Wireless Federation

Fujitsu selects Atmel maXTouch service for DoCoMo Regza phone (Japan)

On 03.29.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Fujitsu has chosen the Atmel maXTouch service to power the touchscreen for DoCoMo’s Regza phone T-01C touchscreen.

The new Regza phone T-01C is based on the Android platform and is developed by Fujitsu which is sold exclusively by Japan-based NTT DoCoMo.

Fujitsu’s DoCoMo REGZA phone T-01C features a 12.2-megapixel camera, 4-inch touchscreen, TV, infrared communications, 720p video recording, GSM, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

It also features the Mobile REGZA Engine 3.0, an engine based on the resolution technology employed in Toshiba REGZA LCD TVs, that is optimized for smartphones. This feature enables users to watch TV, YouTube and other videos on their mobile devices in high-quality resolution.

French mobile web users increased to 15.5 mn in 2010

On 03.18.11, In Mobile, By Editor

A new research report has revealed that France had 15.5 million mobile internet users, defined as people who connected at least once a month, in 2010, 3.3 million more than a year earlier.

Half of the users are using “advanced services” (MMS, radio, video/TV, e-mail, instant messaging, video telephony) and nearly half have downloaded an app. The number of fixed internet users rose by 10% in one year to 38.3 million in December 2010, with some 24 million connecting daily, or 3.2 million more than in December 2009.

According to the report, every hour between 9:00 and 21:00, an average of 5.4 million people are online in France in 2010, versus 4.6 million in 2009. Social media have created a permanent connection to the internet, with over three quarters of internet users having consulted a blog or social network in December (32.1 million people) and 11.7 million people did so daily.

Internet users are increasing the amount of time they spend on such sites, rising to 5 hours 30 minutes, on average, in 2010 from 4 hours 10 minutes in 2009. Consumers are using the internet to seek others’ advice before buying products, with two-thirds of internet users sharing their opinions on products and services they buy by commenting on e-commerce sites, blogs, forums or social networks. There were 27.7 million online purchasers in 2010, 3.3 million more than a year earlier.

Online video is gaining more and more viewers, with video portals hosting professional and amateur productions attracting 24.5 percent unique visitors last year, nearly 60 percent of all internet users. In the mobile sphere, one in ten mobile phone owners watched video or TV content in the preceding month. Fixed internet podcast downloads were up by 26.5 percent year-on-year to over 14 million in December.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: blogs • e-commerce sites • e-mail • forums • France • Instant Messaging • MMS • Mobile • Radio • TV • Video Telephony • video/TV

Azercell introduces special tariff packet for journalists (Azerbaijan)

On 03.07.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Azerbaijan’s Azercell Telecom has launched new Mediacell tariff packet for journalists. As per the company, useful tariffs on-network calling will be applied for subscribers from March 4.

This tariff packet concerns people registered in Journals, TV, radio and internet publication. The users will get discounts on incoming and outgoing calls.

Mass representatives must submit the reference, press card and ID card to the customer services for joining the Mediacell tariff. All these subscribers will be given new number on this tariff. They can switch their number to the new tariff as well.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Azerbaijan • Azercell Telecom • ID card • Incoming • journal • Mediacell tariff packet • Mobile • on-network calling • Outgoing Calls • press card • Radio • reference • TV

Fixed-Mobile convergence to become key competitive focus in France

On 01.13.11, In Mobile, By Editor

A research has revealed that just over half (51 percent) of all French households will subscribe to triple-play bundles in 2015, up from 36 percent in 2010.

The regulatory environment encourages competition, but a saturated market makes it a tough operating environment. Convergence is the key competitive factor in France, and it is one of the most advanced convergence markets in the world. The bulk of convergence will continue to be in triple-play services, mostly bundles of voice, TV, and broadband.

France leads the European telecom market in terms of the cheapest and most innovative triple-play bundles. This is driven by intense competition, but also in part by a tax break (while broadband and phone services are charged at a 19.6 percent rate, the other 50 percent of the bundle is categorized by most telcos as TV services, and is thus charged at a lower 5.5 percent rate. For instance, the recent Orange quad-play promotion includes: Internet (up to 20 Mbps), TV (up to 120 channels), voice (unlimited land line calls in France, one hour to mobile) and 3G+ mobile broadband for euro 34.99 ($44.03).

Operators are also moving to quad-play services by adding mobile broadband or voice to their portfolios. Researchers expect quad-play adoption to be in 4.5 percent of all households by 2015. Fixed-mobile convergence will become an increasingly important competitive focus over the next couple of years as femtocell technology matures and become more affordable.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Broadband • femtocell technology • Fixed-Mobile convergence • France • Mobile • quad-play • triple-play bundle • TV • Voice

IDC Forecasts Worldwide Mobile Applications Revenues to Experience More Than 60% Compound Annual Growth Through 2014

On 12.14.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Application developers have churned out more than 300,000 mobile apps in just over three years. In 2010, mobile apps made the leap from the smartphone to media tablets. In 2011 and beyond, mobile apps will find their way into even more devices including connected TVs, and by extension, the connected home. According to a new International Data Corporation (IDC) forecast, the market for mobile applications will continue to accelerate as the number of downloaded apps is expected to increase from 10.9 billion worldwide in 2010 to 76.9 billion in 2014. Worldwide mobile apps revenues will experience similar growth, surpassing $35 billion in 2014.

The extension of mobile apps to every aspect of our personal and business lives will be one of the hallmarks of the new decade with enormous opportunities for virtually every business sector.â€

One of the most striking impacts of the extraordinary growth and evolution of the mobile apps space over the past three years has been the “appification” of broad categories of interactions and functions in both physical and the digital worlds. Apps can turn a smartphone into a physical trainer that keeps track of exercise levels and even your heartbeat, help cook a meal by walking you through the meal prep and then tell you when it is fully cooked, monitor your driving and offer tips to increase gas mileage, turn your phone into a flashlight, connect you with friends through social networking, find your location through mapping, offer early forms of virtual reality, automatically upload and share pictures, scan physical goods through barcode readers, wirelessly transfer files by physically bumping two devices together, and provide a whole range of business support from fleet management to payroll.

“Mobile app developers will ‘appify’ just about every interaction you can think of in your physical and digital worlds,” notes Scott Ellison, vice president, Mobile and Wireless research at IDC. ” The extension of mobile apps to every aspect of our personal and business lives will be one of the hallmarks of the new decade with enormous opportunities for virtually every business sector.”

The most obvious beneficiaries of mobile apps are mobile users who utilize mobile apps of almost every conceivable type, whether used to kill a few minutes while waiting in line or to download updated product specs in front of a customer. Mobile applications have the power to change the way we live.

The IDC study, Worldwide and U.S. Mobile Applications, Storefronts, and Developer 2010 2014 Forecasts and Year-End 2010 Vendor Market Shares: The “Appification” of Everything (IDC #225668), provides IDC’s current and best estimates for the rapidly evolving mobile applications market. The report offers application download, revenue, app developer/storefront revenue splits, and market share estimates for the major mobile operating systems and mobile app storefronts. The report also forecasts worldwide and U.S. mobile app downloads and revenues for the 2009-2014 time period. IDC’s outlook on this market is informed by continuous conversations with a wide variety of players in the mobile app. Other sources of information include company financial and product announcements, and the Appcelerator/IDC Mobile Developer Report, a quarterly survey of Appcelerator’s 70,000+ mobile app developer bases.

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. For more than 46 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world’s leading technology media, research, and Events Company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Compound Annual Growth • IDC Forecasts Worldwide Mobile Applications • media tablet • Mobile • Revenues • TV • USA

Du to launch DC-HSPA+ network at Gitex Technology Week 2010

On 10.21.10, In Mobile, By Editor

The UAE, one of the most prosperous countries in the world and a hub for buoyant businesses, joined the league of the select few nations in the world to first launch high speed mobile broadband speeds of up to 42.2 Mbps, the fastest in the UAE.

This is following Du’s upgrade of its network to next-generation DC-HSPA+ technology. The company will be showcasing the latest 42Mbps mobile broadband internet key amongst the first few devices globally which will allow customers to benefit from this unprecedented speed – this will be a key attraction at the Gitex Technology Week 2010.

According to Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, Du, the company is proud to have contributed to the reputation of the UAE with this global achievement in mobile networks, as well as employing the most cutting-edge technology for the benefit of the customers. Now, Du customers are among the select few worldwide – and the first in the region – to enjoy fastest mobile broadband speeds of up to 42.2 Mbps, which will greatly improve the quality of applications on-the-go, including games, TV, music and video media. Du will strive to continue with the strategy of offering market firsts which will reflect on the UAE telecom market and the region and, most importantly, the company remains committed to providing the customers with the best possible telecom experience.

According to the latest report by Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) on the DC HSPA+ deployment with the speed of 42.2 Mbps, the UAE is the sixth nation globally to launch such a mobile broadband speed.

It is worth highlighting that Du covered 98% of the UAE’s populated areas by this network.

Du is showcasing the new data internet key at its stand at this year’s Gitex, which is set to be launched by the company soon. This internet key works exactly the same as the previous models; however the new sleeker-looking device is designed to facilitate the passage of much faster mobile broadband speeds.

Du’s ultra high-speed mobile broadband network will enable customers to have a superior mobile broadband experience including the fastest internet browsing, downloading music or watching mobile TV among many other applications. In addition, this ultra high-speed network roll-out will reinforce Du’s current position as one of the leading operators in the region, providing the best value-for-money and advanced fixed and mobile broadband services to both individual and business users.

Du will continue to deploy the most advanced technologies to facilitate its network expansion, which is a critical element of ongoing efforts to strengthen and consolidate its position as the UAE’s most innovative telecommunications provider.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: DC-HSPA+ network • DU • games • Gitex Technology Week 2010 • GSA • Mobile • music • TV • UAE • ultra high-speed mobile broadband • video media

France Telecom’s new all-inclusive quad-play package under probe (France)

On 10.05.10, In Mobile, By Editor

If reports are to be believed, French regulators are investigating France Telecom’s new all-inclusive quad-play (mobile, fixed voice telephony, broadband and TV) bundles over concerns that they alters competition and limits consumer choice by requiring contracts lasting two years.

In June France’s rivalry authority lifted a ban on cross-selling products and services but cautioned that it would monitor any new offerings closely. Consumer associations have criticized the two-year contract length, and although Bouygues Telecom and SFR also offer quad-play packages neither require 24-month contracts.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Bouygues Telecom • Broadband • Consumer associations • cross-selling products • fixed voice telephony • France • France Telecom • French Regulator • Mobile • quad-play package • SFR • TV • two-year contract

Motorola Milestone Xt720: Smart Phone with great deals

On 10.01.10, In Mobile, Mobile Phones, By Editor

Motorola’s Milestone XT720 is a high end Android smartphone with a quirky physical design and one feature that is an Android first.

The phone feature an 8-megapixel camera with all the latest features which are provided in the handset like geo-tagging, image stabilization, face detection, auto focus etc will give better than the best quality pictures. The phone has a Xenon flash, along with 720p video recording and HDMI out for showing the results on a big screen, makes the Milestone XT720 sound like a photographer’s dream device. The phone has 8GB microSD memory card which can be extended up to 32 GB with a memory card.

The handset comes with powerful battery that doesn’t require recharging every now and then. Motorola Milestone XT720 deals are the real beneficial deals which are the user friendly deals. They are the attractive deals that can be afforded by people of all incomes.

There are contract deals available with number of free gifts which will give maximum benefits to the users. Free gifts include LCD, laptop, mobile accessories, TV, play station, gaming consoles, video games and much more. Other offers, incentives and discounts can also be availed.

Filed under:Mobile,Mobile Phones Tagged with: 8-megapixel camera • Android smartphone • auto focus • D • eo-tagging • Face Detection • gaming consoles • HDMI • image stabilization • Laptop • Mobile • mobile accessories • Motorola's Milestone XT720 • play station • TV • video games

Comcel launches 3G mobile TV service with Rok

On 08.30.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Comcel, the largest Mobile Operator in Colombia and Rok have joined hands to launch the Ideas Web TV a streamed, on-demand mobile TV subscription service. Powered by ‘ROK TV’ video-streaming technology, Ideas Web TV will offer an early package of Mobile TV channels that will include Discovery Movil, Discovery Kids, Nickelodeon, Playboy Lifestyle, ESPN, ESPN-X, Wappo TV, Disney Channel and National Geographic.

Comcel has confirmed that it will be joining Telcel and will able to offer its customers the highest quality streamed mobile TV service available which it will promote as a monthly subscription service valued at approximately US$8.25 per month.

According to Jonathan Kendrick, Chairman and CEO of ROK, the company is delighted to be working with Comcel in Colombia as this symbolizes another major milestone in the global roll-out of the company’s revenue-generating mobile entertainment services.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: ESPN • Colombia • Comcel • Discovery Kids • Discovery Movil • Disney Channel • ESPN-X • Mobile • National Geographic • Nickelodeon • Playboy Lifestyle • ROK • Telcel • TV • Wappo TV

Orange acquires 11% of French music Streaming website Deezer

On 08.30.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Orange has acquired 11% of Deezer, a French music streaming website in return for its Wormee music streaming assets and a promise to market Deezer’s subscription service to its new customers.

According to Deezer CEO Axel Dauchez , the exclusive partnership must enable the company to attract several hundred thousand subscribers to its unlimited music premium service by the end of this year, increase from 25,000 at present.

The Deezer Premium Plus music service is included in the new internet, TV and phone packages for an extra US$6.346per month. As a special offer, Orange is launching Surf Music, a limited series offer at US$37.94 per month, which includes internet access without a phone subscription, over 30 Orange TV channels, unlimited calls to landlines in metropolitan France and unlimited music.

According to reports, Orange intends to switch off its Wormee service. Deezer has already informed its customers by e-mail of the partnership and what it could bring to them. Orange France has issued a press release stating that the unlimited music offer from Deezer would be introduced into Orange mobile and internet packages.