DoT considers asking Google, Skype for a decryption solution (India)

On 03.24.11, In Mobile, By Editor

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is considering to ask voice over internet protocol (VoIP) service providers like Google and Skype to devise a decryption solution of their services.

The move, if implemented, will mean that the government will be able to track emails sent through Gmail as well as intercept voice calls made through Skype.

In an internal meeting with DoT, officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has told the telecom department that Google and Skype need to provide decryption of their services whenever required by the security agencies for lawful interception.

According to the DoT internal note, there was also a need to bring some parity between the Information Technology (IT) Act and the Indian Telegraph Act-1885 to deal with interception and monitoring.

A Google spokesperson stated that they have not been contacted by the government yet on this issue and thereby, they are unable to comment.

During the meeting, DoT stated that such issues may be taken up at international forums such as ITU, WTO and United Nations wherein service providers are mandated to take permission from member countries before launching new services.

The note further stated that the legal protection for business entities may have to be strengthened against consumer protection or any civilian Act, where business secrets are disclosed to government agencies due to security considerations.

Intelligence Bureau (IB) will also prepare a list of issues faced by them while monitoring services and will be jointly addressed by the department of telecom and IT.

The interception/monitoring issue cropped up after security agencies expressed concerns about intercepting highly encrypted services such as BlackBerry amongst others.

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EarthLink completes acquisition of STS Telecom

On 03.03.11, In Mobile, By Editor

EarthLink, Inc., a leading IP infrastructure and services company, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of STS Telecom, a privately-held business providing voice, data and internet services to small to medium-sized business customers in Florida and Georgia.

For 2011 EarthLink expects STS Telecom to contribute approximately $15 to $18 million to EarthLink revenues and for the transaction to be accretive on a free cash flow basis.  EarthLink will integrate STS Telecom into its newly established “EarthLink Business” division.

“We are very impressed with the experience level and processes STS Telecom built to sell and support a hosted VoIP platform,” stated Rolla P. Huff, EarthLink’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We will leverage this platform and the talented people at STS to launch a nationwide hosted VoIP product for EarthLink Business over our ubiquitous IP network. In addition, STS Telecom’s customer base overlaps with our fiber network in South Florida so this acquisition is an opportunity to layer a growing and profitable revenue stream onto the EarthLink Business southeast fiber network.”

Mark Amarant, Chief Executive Officer of STS Telecom, added, “STS has successfully provided a Hosted PBX solution to small and medium-sized businesses on our proprietary platform since 2005. I am pleased that EarthLink will be able to scale our capability of offering a complete hosted voice and data solution to businesses with solid average revenue per customer (ARPU) to a national level. The completion of this transaction is an extremely positive next step for our company, our employees and our customers.”

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ZTE launches zVOA to empower converged voice and multimedia

On 02.22.11, In Mobile, By Editor

ZTE Corporation, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, today launched its zVOA (ZTE Voice & Video over Any-access) solution to enable operators to deploy a unified control network for voice, video and multimedia services over any existing mobile and fixed access network infrastructure.

With the introduction of LTE and WiMAX network technologies, widespread deployment of broadband access technologies such as HSPA+ and Wi-Fi, and the increasing popularity of multi-mode smart phones, consumers have come to expect a continuous and consistent service experience in spite of different broadband access points. IMS-based VoIP and multimedia services are fast becoming a new area of growth for network operators. However achieving cost-efficiency in their networks remains a challenge for many.

ZTE’s zVOA solution addresses these issues to utilize on existing traditional voice network, broadband pipe and end-user resources to offer more multimedia services. The solution is low cost, easy to maintain and easily upgraded. This allows network operators to smoothly deploy VoLTE, VOBB and multimedia networks, and maintain their competitive edge by offering more services to end users.

Key to the zVOA solution is the introduction of the iCX (intelligent Controller eXtensive) and iMG (integrative Media Gateway) products. The iCX product integrates standard mobile and fixed softswitches, and IMS call control elements, while the iMG product incorporates media functions with integrated voice, video and other content types.

The solution employs state of the art virtualization technology and Cloud Computing technology on ZTE¢â‚¬â„¢s advanced ETCA hardware platform and software middleware to enable flexible deployment and maximize the processing capabilities.

The solution fully complies with a variety of standard interfaces of circuit switched (CS) elements and IMS elements, and can integrate all standard softswitches and IMS functions onto one shelf or even on one single board, allowing for a much smooth expansion process.

The zVOA solution is an ideal way to help operators expand markets with freedom and have voice & video anytime anywhere, using any fixed or mobile access,¢â‚¬ said Liu Jianye, Chief Architect of ZTE Core Network Products.

“In meeting the future development trend and demands of core networks, the zVOA solution fully inherits the functions of traditional voice networks, while at the same time offering carrier-grade VoIP and multimedia services over both legacy phones and new smart phones based on standard IMS architecture such as MMTel, converged Centrex, converged one number, DRVCC and SRVCC.

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NTA to fix tariff for interconnection (Nepal)

On 02.21.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) is all set to fix tariff for interconnection service to international call termination.

According to NTA Chairman Bhesh Raj Kanel, the authority is planning to reduce the interconnection tariff of international call termination. It is aimed at reducing illegal Voice Over Internet Protocal (VoIP) call by pass. Carrying international voice traffic from around the world and delivering those to the desired telephone numbers is called International call termination.

The regulatory body has granted licence to four telecom operators — Nepal Telecom (NT), United Telecom Ltd (UTL), Spice Nepal (Ncell) and STM Telecom — to operate VoIP services but it has yet to fix the tariff of the service.

Among the licencees, only NT has started VoIP service for incoming calls through Session Initiation Protocol phone. Currently, service providers are charging high termination tariff.

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NBN Co acquires AUSTAR’s 2.3GHz/3.4GHz spectrum (Australia)

On 02.18.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Australian pay-TV and telecommunications services provider, AUSTAR has announced the sale of its 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz wireless spectrum concessions to NBN Co, the public-private company set up to oversee the in-development National Broadband Network (NBN).

According to reports, the deal, which is valued at US$119.8 million, will help facilitate NBN Co’s plan to launch wireless broadband services in rural and regional areas of the country.

According to AUSTAR Chief Executive, John Porter, the agreement reached with NBN Co differed from other deals it had inked in the past with the likes of Optus and OPEL, which it noted included a combination of cash and various wholesale arrangements.

Meanwhile, AUSTAR’s group director of corporate development, Deanne Weir, revealed the company would now focus on developing its content platform beyond its current satellite-delivered customer base, noting that they will also look to create relationships with regional Australian homes that they don’t currently service, via high speed broadband and VoIP offerings.

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Mobile Data Bandwidth raised by 73% in H2, 2010

On 02.09.11, In Mobile, By Editor

­Mobile data bandwidth usage continued its phenomenal increase with 73% growth during the second half of 2010, according to research report. Video streaming continues to drive this growth as it remains the fastest growing application type, accounting for 37% of mobile bandwidth.

The H2 2010 report reveals that YouTube is responsible for a tremendous 17% of mobile data bandwidth usage and continues as the single most significant website for video streaming, accounting for 45% of total video streaming traffic. The report also shows the continued exponential growth experienced by social networking applications such as Twitter and Facebook, which grew by 378% and 267%, respectively, underlining the natural synergy that exists between social media and the mobile Internet.

The use of VoIP and IM applications also continued to grow rapidly with an 87% increase, demonstrating their ongoing appeal for subscribers.

This report also reveals that Google’s Android Market lags far behind Apple’s App Store with only 9% of the overall app store download traffic. However, its rapid 177% growth rate may influence this balance in the near future.

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TRA in talks with Skype (UAE)

On 12.15.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Telecom regulators are in talks with Skype to launch the internet communication service legally. The Skype website is blocked in the UAE but many residents have found ways to download the software and use it to make international phone calls, either free or at a fraction of the usual cost.

According to Mohammed al Ghanim, Director-General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), they have been working with Skype and other voice over internet protocol (VoIP) providers to see if their services could be established here.

Skype is the world’s most popular VoIP service with more than 560 million subscribers. It is a concern to telephone operators because it accounts for at least 12% of international calls worldwide.

Up till now officials have stated that the only way for foreign VoIP providers to operate legally in the UAE would be as partners with existing licence holders such as Etisalat and du.

Mr al Ghanim added that providing nationwide broadband access would be the focus of the TRA for the next few years. It has been proven that having high-quality and widespread broadband access enhances a country’s economy, both public and private sector. The liberalization of data centres and cloud computing will be the next big issues for the industry.

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Korea Telecom blocks Skype on 3G network

On 12.08.10, In Mobile, By Editor

Korea Telecom (KT), a major telecom operator in South Korea has blocked many of its subscribers from using free mobile Internet phone services such as Viber and Skype over its 3G network.

The newly placed restriction on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) on mobile phones indicates the growing concern of telecom operators faced with new competition from alternative service providers. But the logic works the other way for iPhone and other smartphone subscribers. In contrast to pricey mobile call services, especially concerning international calls, Viber and Skype are extremely affordable and convenient.

On Monday, KT began to shut off Internet telephony services including Skype, Viber and Fring on the 3G network. KT’s iPhone users, however, are not treated equally: Those who have signed up for a monthly plan that exceeds US$48.01 will be allowed to continue to use VoIP on their iPhones and other smartphones; other subscribers with less expensive plans will be blocked from using the free services.

According to KT, Skype and Viber are free-riding on its 3G network, which requires higher expenditure in build up and maintenance.

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Israel sees growth with 4G and Multiplay Services

On 11.26.10, In Mobile, By Editor

As the Israeli telecom market is more mature than other AME countries, growth will rely heavily on a combination of new services and new networks rather than on increasing penetration as growth slightly increases from $6.9 billion in 2010 to $7.1 billion in 2015, according to a new report from Pyramid Research.

According to Kerem Arsal, Analyst at Pyramid Research, over the next five years, the majority of growth in the Israeli telecom market will arise from fixed and mobile broadband, VoIP, and pay-TV. As the ability to offer multiplay services becomes more important in the Israeli market, operators look for mergers or partnerships that will allow them to expand their product ranges. Differentiation through discounted bundles and value-added services becomes vital.

Arsal indicates that with 85% of households having fixed broadband access and the proliferation of 3G networks by all mobile players, the market is ripe with opportunities for convergence and multiplay offers. As data usage gains increased importance and the IP-based networks roll out, the opportunities for convergence will be rich.

He added that recent announcements for upcoming 4G and LTE networks will provide numerous opportunities (expecting LTE subscriptions to reach around 12% in 2015). In Israel’s highly competitive market, vendors will also find lucrative opportunities to help operators who are currently considering and/or delivering attractive content, particularly multiplay offerings. New and soon-to-be-licensed MVNOs provide further opportunities to virtual network enablers. Finally, when the MoC issues mobile WiMax licenses, vendors can look forward to new WiMax rollouts.

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Bell Canada possibly outsource jobs to India: Report

On 11.25.10, In Mobile, By Editor

As per new reports, Canadian telecom giant Bell Canada, a subsidiary of Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE), is looking for suitable vendors as part of outsourcing key voice-based projects for its internet, Solo Mobility , Bell Mobility and satellite TV divisions to India.

According to reports, Bell Canada plans to outsource these projects via fixed payouts as part of a deal worth approximately $25 million to $30 million a year. The projects being sent to India will be largely inbound and Bell Canada is looking at outsourcing the work to an outsourcing partner with strong competencies in carrying out front-end work for international clients.

Bell Canada is a leading player in the Canadian wireless telecommunication industry, controlling about 30% of total wireless subscribers in that country. Wireless, the key revenue driver, makes up roughly 50% of Bell Canada’s revenues. Bell Canada’s holding company Bell Canada Enterprises has branched out into complementary business segments such as cable TV, VoIP, IPTV, broadband internet, and wire line phones.

With this, key divisions under Bell Canada include internet services provider Bell Internet, cellular wireless services provider Bell Mobility and direct-to-home satellite division Bell TV.

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