PosteMobile introduces handset for foreigners (Italy)
PosteMobile, which is an Italian MVNO, ha introduced the PM1109 Mondo, a new mobile phone designed to meet the needs of foreign nationals.
The device provides a multi-language menu and T9 writing system in the following languages: English, Italian, French, Spanish, Albanian, Romanian, Russian and Polish.
The device is a dual-band GSM phone with 2.8-inch full touch LCD, 1.3 MP camera and 2GB microSD included in the package. It also features include FM radio, Bluetooth and a stereo headset.
Vodafone Netherlands chunks Viber
Vodafone Netherlands opts to block Viber, a chat service which provides free unlimited chat messages and VoIP.
As per Viber CEO Talmon Marco, the performance of the app has gone down since 10 March in Vodafone Netherlands. Other operators which filter out the app include Bouygues France and Vodafone in Romania and Cyprus.
VoIP calls using Viber are able to go through on the Vodafone NL network but the quality is so poor that conversations become unintelligible. Viber views the filtering policies as equal to censorship seen in countries such as Libya and Iran as it argues that operators are hindering innovation.
According to Vodafone NL, the operator stated that it was not fair for all subscribers to have to pay for VoIP.Vodafone has confirmed that it does block certain services for basic subscriptions. The service becomes available for users taking an extra bundle. The service is therefore not being blocked.
HTC offers Flyer tablet PC in Romania
HTC EMEA president Florian Seiche has stated that the company will be launching its Android-based Flyer tablet PC in Romania.
There are two variants offered i.e. 32 GB model with 3G and Wi-Fi at US$922.87, and a 16 GB model with support for Wi-Fi at US$710.
Both models are provided with an HTC Flyer Magic Pen compatible with HTC Scribe technology.
Vodafone launches online consultancy programme for SMEs (Romania)
Romanian mobile operator Vodafone has introduced ‘Vodafone Business Partner,’ an online video-interactive programme providing entrepreneurs free access to consultancy services for developing their business.
The first video-conference of the programme, which starts on 18 May, 4.00 pm, will aim at financing the development of your business from non-bank sources: European funds.
RomActiv Business Consulting’s consultant Radu Onofrei will be the speaker at video-conference. Interpret and apply the Labour Code to your business’ advantage” is the theme of the programme’s next seminar.
Orange Romania to invest $155 million in 2011
Orange Romania will reportedly invest between $704 and $848 million by 2015, of which approximately US$155 million will be spent on developing services during this year alone.
The funds put aside for 2011 are higher that the combined investments for 2009 and 2010.
During the same meeting, Orange Romania CTO Madalina Suceveanu stated that US$141 million will be allocated in 2011 for upgrading the existing communication network in some rural areas and for providing broadband services for customers in rural areas.
This project, which will consist of changing all network elements, will start in June this year in the Transylvania region and will be completed by the end of 2012. For this project, Orange will work with partners Huawei, Alcatel, and Cisco, which will help it with the technical implementation.
Suceveanu added that following the upgrade, customers will be offered internet speeds of up to 14.4 Mbps. The hardware technology that will be introduced as part of this project is ready for LTE services.
HTC Flyer tablet hits major European markets
HTC has announced that the new HTC Flyer tablet is now available across major markets in the EMEA region from 13 May.
The device is available as a Wi-Fi only or a combined 3G/Wi-Fi model, and will also be available to buy in store and online from the HTC.com website.
The combined 3G and Wi-Fi HTC Flyer features 32 GB of onboard memory which can be expanded with a microSD card of up to 32 GB and will retail at US$914.89.
A second variant will be available for US$704 with Wi-Fi connectivity only and expandable 16GB memory.
From 13 May, the device will be available in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Romania.
Orange Romania launches 3D video mapping projection
Orange Romania has launched a 3D video mapping projection using the latest HD projectors on the building of the Faculty of Architecture ‘Ion Mincu’ in Bucharest on 12 May.
The event also marked the launch of its HD voice service. A similar projection is scheduled to take place in the University Square during the ‘White Night of Museums’ cultural event held on 14 May in Bucharest.
These events come to support Orange Romania’s new role as ‘digital coach’ promoted by its new brand slogan ‘Today changes with Orange.’
Orange Romania launches HD voice
Orange Romania is offering HD voice services at no extra cost to all its customers. The service can be used in areas covered by 3G between two compatible phones.
At present, Orange Romania offers three handsets compatible with HD voice, namely Samsung Galaxy mini, Nokia E5 and Nokia N8. Other HD voice compatible phones will be offered to Orange Romania customers in the months to come.
Those with HD voice compatible phones were invited to visit www.orange.ro to check if their device’s software is compatible as well. If it is not, customers can update it online at no extra cost. All of Orange’s shops in Romania allow their visitors to test HD voice.
Ericsson to hire 1,500 staff for Indian managed services centre
Ericsson has stated that it will be hiring around 1,500 additional staff in India by the end of this year to support remote access to its managed services contracts.
The company already employs nearly 3,500 staff at the managed services centre at Gurgaon, which remotely looks after mobile networks around the world. Apart from India, Ericsson has similar facilities in Romania, China and Mexico and has more than 45,000 people in this unit.
According to Mr Magnus Mandersson, Senior Vice-President and Head of Global Services, Ericsson, India is a very important market for us and is growing. Demand continues to be good and if all goes as per plan, we would add more than 1,500 people by the end of December this year.
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.
