Roam Mobility to offer cheaper alternative to high roaming charges (Canada)
In an attempt to counter the increasing roaming charges for Canadian mobile-phone users, Roam Mobility Inc is offering consumers a better alternative.
According to a report by Globe and Mail, the Vancouver-based upstart, marketing itself as a rogue mobile company, is aggressively ramping up its rollout of cellphones, SIM cards and other devices to entice Canadians looking for cheaper alternatives to high roaming rates the major wireless companies charge when customers travel to the United States with their smartphones in tow.
Roam Mobility’s chief executive officer Emir Aboulhosn, said that they will not tell users to switch from Rogers, Telus and Bell – they’re just asking users to stop using them when they cross the border. Roam estimates that Canadians spend $800-million a year on international roaming fees, with roughly $450-million spent on U.S. roaming alone.
As per the report, Roam Mobility launched its service in January, competing with the major carriers by offering Canadian travellers unlimited talk and text plans from $3 a day, including free calls to Canada. Its data rates start as low as 2 cents a megabyte.
With the summer travel season just around the corner, Roam is in expansion mode. It will announce a new partnership with Allegiant Air to sell its products during flights starting June 1. Allegiant is a U.S. airline that services border airports such as Niagara Falls, N.Y., and offers discounted fares to popular U.S. destinations.
Roam’s products are already available at a number of Canadian and U.S. airports and at major land border duty-free shops. They will also be sold at Future Shop starting next month. Its product line includes a cellphone for talk and text; SIM cards that can be used in a consumer’s own unlocked phone; and personal “hotspot” devices that provide a high-speed data connection for up to five wireless devices (like smartphones, tablet computers or laptops) at the same time.
The report reveals that Roam has already attracted close to 20,000 customers and is on track to hit the 100,000-subscriber mark in the second quarter of 2013. Even though the vast majority of its customers are people who travel to the U.S. in short spurts, Aboulhosn says Roam can afford to be aggressive with its pricing because its capital expenditures and overhead costs are relatively low.
Wireless carriers begin trials for RIM’s PlayBook (Canada)
Wireless carriers in US and around the world have begun testing the PlayBook 3G and 4G with OS 2.0.1 according to a report by Berry Review. The report reveals that the launch has been scheduled for May around the same time that RIM (Research In Motion) would be hosting BlackBerry world 2012.
As per the report carriers AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless have begun testing the PlayBook in the Unites States; while Rogers, Bell Mobility and Telus have begun trials in Canada. Further, Orange UK and StarHub Singapore are also rumoured to be involved in the trials.
TELUS unveils new mobile device configuration services powered by MCE systems
TELUS, a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, is launching new mobile device configuration services in all of its stores, powered by MCE Systems Mobile Customer Experience 2.0 solution (MCE 2.0). TELUS customers will truly experience the “walk out working” promise on activation and enjoy improved service tools available in-store to address configuration and software issues.
The MCE 2.0 solution brings the next-generation of mobile customer experience and enables mobile operators to deliver device content management, configuration and support/diagnostics with ease and simplicity. By enabling a multi-vendor solution in-store, MCE 2.0 allows mobile operators to support feature phones, smartphones and tablets, manage help desk call volumes and address returned device issues due to software and configuration problems. MCE 2.0 integrates Remote Call Center / Call Scripting and allows service providers the ability to tightly integrate to their customer care processes with in-store and on-line tools. The mce100+ deployed by TELUS at Point-of-Sale and Product Care enables mobile content transfer, email configuration and software check/update at all stores and dealers. The MCE 2.0 portfolio includes:
- mce100+:
- Best-in-class support at Point-of-Sale through mobile content transfer, email configuration, and content customization
- Software Check/Update tools consolidating multi-OEM tools
- mce-toolbox:
- Advanced Customer Care / Call Center tools, software update, top issues knowledgebase, remote device access and self-serve KIOSK
- Smartphone device diagnostics
- Online Support (consumer portal) enabling troubleshooting, scripting and remote device control direct to customer
- mce-care:
- Re-engineer Care Processes: integrate training, device updates, loaner programs, alerts for customer care, on-line and internal tools / process
“MCE’s solution enables our TELUS corporate stores and dealer network to deliver a complete and positive customer experience for activations and in-store support,” said Judy Mellett, Director, Device Product Development at TELUS. “The mce100+ solution simplifies our process to help our customers manage their content transfer and email configuration on their new device. In addition, we have introduced advanced product care capability to update device software and adjust device configurations which results in an improved customer experience.”
“Our close relationship with TELUS over the past years has delivered a solution truly unique in the industry,” said Yuval Blumenthal, CEO – MCE Systems Ltd. “MCE has leveraged our unique multi-vendor driver and auto-recognition capability to advance the mce100 beyond basic content transfer. The next-generation Mobile Customer Experience requires tools to support smart phone configuration and system updates, personalized content loading and advanced product care. That is what MCE delivers.”
Powered by MCE Systems, TELUS is the first operator globally to deploy the mce100+ solution and now delivers the following services in-store:
- Subscriber Content Transfer- Subscribers can transfer all of their mobile device content to a new device, including contacts, pictures, videos and SMS
- Email Account set-up- supporting all popular domains and unique Canadian domains, email is set-up and verified with ease for all smartphones.
- Software Check / Update- To ensure customers have the latest smartphone software update, TELUS can verify your software load and perform an update if required, for most devices, directly in-store.
Telus to offer 42Mbps download speed (Canada)
Telus will start offering theoretical peak data download speeds of 42Mbps from next month. The company has upgraded its 3G network to support Dual Cell on HSPA+ (DC-HSPA+).
The Sierra Wireless AirCard 319U 4G Internet Key will be the first device to take full advantage of this new Dual Cell capability.
According to Eros Spadotto, executive vice-president of Technology Strategy at TELUS, Canada is an innovation leader in communications technology, and TELUS is at the forefront, bringing their customers the most advanced wireless technology available. Dual Cell is just the latest example of the company’s commitment to offer their clients the latest and greatest available technology.
The network upgrade will be initially limited to the centers of major cities and main transport routes.
Federal Court of Canada overrules Globalive ownership decision
Canadian mobile operator Wind Mobile has stated that the Federal Court of Canada has ruled out the cabinet decision claiming that Wind Mobile’s ownership is fully compliant with Canada’s ownership. It further said that the control rules contained two errors and should therefore be quashed. The decision does not go into effect for 45 days.
The decision is the result of an application brought by rivals Public Mobile and Telus. According to Wind Mobile, it was very disappointed with the decision but noted that the court decision does not suggest that Cabinet got it wrong, only that it made errors in explaining their rationale and characterizing the decision.
The mobile operator is currently examining its options and is consulting with advisors to determine its next steps. Wind Mobile has attracted more than 250,000 subscribers since its 2009 launch.
Regulator CRTC initially rejected Globalive’s attempt to launch a mobile network in Canada. It ruled Globalive’s structure contravened foreign-ownership rules governing Canadian telecom companies because of its financial backing from Egypt’s Orascom Telecom.
The government subsequently overruled the CRTC decision, stating that it was satisfied that Globalive met the ownership rules since the voting control rested with Canadians and Canadians managed the company on a day-to-day basis.
According to Industry Canada Minister, Tony Clement, the government is studying the ruling and examining its options. As per reports, their government stands with consumers who want more competition.
Huawei sets up Canadian research centers
Huawei has announced that it is signing two agreements with the Canadian mobile network operators, Telus and Bell Canada to set up Joint Innovation Centers in Canada.
In the Joint Innovation Centres, Huawei and the Canadian networks will work together on developing and enhancing broadband wireless solutions, core network products and value-added service offerings.
Further information was not revealed.
Samsung Launches Rugby II in Canada
Samsung Mobile has announced new handset, the Samsung Rugby II in Canada.
Designed for industrial use in sectors such as construction, field-service, transportation, and oil and gas, the Samsung Rugby II delivers features for industrial users including noise cancellation technology for clear conversation even in loud work environments, a large and easy to use key pad, and a rugged design that meets strict military specifications (U.S. Military Spec 810G) for resistance to blowing rain, high humidity, dust, and submersion in water.
Besides these, the phone supports global roaming and GPS, and has a 2MP camera and user expandable memory (up to 32GB via MicroSD card).
According to Paul Brannen -Vice President (Samsung Mobile Canada), Since a rough work environment can ruin many average phones, Samsung has created the Rugby II to withstand the extreme weather and tough treatment encountered on the job-site. At Samsung, they understand the ability to communicate in the field is paramount to a successful business, and the Rugby II helps ensure that when the job needs to get done, customers will have the right phone to make it happen.
The Samsung Rugby II also features a dual speaker design that offers an internal speaker for regular wireless calls and a large exterior speaker for handsfree conversations, Bluetooth and Multiple Messaging Options (MMS, SMS, and EMS).
The Samsung Rugby II is available from Bell Mobility, Rogers Communications and Telus.
Telus Stops Unauthorized Automatic Calling (Canada)
Canadian mobile network operator, Telus has agreed to change the way of managing an automatic calling service for its prepaid customers. Telus was using these devices to notify its prepaid mobile customers of an actual or imminent service interruption and how to purchase more minutes to avoid such an interruption.
According to Andrea Rosen of the telecoms regulator, the CRTC, the regulator is pleased that Telus acted swiftly when regulators concerns were brought to their attention. This agreement is an example of how they are working with the industry to encourage compliance with the CRTC’s Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.
Telus does not admit fault regarding its use of automated calling devices and the Commission has not issued a formal finding of liability. Upon being notified of the CRTC’s concerns and as part of the agreement Telus immediately volunteered to cease making these types of calls to its prepaid mobile customers without obtaining their prior express consent.
Billions lost by operators due to billing mistakes
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Tens of billions of dollars every year is being lost by the telecom operators round the world because of billing mistakes. $40 billion each year has been lost by global communications industry due to revenue leakage.
Variety of deficiencies has been cited as the reason behind revenue leakage like billing at incorrect rates, faulty recording practices and miscommunication between billing systems. Investigation has been carried out by telecom operator Telus into these reveneue losses since 15 years.
According to a survey, 60% of the operators’ opined that not even half of leakages identified were ever recovered from subscribers or partners. Apart from billing mistakes, there are several other mistakes which are never identified thus showing that the losses could be much higher.
