Oberthur Technologies the world’s second largest provider of Smart Card based solutions today announced the commercialization of its OMHTM (Open Market Handsets) SIM cards for CDMA (Code Development Multiple Access) networks. OMH SIM cards contain subscriber, network and service configuration data that allow subscribers the freedom to easily change and upgrade their handset, but maintain their network configuration.

Oberthur Technologies collaborated with Tata Teleservices Limited, one of India’s fastest growing private telecom service providers, and Qualcomm Incorporated, a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on CDMA and other advanced technologies, to introduce OMHTM SIM cards into the India market.

Olivier Leroux, Head of the Mobile Product Line for the Card Systems Division at Oberthur Technologies said, “Oberthur Technologies is the first to commercially launch OMHTM SIM cards. We are pleased to partner with industry leaders such as Tata Teleservices and Qualcomm who are enhancing the subscriber experience for Indian consumers.”

The OMHTM SIM card, referred to as a removable user identity module (R-UIM), is a state of the art smartcard that stores operator and subscriber specific configuration parameters, separate from the handset memory. By having this configuration parameters located on the OMHTM SIM card rather than the device, subscribers can more easily switch or upgrade their handsets. These cards allow CDMA network operators to increase the selection of devices and services while lowering distribution and inventory costs.

“These are exciting times in the Indian telecom space where innovation, research and development are the key to success and remain competitive in the business. In our constant effort to redefine the telecom space keeping customers at the central point, Tata Teleservices decided to partner with Qualcomm and Oberthur Technologies to further develop the Open Market Handset initiative and offer more choice to customers”, said Lloyd Mathias, Chief Marketing Officer, Tata Teleservices Limited.

“Qualcomm is pleased to work with Oberthur Technologies for its leadership as one of the first companies to develop OMH SIM cards,” said Nakul Duggal, Senior Director and OMH Project Lead, Qualcomm Corporate Engineering Services. “The OMH initiative is focused on increasing device variety by offering new channels and distribution options within the CDMA ecosystem to provide greater subscriber flexibility.”

About Oberthur Technologies

With sales of 882 million Euros in 2008, Oberthur Technologies is a world leader in the field of secure technologies. Innovation and high quality services ensure Oberthur Technologies’ strong positioning in its main target markets:

– Card Systems: The world’s second largest provider of security and identification based on smart card technology and associated services for mobile, payment, transport, digital TV and convergence markets. – Identity: Leading international supplier for the manufacture and personalization of secure identity documents such as passport, identity card, driving license or health care card – traditional and electronic – and associated services for both governmental and corporate markets. – Security printing: World’s third largest private security printer specialized in high security for the production of banknotes, checks and other fiduciary documents in more than fifty countries. – Cash protection: World leader in the emerging market of intelligent systems to secure cash-in-transit and ATM.

Close to its customers, Oberthur Technologies benefits from an industrial and commercial presence across all five continents.

Oberthur Technologies S.A. is a limited liability company (societe anonyme) registered in France with its registered office at 50 quai Michelet 92 532 Levallois Perret, France. Oberthur Technologies S.A.’s corporate registration number is 340 709 534 R.C.S. Paris.

Website: http://www.oberthur.com

About Tata Teleservices Limited

Tata Teleservices Limited is one of India’s leading private telecom service providers, having a pan-India presence across all of India’s 22 telecom Circles. The company offers integrated telecom solutions to its customers under the Tata Indicom, Tata DOCOMO, Photon and Walky brands, and uses both the CDMA and GSM technology platform(s) for its wireless networks. Tata Teleservices Limited, along with Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited, operates in more than 325,000 towns and villages across the country. In November 2008, Tata Teleservices entered into an agreement with Japanese telecom major NTT DOCOMO, and this transaction marks a key step in the strategic evolution of Tata Teleservices Limited. Tata DOCOMO has so far launched GSM services in eight telecom Circles, and the remaining part of the country is also expected to be covered shortly. In December 2008, Tata Teleservices announced a unique reverse equity swap strategic agreement between its fully-owned telecom tower subsidiary-Wireless TT Info-Services Limited-and Quippo Telecom Infrastructure Limited, thereby becoming the largest independent entity in this space. Tata Teleservices’ bouquet of telephony services includes mobile services, wireless desktop phones, public booth telephony and Wireline services.

For details, visit http://www.tatateleservices.com, http://www.tatadocomo.com or http://www.tataindicom.com.

About Qualcomm

Qualcomm is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL), India’s fastest-growing pan India telecom service provider, today announced the signing of a landmark ‘Master Services Agreement for Passive Infrastructure Sharing’ with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

Becoming the first Indian private telecom operator to enter into an agreement of this nature. The agreement which is valid for 15 years will be applicable to both Tata Teleservices Limited and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited in all of India’s 22 telecom Circles.

“This is a moment of pride for us, as we have become the first private telecom operator to enter into such a strategically important agreement with BSNL, one that will allow us to expand our telecom footprint across the country much more quickly,” Mr Madhav Joshi, President, Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Tata Teleservices Limited, said.

The agreement comes at a very strategic time for Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL) and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited (TTML), as both companies have been aggressively expanding their network presence on the CDMA side with Tata Indicom, while also rolling out GSM services under the TATA DOCOMO brand name. “In the short space of just three months, we have already rolled out our GSM services in nine Circles—Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Orissa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh and Haryana,” Mr AG Rao, Chief Technology Officer, Tata Teleservices Limited, said. “This agreement has the potential to not just speed up our network expansion and rollout process, but would also have a substantial impact in terms of reduced costs,” he added.

Under the terms of the agreement, TTSL and TTML will have access to thousands of BSNL towers all across the country.

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Netcom and Chinese telecoms equipment manufacturer Huawei Technologies have launched the live commercial LTE network in Oslo, Norway. The LTE network will be demonstrated live in Oslo between a laptop PC with a 4G modem and public internet/intranet, included downloads of high resolution photos, music, movies and mobile business applications, at higher speeds than most fixed internet accesses currently available. Using the LTE MIMO and OFDM technologies, the download peak data rate can reach up to 150 Mbps in one LTE cell with multiple terminals.

Netcom, TeliaSonera’s Norwegian subsidy has slashed the mobile broadband tariffs for businesses. Netcom offers three mobile broadband tariffs, namely Basic, Standard and Premium. The Basic tariff includes 100 MB for NOK 39/month plus NOK 1/additionally used MB, whereas, Standard tariff offers unlimited mobile data use within Norway for NOK 249/month followed by Premium tariff which provides Standard conditions plus unlimited access via TeliaSonera’s Homerun WLAN network in Scandaniva for NOK 399/month.

   

Norway’s mobile market is a duopoly between the network operators Telenor Mobile and TeliaSonera’s NetCom, supplemented by a small number of MVNOs. Although mobile penetration reached 111% by mid-2007, annual growth rate remains among the highest in Europe. Both Telenor and NetCom offer GSM 900/1800 networked services and 3G services, while new providers include the 3G licensee Mobile Norway which expected to launch commercial services in 2009, and Nordisk Mobiltelefon, operating a CDMA450 network.

Notable highlights of the 3Q08 Norway Mobile Forecast include:

  • The number of total subscribers in Norway will increase from 5.5 million in 2008 to 5.8 million in 2010. The wireless penetration level will reach 121% in 2010.
  • It is forecasted a change in the market shares of the two operators in Norway – Telenor Mobil and Netcom. It is predicted that Telenor Mobil’s market share will decrease from 57% to 54.5% while Netcom’s market share increases from 43% to 44.7% during the forecast period, 2008 – 2010.
  • The pure duopoly of Telenor Mobil and Netcom will continue to allow for the high levels of ARPU in Norway. In 2010, the average ARPU in Norway is expected to be US$ 62 per month.
  • It is forecasted that both Telenor Mobil and Netcom will have similar EBITDA margins at around 33.6% in 2010.
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Tele2 Norway and Network Norway have entered into an agreement to build a third mobile network in Norway. Under the terms of the deal Tele2 Norway has acquired 50% of the shares in AMI, holder of a GSM-900 licence. The equal joint venture aims to build a wireless network covering a large proportion of the Norwegian population. The roll out has already started and during the first phase the plan is to build out 400-500 base stations. The company will also investigate alternatives for providing future 3G services.

Niclas Palmstierna, Tele2’s Market Area Director Nordic, commented; ‘This joint network ensures that Tele2 can continue being the price leading mobile operator in the Norwegian market. With a customer base of more than 400,000, the timing is right for investing in our own infrastructure. We are pleased with the agreement with Network Norway and the roll out has already taken place.’ The joint network will be a compliment to Tele2’s existing MVNO and national roaming agreement with NetCom, which guarantees its customers a broad coverage during the roll out phase.

   
 

 

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Alternative operator Tele2 Norway has signed an agreement with Network Norway to jointly build Norway’s third mobile network. Tele2 Norway has purchased a 50 percent stake in AMI, owner of a GSM 900 licence. The joint company, AMI, plans to build a mobile network covering a large proportion of Norway’s population. The first phase will see deployment of 400-500 base stations. Roll-out has already commenced. The joint network will be a compliment to Tele2’s existing MVNO and national roaming agreement with NetCom.

   

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NetCom signs MVNO deal with Tele2 Norge

TeliaSonera’s subsidiary NetCom has signed an agreement with Tele2 Norge to allow it to offer mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services. The agreement implies transferring all of Tele2 Norge’s traffic from Telenor’s wireless network to NetCom’s network before 1 April 2008. Tele2 Norge will start operating as an MVNO over NetCom’s from this summer and the agreement will include access to future services, including 3G. The initial term of the agreement is four years.

   

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NetCom signs MVNO deal with Tele2 Norge

TeliaSonera’s subsidiary NetCom has signed an agreement with Tele2 Norge to allow it to offer mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services. The agreement implies transferring all of Tele2 Norge’s traffic from Telenor’s wireless network to NetCom’s network before 1 April 2008. Tele2 Norge will start operating as an MVNO over NetCom’s from this summer and the agreement will include access to future services, including 3G. The initial term of the agreement is four years.

   

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