Brazil adds 2.2 million subscribers in April (Brazil)
Brazil added 2.2 million new subscribers in the month of April, representing an increase of 0.86 percent compared to March 2012. 3G terminals (mobile broadband) totaled 54.3 million hits, as reported by telecommunications regulator Anatel.
As per a report by DJN, TIM Participacoes SA added the most subscribers in the month, with 37 percent of net additions, far above second-placed Oi SA with 23 percent. Telefonica Brasil SA was third, with 22 percent of total additions, and Claro, the local unit of Mexico’s America Movil SA (was fourth with 16 percent.
Further, Telefonica, part of Spain’s Telefonica SA, was still the largest operator overall, with nearly 30 percent market share. TIM, a unit of Telecom Italia SpA was second with 27 percent, Claro was third with 24 percent and Oi had 19 percent.
Telefonica launches single pan-European mobile data tariff (Europe)
Telefónica banishes bill shock with the announcement of its first standard pan-European data roaming tariff – giving smartphone customers 25MB of high-speed Internet usage anywhere across the 27 European Union member states for just $2.54 a day.
Telefónica’s EU-wide tariff means mobile customers – on Movistar or O2 networks – will no longer have to worry about the cost of sending or receiving emails, updating their Facebook status or browsing the web on their smartphones when travelling or holidaying abroad.
For $2.54 a day, Telefónica is giving its smartphone customers travelling in the EU a data volume of 25 Megabytes – which translates to 250 visits to essential websites like Facebook, Twitter, Google or BBC Online and up to 500 emails.
Additionally, customers will only pay for days they choose to use data, and will not be charged should they wish to switch off their phone.
The Telefónica tariff weighs in at a fraction of new price caps announced by the European UnionFacebook, Twitter, Google – which ruled that as of 1 July, one data megabyte should cost no more than $0.9, or $22.25 for 25 MB. On a per megabyte basis, Telefónica’s European tariff works out considerably cheaper than the EU’s regulated rate.
José María Álvarez-Pallete, Chairman and CEO of Telefónica Europe, said that users no longer need to switch off their smartphones when travelling within the EU, and neither do they need to worry about bill shock when they get home. Further, their European data tariff gives smartphone customers great value while allowing them to do what really matters – to stay connected wherever they are in a simple and transparent way and with complete peace of mind.
Smartphone customers use on average around 6MB in a day, but any Telefónica customers exceeding 25 MB will be immediately notified. The Pan-European tariff launched in Germany in May and will be available this summer to O2 and Movistar customers in Spain, United Kingdom, Ireland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Telefonica launches smartphone chat app titled ‘TU Me’ (Spain)
Mobile operator Telefónica is working towards winning back customers from the free instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Viber that have eaten into its text message revenues, by launching its own smartphone chat app, according to a report by FT.
As per the report, TU Me, developed by Telefónica Digital, the carrier’s innovation unit established last September, will allow customers of any mobile network to send free voice and text messages, photos, video and their location to friends who also use the same app. The app, which is available from Wednesday for Apple’s iPhone and will soon be released for Google Android smartphones, is free to download and use.
The report reveals analysts estimate that they have attracted tens of millions of users and cost operators billions of dollars in lost revenue, by cannibalising text and picture messaging.
Stephen Shurrock, chief commercial officer at Telefónica Digital, said it was important for the operator to meet consumers’ needs, while potentially generating extra revenues from spurring increased data consumption or selling digital goods. He said that they can see users increasingly starting to use Viber and WhatsApp. What they wanted to do is put themselves in the centre of that market as well. ?They thought it was important for them to be in that space.
He said Telefónica was broadly comfortable that there is not going to be a significant impact on its own texting revenues because it already offers inclusive bundles of text messages in many markets. Shurrock said if we are staying close to customers and giving them products they want, that should improve churn.
Telefonica faces writedown over alliance with Telecom Italia (Europe)
Telecom operator Telefonica may face writedown owing to its alliance with Telecom Italia, according to a report by BN. As per the report, Telefonica SA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Cesar Alierta told investors in April last year that an alliance with Telecom Italia SpA (TIT) would generate $2 billion in cost savings. However, at the time, shareholders in the Spanish telephone operator weren’t warned of the downside.
The report reveals that with consumer spending falling and the two countries among the worst hit by Europe’s debt crisis, Telecom Italia’s stock has since slumped 21 percent, while Telefonica is down 40 percent. Analyst Andres Bolumburu says that the problem with the stake in Telecom Italia is that investors expected the Italian operator to reverse the negative trend in its domestic market and this hasn’t happened. It could continue to lose value.
As per the report, the outlook raises questions as to whether Madrid-based Telefonica, which paid around $3 billion for Telecom Italia shares in 2007, will ever recoup the investment and whether the holding is proving to be a distraction for Alierta as Spain’s largest phone company seeks to halt a slowdown in its domestic business.
Telefonica Solutions selected by Serco to manage its European Mobile Services (Europe)
Serco, the FTSE 100 international services company has selected Telefónica Multinational Solutions as its provider of European mobile telecommunications services. The $19.87 million five year contract will deliver both savings and technology innovations enabling Serco to deliver improved services to its customers.
The contract covers over 27,000 mobile voice and data connections for Serco across the UK and Ireland, and will roll out across Serco’s other European territories later in 2012. It will reduce Serco’s expenditure by approximately $ 3.05 million over the duration of the contract and support the delivery of innovations such as VoIP and Global Wi-Fi solutions.
Garry Fingland, Serco Group CIO, commented that they are delighted to extend their relationship with Telefónica Multinational Solutions for their mobile platform across Europe. They are driving hard to embrace new ways of communicating with their customers, colleagues and suppliers, exploiting technology to enable new ways of working. Telefónica Multinational Solutions has demonstrated real passion and energy to help them achieve these goals through innovation and a focus on exceptional customer service, underpinned by strong commercial capability.
The agreement will see Telefónica Multinational Solutions providing devices, connectivity and managed mobile services, underpinned by a global account and service support model. Telefónica will provide Serco with much greater visibility and control over their mobility expenditure as well as significantly improving the service experience to its end users through its Managed Services capabilities.
Michael Hayes, Director Telefónica Multinational Solutions Europe, said of the deal that this is an exciting opportunity for Telefónica and demonstrates how they work closely with strategic global customers in leveraging the opportunities presented by delivering regional mobility solutions. They look forward to working with Serco to deliver exceptional service and great value through their range of mobile services.
Mozilla to begin sale of smartphone in end 2012 (USA)
Mobile phones running an operating system developed by makers of the Firefox web browser will go on sale in late 2012, according to a report by BBC. The first handsets running Mozilla’s ‘Boot to Gecko’ (B2G) software will be available in Brazil on Telefonica Vivo’s mobile network.
Announced in July 2011, B2G aims to be an open rival to Google’s Android.The Mozilla Foundation is best known for its Firefox browser that adheres strictly to official standards for writing and viewing web pages.
As per the report, Gary Kovacs, chief executive of Mozilla, said this openness would make a difference to the way applications on phones operate. B2G aimed to make apps more like webpages and able to share data and links, he said. It did this by basing everything on the latest web standard known as HTML5.
No details were given on who would make the handsets that Telefonica Vivo was planning to offer to its 90 million customers. It said the phones would cost about the same as existing feature phones.No specific date for the launch was given but Telefonica said it should happen at the end of 2012 or in early 2013.
Orange Business Services increases video services in cloud (France)
Orange Business Services to expand its portfolio of video services with Telepresence Pass, a new cloud offering soft, flexible and economical for companies. Telepresence is a Pass offering video services simple to implement, and perennial with multiple benefits.
Telepresence Pass provides businesses a simple way to capitalize on the benefits of videoconferencing systems “immersive” in-house and externally with partners, customers and suppliers. Pass Telepresence is an underwritten offering opex mode, which allows companies to significantly reduce their material and human investment.
Vivek Badrinath, Executive Director of Orange Business Services, said that their ambition is to provide businesses across the video, without limitation. He added that the key is to offer companies a wide range of video services so they can choose the solution that best meets their business needs.
Telepresence Pass adds to the complete and comprehensive portfolio of video services in Orange Business Services. It relies on a network supporting efficient, high on the experience of Orange Business Services in the field of videoconferencing and on a global strategy oriented businesses, allowing them to make the most of their investments in videoconferencing.
A network ready for Telepresence with guarantees unmatched capacity, service quality and coverage , the network quality is the success of the video conferencing experience. Experience Immersive Telepresence is open in 21 additional countries and continued progress of the network Orange Business Services offers a service availability of 99.95 percent.
Nicolas Roy, Director of Network Solutions Business Unit, Orange Business Services, said that of all the applications, the video is the most demanding bandwidth and quality of real-time service. Further, the group continues to invest about $ 990 million per year in its international backbone network and related IT infrastructure so that our customers can benefit from a level of coverage, bandwidth and optimal quality and an experience Exceptional video.
Interoperability: operators, terminals and access type interoperability conditions the ability of firms to collaborate with their entire ecosystem, with any type of equipment and through all the interconnected networks. Orange had already established agreements with Telepresence Interoperability four major operators (AT&T, BT, Telefonica and Tata) and announces it has signed a new contract with Verizon Enterprise Solutions. Orange also confirms its determination and leadership in taking the chair of the consortium OVCC (Open Visual Collaboration Consortium), to promote the development of uses of videoconference with increasing interoperability.
Flexibility of service management and customer support Orange Business Services offers a full range of offers video services, offering ease of use and management for users and for IT managers. Every IT department can indeed choose a management flexible and responsive to their expectations – the full support internally to the delivery of turnkey solutions and fully managed by Orange Business Services. Users have a reservation service video conferencing simple and ongoing support 24/7.
Telefonica announces major mobile content play with EA (Spain)
Telefónica Digital unveiled its latest play in its global gaming strategy by entering a strategic relationship with EA Mobile, a division of Electronic Arts Inc., which will allow customers to access its world leading games on their mobiles. The service will be available first through O2 in the UK followed by other Telefónica markets.
The deal will give Telefónica’s operating businesses the ability to create innovative gaming promotions using titles from the EA catalogue of consumer favourite brands such as The Sims, FIFA or MONOPOLY. The objective is to make it easy for customers to find the games that they are familiar with and to drive the uptake of mobile gaming, particularly amongst feature phone users.
In the UK, O2 will offer its customers three months of free access to all EA Mobile games following their first download. It is then examining a number of potential promotions or special ‘gaming subscription’ services to offer customers.
Matthew Key, Chairman & CEO of Telefónica Digital, said that their relationship with EA Mobile puts them as the epicentre of mobile gaming – which accounts for the highest percentage of downloaded Apps and is the largest paid mobile content market today. By making a differentiated play in this most emotive and immersive entertainment medium we are fostering a much deeper connection with their customers – another significant step in becoming a true aggregator of experiences.
Bernard Kim, Senior Vice President, Global Social and Mobile Publishing of EA Mobile said that their mission is to deliver games that consumers love – anywhere, anytime, and on any platform they want to play. They know that at least a quarter of mobile users in Europe are playing games on their phones. Their relationship with Telefónica helps more people discover their games, and removes barriers for subscribers to enjoy an entire library of our most beloved titles.
Industry analyst IHS Screen Digest predicts continued impressive growth in the mobile games business. Fuelled by rapid expansion in 3G adoption, smartphone and tablet gaming, the global mobile games market will be worth almost $ 11.8 billion by 2015.
Jack Kent, Mobile Media Analyst at IHS Screen Digest, said that mobile games have been driving the wider mobile applications business, with games the largest content category on all leading application stores. As the mass appeal of mobile games increases, consumers are embracing new forms of content and business models, with free games monetised by micro-transactions – such as in-app purchases – driving growth.
Telefónica Digital has not only underlined its commitment to O2 customers by offering the best gaming experience – through a combination of exclusive promotions and unbeatable value subscription services – but also opened significant new revenue growth opportunities through in-game advertising and media partnerships.
Alcatel-Lucent to offer innovative measures for mobile operators to overcome data storm (USA)
Tony Wood, Country Senior Officer of Alcatel-Lucent in East Africa, explains how innovation can help operators rise above the data storm to overcome network, business-model and competitive challenges.
The globalisation of the economy and the growth of the Internet have enhanced worldwide communications. End-users wherever based in a remote village or in a big city should rely on stable telecommunications connections to enquire about the wider world and make their contribution to it. The convergence of services (broadband Internet + video on-demand + voice) has become a significant reality. Telecom operators, service providers, enterprises rely on their networks to run their voice, data and Internet communication.
Africa is a growing market and a focus market for Alcatel-Lucent; it remains among the company’s most promising markets. Indeed, broadband is one of the top priorities in Africa, good progress has been made to connect cities to national backbones, but connectivity of small towns still poor.
It is a vast continent with various needs for connectivity and is mainly characterised by basic infrastructure needs in some areas, and more developed areas where existing infrastructures must now deliver high-quality broadband connectivity to support services like high-speed Internet access.
Alcatel-Lucent is strongly involved in the telecom infrastructure development in Africa to support telecommunications actors to rise above the data storm to overcome network, business-model and competitive challenges. Meeting the need for mobile telecommunications and the adoption of next-generation technologies, including lightRadio – the revolutionary innovation of Alcatel-Lucent (a miniature device that offers a solution to network gridlock and universal broadband coverage) and 4G LTE networks, to foster digital inclusion and the development of applications to enhance education, youth employment, social engagement, health and transportation among local communities and across large geographies.
Wood said that breakthrough innovation and technologies, proven execution and experience – that is what mobile broadband operators count on from them, from their market leadership in wireless and IP, their research advances from Bell Labs, their company’s innovation engine, responsible for breakthroughs that have shaped the networking and communications industry and their global service experience in transforming networks to rise above the mobile data storm, to deliver cost-effective and high quality mobile broadband services to consumers and business users. He added that realising the potential of a connected world is an integral part of their vision and strategy.
He also said that Alcatel-Lucent unveiled lightRadio last year – the outcome of research by Bell Labs, the group’s world-leading R&D arm. It is a completely revolutionary approach for mobile networking. This brand new range will free the mobile sector around the world from its dependence on antenna masts and mobile base stations (cell towers), which are generally the most energy-consuming components of the network, and also the most expensive and difficult to maintain.
At a time of rapid traffic growth, the lightRadio system will radically simplify mobile networks, expand network capacity, lower operating costs, reduce energy consumption and bring connectivity to everyone around the world. With its flexible architecture, lightRadio is typically located at the base of each cell tower, is broken into its component elements and distributed through the network or ‘carrier cloud’.
Additionally the various cell tower antennas are combined and shrunk into a single, powerful, Bell Labs-pioneered multi-frequency, multi-standard (2G, 3G, LTE) device that can be mounted on poles, sides of buildings, WiFi networks or anywhere else there is power and a broadband connection.
In only a year, Alcatel-Lucent has not only moved from prototype to product, but has built an entire next-generation mobile platform, and it has a rich ecosystem of partners and co-creation customers it has been working with around the world: Telefónica, France Telecom/Orange, China Mobile, and Etisalat in the UAE.
The lightRadio architecture is fundamentally changing the structure of wireless networks to handle the video and Web surfing demands of consumers, increasing daily with the number of smartphones and tablets. Connecting becomes easy with lightRadio.
