3 UK launches unlimited mobile data tariff

On 03.08.11, In Mobile, By Editor

­Hutchison 3G UK has launched an unlimited mobile data tariff for its pre-paid subscribers, who top up their accounts at least once a month.

The company has launched two plans ‘All in One 15′ costs US$24.30 and gives 30-days access to all-you-can-eat data along with 300 any-network minutes and 3,000 texts. Alternatively, the “All in One 25″ tariff costs US$40.50 and offers 500 minutes, 3,000 texts and all-you-can-eat data for a 30-day period.

The move comes just two months after 3 launched a similar all-you-can-eat data offer for contract customers with The One Plan.

According to 3′s Sales and Marketing Director, Marc Allera, they want to get people using their smartphones in the way they were designed to be used. More importantly, they want people to feel comfortable doing this without worrying about the cost. That’s why, the new offers include all-you-can-eat data along with a huge allowance of minutes and texts. 3′s network was built for data, and it’s the confidence in the strength of our 3G network that means we can introduce deals like this.

There seems to be no mention of any “fair use” clauses in the small print.

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Skype launches Wi-Fi hotspot operator partnership programme

On 02.14.11, In Mobile, By Editor

­Skype has announced that it has signed a pact with a series of Wi-Fi networks to offer roaming for its pay-as-you-go Internet customers.

Skype users can now connect to the Internet through a Wi-Fi operator partner in over 500,000 hotspots around the globe.

Rather than paying per day or per hour Internet access fees, Skype access allows users to pay per minute using Skype Credit, with rates starting at $.06 per minute.

At the launch of the service, Skype Access partners include:

  • BT Openzone – The UK’s largest Wi-Fi hotspot provider with a network of two million hotspots
  • Fon – The world’s largest Wi-Fi network with over 3.35 million Fon Spots across the globe
  • M3 Connect – Wi-Fi provider in Germany with hotspots in many hotels, fairgrounds, airports and places like the German Stock Exchange
  • Row 44 – Provides the world’s leading in-flight broadband platform to commercial airlines around the world
  • Skyrove – WiFi hotspot solutions for guesthouses, hotels and coffee shops throughout South Africa
  • Spectrum Interactive – Specializes in offering WiFi for the travel and media sector including airports and hotels across the UK
  • Tomizone – WiFi provider in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific
  • Vex – Offers WiFi services in thousands of locations around the world including South America
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FRiENDi Mobile to offer 3G services (Oman)

On 02.08.11, In Mobile, By Editor

FRiENDi Mobile, one of five companies licensed to provide mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services in Oman, is all set to commercially launch 3G services.

The UAE-based company began nationwide operations in Oman in April 2009 and offers services on the network of incumbent operator Omantel.

The firm’s new 3G service, named ‘FRiENDi Mobile Internet’, has undergone a technical launch and will be officially inaugurated on 12 February.

According to Mikkel Vinter, CEO at FRiENDi Mobile, the offering is the first mobile data package in Oman available on a monthly pay-as-you-go basis. He added that while voice services remain FRiENDi’s core business, data is becoming increasingly important and the company is keen to offer a ‘full portfolio’ of services to its customer base of almost 250,000 subscribers.

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Skype to reimburse paying customers after service outage

On 12.28.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Skype has announced that it would be reimbursing its paying customers for the inconvenience caused by massive service outage.

According to CEO Tony Bates, Pre-paid and pay-as-you-go customers will receive a voucher via e-mail for 30 minutes of free calling to landlines anywhere in the world, and subscribers will be credited with one week’s subscription service to be applied from the next renewal date.

He added that audio, video and instant messaging are running normally, and the site is back to 90% of its normal user volume. Traffic peaked at about 20 million users Thursday. Offline instant messaging and group video calling are still unavailable.

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Vodafone launches Nokia C6-01

On 11.26.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Vodafone has launched the Nokia C6-01 on its network, alongside Pay As You Go and SIM free deals.

The C6-01 is Nokia‘s latest Symbian^3 smartphone, which was released at Nokia World 2010 along with the C7 and E7.Nokia_C6_01

The phone has a 103.8 x 52.5 x 13.9 mm screen with a weight of 131g. The handset, available in both black and grey, and boasts a 3.2 inch capacitive touchscreen, complete with Nokia’s all new ClearBlack technology.

The handset offers Facebook and Twitter , Ovi Messenger and support for up to 10 separate email accounts. Nokia C6-01 also comes packed with an 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash and 720p HD video capture, 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity and up to 32GB of storage.

The phone is available for US$47.25 per month, a deal offering users 7 months line rental at US$3.13, working out at just US$34.38 per month once cash back has been redeemed. This deal also includes a free handset, 600 minutes, unlimited texts and 500MB data. The handset is also available to order on pay monthly deals with O2, Orange and T-Mobile, with prices starting from just US$18.60 per month.

The Nokia C6-01 is also available on Pay As You Go with Vodafone from just US$472.43, and SIM free from US$464.69.

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AT&T, Verizon May Face Unexpected Cash Payments

On 11.25.10, In Mobile, By Editor

The companies may forcefully have to pay unexpected cash payment as they have projected higher returns on investments and lower growth in expenses than most of their peers in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index, according to Craig Moffett, an analyst at Bernstein.

According to Moffett, AT&T and Verizon have the two largest unfunded liabilities for retired employees in the S&P 500, accounting for almost 12% of the pension gap for the entire index. They are using aggressive methods to predict how much they will need to spend on retiree health care and pensions and the interest rates the funds are likely to receive. At the end of the day, what you worry about is the ability of these companies to continue to earn attractive returns. The wireless business has to run very fast to outpace these enormous legacy obligations.

According to the spokesperson, Verizon does not expect to make material contributions to its pension fund this year and can’t comment beyond that. The company funds the benefit on a pay-as-you-go basis from operating cash flows. Verizon’s pension plan cost it $1.88 billion in the first nine months of this year, up from $722 million a year earlier. AT&T spent $868 million, down from $1.55 billion in 2009.

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AT&T Introduces Pay-As-You-Go International Data Packages for Laptops and Netbooks

On 11.22.10, In Mobile, By Editor

AT&T today announced the launch of AT&T DataConnect Pass Global — a lineup of international pay-as-you-go data packages now available on AT&T-certified laptops and netbooks. The announcement expands AT&T’s portfolio of pay-as-you-go data services, providing domestic and now international data passes designed to meet individual needs and budgets without a long-term commitment.

Ideal for international business travelers and vacationers alike, the passes provide data coverage in more than 100 countries, including Canada, Mexico, countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Available in 30-day session increments, packages can help travelers better manage their data usage abroad and at rates significantly lower than pay-per-use service. Data packages include:

DataConnect Pass Global 20MB for $24.99

DataConnect Pass Global 50MB for $59.99

DataConnect Pass Global 100MB for $119.99

DataConnect Pass Global 200MB for $199.99

Data sessions may be purchased at AT&T DataConnect Pass Sessions, using a credit card or a debit card.  Customers can also bill the charges to their wireless bill provided the postpaid wireless account has been active more than 90 days and has no past due charges. Set up is easy: customers create a username and password, provide their laptop or netbook SIM card and device serial numbers, complete the billing information and select the desired data package.

Once purchased, customers have the flexibility to specify when they want the 30-day session to begin, based on their travel itinerary. As a helpful reminder, customers will receive a courtesy text and email when their plan is close to expiring or when they are close to depleting the amount of data available with their session.

International packages are available to existing AT&T netbook or laptop customers. For complete details, visit AT&T DataConnect Pass Sessions.

Restrictions apply.  Time begins expiring immediately upon activation whether you are using the service or not.  Once you consume your allotted data or your time expires, whichever occurs first, your data access will cease. Plans should be purchased before traveling outside the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S.V.I. For available countries and carriers, see DataConnect Legal Documents. Availability, quality of coverage while roaming are not guaranteed. Plans must begin within 365 days of purchase.  Fees are non-refundable. For complete terms and conditions see DataConnect Pass/iPadâ„¢/Session-Based Wireless Data Services Agreement on Wireless Legal Documents.

DataConnect Pass Global packages are available to customers with an AT&T enabled LaptopConnect Card, embedded Laptop Card or netbook that have a domestic AT&T Laptop Connect plan currently. Customers that already have their own AT&T compatible device, but do not currently subscribe to a domestic Laptop Connect Plan, may need to purchase a new SIM card to activate service.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates AT&T operating companies are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT. Find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz to discover more about our small business services.

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Mobile phone costing less than a piece of cake (Britain)

On 11.09.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Carphone Warehouse, a Mobile phone retailer is introducing the ultimate off the cuff accessory – the 99-pence mobile phone.

The phone is available in a range of colors and is a perfect gift for the hard-up shopper. The retail chain claims the OT-209, made by French firm Alcatel, is the cheapest pay-as-you-go phone ever to be sold in Britain.

As per the reports, customers, who are not tied to an expensive contract, will be connected to the Virgin network.  The only catch is they will have to buy US$16.13 of credit to make calls. There are no more fees other than the cost of making calls and text messages.

The phone is aimed at first-time users and people who are tired of the new technology. It has just a few features and is easy to use.

According to Executive chairman Charles Dunstone; it is also useful for consumers to have as a back-up phone. You have to remember at Christmas the one question we get asked the most in their stores is ‘what’s your cheapest phone’? And at 99p this is the lowest it’s ever been. He guesses it reflects just how competitive the UK mobile market has become between carriers and manufacturers. Mobile phones are such an important part of people’s lives and so many are manufactured that they have become very cheap to make.

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MTN reduces international roaming rates (South Africa)

On 10.29.10, In Mobile, By Editor

MTN South Africa has announced that it will reduce the retail rates for international roaming on both voice and data with effect from today.

According to Serame Taukobong, Chief Marketing Officer at MTN SA, MTN Roaming is now an even more affordable and convenient means for MTN Pay-As-You-Go, Contract and Top-Up customers to always stay connected when travelling abroad.

MTN had introduced Seamless Roaming in March this year to provide MTN Pay-As-You-Go and Top-Up customers with the ability to load airtime using foreign airtime vouchers in Southern and Eastern Africa regions where MTN operates.

Serame Taukobong added that MTN has now decided to further reduce roaming rates to encourage customers to stay connected on the MTN network while travelling in Southern and Eastern Africa regions. This means that all MTN Pay-As-You-Go, Top-Up and contract customers can now travel with their MTN cell phones to MTN Uganda, MTN Zambia, MTN Swaziland, MTN Rwandacel and Mascom Botswana, and enjoy one of the most affordable roaming call and internet rates.

The new roaming rates have been revised substantially and will be charged as: International calls or calls to home (South Africa) at R5.00 per minute, Local calls at R3.00 per minute, Receiving calls at R4.00 per minute,  Sending SMSs at R1.50 per SMS and Data at 25c per 25KB

According to Taukobong, with the new voice and data rates, it is intention to encourage company’s loyal customers to make the most of the MTN network, no matter where they roam in Southern and Eastern Africa. The company is also encouraging customers to ensure they comply with RICA requirements by simply taking their ID and proof of residence to their nearest MTN store, thereby ensuring they experience uninterrupted service during their travels.

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Vodafone aims at pre-paid market (UK)

On 10.11.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Vodafone is planning to get a hold on the consumer of pay-as-you-go market in the busy run-up to Christmas, as its conventional potency in the corporate sector is set to hassle.

According to a source, the UK mobile phone giant is planning its biggest push into pre-paid for over five years, with a series of new package deals.

According to a market expert, the company had suffered in the pre-paid consumer market, but over the next year it will be more important than the corporate market. Pre-paid makes up half of all mobile connections in the UK.

If sources are to be believed, the new packages will be available from November, in time for Christmas, and it is a crucial time for pay-as-you-go, as a third of all pre-pay handsets are sold in November and December.

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