KT urges government to end OTT free riding (Korea)
KT Chief Executive Lee Suk-chae has urged the government and the nation’s leading technology companies LG and Samsung Electronics to pay for using its networks, according to a report by Korea Times.
As per the report, Lee in a technology forum held at the COEX Convention Center, southern Seoul, that Korea needs a new paradigm. The digital revolution has changed everything. Despite heavy data traffic amid rapid rises of data-intensive devices such as tablets and smartphones, no one is ready to pay in return for using networks.
He added that if the current situation continues, then Korea will see a big data blackout. This is an expected scenario. There’s no free lunch. It doesn’t make sense to ride free on networks.
The increasing adoption of OTT players such as Whatsapp and Facebook messenger have been cutting into operator revenues, while demand for wireless services has been on the rise.
The report highlights that growth in Internet-enabled devices is giving huge profits to set makers such as Samsung and LG, however, the trend is hurting telecom companies.
Lee said that the network traffic increased 153 times since smartphones came to Korea three years ago. Huge burdens over network investments are weighing on consumers as KT has no option but to collect money from customers to secure cash for the networks. KT saw a decline in operating profit in the first quarter of this year as its latest decision to cut monthly charges for mobile phone plans dragged it down.
KT spokeswoman Kim Yoon-jeong said TV manufacturers are free-riding on its network, while its capacity to invest and upgrade it is shrinking due to worsening profitability.
Verizon to focus on Windows phones this holiday season (USA)
Verizon Wireless plans to put its marketing weight behind Microsoft Corp’s next mobile phone software to help develop a strong competitor to Apple Inc and Google Inc, according to the chief financial officer of Verizon Communications, as told to Reuters.
Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon and Vodafone Group Plc, already sells the Apple iPhone and many devices based on Google’s Android software.
But Verizon’s CFO Fran Shammo said the company wants a third strong software competitor in the mobile market where operators pay hefty subsidies for smartphones like the iPhone.
As per the interview, Shammo said that they are really looking at the Windows Phone 8.0 platform because that’s a differentiator. They are working with Microsoft on it.
Microsoft has not said anything publicly about the next update of its mobile software, but Windows Phone 8 — codenamed ‘Apollo’ — is expected on phones this holiday season.
As per the report, Shammo said that Verizon Wireless expects to have phones based on the next Microsoft software in time for the 2012 end of year holiday shopping season. The executive suggested that Verizon could play a similar role with Microsoft as it did with Google’s Android.
Verizon Wireless marketing played a big part in boosting the popularity of Android phones from manufacturers including Motorola Mobility, Samsung Electronics and HTC Corp. Verizon’s Droid brand even managed to give a struggling Motorola a new lease of life.
Nokia is Microsoft’s closest mobile partner as the Finnish company has bet its smartphone business on the U.S. company’s software. But Nokia’s fortunes have fallen sharply since it took up with Microsoft.
While Samsung and HTC both already sell phones based on Microsoft software, Motorola Mobility’s future plans are uncertain as it is in the process of being bought by Google.
TeliaSonera leads with maximum subscribers on its 4G network (Sweden)
Mobile network operator TeliaSonera has emerged as the leading operator for 4G wireless services in Sweden, with over 100,000 customers on its 4G network.
According to a report by BN, Haakan Dahlstroem, head of mobility services, TeliaSonera, said in an interview, that the company began offering 4G in Stockholm and Oslo in December 2009, knowing that devices for users would be slow to arrive. He said that after being late to market with 3G mobile broadband, the provider wanted to signal to business customers that it would invest to have the most advanced network for their laptops and tablets.
The report added that Dahlstroem said that when they took the decision to be early with 4G it was based more on image than on network offload. He added that changes will happen over a long time. Further, the majority of terminals on their network are 3G but they still have a lot of 2G out there.
As per the interview, Haakan expects to launch the operator’s first Samsung Electronics Co. 4G handset in Sweden by this week.
With data demand consistently increasing, telecom operators have been upgrading their networks to support the demand and retain their customer base. 4G wireless services offer users faster transfer speeds enabling them to stream videos and movies online in a smooth and uninterrupted manner.
As per the report, Dahlstroem said that the majority of Nordic 4G customers are in Sweden. Further, the operator also offers 4G in Finland and Denmark, and has very small numbers of 4G customers in the Baltics.
He added that problems with low data throughput, dropped calls and poor coverage in the Danish network have been solved. Also, capabilities for voice calls with 4G are likely to be added in 2013. Finally, he claimed that TeliaSonera is continuing to increase capacity in the 3G network while it expands coverage in the 4G network.
KT to begin iPad2 sale from April (S Korea)
South Korea’s KT Corp has announced that it will be selling the 2G iPad in the Asian country from the next month.
KT’s hometown rival and the country’s largest mobile carrier, SK Telecom has stated that it is actively considering offering the tablet device in the domestic market.
From April, SK Telecom will begin selling four tablet computer models, including Motorola Mobility Holdings’ Xoom, Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Tab devices and LG Electronics’ Optimus Pad.
Axiom Telecom and Samsung stage new product preview for UAE customers
Axiom Telecom and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a leading mobile phone provider, today staged their first ever Product Preview event together to reveal the new Samsung Galaxy Pro smartphone that will go on sale in the UAE during the second week of April 2011.
The preview is yet another initiative that strengthens the existing regional partnership between Samsung Electronics and Axiom Telecom. The two companies came together today to introduce the Samsung Galaxy Pro smartphone to select customers and media during a special demonstration.
During the event, select Axiom Telecom customers had the opportunity to experience live units of the new Samsung Galaxy Pro first hand and join discussions with representatives from both Samsung and Axiom Telecom about this latest Samsung smartphone.
The Samsung Galaxy Pro is the latest user-friendly device from the company with a QWERTY keyboard and is powered by the Android Operating System that gives access to a vast array of applications. With advanced messaging, social networking capabilities and business solutions, the Samsung Galaxy Pro can handle both high business demands and the requirements of a very active social lifestyle.
“Axiom’s Telecom’s retail experience, reach and ability to bring new products first into the market complement with Samsung’s legacy of innovation, creative designs and constantly bringing new products that fit into consumers’ lifestyles in a meaningful way,” said Young Woo Jun, Director at Samsung Gulf Electronics.
Today’s session is in response to growing consumer demand to experience new phones and gain even more information before making a purchasing decision. This helps consumers to make the very best choice for their individual requirements in an increasingly complex, rapidly-moving and cluttered marketplace. Recognizing this need, Axiom Telecom is the first telecom retailer to offer such Product Previews and will continue to work with Samsung in the future to bring consumers the opportunity to experience tomorrow’s technology today.
This is particularly needed in the more sophisticated Smartphone sector, which Axiom Telecom explained has grown significantly since last year. “Our retail experience has shown the importance of high levels of knowledgeable staff to give customers guidance and the need for live phones and dedicated space within stores to allow customers to try-out products before purchase,” said Matthew Ramljak, Group Retail Manager at Axiom Telecom.
“Today’s event is part of our broader strategic partnership with Samsung and we look forward to supporting Samsung in bringing unique products, services and experiences to UAE consumers,” added Matthew Ramljak.
Currently Axiom Telecom provides specialized Samsung ‘Solution Bays’ across numerous Axiom Telecom retail outlets in the UAE. The Samsung Solution Bays will showcase the brand’s devices and demonstrate various mobile solutions such as navigation, music, email and messaging. In addition, Samsung will train in-store staff to provide customers with expert advice about Samsung’s offerings. Additionally, Axiom Telecom distributes Samsung’s wide range of mobile handsets and accessories across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Axiom Telecom currently has 900 retail points across the Middle East in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
Samsung unveils ‘Smarter Life’ concept
Samsung Electronics has highlighted its ‘Smarter Life’ concept at the third annual Samsung European Forum at Mucsarnok, Budapest.
The Smarter Life concept centres on three principles:
- Smart design, which will feature intuitive designs that increase functionality for consumers
- Smart experiences, which will provide a variety of applications, games and programming delivered on a range of platforms
- Smart connections, which allow Samsung devices to automatically connect to each other, sharing content and enhancing user experiences.
Samsung’s Galaxy devices will be expanded with the Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Fit, Galaxy Gio and the Galaxy mini.
Mobily inks LTE, WiMAX deal with Samsung (Saudi Arabia)
Mobily has inked a deal with Samsung Electronics for LTE and mobile WiMAX equipment.The agreement is part of Mobily’s plans to invest US$120 million on 4G technologies.
As per the terms of the deal, the South Korean vendor will install LTE base stations in over 30 cities in Saudi Arabia, as well as upgrade Mobily’s mobile WiMAX network.
Mobily, part-owned by Etisalat of the United Arab Emirates, ended in 2010 as Saudi Arabia’s second largest mobile operator by subscribers, claiming a 40% share of the market.
Samsung upgrades Vodafone version of Galaxy Tab
Samsung Electronics has shown of an upgraded version of its Galaxy Tab – the Vodafone exclusive Galaxy Tab 10.1, a Dual-Core Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) tablet device.
The updated device comes with a 10.1″ WXGA TFT LCD display (hence the name) supporting a 1280 x 800 screen resolution, as compared to the 7 inch model the company released last September.
The device also includes 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with Auto Focus and 2 megapixel front-facing camera, along with surround-sound speakers.
No details about the pricing or availability were provided by the company.
DoCoMo and KT Corp sign cross-border NFC deal (Japan, South Korea)
NTT DoCoMo and KT Corp have announced a joint agreement to develop cross-border services for mobile payments based on NFC technology, which they will launch in their respective markets of Japan and South Korea from around the end of 2012.
With the joint Business & Technology Cooperation Committee, the two companies are developing NFC common specifications that will be incorporated in devices, networks and billing platforms for seamlessly connected mobile NFC services. Customers travelling between South Korea and Japan will be able to access the services using compatible Android handsets embedded with contactless IC chips.
DoCoMo has tied-up with payment technology company brand Visa, NFC chip and mobile handset manufacturer Samsung Electronics and SIM card vendor Gemalto. In addition, DoCoMo will collaborate with Sumitomo Mitsui Card and bitWallet for cross-border services.
Furthermore, DoCoMo and KT will accelerate development of their existing infrastructures, as well as seek the participation of NFC-based service providers in various industries. DoCoMo has been providing NFC-based Osaifu-Keitai mobile-wallet services in Japan since 2004. KT has been operating a post-paid mass transit service in South Korea since 2002.
DoCoMo is also planning to submit an outline of the common specifications to global industry associations and standardization bodies, such as the GSM Association.
