AT&T moves towards wireless-centric home security and automation services (USA)
AT&T today announced plans for a new portfolio of all-digital, IP-based home security monitoring and automation services. Called AT&T Digital LifeTM, , the services will give users unparalleled control and security of their homes using any web-enabled device, PCs, tablets and smartphones, regardless of wireless carrier. The trials for the same are expected to begin trials in Atlanta and Dallas this summer.
As per the company, checking on the welfare of loved ones, protecting one’s home from intruders, fire or water damage, unlocking a door for the repairman or changing the temperature setting on the thermostat, can be as easy as if one were right at home.
Managed by a newly created Digital Life group, the remote monitoring and automation portfolio will feature web-based access to automation, energy and water controls, as well as professionally monitored security services.
Larry Hettick, Research Director, Consumer Services, for Current Analysis, said that the AT&T Digital Life service has the potential to take home monitoring and home security solutions to another level. The service promises to be as robust as anything in the marketplace today backed by the trusted AT&T brand. These consumer-friendly capabilities will help grow this industry.
The AT&T Digital Life will feature a robust lineup of connected devices like cameras, window/door sensors, smoke and carbon monoxide sensors, door locks and moisture detection among others. The devices will be wirelessly enabled to connect to the IP-based AT&T Digital Life platform inside the home.
Kevin Petersen, senior vice president, Digital Life, AT&T Mobility, said that AT&T Digital Life will change the way people live, work and play — and meets a clear need in the market. The service is smart, simple and customer centric– freeing homeowners to do the things they want to do without compromising on the things they need to do to care for family and home.
He added that they are planning a unique suite of services, from start to finish, that will give homeowners control of their property and their possessions through an easy to navigate user interface. Their focus is on providing their customers with a comprehensive home security and automation solution that offers the best possible customer experience, and uses the most advanced mobile internet technology on the market to make their lives easier and keep their families and property safer.
According to reports, industry analysts claim that such a move is largely inspired by the declining competition in the mobile industry. Stagnant revenues are causing mobile operators to diversify their business portfolio and enter segments where there is still scope for revenue growth.
Airtel announces Q4 results: customer base crosses 250 million, net profit down by 28% (India)
Leading telecom operator in India, Bharti Airtel announced its consolidated IFRS results for the fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2012. According to the company report, the revenue growth in the fourth quarter was fuelled by increased customer additions and strong minutes growth in India. Despite a national strike for 9 days in Nigeria, Africa revenues continued its growth trend.
The consolidated net profit declined 28 percent to $190.6 million, in the fourth quarter ended March, from $265 million a year earlier, resulting in the ninth consecutive quarter for which the operator witnessed a profit decline. The company added that the net income was impacted by higher costs on account of 3G license fee amortisation, 3G interest costs, forex fluctuation losses and tax.
Consolidated EBITDA margin was sustained at a robust level of 33.3 percent benefitting from scale and cost efficiencies. Further, revenue growth of 11.6 percent for the full year in India and South Asia was mainly contributed by stability in pricing accompanied by robust growth in customer numbers. The company’s Africa revenues stood at $1,071 million, up by 15.9 percent from the previous year.
In a statement, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharti Airtel Limited, said that he is pleased that the year has ended with the Company’s customer base crossing 250 million across twenty countries, the twentieth country being Rwanda. Their launch of 4G LTE, the first in India, is testimony to their commitment to the broadband agenda.
Further, the recent regulatory developments in India will have significant implications on the future of telephony and broadband, as well as India’s global competitiveness. The entire industry looks to the Government for a fair, transparent and sustainable telecom regime.
Bharti Airtel’s Q4 results to rise 3.5 percent at $3.73 billion (India)
According to estimates from research firms, leading telecom operator Bharti Airtel is expected to see a 3.5 per cent increase in its Q4 results, reaching $3.73 billion, as reported by Moneycontrol. The report reveals that the company’s net profit is expected to rise up to 28.1 per cent at $252 million, QoQ.
As per the report, Bharti is expected to report 3.5 per cent qoq revenue growth. Indian mobile revenue is expected to growth 3.7 per cent, while ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) is expected to be at $ 3.7. The revenue from its African operations is expected to bring in revenues of $ 1.07 billion.
The key things the operator plans to focus on include increasing its subscriber base owing to the roll-out of the 3G network. Also, improved network management and data traffic will remain a key point for the operator.
Vimpelcom reports strong cash flow in Q4 2011 results (Russia)
VimpelCom Ltd., Russia’s third- largest wireless company by subscribers announced its operating and financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2011.
As per the company report, Jo Lunder, CEO, Vimpecom, said that the company has delivered strong operational performance across all business units in the fourth quarter of 2011, driving organic revenue growth of 5 per cent, stable EBITDA and strong cash flows of USD 1.8 billion in the period. The final dividend payment of USD 0.35 per common share underscores the Company’s commitment to pay annual dividends of at least USD 0.80 per common share from 2011 to 2014.
In Russia, they are implementing their plans to improve the business performance and they regained market share during the year, which they intend to maintain while increasing their focus on profitable growth. In Italy, they saw further market share increases in the mobile and fixed line segments. Data revenues grew strongly in both these markets and in the Ukraine. The Africa & Asia business unit continued to deliver excellent subscriber growth and the CIS unit produced double digit revenue growth.
He added that their focus in 2012 will continue to be on the delivery of their Value Agenda and the 2011 results provide a good platform for profitable growth and improved cash flows. The process of integrating the businesses acquired in 2011 is now completed and in 2012 they expect to leverage the benefits of their increased size and capabilities.
Saudi Telecom eyes firm growth from foreign units
Saudi Telecom Co, the Middle East’s largest listed telecom operator has stated that it is expecting steady revenue growth from its international operations this year as it continues to add subscribers in countries like Indonesia, India and Kuwait and would consider the right acquisition opportunity should it arise.
The company, which sourced around 33% of total revenues in 2010 from its foreign units, expects its current rate of revenue expansion offshore to stabilize in 2011.
According to Ghassan Hasbani, Saudi Telecom’s chief executive of international operations, growth will continue to be steady until an acquisition comes.
Saudi Telecom, or STC, is increasingly looking beyond the kingdom for earnings growth. It has targeted regions such as Africa and Asia as competition in its domestic market from the likes of Etihad Etisalat, or Mobily, and Zain Saudi heats up.
According to STC’s website it now has a presence in Kuwait, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and South Africa.
Hasbani added that these markets grow no less than 10%. Some markets are doubling revenues year on year.
Telekom Malaysia’s Q4 revenue falls but net profit rises
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: A rise of 2.5% in the net profit but 9% fall in the revenue of the fourth quarter has been reported by Telekom Malaysia. 7.8% loss from MYR 822.0 million to MYR 757.7 million has been reported in EBITDA while the profit before tax slipped 0.1 percent to MYR 235.6 million.
A net profit of MYR 170.2 million, up 2.5 percent from MYR 166.0 million in Q4 2008 has been posted by Telekom Malaysia.
The company ended the quarter with 1.43 million broadband customers and 4.32 million fixed customers. For 2010, TM expects revenue growth of 2 percent and an EBITDA margin of 33 percent.
Excessive handset subsidies in Netherlands come to an end
Following T-Mobile’s recent announcement, market leader KPN has also decided to cut the commissions it pays to retailers for selling mobile services in The Netherlands. From September, KPN will gradually reduce handset subsidies and sales commissions. The handset subsidies and excessive sales commissions have been a thorn in the side of operators in recent years amid an increasingly saturated Dutch mobile market. The handset subsidies and sales commission contribute to very high churn rates, reaching 30 percent, but do not add to service revenue growth, putting pressure on profit margins. A reduction was inevitable, but the question was which operator dared to take the first step and risk giving the competition an advantage? The first move by T-Mobile and the recent success of E-Plus in Germany may have helped KPN take the decision to pull the plug on handset subsidies in The Netherlands.
Source- http://www.telecompaper.com
