Telecom Italia selects Nokia Siemens for LTE upgrade contract (Italy)
Nokia Siemens Networks will upgrade Telecom Italia’s mobile infrastructure in several Italian regions with 7,000 base stations (BTS) to offer LTE services.
Nokia Siemens Networks will undertake the radio network modernization in some Italian regions in the 900-1800 and 2100 MHz frequency bands, supplying its Single Radio Access Network Flexi Multiradio Base Stations. No financial or timeline details were provided about the network upgrade.
The LTE technology has already been tested by the two companies in some Turin city areas.
Zeemote JS1 partners with ‘Works With Nokia’ Program
According to Zeemote, its JS1 Bluetooth Controller has been accepted into Nokia’s new Accessory Developer Program, ‘Works with Nokia’. Zeemote JS1 will be sold in a retail pack featuring the Works with Nokia logo through retail channel internationally, under this programme.
As per Zeemote, the JS1 Controller is seen as a perfect example of a third party accessory which helps Nokia customers find new and engaging experiences on Nokia devices.
Telstra against NBN draft legislation (Australia)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The recent change to the Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) proposal has been severely opposed by telecom operator Telstra which has expressed its deep concern by the change effecting negotiations over the sale of assets.
A new state-owned broadband network company will be allowed by the draft legislation to provide retail services, instead of just wholesale services. According to the company, such an outcome would run counter to the core purpose of the NBN and the government’s primary policy objective of restructuring the industry to have separate providers for retail and wholesale fixed network services.
Negotiations over the sale of assets to the government is currently on the cards of Telstra which has promised to spend up to AUD43 billion (USD38.6 billion) on rolling out high speed internet access throughout the country.
Ukrtelecom to restructure debt to repay loans (Ukraine)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Restructuring of the foreign debt has been seeked by Ukrainian state-owned fixed line, broadband and 3G mobile. USD55.6 million loan installment to Credit Suisse First and Deutsche Bank was due to be repaid on February 25.
However, it was later decided that USD14 million of this amount will be paid on the agreed date and the remainder within three months. The debt was issued in 2005 and Ukrtelecom began making twice yearly payments in 2008. However, like all the other companies in Ukraine the telco also faced significant challenges caused by the worldwide economic slump leading to a weakening of the local currency.
According to a letter from the company’s chairman of the board to the country’s communications authority, Ukrtelecom is conducting talks with the creditors for a delay of the repayment date for 75% of the payment.
TI to roll out Wi-Fi along Italian high speed train service
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Telecom Italia (TI) has signed a contract with Rete Ferroviaria Italiana to install radio communications infrastructure along all 900km of the rail network between Turin and Naples. The roll out will equip all Frecciarossa trains with supportive systems.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the next year while the work will begin in April 2010.
According to the company, the rollout will not only add internet connectivity to the line but also improve mobile coverage, boosting signal strength and resolving connections issues, particularly in tunnels.
