KPN considers Telefonica’s O2 for in-country consolidation (Germany)
Dutch telecom company KPN has reportedly said that it makes sense to merge its E-Plus business with O2 in Germany, as both operators currently lag behind telecom giants Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile). According to reports, Elco Blok, CEO, KPN has said there is value to be created in in-country consolidation in Germany and that merging O2 and E-Plus would give the opportunity to create a value of around US$ 4.05 billion.
As per sources, Bloc has reportedly said that neither they nor Telefonica are willing to sell their unit, but are convinced that with their strategy they can create value. However, he added that if the price is right and Telefonica are willing to sell, then it could be an interesting scenario as they have the management in Germany that has proven that it can run an asset far better than the others.
Regarding consolidation in the domestic market, Bloc said that Tele2 is a very attractive target but there are regulatory hurdles given their market share in the Netherlands and of course the price needs to be right. He added that the regulatory hurdles are there and they are not easy to solve.
O2 says no plans to sell iPad 2 (UK)
Telefonica O2′s UK network has stated that it has no plans to sell Apple’s iPad 2, although it was the preferred network when Apple first launched the original iPhone in the country. Rival networks, T-Mobile and Orange (now a merged company) have confirmed that they will be selling the tablet computer when it is released later this month.
According to O2, it would support the device with data specific tariffs, but that it would not subsidize the tablet with formal contract tariffs.
As per O2 spokesperson, although they will not be selling iPad 2 with subsidy, O2 micro-SIMs with their great value iPad tariffs are still available for customers who have purchased the device elsewhere.
O2, T-Mobile Czech Republic to share 3G networks
Two Czech Republic mobile networks, Telefonica O2 and T-Mobile have signed a 6-year agreement to share their 3G networks in currently un-served rural areas. The pilot commercial operation will be launched in the second quarter of the year.
According to Luis Malvido, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Telefonica O2 Czech Republic, the future of communications will be built on smart devices, with smart applications delivered with the high speed data mobile network service. Thanks to the companies’ cooperation, they will bring fast mobile internet access to customers in many more cities. This approach will allow them to be able to make the major investment needed to ensure that consumers can get benefits that technology will create over the coming years.
Altogether, the shared infrastructure will comprise nearly 1,000 transmitters, with each operator committed to constructing 490 of them. The network capacity plan will take into account the necessity of securing sufficient quality of services and transmission speeds so that the standard of provided services is not affected.
Two cities, Dobris and Humpolec, are currently undergoing commercial testing. If the results turn out to be positive, the pilot commercial operation will be launched in the second quarter this year. O2 will be in charge of construction in eastern part of the Czech Republic, while T-Mobile will cover western areas of the country.
Orange awarded LTE-FDD Trial License in Slovakia
The Slovakian telecoms regulator, TUSR has awarded a temporary license to Orange in order to run trials of LTE-FDD networks using the 2.6Hz radio spectrum bands in the area of Bansk¡ Bystrica.
The regulator noted that this is the second permit granted to the mobile network, for testing fixed radio equipment. Telefonica O2 was also granted a similar permit back in March 2010 for the same area.
Parameters included broadcasting in order to avoid interference with MMDS Vlkanov¡ in the band from 2520 to 2655 MHz. In the event of interference caused by the use of classification, the holder of the device must immediately disable or adjust their technical parameters so as to effectively prevent the resulting interference.
Telefonica O2 installs Nokia Siemens Networks security-as-a-service (Czech Republic)
Telefonica O2, Czech Republic has deployed Nokia Siemens Networks security-as-a-service at a fixed monthly fee, to enable its broadband Internet users to have control and security over their infrastructure and data.
As per the agreement, Nokia Siemens Networks has integrated its security-as-a-service into Telefonica’s operational support system/business support system (OSS/BSS) platforms.
The security service is delivered to Telefonica O2′s enterprise customers from its secure, centralized, and continuously updated platforms in O2 data centres to protect fixed Internet access.
According to Telefonica O2 Czech Republic director of product and services, Oscar Gomez, the Internet is central to most businesses today but there are concerns about security threats such as malware, and the implications of access to the Web that a company provides and is responsible for, but cannot exercise control over. With its thorough knowledge of network and expertise in smooth deployment of security suites, Nokia Siemens Networks was chosen to create a bespoke Internet service that the company can offer to enterprises that addresses both security threats and responsible use.
Telefonica O2 Germany launches ad- financed mobile service
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Launch of a free mobile service financed by advertisements has been announced by Telefonica O2 Germany and the company claims to be the first of its kind in Germany. It has been named as ‘Netzclub’ calling plan.
Under this plan, subscribers receive free mobile internet access, text messages and airtime if they agree to receive regular, personalized adverts on their mobile phones. Depending upon the users’ profile, the marketing areas are determined on an individual basis. Customers will have to respond once a month to one of the marketing offers by text message or on the internet to renew the subscription.
The pre-paid calling plans include- ‘Handy Internet Flat’ which offers unlimited internet surfing, and ‘Kombitarif 30′ with 30 free minutes, 30 text messages to any German network and 30MB of free mobile surfing.
Netzclub was developed in partnership with mobile marketing firm YOC and with a portfolio of more than 180 titles; it has the largest premium mobile advertising network in Europe.
KPN to act smart in Germany’s largest spectrum auction
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: With Germany preparing itself for the largest mobile spectrum auction scheduled for April 12, 2010, Dutch telecoms group KPN has announced that it would be ‘disciplined’ in its participation in the auction. Working under the name of E-Plus brand, t has also announced to improve its network.
E- Plus also divulged its interest in new spectrum as on option for decreasing the cost of its plans to increase capacity and coverage in Germany and aims to take a disciplined value-driven approach in the auction so that spectrum is only acquired at the right price.
It was announced by Germany’s telecoms regulator Federal Network Agency (FNA) last week that a total of four applicants had been admitted to the auction which involves licenses for spectrum freed up in the switchover from analogue to digital television. The name of the telcos include- incumbent telco Deutsche Telekom’s (DT’s) mobile unit T-Mobile; UK-based Vodafone; Spain’s Telefonica O2 Germany; and E-Plus.
360MHz spectrum package is up for sale along with spectrum in the 1.7GHz, 1.8GHz, 2GHz and 2.6GHz ranges, as well as 60MHz in the digital dividend range of 800MHz.
Telefonica O2 UK & Shazam sign sponsorship deal
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Telefonica O2 UK and Shazam have signed an exclusive sponsorship deal which will allow the carrier to deliver targeted ads for its Priority Tickets service to Shazam users. Relevant ads will be served to the customers for O2 Priority pre-sales based on the music they have tagged through Shazam’s iPhone application.
According to Mark Slade, managing director of 4th Screen Advertising, London, O2 is the first operator in the UK to have the iPhone, so they have the highest market share of iPhone user base, and a high percentage of Shazam iPhone app users are their customers and the campaign is driven around their association with music here in the UK.
Telefonica Europe gets three new executive directors
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: In a bid to ease the convergence of fixed and mobile communications, three new executive directors have been appointed by Telefonica Europe.
According to Matthew Key, chairman and CEO of Telefonica Europe, the trio will help the firm grow as Web 2.0 technologies bring about a convergence of fixed and mobile communications.
As per the appointments, Luis Malvido becomes chairman and CEO of Telefonica O2 Czech Republic and earlier served as CEO at several of Telefonica’s fixed and mobile operations in Brazil. Kate Jarvis, legal director of Telefonica Europe, becomes director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs. Trevor Healy moves from CEO of JAJAH to Telefonica Europe’s Board of Directors.
