[fierce wireless] All three mobile operators in the Netherlands have now raised their mobile data pricing, making the tariffs among the most expensive in Europe.
The pricing changes, first taken by KPN Mobile, are being viewed as the operator community's response to the Dutch parliament passing net neutrality legislation, which has banned operators from charging extra for services like Skype and IM services.
The Dutch market, which is becoming increasingly competitive, saw KPN Mobile, which has just under 50 per cent market share--report second-quarter service revenues down 8.7 per cent year-on-year. The company responded by announcing mobile data price increases starting September 15.
T-Mobile, which shares the remaining market with Vodafone, has followed KPN Mobile by no longer offering unlimited data at no extra cost. Instead, subscribers can pay extra to go above the limit but only at a slower data speed. Vodafone also lowered its data allowances in new tariff plans that became effective last Monday.
In an attempt to soften the impact of these changes, KPN and Vodafone are looking to make their subscribers more aware of their data usage. Both operators plan to provide customers with more data download details on their monthly bills as well as up-to-date usage via the operators' websites.
Vodafone, T-Mobile react to Dutch net neutrality by raising mobile data tariffs
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Cyberwarfare - Proposal to use OSCE as the vehicle to pre-empt cyberattacks
[nextgov] Russia and the United States are co-sponsoring a resolution to pre-empt cyberattacks that an influential international body is expected to adopt this week, according to a Belgium parliamentary member who introduced the decree. The proposal calls for member nations to exchange information about the way they intend to deploy cyber technology during military conflicts.
Russian support is notable because the former Soviet republic was blamed in 2007 for knocking out Internet access in neighboring Estonia. Both nations belong to the 56-member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. OSCE parliamentarians are gathering this week in Serbia to select provisions for inclusion in the Belgrade Declaration, an annual statement that guides OSCE decisions. The organization, which represents North America, Europe and Central Asia, provides a venue for negotiations on conflict prevention and post-war rehabilitation.
"One advantage of OSCE is that we have Russia as a state," Belgian Parliamentarian Francois Xavier de Donnea told Nextgov in an interview Tuesday. "It is a place where the American and European countries can dialogue with the former Soviet Union and risks can be reduced."
Alexander Kozlovsky, deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma International Affairs Committee, signed the proposed provision, according to de Donnea.
"I think such a resolution could get unanimous support," de Donnea said.
Last month, defense ministers at NATO, which does not include Russia, approved a new policy on cyber defense to help allies protect their communications systems and deter cyberattacks.
Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III said shortly after passage, "NATO is unanimous in acknowledging the need to elevate its treatment of network security," adding that the new strategic concept the alliance adopted last November "names cybersecurity as a leading priority for NATO in the 21st century."
But De Donnea said the ideal forum for worldwide discussion of cybersecurity threats is the United Nations.
"If the OSCE succeeds in conducting dialogues between states on norms in cybersecurity. . . it would be a major step toward a more global approach, which would be promoted by the United Nations," he said. The U.N. and OSCE do not share a budget but coordinate closely on field operations.
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said she believes the OSCE can play a meaningful role in forming international measures for state behavior in cyberspace, but she was not specifically addressing the resolution at the time, aides said Tuesday.
"We welcome consideration of the establishment of a cybersecurity unit within the OSCE secretariat with existing resources and look forward to discussing this in more detail with other OSCE participating states and partners," she said during remarks at a joint meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council and OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation in Vienna.
Separately, the White House in May distributed a voluntary international strategy for cybersecurity that, like the OSCE proposal, urges cooperation in developing standards for acceptable conduct on the Internet.
U.S. and Russia among 22 nations supporting international cyber resolution
Russian support is notable because the former Soviet republic was blamed in 2007 for knocking out Internet access in neighboring Estonia. Both nations belong to the 56-member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. OSCE parliamentarians are gathering this week in Serbia to select provisions for inclusion in the Belgrade Declaration, an annual statement that guides OSCE decisions. The organization, which represents North America, Europe and Central Asia, provides a venue for negotiations on conflict prevention and post-war rehabilitation.
"One advantage of OSCE is that we have Russia as a state," Belgian Parliamentarian Francois Xavier de Donnea told Nextgov in an interview Tuesday. "It is a place where the American and European countries can dialogue with the former Soviet Union and risks can be reduced."
Alexander Kozlovsky, deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma International Affairs Committee, signed the proposed provision, according to de Donnea.
"I think such a resolution could get unanimous support," de Donnea said.
Last month, defense ministers at NATO, which does not include Russia, approved a new policy on cyber defense to help allies protect their communications systems and deter cyberattacks.
Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III said shortly after passage, "NATO is unanimous in acknowledging the need to elevate its treatment of network security," adding that the new strategic concept the alliance adopted last November "names cybersecurity as a leading priority for NATO in the 21st century."
But De Donnea said the ideal forum for worldwide discussion of cybersecurity threats is the United Nations.
"If the OSCE succeeds in conducting dialogues between states on norms in cybersecurity. . . it would be a major step toward a more global approach, which would be promoted by the United Nations," he said. The U.N. and OSCE do not share a budget but coordinate closely on field operations.
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said she believes the OSCE can play a meaningful role in forming international measures for state behavior in cyberspace, but she was not specifically addressing the resolution at the time, aides said Tuesday.
"We welcome consideration of the establishment of a cybersecurity unit within the OSCE secretariat with existing resources and look forward to discussing this in more detail with other OSCE participating states and partners," she said during remarks at a joint meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council and OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation in Vienna.
Separately, the White House in May distributed a voluntary international strategy for cybersecurity that, like the OSCE proposal, urges cooperation in developing standards for acceptable conduct on the Internet.
U.S. and Russia among 22 nations supporting international cyber resolution
USA - FCC has found that fdixed broadband speeds are close to promised levels
[computer world] Wired broadband providers in the U.S. deliver speeds that are close to, and sometimes exceed, the service they promise customers, according to a report released Tuesday by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
During peak hours, providers of DSL-based service delivered download speeds that were 82% of advertised speeds, while cable providers delivered 93% of advertised speeds, and fiber-based providers delivered 114% of advertised speeds, said the FCC report, based on test results from 6,800 U.S. residents.
Upload speeds during peak hours were 95% of the advertised speeds for DSL, 108% for cable and 112% for fiber.
The tests, of 13 broadband providers serving 86% of the U.S. population, are "the most comprehensive and rigorous assessment ever of broadband performance in the United States," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said during a press conference at a Best Buy in Washington, D.C.
The new report represents a "significant improvement" over 2009 tests released in August 2010, Genachowski said. The earlier FCC report said U.S. consumers were getting download speeds that were half of the advertised speeds.
Some critics questioned the results and methodology the FCC used in the earlier study. The new report "corrects" the earlier study and shows the FCC's commitment to use good data, said Richard Bennett, senior research fellow at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a tech-focused think tank.
"This report pretty well dispels the myth that many of my colleagues in the public-interest community have been peddling for a while that there's a huge gap between advertised and actual speeds," he said.
Genachowski and Parul Desai, communications policy counsel at Consumers Union, called on broadband providers to give customers more easy-to-understand information about broadband speeds provided. About 49% of the broadband customers who volunteered for the FCC study could not correctly report the advertised broadband speed their service offered, the report said.
"Consumers have been wandering in the wilderness for a long time, and we hope this information will help people cut through the confusion," Desai said. "Broadband is becoming so essential for Americans in their daily lives."
The FCC should also release a similar report on mobile broadband speeds, Desai said.
AT&T and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, a trade group representing cable broadband providers, applauded the report.
"These results, based on data from monitoring equipment installed in consumer homes and in ISP networks, debunk the conventional mythology that ISPs are delivering far less than the speeds they advertise," Bob Quinn, AT&T's senior vice president for federal regulatory affairs, wrote in a blog post. "Perhaps now we can get past the rhetoric about advertised vs. actual speeds and focus on the important task of ensuring all Americans have access to these broadband services."
FCC: Broadband delivers close to advertised speeds
During peak hours, providers of DSL-based service delivered download speeds that were 82% of advertised speeds, while cable providers delivered 93% of advertised speeds, and fiber-based providers delivered 114% of advertised speeds, said the FCC report, based on test results from 6,800 U.S. residents.
Upload speeds during peak hours were 95% of the advertised speeds for DSL, 108% for cable and 112% for fiber.
The tests, of 13 broadband providers serving 86% of the U.S. population, are "the most comprehensive and rigorous assessment ever of broadband performance in the United States," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said during a press conference at a Best Buy in Washington, D.C.
The new report represents a "significant improvement" over 2009 tests released in August 2010, Genachowski said. The earlier FCC report said U.S. consumers were getting download speeds that were half of the advertised speeds.
Some critics questioned the results and methodology the FCC used in the earlier study. The new report "corrects" the earlier study and shows the FCC's commitment to use good data, said Richard Bennett, senior research fellow at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a tech-focused think tank.
"This report pretty well dispels the myth that many of my colleagues in the public-interest community have been peddling for a while that there's a huge gap between advertised and actual speeds," he said.
Genachowski and Parul Desai, communications policy counsel at Consumers Union, called on broadband providers to give customers more easy-to-understand information about broadband speeds provided. About 49% of the broadband customers who volunteered for the FCC study could not correctly report the advertised broadband speed their service offered, the report said.
"Consumers have been wandering in the wilderness for a long time, and we hope this information will help people cut through the confusion," Desai said. "Broadband is becoming so essential for Americans in their daily lives."
The FCC should also release a similar report on mobile broadband speeds, Desai said.
AT&T and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, a trade group representing cable broadband providers, applauded the report.
"These results, based on data from monitoring equipment installed in consumer homes and in ISP networks, debunk the conventional mythology that ISPs are delivering far less than the speeds they advertise," Bob Quinn, AT&T's senior vice president for federal regulatory affairs, wrote in a blog post. "Perhaps now we can get past the rhetoric about advertised vs. actual speeds and focus on the important task of ensuring all Americans have access to these broadband services."
FCC: Broadband delivers close to advertised speeds
Monday, August 08, 2011
Switzerland - With France Telecom proposing to sell its network, bidders are emerging, including a cable operator
[cellular news] Only a few weeks after France Telecom said that it was going to have another attempt at selling its Switzerland subsidiary, it is reported that at least three companies are interested in bidding for the company.
Citing three people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg News reported that Apax Partners, Eqt Partners and cable operator Liberty Global are all considering a bid for Orange Switzerland.
The sale process probably will begin at the end of this month, said two of the people, who declined to be identified as talks are private.
The company tried to merge Orange Switzerland with rival network, Sunrise last year, but it was blocked by the Swiss Competition Commission.
Suitors Lining Up for Orange Switzerland Sale
Citing three people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg News reported that Apax Partners, Eqt Partners and cable operator Liberty Global are all considering a bid for Orange Switzerland.
The sale process probably will begin at the end of this month, said two of the people, who declined to be identified as talks are private.
The company tried to merge Orange Switzerland with rival network, Sunrise last year, but it was blocked by the Swiss Competition Commission.
Suitors Lining Up for Orange Switzerland Sale
LTE - Ovum reports that tariffs are not innovative discouraging use of mobile broadband
[cellular news] Operators that offer high-speed mobile broadband technology LTE are failing to deliver innovative pricing models, according to Ovum.
In a new report, the telecoms analyst firm claims that there is a lack of new and innovative LTE tariffs, which is a missed opportunity for operators given that LTE is a new service in the eyes of consumers.
Nicole McCormick, Ovum senior analyst and author of the report, commented: "We looked at the LTE pricing strategies of operators in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and theUS, and were disappointed with our findings.
"LTE provides operators with the opportunity to experiment with new and innovative pricing models, which allows them to find the best way of deriving revenues from the premium service.
"However, most operators have not grasped this opportunity. Instead, LTE tariffs in the regions Ovum analysed are dominated by unlimited offerings and large data buckets, which can be problematic."
According to the report, unlimited data plans for LTE can present significant problems for operators, especially if they are accompanied by a lenient fair usage policy.
McCormick commented: "Operators should not offer unlimited LTE tariffs without some sort of deterrent as they could have an impact on the quality of the service given LTE's data-intensive nature. However, we note that some leading operators -Verizon Wireless,SKTelecom, NTT DoCoMo and LG U+ - have steered clear of unlimited LTE offerings despite offering such packages in the 3G arena."
The report also found that charging high premiums for LTE is unsustainable in the long-term due to competitive pressures in the industry and increased migration to 4G services. McCormick added: "Operators will need to be careful not to alienate high-end customers that have paid a premium for a fast, high-quality service by reducing LTE tariffs too quickly or drastically."
Lack of Innovation in LTE Pricing Models, Report Finds
In a new report, the telecoms analyst firm claims that there is a lack of new and innovative LTE tariffs, which is a missed opportunity for operators given that LTE is a new service in the eyes of consumers.
Nicole McCormick, Ovum senior analyst and author of the report, commented: "We looked at the LTE pricing strategies of operators in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and theUS, and were disappointed with our findings.
"LTE provides operators with the opportunity to experiment with new and innovative pricing models, which allows them to find the best way of deriving revenues from the premium service.
"However, most operators have not grasped this opportunity. Instead, LTE tariffs in the regions Ovum analysed are dominated by unlimited offerings and large data buckets, which can be problematic."
According to the report, unlimited data plans for LTE can present significant problems for operators, especially if they are accompanied by a lenient fair usage policy.
McCormick commented: "Operators should not offer unlimited LTE tariffs without some sort of deterrent as they could have an impact on the quality of the service given LTE's data-intensive nature. However, we note that some leading operators -Verizon Wireless,SKTelecom, NTT DoCoMo and LG U+ - have steered clear of unlimited LTE offerings despite offering such packages in the 3G arena."
The report also found that charging high premiums for LTE is unsustainable in the long-term due to competitive pressures in the industry and increased migration to 4G services. McCormick added: "Operators will need to be careful not to alienate high-end customers that have paid a premium for a fast, high-quality service by reducing LTE tariffs too quickly or drastically."
Lack of Innovation in LTE Pricing Models, Report Finds
Asia and Africa - UNDP project to give the poor with virtual phone numbers to be accessible from shared phones
[cellular news] Three million poor people in Africa and South Asia, the majority of them women, will gain access to low-cost mobile phone numbers as part of technology firm Movirtu's partnership with the United Nations-backed initiative that enlists the private sector in efforts to fight poverty.
Instead of sharing a phone number with family members or neighbours, those provided with a Movirtu cloud phone number will be able to use any mobile phone to log in with their own unique number to make and receive individual calls and access critical information and services such as banking or agriculture support.
The new effort is part of the Business Call to Action (BCtA), a global initiative supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the corporate responsibility scheme known as the UN Global Compact and several other organizations and governments.
"Evidence shows that access to mobile communications is a way of improving lives and expanding the earning potential of one billion people living on $1-2 a day," said Amanda Gardiner, BCtA Acting Programme Manager.
"By providing low-income communities with access to secure mobile accounts and identities, Movirtu is helping to bridge the divide between those that have easy access to mobile phones and those that rely on community phones or paying a borrower's premium to friends to meet their communication needs," she added.
The United Kingdom-based company plans to bring the phone technology to at least 12 markets in Africa and South Asia by early 2013, giving at least 50 million people in both continents access to the technology, with a target of 3 million using it on a regular basis.
A unique personal mobile identity will allow users to access network applications that provide information about employment opportunities, promote access to mobile payment systems or banking services, and help keep users up-to-date on a variety of health and market topics.
The main beneficiaries of Movirtu's investment will be women in rural communities in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, according to a news release issued by the company and BCtA.
"It is a basic fact not everyone in the world can afford their own mobile phone," said Ramona Liberoff, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Strategy and Planning at Movirtu. "Our goal is to increase the earning potential of those on $1-2 a day by saving money and allowing them to access the economic benefits of a full mobile identity today."
Movirtu has been piloting the phones in Africa, with Madagascar the first market entry point. Additional country launches will be announced later this year.
Millions of Poor People Will Have Mobile Phone Numbers Under UN-backed Scheme
Instead of sharing a phone number with family members or neighbours, those provided with a Movirtu cloud phone number will be able to use any mobile phone to log in with their own unique number to make and receive individual calls and access critical information and services such as banking or agriculture support.
The new effort is part of the Business Call to Action (BCtA), a global initiative supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the corporate responsibility scheme known as the UN Global Compact and several other organizations and governments.
"Evidence shows that access to mobile communications is a way of improving lives and expanding the earning potential of one billion people living on $1-2 a day," said Amanda Gardiner, BCtA Acting Programme Manager.
"By providing low-income communities with access to secure mobile accounts and identities, Movirtu is helping to bridge the divide between those that have easy access to mobile phones and those that rely on community phones or paying a borrower's premium to friends to meet their communication needs," she added.
The United Kingdom-based company plans to bring the phone technology to at least 12 markets in Africa and South Asia by early 2013, giving at least 50 million people in both continents access to the technology, with a target of 3 million using it on a regular basis.
A unique personal mobile identity will allow users to access network applications that provide information about employment opportunities, promote access to mobile payment systems or banking services, and help keep users up-to-date on a variety of health and market topics.
The main beneficiaries of Movirtu's investment will be women in rural communities in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, according to a news release issued by the company and BCtA.
"It is a basic fact not everyone in the world can afford their own mobile phone," said Ramona Liberoff, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Strategy and Planning at Movirtu. "Our goal is to increase the earning potential of those on $1-2 a day by saving money and allowing them to access the economic benefits of a full mobile identity today."
Movirtu has been piloting the phones in Africa, with Madagascar the first market entry point. Additional country launches will be announced later this year.
Millions of Poor People Will Have Mobile Phone Numbers Under UN-backed Scheme
Ireland - Just Mobile, an MVNO, is closing down due to the lack of funding, following losses of EUR 2 million
[cellular news] Irish MVNO, Just Mobile says that it is closing its network after being unable to secure additional funding to continue operations.
The company operated on the Vodafone network and said that the network, and other suppliers - which it said had have been very supportive - could not continue to support the company any longer.
In a statement, the company said that it had "created something special for our customers, but unfortunately the business climate is not conducive for young companies to raise capital in."
The shut-down will take place progressively over the next couple of weeks and will close completely on the 19th August.
The company is reported to have lost around EUR2 million since it was launched just ten months ago.
Irish MVNO Closes Down
The company operated on the Vodafone network and said that the network, and other suppliers - which it said had have been very supportive - could not continue to support the company any longer.
In a statement, the company said that it had "created something special for our customers, but unfortunately the business climate is not conducive for young companies to raise capital in."
The shut-down will take place progressively over the next couple of weeks and will close completely on the 19th August.
The company is reported to have lost around EUR2 million since it was launched just ten months ago.
Irish MVNO Closes Down
UK - Appeal by BT was upheld allowing higher charges for calls to certain number ranges
[catribunal] BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PLC - and - EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE LIMITED (Appellants) - v - OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS (Respondent)
These relate to:
OFCOM’s determinations
on 5 February 2010 for calls terminating on 080
on 10 August 2010 for calls terminating on 0845 and 0870
judgement
These relate to:
OFCOM’s determinations
on 5 February 2010 for calls terminating on 080
on 10 August 2010 for calls terminating on 0845 and 0870
judgement
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Guyana - Govt has been working to develop an open telecoms sector to advance social and economic development
[NCN Guyana] The Government has been working assiduously to develop an open telecommunications sector, to lend to the social and economic advancement of the country.
This is according to Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, who was speaking at the presentation of the new telecommunications legal regime at the International Conference Centre earlier today.
He noted that the telecommunications sector has been rapidly evolving, hence the need for a new legal framework to enable Guyana to perform effectively in a competitive environment.
He believes hybrid solutions are necessary to improve telecommunications, given Guyana's population.
The new telecommunications legal regime will see the development of the new telecommunications act and amendments to the public utilities commission act, as well as regulations for licensing, interconnection and pricing.
New licenses and frequency authorization will also be issued under this new legislation to Gt&T, Digicel and four existing internet service providers.
Under the new institutional arrangement for the sector, the minister responsible will be tasked with developing policies, determining what types of networks and services require licenses and oversee the new telecommunications agency that will be established.
Government is working to open the telecommunication sector
This is according to Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, who was speaking at the presentation of the new telecommunications legal regime at the International Conference Centre earlier today.
He noted that the telecommunications sector has been rapidly evolving, hence the need for a new legal framework to enable Guyana to perform effectively in a competitive environment.
He believes hybrid solutions are necessary to improve telecommunications, given Guyana's population.
The new telecommunications legal regime will see the development of the new telecommunications act and amendments to the public utilities commission act, as well as regulations for licensing, interconnection and pricing.
New licenses and frequency authorization will also be issued under this new legislation to Gt&T, Digicel and four existing internet service providers.
Under the new institutional arrangement for the sector, the minister responsible will be tasked with developing policies, determining what types of networks and services require licenses and oversee the new telecommunications agency that will be established.
Government is working to open the telecommunication sector
UK - Scotland has a markedly lower proportion of broadband lines than the rest of the UK
[bbc] Scots are still the least likely in the UK to have a broadband internet connection, according to a report from the communications regulator Ofcom.
Just 61% of Scots have broadband, compared with 74% of people across the whole of the UK.
Broadband connection is particularly low in Greater Glasgow, where the figure is just 50%.
One reason why take-up is so low may be that a relatively high proportion of Scots never use the internet.
Ofcom's Scottish director Vicki Nash warned that with so many public services now available online, Scots were at risk of being left behind.
About 30% of adults in Scotland say they do not use the internet in any location, compared with 20% across the UK as a whole.
Just under two-thirds of Scots have a computer in their home but across the UK the figure is 77%.
Take-up of broadband was particularly low amongst those aged between 16 and 34, people aged 55 and people on a low income or lower down the social scale.
Broadband use 'lower in Scotland', according to OFCOM
Just 61% of Scots have broadband, compared with 74% of people across the whole of the UK.
Broadband connection is particularly low in Greater Glasgow, where the figure is just 50%.
One reason why take-up is so low may be that a relatively high proportion of Scots never use the internet.
Ofcom's Scottish director Vicki Nash warned that with so many public services now available online, Scots were at risk of being left behind.
About 30% of adults in Scotland say they do not use the internet in any location, compared with 20% across the UK as a whole.
Just under two-thirds of Scots have a computer in their home but across the UK the figure is 77%.
Take-up of broadband was particularly low amongst those aged between 16 and 34, people aged 55 and people on a low income or lower down the social scale.
Broadband use 'lower in Scotland', according to OFCOM
Mobile - AT&T has increased voicemail security in the light of #hackgate requiring a PIN when logging in from your own phone
[boston globe] AT&T Inc. is changing the default method by which cellular customers check their voice mail, after reports that the company’s policies made messages more vulnerable to hackers than on other cellphone carriers.
The giant telecommunications company said yesterday it will start requiring users to enter a password to access their voice mails from their own cellphones. Until now, AT&T users calling from their own phones would immediately get access to their voice mails without entering a password.
“We wish that we did not have to make this change,’’ wrote AT&T’s chief privacy officer Bob Quinn in a posting on the company’s public policy blog. But Quinn said that easily available Internet technology makes it easy for criminals to gain access to unprotected cellular voice mailboxes.
AT&T increases voice mail security
Password meant to deter hackers
The giant telecommunications company said yesterday it will start requiring users to enter a password to access their voice mails from their own cellphones. Until now, AT&T users calling from their own phones would immediately get access to their voice mails without entering a password.
“We wish that we did not have to make this change,’’ wrote AT&T’s chief privacy officer Bob Quinn in a posting on the company’s public policy blog. But Quinn said that easily available Internet technology makes it easy for criminals to gain access to unprotected cellular voice mailboxes.
AT&T increases voice mail security
Password meant to deter hackers
Africa - Use of the SMS for reminders to healthcare workers is helping treat malaria sufferers
[cellular news] New research funded by the Wellcome Trust has shown that sending text message reminders to healthcare workers in rural Africa can improve the implementation of national guidelines for treating malaria. The intervention led to more patients receiving accurate antimalarial treatment.
The study, published today in The Lancet, was carried out by researchers at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Nairobi.
Within Africa, the adherence to national malaria treatment guidelines by health workers is vital in making sure that patients stick to and correctly complete malaria treatment doses. Failure to do so can not only affect the patient's recovery from the disease, but can also increase the likelihood of the malaria parasites becoming resistant to the drugs. However, despite the relatively simple guidelines, failure by the health workers to adhere to the guidelines has been widely reported across the continent.
To help improve health workers' practices, researchers at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme carried out a randomised controlled trial looking at the impact of sending SMS text message reminders to health workers' personal mobile phones.
For five working days, two text messages (one at 9am and one at 2pm) were sent daily to every health worker's mobile phone. The same process was repeated every week for six months. The messages included both information from the guidelines and inspirational quotes. For example:
Message one (Monday morning): Check ALL sick children <5yrs for any severe signs! Also check for fever, cough, diarrhea, pallor & any other problem. Quote: "Persistent work triumphs"
Message two (Monday afternoon): Child has FEVER when complained by mother or child is hot or Temp is >=37•5 - Pls ask mother, touch child & take Temp! Quote: "Actions speak louder than words"
Message three (Tuesday morning): TREAT with AL* all children under 5yrs weighing >=5kg coming with FEVER for first visit & without severe signs. Quote: "Opportunity seldom knocks twice"
*Artemether-lumefantrine, the recommended anti-malarial.
Most randomised controlled trials from high-income countries have focused on reminders to improve patients' adherence to treatment, and all studies assessed only short-term effects of the intervention. This is believed to be the first study to assess the use of text messaging to target the behaviour of health workers. The researchers evaluated the effectiveness of the intervention using a performance index on how health workers managed the children in clinic, by interviewing mothers of children as they left the clinic and by reviewing clinical records. The study showed a 25% improvement in health workers practices in providing correct care to patients with malaria. The intervention resulted in a substantial increase in the number of patients who received prompt antimalarial treatment at the health facility and were correctly counselled to take remaining tablets when they were at home.
Lead author of the study Dr Dejan Zurovac says: "This trial, the first one using text-messaging to target health workers' behaviour in developing countries, has shown that a simple intervention like SMS can improve health workers adherence to malaria treatment guidelines by 25%. Text-messaging should complement traditional approaches to support clinical management such as in-service training of health workers, supportive supervision, or dissemination of job-aids."
Dr Zurovac and colleagues believe the scheme may have been successful because text-message reminders address health workers' forgetfulness, emphasise the clinical importance of doing tasks described in the messages, and increase the priority of doing the tasks because the text messages represent the voice of authority of the health workers' employer (the Ministry of Health).
The simplicity and low cost of text messaging means that widespread implementation of an intervention that uses this technology can be done quickly and successfully. For example, the cost of a text message in Kenya is about US$0.01, resulting in the cost of full exposure to the intervention of $2.6 per health worker, or $39,000 if scaled up to an estimated 15,000 health workers in all rural facilities nationwide.
Professor Bob Snow, who heads the research group in Nairobi, says: "The role of the mobile phone in improving health providers' performance, health service management and patient adherence to new medicines across much of Africa has a huge potential to engage and promote health to many people, who despite being poor and often inaccessible nevertheless have access to cell phone communication."
Co-author and head of the Department of Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Dr Willis Akhwale added: "This is an excellent example of high quality research responding to immediate needs of policy implementers who are continuously searching for simple and low cost solutions to strengthen weak health systems and provide better care for Kenyans. We need to explore ways of scaling up such intervention to all health workers in the country."
Text Message Reminders Improve Healthcare Practice in Rural Africa
The study, published today in The Lancet, was carried out by researchers at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Nairobi.
Within Africa, the adherence to national malaria treatment guidelines by health workers is vital in making sure that patients stick to and correctly complete malaria treatment doses. Failure to do so can not only affect the patient's recovery from the disease, but can also increase the likelihood of the malaria parasites becoming resistant to the drugs. However, despite the relatively simple guidelines, failure by the health workers to adhere to the guidelines has been widely reported across the continent.
To help improve health workers' practices, researchers at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme carried out a randomised controlled trial looking at the impact of sending SMS text message reminders to health workers' personal mobile phones.
For five working days, two text messages (one at 9am and one at 2pm) were sent daily to every health worker's mobile phone. The same process was repeated every week for six months. The messages included both information from the guidelines and inspirational quotes. For example:
Message one (Monday morning): Check ALL sick children <5yrs for any severe signs! Also check for fever, cough, diarrhea, pallor & any other problem. Quote: "Persistent work triumphs"
Message two (Monday afternoon): Child has FEVER when complained by mother or child is hot or Temp is >=37•5 - Pls ask mother, touch child & take Temp! Quote: "Actions speak louder than words"
Message three (Tuesday morning): TREAT with AL* all children under 5yrs weighing >=5kg coming with FEVER for first visit & without severe signs. Quote: "Opportunity seldom knocks twice"
*Artemether-lumefantrine, the recommended anti-malarial.
Most randomised controlled trials from high-income countries have focused on reminders to improve patients' adherence to treatment, and all studies assessed only short-term effects of the intervention. This is believed to be the first study to assess the use of text messaging to target the behaviour of health workers. The researchers evaluated the effectiveness of the intervention using a performance index on how health workers managed the children in clinic, by interviewing mothers of children as they left the clinic and by reviewing clinical records. The study showed a 25% improvement in health workers practices in providing correct care to patients with malaria. The intervention resulted in a substantial increase in the number of patients who received prompt antimalarial treatment at the health facility and were correctly counselled to take remaining tablets when they were at home.
Lead author of the study Dr Dejan Zurovac says: "This trial, the first one using text-messaging to target health workers' behaviour in developing countries, has shown that a simple intervention like SMS can improve health workers adherence to malaria treatment guidelines by 25%. Text-messaging should complement traditional approaches to support clinical management such as in-service training of health workers, supportive supervision, or dissemination of job-aids."
Dr Zurovac and colleagues believe the scheme may have been successful because text-message reminders address health workers' forgetfulness, emphasise the clinical importance of doing tasks described in the messages, and increase the priority of doing the tasks because the text messages represent the voice of authority of the health workers' employer (the Ministry of Health).
The simplicity and low cost of text messaging means that widespread implementation of an intervention that uses this technology can be done quickly and successfully. For example, the cost of a text message in Kenya is about US$0.01, resulting in the cost of full exposure to the intervention of $2.6 per health worker, or $39,000 if scaled up to an estimated 15,000 health workers in all rural facilities nationwide.
Professor Bob Snow, who heads the research group in Nairobi, says: "The role of the mobile phone in improving health providers' performance, health service management and patient adherence to new medicines across much of Africa has a huge potential to engage and promote health to many people, who despite being poor and often inaccessible nevertheless have access to cell phone communication."
Co-author and head of the Department of Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Dr Willis Akhwale added: "This is an excellent example of high quality research responding to immediate needs of policy implementers who are continuously searching for simple and low cost solutions to strengthen weak health systems and provide better care for Kenyans. We need to explore ways of scaling up such intervention to all health workers in the country."
Text Message Reminders Improve Healthcare Practice in Rural Africa
Mobile - With the rise of data traffic operators are looking to deploy IP exchanges in 1-2 years
[cellular news] Mobile operators around the globe consider IP Exchange (IPX) an essential ingredient for next generation wireless services, according to a new study commissioned by Sybase 365.
"Despite the interest in IPX as a next-generation play, operators also report benefits on today's congested networks. The majority rate the security and manageability of IPX as the main plusses, however operators are also excited by the potential to cut costs by reducing the number of connections needed," said William Dudley, Group Director of Operator Services Products at Sybase 365. "Operators see potential in IPX to enable them to bring over-the-top services including multimedia and other high-bandwidth content, and social networking into the fold."
Gearing Up for IPX
The majority of operators surveyed (63.5%) plan to deploy IPX over the next one to three years. The findings underscore the firm grasp of the benefits and opportunities for IPX that operators have, as well as growing demand for an infrastructure that can securely and reliably connect multiple operators with over-the-top (OTT) services, enterprises and cloud services. IPX management and security capabilities rank highest as prime benefits for current network owners (24%). More than half (50%) of operators surveyed agree that IPX networks make it easier to deploy end-to-end IP services, cut costs, guarantee quality and ease the migration to 4G networks. Nearly a quarter of operators (23%) rank highly the ability to consolidate multiple connections.
"Our study shows that while operators will be relying on IPX to handle roaming, IP signalling and streaming services on next-generation networks in the early days, in the longer term, when more 4G networks are live, operators will also leverage IPX to facilitate expanded voice interconnect," said Dudley. "We firmly believe IPX will become a centralized infrastructure across service providers and across solutions for the rest of the decade and beyond."
IPX Opportunities
Results of the Sybase 365 study also show that operators will look to IPX service providers to offer multimedia services, Voice over IP (VoIP) and HD voice. Operators in all regions are most interested in bringing high-bandwidth or multimedia services into their service offerings, followed by social networks and financial services. One operator highlighted that offering differentiated services is one of the key elements being considered for IPX networks. "Internet players are always included in such open initiatives, because they are designed to give customers more choice in terms of the services they can enjoy." IPX will also "offer operators improved flexibility to deliver new services," he noted.
IPX Deployment
Nearly eight out of 10 operators surveyed (79.3%) who say they have deployed IPX currently use it for voice services, with data roaming next (59.5%), citing ease of use and scalability as major benefits. A minority claim to be using IPX for inter-MSC connectivity, signalling, enhanced GRX, MPLS, IP transit, L3 VPN, BGP peering, CDN and IP data. The survey found that there are a significant number of IPX networks already in place, with the Asia Pacific region leading the way in terms of deployments to date (32%), as seen with the recent IPX deployment by Total Access Communication PLC (dtac) of Thailand. Additionally, the study reveals that service providers of all types -- wireless, wire line, wholesale, cable operators and integrated carriers -- are already deploying IPX.
Key Drivers
Long Term Evolution (LTE) is expected to be a major driver of IPX deployments. Many 3G operators are committed to LTE and are planning to start rolling LTE out in two to three years, according to the study. There is a clear correlation between the number of operators planning to deploy IPX within the next one to three years (41%) and those who believe IPX will become essential to operating 4G networks in the same timeframe (45%).
LTE Ignites Interest In IP Exchange Facilities
"Despite the interest in IPX as a next-generation play, operators also report benefits on today's congested networks. The majority rate the security and manageability of IPX as the main plusses, however operators are also excited by the potential to cut costs by reducing the number of connections needed," said William Dudley, Group Director of Operator Services Products at Sybase 365. "Operators see potential in IPX to enable them to bring over-the-top services including multimedia and other high-bandwidth content, and social networking into the fold."
Gearing Up for IPX
The majority of operators surveyed (63.5%) plan to deploy IPX over the next one to three years. The findings underscore the firm grasp of the benefits and opportunities for IPX that operators have, as well as growing demand for an infrastructure that can securely and reliably connect multiple operators with over-the-top (OTT) services, enterprises and cloud services. IPX management and security capabilities rank highest as prime benefits for current network owners (24%). More than half (50%) of operators surveyed agree that IPX networks make it easier to deploy end-to-end IP services, cut costs, guarantee quality and ease the migration to 4G networks. Nearly a quarter of operators (23%) rank highly the ability to consolidate multiple connections.
"Our study shows that while operators will be relying on IPX to handle roaming, IP signalling and streaming services on next-generation networks in the early days, in the longer term, when more 4G networks are live, operators will also leverage IPX to facilitate expanded voice interconnect," said Dudley. "We firmly believe IPX will become a centralized infrastructure across service providers and across solutions for the rest of the decade and beyond."
IPX Opportunities
Results of the Sybase 365 study also show that operators will look to IPX service providers to offer multimedia services, Voice over IP (VoIP) and HD voice. Operators in all regions are most interested in bringing high-bandwidth or multimedia services into their service offerings, followed by social networks and financial services. One operator highlighted that offering differentiated services is one of the key elements being considered for IPX networks. "Internet players are always included in such open initiatives, because they are designed to give customers more choice in terms of the services they can enjoy." IPX will also "offer operators improved flexibility to deliver new services," he noted.
IPX Deployment
Nearly eight out of 10 operators surveyed (79.3%) who say they have deployed IPX currently use it for voice services, with data roaming next (59.5%), citing ease of use and scalability as major benefits. A minority claim to be using IPX for inter-MSC connectivity, signalling, enhanced GRX, MPLS, IP transit, L3 VPN, BGP peering, CDN and IP data. The survey found that there are a significant number of IPX networks already in place, with the Asia Pacific region leading the way in terms of deployments to date (32%), as seen with the recent IPX deployment by Total Access Communication PLC (dtac) of Thailand. Additionally, the study reveals that service providers of all types -- wireless, wire line, wholesale, cable operators and integrated carriers -- are already deploying IPX.
Key Drivers
Long Term Evolution (LTE) is expected to be a major driver of IPX deployments. Many 3G operators are committed to LTE and are planning to start rolling LTE out in two to three years, according to the study. There is a clear correlation between the number of operators planning to deploy IPX within the next one to three years (41%) and those who believe IPX will become essential to operating 4G networks in the same timeframe (45%).
LTE Ignites Interest In IP Exchange Facilities
Saturday, August 06, 2011
USA - The growth of quad-play (fixed and mobile voice, broadband and TV) is forecast to reach 13% of the market by 2016
[cellular news] By 2016, thirteen percent of US households will take a "Quad Play" service -- a bundled offering of fixed voice, broadband, television and mobile voice -- from the same provider in 2016, according to a report just published by Strategy Analytics. This represents a four-fold increase compared to 2011 levels.
Today, 57 percent of American households are classified as "multiplay," meaning that they take more than one entertainment or communication service from the same provider. This makes the US one of the most highly bundled countries in the world. According to this report, while the Quad Play will make strides in the US market over the next five years, the voice-video-data "Triple Play" will be the dominant bundle type.
"Quad Play bundling has had a slow start in the US, but we see increased momentum over the next five years," said Ben Piper, Director of the Multiplay Market Dynamics service and author of the report. "Survey research we have just fielded shows that US Quad Play subscribers have a much higher 'value for money' perception, and are significantly less likely to churn."
AT&T reports that more than 75 percent of its U-verse TV subscribers receive the service as part of a Triple Play or Quad Play offering. Additionally, the Triple Play ARPU has increased over 8 percent year over year to $170.
Beyond the United States, Strategy Analytics sees high growth opportunities for multiplay bundling in Austria, Italy, and China, each expected to double the percentage of multiplay homes by 2016.
USA to See 13 Percent Quad Play Service Penetration by 2016
Today, 57 percent of American households are classified as "multiplay," meaning that they take more than one entertainment or communication service from the same provider. This makes the US one of the most highly bundled countries in the world. According to this report, while the Quad Play will make strides in the US market over the next five years, the voice-video-data "Triple Play" will be the dominant bundle type.
"Quad Play bundling has had a slow start in the US, but we see increased momentum over the next five years," said Ben Piper, Director of the Multiplay Market Dynamics service and author of the report. "Survey research we have just fielded shows that US Quad Play subscribers have a much higher 'value for money' perception, and are significantly less likely to churn."
AT&T reports that more than 75 percent of its U-verse TV subscribers receive the service as part of a Triple Play or Quad Play offering. Additionally, the Triple Play ARPU has increased over 8 percent year over year to $170.
Beyond the United States, Strategy Analytics sees high growth opportunities for multiplay bundling in Austria, Italy, and China, each expected to double the percentage of multiplay homes by 2016.
USA to See 13 Percent Quad Play Service Penetration by 2016
Mobile - Huawei has an Android handset with 3D user interface "Huawei Vision"
[cellular news] Huawei has shown off a new Android based smartphone, that comes with a 3D user interface and carousel animation display. Huawei Vision runs on the Android Gingerbread 2.3 OS and is supported by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM 8255 processor.
The Huawei Vision measures 9.9mm at its thinnest point and weighs around 121g. It supports 720p video recording and features a 5 megapixel auto focus camera with LED flash.
"We are very excited to present Huawei Vision, the smartphone which strikes the perfect balance between technology and style," said Victor Xu, chief marketing officer of Huawei Device. "The unique 3D user interface heralds a new era in Huawei's leadership, as we continue to create devices that enhance the user experience through stylish design and smart functionality."
Huawei Vision will be available in selected markets from September - pricing was not confirmed.
Huawei Shows off Android Phone with 3D Display
The Huawei Vision measures 9.9mm at its thinnest point and weighs around 121g. It supports 720p video recording and features a 5 megapixel auto focus camera with LED flash.
"We are very excited to present Huawei Vision, the smartphone which strikes the perfect balance between technology and style," said Victor Xu, chief marketing officer of Huawei Device. "The unique 3D user interface heralds a new era in Huawei's leadership, as we continue to create devices that enhance the user experience through stylish design and smart functionality."
Huawei Vision will be available in selected markets from September - pricing was not confirmed.
Huawei Shows off Android Phone with 3D Display
Niger - Privatisation of telco stopped by UN SC 1973 blocking transactions with Libya
[cellular news] The government of Niger has said that it is having to look for a new buyer for the state-owned telecoms company, Sonitel after UN sanctions meant that a prior deal with the Libyan company LAP Green could not be completed.
"We are going to launch an international invitation to tender ... We are going to make sure the buyer this time is a real professional," Communications Minister Salifou Labo Bouche was reported as saying by the Reuters news agency, who cited the local television channel Tenere.
He said the purchaser could be either a new entrant or a company already in the Nigerien market. The country currently has four mobile networks.
According to the Mobile World analysts the country has around 14.4 million mobile phone users, which represents a population penetration level of 23%.
Niger Sale of State-Owned Telco Blocked by UN Sanctions
"We are going to launch an international invitation to tender ... We are going to make sure the buyer this time is a real professional," Communications Minister Salifou Labo Bouche was reported as saying by the Reuters news agency, who cited the local television channel Tenere.
He said the purchaser could be either a new entrant or a company already in the Nigerien market. The country currently has four mobile networks.
According to the Mobile World analysts the country has around 14.4 million mobile phone users, which represents a population penetration level of 23%.
Niger Sale of State-Owned Telco Blocked by UN Sanctions
USA - Consumer Reports has found m-payments may have reduced loss liability and consumer protection than more established payment systems
[cellular news] While Americans are still using plenty of cash, checks, credit and debit cards to pay their bills, new electronic methods such as paying by cell phone or digital wallets are emerging. Before jumping in, consumers should be aware of the disparity in loss liability and consumer protections they offer, according to Consumer Reports.
CR's latest investigation into these new payment options finds that banks and technology companies are jostling for a greater share of the $50 billion a year in fees generated by everyday transactions. Some services by PayPal, Obopay, Square, Zong, and FaceCash already allow you to pay for purchases with your cell phone, but so-called digital wallet services are scheduled to hit the market soon.
Google said in May that it planned to launch its version this summer. At least three competing digital wallets are planned for launch later this year and in 2012: from Visa in partnership with more than a dozen banks; Isis, a joint venture of AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless; and PayPal Mobile's point-of-sale technology.
"As these new forms of payment grow more popular, consumers must be careful to understand the costs, and disparities in protections associated with the promise of new convenience," said Jeff Blyskal, sr. editor Consumer Reports.
Despite all the hype, consumers don't seem to be clamoring to pay with their phones yet. According to a recent nationally representative survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, only 5 percent of survey respondents have used their cell phone to pay for day-to-day purchases in the previous month. Somewhat more use other fairly new forms of payment, including billing to their home or cell phone account (10 percent).
Most of the new electronic payment options are tied to credit and debit cards, so whatever costs consumers incur in using their plastic will transfer to the new methods. Paying by mobile phone won't save them money. Google Wallet merchant transaction fees are the same as those charged on plastic payments, and the same is expected to be true for Visa's digital wallet. Square and PayPal Mobile charge merchants even more than the average big bank fee, 2.75 and 2.9 percent of the transaction amount, respectively.
Among payment processors Consumer Reports looked at, only Obopay charges consumers (not merchants) an explicit flat 50-cent fee for payments over $10. You can transfer funds to your Obopay account from a bank account at no cost, but if you link a transaction to a debit or credit card, you'll pay a 1.5 percent fee. So on a $100 payment, fees can run from 50 cents to $2.
Prepaid debit cards can be especially costly, whether you use them by themselves or link them to an alternative payment method. Many prepaid debit cards charge fees for activating and maintaining the accounts, and for transactions, balance inquiries, and reloading.
Things often go wrong during the processing of 300 million noncash payments each day. In a Consumer Reports survey, one in four Americans said they had an unauthorized charge, billing error, noncredited payment, or other problem in the last year when paying for purchases or paying bills.
A consumer's right to get their money back when something goes wrong -- errors, goods not delivered as promised, fraud -- varies by the payment option used. Again, the underlying method of payment tied to your mobile device will govern their rights in such instances. Cell phone and digital wallet payment services linked to a credit card offer consumers the most protection. However, there is a large disparity in protection for services that link to prepaid debit cards and direct billing to consumers' phone bill.
Prepaid cards offer consumers no guaranteed protections against unauthorized transactions. The cards may have some protections in their contracts, but they're essentially voluntary and can be rescinded at any time. Visa and MasterCard prepaid-card holders may get assurances from those brands' zero-liability policies, which protect against unauthorized use and require issuing banks to give provisional credit for losses from unauthorized use within five business days of notification. But those policies have loopholes. Visa's doesn't cover ATM or PIN transactions not processed by the Visa network. MasterCard's policy offers no protection if a consumer reported two or more unauthorized events in the past 12 months, and it doesn't cover ATM or PIN transactions.
For consumers who opt for direct-to-phone bill charges, their rights in this area are unclear. Any protections are based on the wireless carrier's contract, and they vary widely. Consumers Union reviewed the contracts of 18 wireless carriers to find out what kind of baseline protections they contained; none provided protections for mobile payment transactions that are as strong as those guaranteed by law when consumers use a credit card or debit card.
Consumers may have some rights under state laws or public utility agency rules, but those also vary from state to state. So far, only the California Public Utilities Commission provides its state's residents the right to reverse unauthorized charges. California consumers can also bar third parties from putting charges on their phone bill.
Consumer Reports Finds Hidden Costs in Mobile Payment Services
CR's latest investigation into these new payment options finds that banks and technology companies are jostling for a greater share of the $50 billion a year in fees generated by everyday transactions. Some services by PayPal, Obopay, Square, Zong, and FaceCash already allow you to pay for purchases with your cell phone, but so-called digital wallet services are scheduled to hit the market soon.
Google said in May that it planned to launch its version this summer. At least three competing digital wallets are planned for launch later this year and in 2012: from Visa in partnership with more than a dozen banks; Isis, a joint venture of AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless; and PayPal Mobile's point-of-sale technology.
"As these new forms of payment grow more popular, consumers must be careful to understand the costs, and disparities in protections associated with the promise of new convenience," said Jeff Blyskal, sr. editor Consumer Reports.
Despite all the hype, consumers don't seem to be clamoring to pay with their phones yet. According to a recent nationally representative survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, only 5 percent of survey respondents have used their cell phone to pay for day-to-day purchases in the previous month. Somewhat more use other fairly new forms of payment, including billing to their home or cell phone account (10 percent).
Most of the new electronic payment options are tied to credit and debit cards, so whatever costs consumers incur in using their plastic will transfer to the new methods. Paying by mobile phone won't save them money. Google Wallet merchant transaction fees are the same as those charged on plastic payments, and the same is expected to be true for Visa's digital wallet. Square and PayPal Mobile charge merchants even more than the average big bank fee, 2.75 and 2.9 percent of the transaction amount, respectively.
Among payment processors Consumer Reports looked at, only Obopay charges consumers (not merchants) an explicit flat 50-cent fee for payments over $10. You can transfer funds to your Obopay account from a bank account at no cost, but if you link a transaction to a debit or credit card, you'll pay a 1.5 percent fee. So on a $100 payment, fees can run from 50 cents to $2.
Prepaid debit cards can be especially costly, whether you use them by themselves or link them to an alternative payment method. Many prepaid debit cards charge fees for activating and maintaining the accounts, and for transactions, balance inquiries, and reloading.
Things often go wrong during the processing of 300 million noncash payments each day. In a Consumer Reports survey, one in four Americans said they had an unauthorized charge, billing error, noncredited payment, or other problem in the last year when paying for purchases or paying bills.
A consumer's right to get their money back when something goes wrong -- errors, goods not delivered as promised, fraud -- varies by the payment option used. Again, the underlying method of payment tied to your mobile device will govern their rights in such instances. Cell phone and digital wallet payment services linked to a credit card offer consumers the most protection. However, there is a large disparity in protection for services that link to prepaid debit cards and direct billing to consumers' phone bill.
Prepaid cards offer consumers no guaranteed protections against unauthorized transactions. The cards may have some protections in their contracts, but they're essentially voluntary and can be rescinded at any time. Visa and MasterCard prepaid-card holders may get assurances from those brands' zero-liability policies, which protect against unauthorized use and require issuing banks to give provisional credit for losses from unauthorized use within five business days of notification. But those policies have loopholes. Visa's doesn't cover ATM or PIN transactions not processed by the Visa network. MasterCard's policy offers no protection if a consumer reported two or more unauthorized events in the past 12 months, and it doesn't cover ATM or PIN transactions.
For consumers who opt for direct-to-phone bill charges, their rights in this area are unclear. Any protections are based on the wireless carrier's contract, and they vary widely. Consumers Union reviewed the contracts of 18 wireless carriers to find out what kind of baseline protections they contained; none provided protections for mobile payment transactions that are as strong as those guaranteed by law when consumers use a credit card or debit card.
Consumers may have some rights under state laws or public utility agency rules, but those also vary from state to state. So far, only the California Public Utilities Commission provides its state's residents the right to reverse unauthorized charges. California consumers can also bar third parties from putting charges on their phone bill.
Consumer Reports Finds Hidden Costs in Mobile Payment Services
Belgium - Finally, a fourth mobile operator has been licensed to a j/v of the cable operators
[cellular-news] Belgium's telecom regulator, BIPT has formally awarded a previously announced 3G license to Telenet Tecteo Bidco. The conditions of the licence were accepted by the licensee on 29 July.
BIPT had previously received an offer from the candidate for the total spectrum available (1950.1-1964.9 MHz /2140.1-2154.9 MHz) amounting to EUR 616,656.8/month. Telenet Tecteo Bidco opted for paying the amount bid in annual instalments over the total period from July 2011 to March 2021.
In the meantime the payment was made for 2011 and Telenet Tecteo Bidco has accepted the conditions of the licence.
As a result the three operators who already acquired a 3G licence in 2001 (Belgacom, Mobistar and KPN Group Belgium) are now joined by Telenet Tecteo Bidco. The latter is now under the obligation to start offering its services no later than 18 months from the date when the licence was granted, i.e. 15 July 2011.
Although the information still needs to be confirmed officially Telenet Tecteo Bidco has already announced its wish to make use of the possibility to acquire the reserved spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, with a view to putting these to use for the first time on 27 November 2015.
In the autumn, licences will also be auctioned in the 2.6 GHz band (4G licences). The invitation to submit applications was published on 1 June 2011 and sets 14 October 2011 as the deadline for candidates to apply.
Belgium Grants Fourth 3G Licence to Telenet Tecteo Bidco
BIPT had previously received an offer from the candidate for the total spectrum available (1950.1-1964.9 MHz /2140.1-2154.9 MHz) amounting to EUR 616,656.8/month. Telenet Tecteo Bidco opted for paying the amount bid in annual instalments over the total period from July 2011 to March 2021.
In the meantime the payment was made for 2011 and Telenet Tecteo Bidco has accepted the conditions of the licence.
As a result the three operators who already acquired a 3G licence in 2001 (Belgacom, Mobistar and KPN Group Belgium) are now joined by Telenet Tecteo Bidco. The latter is now under the obligation to start offering its services no later than 18 months from the date when the licence was granted, i.e. 15 July 2011.
Although the information still needs to be confirmed officially Telenet Tecteo Bidco has already announced its wish to make use of the possibility to acquire the reserved spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, with a view to putting these to use for the first time on 27 November 2015.
In the autumn, licences will also be auctioned in the 2.6 GHz band (4G licences). The invitation to submit applications was published on 1 June 2011 and sets 14 October 2011 as the deadline for candidates to apply.
Belgium Grants Fourth 3G Licence to Telenet Tecteo Bidco
USA - Increasingly online adverts are directing potential customers to their pages on Facebook and Twitter platforms
[NY Times] MARKETERS promoting their products online have followed a fairly standard arc historically, first buying digital ads and building their own Web sites in the early years of the Internet, and more recently amassing followers on social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
Now, companies increasingly are running online ads that focus less on pitching their products than promoting their Facebook pages and Twitter accounts.
The ads, which have menu tabs and increasingly resemble mini-Web sites themselves, allow users to click within the ad to see a brand’s Twitter messages or Facebook wall posts in real time, or to watch a brand’s video content from YouTube — all without leaving the Web page where the ad appears.
Brands Now Direct Their Followers to Social Media
Now, companies increasingly are running online ads that focus less on pitching their products than promoting their Facebook pages and Twitter accounts.
The ads, which have menu tabs and increasingly resemble mini-Web sites themselves, allow users to click within the ad to see a brand’s Twitter messages or Facebook wall posts in real time, or to watch a brand’s video content from YouTube — all without leaving the Web page where the ad appears.
Brands Now Direct Their Followers to Social Media
UK - Regulator's survey reports obsession with smartphones, with 60% of teenagers "highly addicted"
[knowyourmobile] Telecommunications regulator Ofcom has issued a detailed survey that highlights the UK's obsession with the smartphone.
The 341 page document, which is its annual Communications Market Report, claims 37 per cent of adults and 60 per cent of teenages are 'highly addicted' to their smartphones.
It also found one in three adults in the UK use a smartphone, with 58 per cent of that figure male and 42 per cent female. For teenagers, more girls own a smartphone - 48 per cent male versus 52 per cent female.
You may think the iPhone was top throughout but the survey found the BlackBerry – or the CrackBerry as we should probably now call it – was the most popular handset maker for teenagers (37 per cent said it was their preferred brand).
If BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) isn't a big part of the reason for this we'll eat our metaphorical hat.
The iPhone doesn't miss out on a mention: 32 per cent of adults said the iPhone was, suprise surprise, their favourite smartphone.
Adult Britons mostly use their phone for email, internet surfing and social networking. Teenagers prefer social networking, listening to music and playing games
To emphasise just how addicted we have become to the smartphone, over half of adults and two-thirds of teenages have used one during a social situation. 50 per cent of teens also admit they have answered or used their phone when on the toilet.
It's definitely hard to imagine surviving without smartphones, the internet and social networking websites such as Twitter or Facebook, but there was a time when riding your bike or kicking a ball about was enough.
60 per cent of teens 'highly addicted' to their CrackBerry smartphones
The 341 page document, which is its annual Communications Market Report, claims 37 per cent of adults and 60 per cent of teenages are 'highly addicted' to their smartphones.
It also found one in three adults in the UK use a smartphone, with 58 per cent of that figure male and 42 per cent female. For teenagers, more girls own a smartphone - 48 per cent male versus 52 per cent female.
You may think the iPhone was top throughout but the survey found the BlackBerry – or the CrackBerry as we should probably now call it – was the most popular handset maker for teenagers (37 per cent said it was their preferred brand).
If BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) isn't a big part of the reason for this we'll eat our metaphorical hat.
The iPhone doesn't miss out on a mention: 32 per cent of adults said the iPhone was, suprise surprise, their favourite smartphone.
Adult Britons mostly use their phone for email, internet surfing and social networking. Teenagers prefer social networking, listening to music and playing games
To emphasise just how addicted we have become to the smartphone, over half of adults and two-thirds of teenages have used one during a social situation. 50 per cent of teens also admit they have answered or used their phone when on the toilet.
It's definitely hard to imagine surviving without smartphones, the internet and social networking websites such as Twitter or Facebook, but there was a time when riding your bike or kicking a ball about was enough.
60 per cent of teens 'highly addicted' to their CrackBerry smartphones
Botswana - BTC has reported the loss of BWP 500,000 [USD 60,000] worth of solar panels
[Mmegi] The Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) has lost close to half a million from stolen solar panels used in the Nteletsa project.
Replacement of the panels coupled with the changeover from this system to the fixed wireless terminals (FWT) system means that the corporation will continue to lose more money.
Speaking to Mmegi in an interview Golekanye Molapisi, communications manager for BTC, said in the period beginning April 2010 to date, the parastatal lost close to P411,000 worth of solar panels stolen countrywide. He said the losses are more than this if they include replacement costs, labour as well as revenue lost due to loss of telephone use. He could however not provide figures towards these additional costs.
BTC, in partnership with the government, first implemented the Nteletsa programme - aimed at rural and underserved communities with access to telecommunications services, in 1999 with the Nteletsa 1 project. Phone sets used in the project were powered by solar panels because most of the villages in the project were not electrified. However, this proved to be a nightmare, as Molapisi said, the panels were "stolen at an alarming rate."
BTC was spending millions of Pula replacing the panels, but for every three panels replaced, two were stolen as soon as they were replaced," he said. He said this left many villages without telecommunications services, defeating the purpose of the Nteletsa project. Molapisi said the corporation has now embarked on a project to replace the phones with the new FWT technology, in which all old lines from the old system will be changed to the new one. This new system, which he described as a lasting solution, is possible because most villages are now electrified. Meanwhile, some of the villages provided with service in the Nteletsa 1 programme have been suffering from malfunctioning and non-functioning phones, including in government service providers. Lentsweletau, in the Kweneng district, is one of the villages experiencing these problems. Phone checks by Mmegi revealed that some of the affected offices in the village include the Post Office, the sub-land board, the clinic, the social services offices as well as the two primary schools in the village. Some of the offices have resorted to using cell phones as their official primary contact with the public.
However, Kgosi Lawrence Motswakhumo of Lentsweletau told Mmegi in an interview that complaints in the village about phones not working were more common last year, and that recently if such problems arise they usually last "one or two days."
Molapisi explained that in Lentsweletau 50 percent of the customers have already been changed over, and the changeover to the new system is expected to be completed by end of this month.
BTC loses half million in stolen solar panels
Replacement of the panels coupled with the changeover from this system to the fixed wireless terminals (FWT) system means that the corporation will continue to lose more money.
Speaking to Mmegi in an interview Golekanye Molapisi, communications manager for BTC, said in the period beginning April 2010 to date, the parastatal lost close to P411,000 worth of solar panels stolen countrywide. He said the losses are more than this if they include replacement costs, labour as well as revenue lost due to loss of telephone use. He could however not provide figures towards these additional costs.
BTC, in partnership with the government, first implemented the Nteletsa programme - aimed at rural and underserved communities with access to telecommunications services, in 1999 with the Nteletsa 1 project. Phone sets used in the project were powered by solar panels because most of the villages in the project were not electrified. However, this proved to be a nightmare, as Molapisi said, the panels were "stolen at an alarming rate."
BTC was spending millions of Pula replacing the panels, but for every three panels replaced, two were stolen as soon as they were replaced," he said. He said this left many villages without telecommunications services, defeating the purpose of the Nteletsa project. Molapisi said the corporation has now embarked on a project to replace the phones with the new FWT technology, in which all old lines from the old system will be changed to the new one. This new system, which he described as a lasting solution, is possible because most villages are now electrified. Meanwhile, some of the villages provided with service in the Nteletsa 1 programme have been suffering from malfunctioning and non-functioning phones, including in government service providers. Lentsweletau, in the Kweneng district, is one of the villages experiencing these problems. Phone checks by Mmegi revealed that some of the affected offices in the village include the Post Office, the sub-land board, the clinic, the social services offices as well as the two primary schools in the village. Some of the offices have resorted to using cell phones as their official primary contact with the public.
However, Kgosi Lawrence Motswakhumo of Lentsweletau told Mmegi in an interview that complaints in the village about phones not working were more common last year, and that recently if such problems arise they usually last "one or two days."
Molapisi explained that in Lentsweletau 50 percent of the customers have already been changed over, and the changeover to the new system is expected to be completed by end of this month.
BTC loses half million in stolen solar panels
Greece - OTE has slowed the decline in growth of its revenues, but growth is still some way off
[stockmarketwire] Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA, the Greek full-service telecommunications provider, has today announced consolidated results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011 showing net income of €62m compared to €61mn loss in Q2 '10
The latest financial report shows the pace of Group revenue decline has slowed down, helped by early signs of market stabilization in Greek mobile.
The company results show pro forma EBITDA margin down 1.4pp despite stringent cost-control actions.
Hellenic Telecoms shows strong operating cash flow and lower CAPEX.
"Commenting on OTE's performance in the second quarter, Michael Tsamaz, Chairman & CEO, said: "While OTE's Greek fixed-line business continues to suffer from its inability to compete in a market where price is the consumer's first and foremost consideration, we have started to see the early signs of stabilization and normalization we expected in mobile services after the destructive price wars of last year.
"Growth is still not in sight, but the rate of decline has improved significantly and we are achieving healthy increases in mobile data. Outside of Greece, we are also seeing improved conditions in Romanian fixed-line and across our mobile footprint with the exception of Albania, whose economy is closely tied to Greece's."
Growth still not in sight for Hellenic Telecommunications
The latest financial report shows the pace of Group revenue decline has slowed down, helped by early signs of market stabilization in Greek mobile.
The company results show pro forma EBITDA margin down 1.4pp despite stringent cost-control actions.
Hellenic Telecoms shows strong operating cash flow and lower CAPEX.
"Commenting on OTE's performance in the second quarter, Michael Tsamaz, Chairman & CEO, said: "While OTE's Greek fixed-line business continues to suffer from its inability to compete in a market where price is the consumer's first and foremost consideration, we have started to see the early signs of stabilization and normalization we expected in mobile services after the destructive price wars of last year.
"Growth is still not in sight, but the rate of decline has improved significantly and we are achieving healthy increases in mobile data. Outside of Greece, we are also seeing improved conditions in Romanian fixed-line and across our mobile footprint with the exception of Albania, whose economy is closely tied to Greece's."
Growth still not in sight for Hellenic Telecommunications
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
New Zealand - Telecom NZ and Vodafone have settled a multitude of disputes between them
[nbr] Telecom and Vodafone this morning revealed they have settled three Supreme Court cases and two High Court cases out of court, plus two disputes before the Commerce Commission.
All related to Vodafone payments to Telecom under the (now being phased out) Telecommunications Service Obligation (TSO) regime, which saw Telecom compensated for providing service to “commercially non-viable” rural customers.
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Vodafone contented its payments to Telecom – which ranged from $15 million to $20 million a year – were too high.
"We've had seven years of this. It's time to move on," Vodafone GM of corporate affairs Tom Chignell told NBR.
There's also another good reason to move on.
The two companies won a joint bid for the government’s $300 million, six-year Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI), which is replacing the TSO.
"Times marched on and the world's changed around us," Telecom spokesman Mark Watts told NBR.
"It's time to move on given what we're doing together [with the RBI)."
The three Supreme Court cases settled out of court cover Vodafone TSO payments to Telecom for the years 2003/2002, 2004/2005 and 2005/2006.
The two High Court cases settled cover the years 2006/2007 and 2007/2008.
TSO disputes in front of the Commerce Commission for the years 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 have also been settled.
Vodafone contended that the Commerce Commission, which brokered the TSO, incorrectly calculated payments. But although the Commerce Commission calculated payments, the TSO regime saw Vodafone to make annual TSO payments directly to Telecom – leading to the head-to-head legal action.
Telecom, Vodafone settle multimillion High Court, Supreme Court TSO cases
All related to Vodafone payments to Telecom under the (now being phased out) Telecommunications Service Obligation (TSO) regime, which saw Telecom compensated for providing service to “commercially non-viable” rural customers.
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Vodafone contented its payments to Telecom – which ranged from $15 million to $20 million a year – were too high.
"We've had seven years of this. It's time to move on," Vodafone GM of corporate affairs Tom Chignell told NBR.
There's also another good reason to move on.
The two companies won a joint bid for the government’s $300 million, six-year Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI), which is replacing the TSO.
"Times marched on and the world's changed around us," Telecom spokesman Mark Watts told NBR.
"It's time to move on given what we're doing together [with the RBI)."
The three Supreme Court cases settled out of court cover Vodafone TSO payments to Telecom for the years 2003/2002, 2004/2005 and 2005/2006.
The two High Court cases settled cover the years 2006/2007 and 2007/2008.
TSO disputes in front of the Commerce Commission for the years 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 have also been settled.
Vodafone contended that the Commerce Commission, which brokered the TSO, incorrectly calculated payments. But although the Commerce Commission calculated payments, the TSO regime saw Vodafone to make annual TSO payments directly to Telecom – leading to the head-to-head legal action.
Telecom, Vodafone settle multimillion High Court, Supreme Court TSO cases
Mobile - Growth of traffic is driven by very sharp increases in tablet computers
[cbr online] Tablets shipments will see a growth of 239% in 2011 compared to previuos year.
Tablet sales in 2011 will help drive a 57.8% increase in the shipments of mobile broadband devices that provide high-speed wireless connectivity while on the move, according to a new IHS iSuppli Wireless Communications topical report, from market research firm IHS.
Shipments of mobile broadband devices in 2011 are expected to grow to 157.9 million units, up from 100.1 million units in 2010, and this segment includes devices such as notebook and netbook computers, as well as e-book readers.
This year's mobile broadband devices growth rate matches the 57.4% expansion of 2010.
The report reveals that the mobile broadband devices market will continue to rise during the next few years but at lower rates, declining to 38.1% in 2012 and by 11% in 2015 to about 350.7 million units.
Within the segment, tablets will represent the fastest-growing mobile broadband device this year with shipments projected to reach 58.9 million units, up 239.3% from 17.4 million in 2010.
Tablets, largely iPad from Apple, appear to be at the forefront in boosting mobile broadband, and will
influence every node of the value chain, including suppliers, device manufacturers, mobile network operators, third-party applications and service suppliers, the report notes.
The mobile broadband segment utilises four primary methods for internet access, USB dongles, mobile hotspots, embedded modules and embedded chipsets, with pros and cons for each tool.
With the arrival of media tablets and other consumer electronics with embedded Wi-Fi capability, the mobile devices started using a 3G or 4G network as backhaul for data traffic.
Currently, mobile hotspots and embedded chipsets are the fastest-growing, growing 25 to 50% faster than the overall market.
By 2015, the report says a majority of the mobile broadband devices will use the 4G wireless standard known as long term evolution (LTE), as a connection for faster speeds and lower latencies or delays from their mobile broadband networks.
Tablets account for mobile broadband growth: Report
Tablet sales in 2011 will help drive a 57.8% increase in the shipments of mobile broadband devices that provide high-speed wireless connectivity while on the move, according to a new IHS iSuppli Wireless Communications topical report, from market research firm IHS.
Shipments of mobile broadband devices in 2011 are expected to grow to 157.9 million units, up from 100.1 million units in 2010, and this segment includes devices such as notebook and netbook computers, as well as e-book readers.
This year's mobile broadband devices growth rate matches the 57.4% expansion of 2010.
The report reveals that the mobile broadband devices market will continue to rise during the next few years but at lower rates, declining to 38.1% in 2012 and by 11% in 2015 to about 350.7 million units.
Within the segment, tablets will represent the fastest-growing mobile broadband device this year with shipments projected to reach 58.9 million units, up 239.3% from 17.4 million in 2010.
Tablets, largely iPad from Apple, appear to be at the forefront in boosting mobile broadband, and will
influence every node of the value chain, including suppliers, device manufacturers, mobile network operators, third-party applications and service suppliers, the report notes.
The mobile broadband segment utilises four primary methods for internet access, USB dongles, mobile hotspots, embedded modules and embedded chipsets, with pros and cons for each tool.
With the arrival of media tablets and other consumer electronics with embedded Wi-Fi capability, the mobile devices started using a 3G or 4G network as backhaul for data traffic.
Currently, mobile hotspots and embedded chipsets are the fastest-growing, growing 25 to 50% faster than the overall market.
By 2015, the report says a majority of the mobile broadband devices will use the 4G wireless standard known as long term evolution (LTE), as a connection for faster speeds and lower latencies or delays from their mobile broadband networks.
Tablets account for mobile broadband growth: Report
Australia - The direct economic contribution of the Internet economy is AUD 50 billlion plus AUS 27 billion in productivity increases
[it wire] A report from Deloitte Access Economics, commissioned by Google, puts the direct contribution of the Internet to the Australian economy at $50b, the wider benefits through productivity increases at $27b and the value of the benefits to households at $53b.
The report says the $50b direct contribution amounted to 3.6 percent of Australia's GDP in 2010, a figure similar to the value to the retail sector or Australia's iron ore exports, and adds "wider benefits – which are not fully captured in GDP calculations – include: approximately $27b in productivity increases to businesses and government in the form of improvements to the way they operate and deliver services…[and] the equivalent of $53bin benefits to households in the form of added convenience (eg of online banking and bill paying) and access to an increased variety of goods and services and information."
Furthermore, it says that Internet activity has doubled over the last four years and forecasts that the direct contribution of the Internet to the Australian economy is set to increase by $20b over the next five years, to roughly $70b: a rate of growth double that forecast for the economy as a whole. This will also see the number of people employed in directly Internet related activities from 190,000 today to 270,000.
"Australia's use of the Internet will expand rapidly to progressively close the gap between Australia and the world's leading digital economies," the report says. "These expectations reflect the rollout of the National Broadband Network connecting more Australians at higher speeds, government and business making better use of the Internet, and government developing a policy framework that supports investment and innovation in the Internet economy."
Australia's $130b Internet economy
see also report
The report says the $50b direct contribution amounted to 3.6 percent of Australia's GDP in 2010, a figure similar to the value to the retail sector or Australia's iron ore exports, and adds "wider benefits – which are not fully captured in GDP calculations – include: approximately $27b in productivity increases to businesses and government in the form of improvements to the way they operate and deliver services…[and] the equivalent of $53bin benefits to households in the form of added convenience (eg of online banking and bill paying) and access to an increased variety of goods and services and information."
Furthermore, it says that Internet activity has doubled over the last four years and forecasts that the direct contribution of the Internet to the Australian economy is set to increase by $20b over the next five years, to roughly $70b: a rate of growth double that forecast for the economy as a whole. This will also see the number of people employed in directly Internet related activities from 190,000 today to 270,000.
"Australia's use of the Internet will expand rapidly to progressively close the gap between Australia and the world's leading digital economies," the report says. "These expectations reflect the rollout of the National Broadband Network connecting more Australians at higher speeds, government and business making better use of the Internet, and government developing a policy framework that supports investment and innovation in the Internet economy."
Australia's $130b Internet economy
see also report
Korea - Regulator is preparing for the first ever auction of spectrum for 3G networks
[joongang daily] This month, there will be a very intriguing, important, yet controversial auction in the Korean mobile industry.
The Korea Communications Commission - the country’s telecommunications regulator - will hold an auction of slots in three mobile frequency bands. They are: 2.1-gigahertz (GHz) band, 1.8 GHz band and 800 MHz band.
It will be the first such auction in Korean mobile telecommunication market history.
For mobile carriers, it’s a matter of life-and-death. Securing vital spectrum slots are a must to meet surging data demand from smartphone and tablet PC users and to develop future wireless network technologies like fourth-generation (4G) technologies, also known as long-term revolution.
Last Thursday, the KCC wrapped up the applications for the auction. As expected all three carriers applied, promising heated competition this scorching summer.
It’s a war for 1.8 GHz
LG U+, the country’s smallest mobile carrier, is the sole bidder for the much-sought after 2.1 GHz band. Last month, the KCC declared that it would ban SK Telecom and KT - the No.1 and No.2 in the market - from bidding for the band to prevent a possible monopoly.
The 2.1 GHz is thought to be the “golden” band for 3G service and thus, crucial for smartphone services. SK Telecom and KT already own licenses for the band, while LG U+ has been the only player in the market without a license for the band.
So the bloodiest battle will take place in bidding for the 1.8 GHz band and the 800 MHz band.
But the problem is both SK Telecom and KT want the 1.8GHz.
The available slot in 1.8 GHz is twice that of 800MHz. The size of the frequency bands is important since the more voice and data traffic they can handle, the more business for the carriers.
Also, about 20 mobile carriers in Europe and five in the U.S. and Asia have chosen 1.8 GHz as the frequency band for their 4G mobile telecommunication service.
“To strengthen our competitiveness in future business, this band is a must-have. That is why no matter how substantial the sacrifice may be, we must bet everything on this,” said an SK Telecom executive.
Analysts fear Winner’s Curse
A telecom auction that’s going to cost a bundle
The Korea Communications Commission - the country’s telecommunications regulator - will hold an auction of slots in three mobile frequency bands. They are: 2.1-gigahertz (GHz) band, 1.8 GHz band and 800 MHz band.
It will be the first such auction in Korean mobile telecommunication market history.
For mobile carriers, it’s a matter of life-and-death. Securing vital spectrum slots are a must to meet surging data demand from smartphone and tablet PC users and to develop future wireless network technologies like fourth-generation (4G) technologies, also known as long-term revolution.
Last Thursday, the KCC wrapped up the applications for the auction. As expected all three carriers applied, promising heated competition this scorching summer.
It’s a war for 1.8 GHz
LG U+, the country’s smallest mobile carrier, is the sole bidder for the much-sought after 2.1 GHz band. Last month, the KCC declared that it would ban SK Telecom and KT - the No.1 and No.2 in the market - from bidding for the band to prevent a possible monopoly.
The 2.1 GHz is thought to be the “golden” band for 3G service and thus, crucial for smartphone services. SK Telecom and KT already own licenses for the band, while LG U+ has been the only player in the market without a license for the band.
So the bloodiest battle will take place in bidding for the 1.8 GHz band and the 800 MHz band.
But the problem is both SK Telecom and KT want the 1.8GHz.
The available slot in 1.8 GHz is twice that of 800MHz. The size of the frequency bands is important since the more voice and data traffic they can handle, the more business for the carriers.
Also, about 20 mobile carriers in Europe and five in the U.S. and Asia have chosen 1.8 GHz as the frequency band for their 4G mobile telecommunication service.
“To strengthen our competitiveness in future business, this band is a must-have. That is why no matter how substantial the sacrifice may be, we must bet everything on this,” said an SK Telecom executive.
Analysts fear Winner’s Curse
A telecom auction that’s going to cost a bundle
USA - Yankee Group has come out against AT&T's merger with T-Mobile USA as having a negative effect for consumers
[yankee group] AT&T's proposed $39 billion purchase of T-Mobile USA will have a negative impact on consumers, warns a new report released by leading mobility research firm Yankee Group. After analyzing Yankee Group consumer data and using the U.S. Department of Justice's (DoJ's) market concentration metrics, Yankee Group contends the merger will increase market concentration, decrease competition and raise average mobile prices in the most heavily populated U.S. wireless markets. The firm urges the FCC to block the merger unless it plans to take a stronger regulatory stance.
"We believe this merger will reduce choice for consumers and, more importantly, leave little incentive for AT&T to offer competitive pricing for unbundled mobile services," said Gigi Wang, Yankee Group's chief research officer and co-author of the report, "AT&T/T-Mobile Merger: More Market Concentration, Less Choice, Higher Prices."
The report also concludes the AT&T/T-Mobile merger would:
-Give AT&T more than a 50 percent market share in five major markets: Dallas, Houston, Miami, San Francisco and St. Louis.
-Grow the number of highly concentrated top 27 cellular markets from 1 to 17, reducing network choices in those markets.
-Increase mobile phone bills in seven major markets: Seattle and Houston would see mean increases of more than $5 per month, and Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and New York would see increases of less than $5 per month.
Yankee Group recommends the FCC:
-Think creatively about divesture remedies.
-Regulate unbundled wireless tariffs.
-Enforce mandatory, reasonable data roaming rates.
"We think that the FCC and DoJ now have to step up to the plate and regulate," said Carl Howe, research director at Yankee Group and co-author of the report. "Our research shows that the U.S. wireless market is maturing into a duopoly. While agencies were reluctant to regulate too strongly in years past because they didn't want to upset a nascent marketplace, those days are now over; it's now time to get back into the game."
Yankee Group to FCC: AT&T/T-Mobile Merger Will Result in Higher Prices
see also report from Yankee Group
"We believe this merger will reduce choice for consumers and, more importantly, leave little incentive for AT&T to offer competitive pricing for unbundled mobile services," said Gigi Wang, Yankee Group's chief research officer and co-author of the report, "AT&T/T-Mobile Merger: More Market Concentration, Less Choice, Higher Prices."
The report also concludes the AT&T/T-Mobile merger would:
-Give AT&T more than a 50 percent market share in five major markets: Dallas, Houston, Miami, San Francisco and St. Louis.
-Grow the number of highly concentrated top 27 cellular markets from 1 to 17, reducing network choices in those markets.
-Increase mobile phone bills in seven major markets: Seattle and Houston would see mean increases of more than $5 per month, and Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and New York would see increases of less than $5 per month.
Yankee Group recommends the FCC:
-Think creatively about divesture remedies.
-Regulate unbundled wireless tariffs.
-Enforce mandatory, reasonable data roaming rates.
"We think that the FCC and DoJ now have to step up to the plate and regulate," said Carl Howe, research director at Yankee Group and co-author of the report. "Our research shows that the U.S. wireless market is maturing into a duopoly. While agencies were reluctant to regulate too strongly in years past because they didn't want to upset a nascent marketplace, those days are now over; it's now time to get back into the game."
Yankee Group to FCC: AT&T/T-Mobile Merger Will Result in Higher Prices
see also report from Yankee Group
Mobile - Google is a potential giant in the mobile software market
[yankee group] Google’s mobile business has been performing quite well for the company. The search giant’s Android operating system is easily besting all other competitors around the world; a host of vendors are lining up to work with Google; and most analysts would agree that over the next several years, it will be the search giant that will lead all others in total mobile software market share.
But for all the good progress at Google, there are also several major issues with the company’s mobile division that it needs to address in the coming months and years. From its trouble with lawsuits to continued fragmentation in the marketplace, there’s no clear way for Google to fully insulate itself from the multiple threats its mobile division will have to contend with in the coming years.
Google's Mobile Business Growth: 10 Issues It Must Resolve
But for all the good progress at Google, there are also several major issues with the company’s mobile division that it needs to address in the coming months and years. From its trouble with lawsuits to continued fragmentation in the marketplace, there’s no clear way for Google to fully insulate itself from the multiple threats its mobile division will have to contend with in the coming years.
Google's Mobile Business Growth: 10 Issues It Must Resolve
Wi-Fi - These networks are becoming an adjunct to 3G networks as operators shift traffic to something cheaper
[fierce wireless] As more smartphones ship with Wi-Fi capabilities, and as carriers look to offload data traffic from their mobile networks, Wi-Fi is becoming an even more important tool for operators than it ever has been. Thus, Wi-Fi networks are edging closer to becoming an extension of mobile networks through standards work, dubbed Hotspot 2.0, that will add elements such as security, authentication and automatic roaming. But will operators wait for these standards to be completed given the fact that they desperately need data offloading solutions now?
Is Wi-Fi going to become just an extension of carriers' mobile networks?
Is Wi-Fi going to become just an extension of carriers' mobile networks?
USA - A small sample suggests significant demand for Apple iPhone from Android owners
[fortune] Finds high pent up demand for iPhone 5 among Verizon subscribers and Android owners.
It's only a tiny sample, so large conclusions must not be drawn. But the survey results reported in Gene Munster's note to Piper Jaffray clients Monday suggest that the pent-up demand for Apple's (AAPL) next iPhone could be even stronger than suspected.
In a survey of 216 mobile phone users conducted one recent week in Minneapolis ( in "food courts, on the street, near the entrance of a baseball stadium on a game day"), Munster found evidence that the iPhone's market share could by his estimate double in the next round of smartphone purchases. Specifically he found:
Among all respondents 64% indicated that they plan to buy an iPhone when they purchase a new phone.
Of those surveyed, 29% already have iPhones and 64% expect their next phone to be an iPhone; 17% have an Android device and 17% also indicated they expect their next phone to be an Android.
Among those who do not have an iPhone but plan to buy an iPhone next, 60% are specifically waiting for the iPhone 5
Of those Verizon subs who do not have an iPhone but plan to buy an iPhone next, 74% are specifically waiting for the iPhone 5,
At AT&T, that same metric is 53%.
Among existing iPhone users, 94% expect to buy another iPhone (6% expect to switch to Android)
Among existing Android users 47% expect to buy another Android smartphone (42% expect to switch to iPhone).
Among all BlackBerry users just 26% expect to buy another BlackBerry, 67% expect to buy an iPhone and 3% expect to buy an Android device.
"In other words," Munster concludes, "our survey suggests Apple will take share from BlackBerry and, to a lesser degree, Android as well as other smartphones and feature phones in the future. "
Survey: iPhone retention 94% vs. Android 47%
It's only a tiny sample, so large conclusions must not be drawn. But the survey results reported in Gene Munster's note to Piper Jaffray clients Monday suggest that the pent-up demand for Apple's (AAPL) next iPhone could be even stronger than suspected.
In a survey of 216 mobile phone users conducted one recent week in Minneapolis ( in "food courts, on the street, near the entrance of a baseball stadium on a game day"), Munster found evidence that the iPhone's market share could by his estimate double in the next round of smartphone purchases. Specifically he found:
Among all respondents 64% indicated that they plan to buy an iPhone when they purchase a new phone.
Of those surveyed, 29% already have iPhones and 64% expect their next phone to be an iPhone; 17% have an Android device and 17% also indicated they expect their next phone to be an Android.
Among those who do not have an iPhone but plan to buy an iPhone next, 60% are specifically waiting for the iPhone 5
Of those Verizon subs who do not have an iPhone but plan to buy an iPhone next, 74% are specifically waiting for the iPhone 5,
At AT&T, that same metric is 53%.
Among existing iPhone users, 94% expect to buy another iPhone (6% expect to switch to Android)
Among existing Android users 47% expect to buy another Android smartphone (42% expect to switch to iPhone).
Among all BlackBerry users just 26% expect to buy another BlackBerry, 67% expect to buy an iPhone and 3% expect to buy an Android device.
"In other words," Munster concludes, "our survey suggests Apple will take share from BlackBerry and, to a lesser degree, Android as well as other smartphones and feature phones in the future. "
Survey: iPhone retention 94% vs. Android 47%
Australia - The merged Vodafone-3 network claims to have overcome all the network problems of 2010
[it wire] Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) says it’s “turned the corner” on network woes which plagued the company late last year, and that it now has confidence in its network to actively seek out customers.
In a call after this afternoon’s announcement of their financial results for the first six months of 2011, VHA expressed delight at the progress of their network improvements, saying it now has full confidence in its network capabilities and performance.
CEO Nigel Dews said during the call that the company has now full confidence in the service it can provide, and that “what we don’t have we make up in value.”
He said VHA’s “first preference” is to sell customers devices compatible with its new 850Mhz devices, but phones compatible with Vodafone’s other networks will still work “well” according to Dews.
Dews also mentioned that the telco is keeping a watchful eye on mobile termination rates, noting that for them, “any substantial fall in termination rates is a win for Telstra.”
VHA have learned the hard way, Dews said, but the organisation is “working hard” to make sure nothing like last year’s disaster and the loss of nearly 375,000 customers over the past six months can ever happen again.
VHA: “We’ve turned the corner” on network woes
In a call after this afternoon’s announcement of their financial results for the first six months of 2011, VHA expressed delight at the progress of their network improvements, saying it now has full confidence in its network capabilities and performance.
CEO Nigel Dews said during the call that the company has now full confidence in the service it can provide, and that “what we don’t have we make up in value.”
He said VHA’s “first preference” is to sell customers devices compatible with its new 850Mhz devices, but phones compatible with Vodafone’s other networks will still work “well” according to Dews.
Dews also mentioned that the telco is keeping a watchful eye on mobile termination rates, noting that for them, “any substantial fall in termination rates is a win for Telstra.”
VHA have learned the hard way, Dews said, but the organisation is “working hard” to make sure nothing like last year’s disaster and the loss of nearly 375,000 customers over the past six months can ever happen again.
VHA: “We’ve turned the corner” on network woes
Mobile - Research suggests need for operators to reduce costs and inefficiencies if they are to remain viable
[juniper research] Mobile network operators (MNOs) must explore means of addressing data delivery costs and inefficiencies in base station operations if their networks are to remain economically viable, a new report from Juniper Research has found. According to the report, even with the increased deployment and utilisation of LTE networks, global MNO data delivery costs could surpass $370 billion annually by 2016, a 7x increase on their 2010 level of $53 billion.
However, the report argued that future operating costs could be significantly reduced by the deployment of data offload solutions, such as WiFi networks and femtocells, allied to the utilisation of network optimisation techniques to facilitate flow control.
Further savings possible at base stations
Furthermore, the Mobile Operator Business Models report observed the potential for substantial savings at the base station level, identifying both active and passive network sharing as a means of reducing site lease costs and reducing energy loss by using feederless sites and remote radio heads. It also recommended that operators in developing markets that are reliant on diesel to power off-grid generators should accelerate their transition to renewable alternatives.
These measures will additionally enable MNOs to meet their sustainability commitments, as report author Dr Windsor Holden pointed out. “The case for reducing network ineffiency is both environmental and economic. By implementing solutions designed to reduce energy wastage, not only will MNOs markedly cut their operating costs but they will following sustainable business practices which reduce greenhose gas emissions.”
Other findings from the report include:
• MNOs should consider leveraging core assets to develop new revenue streams in areas such as cloud platform provision and M2M
• Tier 2 operators should continue to offer unlimited data plans to gain competitive advantage
• Regulatory pricing controls will continue to negatively impact operator margins
Mobile Network Operators Face Seven Fold Increase in Data Delivery Costs, Rising to $370bn by 2016, Juniper Research warns
However, the report argued that future operating costs could be significantly reduced by the deployment of data offload solutions, such as WiFi networks and femtocells, allied to the utilisation of network optimisation techniques to facilitate flow control.
Further savings possible at base stations
Furthermore, the Mobile Operator Business Models report observed the potential for substantial savings at the base station level, identifying both active and passive network sharing as a means of reducing site lease costs and reducing energy loss by using feederless sites and remote radio heads. It also recommended that operators in developing markets that are reliant on diesel to power off-grid generators should accelerate their transition to renewable alternatives.
These measures will additionally enable MNOs to meet their sustainability commitments, as report author Dr Windsor Holden pointed out. “The case for reducing network ineffiency is both environmental and economic. By implementing solutions designed to reduce energy wastage, not only will MNOs markedly cut their operating costs but they will following sustainable business practices which reduce greenhose gas emissions.”
Other findings from the report include:
• MNOs should consider leveraging core assets to develop new revenue streams in areas such as cloud platform provision and M2M
• Tier 2 operators should continue to offer unlimited data plans to gain competitive advantage
• Regulatory pricing controls will continue to negatively impact operator margins
Mobile Network Operators Face Seven Fold Increase in Data Delivery Costs, Rising to $370bn by 2016, Juniper Research warns
Nigeria - Globacom is using its submarine cable to serve major oil companies helping to pay for the investment
[submarine telecom] Globacom’s international submarine cable, Glo 1, has signed on a number of major oil companies in the past few months, signaling increasing preference for the cable as bandwidth provider of choice, according to the Nigerian Pilot. The list of customers includes: Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Total ELf, Chevron, Agip, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Exxon Mobil and TransOcean.
Head of Glo 1 Enterprise Solutions, Folu Aderibigbe, said recently in Lagos that the most recent of the deals was the one signed with ExxonMobil. He said, according to the terms of the contract, Glo 1 will provide the oil major high-speed international bandwidth link that will connect its offices in Lagos and the United Kingdom.
“Our network solution will provide ExxonMobil seamless connectivity for running data applications, voice communications and video transmissions between its Lagos and UK offices,” Aderibigbe explained. Glo 1 had last month announced a 10-year deal with SPDC to provide the oil company connectivity between its operational hubs in Lagos and Niger Delta. Glo 1 is also providing the other oil companies that had signed on to it a range of domestic and international connectivity solutions.
Glo 1 makes inroads into Nigeria’s oil sector
Head of Glo 1 Enterprise Solutions, Folu Aderibigbe, said recently in Lagos that the most recent of the deals was the one signed with ExxonMobil. He said, according to the terms of the contract, Glo 1 will provide the oil major high-speed international bandwidth link that will connect its offices in Lagos and the United Kingdom.
“Our network solution will provide ExxonMobil seamless connectivity for running data applications, voice communications and video transmissions between its Lagos and UK offices,” Aderibigbe explained. Glo 1 had last month announced a 10-year deal with SPDC to provide the oil company connectivity between its operational hubs in Lagos and Niger Delta. Glo 1 is also providing the other oil companies that had signed on to it a range of domestic and international connectivity solutions.
Glo 1 makes inroads into Nigeria’s oil sector
Android - Adult App Mart can be used for in-app payments for "adult" uncensored purchases or time-limited leases of content
[prweb] The newly launched Android app marketplace, Adult App Mart, is increasing the earning potential for app developers by improving and facilitating the way end users buy their products with in-app billing capabilities.
For Adult App Mart’s customers, the main function of in-app billing is to provide support for purchases -- giving Android users the option to buy content immediately and effortlessly, without having to exit the app.
For app developers, incorporating this payment feature into their creation serves the end user with convenience, which in turn, encourages return customers. Through a simple import, developers will find the integration of in-app billing into their Android projects effortless, needing only a unique token to identify particular features within their app along with a price in Adult App Mart credits.
Additionally, the in-app purchase function also supports rental purchases that specifies and tracks how many hours an in-app item will be owned once it is purchased. When the time expires, the in-app item will be available again for purchase. This feature alleviates the developer and user from having to track the elapsed time since the purchase. The remaining time is retrieved via the in-app billing library using the purchase check feature.
Adult App Mart account holders are provided with easy login and logout methods. Users that are already taking advantage of Adult App Mart’s wide-ranging, uncensored offerings have the benefit of having their existing login credentials automatically loaded into the billing platform for speedy, safe app purchases. Newcomers, however, also can take advantage of the ease of use offered by in-app billing to create an Adult App Mart account directly from its library.
Frequent Android app consumers are embracing Adult App Mart’s in-app billing capability because of the security it offers. End users no longer have to leave the developer’s app in order to add credits into his or her account.
With accessibility in mind, Adult App Mart’s in-app billing encourages freedom in mobile content consumption. Adult App Mart continues to grow with uncensored apps, including videos, dating and games, catering to various niches.
Adult App Mart In-App Billing Simplifies Purchases: Delivers Maximum Earning Potential for Developers and Ease of Use for Consumers
For Adult App Mart’s customers, the main function of in-app billing is to provide support for purchases -- giving Android users the option to buy content immediately and effortlessly, without having to exit the app.
For app developers, incorporating this payment feature into their creation serves the end user with convenience, which in turn, encourages return customers. Through a simple import, developers will find the integration of in-app billing into their Android projects effortless, needing only a unique token to identify particular features within their app along with a price in Adult App Mart credits.
Additionally, the in-app purchase function also supports rental purchases that specifies and tracks how many hours an in-app item will be owned once it is purchased. When the time expires, the in-app item will be available again for purchase. This feature alleviates the developer and user from having to track the elapsed time since the purchase. The remaining time is retrieved via the in-app billing library using the purchase check feature.
Adult App Mart account holders are provided with easy login and logout methods. Users that are already taking advantage of Adult App Mart’s wide-ranging, uncensored offerings have the benefit of having their existing login credentials automatically loaded into the billing platform for speedy, safe app purchases. Newcomers, however, also can take advantage of the ease of use offered by in-app billing to create an Adult App Mart account directly from its library.
Frequent Android app consumers are embracing Adult App Mart’s in-app billing capability because of the security it offers. End users no longer have to leave the developer’s app in order to add credits into his or her account.
With accessibility in mind, Adult App Mart’s in-app billing encourages freedom in mobile content consumption. Adult App Mart continues to grow with uncensored apps, including videos, dating and games, catering to various niches.
Adult App Mart In-App Billing Simplifies Purchases: Delivers Maximum Earning Potential for Developers and Ease of Use for Consumers
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
USA - Large operators have proposed reforms of the Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation system
[totaltele.com] AT&T, Verizon among six service providers to submit proposals to FCC in bid to overhaul Universal Service Fund, intercarrier compensation system.
Six U.S. telcos have joined forces to submit proposals to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on how to extend broadband services to 4 million rural end users.
Called America's Broadband Connectivity Plan, the six companies – AT&T, Verizon CenturyLink, Fairpoint, Frontier and Windstream – aim to overhaul the country's $4.5 billion Universal Service Fund (USF) and the intercarrier compensation (ICC) system, which sets out rules on how much service providers charge for carrying one another's traffic, in a bid to provide the entire population with a minimum connection speed of 4 Mbps within five years.
"After years of debating and discussing how to update the universal service and intercarrier compensation programs for the broadband era, a workable framework has emerged," said Hank Hultquist, vice president of AT&T's federal regulatory activities, in a statement late last week.
"To truly bring broadband services to all Americans, the rules of the road for the black rotary phone desperately needed to be updated for today's competitive, high-speed communications networks," he said.
The proposals would change the USF over a period of five years into one with an exclusive focus on rolling out broadband networks, called the Connect America Fund (CAF). The CAF would identify areas where it is more costly to deploy broadband networks and where there is no business case for offering services, and provide support to a single telco in each area.
The plan would also see termination rates for intercarrier compensation fall to $0.0007 per minute over a five-to-eight-year timeframe.
"This proposal modernises the USF and ICC mechanisms as our industry migrates toward a broadband-oriented future," said Mike Rhoda, senior vice president at Windstream's government affairs department, who said the plan also provides an adequate time period for carriers to transition to the proposed framework.
"We worked hard to reach consensus on a workable framework, and each of our companies was dedicated to producing a sound proposal that will benefit consumers and the industry," added Kathleen Grillo, senior vice president of federal regulatory affairs at Verizon. "We are hopeful that this framework will gain even more industry support."
Indeed, a number of industry associations have already pledged their support for the telcos' reform proposals, including the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies, and the Western Telecommunications Alliance.
US telcos team up on rural broadband plan
Six U.S. telcos have joined forces to submit proposals to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on how to extend broadband services to 4 million rural end users.
Called America's Broadband Connectivity Plan, the six companies – AT&T, Verizon CenturyLink, Fairpoint, Frontier and Windstream – aim to overhaul the country's $4.5 billion Universal Service Fund (USF) and the intercarrier compensation (ICC) system, which sets out rules on how much service providers charge for carrying one another's traffic, in a bid to provide the entire population with a minimum connection speed of 4 Mbps within five years.
"After years of debating and discussing how to update the universal service and intercarrier compensation programs for the broadband era, a workable framework has emerged," said Hank Hultquist, vice president of AT&T's federal regulatory activities, in a statement late last week.
"To truly bring broadband services to all Americans, the rules of the road for the black rotary phone desperately needed to be updated for today's competitive, high-speed communications networks," he said.
The proposals would change the USF over a period of five years into one with an exclusive focus on rolling out broadband networks, called the Connect America Fund (CAF). The CAF would identify areas where it is more costly to deploy broadband networks and where there is no business case for offering services, and provide support to a single telco in each area.
The plan would also see termination rates for intercarrier compensation fall to $0.0007 per minute over a five-to-eight-year timeframe.
"This proposal modernises the USF and ICC mechanisms as our industry migrates toward a broadband-oriented future," said Mike Rhoda, senior vice president at Windstream's government affairs department, who said the plan also provides an adequate time period for carriers to transition to the proposed framework.
"We worked hard to reach consensus on a workable framework, and each of our companies was dedicated to producing a sound proposal that will benefit consumers and the industry," added Kathleen Grillo, senior vice president of federal regulatory affairs at Verizon. "We are hopeful that this framework will gain even more industry support."
Indeed, a number of industry associations have already pledged their support for the telcos' reform proposals, including the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies, and the Western Telecommunications Alliance.
US telcos team up on rural broadband plan
India - DoT is to set a common tax rate of 8.5% for mobile operators, replacing variable rates of 6-10%
[cellular news] India's Telecom Commission has approved plans to change the current annual levy on the mobile networks from a variable rate to a flat rate for all telecom operators.
Currently, the operators pay between 6-10 percent of their annual revenues as a license fee. This is to be standardised at a flat rate of 8.5 percent. The industry regulator, the TRAI had lobbied for the rate to be lowered across the board to 6 percent.
The move will benefit primarily the networks covering the major cities as they currently pay the higher rate, but the larger national operators are unlikely to see much difference as the rate cut for cities will be offset by rises in the rate paid for rural areas.
In addition, Internet Service Providers and Long Distance landline networks will have to pay more as they currently pay only 6 percent of their revenues to the government.
India to Level the Annual Revenue Levy on Telecom Networks
Currently, the operators pay between 6-10 percent of their annual revenues as a license fee. This is to be standardised at a flat rate of 8.5 percent. The industry regulator, the TRAI had lobbied for the rate to be lowered across the board to 6 percent.
The move will benefit primarily the networks covering the major cities as they currently pay the higher rate, but the larger national operators are unlikely to see much difference as the rate cut for cities will be offset by rises in the rate paid for rural areas.
In addition, Internet Service Providers and Long Distance landline networks will have to pay more as they currently pay only 6 percent of their revenues to the government.
India to Level the Annual Revenue Levy on Telecom Networks
UK - Alpha Mobile has launched a pre-paid SIM card with unlimited local and international calls for STG 30/month
[totaltele.com] Alpha Mobile's prepaid SIM service offers unlimited local, international calls for £30 per month.
Alpha Telecom on Monday launched a new prepay MVNO that offers unlimited U.K. and international calls to both fixed-lines and mobile phones for £30 per month.
"£30 buys 30 days of unlimited calls – subject to a fair use policy – to landlines in more than 75 countries, [and] mobiles in selected locations, including Australia, Hong Kong, India and the USA," a spokesman for Alpha Mobile told Total Telecom in an email on Monday.
Alpha Mobile's SIM card can be used as a standard prepay SIM that charges 5p for local calls, and 10p for U.K. mobile calls when topped up with any value below £30, according to the company's Website. However, "once you top this amount up [to £30], you then receive your free international and U.K. calls," the spokesman explained.
Alpha Mobile said it aims to offer its new prepaid SIM in over 90,000 retail outlets by the end of 2011, including "Costcutter, Londis, Booker, Spar, Martin McColl and any stores with the PayPoint and PrePay logos," the spokesman added.
The MVNO is another company that uses Vodafone's infrastructure, joining other MVNOs such as Tru, Just Mobile, and Gamma Telecom.
However, Alpha Mobile has not ruled out buying spectrum and deploying its own network.
"Alpha Telecom is always building its infrastructure and investing in innovative technology to stay in line with the market," said Zafar Mirza, CEO of Alpha Mobile, in an email to Total Telecom.
The launch of Alpha Mobile comes at a time when the cost of calling abroad from a mobile is under the spotlight, particularly in Europe.
New regulations proposed in July by European Commissioner Neelie Kroes aim to enable subscribers to sign up to a dedicated roaming provider that would allow them to cut the cost of using their handset while abroad without having to change their phone number or swap their SIM card.
Alpha Telecom launches UK MVNO
Alpha Telecom on Monday launched a new prepay MVNO that offers unlimited U.K. and international calls to both fixed-lines and mobile phones for £30 per month.
"£30 buys 30 days of unlimited calls – subject to a fair use policy – to landlines in more than 75 countries, [and] mobiles in selected locations, including Australia, Hong Kong, India and the USA," a spokesman for Alpha Mobile told Total Telecom in an email on Monday.
Alpha Mobile's SIM card can be used as a standard prepay SIM that charges 5p for local calls, and 10p for U.K. mobile calls when topped up with any value below £30, according to the company's Website. However, "once you top this amount up [to £30], you then receive your free international and U.K. calls," the spokesman explained.
Alpha Mobile said it aims to offer its new prepaid SIM in over 90,000 retail outlets by the end of 2011, including "Costcutter, Londis, Booker, Spar, Martin McColl and any stores with the PayPoint and PrePay logos," the spokesman added.
The MVNO is another company that uses Vodafone's infrastructure, joining other MVNOs such as Tru, Just Mobile, and Gamma Telecom.
However, Alpha Mobile has not ruled out buying spectrum and deploying its own network.
"Alpha Telecom is always building its infrastructure and investing in innovative technology to stay in line with the market," said Zafar Mirza, CEO of Alpha Mobile, in an email to Total Telecom.
The launch of Alpha Mobile comes at a time when the cost of calling abroad from a mobile is under the spotlight, particularly in Europe.
New regulations proposed in July by European Commissioner Neelie Kroes aim to enable subscribers to sign up to a dedicated roaming provider that would allow them to cut the cost of using their handset while abroad without having to change their phone number or swap their SIM card.
Alpha Telecom launches UK MVNO
Rwanda - Rwandatel is meeting creditors over its liquidation over substantial debts
[cellular news] Rwandan telco, Rwandatel has confirmed that it will be meeting with its creditors after a local court ordered the company to liquidate its assets to repay debts.
The company is estimated to have debts of nearly US$89 million, but assets of just US$50 million. The company was ordered to shut-down its GSM network earlier this year following claims by the regulator that it had missed license obligations.
Rwandatel's Administrator, Richard Mugisha, told the Business Times that as provided by law, the company is mandated to meet with its creditors to agree on resolutions and approve a managerial team to oversee the company during the process.
"When the company's assets are successfully sold off, we shall discuss with the different institutions and individuals whom we owe, when and how the payment process will be implemented."
The telecom company is partially owned by Libyan investment group - LAP Green - with an 80% stake and the Social Security Fund of Rwanda (SSFR) which has 20 percent.
Rwandatel to Meet Creditors Following Court Ordered Liquidation
The company is estimated to have debts of nearly US$89 million, but assets of just US$50 million. The company was ordered to shut-down its GSM network earlier this year following claims by the regulator that it had missed license obligations.
Rwandatel's Administrator, Richard Mugisha, told the Business Times that as provided by law, the company is mandated to meet with its creditors to agree on resolutions and approve a managerial team to oversee the company during the process.
"When the company's assets are successfully sold off, we shall discuss with the different institutions and individuals whom we owe, when and how the payment process will be implemented."
The telecom company is partially owned by Libyan investment group - LAP Green - with an 80% stake and the Social Security Fund of Rwanda (SSFR) which has 20 percent.
Rwandatel to Meet Creditors Following Court Ordered Liquidation
Zambia - Zamtel has launched its 3G service following a network upgrade
[cellular news] Zambian mobile network operator, Zamtel has launched its 3G network following a US$37 million upgrade.
Zamtel chief commercial officer Amon Jere said the 3G technology will be first switched on along the line of rail and North-western province, Copperbelt province, Lusaka, Choma, Mazabuka and Livingstone.
"We expect to finish the first phase in October while the second phase will see us switch on all provincial capitals."
Libya's Lap Green Networks bought a 75% stake in the company last year for US$257 million and promised to invest US$127 million into the company, partly as recapitalisation and partly on network upgrades.
Zamtel Switches on 3G Network
Zamtel chief commercial officer Amon Jere said the 3G technology will be first switched on along the line of rail and North-western province, Copperbelt province, Lusaka, Choma, Mazabuka and Livingstone.
"We expect to finish the first phase in October while the second phase will see us switch on all provincial capitals."
Libya's Lap Green Networks bought a 75% stake in the company last year for US$257 million and promised to invest US$127 million into the company, partly as recapitalisation and partly on network upgrades.
Zamtel Switches on 3G Network
Caribbean - Digicel is to provide a remittance service from the USA for its customers
[cellular news] Digitalk says that it has won a contract from Pan-Caribbean mobile network operator, Digicel for its Multiservice Platform for its prepaid services throughout the USA and Caribbean islands.
Digicel has been providing prepaid calling card and pre/post paid PINless services to Diaspora communities in the USA, particularly in Miami, Florida using a white label hosted service. The move to in-house management and operations of the platform architecture aims to offer Digicel greater control over distribution, pricing and promotions, and supports its plans to introduce services in other countries.
Digicel will migrate all its existing services over to the Digitalk Prepaid Consumer Platform initially, and then support the roll-out of services to other countries with significant Diaspora communities from the Caribbean Islands, including the UK and France.
Justin Norris, CEO of Digitalk noted "We've managed a number of large-scale deployments this side of the Atlantic now and are very pleased that our reputation as leaders in prepaid consumer platforms in our traditional European Markets has stood the test in the Americas and Caribbean."
Digicel Upgrades PrePay Platform for its Diaspora Customers
Digicel has been providing prepaid calling card and pre/post paid PINless services to Diaspora communities in the USA, particularly in Miami, Florida using a white label hosted service. The move to in-house management and operations of the platform architecture aims to offer Digicel greater control over distribution, pricing and promotions, and supports its plans to introduce services in other countries.
Digicel will migrate all its existing services over to the Digitalk Prepaid Consumer Platform initially, and then support the roll-out of services to other countries with significant Diaspora communities from the Caribbean Islands, including the UK and France.
Justin Norris, CEO of Digitalk noted "We've managed a number of large-scale deployments this side of the Atlantic now and are very pleased that our reputation as leaders in prepaid consumer platforms in our traditional European Markets has stood the test in the Americas and Caribbean."
Digicel Upgrades PrePay Platform for its Diaspora Customers
Mobile broadband - Assigning more spectrum would generate substantial jobs and investment
[prnewswire] Today, Mobile Future, David Sosa, Ph.D. and Marc Van Audenrode, Ph.D. of the Analysis Group released a new study, Private-Sector Investment and Employment Impacts of Reassigning Spectrum to Mobile Broadband in the United States, which reveals the crucial role mobile broadband can play in boosting the nation's economy if additional spectrum is allocated for wireless networks.
The paper explains how robust private sector investment leading to substantial job creation, can be further stimulated by the reassignment of spectrum to mobile broadband. Between 2002 and 2010 alone, capital spending in the wireless industry exceeded $185 billion, creating roughly 420,000 jobs throughout the economy.
Reassigning an additional 300 MHz of spectrum to mobile broadband over five years, the report concludes, will spur $75 billion in new capital spending, creating more than 300,000 jobs and $230 billion in additional GDP. The release of an additional 200 MHz of new spectrum after five years will create an additional 200,000 jobs and increase GDP by an additional $155 billion.
U.S. mobile networks, however, currently are operating at 80 percent of capacity, well above the aggregate utilization rate of 65 percent for all countries worldwide. Drs. Sosa and Audenrode conclude that while "mobile broadband is a critical platform for future innovation, the U.S. wireless industry currently faces severe spectrum constraints, limiting the ability of companies to develop new mobile broadband products and services. Facilitating the reallocation of underutilized spectrum can create a favorable environment for private sector investment in critical wireless infrastructure that will create jobs, spur demand and encourage innovation. And that's just the tip of the iceberg in terms of long-run economic benefits. The sooner that spectrum is reassigned to mobile broadband, the sooner we'll see private sector investment and job creation."
The report stresses that the release of additional spectrum requires no handouts from the U.S. Treasury and will generate substantial spillover effects as innovative companies rush to create new mobile broadband products and services. Emerging wireless technologies and applications have the capacity to alter economic relationships, lead to productivity and gains, and ultimately boost employment and GDP.
"The future of innovation is powered by wireless technology," said Mobile Future chair Jonathan Spalter. "Reallocating underutilized spectrum is absolutely critical to growing an extensive and robust mobile broadband ecosystem that will create jobs, spur consumer demand and facilitate innovation and economic opportunities. This new data is particularly timely as Congress continues its important work to provide more mobile spectrum for American consumers."
Mobile Future is a coalition of cutting-edge American technology and communications companies, consumers and a diverse group of non-profit organizations, working to support an environment which encourages investment and innovation in the dynamic wireless sector. Our mission is to help inform and educate the public and key decision makers in business and government on the broad range of wireless innovations that are transforming our society and the nation's economy.
New Study Finds Heightened Investments, Jobs with Reassignment of Spectrum to Mobile Broadband
The paper explains how robust private sector investment leading to substantial job creation, can be further stimulated by the reassignment of spectrum to mobile broadband. Between 2002 and 2010 alone, capital spending in the wireless industry exceeded $185 billion, creating roughly 420,000 jobs throughout the economy.
Reassigning an additional 300 MHz of spectrum to mobile broadband over five years, the report concludes, will spur $75 billion in new capital spending, creating more than 300,000 jobs and $230 billion in additional GDP. The release of an additional 200 MHz of new spectrum after five years will create an additional 200,000 jobs and increase GDP by an additional $155 billion.
U.S. mobile networks, however, currently are operating at 80 percent of capacity, well above the aggregate utilization rate of 65 percent for all countries worldwide. Drs. Sosa and Audenrode conclude that while "mobile broadband is a critical platform for future innovation, the U.S. wireless industry currently faces severe spectrum constraints, limiting the ability of companies to develop new mobile broadband products and services. Facilitating the reallocation of underutilized spectrum can create a favorable environment for private sector investment in critical wireless infrastructure that will create jobs, spur demand and encourage innovation. And that's just the tip of the iceberg in terms of long-run economic benefits. The sooner that spectrum is reassigned to mobile broadband, the sooner we'll see private sector investment and job creation."
The report stresses that the release of additional spectrum requires no handouts from the U.S. Treasury and will generate substantial spillover effects as innovative companies rush to create new mobile broadband products and services. Emerging wireless technologies and applications have the capacity to alter economic relationships, lead to productivity and gains, and ultimately boost employment and GDP.
"The future of innovation is powered by wireless technology," said Mobile Future chair Jonathan Spalter. "Reallocating underutilized spectrum is absolutely critical to growing an extensive and robust mobile broadband ecosystem that will create jobs, spur consumer demand and facilitate innovation and economic opportunities. This new data is particularly timely as Congress continues its important work to provide more mobile spectrum for American consumers."
Mobile Future is a coalition of cutting-edge American technology and communications companies, consumers and a diverse group of non-profit organizations, working to support an environment which encourages investment and innovation in the dynamic wireless sector. Our mission is to help inform and educate the public and key decision makers in business and government on the broad range of wireless innovations that are transforming our society and the nation's economy.
New Study Finds Heightened Investments, Jobs with Reassignment of Spectrum to Mobile Broadband
Africa - Fibre optic trial succeeds at 100 Gbps over 1,732 km from Mtunzini to Johannesburg
[marketwire] Infinera announced today with SEACOM, a leading pan-African telecommunications provider, the successful trial completion of five 100 Gigabit per second (100Gb/s) coherent optical signals transmitted over 1732 km. Believed to be a first of its kind in Africa, the 500Gb/s trial ran over and was looped back across SEACOM's newly built 930 km Dark Fibre Africa (DFA) fiber route which links the SEACOM Mtunzini cable landing station in KwaZulu Natal to the Teraco data center in Johannesburg.
The live demonstration today was witnessed by members of Africa's scientific, research and development community at Teraco's data center in Johannesburg. The trial used Infinera's 500Gb/s Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), each which integrates five 100Gb/s coherent channels onto a single chip. The PICs were used for both transmitting and receiving the five 100Gb/s signals during the trial, the first time the PICs have been used to transmit and provide real time coherent processing for all 500Gb/s simultaneously on a production network. The trial also demonstrated Infinera's FlexCoherent functionality by switching between QPSK and BPSK modulation.
Infinera plans to deliver the 500Gb/s PICs as part of a system which integrates 5 Terabit per second (Tb/s) OTN switching and 100Gb/s coherent optical transmission in early 2012. Enabling seamless upgrades from existing 10Gb/s networks without having to upgrade the underlying fiber infrastructure, this technology is designed to provide SEACOM's land-based network in South Africa with a total capacity of over 8Tb/s per fiber, which is an effective 10 fold increase on its current capacity. This is in line and in support of SEACOM's plans to expand the marine portion of the cable to over 4.8Tb/s.
"The trial is a landmark achievement for SEACOM and Infinera because it demonstrates our commitment to increase the pace at which African networks are deploying cutting-edge telecommunications infrastructure technology to support Africa's rise as a primary scientific and business destination," said Brian Herlihy, SEACOM CEO.
Fibre optic transmission technologies have been developing considerably to satisfy demand for large-capacity digital transmission in public telecommunication networks worldwide. At the consumer level, the 500Gb/s PIC technology enables the download of 30 high-definition Blu-Ray™ movie files in 60 seconds, or supports the streaming of 4,000 simultaneous high definition video channels over a single optical channel.
At the network level, 100Gb/s systems based on PIC technology will have important implications for the economics of future networks. Infinera's 500Gb/s PICs incorporate more than 600 optical functions on a pair of indium phosphide chips enabling cost effective 100Gb/s coherent transmission as well as integrated OTN switching to deliver the Digital Optical Network. These industry leading capabilities provide an effective means for network operators to scale network capacity while lowering operational costs, increasing reliability and providing for superior network economics.
"With Internet traffic growing at exponential rates, driven by video, cloud computing, and mobility, the 500G PIC technology is designed to support the required growth in network capacity, while reducing the per-bit cost, space, and power consumption," said Tom Fallon, Infinera CEO. "These attributes are in-line with SEACOM's vision to providing world-class infrastructure as African traffic continues to increase at record speeds."
Infinera and SEACOM Achieve First Ever 500Gb/s Optical Network Trial in Africa Over a Distance of 1732 km
The live demonstration today was witnessed by members of Africa's scientific, research and development community at Teraco's data center in Johannesburg. The trial used Infinera's 500Gb/s Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), each which integrates five 100Gb/s coherent channels onto a single chip. The PICs were used for both transmitting and receiving the five 100Gb/s signals during the trial, the first time the PICs have been used to transmit and provide real time coherent processing for all 500Gb/s simultaneously on a production network. The trial also demonstrated Infinera's FlexCoherent functionality by switching between QPSK and BPSK modulation.
Infinera plans to deliver the 500Gb/s PICs as part of a system which integrates 5 Terabit per second (Tb/s) OTN switching and 100Gb/s coherent optical transmission in early 2012. Enabling seamless upgrades from existing 10Gb/s networks without having to upgrade the underlying fiber infrastructure, this technology is designed to provide SEACOM's land-based network in South Africa with a total capacity of over 8Tb/s per fiber, which is an effective 10 fold increase on its current capacity. This is in line and in support of SEACOM's plans to expand the marine portion of the cable to over 4.8Tb/s.
"The trial is a landmark achievement for SEACOM and Infinera because it demonstrates our commitment to increase the pace at which African networks are deploying cutting-edge telecommunications infrastructure technology to support Africa's rise as a primary scientific and business destination," said Brian Herlihy, SEACOM CEO.
Fibre optic transmission technologies have been developing considerably to satisfy demand for large-capacity digital transmission in public telecommunication networks worldwide. At the consumer level, the 500Gb/s PIC technology enables the download of 30 high-definition Blu-Ray™ movie files in 60 seconds, or supports the streaming of 4,000 simultaneous high definition video channels over a single optical channel.
At the network level, 100Gb/s systems based on PIC technology will have important implications for the economics of future networks. Infinera's 500Gb/s PICs incorporate more than 600 optical functions on a pair of indium phosphide chips enabling cost effective 100Gb/s coherent transmission as well as integrated OTN switching to deliver the Digital Optical Network. These industry leading capabilities provide an effective means for network operators to scale network capacity while lowering operational costs, increasing reliability and providing for superior network economics.
"With Internet traffic growing at exponential rates, driven by video, cloud computing, and mobility, the 500G PIC technology is designed to support the required growth in network capacity, while reducing the per-bit cost, space, and power consumption," said Tom Fallon, Infinera CEO. "These attributes are in-line with SEACOM's vision to providing world-class infrastructure as African traffic continues to increase at record speeds."
Infinera and SEACOM Achieve First Ever 500Gb/s Optical Network Trial in Africa Over a Distance of 1732 km
Nigeria - The inadequacy of electric power is a major challenge for the deployment of broadband
[this day] The Chief Executive Officer of Main One Cable, Ms Funke Opeke , has identified inadequate power supply as the main challenge to the deployment of broadband in the country.
Opeke said in the last one year of the company's operations, power and onward distribution of capacity across the country had been very challenging.
She informed THISDAY at the one-year anniversary celebration of Main One that limited access to backbone infrastructure and limited infrastructure available for distributing the broadband traffic to consumers, who want it, had been a challenge as well.
She added that there are a lot of pent up demands by consumers by some Small Medium Enterprises (SMES), large corporations, educational institutions, and government establishment to have better access to information, but the challenge remains in getting the capacity here in Lagos to other parts of the country.
Giving insights on how the issue of power should be addressed, Opeke said that she would like to see the Federal Government eventually achieve the goals that had been set for power generation.
She reiterated that if by the end of 2011, a lot more power is generated, and effectively distributed and reliance on generator goes down from 100 per cent to about 25 per cent, it would save the firm tremendous amount of money and millions of naira.
She expressed the hope that power plants as mapped out by the FG would actually be achieved and that Nigerians would all benefit from lower cost of power and stability would be attained.
Opeke stressed that "We have seen the broadband revolution. We have seen reduction in prices of Internet; we have seen lower cost of international calls. The challenge of the global opportunity is really now to take more of these capacities to the hinterland and also to people in the large urban areas, so that they would have more access to Internet information".
Opeke had recently called for the formulation of a national policy on broadband to accelerate rapid penetration of broadband, lower cost of telecommunications and to speed up economic and social development.
She stressed that national broadband policy will establish the strategic framework for the industry operators and stakeholders. "We think that with increasing demand for broadband accessibility by Nigerians, the time has come for the government and key players in the sector to articulate and develop a policy framework which regulates broadband service delivery and lays out a pragmatic roadmap on how we can get the capacity which is now available across the shoreline to the hinterlands", she said.
Ms. Opeke stated further that there are some key issues impeding broadband penetration which should form the thrust of the national broadband policy. "We have identified issues such as a review of the national backbone, network availability, access and interconnection. In addition, NCC needs to look at matters of spectrum, frequency and distribution and try to review how they are allocated and utilized to improve telecommunications in the country", she added.
Reviewing Main One's performance in the last one year following its successful commencement of operations in July, 2010, Ms. Opeke said the company was proud to be West Africa's first wholesale broadband company and driving the broadband revolution across the sub region.
According to her, "Main One has transformed the telecommunication landscape of Nigeria and West Africa. We have done a great job of maintaining an extremely reliable network; a network which has remained 100 per cent available to our customers since we launched a year ago".
She said Main One's has created footprints on the telecommunications industry and will continue to do its best to satisfy the yearnings of its customers.
"We brought a big cable with a lot of capacity to the market which has seen a reduction in price points. We have seen call rates drop, internet costs reduced while access to broadband and speed has increased. This is part of the impact we have created as we continue to develop the broadband market", she added.
Main One Identifies Power As Challenge to Broadband
Opeke said in the last one year of the company's operations, power and onward distribution of capacity across the country had been very challenging.
She informed THISDAY at the one-year anniversary celebration of Main One that limited access to backbone infrastructure and limited infrastructure available for distributing the broadband traffic to consumers, who want it, had been a challenge as well.
She added that there are a lot of pent up demands by consumers by some Small Medium Enterprises (SMES), large corporations, educational institutions, and government establishment to have better access to information, but the challenge remains in getting the capacity here in Lagos to other parts of the country.
Giving insights on how the issue of power should be addressed, Opeke said that she would like to see the Federal Government eventually achieve the goals that had been set for power generation.
She reiterated that if by the end of 2011, a lot more power is generated, and effectively distributed and reliance on generator goes down from 100 per cent to about 25 per cent, it would save the firm tremendous amount of money and millions of naira.
She expressed the hope that power plants as mapped out by the FG would actually be achieved and that Nigerians would all benefit from lower cost of power and stability would be attained.
Opeke stressed that "We have seen the broadband revolution. We have seen reduction in prices of Internet; we have seen lower cost of international calls. The challenge of the global opportunity is really now to take more of these capacities to the hinterland and also to people in the large urban areas, so that they would have more access to Internet information".
Opeke had recently called for the formulation of a national policy on broadband to accelerate rapid penetration of broadband, lower cost of telecommunications and to speed up economic and social development.
She stressed that national broadband policy will establish the strategic framework for the industry operators and stakeholders. "We think that with increasing demand for broadband accessibility by Nigerians, the time has come for the government and key players in the sector to articulate and develop a policy framework which regulates broadband service delivery and lays out a pragmatic roadmap on how we can get the capacity which is now available across the shoreline to the hinterlands", she said.
Ms. Opeke stated further that there are some key issues impeding broadband penetration which should form the thrust of the national broadband policy. "We have identified issues such as a review of the national backbone, network availability, access and interconnection. In addition, NCC needs to look at matters of spectrum, frequency and distribution and try to review how they are allocated and utilized to improve telecommunications in the country", she added.
Reviewing Main One's performance in the last one year following its successful commencement of operations in July, 2010, Ms. Opeke said the company was proud to be West Africa's first wholesale broadband company and driving the broadband revolution across the sub region.
According to her, "Main One has transformed the telecommunication landscape of Nigeria and West Africa. We have done a great job of maintaining an extremely reliable network; a network which has remained 100 per cent available to our customers since we launched a year ago".
She said Main One's has created footprints on the telecommunications industry and will continue to do its best to satisfy the yearnings of its customers.
"We brought a big cable with a lot of capacity to the market which has seen a reduction in price points. We have seen call rates drop, internet costs reduced while access to broadband and speed has increased. This is part of the impact we have created as we continue to develop the broadband market", she added.
Main One Identifies Power As Challenge to Broadband
Sierra Leone - Parliamentary Cttee has visited the future cable landing station at Lumley Beach
[concord times] The parliamentary oversight committee on information and communication has made a familiarization visit to the proposed site for the landing of the Fibre Optic Cable at Atlantic, Lumley Beach.
Minister of Information and Communications Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo assured the committee that the Fiber Optic Cable, which will run from France through South Africa, will land in the country at the end of this year. "We are very clear the Fibre Optic will land this year," he reiterated.
The minister disclosed that the ECOWAS Wide Area Network project (ECOWAN) has been ratified by parliament to meet the West African Policy of connectivity in the sub-region. He stated that the project is sponsored by the World Bank but completely owned by the government of Sierra Leone.
The minister said the fibre optic cable will be connected to a terrestrial backbone to give neighbouring countries the opportunity to hook up with the system, noting that countries like Senegal will also benefit from it.
Mr. Kargbo told the committee that equipment for the revival of the government Printing Department has arrived from Ghana, adding that the department will be capacitated to be able to adequately perform the functions for which it was established.
He said the Indian government has agreed to fix the traditional land lines in the country so that people will once again begin to use the land line system. He lauded the efforts of the oversight committee for collaborating with his ministry in their activities. He assured the lawmakers that the time table of achievements of the ministry will be kept intact.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Ibrahim Sorie, assured the minister that the committee was ready to give their support to improve communications in the country, thus underscoring the need for communication saying that "communication is power".
He said he was impressed with the engineering design at the proposed site of the landing of the cable where construction was ongoing. He applauded the minister for being assiduous and referred to him as one who was result oriented.
Hon. Ibrahim Sorie said the committee has visited virtually all the departments of the ministry and was about to write its session report, noting that the committee serves as a bridge between the ministry and parliament and monitors the operations of the ministry.
The Project Manager SIS/LIKUSASA TURNKEY Projects, Neil Freemantle, assured the committee that the construction on the site will be completed before the Fibre lands.
Parliament Visits Fibre Landing Station
Minister of Information and Communications Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo assured the committee that the Fiber Optic Cable, which will run from France through South Africa, will land in the country at the end of this year. "We are very clear the Fibre Optic will land this year," he reiterated.
The minister disclosed that the ECOWAS Wide Area Network project (ECOWAN) has been ratified by parliament to meet the West African Policy of connectivity in the sub-region. He stated that the project is sponsored by the World Bank but completely owned by the government of Sierra Leone.
The minister said the fibre optic cable will be connected to a terrestrial backbone to give neighbouring countries the opportunity to hook up with the system, noting that countries like Senegal will also benefit from it.
Mr. Kargbo told the committee that equipment for the revival of the government Printing Department has arrived from Ghana, adding that the department will be capacitated to be able to adequately perform the functions for which it was established.
He said the Indian government has agreed to fix the traditional land lines in the country so that people will once again begin to use the land line system. He lauded the efforts of the oversight committee for collaborating with his ministry in their activities. He assured the lawmakers that the time table of achievements of the ministry will be kept intact.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Ibrahim Sorie, assured the minister that the committee was ready to give their support to improve communications in the country, thus underscoring the need for communication saying that "communication is power".
He said he was impressed with the engineering design at the proposed site of the landing of the cable where construction was ongoing. He applauded the minister for being assiduous and referred to him as one who was result oriented.
Hon. Ibrahim Sorie said the committee has visited virtually all the departments of the ministry and was about to write its session report, noting that the committee serves as a bridge between the ministry and parliament and monitors the operations of the ministry.
The Project Manager SIS/LIKUSASA TURNKEY Projects, Neil Freemantle, assured the committee that the construction on the site will be completed before the Fibre lands.
Parliament Visits Fibre Landing Station
Kenya - Safaricom has cancelled 27 contracts over fraud believed to have costs millions of Shillings
[daily nation] Listed mobile service provider Safaricom has terminated its contracts with at least 27 dealers over alleged fraud.
The company announced the decision Tuesday to allow for investigations into a suspected fake bank documents racket that is believed to have cost it millions of shillings in lost revenue.
"This means that these businesses can no longer act as Safaricom dealers or enjoy the rights and privileges that this status bestows," Safaricom's director of corporate affairs, Mr Nzioka Waita, said Tuesday.
According to available information, the fraud involves a dealer presenting fake bank document, normally a bank deposit slip, to a Safaricom shop.
The dealer or his agent then proceeds to collect goods, normally airtime, equivalent to the value of the money allegedly deposited into the Safaricom bank account, as recorded on the slip. It is through this scam that the company is estimated to have lost millions of shillings.
Dealers ordinarily collect goods from Safaricom shops under an agreement that allows them to use bank slips. The arrangement -- of depositing bank slip, the firm has previously said -- is meant to reduce the amount of cash handled by its retail shops.
"Initial investigations show a distinct variance between money claimed to have been deposited into the account and actual account status.
"The upshot is that some dealers may have been collecting goods for which no money had been paid," noted Mr Waita
In what could be seen as efforts by the firm to rein in the fraudsters, last week an advocate and a city businessman were charged in Nairobi with possession of forged documents and intention to defraud Safaricom.
As the leading player in the industry, the firm has enlisted the services of about 400 companies to run outlets throughout the country.
Safaricom Cancels 27 Contracts Over Fraud
The company announced the decision Tuesday to allow for investigations into a suspected fake bank documents racket that is believed to have cost it millions of shillings in lost revenue.
"This means that these businesses can no longer act as Safaricom dealers or enjoy the rights and privileges that this status bestows," Safaricom's director of corporate affairs, Mr Nzioka Waita, said Tuesday.
According to available information, the fraud involves a dealer presenting fake bank document, normally a bank deposit slip, to a Safaricom shop.
The dealer or his agent then proceeds to collect goods, normally airtime, equivalent to the value of the money allegedly deposited into the Safaricom bank account, as recorded on the slip. It is through this scam that the company is estimated to have lost millions of shillings.
Dealers ordinarily collect goods from Safaricom shops under an agreement that allows them to use bank slips. The arrangement -- of depositing bank slip, the firm has previously said -- is meant to reduce the amount of cash handled by its retail shops.
"Initial investigations show a distinct variance between money claimed to have been deposited into the account and actual account status.
"The upshot is that some dealers may have been collecting goods for which no money had been paid," noted Mr Waita
In what could be seen as efforts by the firm to rein in the fraudsters, last week an advocate and a city businessman were charged in Nairobi with possession of forged documents and intention to defraud Safaricom.
As the leading player in the industry, the firm has enlisted the services of about 400 companies to run outlets throughout the country.
Safaricom Cancels 27 Contracts Over Fraud
Vodacom (owned 65% by Vodafone) - revenues rose by 8.1% in Q2, with customer numbers up 20%
[cellular news] South Africa based Vodacom - which is 65% owned by Vodafone - has posted an 8.1 percent rise in its second-quarter revenues to R15.57 billion (US$2.25 billion). The company does not release quarterly profit figures.
The Group customer base was also up 20.4% to 45.4 million at the end of June having added 1.9 million net new customers during the quarter.
Pieter Uys, Vodacom Group CEO commented: " Strong data growth was again a major feature with Group data revenue increasing 37.6% and active data customers increasing 43.3% to 10.9 million. This helped support overall Group revenue growth of 8.1%."
"In South Africa, we added 1.2 million customers in the quarter, coupled with a 16.3% year on year increase in average minutes of use. This helped to offset a reduction in our average effective price per minute of 24.8%. We continued to drive investment in the network, adding 107 new 3G base stations in the quarter."
"I'm also pleased to say that for another successive quarter we saw an improvement from the International operations with service revenue growing 11.0% (23.7%*) and customers increasing 21.5%. "
Group service revenue increased 5.9% mainly due to customer growth of 20.4% and a 37.6% growth in data revenue offsetting the reduced mobile interconnect revenue and lower effective prices per minute. The active data customers increased 43.3% to 10.9 million.
Revenue grew faster than service revenue at 8.1% boosted by strong handset sales.
While data revenue is only 4.4% of service revenue in the International operations, it increased by 109.3% mainly due to strong growth in M-Pesa active customers in Tanzania.
Vodacom Posts 8.1% Rise in Quarterly Revenues
The Group customer base was also up 20.4% to 45.4 million at the end of June having added 1.9 million net new customers during the quarter.
Pieter Uys, Vodacom Group CEO commented: " Strong data growth was again a major feature with Group data revenue increasing 37.6% and active data customers increasing 43.3% to 10.9 million. This helped support overall Group revenue growth of 8.1%."
"In South Africa, we added 1.2 million customers in the quarter, coupled with a 16.3% year on year increase in average minutes of use. This helped to offset a reduction in our average effective price per minute of 24.8%. We continued to drive investment in the network, adding 107 new 3G base stations in the quarter."
"I'm also pleased to say that for another successive quarter we saw an improvement from the International operations with service revenue growing 11.0% (23.7%*) and customers increasing 21.5%. "
Group service revenue increased 5.9% mainly due to customer growth of 20.4% and a 37.6% growth in data revenue offsetting the reduced mobile interconnect revenue and lower effective prices per minute. The active data customers increased 43.3% to 10.9 million.
Revenue grew faster than service revenue at 8.1% boosted by strong handset sales.
While data revenue is only 4.4% of service revenue in the International operations, it increased by 109.3% mainly due to strong growth in M-Pesa active customers in Tanzania.
Vodacom Posts 8.1% Rise in Quarterly Revenues
USA - Some politicians have opposed the AT&T merger with T-Mobile USA as harming competition
[cellular news] A leading US politician has said that the planned merger of AT&T and T-Mobile USA would cause "substantial harm" to competition in the telecoms market and be a bad development for consumers.
Senator Herb Kohl, who also chairs the U.S. Senate's subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights wrote to the US Attorney General and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski warning that the merger would result in just three major players in what he said was an "already highly concentrated market."
"It will pose a substantial danger to consumers of higher cell- phone bills and fewer choices for service at exactly the wrong time -- when consumers are relying more and more every day on wireless-phone services to make and receive voice calls, exchange emails and text messages, search the Internet, and use many other applications,"
He particularly challenged the company's claims that the merger should be looked at on a per-market basis instead of at a national level. The difficulties of securing national roaming for the smaller networks and their lack of access to fashionable smartphones meant they could be not considered equivalent competitors in local markets.
Three other politicians also wrote to the same departments objecting to the deal. Representatives Edward J. Markey, John Conyers, Jr. and Anna G. Eshoo wrote: "We believe that AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile would be a troubling backward step in federal public policy - a retrenchment from nearly two decades of promoting competition and open markets to acceptance of a duopoly in the wireless marketplace,"
"Such industry consolidation could reduce competition and increase consumer costs at a time our country can least afford it." they added.
Rep. Markey is a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and former chairman of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. Rep. Conyers is the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee. Rep. Eshoo is Ranking Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee.
Four US Politicians Object to AT&T Merger with T-Mobile
Senator Herb Kohl, who also chairs the U.S. Senate's subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights wrote to the US Attorney General and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski warning that the merger would result in just three major players in what he said was an "already highly concentrated market."
"It will pose a substantial danger to consumers of higher cell- phone bills and fewer choices for service at exactly the wrong time -- when consumers are relying more and more every day on wireless-phone services to make and receive voice calls, exchange emails and text messages, search the Internet, and use many other applications,"
He particularly challenged the company's claims that the merger should be looked at on a per-market basis instead of at a national level. The difficulties of securing national roaming for the smaller networks and their lack of access to fashionable smartphones meant they could be not considered equivalent competitors in local markets.
Three other politicians also wrote to the same departments objecting to the deal. Representatives Edward J. Markey, John Conyers, Jr. and Anna G. Eshoo wrote: "We believe that AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile would be a troubling backward step in federal public policy - a retrenchment from nearly two decades of promoting competition and open markets to acceptance of a duopoly in the wireless marketplace,"
"Such industry consolidation could reduce competition and increase consumer costs at a time our country can least afford it." they added.
Rep. Markey is a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and former chairman of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. Rep. Conyers is the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee. Rep. Eshoo is Ranking Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee.
Four US Politicians Object to AT&T Merger with T-Mobile
Monday, August 01, 2011
Australia - The proposal for 121 interconnection points seems to raise the costs for ISPs and may favour larger players
[it wire] Internode founder Simon Hackett was the first to sound the warning about the potential anti-competitive elements of the National Broadband Network, citing the massive cost impost on smaller ISPs wishing to provide national coverage who would have to pay to connect to the 121 points of interconnect (POI). Now, a second ISP has joined the fray, saying that providing equivalent services they already provide using the NBN would multiply their costs 15-fold - and it has a point.
NBN 121 POI will raise costs and lessen competition
NBN 121 POI will raise costs and lessen competition
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