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.
Anacom fines Portugal Telecom
Anacom has fined Portugal Telecom US$709,850 for “failing to respect” the confidentiality of information obtained under access agreements.
At issue is the execution of a contract with TMN, by which Portugal Telecom “sought to raise customers” for the fixed-to-mobile service.
Separately, Anacom issued fines of US$39,041.75 to three other companies for other contraventions.
Portuguese mobile termination rates to fall (Portugal)
Portuguese telecommunications regulator Anacom has announced that the mobile termination rates should drop by the Q3 2011, adding that the regulator will set a new value “this year”.
According to Anacom’s administrator, Jose Ferrari Careto, Anacom is currently working on defining a new model, adding that the consultation ends this week.
Vodafone offers White iPhone 4 in Portugal
Vodafone has started the sales of the white iPhone 4 in Portugal. The cost of the handset and associated subscriptions are the same as for the black model.
Optimus introduces application for discovering Portugal
Optimus has introduced an application for iPhone, iPad Touch and iPod users who want to discover Portugal.
Ondir is a mobile tourist guide that locates and provides information on monuments, museums, castles, churches, palaces and many other points of interest, and contains more than 12,000 points of interest on the mainland and islands.
Through integration with Facebook, it also enables users to post photos, comment and vote on the sites.
Vodafone Portugal concerned about Portuguese 4G auction proposal
Vodafone Portugal has issued a statement expressing its concern about the planned auction of 4G radio frequencies.
According to the company, proposed conditions do no provide enough certainty for bidders to make informed decisions on investments. It does not support the choice for a sequential auction, noting this does not feature in other European countries holding similar auctions.
The statement follows the close of the public consultation held by regulator Anacom on the plans.
Tablet sales to grow over 800% in Portugal
A recent research has revealed that the tablet market in Portugal will accelerate throughout 2011 with sales growth exceeding 800%.
According to the market researcher, 35,000 tablets were sold in Portugal in 2010, a figure expected to grow 813% to 322,000 units by the end the year.
The researchers forecast that Portugal will grow faster than the world market (estimated at 300 percent), because the iPad, which represented more than 85 percent of this market, only reached the national market in late 2010.
Mobile Vikings slashes data roaming prices (Belgium)
MVNO Mobile Vikings has reduced the cost of data roaming in 14 countries.
Customers will now pay US$0.74 per MB when abroad. The new tariff is valid in Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, UK, US and Belgium.
The new rate applies automatically.
Vodafone launches Mobile Clicks 2011 contest in Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Vodafone has opened Vodafone Mobile Clicks 2011, an international contest to identify and develop the best, most innovative mobile internet start-ups, at The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam. Contestants have until midnight on 12 June to sign up.
This year’s Vodafone MobileClicks is open to seven markets, with start-ups in Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Turkey or the UK eligible for the US$3, 34,057.5 prize.
Judging will take place over three rounds. Each competing market will draw up a shortlist of their five best submissions, and a local winner will be selected. All seven local winners will be invited to represent their country at the PICNIC festival in the Netherlands on 15–16 September, where the overall winner will be chosen. Judges will include Rudy de Waele, founder of Mobile 2.0 Europe and dotopen; Peter Barry, head of VC and Start-up at Vodafone Ventures; Paul Jozefak, managing partner at Mobile VC; Reshma Sohonj, Partner at Seedcamp, and Lee Epting, director of content services at Vodafone Group.
Each judge will score entries based on five criteria: originality, creativity and innovation; technical and operational feasibility; economic and financial viability; value to end-users; and finally, the quality of the management team. Last year’s Vodafone Mobile Clicks winner was Cardmobili, a service that allows customers to replace their points, membership and loyalty cards with a mobile app.
Vodafone Portugal slashes Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 prices
Vodafone Portugal has recuded the price of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Vodafone brought the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to Portugal in March for the price of US$1,031.51.
Vodafone now offers the device for the reduced price of US$869.39. Users can also acquire the Galaxy Tab 10.1 at Vodafone’s online shop for US$854.65.
