TelstraClear’s 3G launched over Vodafone’s network (New Zealand)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Following the success of a two month pilot scheme, 3G service has been launched by MVNO TelstraClear over Vodafone’s network for business customers. The launch date has been preponed to take advantage of disgruntled customers in the wake of Telecom New Zealand’s recent 3G network failure.
The cellco used to provide services over Vodafone’s network but switched to Telecom in 2007 following a dispute but decided to move back to Vodafone after Telecom decided in May 2009 not to allow the MVNO to take credit on its 3G network.
According to TelstraClear, is targeting the post-paid market and is aiming for 100,000 subscribers within the next three years.
Telecom NZ legacy CDMA network failed again
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: A day after the announcement of NZ$5 million ($3.44 million) compensation package for customers affected by a prolonged network outage of 3G network, Telecom New Zealand’s legacy CDMA network again failed.
Currently, TNZ is reeling in the wake of the failure of its high-profile W-CDMA 850 service XT. Late last week, around 32 base stations on the Alcatel-Lucent built network went down.
This is the second outage of the Alcatel-Lucent supplied 3G network south of Taupo; in mid-December, the network also went down.
Meanwhile, rival TelstraClear launched its 3G service, which piggy backs of Vodafone’s WCDMA network, for business customers amid Telecom’s XT network woes.
TelstraClear’s 3G services launched in New Zealand
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: With the plans to triple the number of devices in the market over the next three years, TelstraClear, a unit of Australia’s Telstra Corp, launched a 3G mobile service for its New Zealand business customers.
Mobile services are already provided by the telco to business customers over the CDMA network. However, the new service riding on Vodafone Group Plc’s third-generation network, allows TelstraClear to compete with mobile providers Telecom Corp. of New Zealand, Vodafone’s local unit and 2degrees.
According to TelstraClear’s head of customer experience, mobile revenue in New Zealand has been predicted to grow by around 7% over the next four or five years and TelstraClear will be competitive and aggressive in securing its share of that revenue.
Senate delays the bill to split Telstra
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The bill proposing crucial changes to regulation of the telecommunications market and designed to cleave Telstra in two has been delayed by the government for the second time. The delay was undesirable for the government as it was hoping to use the legislation to force Telstra into a deal to participate in its $43 billion national broadband network and the delay.
Telstra and the government are locked in private negotiations regarding the participation of the telco in the NBN. However, both parties require more time to finalize a deal.
The two sides reached an agreement last December allowing Telstra to move traffic from its copper network to the NBN’s fibre-to-the-home network. There are speculations that the bill could be delayed until after Telstra’s half-year results in the middle of this month, when the telco is expected to announce progress in its dealings with the government.
Next G price overhauled by Telstra
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: In a bid to keep its arch rivals, Optus and Vodafone Hutchison Australia at bay, the pricing structure of the Next G mobile broadband service of Telstra has been overhauled. The new pricing will be implemented on January 18.
The monthly data allowance of A$29.95 ($27.83) per month entry-level Next G plan to 400MB has been doubled by Australia’s largest mobile operator. A$20 a month off its A$59.95 a month plan offering 1GB of data as also been shaved by the company besides abolishing charges for excess data usage.
Even after the overhaul, the standalone packages of Next G’s will still not be as attractive as those of its rivals. For instance, 2GB of data for A$25 with a 12 month contract is offered by Optus.
According to Ovum’s Australian mobile analyst, Nathan Burley, Telstra has introduced bundled discounts where a customer gets A$10 off their mobile broadband service if they have one other service with Telstra. The discount increases to A$20 if the subscriber has two other services with Telstra.
Besides, the company also has coverage and speed compared with its two mobile broadband rivals.
A$1.5bn expected by Australia govt in spectrum auction
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Off broadcasting spectrum auction for 4G mobile services has been planned by the Australian government. The auction will take place after the switch from analog to digital television is completed which is expected to generate up to A$1.5 billion.
According to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, the move aims at maximizing the pressure on Telstra Corp. in its negotiations over the structural separation of its businesses.
Telstra might indicate its plan formally to the government later this month. There is speculation that in order to allow its involvement in the government’s planned national broadband network, the company has agreed to separate its wholesale and retail networks.
Telstra lowers its stance on revenues
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Due to difficult markets at home and in Hong Kong, Australian operator Telstra cut its sales outlook for 2010. The company attributed the flattish FY 2010 revenues to a difficult second half of its fiscal year
2009. Earlier, the company expected growth in the low single digits.
Strength of the Australian dollar, strong domestic competition driven by ULL growth, tough operating conditions in Hong Kong, very competitive mobile offers, and a growing number of mobile-only households were the major drivers behind the lower-than-expected growth.
Because of the similar reasons, the sales for the fiscal first half of 2010 will also be lower. For low single-digit growth in full-year EBITDA and EBIT, a stable EBITDA margin, capex at around 14 percent of sales and free cash flow of AUD 6 billion- Telstra’s guidance was unchanged.
Australian govt strike a deal with Telstra on NBN model
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Government-backed NBN Co agreed for the participation of Telstra in the $30 billion next-gen broadband network rollout. The deal is said to be finalized on a preferred model†according to which Telstra’sn copper access network will undergo a progressive transition†to an FTTP network as part of the NBN.
According to communication minister Stephen Conroy, legislation for the structural separation of Telstra has to be postponed in early 2010. However, the government was determined to pass the bill priority early in the New Year.
This legislation will provide a framework within which any agreement with Telstra can be independently evaluated by the ACCC.
Telstra first to test 42Mbps HSPA+ on its own
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: By conducting the test of HSPA+ dual carrier 42Mbps technology outside of vendor laboratories, Australian telco Telstra claimed to become the first operator to test the technology over its own network in
Parramatta. However, it’s still not confirmed when the commercial service using HSPA+ at the higher speeds will be launched.
According to Mike Wright, the operator’s director of wireless, announcements of the launch will be made in the New Year and since the software upgrade is coming to completion, it will enable them to test the new [42Mbps] devices early next year. The company also said that major capitals and regional centers will be targeted first and the rollout strategy will be similar to that employed when the telco upgraded to 21Mbps.
