Airtel to roll-out 4G services today (India)
Leading mobile operator in India, Bharti Airtel, will launch its 4G service in Kolkata today. As reported by Wireless Federation earlier, the operator will be the first to launch 4G services in India, which is expected to offer users download speeds of around 100 MB per second on the move and can go up to 1 Gigabits per second at a fixed location.
The operator has partnered with ZTE Corporation to plan, design, supply and deploy its 4G network in Kolkata, which will allow its subscribers to experience high-speed wireless internet access.
Sanjay Kapoor, Bharti Airtel CEO (India and South Asia), said that acccording to industry estimates, by 2016, six percent of all mobile connections will have 4G connection, which would create 36 percent of the total mobile data traffic, thus paving way for the ensuing data revolution. Further, the impending launch of 4G in the country will provide ultra high speed data access, driving fundamental changes in society at large.
As per sources, the operator has requested union telecom minister Kapil Sibal to inaugurate the 4G network.
ZTE Extends Partnerships with U.S. Technology Firms (China, USA)
Global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions ZTE Corporation, has extended its agreement with Qualcomm to provide device processor components as ZTE drives LTE adoption in 2012 and beyond. Qualcomm will continue to provide chipset solutions for ZTE wireless devices available in markets around the world.
ZTE has also entered into an agreement with Broadcom which will continue through 2012. Broadcom will provide networking processor solutions for ZTE Bearer network, Ethernet and XDSL products, which will be used as ZTE expands its infrastructure presence worldwide. The newest investment with Broadcom reflects the continued efforts that ZTE is making to customize deployments for customers and ensure availability of reliable and cost-efficient solutions.
Thomas Lagatta, executive vice president of Sales, Broadcom Corporation has said that as a leading semiconductor supplier, Broadcom has demonstrated technology innovation throughout ZTE’s product portfolio. Further, ZTE is one of the most important Broadcom partners, they are very proud of the milestone they have achieved with ZTE together, and look forward to further strategic collaboration.
Ye Weimin, senior vice president, ZTE Corp. says that ZTE believes that its solutions are dependent upon the partners they select to provide high-quality, reliable products for customers. They are strengthening relationships with telecommunications’ best technology companies to demonstrate our capabilities, customization and value. ZTE continues to put the resources in place to grow as a worldwide leader in the infrastructure and device industry.
As per company reports, ZTE has a history of supporting American companies and has invested more than $13 billion in U.S. companies and technologies through the purchase of products and licensing of intellectual property. This strategy demonstrates ZTE’s global and inclusive business model that utilizes best-in-class technology, efficient engineering and manufacturing, and worldwide reach to bring customers quality mobile products.
ZTE launches zVOA to empower converged voice and multimedia
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.
Hutchison Whampoa Eyeing Expansion in 4G Telecom Market
Hutchison Whampoa Limited a company chaired by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, is looking to deploy its business in the potentially-huge 4G telecom market when its 3G operation is making a turnaround.
Hutchison 3G (Hi3G), a 3G telecom service unit of Hutchison Whampoa, has entered into a contract with ZTE Corporation and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. for the commercial operation of long-term evolution (LTE) network.
Under the contract, the two leading telecom equipment makers will deploy 2.6GHz LTE TDD/FDD networks in Sweden and Denmark for Hi3G, according to Hutchison Whampoa, noting that it is the first time that the Hutchison 3G unit has made its push into the LTE technology arena heard.
The cooperation between Hi3G and Huawei and ZTE signals a debut of Chinese power in the global 4G market, pointed out market observers. The advanced 4G technologies including LTE have been winning increasing favor of mobile telecom operators around the world, although it has been a short time since the 3G technology was put into commercial operation.
The presence of Hi3G in the LTE business makes Sweden the first country in the world to set up an extensive LTE network. Telenor Group and Tele2, two telecom operators in Europe, have unveiled plans to expand the LTE network that they are operating to 100 new localities within 18 months.
Telenor Group and Tele2 worked together to set up Net4Mobility, a joint venture in Sweden, in an attempt to fight against TeliaSonera AB, the biggest telecom operator in the country. TeliaSonera, which rolled out LTE services in 2009, has made the service available in 28 cities and skiing resorts in Sweden.
The fast-growing demand for mobile Internet will pave the way for Hutchison Whampoa to make a push in the 4G market, said market observers. The Hong Kong-based company saw its 3G business expand continuously in the wake of a brisk growth in mobile Internet user number.
Such a speedy expansion, according to some analysts, is boosted by a widely adoption of intelligent terminals such as iPhone4, iPad, and other smartphones. Hutchison Whampoa, which has poured tens of billions of US dollars into the 3G operation since 2000, had had more than 20 million 3G users by 2009.
A total of 17 telecom operators in the world have launched commercial LTE services by far, said Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), predicting that the number is likely to touch 64 by the end of 2012.
Reliance Comm increases $255 mln via ECB for 3G (India)
Reliance Communications has raised $255 million of external commercial borrowing (ECB) to partly refinance payments made for acquiring 3G, air waves.
According to the company, this loan is funded by a consortium of banks led by Australian and New Zealand Banking Group, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, DBS Bank Ltd and Intesa Sanpaolo. Reliance Communications won bandwidth for 13 service areas in a government-led auction in May last year for US$1.88 billion.The refinancing extends the tenure of the borrowing as well as lowering the interest costs for the company.
Last month, Reliance Communications signed a memorandum of understanding with China Development Bank to refinance the $1.33 billion paid for 3G spectrum to the Department of Telecommunications. The MoU also covers financing of up to $600 million towards equipment and services to be procured from Chinese vendors such as ZTE Corporation and Huawei Technologies.
ZTE holds 235 LTE essential patents
ZTE Corporation (ZTEâ€), a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, today announced that it is now one of the leading vendors in the world of essential patent (EP) for LTE standards, securing 235 of these patents.
With LTE essential patents being evenly distributed among different vendors, we believe that it will be helpful to provide a comparatively healthy and balanced IPR licensing environment for the development of the 4G industryâ€
ZTE also has a 7% share of the total LTE essential patents declared on the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) online database of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute as of 30th November 2010. ZTE’s patents are an indication of its powerful capabilities in terms of LTE research and development.
This share of LTE essential patents is a result of ZTE’s continuous R&D investment in the LTE-related key technologies since 2004. As of the end of 2010, ZTE had submitted more than 6800 proposals to 3GPP, of which more than 3900 proposals involved LTE/SAE technologies, and had made more than 2900 LTE-related patent applications.
Looking ahead, ZTE aims to increase its current share of LTE essential patents from 7% to 10% by 2012, according to Mr. Hu Jian, Vice President of ZTE. The company will also commit more R&D resources to accumulate essential patents and adopt a pro-active approach in improving 4G and incubating 4G+ standards.
With LTE essential patents being evenly distributed among different vendors, we believe that it will be helpful to provide a comparatively healthy and balanced IPR licensing environment for the development of the 4G industry,†said Mr. Hu.
He also emphasized that ZTE had been committed to following the FRAND (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) principle for any company wanting to achieve a patent license from ZTE Corporation. As the migration of 3GPP standards, there is no doubt that ZTE will contribute more essential solutions to LTE and its evolved standards.
About ZTE
ZTE is a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions with the most comprehensive product range covering virtually every sector of the wireline, wireless, service and terminals markets. The company delivers innovative, custom-made products and services to over 500 operators in more than 140 countries, helping them to meet the changing needs of their customers while achieving continued revenue growth. ZTE’s 2009 revenue led the industry with a 36% increase to USD 8,820.7 million. ZTE commits 10 percent of its revenue to research and development and takes a leading role in a wide range of international bodies developing emerging telecoms standards. A company with sound corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, ZTE is a member of the UN Global Compact. ZTE is China’s only listed telecom manufacturer, publicly traded on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges.
ZTE plans to expand CDMA network for Polkomtel
ZTE Corporation a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network is planning to upgrade Polish wireless network operator Polkomtel’s national CDMA network. ZTE will provide equipment for the network in the 450MHz band, upgrading existing infrastructure to improve coverage and enable data and push-to-talk services.
ZTE Poland will provide all gears for the network including base stations and controllers, switching nodes, service platforms, and a GoTa digital trunking system.
According to Jaroslaw Bauc, President of the Board at Polkomtel, there is a growing demand in Poland for data services and high-bandwidth applications. The subscriber base wants to be connected and make use of social networking. ZTE’s CDMA technology enables Polkomtel to stay ahead of the competition and offer consumers the quality of services and innovative applications they are looking for.
According to Mr Xie Junshi, Vice President of ZTE Corporation, ZTE has a leading position in the CDMA space and launched the world’s first CDMA trunking solution. This will enable Polkomtel subscribers to benefit from Push-to-Talk services; in addition to the improved coverage and data services this network will bring. This agreement reinforces ZTE’s relationship with Polkomtel and the operator’s position in the Polish telecommunications market.
Since ZTE wireless products have been applied in Telef³nica, KPN, Telenor, TeliaSonera and Optimus in Europe, ZTE bring its cutting- edge CDMA technology to Polkomtel’s.
Sistema Shyam (MTS) to invest USD 55 Mn
Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL), a joint venture company between Russia’s Sistema and Shyam Group of India, will be investing USD 55 Mn to expand its code division multiple access (CDMA) network in one of the southern states in India (Andhra Pradesh) by the end of this year.
MTS India has successfully launched in 12 circles now and MTS India CEO, Vsevolod Rozanov, said the plan for this year was to complete all the 22 circles with an investment of over USD 1.1 Bn.
Currently, MTS India has 4.5 million subscribers, including 72,000 for high-speed data services. Data is the future of our company and is clearly a differential business model than other aggregators. We expect data services to account for one-third of our revenues and achieve break-even by 2013,†Rozanov told Business Standard in India.
Replying to a query, Rozanov said the company would switch to another vendor if China-based Huawei Technologies’ products were not allowed into India.
It may be recalled that the Indian government has blocked Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corporation from selling telecom network equipment to domestic phone carriers due to security reasons.
China Telecom joins ZTE to deploy green 3G network
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: China Unicom joined hands with ZTE Corporation for the deployment of a green 3G network utilizing only those commercial base station equipment that are eco-friendly and energy-saving.
The station is in the Great Meisha area of Shenzhen in China and provides flexible configurations to cater to the needs of various outdoor environments operators.The solar energy-based, integrated solution also provides high energy-conversion efficiency with stable and reliable power supply.
The green 3G base station of ZTE relies on wind and solar energy for operation and this green solution reaches 100 per cent energy-savings capabilities. It helps China Unicom save cost to further lower its TCO as the remote control features of the solution requires no on-site manpower support.
According to Xu Ming, vice president, ZTE, the company is committed to environmental protection and devote enormous resources to develop innovative green products and is pleased to work with China Telecom.
BSNL launches wireless CDMA mobile network
BANGALORE: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Tuesday commissioned a state-of-the-art wireless mobile switching centre-based Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) mobile network system for the city, with 35 towers. It allows subscribers to exchange SMS and connect to the internet at 144 kbps even while on the move.
It would be expanded in six months with additional towers to extend the coverage and meet additional demand. At present, the network with equipment from M/s ZTE Corporation, provided coverage for the entire urban area of Bangalore Telecom District, BSNL Chief General Manager, Karnataka Circle, S. Ramaganapathy said at the launch of the network here on Tuesday.
With this, BSNL could provide new connections and effect shifts without much delay in any part of the city, he said.
To improve rural tele-density, a CDMA main switching centre was also commissioned in Mangalore. This is the third CDMA main exchange in the State after Bangalore and Dharwad. With this, an extra capacity of 37,500 WLL (Wireless in Local Loop) lines had been generated in the State, he said.
Mr. Ramaganapathy commissioned three additional CDMA main switches with a capacity of 1.8 lakh lines and 240 additional CDMA towers. Supply of these equipment was expected by January 2007, he said.
To reduce the cable length of the existing telephone connections in the city, a part of the exchange could be removed and taken to a distant place and connected by optical fibre. Such Remote Switching Units (RSU) helped in improving the quality of performance by reducing the length of copper cable used, he said. Last year, 10 remote exchanges were opened with a total capacity of 20,000 lines at Kalasipalya, Shobha Apartments, Astra Zeneca, ABB, Basavanagudi DTO, RMZ, Rajajinagar 6th block, Malleswaram DTO, Thanisandra and Sultanpet.
Fifteen more RMUs were to be introduced in the Bangalore network during the current financial year and 50 more in the next, he said. Mr. Ramaganapathy said that BSNL proposed to introduce more RSUs and lay polythene insulated jelly-filled cable to eliminate fault-prone paper insulated copper cable from the Bangalore network. The improved network would enable provision of two lakh more broadband connections in the city, he said.
Source- http://www.hindu.com
Technorati : BSNL, CDMA, India, Mobile
Ice Rocket : BSNL, CDMA, India, Mobile
