Telenor and BCG study: mHealth to change the face of healthcare (Norway)
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), in cooperation with Telenor Group, has now released the complete report on the “Socio-Economic Impact of Mobile Health”. The report explores the potential impact of mHealth solutions, such as how Norway can save $2 billion each year with remote monitoring solutions for the elderly and how Thailand can cure 40,000 cases of tuberculosis through SMS treatment compliance.
The report dives into the healthcare situations in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Thailand, Malaysia, Russia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. It presents potential solutions for each of these markets that are possible through mobile communications.
Jon Fredrik Baksaas, CEO, Telenor Group, has said that they commissioned this report because they wanted to better understand how their solutions can help improve the healthcare situations in the countries where we operate. For instance, how can they increase efficiency in modern healthcare through remote monitoring solutions that enable the elderly people to live longer in their own homes?
The most notable healthcare challenges faced in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro include their aging population and the rising costs of healthcare services. Solutions such as home monitoring aided by mobile technology can keep the elderly in their homes longer, easing the burden on care facilities. However, barriers to widespread mHealth solutions include privacy issues, interoperability challenges when sharing information electronically, and the lack of industry incentive when remuneration is often dependent on nights actually spent in the hospital, nursing facility or face-to-face consultations.
As countries in transition, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand face shared difficulty in ensuring proper maternal health and infant care, combating communicable diseases, and confronting new challenges such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Remote diagnostics and remote patient monitoring can be critical to bringing healthcare to the rural populations in these countries. However, the lack of common standards can prevent the spread of mHealth, along with limited commitment from regulatory bodies to ensure that mHealth happens.
Nations such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and India are struggling to deliver affordable healthcare to their citizens. Their resources are limited and much of their population is rural. mHealth deployment is currently limited in these countries, partly due to lack of awareness and action from the regulatory bodies. From maternal and infant health challenges to reducing disease, these countries need cost-efficient and widespread solutions that will help their citizens live longer and healthier. mHealth can fill these gaps, but access to mobile services needs to improve, along with government commitment and the creation of incentives to encourage the spread of mHealth.
Baksaas said that mHealth can be one of the keys to redefining and reinvigorating their struggling healthcare systems, as well as enhancing the healthy lifestyles and longevity of the citizens. The telecommunications industry is well-positioned to play a central role in the evolution of mobile health solutions worldwide.
Apple releases new iPad in South Korea and 11 additional countries (USA)
Apple launched the new iPad, the third generation of its category defining mobile device, in South Korea and 11 additional countries on Friday, April 20. The new iPad features a stunning new Retina display, Apple’s new A5X chip with quad-core graphics and a 5 megapixel iSight camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video. The new iPad still delivers the same all-day 10 hour battery life while remaining amazingly thin and light.
In addition to South Korea, the new iPad also will be available beginning on Friday, April 20 in Brunei, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia, Panama, St Maarten, Uruguay and Venezuela. Beginning on Friday, April 27, the new iPad will be available in Colombia, Estonia, India, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, South Africa and Thailand.
The new iPad Wi-Fi models will be available in black or white for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model and $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The iPad Wi-Fi + 4G models will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model.
The new iPad will be sold through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com) and select Apple Authorized Resellers. Additionally, iPad 2 is available at a more affordable price starting at just $399.
Thailand 3G auction process revealed (Thailand)
Thailand’s regulator has announced that it will adopt the slot demand and supply based model for the upcoming 3G auction in place of the n-1 formula, according to a report by GSM Insider. According to the report, National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commissioner Sethapong Malisuwan said that under the proposed system, the auction would be broken up into nine 5 MHz slots instead of three 15 MHz licences.
Each bidder would declare how many slots they wanted. For instance, with four vendors each wanting 15 MHz, that would mean 12 slots in demand against the 9 available.
The price of every slot would then go up and up until one of the bidders abandons a slot. The price would continue to rise again until there is demand for only 9 slots left among however many bidders there are.
The final system will be finalised by the end of April and the starting price will be announced by the end of May. Each operator would be limited to 15 or perhaps 20 MHz and a minimum of 5 MHz.
Sethapong added that it was unclear if the price would be higher or lower than the estimates in the aborted 2010 bid. He said that 2.1-GHz may not be the most valuable spectrum now as 1800-MHz LTE is more enticing to many operators.
He said that the expiring 25 MHz (12.5 by TrueMove and 12.5 by DPC, an AIS subsidiary) should be auctioned off six months before the concessions expire in September 2013.
Sethapong added that the auction would be conducted on a tight budget of between $970,000 and $1.3 million.
Finally, the commissioner said that anyone blocking this auction would be considered an enemy of the state and urged the public to join him in prayer to the spirits to ask for a successful auction.
Earlier, fellow commissioner Suthipol Thaweechaikarn said that all the operators would be called in to swear they would not use any loophole to stop the auction and similarly branded anyone trying to halt the auction as being unpatriotic.
Thailand to hold 2.1GHz 3G auction in Q3 (Thailand)
The regulatory authority in Thailand is hopeful of carrying out the 2.1 GHz 3G auction in the third quarter of the year and has requested for cooperation from the telecom operators.
According to reports, Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn, National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commissioner for legal on the telecommunications half, said that he was ensuring that the 3G auction gets completed this year and was looking into any loophole that may cause a deviation.
Thaweechaikarn added that in order to ensure a smooth process he would request all telecom operators to swear in public to play fair, not collude in bidding and that anyone using a legal loophole to scupper the auction would be condemned as unpatriotic and holding back the country’s development.
Dtac introduces new ‘super tiny’ prepaid plans (Thailand)
DTAC’s prepaid brand Happy, has introduced a bite-size strategy by launching ‘happy super jiew’ or ‘happy super tiny’ with minimum charge at only US$ 0.16. The new promotion aims to support customers’ needs in using value for money and exciting package, and at the same time, builds up value to happy existing customer base in the time that mobile phone penetration is at very high level. At its launch, the new on-top promotion will shift the pre-paid competition to variety of small packages that fit into various needs.
Amarit Sukhavanij, Senior Vice President, Market Division, Total Access Communication PLC. (dtac), said that happy’s challenge in 2012 is that mobile phone penetration is very high. However, they still see rooms to fill in for voice and data usage demand. Happy’s strategy this year is to add value to existing customers by completing on-top promotion with more attractive choices. Ther’ve been continuously developing Segmentation and Brand Strategy with comprehensive customer insights.
Further, they learn that they are people who like to try on new things, update on new trends and compare for the best choice, especially for the most value for money promotion when it comes to mobile phone usage. All lead to the initiative happy super jiew, new small prices on-top promotion that fits into different usages including voice as well as Internet, at the minimum charge of US$ 0.16 only. The promotion also allows customers to change according to daily usage needs.
Amarit added that they are certain that bite-size promotion will help grow happy market and its on-top sales in the future. Moreover, happy super jiew will enforce their happy brand characteristic in the way that it contains fun element to a pleasurable usage. Its pertaining promotions that will come to market in the near future will also add more fun choices to customers as well as position happy as leader of bite-size promotion in customers’ minds.
AIS plans $ 261 million network upgrade (Thailand)
Telecom operator AIS is reportedly planning to upgrade its network to enable better services for its subscribers, a project estimated to be worth $ 261 million.
According to reports, Vichien Mektrakarn, CEO, AIS said that the company ended 2011 with 33.5 million subscribers (up from 32 million in 2010), with voice revenue still growing by 8 per cent. Current mobile penetration is around 110 per cent in a country of 69 million. Further, for data, the network has 9 million users (up from 7.5 million) of which 1.2 million are on AIS’ 900-MHz 3G network.
The operator expects a 5 per cent service revenue growth and over 10 per cent device sales growth in this year. Mark Chong Chin Kok , Chief Operating Officer, AIS has said that 2012 will see $ 261 million capex put into the network. The number of 900-MHz 3G base stations will be doubled to 3,500, and coverage will be concentrated in major cities among 17 out of Thailand’s 76 provinces. Capacity will be uplifted to 5 million from the current 2 million.
TrueMove H deal declared illegal (Thailand)
The network resale deal between CAT Telecom and True Corp known as the True Move H’ 3G was declared illegal by a Thai senate. According to reports, the senate concluded that the deal was illegal mainly on the grounds of violations of three main laws in the deal agreement. The senate has sent the findings on the breach of law are forwarded to the counter corruption commission for due consideration.
Sources claim that as per Article 46 paragraph 2 of the Frequency Allocation Act B.E. 2553 (2010) transfer of frequency is not permitted however CAT as well as True Move violated the law. According to Telecom Business Act B.E. 2544 (2001) BFKT, a subsidiary of True, had no operating license issued from the regulator and as per the Public-Private Joint Investment Act B.E. 2535 (1992) the project estimate was more than US$ 32 million. However, it was presented to the Cabinet for approval as it was required under guidelines of the Act.
Despite of all the Senate findings, CAT has dismissed all the allegations. However, CAT Telecom’s request for dismissing the case, calling it as an unnecessary practice of investigation, was rejected by the counter corruption commission.
DTAC plans 3G network roll-out by 2013 (Thailand)
Mobile network operator DTAC has announced its plans to roll out 3G services across 940 districts by the end of next year. According to reports, Jon Eddy Abdullah, CEO, DTAC has said that they plan to become a leader in 3G service through a nationwide network expansion on the analogue 850-MHz frequency, covering 940 districts by 2013.
He added that DTAC will begin testing its 4G cellular broadband in Bangkok along with CAT Telecom by May. The operator has reportedly kept US$ 1.3 billion aside for the 3G network plans of which US$ 487 million will be required for a new licence.
Abdullah also claims that he expects the regulator to grant an LTE trial licence soon and plans to launch a brief trial network by May 2012. He added that they do not plan to launch a commercial LTE network as the 30 percent revenue share, under the current terms, negatively impacts the business case.
Abdullah states that they believe Thailand could have 3G and 4G commercial service simultaneously, which other countries are already developing. Further, he assures users that all network traffic problems will be resolved once the network upgrade project is completed.
He said that if they get a 3G licence on the 2100-MHz frequency, they plan a massive network expansion mainly in Bangkok and major provinces.
European firms eye TOT for MVNO services (Thailand, Europe)
State-owned telecommunications company TOT is reportedly in talks with two European mobile operators to provide 3G wireless services as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO). As reported by BP, Panthep Chamrasromran, Chairman, TOT has said that they have held discussions with the operators regarding their business plan and strategy, and are likely to arrive at a decision next month.
He added that the operators are looking to tie-up with TOT if the Thai operator continues with its nationwide 3G network coverage plan. Further, while the names of the two operators have not yet been disclosed, Chamrasromran has revealed that one operator is from Norway.
The Thai operator is currently involved in regrouping its MVNOs into three categories: strategic partners, conventional MVNOs and resellers.
CAT Telecom plans to launch 3G services in January 2012 (Thailand)
CAT Telecom, the state owned telecommunications firm in Thailand, is reportedly planning to launch its 3G services under the brand name ‘My’ by January next year. According to reports, the operator is also planning to present a proposal to its board members, allowing concessionaires to buy back their mobile network before the expiration of the contract.
As per sources, the ministry of Information Communications Technology (ICT) has permitted CAT to draft its network sales plan. Reports reveal that TrueMove, DigitalPhone and DTAC are operating services based on concessions from the state owned operator. TrueMove had reportedly made an offer of US$ 318.4 million for its mobile network, which was considered to be less by CAT.
The concession contracts for TrueMove and DigitalPhone are expected to end in 2013 whereas DTAC’s concession contract expires in 2018, after which they will have to transfer their networks to CAT Telecom as per the build-operate-transfer agreement.
