Kcell to launch mobile WiMAX in Atyrau (Kazakhstan)
Kcell, Kazakh cellco has announced the commercial launch of mobile broadband services in the city of Atyrau. The service employs WiMAX technology, offering transmission speeds of 2Mbps, which according to the company is suitable for videoconferencing, large file transfers and viewing movies online.
According to Nurlan Sargaskayev, business development director of GSM Kazakhstan, the commercial launch of WiMAX in Atyrau is a timely response to the clients’ needs and desires. The company is pleased that the subscribers may use the advantages of WiMAX technology, high bit rate internet and low tariffs. Kcell has analyzed the traffic use by subscribers and developed a set of tariffs, which best correspond to clients’ needs.
Cisco reveals Videoconferencing system
Cisco Systems Inc. has unveiled a videoconferencing system, representing the first venture by the company into a market now conquered by free video chat services like Skype.
The system, called Cisco UMI, will allow consumers to make video chats from high-definition and Internet-connected televisions. Umi includes a HD camera, a console and a remote. The device will cost US$599 with a monthly fee of US$24.99 for unlimited calling and video messaging and storage.
According to John Chambers, Cisco’s chief executive officer, Cisco Umi will bring the unique tele-presence experience into living rooms and change the way we are able to be together with family and friends. The company envisions a future where technologies like this will play a role in connecting consumers with businesses to enable the delivery of new services ranging from education, to health care, to financial services, to the home.
According to Cisco, consumers can pre-order Umi on the company’s website and the product is scheduled to be available in the stores of electronics retailer Best Buy from Nov. 14.
Wireless communication access for villages
Puducherry: K. Sridhara, Member (Technology), Telecommunication Commission (Department of Telecommunications), New Delhi, said that expansion of communication facilities and extension of wireless access for the villagers would be of help for rapid economic development in rural areas.
Inaugurating the 10th VSNL-sponsored panel discussion on `WiMAX’ (via BSNL Tele Education Programme) at the Pondicherry Engineering College (PEC) here on Thursday, Mr. Sridhara said with the cost of mobile services having come down, there was a orientation of thought for covering villages by wireless method. The programme coincided with the 20th Foundation Day of the college. The Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering of the PEC coordinated it.
Mr. Sridhara said that WiMAX was only in the nascent stage and the implementation might pose problems, which should be studied in depth and analysed for rectification. There should be a joint effort associating the R&D Centres, industries and educational and technical institutions.
The panellists were P. Raja Goundan (General Manager of ICF Chennai), Manish Airy (Principal Design Engineer Beceem Communications Bangalore), B.P. Tiwari and V. Balaji (Network Executives of VSNL Chennai). K. Gridhar, Professor, IIT Chennai, participated in the programme through videoconferencing from Chennai.
The participating institutions were Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Telecom Training Centre, Chennai, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore and National Institute of Technology, Tiruchi. Principal of the PEC T.G. Palanivel presided. P, Dananjayan, Head, Department of Electronics, welcomed those present. V. Prithiviraj, Professor of the Department, referred to the highlights of the panel discussion.
Source- http://www.hindu.com
