Starhome Predicts Data Roaming Usage Increase - Average of 35-45 Percent
Roaming services provider, Starhome has predicted that solutions that stimulate roaming traffic and add new data subscribers will be in high demand in 2009. These solutions will increase individual mobile operators’ revenues by up to 40 percent, and operators offering this solution can increase their data roaming usage by an average of 35-45 percent, said Starhome personnel.
Based on discussions with approximately 30 leading operators, its experience in the field and a thorough analysis of data, Starhome has concluded that a strategic shift to an emphasis on mobile roaming data is already underway.
Industry leaders support Starhome’s vision, with Marc Furrer, the Head of Roaming and Interworking at Swisscom, stating that solutions offering flat rates and/or bundles for mobile data roaming will be the “hot solutions for 2009.”
An explosion in mobile roaming data usage is predicted for the immediate future. “Demand for internet access is booming and mobile customers are increasingly focusing on sophisticated handsets and of course the internet,” said Maurizio Martucci, Director of Marketing for Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM Italy). “Our customers want to access the Web’s rich content for many reasons, regardless of whether they are home or abroad.”
In addition to the predicted upsurge in usage, mobile operators are focusing on mobile roaming data due to expected governmental regulations of this new technology, especially in Europe.
Starhome expects the transition for mobile operators to more effective management of mobile roaming data to be fairly straight forward, since the major pieces are already in place. The shares of sales for Advanced/Open OS global handsets are predicted to increase every year until 2012 and feature phones are also proliferating.
“The explosion of the iPhone onto the mobile scene has triggered a massive increase in mobile data usage, both domestically and in the roaming market,” said Furrer. “Many iPhone roamers don’t understand that roaming rates are significantly higher, and they experience ‘bill shock’ when they return home. Transparency and simple pricing schemes are a must for today’s operators.”
The mobile operators who succeed in 2009 will deploy Roaming Control solutions that provide a bundle of services to satisfy all of the users’ data, voice and messaging roaming needs, while helping the operators comply with all relevant regulations, said Amit Daniel, Vice President of Marketing for Starhome. Operators who deploy such a solution will be able to provide flat fees and packages, and notifications with prices, to the end users.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Roaming - with WiMAX
WiMAX Forum announces launch of Global Roaming Program
see also WiMAX Roaming
The WiMAX Forum® today announced the launch of its Global Roaming Program that allows operators and vendors to easily obtain the information required to establish WiMAX™ roaming services. The program is now live and can be easily accessed through a link on the WiMAX Forum public web site at www.wimaxforum.org or directly at www.wimaxroaming.org .
Roaming capabilities are vital for mobility as roaming allows subscribers to access WiMAX and other services while traveling outside their home network geographical coverage area. The WIMAX Forum Global Roaming program includes several documents for WiMAX Forum member companies implementing roaming services, including technical specifications, a test plan, a roaming contract template and a guide to follow when implementing roaming.
“Member companies have yet another tool to facilitate the advancement of their WiMAX technology innovations and make 4G a seamless experience for customers,” said John Dubois, Global Roaming Director of WiMAX Forum. “We are already beginning to see how WiMAX technology will drastically improve the next-generation of broadband applications and services, and this roaming readiness program is another example of how the WiMAX ecosystem is working to extend the availability of services to subscribers.”
The Roaming Program documents were developed by WiMAX Forum members with input from over twenty WiMAX operators and the support of several roaming exchange, clearing and settlement providers including Accuris Networks, Aicent, Comfone, I-Pass, MACH-Cibernet, QuiConnect, Syniverse and Verisign. According to Ali Tabassi, Senior Vice President, Global Ecosystem and Standards with Clearwire, “The Roaming Program provides operators with a much needed set of common specifications and processes to follow in establishing roaming services.” Mr. Sang Ho Ough, Deputy Director of KT Corp’s Mobile WiMAX Business Unit Planning Department, indicated that “KT plans to establish roaming services in 2009 using the specifications and processes provided by the WiMAX Roaming Program.”
WiMAX Forum Certified™ devices contribute to the success of WiMAX global roaming. In order for users to access WiMAX services outside of their operator’s WiMAX network coverage area, devices must be interoperable across other WiMAX networks and between various vendors’ equipment. The WiMAX Forum certification process is important to ensure interoperability of devices across different operators’ networks.
The WIMAX Forum Global Roaming Program includes:
· A “how-to” manual to understand and launch WiMAX roaming services.
· Roaming specifications that include a breakdown of the technical specifications for operators and help to define how operators exchange information to track usage, create invoices, and perform financial settlements.
· A contract template that operators may use when entering into roaming agreements.
· A pre-launch roaming test plan that operators can follow in testing roaming services with other operators when establishing roaming services.
With more than 407 WiMAX deployments in 133 countries, the availability of these critical roaming tools at such an early stage provides extra value to service providers.
A WiMAX Forum mission is to facilitate the adoption of Mobile WiMAX™ by operators across the world and ensure that the products used are interoperable through its certification programs. Toward this end, the WiMAX Forum has been organizing PlugFests since August 2005. Record participation in Mobile WiMAX PlugFests signals of product vendor’s endorsement of fundamental WiMAX equipment functionality to make cost-effective network deployments. WiMAX Forum roaming trials and a Mobile WiMAX /Interoperability Testing (IOT) PlugFest is planned for 2H 2009.
see also WiMAX Roaming
The WiMAX Forum® today announced the launch of its Global Roaming Program that allows operators and vendors to easily obtain the information required to establish WiMAX™ roaming services. The program is now live and can be easily accessed through a link on the WiMAX Forum public web site at www.wimaxforum.org or directly at www.wimaxroaming.org .
Roaming capabilities are vital for mobility as roaming allows subscribers to access WiMAX and other services while traveling outside their home network geographical coverage area. The WIMAX Forum Global Roaming program includes several documents for WiMAX Forum member companies implementing roaming services, including technical specifications, a test plan, a roaming contract template and a guide to follow when implementing roaming.
“Member companies have yet another tool to facilitate the advancement of their WiMAX technology innovations and make 4G a seamless experience for customers,” said John Dubois, Global Roaming Director of WiMAX Forum. “We are already beginning to see how WiMAX technology will drastically improve the next-generation of broadband applications and services, and this roaming readiness program is another example of how the WiMAX ecosystem is working to extend the availability of services to subscribers.”
The Roaming Program documents were developed by WiMAX Forum members with input from over twenty WiMAX operators and the support of several roaming exchange, clearing and settlement providers including Accuris Networks, Aicent, Comfone, I-Pass, MACH-Cibernet, QuiConnect, Syniverse and Verisign. According to Ali Tabassi, Senior Vice President, Global Ecosystem and Standards with Clearwire, “The Roaming Program provides operators with a much needed set of common specifications and processes to follow in establishing roaming services.” Mr. Sang Ho Ough, Deputy Director of KT Corp’s Mobile WiMAX Business Unit Planning Department, indicated that “KT plans to establish roaming services in 2009 using the specifications and processes provided by the WiMAX Roaming Program.”
WiMAX Forum Certified™ devices contribute to the success of WiMAX global roaming. In order for users to access WiMAX services outside of their operator’s WiMAX network coverage area, devices must be interoperable across other WiMAX networks and between various vendors’ equipment. The WiMAX Forum certification process is important to ensure interoperability of devices across different operators’ networks.
The WIMAX Forum Global Roaming Program includes:
· A “how-to” manual to understand and launch WiMAX roaming services.
· Roaming specifications that include a breakdown of the technical specifications for operators and help to define how operators exchange information to track usage, create invoices, and perform financial settlements.
· A contract template that operators may use when entering into roaming agreements.
· A pre-launch roaming test plan that operators can follow in testing roaming services with other operators when establishing roaming services.
With more than 407 WiMAX deployments in 133 countries, the availability of these critical roaming tools at such an early stage provides extra value to service providers.
A WiMAX Forum mission is to facilitate the adoption of Mobile WiMAX™ by operators across the world and ensure that the products used are interoperable through its certification programs. Toward this end, the WiMAX Forum has been organizing PlugFests since August 2005. Record participation in Mobile WiMAX PlugFests signals of product vendor’s endorsement of fundamental WiMAX equipment functionality to make cost-effective network deployments. WiMAX Forum roaming trials and a Mobile WiMAX /Interoperability Testing (IOT) PlugFest is planned for 2H 2009.
Roaming - Balkans
MobilTel Customers Talk at Low Cost across Balkans
The customers of Bulgaria’s first and largest GSM operator, MobilTel, are offered new low-cost roaming packages M-Tel Balkan Talk and M-Tel Business Balkan Talk. While roaming the Balkans, the users of these two packages will enjoy the lowest possible prices for incoming and outgoing calls in the networks of the following mobile operators: Vip mobile (Serbia), Vip operator (Macedonia), Vodafone (Turkey) and VIP net (Croatia).
M-Tel Balkan Talk with included 60 minutes talking time costs 79 levs (VAT included) and the calls in the networks of the abovementioned operators cost 1.32 levs per minute (VAT included). The business clients of M-Tel who use M-Tel Business Balkan Talk have 60 minutes talking time in roaming for 59 levs (VAT excluded monthly subscription fee). A minute call time in the above listed networks costs 0.98 lev.
The customers of Bulgaria’s first and largest GSM operator, MobilTel, are offered new low-cost roaming packages M-Tel Balkan Talk and M-Tel Business Balkan Talk. While roaming the Balkans, the users of these two packages will enjoy the lowest possible prices for incoming and outgoing calls in the networks of the following mobile operators: Vip mobile (Serbia), Vip operator (Macedonia), Vodafone (Turkey) and VIP net (Croatia).
M-Tel Balkan Talk with included 60 minutes talking time costs 79 levs (VAT included) and the calls in the networks of the abovementioned operators cost 1.32 levs per minute (VAT included). The business clients of M-Tel who use M-Tel Business Balkan Talk have 60 minutes talking time in roaming for 59 levs (VAT excluded monthly subscription fee). A minute call time in the above listed networks costs 0.98 lev.
Roaming - least cost routing
Professional Roaming Solution, with Intelligent Least Cost Routing
see also CallGSM
Today’s tough economic world demands professional and economic solutions to operate as productive as the market demands. This means that executive and business travellers can't operate with loads of different numbers for contacts and customers to reach them. The clear fact is that if a customer have difficulties to reach a supplier, he will soon go elsewhere to get his demands sorted.
The economic situation for most business sectors also demands more economic control in all departments.
CallGSM Global Ltd. Has solved most of these issues with their new technology, The Global Roaming Phone, with integrated Intelligent Least Cost Routing Solutions. The phone will know when you're trying to do expensive international calls, and then use the best solution to set your call up through tier 1. carriers. The CallGSM Roaming Phone will, either you travelling or doing the “lazy man solution “ to call your international contacts from your office to your international contacts using your mobile, find the best and most economic way to set up your call hassle free and dummy proof.
CallGSM Global have created the first real functional roaming solution for the modern business world, where you operate with your regular business contact number even if you're using their intelligent least cost routing solutions.
It also allow the business finance department or the business owner to hold a much better control over expenses related to telecom, as it can be operated through One Account. Not as other solutions/operators where you would need one account for each country or state.
So to put things simple – Key benefits using CallGSM’s Global Intelligent Roaming Solution
· You keep your regular local business mobile number
· Your reachable through that number through low cost intelligent forwarding
· You can do international calls at very low costs
· You can do phonecalls when travelling at very low costs.
· You have access to voicemail and other shortcodes globally.
· You can download mail and check internet through global low cost GPRS
· And lot of other benefits.
see also CallGSM
Today’s tough economic world demands professional and economic solutions to operate as productive as the market demands. This means that executive and business travellers can't operate with loads of different numbers for contacts and customers to reach them. The clear fact is that if a customer have difficulties to reach a supplier, he will soon go elsewhere to get his demands sorted.
The economic situation for most business sectors also demands more economic control in all departments.
CallGSM Global Ltd. Has solved most of these issues with their new technology, The Global Roaming Phone, with integrated Intelligent Least Cost Routing Solutions. The phone will know when you're trying to do expensive international calls, and then use the best solution to set your call up through tier 1. carriers. The CallGSM Roaming Phone will, either you travelling or doing the “lazy man solution “ to call your international contacts from your office to your international contacts using your mobile, find the best and most economic way to set up your call hassle free and dummy proof.
CallGSM Global have created the first real functional roaming solution for the modern business world, where you operate with your regular business contact number even if you're using their intelligent least cost routing solutions.
It also allow the business finance department or the business owner to hold a much better control over expenses related to telecom, as it can be operated through One Account. Not as other solutions/operators where you would need one account for each country or state.
So to put things simple – Key benefits using CallGSM’s Global Intelligent Roaming Solution
· You keep your regular local business mobile number
· Your reachable through that number through low cost intelligent forwarding
· You can do international calls at very low costs
· You can do phonecalls when travelling at very low costs.
· You have access to voicemail and other shortcodes globally.
· You can download mail and check internet through global low cost GPRS
· And lot of other benefits.
Zain - ending roaming charges for Malawi
Zain assures Malawians of reduced roaming costs
Zain Malawi has assured Malawians who often travel abroad that the costs incurred in communication with people back home, due to exorbitant roaming costs, would soon be a thing of the past as the telecommunications company strategizes to buy out ten more internationally-acclaimed mobile service providers by 2010.
Zain Malawi Marketing Director, Enwell Kadango said in an interview at the end of the K70 million Zanyatwa promotions, some sectors of society had complained of high international communication costs when using the Zain network, a problem he attributed to lack of the company's offices in other up-market areas.
"But this will be a thing of the past very soon because our parent company plans to buy out, at least, 10 more internationally-acclaimed mobile service providers in a bid to increase our global coverage. This will be done by 2010," said Kadango.
He assured customers that the company would continue to offer advanced services, citing the Zanyatwa promotion as a benchmark.
He said no telecoms company had ever run an initiative worth K70 million, and distributed 5000 mobile phones and 10 million airtime vouchers as has happened with the company.
"We have 1.2 million subscribers when other providers have less than 500,000. It really shows that we are ahead of the game, and, with plans to buy out more renowned companies, international costs for communication will be reduced drastically," he added.
Zain Malawi has assured Malawians who often travel abroad that the costs incurred in communication with people back home, due to exorbitant roaming costs, would soon be a thing of the past as the telecommunications company strategizes to buy out ten more internationally-acclaimed mobile service providers by 2010.
Zain Malawi Marketing Director, Enwell Kadango said in an interview at the end of the K70 million Zanyatwa promotions, some sectors of society had complained of high international communication costs when using the Zain network, a problem he attributed to lack of the company's offices in other up-market areas.
"But this will be a thing of the past very soon because our parent company plans to buy out, at least, 10 more internationally-acclaimed mobile service providers in a bid to increase our global coverage. This will be done by 2010," said Kadango.
He assured customers that the company would continue to offer advanced services, citing the Zanyatwa promotion as a benchmark.
He said no telecoms company had ever run an initiative worth K70 million, and distributed 5000 mobile phones and 10 million airtime vouchers as has happened with the company.
"We have 1.2 million subscribers when other providers have less than 500,000. It really shows that we are ahead of the game, and, with plans to buy out more renowned companies, international costs for communication will be reduced drastically," he added.
Saudi Arabia - roaming offers
Telephone operators offer new sops to lure customers
Telephone operators continue to attract consumers by offering sops through promotion campaigns. Every few days a new promotion campaign is launched with attractive offers.
In order to promote business, these operators often join hands with other commercial establishments and jointly offer attractive offers.
Saudi Telecom (STC) and Jarir Bookstore this week jointly announced the launch of promotion campaign offering ‘free Internet connection for one-month on purchase of a laptop.’
The promo goes like this “free Internet chip with free monthly Internet subscription at all Jarir branches.”
STC, the largest mobile telecom operator in the Middle East and the largest Internet provider in the region, is offering the internet packages in cooperation with Jarir Bookstore, a press statement said.
It said the offer enables customers to receive a free Internet chip without installation or monthly fees in addition to a monthly Internet subscription of Internet package including 1 GB to 5 GB and an open package on purchasing any laptop from Jarir Bookstore.
The offer is unique, it says because it runs without monthly fees facilitating the users to go online anywhere by using the highest speed and technology enabling web-browsing, e-mail access without any restriction.
STC operates the largest and most advanced network covering 98 percent of the Kingdom’s inhabited area in addition to having the most advanced 3G network in the Kingdom. Due to this expansion, STC is considered as one of the fastest growing telecom company in the world, the press statement claimed.
While Mobily, the second mobile-phone license holder announced giving away SR500,000 prizes (SR100,000 each to its five winners) for participants in its roaming competitions during the recent Haj season.
“Mobily gives away five SR100,000 prizes to five winners in its international roaming competition, which the company had launched during the 1429 Haj season,” a press statement said.
The five winners were Ahmed Salem Al-Jaberi (UAE), Maysaa Abbas Ayyoub (Egyptian), Khaled Mohammed Al-Halabi (Qatari), Saeed Hassan Ba-Mashmoos (Yemeni) and Mohammed Yousef Nibi (Indonesian). The five winners were announced at a ceremony attended by a number of Mobily officials and a representative from Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Khalid Al-Kaf, Mobily’s CEO congratulated the winners of the roaming competition and thanked them for using Mobily’s network during their visit to the Kingdom.
He said that Mobily signing of hundreds of roaming agreements with several operators across the world played a crucial role in publicizing “Mobily and making it the network of choice for the Kingdom’s visitors.”
Mobily had announced the international roaming contest in November for Haj 1429 season. Visitors to the Kingdom, whether on Haj, tourism or business that used Mobily’s network were automatically enrolled into the competition
Telephone operators continue to attract consumers by offering sops through promotion campaigns. Every few days a new promotion campaign is launched with attractive offers.
In order to promote business, these operators often join hands with other commercial establishments and jointly offer attractive offers.
Saudi Telecom (STC) and Jarir Bookstore this week jointly announced the launch of promotion campaign offering ‘free Internet connection for one-month on purchase of a laptop.’
The promo goes like this “free Internet chip with free monthly Internet subscription at all Jarir branches.”
STC, the largest mobile telecom operator in the Middle East and the largest Internet provider in the region, is offering the internet packages in cooperation with Jarir Bookstore, a press statement said.
It said the offer enables customers to receive a free Internet chip without installation or monthly fees in addition to a monthly Internet subscription of Internet package including 1 GB to 5 GB and an open package on purchasing any laptop from Jarir Bookstore.
The offer is unique, it says because it runs without monthly fees facilitating the users to go online anywhere by using the highest speed and technology enabling web-browsing, e-mail access without any restriction.
STC operates the largest and most advanced network covering 98 percent of the Kingdom’s inhabited area in addition to having the most advanced 3G network in the Kingdom. Due to this expansion, STC is considered as one of the fastest growing telecom company in the world, the press statement claimed.
While Mobily, the second mobile-phone license holder announced giving away SR500,000 prizes (SR100,000 each to its five winners) for participants in its roaming competitions during the recent Haj season.
“Mobily gives away five SR100,000 prizes to five winners in its international roaming competition, which the company had launched during the 1429 Haj season,” a press statement said.
The five winners were Ahmed Salem Al-Jaberi (UAE), Maysaa Abbas Ayyoub (Egyptian), Khaled Mohammed Al-Halabi (Qatari), Saeed Hassan Ba-Mashmoos (Yemeni) and Mohammed Yousef Nibi (Indonesian). The five winners were announced at a ceremony attended by a number of Mobily officials and a representative from Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Khalid Al-Kaf, Mobily’s CEO congratulated the winners of the roaming competition and thanked them for using Mobily’s network during their visit to the Kingdom.
He said that Mobily signing of hundreds of roaming agreements with several operators across the world played a crucial role in publicizing “Mobily and making it the network of choice for the Kingdom’s visitors.”
Mobily had announced the international roaming contest in November for Haj 1429 season. Visitors to the Kingdom, whether on Haj, tourism or business that used Mobily’s network were automatically enrolled into the competition
Roaming - Ryanair opens planes for roaming charges
Ryanair Introduces In-Flight Mobile Phone Calls on 20 Planes
Ryanair Holdings Plc introduced technology allowing passengers to make in-flight mobile phone calls, becoming the first discount airline in the world to offer such as service, the Irish company said today.
Voice calls, text-messaging and e-mails will initially be possible on 20 aircraft operating mainly out of Ryanair’s base in Dublin, the carrier said in a statement. The service will be extended across the 170-strong fleet in about 18 months.
Ryanair is betting that the technology will allow it to boost so-called ancillary revenues, the money that it makes aside from ticket sales. Passengers will make and receive voice calls at non-European Union international roaming rates of 1.50 pounds ($2.16) to 3 pounds a minute, according to the statement. Texts will cost 40 pence and e-mails using phones and other devices will cost as much as 2 pounds per message.
“This service will allow passengers to keep in touch with the office, family or friends,” Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Leary said. “We expect demand to grow rapidly.”
Ryanair Holdings Plc introduced technology allowing passengers to make in-flight mobile phone calls, becoming the first discount airline in the world to offer such as service, the Irish company said today.
Voice calls, text-messaging and e-mails will initially be possible on 20 aircraft operating mainly out of Ryanair’s base in Dublin, the carrier said in a statement. The service will be extended across the 170-strong fleet in about 18 months.
Ryanair is betting that the technology will allow it to boost so-called ancillary revenues, the money that it makes aside from ticket sales. Passengers will make and receive voice calls at non-European Union international roaming rates of 1.50 pounds ($2.16) to 3 pounds a minute, according to the statement. Texts will cost 40 pence and e-mails using phones and other devices will cost as much as 2 pounds per message.
“This service will allow passengers to keep in touch with the office, family or friends,” Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Leary said. “We expect demand to grow rapidly.”
Europe - Tory MEP on the roaming regulation
Mobile roaming data and SMS price caps: alternatives must be considered
see also IMCO papers
Mr Syed Kamall has written the European Parliament's internal market committee position on the proposed regulation, in which he rejects the approach proposed by the European Commission and proposes several alternatives to price capping for consideration. These include allowing the decision to be made by the European Regulators Group - which brings together national regulators, "non-discrimination" clauses, action against individual abusive operators or markets and the establishment of an exchange for wholesale voice, SMS and data.
Mr Kamall has written a discussion paper highlighting the competitiveness of the telecommunications market. He argues price capping would have severe effects on Europe's competitiveness as investment in new technologies could be reduced as existing business models changed and companies would be forced to recoup costs from lost profits.
In addition, Mr Kamall points out the importance of ensuring that domestic consumers do not lose out, being forced to pay more for their calls than roaming customers.
There are some areas of the proposal which Mr Kamall supports, including the need for greater transparency and the avoidance of bill shock - when consumers return from abroad and receive unexpected large bills. He stresses the importance of making the relevant information available so customers are able to access it while roaming.
Mr Kamall said: "We need to create an environment that brings prices down for everybody, and often price caps and blunt regulation have unintended consequences.
"Regulation should always be an absolute last resort, particularly when the technology and applications for mobile phone data are still developing at a fast pace.
"I have proposed the European Parliament rejects the proposals in order to kick-start the debate since the European Commission does not appear to have provided a comprehensive impact assessment. We should explore if there are alternative ways to reduce prices and provide much clearer information to consumers, without clumsy interference on a pan-European level."
The European Parliament is adopting the Roaming II package through a process of enhanced cooperation -meaning that while its Industry Committee is the lead committee responsible, its Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee's opinion must also be written into the final report.
see also IMCO papers
Mr Syed Kamall has written the European Parliament's internal market committee position on the proposed regulation, in which he rejects the approach proposed by the European Commission and proposes several alternatives to price capping for consideration. These include allowing the decision to be made by the European Regulators Group - which brings together national regulators, "non-discrimination" clauses, action against individual abusive operators or markets and the establishment of an exchange for wholesale voice, SMS and data.
Mr Kamall has written a discussion paper highlighting the competitiveness of the telecommunications market. He argues price capping would have severe effects on Europe's competitiveness as investment in new technologies could be reduced as existing business models changed and companies would be forced to recoup costs from lost profits.
In addition, Mr Kamall points out the importance of ensuring that domestic consumers do not lose out, being forced to pay more for their calls than roaming customers.
There are some areas of the proposal which Mr Kamall supports, including the need for greater transparency and the avoidance of bill shock - when consumers return from abroad and receive unexpected large bills. He stresses the importance of making the relevant information available so customers are able to access it while roaming.
Mr Kamall said: "We need to create an environment that brings prices down for everybody, and often price caps and blunt regulation have unintended consequences.
"Regulation should always be an absolute last resort, particularly when the technology and applications for mobile phone data are still developing at a fast pace.
"I have proposed the European Parliament rejects the proposals in order to kick-start the debate since the European Commission does not appear to have provided a comprehensive impact assessment. We should explore if there are alternative ways to reduce prices and provide much clearer information to consumers, without clumsy interference on a pan-European level."
The European Parliament is adopting the Roaming II package through a process of enhanced cooperation -meaning that while its Industry Committee is the lead committee responsible, its Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee's opinion must also be written into the final report.
Auto Roaming SIM Card
Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) would showcase its auto roaming SIM card application at the GSM World Congress
see also Giesecke & Devrient
The solution, based on innovative SIM cards developed by G&D, could store IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) codes issued by two or more network operators and would be equipped with a special JavaTM applet. Thus users could automatically receive calls under one single number, anywhere.
In the past, this meant that service provider had to negotiate a large number of roaming agreements with other network operators – a time-consuming process that severely reduced the new provider's chances of penetrating the market in the introductory phase.
The new auto roaming application, which is compatible with all types of JavaTM SIM card, would make it much easier for network operators to offer a full roaming service without losing time. All they need would be to arrive at an agreement with a single partner organisation to obtain the right to utilise their roaming service.
As a rule, this would be one of the major mobile operators that had its own global network or existing roaming agreements with other network operators throughout the world.
G&D has implemented the auto roaming application as a Java applet on the SIM card. Its use would be thus independent of the phone in which it is installed. The user does not need to switch between different IMSI numbers – this is done automatically. If necessary, the Java applet could be reconfigured over the air (OTA), i.e. through the cellphone network.
International roaming customers could also make use of this application that support auto roaming application and IMSI numbers of at least two network operators. The main IMSI would be used to identify subscriber when making calls from home provider's network. In other countries, the mobile phone automatically would report its location using the IMSI of a partner operator and were thus able to utilise that operator's roaming functions. Whereas, with this application callers would be able to use the same number to contact the called subscriber on their mobile phone.
see also Giesecke & Devrient
The solution, based on innovative SIM cards developed by G&D, could store IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) codes issued by two or more network operators and would be equipped with a special JavaTM applet. Thus users could automatically receive calls under one single number, anywhere.
In the past, this meant that service provider had to negotiate a large number of roaming agreements with other network operators – a time-consuming process that severely reduced the new provider's chances of penetrating the market in the introductory phase.
The new auto roaming application, which is compatible with all types of JavaTM SIM card, would make it much easier for network operators to offer a full roaming service without losing time. All they need would be to arrive at an agreement with a single partner organisation to obtain the right to utilise their roaming service.
As a rule, this would be one of the major mobile operators that had its own global network or existing roaming agreements with other network operators throughout the world.
G&D has implemented the auto roaming application as a Java applet on the SIM card. Its use would be thus independent of the phone in which it is installed. The user does not need to switch between different IMSI numbers – this is done automatically. If necessary, the Java applet could be reconfigured over the air (OTA), i.e. through the cellphone network.
International roaming customers could also make use of this application that support auto roaming application and IMSI numbers of at least two network operators. The main IMSI would be used to identify subscriber when making calls from home provider's network. In other countries, the mobile phone automatically would report its location using the IMSI of a partner operator and were thus able to utilise that operator's roaming functions. Whereas, with this application callers would be able to use the same number to contact the called subscriber on their mobile phone.
Roaming - revenue opportunities
Roamware Transforms Roaming Regulations Into Revenue for Operators
Roamware Inc., the leading provider of mobile roaming solutions, today announced the launch of Data Tariff Advisor and Roaming Service Controller. Both products enable operators to meet proposed European Union regulations mandating the introduction of tariff transparency, control and safeguard mechanisms for roaming use of data services. The solutions seamlessly address the regulatory requirements while transforming them into revenue generating opportunities for operators; improving customer retention, increasing roaming data usage and reducing fraud.
The Data Tariff Advisor is a new module of Roamware's world leading Outreach Messaging (OM) product, specifically focusing on the nuances of the Tariff Transparency regulation proposed to come into force in 2009. It supports data tariff notifications, as an evolutionary step from the voice/SMS tariff notifications already in common use, and delivers personalised notifications to roamers.
The Roaming Service Controller solution enables voice and data service control, meeting the regulatory requirements for subscriber-defined usage limits, proposed for 2010. It monitors the usage of voice, SMS and data services, empowering users to proactively control roaming data charges with self service mechanisms that pre-define usage thresholds. It provides warning notifications and restricts access to prevent subscribers from breaching their thresholds.
The modular nature of both solutions enables operators to gradually achieve compliance in alignment with the regulatory timeframe. Moreover, the transparency and control that the solutions afford is expected to increase roaming usage of data services by allaying consumer fears of bill shock. Operators will also be able to maximise existing roaming margins by minimising fraud and invoice disputes, while leveraging business intelligence on roaming rates to improve their marketing plans.
"In the ever changing roaming market, revenue assurance is increasingly critical for operators who need to protect their margins," said Bobby Srinivasan, President & CEO of Roamware. "Roamware is constantly innovating to help operators cost effectively introduce solutions that will enable them to meet regulatory requirements while improving customer retention, increasing roaming data traffic and reducing fraud."
Roamware Inc., the leading provider of mobile roaming solutions, today announced the launch of Data Tariff Advisor and Roaming Service Controller. Both products enable operators to meet proposed European Union regulations mandating the introduction of tariff transparency, control and safeguard mechanisms for roaming use of data services. The solutions seamlessly address the regulatory requirements while transforming them into revenue generating opportunities for operators; improving customer retention, increasing roaming data usage and reducing fraud.
The Data Tariff Advisor is a new module of Roamware's world leading Outreach Messaging (OM) product, specifically focusing on the nuances of the Tariff Transparency regulation proposed to come into force in 2009. It supports data tariff notifications, as an evolutionary step from the voice/SMS tariff notifications already in common use, and delivers personalised notifications to roamers.
The Roaming Service Controller solution enables voice and data service control, meeting the regulatory requirements for subscriber-defined usage limits, proposed for 2010. It monitors the usage of voice, SMS and data services, empowering users to proactively control roaming data charges with self service mechanisms that pre-define usage thresholds. It provides warning notifications and restricts access to prevent subscribers from breaching their thresholds.
The modular nature of both solutions enables operators to gradually achieve compliance in alignment with the regulatory timeframe. Moreover, the transparency and control that the solutions afford is expected to increase roaming usage of data services by allaying consumer fears of bill shock. Operators will also be able to maximise existing roaming margins by minimising fraud and invoice disputes, while leveraging business intelligence on roaming rates to improve their marketing plans.
"In the ever changing roaming market, revenue assurance is increasingly critical for operators who need to protect their margins," said Bobby Srinivasan, President & CEO of Roamware. "Roamware is constantly innovating to help operators cost effectively introduce solutions that will enable them to meet regulatory requirements while improving customer retention, increasing roaming data traffic and reducing fraud."
Qtel - smart roaming service
Qtel Group customers to get discounted roaming rates
BARCELONA: In what is said to be a first in the region, Qtel Group customers will soon start benefiting from an international roaming offer, which facilitates ‘discounted rates in preferred partner neworks’
worldwide.
Qtel yesterday announ-ced here that the service named “SmartRoamer” involving its group companies and partners would be launched in phases, with the first service rollout in five Gulf countries (except Bahrain) on March 1.
In the next phase, more operators in the Middle East, Asia and Europe would be brought within the roaming arrangement.
Both post-paid and pre-paid customers in Qatar, Kuwait (Wataniya Telecom) and Oman (Nawras) will benefit from SmartRoamer, said Qtel executive director (international services) Ahmed al-Debesti.
The offer would be extended to Qtel Group customers in phases, al-Debesti said. The first phase will be launched on March 1 covering Qatar, Kuwait and Oman with unified rates.
They will benefit from a single rate whether they call back home or within the Gulf zone (Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE). They can enjoy up to 50% discount when making local calls, up to 70% discount when using wireless data services or more than 25% discount on SMS (text messaging).
In an interview with Gulf Times here al-Debesti said the idea behind SmartRoamer was to make international roaming “more affordable with a transparent pricing mechanism.”
“Currently, the roaming rates are beyond the control of Qtel as they have been dictated by the call/message handling networks. Another disincentive is that different operators in a particular region charge different rates. With a roaming agreement in place, the rates ought to come down significantly and become unified.
“Our customers on international roaming will automatically get switched over to our preferred networks where the discounted rates are available. We expect our customers on roaming to stay with our preferred partner networks for discounted rates. However, customers will have the option of choosing any other available network.
“In all cases, we will let our customers know the applicable roaming charges. This information will land on our customers’ handsets. We are currently working on these applications,” al-Debesti explained.
Asked for the details on the methodology adopted for choosing preferred partner networks, the Qtel executive director said, “We have identified the countries and places where our customers travel to, frequently. That’s how the Gulf region has come top on our priority list.
“This offer will make roaming more affordable, worry-free, simple to understand and reflective of customers’ requirements. It is the result of an extensive market study, which analysed and evaluated customer needs,” he said.
Al-Debesti said the pricing will automatically be available to customers without the need for further registration or calls. The rates for calling and data packages will be announced in due course, he said.
He said SmartRoamer will be enhanced in the next phase covering more preferred partner networks worldwide. Additional roaming features are planned to constantly build and enhance the roaming experience.
Qtel Group CEO Dr Nasser Marafih said, “Our aim is to better understand the changing needs of our consumers, while preserving their home calling habits. Our offers will deliver customers more value for money while travelling overseas.”
BARCELONA: In what is said to be a first in the region, Qtel Group customers will soon start benefiting from an international roaming offer, which facilitates ‘discounted rates in preferred partner neworks’
worldwide.
Qtel yesterday announ-ced here that the service named “SmartRoamer” involving its group companies and partners would be launched in phases, with the first service rollout in five Gulf countries (except Bahrain) on March 1.
In the next phase, more operators in the Middle East, Asia and Europe would be brought within the roaming arrangement.
Both post-paid and pre-paid customers in Qatar, Kuwait (Wataniya Telecom) and Oman (Nawras) will benefit from SmartRoamer, said Qtel executive director (international services) Ahmed al-Debesti.
The offer would be extended to Qtel Group customers in phases, al-Debesti said. The first phase will be launched on March 1 covering Qatar, Kuwait and Oman with unified rates.
They will benefit from a single rate whether they call back home or within the Gulf zone (Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE). They can enjoy up to 50% discount when making local calls, up to 70% discount when using wireless data services or more than 25% discount on SMS (text messaging).
In an interview with Gulf Times here al-Debesti said the idea behind SmartRoamer was to make international roaming “more affordable with a transparent pricing mechanism.”
“Currently, the roaming rates are beyond the control of Qtel as they have been dictated by the call/message handling networks. Another disincentive is that different operators in a particular region charge different rates. With a roaming agreement in place, the rates ought to come down significantly and become unified.
“Our customers on international roaming will automatically get switched over to our preferred networks where the discounted rates are available. We expect our customers on roaming to stay with our preferred partner networks for discounted rates. However, customers will have the option of choosing any other available network.
“In all cases, we will let our customers know the applicable roaming charges. This information will land on our customers’ handsets. We are currently working on these applications,” al-Debesti explained.
Asked for the details on the methodology adopted for choosing preferred partner networks, the Qtel executive director said, “We have identified the countries and places where our customers travel to, frequently. That’s how the Gulf region has come top on our priority list.
“This offer will make roaming more affordable, worry-free, simple to understand and reflective of customers’ requirements. It is the result of an extensive market study, which analysed and evaluated customer needs,” he said.
Al-Debesti said the pricing will automatically be available to customers without the need for further registration or calls. The rates for calling and data packages will be announced in due course, he said.
He said SmartRoamer will be enhanced in the next phase covering more preferred partner networks worldwide. Additional roaming features are planned to constantly build and enhance the roaming experience.
Qtel Group CEO Dr Nasser Marafih said, “Our aim is to better understand the changing needs of our consumers, while preserving their home calling habits. Our offers will deliver customers more value for money while travelling overseas.”
Zain - roaming in Africa
Zain aims to invest $1.5bn in Africa to grow its networks
ZAIN Africa, which is looking for more acquisitions across the continent, will invest $1.5 billion (R15 billion) in Africa to expand its existing networks.
Chris Gabriel, the chief executive of Zain Africa, said on Friday that there were two or three acquisitions in Africa that were nearly finalised, but he was coy about Zain's plans for South Africa.
"We are looking at all the opportunities across Africa … There are many opportunities and if it makes sense we will look into it ," Gabriel said.
The company operates in 15 African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone. It has operations in seven Middle Eastern countries.
Zain could have a lot of options to choose from in the country, as the communications regulator recently awarded network and service licences to more than 300 value added network operators, many of which would not afford to build their own networks.
Zain raised $4.5 billion last year for acquisitions and the expansion and upgrading of existing networks.
Gabriel predicted that there would be consolidation in the telecoms market in Africa and in the next five years there would only be about four operators serving the entire continent.
Zain aimed to increase its subscribers from 56.3 million at the end of September to 110 million by 2011. The company has invested $12 billion in Africa to date.
Zain's competitors include MTN, which operates in 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East, and had more than 80.74 million subscribers at the end of September. MTN competes directly with Zain in Nigeria, one of the fastest growing markets in Africa.
"We are not afraid of competition," said Gabriel. "We welcome rational competition as it brings innovations, which will benefit the economy. We don't replicate competitors; we have our own value proposition. We will stick to our strategy.
He said Zain would expand its One Network in new territories that it entered.
One Network is a single roaming network across Zain's 22 operations in Africa and the Middle East. Customers pay the same roaming tariff with no excessive roaming charges and can top up their prepaid cards in any country where Zain operates.
"With One Network, every Zain customer would enjoy the same services and quality," Gabriel said.
ZAIN Africa, which is looking for more acquisitions across the continent, will invest $1.5 billion (R15 billion) in Africa to expand its existing networks.
Chris Gabriel, the chief executive of Zain Africa, said on Friday that there were two or three acquisitions in Africa that were nearly finalised, but he was coy about Zain's plans for South Africa.
"We are looking at all the opportunities across Africa … There are many opportunities and if it makes sense we will look into it ," Gabriel said.
The company operates in 15 African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone. It has operations in seven Middle Eastern countries.
Zain could have a lot of options to choose from in the country, as the communications regulator recently awarded network and service licences to more than 300 value added network operators, many of which would not afford to build their own networks.
Zain raised $4.5 billion last year for acquisitions and the expansion and upgrading of existing networks.
Gabriel predicted that there would be consolidation in the telecoms market in Africa and in the next five years there would only be about four operators serving the entire continent.
Zain aimed to increase its subscribers from 56.3 million at the end of September to 110 million by 2011. The company has invested $12 billion in Africa to date.
Zain's competitors include MTN, which operates in 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East, and had more than 80.74 million subscribers at the end of September. MTN competes directly with Zain in Nigeria, one of the fastest growing markets in Africa.
"We are not afraid of competition," said Gabriel. "We welcome rational competition as it brings innovations, which will benefit the economy. We don't replicate competitors; we have our own value proposition. We will stick to our strategy.
He said Zain would expand its One Network in new territories that it entered.
One Network is a single roaming network across Zain's 22 operations in Africa and the Middle East. Customers pay the same roaming tariff with no excessive roaming charges and can top up their prepaid cards in any country where Zain operates.
"With One Network, every Zain customer would enjoy the same services and quality," Gabriel said.
Zimbabwe - roaming at home to save money
Zimbabweans roam on foreign networks to escape costly local service
Judith Maingire gasps in shock as she stares at her phone bill – a whopping US$587 she incurred in just over two weeks.
"This is outrageous," she says. "Last month I paid a bill just over one-billion Zimdollars and now I am being asked to part with nearly US$600, this is just too much."
"With this bill I could have bought two return tickets to South Africa."
A frequent traveller to neighbouring countries who makes regular calls to clients dotted across the region, the woman says the huge phone bills could just put her out of business.
"Who can survive paying this kind of money for simple phone calls,” she said, in her surprised anger, speaking to no one in particular. “I mean, with US$600 I can easily pay for two return tickets to South Africa."
Such exorbitant phone bills as Maingire's are what most Zimbabweans have to face each month end.
But others who are quick thinking like Timothy Mhere, a senior manager at a Harare hotel, have found a smarter way to avoid paying the huge phone bills while at the same time enjoying all the benefits that come with subscribing to a bigger foreign mobile phone network.
"The last time I received a cellphone bill for US$80 over a 10-day period I knew that I had to end the nonsense before the local phone networks drove me into debt. I am now roaming on a South African Vodacom line," Mhere said, a note of contentment unmistakable in his voice.
Mhere said on top of the tariffs charged by Vodacom being cheaper than those levied by Zimbabwean networks, the giant South African network is hardly ever congested.
“It is good value for money,” he said. As if to prove his point he added: “many of my friends have since abandoned local networks and are roaming on South Africa’s Vodacom and MTN or on Botswana’s Mascom network.”
Frustrated by local networks whose tariffs are heavy while service is shoddy because they are unable to increase capacity due to an acute shortage of foreign currency to import spares and equipment, an increasing number of Zimbabweans are opting to subscribe to networks in Botswana or South Africa.
"Locals who subscribe to foreign networks pay much lower bills than those using our own networks,” said a marketing executive with one of the private local networks.
“This is clearly because of the distorted market environment in Zimbabwe, where for example the US dollar buys about 30 percent less than it does everywhere else in the world,” added the executive, who said he uses Vodacom to make most of his calls.
Local mobile phone networks are charging an average of US$0.29 cents a minute, which they admit may be higher when compared to most countries in the region.
But the operators argue that their charges are justified if one factors in the huge taxes they pay to the government and they also say they have to charge higher tariffs to cushion themselves against losses they are forced to incur during the long hours networks are down due to frequent power outages that affect the country.
As mobile phone operators insist on maintaining high tariffs, consumers also have to worry about moves by the country’s sole fixed network operator, TelOne, to peg bills in foreign currency.
"You are hereby formally notified that with effect from February 1, 2009, all services offered by TelOne will be billed in foreign currency," TelOne said in a recent statement to clients.
"Customers are therefore advised to carefully monitor usage of their lines in order to avoid telephone abuse which can prove to be very costly," it added.
A senior banker who refused to be named also said he would be resorting to roaming. "I am Zellco client, but with effect from February I am making arrangements that I would be roaming either on a South African or Botswana line," he said.
"My child is in Australia for his studies and I have to talk to him regularly by email, but I also need to hear his voice from time to time. So, I have to move from these Zimbabwean networks,” he added.
Maingire said she would first clear her bills with her local network before switching over to possibly Vodacom since most of her visits outside the country are to South Africa.
But the businesswoman was quick to point out that in the long run it was neither sustainable nor desirable for Zimbabweans in general to transfer to mobile networks in neighbouring countries.
Echoing the hopes of many Zimbabweans, she said: “The way to go is for this unity government to get to work immediately to revamp national infrastructure such as the national telecoms network and roads because these are vital if we are to rebuild the country.”
The jury is still out on whether a unity government between President Robert Mugabe and opposition leaders Morgan Tsavangirai and Arthur Mutambara will be able to live up to the expectations of Maingire and her fellow Zimbabweans. – ZimOnline
Judith Maingire gasps in shock as she stares at her phone bill – a whopping US$587 she incurred in just over two weeks.
"This is outrageous," she says. "Last month I paid a bill just over one-billion Zimdollars and now I am being asked to part with nearly US$600, this is just too much."
"With this bill I could have bought two return tickets to South Africa."
A frequent traveller to neighbouring countries who makes regular calls to clients dotted across the region, the woman says the huge phone bills could just put her out of business.
"Who can survive paying this kind of money for simple phone calls,” she said, in her surprised anger, speaking to no one in particular. “I mean, with US$600 I can easily pay for two return tickets to South Africa."
Such exorbitant phone bills as Maingire's are what most Zimbabweans have to face each month end.
But others who are quick thinking like Timothy Mhere, a senior manager at a Harare hotel, have found a smarter way to avoid paying the huge phone bills while at the same time enjoying all the benefits that come with subscribing to a bigger foreign mobile phone network.
"The last time I received a cellphone bill for US$80 over a 10-day period I knew that I had to end the nonsense before the local phone networks drove me into debt. I am now roaming on a South African Vodacom line," Mhere said, a note of contentment unmistakable in his voice.
Mhere said on top of the tariffs charged by Vodacom being cheaper than those levied by Zimbabwean networks, the giant South African network is hardly ever congested.
“It is good value for money,” he said. As if to prove his point he added: “many of my friends have since abandoned local networks and are roaming on South Africa’s Vodacom and MTN or on Botswana’s Mascom network.”
Frustrated by local networks whose tariffs are heavy while service is shoddy because they are unable to increase capacity due to an acute shortage of foreign currency to import spares and equipment, an increasing number of Zimbabweans are opting to subscribe to networks in Botswana or South Africa.
"Locals who subscribe to foreign networks pay much lower bills than those using our own networks,” said a marketing executive with one of the private local networks.
“This is clearly because of the distorted market environment in Zimbabwe, where for example the US dollar buys about 30 percent less than it does everywhere else in the world,” added the executive, who said he uses Vodacom to make most of his calls.
Local mobile phone networks are charging an average of US$0.29 cents a minute, which they admit may be higher when compared to most countries in the region.
But the operators argue that their charges are justified if one factors in the huge taxes they pay to the government and they also say they have to charge higher tariffs to cushion themselves against losses they are forced to incur during the long hours networks are down due to frequent power outages that affect the country.
As mobile phone operators insist on maintaining high tariffs, consumers also have to worry about moves by the country’s sole fixed network operator, TelOne, to peg bills in foreign currency.
"You are hereby formally notified that with effect from February 1, 2009, all services offered by TelOne will be billed in foreign currency," TelOne said in a recent statement to clients.
"Customers are therefore advised to carefully monitor usage of their lines in order to avoid telephone abuse which can prove to be very costly," it added.
A senior banker who refused to be named also said he would be resorting to roaming. "I am Zellco client, but with effect from February I am making arrangements that I would be roaming either on a South African or Botswana line," he said.
"My child is in Australia for his studies and I have to talk to him regularly by email, but I also need to hear his voice from time to time. So, I have to move from these Zimbabwean networks,” he added.
Maingire said she would first clear her bills with her local network before switching over to possibly Vodacom since most of her visits outside the country are to South Africa.
But the businesswoman was quick to point out that in the long run it was neither sustainable nor desirable for Zimbabweans in general to transfer to mobile networks in neighbouring countries.
Echoing the hopes of many Zimbabweans, she said: “The way to go is for this unity government to get to work immediately to revamp national infrastructure such as the national telecoms network and roads because these are vital if we are to rebuild the country.”
The jury is still out on whether a unity government between President Robert Mugabe and opposition leaders Morgan Tsavangirai and Arthur Mutambara will be able to live up to the expectations of Maingire and her fellow Zimbabweans. – ZimOnline
South Korea - increased competition
KT-KTF Merger Heats Up Mobile Phone Market
Korea's leading fixed-line and broadband provider KT’s announcement last month of its plan to merge with wireless unit KTF is heating up the mobile phone market in the world's most wired nation.
KT's rivals SK Telecom and LG Telecom are raising their voices against the merger saying KT's dominance in the landline market will hurt competition in the mobile sector.
Currently, KT has a 90 percent share of the country's fixed-line market, 44 percent of its broadband market and over 31 percent of the mobile market. With that, SK Telecom is urging the government to reject the merger of KT and KTF.
KTF, however, argues it is SK that is too dominant as SK Telecom has more than 50 percent share of the wireless market, whereas KT has just over 31 percent. KT also says the merger is necessary as it is in line with the global trend of landline-mobile convergence.
The company hopes the merger will help it bundle landline, broadband, Internet TV and mobile services as well as beef up its customer base.
The merger is subject to approval by regulators and shareholders. If everything goes well for KT, the process will be completed by mid-May.
Korea's leading fixed-line and broadband provider KT’s announcement last month of its plan to merge with wireless unit KTF is heating up the mobile phone market in the world's most wired nation.
KT's rivals SK Telecom and LG Telecom are raising their voices against the merger saying KT's dominance in the landline market will hurt competition in the mobile sector.
Currently, KT has a 90 percent share of the country's fixed-line market, 44 percent of its broadband market and over 31 percent of the mobile market. With that, SK Telecom is urging the government to reject the merger of KT and KTF.
KTF, however, argues it is SK that is too dominant as SK Telecom has more than 50 percent share of the wireless market, whereas KT has just over 31 percent. KT also says the merger is necessary as it is in line with the global trend of landline-mobile convergence.
The company hopes the merger will help it bundle landline, broadband, Internet TV and mobile services as well as beef up its customer base.
The merger is subject to approval by regulators and shareholders. If everything goes well for KT, the process will be completed by mid-May.
Roaming - Korean numbers for Japanese roamers
NTT DOCOMO to Issue South Korean Numbers for Roaming Customers
NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that beginning March 2 it will issue South Korean mobile phone numbers to Japan-based customers who subscribe to the company's international roaming service, thereby enabling them to realize savings of up to 60% on calls placed while roaming in South Korea. Customers will also retain the DOCOMO numbers that they use in Japan.
The new Local Number Roaming service allows customers to obtain mobile phone numbers via DOCOMO's partner KT Freetel Co., Ltd. (KTF). By manually selecting KTF's network after starting up their phones once inside the country, they will be able to place voice and video calls for lower charges compared to using WORLD WING, DOCOMO's conventional international roaming service. In addition, there will be no charge to receive calls from any location, domestic or international.
Local Number Roaming is a result of collaborative initiatives developed by DOCOMO and KTF's joint Business and Technology Cooperation Committee.
Also announced today, KTF customers will be able to obtain Japanese mobile phone numbers through DOCOMO to take advantage of cheaper calling rates while traveling in Japan.
The one-time sign-up fee for Local Number Roaming is 1,050 yen and the monthly subscription fee will be 300 yen. As a special introductory offer, the sign-up fee will be waived for people who begin using the service between March 2 and May 31. Applications will be accepted from March 2.
NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that beginning March 2 it will issue South Korean mobile phone numbers to Japan-based customers who subscribe to the company's international roaming service, thereby enabling them to realize savings of up to 60% on calls placed while roaming in South Korea. Customers will also retain the DOCOMO numbers that they use in Japan.
The new Local Number Roaming service allows customers to obtain mobile phone numbers via DOCOMO's partner KT Freetel Co., Ltd. (KTF). By manually selecting KTF's network after starting up their phones once inside the country, they will be able to place voice and video calls for lower charges compared to using WORLD WING, DOCOMO's conventional international roaming service. In addition, there will be no charge to receive calls from any location, domestic or international.
Local Number Roaming is a result of collaborative initiatives developed by DOCOMO and KTF's joint Business and Technology Cooperation Committee.
Also announced today, KTF customers will be able to obtain Japanese mobile phone numbers through DOCOMO to take advantage of cheaper calling rates while traveling in Japan.
The one-time sign-up fee for Local Number Roaming is 1,050 yen and the monthly subscription fee will be 300 yen. As a special introductory offer, the sign-up fee will be waived for people who begin using the service between March 2 and May 31. Applications will be accepted from March 2.
Europe - Mobile LTE
Heading towards full European mobile broadband: Long Term Evolution (LTE) and beyond
See also Heading towards full European mobile broadband
Mobile network operators are now preparing the fourth generation of mobile communication systems. This transformation of cellular telephone networks into wireless broadband will be based on new technology, called Long Term Evolution (LTE), developed with the support of the EU research programmes.
The past decade has radically changed our lifestyle. We have become the Internet generation, with access to instant information, new services and applications that changed our work environment and the way we spend our leisure time. In the future, people will expect the full benefits of the Internet, any time, any place, not just when they are in their home or office. LTE technology will allow truly mobile broadband connectivity to the Internet.
See also Heading towards full European mobile broadband
Mobile network operators are now preparing the fourth generation of mobile communication systems. This transformation of cellular telephone networks into wireless broadband will be based on new technology, called Long Term Evolution (LTE), developed with the support of the EU research programmes.
The past decade has radically changed our lifestyle. We have become the Internet generation, with access to instant information, new services and applications that changed our work environment and the way we spend our leisure time. In the future, people will expect the full benefits of the Internet, any time, any place, not just when they are in their home or office. LTE technology will allow truly mobile broadband connectivity to the Internet.
Persian Gulf - constraints on spending by operators
Telecoms spree set to dial down
Even after years of petrodollar-fuelled growth, few Gulf companies have made an impact on the international business scene. The region's telecommunications companies are a notable exception.
Spurred by small, increasingly saturated but lucrative and partially protected home markets - and helped by government owners - Gulf telecoms companies have embarked upon an aggressive investment and acquisition spree in recent years.
According to Dealogic, acquisitions and licence purchases by Middle East operators jumped from $6.3bn in 2006 to $27.4bn in 2007. Even though the exertions of 2007 and the deepening of the credit crunch meant expansion activity slowed last year, Middle East operators still spent a further $9.6bn on licences and acquisitions.
"Growth was going to slow regionally so they had to go internationally, and governments were happy to support them," says Sean Gardiner, regional head of research at Morgan Stanley.
Meanwhile, investment in technology and telecoms infrastructure has continued. Saudi Telecom alone spent about $5.1bn on capital expenditure last year, according to HSBC figures.
Gulf operators still lag behind Japanese and US peers in technology but most now operate on advanced 3G networks and are on a par with European operators, says Kunal Bajaj, a Dubai-based analyst at HSBC.
Gulf regulators and policymakers have also continued a "managed liberalisation" of the telecoms industry. Qatar Telecom's monopoly was the last to fall in the Gulf, when Vodafone won a licence to operate in the peninsula last year. Vodafone Qatar is scheduled to start operations in March.
"So far, the objective of achieving competitiveness in telecoms is coming to maturity," says Bahjat ElDarwiche, a telecoms expert at Booz & Co, the consultancy. "Nearly all countries in the region now have at least two mobile operators and several broadband and fixed-line operators."
Last year, Kuwait's Zain entered Saudi Arabia, sparking a price war in the largest and potentially most lucrative market in the Gulf. This is an "encouraging" sign for consumers who have previously paid relatively high tariffs, says Mr Gardiner.
Liberalisation and expansion in recent years have seen a dramatic transformation of the regional industry.
"Seven to eight years ago, the market lagged behind other regions and operators were mainly state-owned and bureaucratic," says Mr El-Darwiche. "But Gulf telecoms companies have been able to modernise and are expanding regionally and making international acquisitions and investments."
Telecoms is usually perceived as a defensive sector - spending on phone calls and text messages usually holds up well in a downturn. But analysts expect that the Gulf operators will not escape the economic slowdown completely unscathed.
The credit crunch has shaved billions off operators' market capitalisations - some share falls have outpaced those of their stock markets - and is likely to encourage indebted firms to pause.
Scheduled licence auctions for fixed lines and mobiles have been postponed across the Middle East and North Africa as the financial outlook limits demand and undermines the price governments can expect to pick up for their licence sales.
Thus, 2009 will be a year of consolidation for many operators, according to analysts.
"After a recent wave of aggressive mergers and acquisitions they will step back and try to extract synergies," says Mr Bajaj. "Cash is becoming scarce. Even though they are mostly cash-rich, you have to look at their debt to equity ratios."
Qtel, one of the more aggressive Gulf operators, acquired a majority stake in Kuwait's Wataniya Telecom for $4.2bn last year, and this year took a large stake in Indonesia's PT Indosat and signed a co-operation agreement with San Miguel in the Philippines.
Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Thani, the chairman, says Qtel will now take a breather. "We will use this interim period of this crisis crunch . . . to manage and synergise our company. I don't see any aggressive move at the moment."
Gulf operators also face more humdrum challenges. Fiercer competition will start to eat into earnings and domestic markets are becoming saturated.
The trend to liberalise and deregulate is likely to continue, says Mr Al Thani. As monopolies become duopolies and duopolies become three operators, companies which had counted on "enormous profits . . . will realise that the party is over."
According to an Ernst & Young report, average revenue per user since 2002 has already dropped by about a fifth in all Gulf countries except Qatar - the only monopoly market
But canny operators can still realise bumper profits, say experts. Broadband penetration is minuscule and is another growth market. And consumer spending on phone services is relatively low in the Middle East compared to emerging markets, adds Mr Bajaj.
Even after years of petrodollar-fuelled growth, few Gulf companies have made an impact on the international business scene. The region's telecommunications companies are a notable exception.
Spurred by small, increasingly saturated but lucrative and partially protected home markets - and helped by government owners - Gulf telecoms companies have embarked upon an aggressive investment and acquisition spree in recent years.
According to Dealogic, acquisitions and licence purchases by Middle East operators jumped from $6.3bn in 2006 to $27.4bn in 2007. Even though the exertions of 2007 and the deepening of the credit crunch meant expansion activity slowed last year, Middle East operators still spent a further $9.6bn on licences and acquisitions.
"Growth was going to slow regionally so they had to go internationally, and governments were happy to support them," says Sean Gardiner, regional head of research at Morgan Stanley.
Meanwhile, investment in technology and telecoms infrastructure has continued. Saudi Telecom alone spent about $5.1bn on capital expenditure last year, according to HSBC figures.
Gulf operators still lag behind Japanese and US peers in technology but most now operate on advanced 3G networks and are on a par with European operators, says Kunal Bajaj, a Dubai-based analyst at HSBC.
Gulf regulators and policymakers have also continued a "managed liberalisation" of the telecoms industry. Qatar Telecom's monopoly was the last to fall in the Gulf, when Vodafone won a licence to operate in the peninsula last year. Vodafone Qatar is scheduled to start operations in March.
"So far, the objective of achieving competitiveness in telecoms is coming to maturity," says Bahjat ElDarwiche, a telecoms expert at Booz & Co, the consultancy. "Nearly all countries in the region now have at least two mobile operators and several broadband and fixed-line operators."
Last year, Kuwait's Zain entered Saudi Arabia, sparking a price war in the largest and potentially most lucrative market in the Gulf. This is an "encouraging" sign for consumers who have previously paid relatively high tariffs, says Mr Gardiner.
Liberalisation and expansion in recent years have seen a dramatic transformation of the regional industry.
"Seven to eight years ago, the market lagged behind other regions and operators were mainly state-owned and bureaucratic," says Mr El-Darwiche. "But Gulf telecoms companies have been able to modernise and are expanding regionally and making international acquisitions and investments."
Telecoms is usually perceived as a defensive sector - spending on phone calls and text messages usually holds up well in a downturn. But analysts expect that the Gulf operators will not escape the economic slowdown completely unscathed.
The credit crunch has shaved billions off operators' market capitalisations - some share falls have outpaced those of their stock markets - and is likely to encourage indebted firms to pause.
Scheduled licence auctions for fixed lines and mobiles have been postponed across the Middle East and North Africa as the financial outlook limits demand and undermines the price governments can expect to pick up for their licence sales.
Thus, 2009 will be a year of consolidation for many operators, according to analysts.
"After a recent wave of aggressive mergers and acquisitions they will step back and try to extract synergies," says Mr Bajaj. "Cash is becoming scarce. Even though they are mostly cash-rich, you have to look at their debt to equity ratios."
Qtel, one of the more aggressive Gulf operators, acquired a majority stake in Kuwait's Wataniya Telecom for $4.2bn last year, and this year took a large stake in Indonesia's PT Indosat and signed a co-operation agreement with San Miguel in the Philippines.
Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Thani, the chairman, says Qtel will now take a breather. "We will use this interim period of this crisis crunch . . . to manage and synergise our company. I don't see any aggressive move at the moment."
Gulf operators also face more humdrum challenges. Fiercer competition will start to eat into earnings and domestic markets are becoming saturated.
The trend to liberalise and deregulate is likely to continue, says Mr Al Thani. As monopolies become duopolies and duopolies become three operators, companies which had counted on "enormous profits . . . will realise that the party is over."
According to an Ernst & Young report, average revenue per user since 2002 has already dropped by about a fifth in all Gulf countries except Qatar - the only monopoly market
But canny operators can still realise bumper profits, say experts. Broadband penetration is minuscule and is another growth market. And consumer spending on phone services is relatively low in the Middle East compared to emerging markets, adds Mr Bajaj.
USA - Verizon contracts for LTE
Verizon awards 4G contracts worth billions
Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent yesterday emerged as big winners at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, when Verizon Wireless, the leading US mobile operator, awarded them multi-billion dollar contracts for fourth-generation wireless infrastructure.
The contracts are the first significant deals relating to 4G networks based on wireless broadband technology called Long Term Evolution.
LTE is expected to fuel the growth of the mobile internet because it should markedly increase download speeds on handsets.
In a big blow, Canada’s Nortel and Motorola of the US both failed to secure any of Verizon’s initial LTE contracts.
The LTE deals could be worth as much as $3bn-$5bn during the next five years.
Sweden’s Ericsson expressed delight at its contract with Verizon as the US mobile operator is a new customer for the world’s largest maker of wireless network infrastructure.
Carl-Henric Svanberg, chief executive of Ericsson, said: “It is very inspiring for us as we see ourselves as leaders in the development of LTE.”
For Alcatel-Lucent, the Verizon deals are a relief since the US mobile operator is one of the Paris-based company’s largest customers and its loss would have represented a serious setback.
Alcatel-Lucent is struggling to make a success of the 2006 merger between its French and US predecessor companies.
Ben Verwaayen, chief executive of Alcatel-Lucent, said the Verizon contracts were “wonderful news for us”, particularly given the equipment maker’s decision in December to focus on LTE rather than WiMax, an alternative 4G wireless technology.
“This is a clear validation of the company’s recently announced strategy and the importance of LTE to that strategy,” said Mr Verwaayen. “It is a clear basis of future growth.”
Richard Windsor, a technology specialist at Nomura Securities, claimed Nortel’s failure to secure LTE contracts with Verizon was a “massive blow”. Nortel filed for bankruptcy protection last month.
Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent will build the wireless infrastructure enabling Verizon to be the first US mobile operator to deploy 4G mobile services based on LTE.
The contracts involve the roll-out of LTE infrastructure in two US cities late this year, and a further 25-30 cities in 2010.
Nokia Siemens Networks, the equipment maker controlled by Finland’s Nokia, won a contract with Verizon for other network infrastructure, but the value is small compared with the deals secured by Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent.
Dick Lynch, chief technology officer at Verizon Communications, the majority shareholder in Verizon Wireless, said the company was planning a nationwide roll-out of its LTE network by 2015.
Vodafone of the UK owns 45 per cent of Verizon Wireless.
Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent yesterday emerged as big winners at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, when Verizon Wireless, the leading US mobile operator, awarded them multi-billion dollar contracts for fourth-generation wireless infrastructure.
The contracts are the first significant deals relating to 4G networks based on wireless broadband technology called Long Term Evolution.
LTE is expected to fuel the growth of the mobile internet because it should markedly increase download speeds on handsets.
In a big blow, Canada’s Nortel and Motorola of the US both failed to secure any of Verizon’s initial LTE contracts.
The LTE deals could be worth as much as $3bn-$5bn during the next five years.
Sweden’s Ericsson expressed delight at its contract with Verizon as the US mobile operator is a new customer for the world’s largest maker of wireless network infrastructure.
Carl-Henric Svanberg, chief executive of Ericsson, said: “It is very inspiring for us as we see ourselves as leaders in the development of LTE.”
For Alcatel-Lucent, the Verizon deals are a relief since the US mobile operator is one of the Paris-based company’s largest customers and its loss would have represented a serious setback.
Alcatel-Lucent is struggling to make a success of the 2006 merger between its French and US predecessor companies.
Ben Verwaayen, chief executive of Alcatel-Lucent, said the Verizon contracts were “wonderful news for us”, particularly given the equipment maker’s decision in December to focus on LTE rather than WiMax, an alternative 4G wireless technology.
“This is a clear validation of the company’s recently announced strategy and the importance of LTE to that strategy,” said Mr Verwaayen. “It is a clear basis of future growth.”
Richard Windsor, a technology specialist at Nomura Securities, claimed Nortel’s failure to secure LTE contracts with Verizon was a “massive blow”. Nortel filed for bankruptcy protection last month.
Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent will build the wireless infrastructure enabling Verizon to be the first US mobile operator to deploy 4G mobile services based on LTE.
The contracts involve the roll-out of LTE infrastructure in two US cities late this year, and a further 25-30 cities in 2010.
Nokia Siemens Networks, the equipment maker controlled by Finland’s Nokia, won a contract with Verizon for other network infrastructure, but the value is small compared with the deals secured by Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent.
Dick Lynch, chief technology officer at Verizon Communications, the majority shareholder in Verizon Wireless, said the company was planning a nationwide roll-out of its LTE network by 2015.
Vodafone of the UK owns 45 per cent of Verizon Wireless.
Europe - complaints about excess of regulation
Telecoms bosses urge less regulation
Leading European telecoms companies on Tuesday urged governments to ease the regulations on them, so the industry can play a major role in lifting economies out of recession.
Spain’s Telefónica and Vodafone of the UK said telecoms companies could fuel economic recovery, but warned that their efforts were hampered by regulations, notably from Brussels.
Colao, Vodafone’s chief executive, complained the industry was suffering from “regulatory activism”.
Telecoms companies are using the world’s largest mobile phone conference in Barcelona to highlight how the industry makes a significant contribution to gross domestic product.
At the Mobile World Congress on Tuesday, César Alierta, Telefónica’s chairman, complained that stimulus packages devised by governments were not paying sufficient attention to the role the telecoms industry could have in fostering economic recovery.
He highlighted how fixed line operators were contemplating multibillion-euro investments in superfast broadband networks that could improve productivity.
But Mr Alierta suggested such networks could be put at risk by regulatory uncertainty. “We are not asking for public funds,” he said. “We are only asking for long-term regulatory certainty and stability.”
Mr Colao highlighted how Viviane Reding, European commissioner for telecoms, was seeking steep cuts in the charges mobile operators levy for connecting calls to their wireless networks.
Vodafone is against Ms Reding’s proposal and Mr Colao said a balance had to be struck between her push for cuts in the charges and the need for investments in mobile networks.
On Monday, Wang Jianzhou, chairman of China Mobile, highlighted how the rollout of China’s third-generation mobile networks would create 300,000 jobs.
The GSMA, the industry association that represents mobile operators and is hosting the Mobile World Congress, said governments must help the industry with radio spectrum. It said governments should ensure mobile operators get access to 25 per cent of the spectrum made available by the switchover from analogue to digital television.
Mobile operators, which are keen to use the spectrum to expand wireless networks into rural areas, fear that television companies will try to retain all of it.
Leading European telecoms companies on Tuesday urged governments to ease the regulations on them, so the industry can play a major role in lifting economies out of recession.
Spain’s Telefónica and Vodafone of the UK said telecoms companies could fuel economic recovery, but warned that their efforts were hampered by regulations, notably from Brussels.
Colao, Vodafone’s chief executive, complained the industry was suffering from “regulatory activism”.
Telecoms companies are using the world’s largest mobile phone conference in Barcelona to highlight how the industry makes a significant contribution to gross domestic product.
At the Mobile World Congress on Tuesday, César Alierta, Telefónica’s chairman, complained that stimulus packages devised by governments were not paying sufficient attention to the role the telecoms industry could have in fostering economic recovery.
He highlighted how fixed line operators were contemplating multibillion-euro investments in superfast broadband networks that could improve productivity.
But Mr Alierta suggested such networks could be put at risk by regulatory uncertainty. “We are not asking for public funds,” he said. “We are only asking for long-term regulatory certainty and stability.”
Mr Colao highlighted how Viviane Reding, European commissioner for telecoms, was seeking steep cuts in the charges mobile operators levy for connecting calls to their wireless networks.
Vodafone is against Ms Reding’s proposal and Mr Colao said a balance had to be struck between her push for cuts in the charges and the need for investments in mobile networks.
On Monday, Wang Jianzhou, chairman of China Mobile, highlighted how the rollout of China’s third-generation mobile networks would create 300,000 jobs.
The GSMA, the industry association that represents mobile operators and is hosting the Mobile World Congress, said governments must help the industry with radio spectrum. It said governments should ensure mobile operators get access to 25 per cent of the spectrum made available by the switchover from analogue to digital television.
Mobile operators, which are keen to use the spectrum to expand wireless networks into rural areas, fear that television companies will try to retain all of it.
Turkey - Avea to overtake Vodafone
Avea seen to overtake Vodafone in Turkey
Turk Telekom’s subsidiary Avea will overtake Vodafone in Turkey’s increasingly cutthroat mobile market in the next year, chief executive Paul Doany said on Thursday as the fixed-line incumbent met expectations with a 31 per cent fall in full-year net profit.
Vodafone’s Turkish operation, which it bought for $4.6bn in 2005, was among its worst-performing businesses last quarter, plagued with problems linked to its mobile network and sales outlets.
Oger Telecom, the Middle Eastern group that paid $6.5bn in the same year for its 55 per cent stake in Turk Telekom, appears to be making more headway against the dominant mobile operator Turkcell.
Avea has gained a net 300,000 subscribers since November, when the introduction of number portability allowed customers to keep the same number when switching provider. Mr Doany said new subscribers had a higher average revenue per user than those leaving.
“We think Avea will be the number two by revenues this year, even in six months,” he said. Turkcell also says it has increased its subscriber base since November.
But Turkey’s mobile market is getting tougher. All three operators are bringing out rival pricing offers, and the economic downturn has hit mobile phone sales, meaning investments in higher value 3G services may not pay off as quickly as hoped.
Turk Telekom has also been hit by the decline in the Turkish lira, raising the cost of servicing foreign currency debts – the likely cause of the 31 per cent drop in net profits to TL1.75bn ($1.04bn)in 2008. Operating profit rose 6 per cent to TL2.7bn.
But Mr Doany expects stable margins and revenue growth of 8 to 10 per cent next year. He said Turk Telekom was taking advantage of the downturn to upgrade its fixed line network more quickly while copper prices were low, and to press ahead with building projects at “prices that are frankly stunning”.
The former state monopolyhas set aside up to $1bn for acquisitions in 2008, eyeing options in the Balkans and Central Asia.
Mr Doany said many deals in the sector would be difficult to price, with recent valuations now looking hard to justify but sellers unwilling to slash prices. But he said the number of operators in many markets was now unsustainable.
“Markets will have to see more consolidation – there’s too much price competition,” he said. “If not, it’ll be burning money for no reason.”
Turk Telekom’s subsidiary Avea will overtake Vodafone in Turkey’s increasingly cutthroat mobile market in the next year, chief executive Paul Doany said on Thursday as the fixed-line incumbent met expectations with a 31 per cent fall in full-year net profit.
Vodafone’s Turkish operation, which it bought for $4.6bn in 2005, was among its worst-performing businesses last quarter, plagued with problems linked to its mobile network and sales outlets.
Oger Telecom, the Middle Eastern group that paid $6.5bn in the same year for its 55 per cent stake in Turk Telekom, appears to be making more headway against the dominant mobile operator Turkcell.
Avea has gained a net 300,000 subscribers since November, when the introduction of number portability allowed customers to keep the same number when switching provider. Mr Doany said new subscribers had a higher average revenue per user than those leaving.
“We think Avea will be the number two by revenues this year, even in six months,” he said. Turkcell also says it has increased its subscriber base since November.
But Turkey’s mobile market is getting tougher. All three operators are bringing out rival pricing offers, and the economic downturn has hit mobile phone sales, meaning investments in higher value 3G services may not pay off as quickly as hoped.
Turk Telekom has also been hit by the decline in the Turkish lira, raising the cost of servicing foreign currency debts – the likely cause of the 31 per cent drop in net profits to TL1.75bn ($1.04bn)in 2008. Operating profit rose 6 per cent to TL2.7bn.
But Mr Doany expects stable margins and revenue growth of 8 to 10 per cent next year. He said Turk Telekom was taking advantage of the downturn to upgrade its fixed line network more quickly while copper prices were low, and to press ahead with building projects at “prices that are frankly stunning”.
The former state monopolyhas set aside up to $1bn for acquisitions in 2008, eyeing options in the Balkans and Central Asia.
Mr Doany said many deals in the sector would be difficult to price, with recent valuations now looking hard to justify but sellers unwilling to slash prices. But he said the number of operators in many markets was now unsustainable.
“Markets will have to see more consolidation – there’s too much price competition,” he said. “If not, it’ll be burning money for no reason.”
EU - listening in to Skype
EU to investigate VoIP-tapping techniques
by David Meyer Font size Print E-mail Share 6 comments Yahoo! BuzzAn investigation into the possibility of tapping Internet telephony conversations has been launched by the European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit, also known as Eurojust.
Italy is leading the Europe-wide feasibility study, announced on Friday. The Italian government has cited concerns that organized criminals and arms and drug traffickers are using VoIP services such as Skype to avoid traditional, more easily tapped phone networks.
"The possibility of intercepting Internet telephony will be an essential tool in the fight against international organized crime within Europe and beyond," said Carmen Manfredda, Eurojust's acting national member for Italy, in a statement. "Our aim is not to stop users from taking advantage of Internet telephony, but to prevent criminals from using Skype and other systems to plan and organize their unlawful actions. Eurojust will make all possible efforts to coordinate and assist in the cooperation between Member States."
Manfredda and Eurojust's Italian desk are coordinating the VoIP-tapping investigations, at the request of Italy's national anti-Mafia directorate. According to Eurojust's statement, the investigation will try to "overcome the technical and judicial obstacles to the interception of Internet telephony systems, taking into account the various data protection rules and civil rights."
Skype told ZDNet UK on Friday that it has given an extensive explanation of its law enforcement program and capabilities to Eurojust. It rejected press reports that it had refused cooperate with the authorities, and said that it works with law enforcement agencies where legally and technically possible.
"Skype remains interested in working with Eurojust despite the fact that they chose not to contact us before issuing this inaccurate report," a spokesperson for the eBay-owned Internet telephony company said.
by David Meyer Font size Print E-mail Share 6 comments Yahoo! BuzzAn investigation into the possibility of tapping Internet telephony conversations has been launched by the European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit, also known as Eurojust.
Italy is leading the Europe-wide feasibility study, announced on Friday. The Italian government has cited concerns that organized criminals and arms and drug traffickers are using VoIP services such as Skype to avoid traditional, more easily tapped phone networks.
"The possibility of intercepting Internet telephony will be an essential tool in the fight against international organized crime within Europe and beyond," said Carmen Manfredda, Eurojust's acting national member for Italy, in a statement. "Our aim is not to stop users from taking advantage of Internet telephony, but to prevent criminals from using Skype and other systems to plan and organize their unlawful actions. Eurojust will make all possible efforts to coordinate and assist in the cooperation between Member States."
Manfredda and Eurojust's Italian desk are coordinating the VoIP-tapping investigations, at the request of Italy's national anti-Mafia directorate. According to Eurojust's statement, the investigation will try to "overcome the technical and judicial obstacles to the interception of Internet telephony systems, taking into account the various data protection rules and civil rights."
Skype told ZDNet UK on Friday that it has given an extensive explanation of its law enforcement program and capabilities to Eurojust. It rejected press reports that it had refused cooperate with the authorities, and said that it works with law enforcement agencies where legally and technically possible.
"Skype remains interested in working with Eurojust despite the fact that they chose not to contact us before issuing this inaccurate report," a spokesperson for the eBay-owned Internet telephony company said.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Turk Telekom - financial results
Türk Telekom revenues up 8 pct in 2008, reaches to $10.2 billion
Turkey's telecommunications giant, Türk Telekom, has announced that its income increased by 8 percent in 2008 over the preceding year to total TL 10.2 billion and that its operating profit rose by 6 percent to TL 2.7 billion in 2008.
Apart from its 81 percent share in Avea, one of three GSM operators in Turkey, Türk Telekom, Europe's fifth and the world's 13th largest landline telephone operator, owns 99.9 percent of TTnet, Argela, Innova, IES/Sebit and AssisTT. It also has a minority share in Albtelecom, an Albanian telecommunications operator. Fifty-five percent of Türk Telekom's shares belong to Oger Telecom and 30 percent are held by the Turkish Treasury. The remaining 15 percent are publicly traded.
Commenting on the results, Türk Telekom General Manager Paul Doany said he was glad to have increased revenue amid the ongoing global financial crisis. He said, however, that the increase in new subscribers slowed in 2008 when compared to 2007. Despite some negative developments, Avea, Türk Telekom's mobile arm, registered steady subscriber numbers in 2008, following Vodafone, its main rival. Avea ranks third after Turkcell and Vodafone in terms of subscriber numbers in the Turkish GSM market.
Turkey's telecommunications giant, Türk Telekom, has announced that its income increased by 8 percent in 2008 over the preceding year to total TL 10.2 billion and that its operating profit rose by 6 percent to TL 2.7 billion in 2008.
Apart from its 81 percent share in Avea, one of three GSM operators in Turkey, Türk Telekom, Europe's fifth and the world's 13th largest landline telephone operator, owns 99.9 percent of TTnet, Argela, Innova, IES/Sebit and AssisTT. It also has a minority share in Albtelecom, an Albanian telecommunications operator. Fifty-five percent of Türk Telekom's shares belong to Oger Telecom and 30 percent are held by the Turkish Treasury. The remaining 15 percent are publicly traded.
Commenting on the results, Türk Telekom General Manager Paul Doany said he was glad to have increased revenue amid the ongoing global financial crisis. He said, however, that the increase in new subscribers slowed in 2008 when compared to 2007. Despite some negative developments, Avea, Türk Telekom's mobile arm, registered steady subscriber numbers in 2008, following Vodafone, its main rival. Avea ranks third after Turkcell and Vodafone in terms of subscriber numbers in the Turkish GSM market.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Libya - inviting foreign operators
Libya invites foreign bids for telecom licenses
Libya has invited bids by foreign companies to provide private mobile-phone and landline services, Agence France-Presse reported yesterday, citing an unidentified spokesman for the state-owned General Telecommunication Authority. The North African country, which is expected to grant a fixed-line license and mobile license to one operator, is opening to foreign operators for the first time as it aims to stimulate the Libyan telecom market.
Libya has invited bids by foreign companies to provide private mobile-phone and landline services, Agence France-Presse reported yesterday, citing an unidentified spokesman for the state-owned General Telecommunication Authority. The North African country, which is expected to grant a fixed-line license and mobile license to one operator, is opening to foreign operators for the first time as it aims to stimulate the Libyan telecom market.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Albania - fourth mobile licence
Three bid for Albania's fourth cellphone licence
Swedish telecom firm Tele 2 (TEL2b.ST) offered 7.2 million euros to buy Albania's fourth mobile phone licence, the ATA news agency said on Friday. The Albanian firm Univer P.G. offered 5 million euros while the Post and Telecommunication company of neighbouring Kosovo did not offer a concrete sum, it added.
"Official sources say the evaluation will be done in the coming days," ATA said.
Mobile phone operators AMC, owned by Cosmote, the mobile phone arm of Greece's OTE (OTEr.AT), and Vodafone Albania together have around 2.4 million customers in Albania's 3.2 million-strong market. Eagle Mobile, owned by the fixed-phone operator Albtelecom, has more than 350,000 users.
Swedish telecom firm Tele 2 (TEL2b.ST) offered 7.2 million euros to buy Albania's fourth mobile phone licence, the ATA news agency said on Friday. The Albanian firm Univer P.G. offered 5 million euros while the Post and Telecommunication company of neighbouring Kosovo did not offer a concrete sum, it added.
"Official sources say the evaluation will be done in the coming days," ATA said.
Mobile phone operators AMC, owned by Cosmote, the mobile phone arm of Greece's OTE (OTEr.AT), and Vodafone Albania together have around 2.4 million customers in Albania's 3.2 million-strong market. Eagle Mobile, owned by the fixed-phone operator Albtelecom, has more than 350,000 users.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Albania - privatisation of AMC
Albania Sells Stake in Mobile Operator
Albania has sold its 12.6 percent stake in mobile phone operator Albanian Mobile Communication to Greece's Cosmote for €48.2 million.
The purchase brings Cosmote's stake in AMC to 97.6 percent.
Deputy Economy Minister Enno Bozdo said the privatization of the shares was successful and a sign of the strength of the Albanian economy amid the global economic crisis.
"We consider this as a very successful sale and another vote of confidence of foreign investors in Albania,” Bozdo told reporters. “Its value is even bigger as we see the European economy and some Balkan countries showing signs of recession."
This year Albania plans to end to sell its minority holdings in former state-owned companies to finance public infrastructure projects, particularly a highway linking it with the neighbouring Kosovo. The state still holds a 24 percent of the phone company Albtelkom, 15 percent of the refiner ARMO, and 24 percent of utility OSSH.
Albania has three mobile operators in the market and the highest mobile rates in Europe. A tender for a fourth mobile license is expected to be held in November. Experts hope that the recent expansion of newcomer Eagle mobile and the eventual arrival of a fourth operator will increase competition and reduce call rates, as the two other companies currently present in the market, Vodafone and AMC, have often been accused by consumer groups of unfair pricing practices.
In November 2007, the two companies were fined €3.7 million by Albania’s Competition Authority for abusing their dominant position in the market by setting unfair prices.
Albania has sold its 12.6 percent stake in mobile phone operator Albanian Mobile Communication to Greece's Cosmote for €48.2 million.
The purchase brings Cosmote's stake in AMC to 97.6 percent.
Deputy Economy Minister Enno Bozdo said the privatization of the shares was successful and a sign of the strength of the Albanian economy amid the global economic crisis.
"We consider this as a very successful sale and another vote of confidence of foreign investors in Albania,” Bozdo told reporters. “Its value is even bigger as we see the European economy and some Balkan countries showing signs of recession."
This year Albania plans to end to sell its minority holdings in former state-owned companies to finance public infrastructure projects, particularly a highway linking it with the neighbouring Kosovo. The state still holds a 24 percent of the phone company Albtelkom, 15 percent of the refiner ARMO, and 24 percent of utility OSSH.
Albania has three mobile operators in the market and the highest mobile rates in Europe. A tender for a fourth mobile license is expected to be held in November. Experts hope that the recent expansion of newcomer Eagle mobile and the eventual arrival of a fourth operator will increase competition and reduce call rates, as the two other companies currently present in the market, Vodafone and AMC, have often been accused by consumer groups of unfair pricing practices.
In November 2007, the two companies were fined €3.7 million by Albania’s Competition Authority for abusing their dominant position in the market by setting unfair prices.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Information society - digital overload is frying our brains
Digital Overload Is Frying Our Brains
Paying attention isn't a simple act of self-discipline, but a cognitive ability with deep neurobiological roots — and these roots, says Maggie Jackson, are in danger of dying.
In Distracted: The Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age, Jackson explores the effects of "our high-speed, overloaded, split-focus and even cybercentric society" on attention. It's not a pretty picture: a never-ending stream of phone calls, e-mails, instant messages, text messages and tweets is part of an institutionalized culture of interruption, and makes it hard to concentrate and think creatively.
Of course, every modern age is troubled by its new technologies. "The telegraph might have done just as much to the psyche [of] Victorians as the Blackberry does to us," said Jackson. "But at the same time, that doesn't mean that nothing has changed. The question is, how do we confront our own challenges?"
Paying attention isn't a simple act of self-discipline, but a cognitive ability with deep neurobiological roots — and these roots, says Maggie Jackson, are in danger of dying.
In Distracted: The Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age, Jackson explores the effects of "our high-speed, overloaded, split-focus and even cybercentric society" on attention. It's not a pretty picture: a never-ending stream of phone calls, e-mails, instant messages, text messages and tweets is part of an institutionalized culture of interruption, and makes it hard to concentrate and think creatively.
Of course, every modern age is troubled by its new technologies. "The telegraph might have done just as much to the psyche [of] Victorians as the Blackberry does to us," said Jackson. "But at the same time, that doesn't mean that nothing has changed. The question is, how do we confront our own challenges?"
Disney Group - charging access ISPs for its content
ESPN to ISPs: Pay for Your Customers to Play Video
For some sports fans, ESPN360, the online version of ESPN's television channel, is a cornucopia of more than 3,500 sporting events each year, viewable from the convenience of a computer. For others, it's a total bust. The only difference: their ISP.
The culprit is ESPN's strategy of licensing ISPs rather than users. If your ISP doesn't want to pay for you to watch ESPN360, there's nothing you can do about it, short of switching to a provider that pays for it. While other companies strive for a more direct, one-to-one relationship with consumers, ESPN is doggedly pursuing the same strategy online that made it a success in the TV world: licensing pipes, not people. And it just might work.
"We're believers," ESPN executive vice president for affiliate sales and marketing David Preschlack told Wired.com. "It's just the point of view that we have: that as opposed to just selling speed, content is going to play a role in the high-speed data marketplace."
ESPN quietly announced the plan over two years ago, but it seem increasingly incongruous in an age of bit torrent, disintermediated, direct-to-consumer distribution and legal options for watching online video. Other major media providers like Disney (ESPN's parent company) and the NFL are also charging internet providers for the right to deliver their content, and record labels are considering following suit. Disney Connection — available on Verizon but not Comcast — includes classic cartoons, games, movie previews and other content for preschoolers, kids and teens. Meanwhile the NFL Network Game Extra service offers live games on Thursday and Saturday nights with four camera angles to choose from. But unless your ISP pays, you can't see any of it.
This is a reversal of the model pushed by some major broadband companies that would like to charge content companies for the right to use their pipes. If other full-length video providers like Hulu and HBO get in on the act, the time could be approaching when you'll choose your internet service based on what selection of content it offers. Eventually, popular non-video websites might follow suit. Imagine a future water cooler conversation over broadband choice: "I went with Comcast 'cause they get Yahoo."
Ben Scott, policy director for media reform and net neutrality advocate Free Press, doesn't like this prospect one bit, and thinks it could even hurt the bottom line of companies employing this approach. If the strategy spreads, he says, the internet could become a very different place.
"Ultimately, if you carry it to its logical extreme — that's everyone charging for their content, and depending upon where you are and which ISP you're using to connect to the internet, your internet experience is different — that's a really unsettling prospect," says Scott. "I think it undermines the foundational principles that make the internet such an engine of innovation and creativity."
ESPN's work in convincing the nation's ISPs to pony up for its exclusive, live and archived content is nearly half complete. "The product is available in over 40 percent of high-speed-data homes," says ESPN's Preshlack, "so that in itself is a big positive for us." For the remaining 60 or so percent of U.S. broadband homes, though, it's a whopping negative, at least as far as sports fans are concerned. Their pain is temporary, according to ESPN. Although its ESPN360 service won't be ubiquitous until every ISP in America starts paying up, that's exactly what Preshlack expects to happen.
"I'm very optimistic in terms of where we're going to end up at the end of the proverbial game, which is full distribution for the product," he says "It just takes some time... If I were to use a baseball analogy, I'd say we're in the top or bottom of the fourth inning."
Preshlack likens the process to the company's last expansion into undercard content: ESPN2, a cable TV channel that broadcasts events beyond the more mainstream fare found on regular ESPN. Regardless of the fact that ESPN360 lives on a completely different, and traditionally open medium — the internet — ESPN is using the same game plan that worked for television: painstakingly licensing distributors in the hopes of making its service ubiquitous and reaping bigger rewards than if it had licensed each interested user, or offered its widely sought content on a free, ad-supported basis.
"For our distributors, to associate themselves with our brand in this space is very much like distributors who've associated themselves with our brand in the [cable television] space," Preshlack says.
Verizon, for one, is more than happy to pay. "It's a tremendous value-add — one more thing to help attract customers to our broadband service," says spokesman Cliff Lee, who adds that Verizon has also bought into Disney's and the NFL's paid offerings.
Preshlack describes negotiations with the remaining high-speed ISPs in America as "productive and ongoing." Neither ESPN nor any of the participating ISPs we spoke to would disclose what ISPs pay for ESPN360.
Complicating this model is the growing plethora of devices available for watching internet video. Busy sports fans might want to start a game at home on their television, continue watching via cellphone on the train, catch another hour during their lunch break on a work computer, then finish the game back at home on TV. Preshlack insists that consumers will be able to enjoy that multiscreen experience, because ESPN will eventually license its content to every cable company, ISP and cellphone network provider in the country.
But Free Press' Ben Scott thinks the this new internet model will ultimately be bad for providers. "My gut reaction is that it's a terrible business model," says Scott. "The beauty of the internet is that you put a piece of content on your server, and it's available to anyone with a computer anywhere in the world that's connected to the internet. If you begin walling off your content and selling network operators [the right to distribute content], that defeats the whole idea of maximizing the exposure of your content."
For some sports fans, ESPN360, the online version of ESPN's television channel, is a cornucopia of more than 3,500 sporting events each year, viewable from the convenience of a computer. For others, it's a total bust. The only difference: their ISP.
The culprit is ESPN's strategy of licensing ISPs rather than users. If your ISP doesn't want to pay for you to watch ESPN360, there's nothing you can do about it, short of switching to a provider that pays for it. While other companies strive for a more direct, one-to-one relationship with consumers, ESPN is doggedly pursuing the same strategy online that made it a success in the TV world: licensing pipes, not people. And it just might work.
"We're believers," ESPN executive vice president for affiliate sales and marketing David Preschlack told Wired.com. "It's just the point of view that we have: that as opposed to just selling speed, content is going to play a role in the high-speed data marketplace."
ESPN quietly announced the plan over two years ago, but it seem increasingly incongruous in an age of bit torrent, disintermediated, direct-to-consumer distribution and legal options for watching online video. Other major media providers like Disney (ESPN's parent company) and the NFL are also charging internet providers for the right to deliver their content, and record labels are considering following suit. Disney Connection — available on Verizon but not Comcast — includes classic cartoons, games, movie previews and other content for preschoolers, kids and teens. Meanwhile the NFL Network Game Extra service offers live games on Thursday and Saturday nights with four camera angles to choose from. But unless your ISP pays, you can't see any of it.
This is a reversal of the model pushed by some major broadband companies that would like to charge content companies for the right to use their pipes. If other full-length video providers like Hulu and HBO get in on the act, the time could be approaching when you'll choose your internet service based on what selection of content it offers. Eventually, popular non-video websites might follow suit. Imagine a future water cooler conversation over broadband choice: "I went with Comcast 'cause they get Yahoo."
Ben Scott, policy director for media reform and net neutrality advocate Free Press, doesn't like this prospect one bit, and thinks it could even hurt the bottom line of companies employing this approach. If the strategy spreads, he says, the internet could become a very different place.
"Ultimately, if you carry it to its logical extreme — that's everyone charging for their content, and depending upon where you are and which ISP you're using to connect to the internet, your internet experience is different — that's a really unsettling prospect," says Scott. "I think it undermines the foundational principles that make the internet such an engine of innovation and creativity."
ESPN's work in convincing the nation's ISPs to pony up for its exclusive, live and archived content is nearly half complete. "The product is available in over 40 percent of high-speed-data homes," says ESPN's Preshlack, "so that in itself is a big positive for us." For the remaining 60 or so percent of U.S. broadband homes, though, it's a whopping negative, at least as far as sports fans are concerned. Their pain is temporary, according to ESPN. Although its ESPN360 service won't be ubiquitous until every ISP in America starts paying up, that's exactly what Preshlack expects to happen.
"I'm very optimistic in terms of where we're going to end up at the end of the proverbial game, which is full distribution for the product," he says "It just takes some time... If I were to use a baseball analogy, I'd say we're in the top or bottom of the fourth inning."
Preshlack likens the process to the company's last expansion into undercard content: ESPN2, a cable TV channel that broadcasts events beyond the more mainstream fare found on regular ESPN. Regardless of the fact that ESPN360 lives on a completely different, and traditionally open medium — the internet — ESPN is using the same game plan that worked for television: painstakingly licensing distributors in the hopes of making its service ubiquitous and reaping bigger rewards than if it had licensed each interested user, or offered its widely sought content on a free, ad-supported basis.
"For our distributors, to associate themselves with our brand in this space is very much like distributors who've associated themselves with our brand in the [cable television] space," Preshlack says.
Verizon, for one, is more than happy to pay. "It's a tremendous value-add — one more thing to help attract customers to our broadband service," says spokesman Cliff Lee, who adds that Verizon has also bought into Disney's and the NFL's paid offerings.
Preshlack describes negotiations with the remaining high-speed ISPs in America as "productive and ongoing." Neither ESPN nor any of the participating ISPs we spoke to would disclose what ISPs pay for ESPN360.
Complicating this model is the growing plethora of devices available for watching internet video. Busy sports fans might want to start a game at home on their television, continue watching via cellphone on the train, catch another hour during their lunch break on a work computer, then finish the game back at home on TV. Preshlack insists that consumers will be able to enjoy that multiscreen experience, because ESPN will eventually license its content to every cable company, ISP and cellphone network provider in the country.
But Free Press' Ben Scott thinks the this new internet model will ultimately be bad for providers. "My gut reaction is that it's a terrible business model," says Scott. "The beauty of the internet is that you put a piece of content on your server, and it's available to anyone with a computer anywhere in the world that's connected to the internet. If you begin walling off your content and selling network operators [the right to distribute content], that defeats the whole idea of maximizing the exposure of your content."
USA - the end to another anti-pornography law
Anti-Online Porn Law Dies Quietly in Supreme Court
A federal law intended to restrict children's access to Internet pornography died quietly Wednesday at the Supreme Court, more than 10 years after Congress overwhelmingly approved it.
The Child Online Protection Act would have barred Web sites from making harmful content available to minors over the Internet. The law had been embroiled in challenges to its constitutionality since it passed in 1998 and never took effect.
The Internet blocking law did not make it as far as a high court hearing. The justices rejected the government's final attempt to revive the law, turning away the appeal without comment.
The American Civil Liberties Union led the challenge to the law on behalf of writers, artists and health educators. "For over a decade the government has been trying to thwart freedom of speech on the Internet, and for years the courts have been finding the attempts unconstitutional," said Chris Hansen, the ACLU's lead attorney on the case. "It is not the role of the government to decide what people can see and do on the Internet. Those are personal decisions that should be made by individuals and their families."
A federal appeals court in Philadelphia earlier ruled that the law would violate the First Amendment, saying filtering technologies and other parental control tools are a less restrictive way to protect children from inappropriate content online.
The act was passed the year after the Supreme Court ruled that another law intended to protect children from explicit material online -- the Communications Decency Act -- was unconstitutional.
The Bush administration had fought hard to have the law take effect.
In 2006, the Justice Department subpoenaed internal files from dozens of Internet service providers and other technology firms, including AT&T Inc., Comcast Corp., Cox Communications Inc., EarthLink Inc., Symantec Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc. as part of its defense of the law.
But senior U.S. District Judge Lowell Reed Jr. ruled in 2007 that software filters work much better than the law would. Reed also said the law failed to address threats that have emerged since it was written -- including online predators on social-networking sites -- because it targets only commercial Web publishers.
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia upheld Reed's ruling.
Critics also said that pornographers and others could simply base their operations offshore, beyond the reach of U.S. authorities.
In an earlier test of the law, the Supreme Court in 2004 upheld an order blocking its enforcement on the grounds that the law probably was unconstitutional. The five justices who made that ruling remain on the Court.
Still, it was unusual for the Court to kill a major federal law that had an administration's backing, without a hearing.
The case is Mukasey v. ACLU. 08-565.
A federal law intended to restrict children's access to Internet pornography died quietly Wednesday at the Supreme Court, more than 10 years after Congress overwhelmingly approved it.
The Child Online Protection Act would have barred Web sites from making harmful content available to minors over the Internet. The law had been embroiled in challenges to its constitutionality since it passed in 1998 and never took effect.
The Internet blocking law did not make it as far as a high court hearing. The justices rejected the government's final attempt to revive the law, turning away the appeal without comment.
The American Civil Liberties Union led the challenge to the law on behalf of writers, artists and health educators. "For over a decade the government has been trying to thwart freedom of speech on the Internet, and for years the courts have been finding the attempts unconstitutional," said Chris Hansen, the ACLU's lead attorney on the case. "It is not the role of the government to decide what people can see and do on the Internet. Those are personal decisions that should be made by individuals and their families."
A federal appeals court in Philadelphia earlier ruled that the law would violate the First Amendment, saying filtering technologies and other parental control tools are a less restrictive way to protect children from inappropriate content online.
The act was passed the year after the Supreme Court ruled that another law intended to protect children from explicit material online -- the Communications Decency Act -- was unconstitutional.
The Bush administration had fought hard to have the law take effect.
In 2006, the Justice Department subpoenaed internal files from dozens of Internet service providers and other technology firms, including AT&T Inc., Comcast Corp., Cox Communications Inc., EarthLink Inc., Symantec Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc. as part of its defense of the law.
But senior U.S. District Judge Lowell Reed Jr. ruled in 2007 that software filters work much better than the law would. Reed also said the law failed to address threats that have emerged since it was written -- including online predators on social-networking sites -- because it targets only commercial Web publishers.
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia upheld Reed's ruling.
Critics also said that pornographers and others could simply base their operations offshore, beyond the reach of U.S. authorities.
In an earlier test of the law, the Supreme Court in 2004 upheld an order blocking its enforcement on the grounds that the law probably was unconstitutional. The five justices who made that ruling remain on the Court.
Still, it was unusual for the Court to kill a major federal law that had an administration's backing, without a hearing.
The case is Mukasey v. ACLU. 08-565.
USA - next generation 911
FCC Announces Summit On Deployment And Operational Guidelines ForNext Generation Ip-Enabled 911 And E911 Services
Press Release: Feb. 2, 2009 Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) today announced that it will host a Summit on Deployment and Operational Guidelines for Next Generation IP-Enabled 911 and Enhanced 911 (E911) Services, to be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room (TW-C305).
The New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008 (NET 911 Act) requires that the Commission work with public safety organizations, industry participants, and others to promote consistency in the deployment and operation of IP-enabled 911 and E911 services through development of standards concerning geographic coverage areas for Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs); PSAP certification and testing requirements; network diversity requirements for delivery of IP-enabled 911 and enhanced 911 calls; call-handling in the event of call overflow or network outages; validation procedures for processing location information; and the format for delivering address information to PSAPs.
The Summit will bring together public safety organizations, industry representatives, and others to address these matters, and will serve to build upon the Bureau's February 2008 summit entitled "911 Call Center Operations and Next Generation Technologies." Additional details and a full agenda will be made public in the near future.
The Summit will be open to the public; admittance however will be limited to the seating available. Those individuals who are interested in attending the summit may pre-register on-line at: http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/summit-registration.html . Those who pre-register will be asked to provide their name, title, organization affiliation, and contact information. Individuals may also contact Stephanie Caccomo at 202-418-1812 regarding pre-registration. The deadline for pre-registration is Monday, February 23, 2009. Audio/Video coverage of the meeting will be broadcast live with open captioning over the Internet from the FCC's web page at www.fcc.gov/realaudio . The FCC's web cast is free to the public and does not require pre-registration.
Press Release: Feb. 2, 2009 Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) today announced that it will host a Summit on Deployment and Operational Guidelines for Next Generation IP-Enabled 911 and Enhanced 911 (E911) Services, to be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room (TW-C305).
The New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008 (NET 911 Act) requires that the Commission work with public safety organizations, industry participants, and others to promote consistency in the deployment and operation of IP-enabled 911 and E911 services through development of standards concerning geographic coverage areas for Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs); PSAP certification and testing requirements; network diversity requirements for delivery of IP-enabled 911 and enhanced 911 calls; call-handling in the event of call overflow or network outages; validation procedures for processing location information; and the format for delivering address information to PSAPs.
The Summit will bring together public safety organizations, industry representatives, and others to address these matters, and will serve to build upon the Bureau's February 2008 summit entitled "911 Call Center Operations and Next Generation Technologies." Additional details and a full agenda will be made public in the near future.
The Summit will be open to the public; admittance however will be limited to the seating available. Those individuals who are interested in attending the summit may pre-register on-line at: http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/summit-registration.html . Those who pre-register will be asked to provide their name, title, organization affiliation, and contact information. Individuals may also contact Stephanie Caccomo at 202-418-1812 regarding pre-registration. The deadline for pre-registration is Monday, February 23, 2009. Audio/Video coverage of the meeting will be broadcast live with open captioning over the Internet from the FCC's web page at www.fcc.gov/realaudio . The FCC's web cast is free to the public and does not require pre-registration.
Friday, February 06, 2009
China - 3G
China 3G deployment to benefit TSMC and UMC
China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom have begun their deployment of 3G networks and expect to begin operations before June. The China government forecasts to see 50 million 3G subscribers before the end of this year, generating 170 billion RMB (US$24.87 billion) in 3G FPGA chip sales, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report.
The three telecommunication service providers have placed orders at 3G base station companies recently, with Huawei and ZTE taking up more than half of the orders. Demand for FPGA chips for 3G base stations is picking up, according to Xilinx and Altera. Both companies will, as a result, increase orders to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), said the report.
The China government expects the 3G subscriber-base to top 150-200 million in three years, the report added.
China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom have begun their deployment of 3G networks and expect to begin operations before June. The China government forecasts to see 50 million 3G subscribers before the end of this year, generating 170 billion RMB (US$24.87 billion) in 3G FPGA chip sales, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report.
The three telecommunication service providers have placed orders at 3G base station companies recently, with Huawei and ZTE taking up more than half of the orders. Demand for FPGA chips for 3G base stations is picking up, according to Xilinx and Altera. Both companies will, as a result, increase orders to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), said the report.
The China government expects the 3G subscriber-base to top 150-200 million in three years, the report added.
Semiconductor equipment recession
No upturn for semiconductor equipment until at least June
The semiconductor equipment market will continue to be on a downward slope at least through the end of May, according to a recent report published by The Information Network.
"Our leading indicators, which determine inflection points in economic activity and which we utilize to show turning points in semiconductor equipment sales five months out, continue to point down, indicating that there will be no upturn through May 2009," said Robert N Castellano, president of The Information Network.
The steepness of the downward inflection in our indicators is greater than the downturn in 2001, suggesting that equipment revenues will exhibit a greater decrease that the 30% drop in 2001. That decline was followed by a 23% drop in 2002 and another 5% in 2003.
Global semiconductor revenues will drop 41% in 2009, but a 20% recovery (of sorts) is expected to follow in 2010, the market research firm forecast.
"We have been using these indicators since 2000 and they have proven to highly quantitative metrics in every forecast we have given, and in nearly every given year we have not had to change our forecast midstream," added Castellano.
The semiconductor equipment market will continue to be on a downward slope at least through the end of May, according to a recent report published by The Information Network.
"Our leading indicators, which determine inflection points in economic activity and which we utilize to show turning points in semiconductor equipment sales five months out, continue to point down, indicating that there will be no upturn through May 2009," said Robert N Castellano, president of The Information Network.
The steepness of the downward inflection in our indicators is greater than the downturn in 2001, suggesting that equipment revenues will exhibit a greater decrease that the 30% drop in 2001. That decline was followed by a 23% drop in 2002 and another 5% in 2003.
Global semiconductor revenues will drop 41% in 2009, but a 20% recovery (of sorts) is expected to follow in 2010, the market research firm forecast.
"We have been using these indicators since 2000 and they have proven to highly quantitative metrics in every forecast we have given, and in nearly every given year we have not had to change our forecast midstream," added Castellano.
South Korea - mobile location services
Increase in Registrations for Cell-phone Location Tracking
The communications industry is enjoying an increasing number of new subscriptions for its location tracking service. The service allows subscribers to track their children or lover's whereabouts, and make emergency calls. The number of average monthly subscriptions for SK Telecom's service was once around 500-600. The figure skyrocketed to 1,000 within two days this month.
Subscribers can specify up to two people to track. When users connect to the internet through their cellular phones, they can pinpoint the location of nominated cell phones. In emergencies, calls are automatically made to the two specified individuals if a particular button is pressed for a long time.
KTF, another major carrier, saw new monthly subscriptions increase to 3,600 within just two days, from the average of 600 to 700.
LT Telecom said it had 3,000 new subscribers for its location tracking service in two weeks from Jan. 25, when the serial killer Kang Ho-sun was arrested. Its average monthly subscriptions previously stood at a mere 100 before the sudden surge.
The communications industry is enjoying an increasing number of new subscriptions for its location tracking service. The service allows subscribers to track their children or lover's whereabouts, and make emergency calls. The number of average monthly subscriptions for SK Telecom's service was once around 500-600. The figure skyrocketed to 1,000 within two days this month.
Subscribers can specify up to two people to track. When users connect to the internet through their cellular phones, they can pinpoint the location of nominated cell phones. In emergencies, calls are automatically made to the two specified individuals if a particular button is pressed for a long time.
KTF, another major carrier, saw new monthly subscriptions increase to 3,600 within just two days, from the average of 600 to 700.
LT Telecom said it had 3,000 new subscribers for its location tracking service in two weeks from Jan. 25, when the serial killer Kang Ho-sun was arrested. Its average monthly subscriptions previously stood at a mere 100 before the sudden surge.
South Korea - mobile location services
Increase in Registrations for Cell-phone Location Tracking
The communications industry is enjoying an increasing number of new subscriptions for its location tracking service. The service allows subscribers to track their children or lover's whereabouts, and make emergency calls. The number of average monthly subscriptions for SK Telecom's service was once around 500-600. The figure skyrocketed to 1,000 within two days this month.
Subscribers can specify up to two people to track. When users connect to the internet through their cellular phones, they can pinpoint the location of nominated cell phones. In emergencies, calls are automatically made to the two specified individuals if a particular button is pressed for a long time.
KTF, another major carrier, saw new monthly subscriptions increase to 3,600 within just two days, from the average of 600 to 700.
LT Telecom said it had 3,000 new subscribers for its location tracking service in two weeks from Jan. 25, when the serial killer Kang Ho-sun was arrested. Its average monthly subscriptions previously stood at a mere 100 before the sudden surge.
The communications industry is enjoying an increasing number of new subscriptions for its location tracking service. The service allows subscribers to track their children or lover's whereabouts, and make emergency calls. The number of average monthly subscriptions for SK Telecom's service was once around 500-600. The figure skyrocketed to 1,000 within two days this month.
Subscribers can specify up to two people to track. When users connect to the internet through their cellular phones, they can pinpoint the location of nominated cell phones. In emergencies, calls are automatically made to the two specified individuals if a particular button is pressed for a long time.
KTF, another major carrier, saw new monthly subscriptions increase to 3,600 within just two days, from the average of 600 to 700.
LT Telecom said it had 3,000 new subscribers for its location tracking service in two weeks from Jan. 25, when the serial killer Kang Ho-sun was arrested. Its average monthly subscriptions previously stood at a mere 100 before the sudden surge.
Africa - rapid growth of telecom
Africa’s telecom industry is fastest growing
Africa has the fastest growing telecommunication industry. A new survey by Ernst & Young released Thursday shows that between 2002 and 2007, the industry grew by 49.3 percent as opposed to Asia which recorded a 27.4 percent growth.
The report pools Kenya in the category of countries with highest net addition of subscribers per month. The net addition in this group is estimated at between 20 and 49 percent.
The world bank in a report titled Africa’s Infrastructure: A Time for Transformation, estimates Kenya’s mobile penetration at 95 percent and a coverage gap of only 5 percent.
The Ernst & Young report’s estimate growth of the industry almost doubles that of Brazil which stood at 28 percent in the same period and is almost seven times the growth France which grew at 7.5 percent over the same time.
But the report titled Africa Connected: A Telecommunication Growth Story also shows that the operators in the industry faced major challenges that need to be overcome for the industry to grow to its full potential. Political uncertainty was singled out as one of the key challenges faced by telecoms operators.
Says the report, “although the political situation has been relatively stable for the last few years, operators are still mindful of the potential for serious conflict.”
The report also outlines the regulatory regime as the other major bottleneck in the industry with 88 percent of the operators interviewed in the survey saying the continents regulatory bodies were not robust enough.
Speaking during the launch of the report in Nairobi, Safaricom’s chief executive officer Michael Joseph lamented that most regulators were not exposed to business.
“With most regulators having evolved from the post and telecommunication corporations, the regulators were still bureaucrats who want to regulate regulations instead of facilitating the business” said Joseph.
Joseph also pointed out that most regulators were not independent as they are political appointees. A good example of the negative impact of political regulators Joseph said was South Africa.
“In South Africa you have a regulator who keeps on interfering with the market all the time. As a result you have a huge market where there are only three operators,” he said adding that the situation had made the country to have the highest call charges in the continent.
Speaking in the same meeting Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) Manager policy and economic regulation James Njeru concurred with Joseph saying that regulation was a difficult business for African regulators given their background, where they were moving from post and telecommunication monopolies with a major focus on liberalizing the market.
“However, we are slowly moving into facilitation of business as witnessed by the recent enactment of the amendment to the Kenya Communication Act and the development of the framework for unified licensing,” said Njeru.
The report also identifies a heavy tax burden on consumers and operators as the other major challenge for the industry, with the average taxation on the operators’ profits standing at 30 percent.
“Kenyans, for example, pay a tax of 26 percent on mobile communication and Safaricom has been acknowledged as the the highest corporate tax payer in the country, says the report.
While the report acknowledges that the the industry is highly profitable, it also points out that the return on investment could be delayed due to poor infrastructure.
Joseph gave the example of infrastructural challenges facing Safaricom which had 2000 standby generators because to frequent outages in the country.
“Safaricom spends over KShs 171million on diesel due to lack of power in the country. This makes cost of investment in Kenya to be five times more than South Africa,” say Joseph.
As a result of the rapid growth, the report notes, the industry was attracting foreign interest while in some cases operators were merging in a consolidation drive that is likely to last for some time into the future. An example of consolidation is the merger between Telkom and France Telecom in Telkom Kenya
Africa has the fastest growing telecommunication industry. A new survey by Ernst & Young released Thursday shows that between 2002 and 2007, the industry grew by 49.3 percent as opposed to Asia which recorded a 27.4 percent growth.
The report pools Kenya in the category of countries with highest net addition of subscribers per month. The net addition in this group is estimated at between 20 and 49 percent.
The world bank in a report titled Africa’s Infrastructure: A Time for Transformation, estimates Kenya’s mobile penetration at 95 percent and a coverage gap of only 5 percent.
The Ernst & Young report’s estimate growth of the industry almost doubles that of Brazil which stood at 28 percent in the same period and is almost seven times the growth France which grew at 7.5 percent over the same time.
But the report titled Africa Connected: A Telecommunication Growth Story also shows that the operators in the industry faced major challenges that need to be overcome for the industry to grow to its full potential. Political uncertainty was singled out as one of the key challenges faced by telecoms operators.
Says the report, “although the political situation has been relatively stable for the last few years, operators are still mindful of the potential for serious conflict.”
The report also outlines the regulatory regime as the other major bottleneck in the industry with 88 percent of the operators interviewed in the survey saying the continents regulatory bodies were not robust enough.
Speaking during the launch of the report in Nairobi, Safaricom’s chief executive officer Michael Joseph lamented that most regulators were not exposed to business.
“With most regulators having evolved from the post and telecommunication corporations, the regulators were still bureaucrats who want to regulate regulations instead of facilitating the business” said Joseph.
Joseph also pointed out that most regulators were not independent as they are political appointees. A good example of the negative impact of political regulators Joseph said was South Africa.
“In South Africa you have a regulator who keeps on interfering with the market all the time. As a result you have a huge market where there are only three operators,” he said adding that the situation had made the country to have the highest call charges in the continent.
Speaking in the same meeting Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) Manager policy and economic regulation James Njeru concurred with Joseph saying that regulation was a difficult business for African regulators given their background, where they were moving from post and telecommunication monopolies with a major focus on liberalizing the market.
“However, we are slowly moving into facilitation of business as witnessed by the recent enactment of the amendment to the Kenya Communication Act and the development of the framework for unified licensing,” said Njeru.
The report also identifies a heavy tax burden on consumers and operators as the other major challenge for the industry, with the average taxation on the operators’ profits standing at 30 percent.
“Kenyans, for example, pay a tax of 26 percent on mobile communication and Safaricom has been acknowledged as the the highest corporate tax payer in the country, says the report.
While the report acknowledges that the the industry is highly profitable, it also points out that the return on investment could be delayed due to poor infrastructure.
Joseph gave the example of infrastructural challenges facing Safaricom which had 2000 standby generators because to frequent outages in the country.
“Safaricom spends over KShs 171million on diesel due to lack of power in the country. This makes cost of investment in Kenya to be five times more than South Africa,” say Joseph.
As a result of the rapid growth, the report notes, the industry was attracting foreign interest while in some cases operators were merging in a consolidation drive that is likely to last for some time into the future. An example of consolidation is the merger between Telkom and France Telecom in Telkom Kenya
UK - complexity of SMS prices
Mobile users 'need clearer prices' for instant messaging
Many mobile phone users in the UK are deterred from using the instant messaging (IM) service on their handsets because they are confused about pricing, an expert has claimed.
Research by ProcessOne this week revealed that 60 per cent of British consumers would favour mobile IM over texting as a more immediate form of communication.
However, more than half of those surveyed also said they felt reluctant to use the service because of the apparent high cost involved.
Mickael Remond, chief executive officer of ProcessOne, suggested that mobile operators must therefore come up with a new, clearer way of pricing and controlling the service, rather than relying on server networks such as MSN.
He said that users are currently "afraid" of using a service where they are unsure of the total cost that will come through on their bill at the end of the month.
"The first thing is to build a business case for instant messaging and the second thing is once you have built a business case, you can try and find a pricing model that would be used," he commented.
Once this had been carried out, it would become clear for consumers that IM comes inclusive as part of the service that they get from their operator.
ProcessOne's research also revealed that many users would prefer to pay for mobile IM services on a pay-per-message service rather than paying via a monthly subscription.
It follows a study by TNS Global Telecoms Insight last year which suggested that the facility could become popular with users if it is priced correctly.
Once people adopt the service, the firm found that it soon overtakes other messaging tools to become the primary non-voice method of interaction.
Many mobile phone users in the UK are deterred from using the instant messaging (IM) service on their handsets because they are confused about pricing, an expert has claimed.
Research by ProcessOne this week revealed that 60 per cent of British consumers would favour mobile IM over texting as a more immediate form of communication.
However, more than half of those surveyed also said they felt reluctant to use the service because of the apparent high cost involved.
Mickael Remond, chief executive officer of ProcessOne, suggested that mobile operators must therefore come up with a new, clearer way of pricing and controlling the service, rather than relying on server networks such as MSN.
He said that users are currently "afraid" of using a service where they are unsure of the total cost that will come through on their bill at the end of the month.
"The first thing is to build a business case for instant messaging and the second thing is once you have built a business case, you can try and find a pricing model that would be used," he commented.
Once this had been carried out, it would become clear for consumers that IM comes inclusive as part of the service that they get from their operator.
ProcessOne's research also revealed that many users would prefer to pay for mobile IM services on a pay-per-message service rather than paying via a monthly subscription.
It follows a study by TNS Global Telecoms Insight last year which suggested that the facility could become popular with users if it is priced correctly.
Once people adopt the service, the firm found that it soon overtakes other messaging tools to become the primary non-voice method of interaction.
Nepal - outages from power cuts
Power outage is crippling telecom services: admits Mahara
Minister for Information and Communication Krishna Bahadur Mahara on Thursday said that the ongoing load-shedding had been affecting telecom services across the country.
He made this remark while inaugurating a mid-zone level IT (Information and Technology) fair organized by the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) in Hetauda.
Minister Mahara also expressed readiness to collaborate with CAN to buttress the IT sector of the country.
Speaking at the same occasion, Kush Kumar Joshi, president, FNCCI (Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry) opined that IT has emerged as an indispensable tool for the broad-based progress of the country.
He also urged the government to create an investment-friendly atmosphere to propel the country towards the path of economic prosperity.
The fair, which features 82 stalls, will last till February 9.
Minister for Information and Communication Krishna Bahadur Mahara on Thursday said that the ongoing load-shedding had been affecting telecom services across the country.
He made this remark while inaugurating a mid-zone level IT (Information and Technology) fair organized by the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) in Hetauda.
Minister Mahara also expressed readiness to collaborate with CAN to buttress the IT sector of the country.
Speaking at the same occasion, Kush Kumar Joshi, president, FNCCI (Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry) opined that IT has emerged as an indispensable tool for the broad-based progress of the country.
He also urged the government to create an investment-friendly atmosphere to propel the country towards the path of economic prosperity.
The fair, which features 82 stalls, will last till February 9.
Hong Kong - corruption
Telecom executives convicted of fraud in HK
see also Independent Commission Against Corruption
The District Court in Hong Kong convicted Wednesday two former top executives of China Motion Telecom International for swindling more than 12 million HK dollars (1.54 million U.S. dollars) in consultancy fees.
Former chairman of the company Hau Tung-ying, 54, and former executive director Li Bin, 40, were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud. The case has been adjourned to Feb. 10 for mitigation.
Between September 2000 and April 2005, the defendants conspired with others to defraud the company and its two wholly owned subsidiaries - China Motion NetCom (Asia) and China Motion Holdings.
Without the knowledge of the board of directors, the defendants dishonestly caused NetCom to enter into three consultancy agreements with two contractors, Bioroad Developments and Headwise International.
According to the agreements, the contractors would provide professional services for the operation of NetCom in the Asia-Pacific and North America at a monthly consultancy fee ranging from 100,000 HK dollars to 432,000 HK dollars.
In fact, the contractors, under the control of the defendants, had never provided NetCom with any consultancy services. However, payments totaling 12 million HK dollars were released under the consultancy agreements, the court was told.
The two were charged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong.
see also Independent Commission Against Corruption
The District Court in Hong Kong convicted Wednesday two former top executives of China Motion Telecom International for swindling more than 12 million HK dollars (1.54 million U.S. dollars) in consultancy fees.
Former chairman of the company Hau Tung-ying, 54, and former executive director Li Bin, 40, were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud. The case has been adjourned to Feb. 10 for mitigation.
Between September 2000 and April 2005, the defendants conspired with others to defraud the company and its two wholly owned subsidiaries - China Motion NetCom (Asia) and China Motion Holdings.
Without the knowledge of the board of directors, the defendants dishonestly caused NetCom to enter into three consultancy agreements with two contractors, Bioroad Developments and Headwise International.
According to the agreements, the contractors would provide professional services for the operation of NetCom in the Asia-Pacific and North America at a monthly consultancy fee ranging from 100,000 HK dollars to 432,000 HK dollars.
In fact, the contractors, under the control of the defendants, had never provided NetCom with any consultancy services. However, payments totaling 12 million HK dollars were released under the consultancy agreements, the court was told.
The two were charged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong.
Europe - consultation on mobile termination rates
Contributions to the public consultation on termination rates
see also draft recommendation
The European Commission conducted a public consultation on the draft Recommendation and accompanying Explanatory Note on the regulatory treatment of fixed and mobile termination rates in the EU between 26 June and 10 September 2008. In the course of the consultation, the Commission received comments from the respondents listed below (name of those respondents which have requested confidentiality are omitted). To display a non-confidential submission, please click on the name provided below. Confidential submissions are not accessible from the below list.
see also draft recommendation
The European Commission conducted a public consultation on the draft Recommendation and accompanying Explanatory Note on the regulatory treatment of fixed and mobile termination rates in the EU between 26 June and 10 September 2008. In the course of the consultation, the Commission received comments from the respondents listed below (name of those respondents which have requested confidentiality are omitted). To display a non-confidential submission, please click on the name provided below. Confidential submissions are not accessible from the below list.
France - more mobile competition soon
France to boost competition in mobile telecoms
France will charge 206 million euros ($269 million) for a fourth mobile telecoms operator to offer new-generation services, and will require all licence holders to ensure competitors have access to their networks.
The licence would be awarded in 2010 to enable the fourth operator to start services in 2012, Luc Chatel, the secretary of state for consumer affairs and industry, told parliament on Thursday.
Studies showed a new operator could lead to a 7 percent reduction in mobile telecoms costs for consumers, he said.
Iliad, the parent of French Internet service provider Free, which recently bought provider Alice from Telecom Italia (TLIT.MI), is a declared candidate for the new frequencies.
France Telecom, Bouygues and SFR, owned by Vivendi and Vodafone, already have so-called 3G licences for which they paid 619 million euros each in 2001 and 2006.
The fourth operator would have a third of such a licence, with the other two thirds to be sold in two separate lots.
To deal with an explosion in mobile phone numbers, which had the prefix "06" in France, the telecoms regulator will start attributing mobile numbers starting with "07" from mid-2010.
Gruppo Santander analysts said last month a new licence would have a negative impact of 1.20 euros a share for France Telecom and 1.30 euros for Vivendi.
France will charge 206 million euros ($269 million) for a fourth mobile telecoms operator to offer new-generation services, and will require all licence holders to ensure competitors have access to their networks.
The licence would be awarded in 2010 to enable the fourth operator to start services in 2012, Luc Chatel, the secretary of state for consumer affairs and industry, told parliament on Thursday.
Studies showed a new operator could lead to a 7 percent reduction in mobile telecoms costs for consumers, he said.
Iliad, the parent of French Internet service provider Free, which recently bought provider Alice from Telecom Italia (TLIT.MI), is a declared candidate for the new frequencies.
France Telecom, Bouygues and SFR, owned by Vivendi and Vodafone, already have so-called 3G licences for which they paid 619 million euros each in 2001 and 2006.
The fourth operator would have a third of such a licence, with the other two thirds to be sold in two separate lots.
To deal with an explosion in mobile phone numbers, which had the prefix "06" in France, the telecoms regulator will start attributing mobile numbers starting with "07" from mid-2010.
Gruppo Santander analysts said last month a new licence would have a negative impact of 1.20 euros a share for France Telecom and 1.30 euros for Vivendi.
Monday, February 02, 2009
France - fibre optic
Matignon publie trois décrets pour faciliter le déploiement de la fibre optique
Législation - Instauration d’un droit au très haut débit, encadrement des relations syndic-FAI et précâblage des immeubles neufs : l’entrée en vigueur de ces mesures vise à atteindre un objectif de 4 millions d’abonnés internet via la fibre optique en 2012.
Comme annoncé par le Premier ministre François Fillon la semaine dernière, trois décrets d'application de la loi de modernisation de l'économie (LME) ont été publiés au Journal officiel vendredi 16 janvier pour faciliter le déploiement de la fibre optique en France.
« Le déploiement des réseaux de communications électroniques à très haut débit en fibre optique sur tout le territoire constitue un enjeu économique majeur pour notre pays, indique le ministère de l'Economie, de l'Industrie et de l'Emploi dans un communiqué. Le gouvernement s'est ainsi fixé un objectif ambitieux d'au moins 4 millions d'abonnés au très haut débit d'ici à 2012. »
Pour atteindre cet objectif, le gouvernement a inscrit plusieurs mesures dans la LME, votée en juillet 2008, visant à notamment réduire les coûts de déploiement et à faciliter le câblage des immeubles en fibre optique.
Instauration d'un droit au très haut débit
Le premier décret instaure ainsi un « droit au très haut débit », selon lequel le propriétaire d'un immeuble ne pourra pas s'opposer à ce qu'un occupant soit raccordé à un réseau très haut débit, sauf motif sérieux et légitime, tout comme il a aujourd'hui le droit d'avoir accès à une antenne de télévision.
Le deuxième encadre par voie conventionnelle les relations entre propriétaires et opérateurs, afin de protéger les premiers « des démarches abusives » et de garantir que « le coût des travaux est bien à la charge des opérateurs ».
Enfin, le dernier décret instaure le précâblage des immeubles neufs de plus de 25 logements en fibre optique à partir de 2010. Bercy rappelle aussi que, « par anticipation de cette disposition, tous les nouveaux logements dont la construction a été décidée dans le cadre du plan de relance seront équipés de réseaux de communication à très haut débit en fibre optique ».
Mise en place d'un cadre règlementaire avant l'été
Plus de deux ans après les annonces des opérateurs - Free, Neuf Cegetel, Orange et Numericable - de raccorder leurs abonnés en fibre optique, le déploiement de leurs réseaux semble en panne. Les FAI ne parviennent pas à se mettre d'accord sur les conditions de mutualisation des infrastructures dans les immeubles.
Pour débloquer la situation, l'ancien secrétaire d'Etat au Développement de l'économie numérique, Eric Besson - remplacé par Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet -, a lancé mi-décembre un comité de pilotage de la fibre optique, dont les travaux sont placés sous l'égide de l'Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques et des postes (Arcep). Celle-ci réunira mardi 20 janvier les patrons des opérateurs pour discuter des orientations et du cadre réglementaire applicable.
Le Premier ministre a appelé l'Arcep à mettre en place, avant l'été 2009, un cadre réglementaire stabilisé favorable au déploiement massif de la fibre optique en France.
Législation - Instauration d’un droit au très haut débit, encadrement des relations syndic-FAI et précâblage des immeubles neufs : l’entrée en vigueur de ces mesures vise à atteindre un objectif de 4 millions d’abonnés internet via la fibre optique en 2012.
Comme annoncé par le Premier ministre François Fillon la semaine dernière, trois décrets d'application de la loi de modernisation de l'économie (LME) ont été publiés au Journal officiel vendredi 16 janvier pour faciliter le déploiement de la fibre optique en France.
« Le déploiement des réseaux de communications électroniques à très haut débit en fibre optique sur tout le territoire constitue un enjeu économique majeur pour notre pays, indique le ministère de l'Economie, de l'Industrie et de l'Emploi dans un communiqué. Le gouvernement s'est ainsi fixé un objectif ambitieux d'au moins 4 millions d'abonnés au très haut débit d'ici à 2012. »
Pour atteindre cet objectif, le gouvernement a inscrit plusieurs mesures dans la LME, votée en juillet 2008, visant à notamment réduire les coûts de déploiement et à faciliter le câblage des immeubles en fibre optique.
Instauration d'un droit au très haut débit
Le premier décret instaure ainsi un « droit au très haut débit », selon lequel le propriétaire d'un immeuble ne pourra pas s'opposer à ce qu'un occupant soit raccordé à un réseau très haut débit, sauf motif sérieux et légitime, tout comme il a aujourd'hui le droit d'avoir accès à une antenne de télévision.
Le deuxième encadre par voie conventionnelle les relations entre propriétaires et opérateurs, afin de protéger les premiers « des démarches abusives » et de garantir que « le coût des travaux est bien à la charge des opérateurs ».
Enfin, le dernier décret instaure le précâblage des immeubles neufs de plus de 25 logements en fibre optique à partir de 2010. Bercy rappelle aussi que, « par anticipation de cette disposition, tous les nouveaux logements dont la construction a été décidée dans le cadre du plan de relance seront équipés de réseaux de communication à très haut débit en fibre optique ».
Mise en place d'un cadre règlementaire avant l'été
Plus de deux ans après les annonces des opérateurs - Free, Neuf Cegetel, Orange et Numericable - de raccorder leurs abonnés en fibre optique, le déploiement de leurs réseaux semble en panne. Les FAI ne parviennent pas à se mettre d'accord sur les conditions de mutualisation des infrastructures dans les immeubles.
Pour débloquer la situation, l'ancien secrétaire d'Etat au Développement de l'économie numérique, Eric Besson - remplacé par Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet -, a lancé mi-décembre un comité de pilotage de la fibre optique, dont les travaux sont placés sous l'égide de l'Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques et des postes (Arcep). Celle-ci réunira mardi 20 janvier les patrons des opérateurs pour discuter des orientations et du cadre réglementaire applicable.
Le Premier ministre a appelé l'Arcep à mettre en place, avant l'été 2009, un cadre réglementaire stabilisé favorable au déploiement massif de la fibre optique en France.
China - target of 150 million 3G users in 3 years
Telecos Target 150M 3G Users in 3 Years, Unicom Sets Up 3G Subsidiaries
China's three telecom operators, China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom, are targeting a total of 150 million users across their 3G networks in three years, reports qq.com quoting a Ministry of Industry and Information Technology source. Mobile, Unicom and Telecom had recorded 457.25 million, 133.37 million and 27.91 million mobile users, respectively, by the end of December.
China Unicom has established three new subsidiaries to provide value-added services for its 3G network, reports China Stock Journal quoting a company director. The company posted job listings for its newly-established mobile music and online video subsidiaries and its reconstructed value-added service platform "NewSpace" on January 21. Unicom plans to launch the WCDMA network, business and mobile numbers on May 17.
China's three telecom operators, China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom, are targeting a total of 150 million users across their 3G networks in three years, reports qq.com quoting a Ministry of Industry and Information Technology source. Mobile, Unicom and Telecom had recorded 457.25 million, 133.37 million and 27.91 million mobile users, respectively, by the end of December.
China Unicom has established three new subsidiaries to provide value-added services for its 3G network, reports China Stock Journal quoting a company director. The company posted job listings for its newly-established mobile music and online video subsidiaries and its reconstructed value-added service platform "NewSpace" on January 21. Unicom plans to launch the WCDMA network, business and mobile numbers on May 17.
China - promoting TD-SCDMA (3G)
MIIT Issues 15 Policies to Promote Domestic TD-SCDMA Standard
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued 15 policies to promote the development of TD-SCDMA business on Thursday. The measures include promoting network construction; supporting the application of the standard; issuing favorable policies for the TD-SCDMA industry and providing financial support for TD-SCDMA development and subsidies for the research and development of TD-SCDMA products.
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued 15 policies to promote the development of TD-SCDMA business on Thursday. The measures include promoting network construction; supporting the application of the standard; issuing favorable policies for the TD-SCDMA industry and providing financial support for TD-SCDMA development and subsidies for the research and development of TD-SCDMA products.
China - 298 million Internet users
CNNIC: China Internet Users Up 42% to 298M
China recorded 298 million Internet users, up from 290 million users by late November and 210 million users in the year-ago period, to reach a penetration rate of 22.6% in 2008, according to China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) statistics released Tuesday. Broadband and mobile Internet users came in at 270 million and 117.6 million, respectively, compared to 163 million and 50.4 million by December 2007. Rural netizens were up 60.8% year-on-year to 84.6 million. China had 162 million bloggers by the end of 2008.
Online shoppers were also up about 60% year-on-year to 74 million, with sellers at 11 million during the period. The travel industry saw 17 million online booking transactions in 2008. China's own .cn domain name recorded 50.8% year-on-year growth to reach 13.57 million registered addresses by year end.
China recorded 298 million Internet users, up from 290 million users by late November and 210 million users in the year-ago period, to reach a penetration rate of 22.6% in 2008, according to China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) statistics released Tuesday. Broadband and mobile Internet users came in at 270 million and 117.6 million, respectively, compared to 163 million and 50.4 million by December 2007. Rural netizens were up 60.8% year-on-year to 84.6 million. China had 162 million bloggers by the end of 2008.
Online shoppers were also up about 60% year-on-year to 74 million, with sellers at 11 million during the period. The travel industry saw 17 million online booking transactions in 2008. China's own .cn domain name recorded 50.8% year-on-year growth to reach 13.57 million registered addresses by year end.
Portugal - universal service
Telecoms: Portugal referred to the European Court of Justice over selection of companies providing universal service
The European Commission has referred Portugal to the European Court of Justice for failure to designate the companies responsible for providing basic telecoms services through an open selection procedure from which no company is excluded beforehand – as required under the EU telecoms rules. Services such as the provision of a connection to a telephone network and public payphones are considered by EU law to be a safety net for achieving social inclusion. Under EU telecoms rules, all interested companies should have a chance to be designated for the provision of those basic telecoms services in order to ensure fair competition. The Commission launched an infringement procedure against Portugal in 2005. In 2007, Portugal responded with a timetable for the launch of a tender to designate its universal service providers, but this has not been respected. The Commission today moved the procedure to the Court of Justice.
The European Commission has referred Portugal to the European Court of Justice for failure to designate the companies responsible for providing basic telecoms services through an open selection procedure from which no company is excluded beforehand – as required under the EU telecoms rules. Services such as the provision of a connection to a telephone network and public payphones are considered by EU law to be a safety net for achieving social inclusion. Under EU telecoms rules, all interested companies should have a chance to be designated for the provision of those basic telecoms services in order to ensure fair competition. The Commission launched an infringement procedure against Portugal in 2005. In 2007, Portugal responded with a timetable for the launch of a tender to designate its universal service providers, but this has not been respected. The Commission today moved the procedure to the Court of Justice.
EU - investment in broadband
The Commission proposes € 5 billion new investment in energy and Internet broadband infrastructure in 2009-2010, in support of the EU recovery plan
As part of the ongoing implementation of the EU recovery plan endorsed by the European Council in December 2008, the European Commission has today presented proposals to invest in key energy and Internet broadband infrastructure projects. These will deliver a much needed stimulus to the EU economy in the short term, while at the same time targeting strategic goals such as energy security. All Member States will benefit from the package of measures.
Commission President José Manuel Barroso said: "The EU's Recovery Plan is all about 'smart investment' – a short-term stimulus targeted on long-term goals. That is exactly what the Commission has adopted today: a list of specific projects to direct € 5 billion of unspent money from the EU budget to build a stronger Europe for the long term. We need to learn the lessons of the recent gas crisis and invest heavily in energy. We also need to stimulate the European economy by providing information highways in rural communities. The Commission is committed to working together with Member States, all of whom will benefit from our proposed measures, in revitalising the EU economy through investment in these key areas."
The package presented today contains:
a short Communication outlining the background to and the objectives of the initiative;
for energy projects: a proposal for a Regulation to grant Community support to strategic energy projects. A total of € 3.5 billion is proposed for investment in carbon capture and storage (financial envelope: €1,250 million), offshore wind projects (€500 million), and gas and electricity interconnection projects (€1,750 million).
for broadband:, the Commission proposes to target € 1 bn to extend and upgrade high-speed internet in rural communities. This money will be targeted via the existing EU's Rural Development Fund to cover the "white spots" on Europe's broadband map (30% of the population in rural areas who do not have broadband access).
and tackling new challenges identified in the "health check" of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): using the existing rural development mechanisms, this would direct € 0.5 billion to launch the work of tackling the "new challenges" agreed in the health check. These new challenges are: climate change, renewable energy, water management, biodiversity and dairy restructuring.
As part of the ongoing implementation of the EU recovery plan endorsed by the European Council in December 2008, the European Commission has today presented proposals to invest in key energy and Internet broadband infrastructure projects. These will deliver a much needed stimulus to the EU economy in the short term, while at the same time targeting strategic goals such as energy security. All Member States will benefit from the package of measures.
Commission President José Manuel Barroso said: "The EU's Recovery Plan is all about 'smart investment' – a short-term stimulus targeted on long-term goals. That is exactly what the Commission has adopted today: a list of specific projects to direct € 5 billion of unspent money from the EU budget to build a stronger Europe for the long term. We need to learn the lessons of the recent gas crisis and invest heavily in energy. We also need to stimulate the European economy by providing information highways in rural communities. The Commission is committed to working together with Member States, all of whom will benefit from our proposed measures, in revitalising the EU economy through investment in these key areas."
The package presented today contains:
a short Communication outlining the background to and the objectives of the initiative;
for energy projects: a proposal for a Regulation to grant Community support to strategic energy projects. A total of € 3.5 billion is proposed for investment in carbon capture and storage (financial envelope: €1,250 million), offshore wind projects (€500 million), and gas and electricity interconnection projects (€1,750 million).
for broadband:, the Commission proposes to target € 1 bn to extend and upgrade high-speed internet in rural communities. This money will be targeted via the existing EU's Rural Development Fund to cover the "white spots" on Europe's broadband map (30% of the population in rural areas who do not have broadband access).
and tackling new challenges identified in the "health check" of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): using the existing rural development mechanisms, this would direct € 0.5 billion to launch the work of tackling the "new challenges" agreed in the health check. These new challenges are: climate change, renewable energy, water management, biodiversity and dairy restructuring.
EU - EUR 1 billion for broadband
Commission earmarks €1bn for investment in broadband
The European Commission aims to achieve 100 % high-speed internet coverage for all citizens by 2010 as part of the European Economic Recovery Plan. € 1 billion has been earmarked today to help rural areas get online, bring new jobs and help businesses grow. On average, 93 % of Europeans can enjoy a high speed online connection but in some countries broadband covers less than half of the rural population. Broadband internet connection is expected to create 1 million jobs and boost the EU's economy by €850 billion between 2006 and 2015.
The European Commission aims to achieve 100 % high-speed internet coverage for all citizens by 2010 as part of the European Economic Recovery Plan. € 1 billion has been earmarked today to help rural areas get online, bring new jobs and help businesses grow. On average, 93 % of Europeans can enjoy a high speed online connection but in some countries broadband covers less than half of the rural population. Broadband internet connection is expected to create 1 million jobs and boost the EU's economy by €850 billion between 2006 and 2015.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
2009 will be challenging for CIOs - five trends that will shape business technology
[McKinsey Quarterly] When downturns hit, there is a certain inevitability to their impact on IT. Declining profits will place tremendous pressure on IT budgets in most sectors and regions. CIOs will be called on to rationalize projects, downsize organizations, renegotiate contracts, and seek out other cost-reduction opportunities.
Much has changed, however, since the last big downturn, in 2001: technology budgets are larger, businesses have automated more processes, employees make greater use of tech-based productivity tools, and e-commerce has moved to the core of day-to-day operations. At the same time, IT organizations have established better mechanisms to govern IT decision making and have consolidated local IT operations to cut costs.
Taken together, this combination of cost pressures and IT organizations that are leaner, larger, and more vital to company goals will have new implications for business technology in 2009. Here’s what may be in store.
Five trends that will shape business technology in 2009 - The year 2009 will be challenging for CIOs. Here’s how to play your hand
Much has changed, however, since the last big downturn, in 2001: technology budgets are larger, businesses have automated more processes, employees make greater use of tech-based productivity tools, and e-commerce has moved to the core of day-to-day operations. At the same time, IT organizations have established better mechanisms to govern IT decision making and have consolidated local IT operations to cut costs.
Taken together, this combination of cost pressures and IT organizations that are leaner, larger, and more vital to company goals will have new implications for business technology in 2009. Here’s what may be in store.
Five trends that will shape business technology in 2009 - The year 2009 will be challenging for CIOs. Here’s how to play your hand
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