Verizon and AT&T ponder over shared-data pricing plans (USA)
Mobile data now accounts for a very significant aspect of a consumer’s life. While demand for wireless data services has been on the rise, users are also on the lookout for the most economical option, adding pressure on mobile operators.
In an attempt to meet consumer demand and reduce churn, mobile operators Verizon Wireless and AT&T are preparing to roll out shared-data pricing plans this year, according to a report by BN. As per the report, the revolutionary new service would enable customers to split one internet data plan between their phones, iPads and other wireless devices, providing an economical option for families, small businesses or people with a lot of Web-connected gadgets.
As per the report, while such a move could prove to be highly successful for operators, any would lower the amount of money that subscribers pay, while increasing network traffic and the cost of maintaining networks. Thus both operators are hesitant in being the first one to offer the service.
However, mobile operators Sprint and T-Mobile are yet to announce any plans for the same. They claim that such a move may make it tougher for families to keep a track of how the data is being used, and may lead to bill shock.
Play lowers HTC, Sony Ericsson mobile prices (Poland)
Play has lowered the prices of HTC Desire HD, HTC HD 2 and Sony Ericsson Cedar. The company is offering Sony Ericsson Cedar with the tariff Mix i.e. US$0.35, except for the lowest option US$87.88 with 30 top-ups and US$70.23 with 40 top-ups respectively.
The company is offering HTC HD with Mix tariffs for US$423.16 to US$625.57 and the HTC Desire HD for US$458.45 to US$687.87. With Stan Darmowy, All Inclusive and All Inclusive Max, the Sony Ericsson Cedar costs US$0.35. HTC HD 2 prices with these tariffs range from US$0.35 to US$511.39 and HTC Desire HD prices from US$40.82 to US$634.92.
With the tariffs Business and Talks in Firm the prices of the HTC Desire HD, HTC HD 2 and Sony Ericsson Cedar starts at US$0.35. Play has also reduced prices of the Samsung M8800 Pixon and M8910 Pixon 12.
Opera crosses 100m Users, Launches on iPhone
Opera Software recently revealed that their browsers are being used by over 100 million people worldwide. While over 50 million users are on Windows, Mac and Linux computers another 50 million use Opera Mini on mobile phones, plus a smaller number use Opera browser on game consoles, TVs and set-top boxes.
According to Opera CEO, Lars Boilesen, Opera’s record growth shows that they are on the right track, and that as user needs grow, they are growing right along with them.
In his opinion, Opera for Desktop delivers the fastest browsing experience on the planet, with a visionary approach to features and a user-friendly design.
The software has also announced of the approval of Opera Mini for iPhone and iPod touch on the Apple App Store. Depending on the market the software will be available for free download very soon.
Quick Response Codes enter into Ireland with DRG/Scanbuy Deal
A deal has been signed between Digital Reach Group (DRG) and mobile barcode firm Scanbuy to include Quick Response (QR) codes alongside print ads, editorial content and on packaging and merchandise displays in Ireland.
According to DRG CEO, Colm Grealy, with mobile Internet and Smartphones becoming the norm, there is an increasing expectation from the public to be able to get the information they have on the Internet at home straight to their handset quickly and with no fuss.
The service they are bringing to Ireland will truly integrate mobile Internet browsing into consumer’s daily lives.
The service is aimed at advertisers, ad agencies, retailers and traditional media publishers. QR Codes can also be bought as an add-on to traditional ad campaigns, packaging and merchandise displays.
In the opinion of Scanbuy CEO, Jonathan Bulkeley, the proliferation of Internet-equipped phones gives advertisers a tremendous opportunity to reach a sizable and engaged audience.
With mobile codes, the offline and online worlds can now be easily bridged. A scan of a print ad will instantly take people directly to a supporting website and the opportunities are endless from there.
International Rescue launched on iPhone
UK-based fleet tracking, traffic and navigation provider, Trafficmaster has launched the first ever international mobile phone travel emergency and concierge service. Under this a user will be offered 24/7 access to a team of travel experts located in more than 40 countries, who will be available in case of an emergency.
Travellers can now get connected to Trafficmaster personal assistants in the UK at the press of a button. These assistant have exclusive access to in-country local teams and will be able to provide a liaison between the user, the police, British embassies, border controls and emergency services.
Apart from this, they will also help in locating a restaurant or a hotel or cash machine. The calls will be charged at normal UK landline rate.
According to Trafficmaster Chief Executive, Tony Eales, following on from launching International Rescue on Blackberry, Symbian and Windows-based mobile phones, the company is delighted to be able to offer this on iPhone. It is a fantastic service that offers peace of mind, security and local knowledge to all travelers.
The application costs £20 a month or £65 for an annual subscription. It can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, or from the Trafficmaster website.
TATA india to offer SIM cards on its CDMA network
Oberthur Technologies the world’s second largest provider of Smart Card based solutions today announced the commercialization of its OMHTM (Open Market Handsets) SIM cards for CDMA (Code Development Multiple Access) networks. OMH SIM cards contain subscriber, network and service configuration data that allow subscribers the freedom to easily change and upgrade their handset, but maintain their network configuration.
Oberthur Technologies collaborated with Tata Teleservices Limited, one of India’s fastest growing private telecom service providers, and Qualcomm Incorporated, a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on CDMA and other advanced technologies, to introduce OMHTM SIM cards into the India market.
Olivier Leroux, Head of the Mobile Product Line for the Card Systems Division at Oberthur Technologies said, “Oberthur Technologies is the first to commercially launch OMHTM SIM cards. We are pleased to partner with industry leaders such as Tata Teleservices and Qualcomm who are enhancing the subscriber experience for Indian consumers.”
The OMHTM SIM card, referred to as a removable user identity module (R-UIM), is a state of the art smartcard that stores operator and subscriber specific configuration parameters, separate from the handset memory. By having this configuration parameters located on the OMHTM SIM card rather than the device, subscribers can more easily switch or upgrade their handsets. These cards allow CDMA network operators to increase the selection of devices and services while lowering distribution and inventory costs.
“These are exciting times in the Indian telecom space where innovation, research and development are the key to success and remain competitive in the business. In our constant effort to redefine the telecom space keeping customers at the central point, Tata Teleservices decided to partner with Qualcomm and Oberthur Technologies to further develop the Open Market Handset initiative and offer more choice to customers”, said Lloyd Mathias, Chief Marketing Officer, Tata Teleservices Limited.
“Qualcomm is pleased to work with Oberthur Technologies for its leadership as one of the first companies to develop OMH SIM cards,” said Nakul Duggal, Senior Director and OMH Project Lead, Qualcomm Corporate Engineering Services. “The OMH initiative is focused on increasing device variety by offering new channels and distribution options within the CDMA ecosystem to provide greater subscriber flexibility.”
About Oberthur Technologies
With sales of 882 million Euros in 2008, Oberthur Technologies is a world leader in the field of secure technologies. Innovation and high quality services ensure Oberthur Technologies’ strong positioning in its main target markets:
– Card Systems: The world’s second largest provider of security and identification based on smart card technology and associated services for mobile, payment, transport, digital TV and convergence markets. – Identity: Leading international supplier for the manufacture and personalization of secure identity documents such as passport, identity card, driving license or health care card – traditional and electronic – and associated services for both governmental and corporate markets. – Security printing: World’s third largest private security printer specialized in high security for the production of banknotes, checks and other fiduciary documents in more than fifty countries. – Cash protection: World leader in the emerging market of intelligent systems to secure cash-in-transit and ATM.
Close to its customers, Oberthur Technologies benefits from an industrial and commercial presence across all five continents.
Oberthur Technologies S.A. is a limited liability company (societe anonyme) registered in France with its registered office at 50 quai Michelet 92 532 Levallois Perret, France. Oberthur Technologies S.A.’s corporate registration number is 340 709 534 R.C.S. Paris.
Website: http://www.oberthur.com
About Tata Teleservices Limited
Tata Teleservices Limited is one of India’s leading private telecom service providers, having a pan-India presence across all of India’s 22 telecom Circles. The company offers integrated telecom solutions to its customers under the Tata Indicom, Tata DOCOMO, Photon and Walky brands, and uses both the CDMA and GSM technology platform(s) for its wireless networks. Tata Teleservices Limited, along with Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited, operates in more than 325,000 towns and villages across the country. In November 2008, Tata Teleservices entered into an agreement with Japanese telecom major NTT DOCOMO, and this transaction marks a key step in the strategic evolution of Tata Teleservices Limited. Tata DOCOMO has so far launched GSM services in eight telecom Circles, and the remaining part of the country is also expected to be covered shortly. In December 2008, Tata Teleservices announced a unique reverse equity swap strategic agreement between its fully-owned telecom tower subsidiary-Wireless TT Info-Services Limited-and Quippo Telecom Infrastructure Limited, thereby becoming the largest independent entity in this space. Tata Teleservices’ bouquet of telephony services includes mobile services, wireless desktop phones, public booth telephony and Wireline services.
For details, visit http://www.tatateleservices.com, http://www.tatadocomo.com or http://www.tataindicom.com.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Hutchison 3G Austria modernizes its network for HSPA+ and LTE
Hutchison 3G Austria is modernizing its radio access network to be ready for HSPA+ and the next generation of mobile broadband, or LTE. At the same time this step will allow the operator to halve the energy consumption of its base stations. Nokia Siemens Networks will undertake this upgrade starting in autumn 2009.
The demand for increased mobile broadband capacity and throughput in Austria is reflected in the increasing usage of data cards and mobile services like Mobile TV, video download or video sharing,†said Berthold Thoma, CEO of Hutchison 3G Austria. Mobile broadband is also one of the most pragmatic solutions to bridging the digital gap between cities and rural areas. For rural areas, mobile broadband coverage is simply less expensive and faster to deploy than fiber to the home†solutions. We hope that with our nationwide coverage we will contribute significantly to this end.†(more…)
