile, a division of Electronic Arts Inc., which will allow customers to access its world leading games on their mobiles. The service will be available first through O2 in the UK followed by other Telefónica markets.
The deal will give Telefónica’s operating businesses the ability to create innovative gaming promotions using titles from the EA catalogue of consumer favourite brands such as The Sims, FIFA or MONOPOLY. The objective is to make it easy for customers to find the games that they are familiar with and to drive the uptake of mobile gaming, particularly amongst feature phone users.
In the UK, O2 will offer its customers three months of free access to all EA Mobile games following their first download. It is then examining a number of potential promotions or special ‘gaming subscription’ services to offer customers.
Matthew Key, Chairman & CEO of Telefónica Digital, said that their relationship with EA Mobile puts them as the epicentre of mobile gaming – which accounts for the highest percentage of downloaded Apps and is the largest paid mobile content market today. By making a differentiated play in this most emotive and immersive entertainment medium we are fostering a much deeper connection with their customers – another significant step in becoming a true aggregator of experiences.
Bernard Kim, Senior Vice President, Global Social and Mobile Publishing of EA Mobile said that their mission is to deliver games that consumers love – anywhere, anytime, and on any platform they want to play. They know that at least a quarter of mobile users in Europe are playing games on their phones. Their relationship with Telefónica helps more people discover their games, and removes barriers for subscribers to enjoy an entire library of our most beloved titles.
Industry analyst IHS Screen Digest predicts continued impressive growth in the mobile games business. Fuelled by rapid expansion in 3G adoption, smartphone and tablet gaming, the global mobile games market will be worth almost $ 11.8 billion by 2015.
Jack Kent, Mobile Media Analyst at IHS Screen Digest, said that mobile games have been driving the wider mobile applications business, with games the largest content category on all leading application stores. As the mass appeal of mobile games increases, consumers are embracing new forms of content and business models, with free games monetised by micro-transactions – such as in-app purchases – driving growth.
Telefónica Digital has not only underlined its commitment to O2 customers by offering the best gaming experience – through a combination of exclusive promotions and unbeatable value subscription services – but also opened significant new revenue growth opportunities through in-game advertising and media partnerships.
Samsung launches Android 4.0 ICS update for Vodafone’s Galaxy SII users (UK)
South Korean manufacturer Samsung has finally released the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) update for Samsung Galaxy S II Vodafone customers in UK. As per reports, the update was available for download via Samsung Kies whereas those waiting for an upgrade over the air will be able to do the same from tomorrow.
Mobile operators Three and O2 had already begun offering the update earlier this month, while, T-Mobile and Orange users are still to receive the same. Mobile operator Vodafone claimed that the delay occurred as Samsung was testing the software to ensure that it released the final version.
O2 partners with McDonalds for WiFi service (UK)
O2 has announced that it has secured a new five year deal to provide the free wifi available in McDonald’s UK restaurants. The partnership will see McDonald’s 1,200-strong restaurant estate switch to O2 Wifi in time for this summer’s festivities.
O2 was the first, large fixed or mobile operator to offer genuinely free, simple and fast wifi for all and McDonald’s has been a pioneer in the provision of free, mass wifi since 2007. In January 2012 the restaurant chain became the first company to gain accreditation from Mumsnet as a Family Friendly Public Wifi provider.
Supported by O2 Wifi, McDonald’s customers will be able to access a free, fast and easy-to-use service. They only need to sign-up once and can then use the simple and secure service in any McDonald’s restaurant, or any of O2’s Wifi hotspots. The new deal strengthens the existing partnership that spans both mobile and services offered through O2’s media business.
Gavin Franks, MD of O2 Wifi said that a year ago they set out their ambition to transform public wifi in the UK by offering a fast and reliable public wifi connection that is genuinely free for all, no matter which mobile or broadband provider they are with. This announcement builds on the significant partnerships already secured by O2 Wifi in the past 12 months, enabling millions of people the length and breadth of the UK to access the internet for free whilst on the move.
Mark Fabes, IT Director, McDonald’s UK said that when we launched their wifi service in 2007 McDonald’s became the UK’s biggest provider of free wireless internet access. Since then usage has soared, with growing numbers of professionals making use of the restaurant wifi for business meetings and remote working, as well as families and individuals being able to use the network to check emails, shop online or keep up to date with the latest news.
Further, recent figures showed that a staggering 750,000 McDonald’s customers are logging on in the restaurants each month and McDonalds is always looking for ways to improve customer experience. For the 3 million people served in these restaurants each day they believe that O2’s mobile expertise and enhanced quality of network connectivity will deliver a fast, safe and secure service for customers to use when they visit the restaurant.
Access to O2 Wifi hotspots is through a simple sign-up process and will be free to both O2 and non-O2 customers. All hotspots will be premium public hotspots, as opposed to using residential connections with limited bandwidth.
This is the latest in a series of new partnerships for O2 Wifi which includes leading operator of restaurants and pubs, Mitchells and Butlers; high street department store group, House of Fraser; restaurant chain, Tragus, Westminster Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. In 2012, O2 Wifi has already announced an additional 3,000 UK hotspots which it has added to its network.
Ireland plans to raise US$ 660 million from 4G auction (Ireland)
The Irish government is hopeful of raising approximately US$ 659 million via the spectrum auction for high-speed mobile broadband and 4G services.
According to reports, ComReg (Commission for Communications Regulation), the communications regulator in Ireland, expects a minimum amount of US$ 540 million for 28 lots of radio spectrum, but says that competition levels may lead to an increase in the price.
Reports reveal that a lot of 1800 megahertz spectrum will be charged at a minimum price of $ 13.2 million while a lot of 800 megahertz and 900 megahertz spectrum will be sold at a minimum of $ 26.3 million each.
Telecom operators Vodafone, 3, O2 and Meteor, are expected to bid for the licence. The process is expected to complete by the end of July 2012.
Vodafone launches first German carrier communications service (Germany)
Vodafone will offer the first network operator in Germany as the new communications service, RCS-e. RCS-e, which stands for “Rich Communication Suite enhanced” by the industry association GSMA is a standard developed for easy and secure communications that will be launched globally by many mobile network operators.
Soon Vodafone first smartphones with software installed for the use of RCS-e will offer in trade. With many smartphones already available RCS-e can be used in the next few months, this is possible through free updates. To introduce the use of RCS-e in the Superflat Internet tariffs will be included.
With RCS-e-phone users can now easier than ever to send and receive messages, share files such as documents, pictures and videos with each other and also take part in an ongoing voice call, a video-link and see as their interlocutor. All functions can easily be started directly via the contacts stored in the address, the service is integrated seamlessly in this smartphone. Customers benefit from entirely new possibilities for communication, for RCS-e is a by operators globally supported service. For example, the network speed between transmitter and receiver is detected automatically, so for example, video calls, or photos and videos in the highest quality possible in each case by the fastest means to be transmitted securely.
Erik Friemuth, head of retail banking at Vodafone Germany, said that they introduced the first LTE network operators introduced in this country and are now underscoring their role as an innovative pioneer as the first provider of RCS-e in Germany. He added that their customers can now easily over any other than chat ever with each other to stay on video telephony in touch, share photos and videos live and share files. In communication is their core competency and they emphasize the rapid introduction of RCS-e.
To ensure that customers of different network operators communicate with each other messages and files, and video phone calls to the GSMA has developed so-called extensive interoperability testing. Everyone wants to offer network operators, the RCS-e, it must go through to ensure high quality and safety requirements and the availability of RCS-e these tests and are certified for this purpose.
The mobile network operators that will support the service in Germany, are next to the German telecom Vodafone and O2. Smart phones with preinstalled software RCS-e will come for example from equipment manufacturers such as HTC, Huawei, LG, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson. More details to RCS e timely given the launch of the service, Vodafone announced.
Meteor abolishes roaming charges in Europe (Ireland, Europe)
Mobile operator Meteor Ireland has become the first operator to abolish roaming charges in Europe enabling consumers to pay the same charges for calls and texts as when they are at home.
According to the company, the new service applies to both Pay-as-you-go and Bill pay customers. Further, the new policy would enable customers to pay more than 60 per cent less than Vodafone and O2 while roaming.
For users on the operator’s pay-as-you-go service, the call rates will be dropped to US$ 0.38 while texts will be charged at US$ 0.16. While, on the other hand, Bill Pay customers will be charged US$ 0.13 for a text and US$ 0.33 for a call. Also, all incoming calls and texts would be free for the consumer.
Reports reveal that Bill Blake, spokesman for Meteor has classified this decision as a groundbreaking one. He said that their customers will no longer have to worry about paying more for calls and texts while in the EU, with the added benefit of being able to receive calls from family and friends for free, as reported by the Irishtimes.
Talking about mobile data charges while roaming, Blake said that the wholesale rate for data in Europe at the moment is US$ 1.04 per Mb so they will be dropping their charges by 90 per cent. He concluded by saying that as this price continues to drop they will be hoping to pass that on to consumers but they’ve unfortunately not been able to bring it in line with domestic rates just yet.
