Wireless Federation

German court says Apple did not violate Samsung’s patents (Germany, USA, South Korea)

On 01.30.12, In Mobile, By Editor

Samsung Electronics has announced that a German court has ruled in favour of Apple Inc, claiming that the USA firm had not violated Samsung’s technology patents. As per sources, Samsung had filed a lawsuit against Apple last year claiming that the iPhone maker had infringed on its technology patents.

According to reports, Samsung has responded to the ruling saying that they are disappointed that the court did not share their views regarding the infringement by Apple of this specific patent in Germany. Further, they will wait for the written grounds of the judgment, and after thorough review make a decision about a possible appeal to the Higher Regional Court Karlsruhe.

The company also said that the ruling relates to only one of several patents asserted by Samsung in the Mannheim court. A ruling on an additional Samsung patent relating to telecommunications standards is due to be handed down by the Mannheim court in the next several weeks.

Reports reveal that the German court had ruled in favour of Apple last week, in another infringement case filed by Samsung against Apple.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apple • German court • Germany • iPhone • Patent • Samsung • South Korea • USA

Samsung records 17 percent rise in Q4 profits (South Korea)

On 01.30.12, In Mobile, By Editor

South Korean manufacturer Samsung Electronics has reported fourth quarter profits amounting to US$ 3.6 billion, representing a 17 percent increase from US$ 3.04 billion, a year earlier. The rise in demand for Galaxy smartphones helped Samsung surpass Apple as the leading handset manufacturer for 2011.

According to reports, the success of the Galaxy SII has been instrumental in Samsung selling almost 300 million handsets in the past year. Other devices such as the Galaxy Note and tablet computers launched by the company are expected to further strengthen its position in the smartphone market.

Further, apart from the high-end phones such as the SII and the Note, Samsung also offers a variety of affordable smartphones with an impressive design, thereby increasing its reach across the market. As per sources, industry analysts estimate that Samsung may succeed Apple in 2012, as mobile operators recognize Samsung as a strong competitor to Apple devices.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apple • Galaxy Note • Galaxy SII • Q4 profits • Samsung • smartphones • South Korea • tablet computers

Nawras offers Samsung Galaxy Note with free data (Oman, South Korea)

On 01.27.12, In Mobile, By Editor

Nawras Communications provider Nawras, has joined hands with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., to offer users the latest Samsung Galaxy Note. The deal priced at US$ 779 also includes 500MB of free mobile broadband internet data to be used over the first three months as well as a free Nawras Ajel postpaid SIM card.

The Samsung Galaxy Note, launched as a hybrid between the tablet computer and a mobile phone, features the world’s first and largest 5.3” HD Super AMOLED display. Further, an advanced pen-input technology, called the S Pen, combines with Galaxy Note’s full touch screen to introduce a unique customer experience.

The device features a 1.4GHz dual-core processor that ensures the performance of Galaxy Note is incredibly fast and it provides a smooth customer interface with seamless usability. Additionally, the Galaxy Note features an advanced 8MP rear camera with LED flash and 2MP front camera.

As per a company release, Nawras customers can continue to enjoy a value-packed, monthly mobile broadband plan with 500MB of data for US$ 8. Also, in the event that a consumer uses the included data before the end of the plan, an additional 150MB of data can be added to bridge the gap until the next plan starts, for US$ 2.5.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: mobile broadband internet data • Nawras • Oman • Samsung Galaxy Note • South Korea • USA

KT Corp reports profit decline of 41 percent in third quarter (South Korea)

On 11.08.11, In Mobile, By Editor

South Korean telecom giant, KT Corp has reported a drop of 41 percent in its third-quarter profit due to the larger discount offers for smartphone users and foreign exchange losses. As per reports, the net income fell from US$ 386 million last year to $ 230 million this year. Further, it has been reported that revenue from the mobile-phone calls in the quarter dropped by 21 percent on account of discounts offered to users of Apple Inc.’s iPhone and Samsung Electronics Inc.’s Galaxy handsets.

As per sources, the operating profit fell by 13 percent to US$ 463 million while sales fell by 6.2 percent to $ 4.5 billion. Further, the carrier also reported a foreign exchange loss of US$ 54 million caused by the depreciation of the South Korean currency. KT Corp had reportedly lowered the phone bills for all subscribers in agreement with the government to help curb inflation.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apple • KT Corp • Samsung Galaxy • South Korea

KT Corp. may acquire 20% stake in Telkom (Africa, South Korea)

On 10.19.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

KT corp., a prominent South Korean telecommunications operator, is reportedly looking to acquire a 20% stake in South Africa’s Telkom for approximately $ 575 million. Industry analysts believe that this deal would be beneficial to both entities as Telkom is a good investment target for KT, while the South Korean operator’s expertise in the telecom industry will be of great value to Telkom.

As per reports, KT Corp has said that it has been negotiating the deal with Telkom for several months, but company officials are still not certain that a deal may emerge. Telkom’s share price has been on the downfall since its previous partner, Thintana Consortium pulled out and the government took control of the management through its golden share.

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: Africa • KT Corp • South Africa • South Korea • Telkom • Thintana Consortium

Samsung looks to ban Apple’s iPhone 5 (South Korea)

On 09.21.11, In Mobile Phones, By Editor

With the competition between rivals, Apple and Samsung refusing to settle down, new reports suggest that Samsung Electronics looks to ban the sale of Apple’s new unreleased iPhone 5. As reported earlier by Wireless Federation, Samsung and Apple have been involved in legal battles across the globe citing patent infringements.

Apple had filed a suit against Samsung claiming that the South Korean handset manufacturer had copied the design and look of Apple’s iPhone and iPad devices. In response to this, Samsung plans to file a claim against Apple citing infringement of its wireless technology patents. As per reports, company insiders believe that it would be impossible for Apple to sell its i-branded products without using their patents and that they will stick to a strong stance against Apple during the lingering legal fights.

Sources claim that if Samsung is able to get a ban on Apple’s new iPhone, the South Korean handset maker may take the battle to other countries where Apple has attempted to get a ban on Samsung’s Galaxy tablet.

Filed under:Mobile Phones Tagged with: Apple iPhone 5 • Galaxy Tab • iPad • Samsung • South Korea

SK Telecom outbids KT Corp for 1.8GHz spectrum license (South Korea)

On 08.31.11, In Mobile Operators, Mobile Technology, By Editor

SK Telecom outbid rival operator KT Corp to acquire licenses for the 1.8GHz spectrum in South Korea’s spectrum auction. After competing for 83 rounds with intense bidding, SK Telecom won the spectrum band at the price of $926.3 million as compared to its initial bid price of $415.1 million. The compatibility of the spectrum band with LTE equipment is what makes the band so attractive. With SK Telecom having already launched LTE services in July, it looks to further strengthen its hold in the mobile market.

Meanwhile, KT Corp successfully acquired the frequencies for the 800MHz band at a price of $242.9 million and is reportedly planning to start LTE services by November this year. Earlier, South Korea’s third largest mobile network operator, LG U+ was awarded the license for the 2.1GHz band.

Filed under:Mobile Operators,Mobile Technology Tagged with: KT Corp • LG U+ • LTE • SK Telecom • South Korea • spectrum licence

After SK Tel, KT to cut basic mobile fees in October (South Korea)

On 08.11.11, In Mobile, By Editor

kt-logo

The second largest mobile carrier in South Korea, KT Corp announced its plans to cut monthly basic mobile fees by $0.93, come October as part of the carrier’s tariff savings plan to the tune of $448.18 per year.

The government has been telling the South Korean telecom operators to reduce tariffs in its bid to arrest inflation in the economy, the fourth largest in Asia. Meanwhile, investors are concerned about further tariff cuts in the wake of the approaching presidential and general elections next year.

KT happens to be the second major telco to join its rival SK Telecom in cutting basic fees. Apparently, LG Uplus is also expected to take the same route shortly.

In addition, KT has announced plans for offering subscribers 50 text message services per month, free of cost as on November.

SK Telecom in June unveiled a mobile tariff savings plan worth $696 million annually.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: operator • South Korea

Korea’s SK telecom partners Japan’s GREE to facilitate the social gaming heavyweight’s expansion

On 08.11.11, In Mobile, By Editor

gree-sk-telecom

The previous week, China based Tencent had joined hands with the Japanese social gaming heavyweight GREE for augmenting a new open platform for feature phones and smartphones that works fine with the latter’s own game platform standards. Apparently, South Korea’s SK telecom is also treading the same route because the operator has partnered with GREE to facilitate the social gaming company’s entry into the Korean games market.

Understandably, the partnership bodes well for GREE given that SK telecom is the largest carrier in South Korea, with over 25 million subscribers as of November 2010, and represents half the Korean telecom market share.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: China • Japan • operator • South Korea

South Korean networks look to obtaining levies from smartphone manufacturers

On 08.09.11, In Mobile, By Editor

sktelecom

Three mobile networks based in South Korea have joined hands, in a bid to fix a meeting with handset manufacturers to pave the way for obtaining levies from the proceeds of smartphone sales that are designed for mobile video usage.

The group of the three mobile networks is constituted by SK Telecom, KT and LG U+. The networks are planning an official document to be sent to leading handset manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics this week. According to sources, their demands entail reasonable payments.

According to an official in the telecom industry, smart TVs offer high-quality videos; as a result the amount of traffic they cause is incomparable to that triggered by other devices. In addition, they will also propose the manufacturers share the cost of improving the networks.

The much talked about levy could on the lines of music player sales where a fee per unit is paid to the local musical rights organizations, as imposed in a great many countries.

Speculations are also ripe with regard to the mobile networks applying a charge for a premium on mobile data traffic that augment significant load on their network, such as mobile video viewing. While users already pay extra based on how much data they consume, there is currently no variance depending on whether the person downloads a short burst of data and disconnects, or utilizes the network for an extended period of time.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: operator • South Korea • USA