France Heading Toward VoIP-PSTN Call Volume Parity
Okay, so we're not there yet, but the latest quarterly figures from the country's telecom regulator, ARCEP, make for startling reading: 31% of all calls to national fixed numbers and 46% of all international calls are now made over VoIP lines. However, only 20% of lines in France use VoIP technology. So how can such a relatively small proportion of lines generate such a high proportion of calls? The answer is simple: bundling. Many of these connections are consumer dual- or triple-play services, where customers have selected a DSL service on an unbundled local loop, no longer pay former incumbent France Telecom any line rental, and rely solely on their VoIP over broadband line for fixed-line calls. Almost 3 million such lines now exist in France, making it by far the largest market for VoIP over broadband in Europe.
In the competitive environment of broadband voice, all the main providers now bundle in not just calls to French fixed-line numbers, but increasingly calls to multiple international destinations. Unlike other countries - notably the U.K. - where the call bundles of equivalent services are limited to one hour before the user has to hang up and dial in again, in France, "unlimited" means just that. So users are making the most of it and spending increasing amounts of time on the phone. While that doesn't bring the provider any fresh revenue, it has halted the decline in monthly tariffs, which have been more or less stable now for the past couple of years, meaning that any value-add services can generate additional revenue, rather than make up for ongoing monthly service charge erosion.
From Gartner Group
Friday, November 02, 2007
South Korea - 3G
Korea's 3G Mobile Phone Users Top 4 Million Mark
Use of the WCDMA third-generation mobile phone service is growing rapidly in Korea, with the number of subscribers reaching the four million mark eight months after the service was launched in March.
WCDMA, which stands for wideband code division multiple access, is known for fast data transmission and video calling. KTF said Thursday that it signed up some 390,000 subscribers for its Show 3G service in October, bringing its total to 2.413 million.
SK Telecom has also secured 1.55 million subscribers for its T Live 3G service as of late October. The combined number of subscribers to the two mobile giants' 3G services accounts for 9.2 percent of Korea's mobile phone subscribers (42.99 million people).
Industry sources said that the number of 3G users is expected to exceed five million within this year. In addition, LG Telecom plans to introduce an American-style 3G service called Revision A next year, which should contribute to even quicker growth of the service.
Use of the WCDMA third-generation mobile phone service is growing rapidly in Korea, with the number of subscribers reaching the four million mark eight months after the service was launched in March.
WCDMA, which stands for wideband code division multiple access, is known for fast data transmission and video calling. KTF said Thursday that it signed up some 390,000 subscribers for its Show 3G service in October, bringing its total to 2.413 million.
SK Telecom has also secured 1.55 million subscribers for its T Live 3G service as of late October. The combined number of subscribers to the two mobile giants' 3G services accounts for 9.2 percent of Korea's mobile phone subscribers (42.99 million people).
Industry sources said that the number of 3G users is expected to exceed five million within this year. In addition, LG Telecom plans to introduce an American-style 3G service called Revision A next year, which should contribute to even quicker growth of the service.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Africa - roaming
Rwanda: Everywhere You Go, Even Regionally
Focus Media (Kigali)
On October 3, MTN launched a roaming service which will enable subscribers in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda to use the same number while traveling. The MTN Home and Away service was launched simultaneously in the three countries.
MTN's chief executive officer, Themba Khumalo, said that Home and Away is a unique product which comes as an answer to a strong demand from the market. "From today on, subscribers of MTN Rwanda, MTN Uganda, and Kenya's Safaricom will not have to switch lines when visiting any of the three countries," Khumalo said. Truck drivers and tourists, he added, will be among those who will greatly benefit from the new service. All pre-pay and post-pay subscribers will have access to it in the three countries.
The CEO pointed out that the moment was opportune to launch Home and Away, given that the citizens of the East African Community (EAC) begin to view themselves as one. "This is a true manifestation of regional integration, especially since the package does not come at an extra cost," Themba Khumalo said.
At this moment, Burundi and Tanzania, who are also EAC member states, are not yet included the roaming agreement. Yet the MTN chief said that they are working with partners in those countries, although they unfortunately do not advance at the same pace. Khumalo indicated that the two countries would soon be part of the deal.
Asked whether MTN is being driven by competition from other telecommunication companies, the CEO replied that the company does not fear competitors, but is instead committed to offering better products and services at affordable prices. "MTN is dynamic, it responds to market needs," the Themba Khumalo said. "We strongly believe in the government's vision of turning Rwanda into an ICT hub by 2020, with the telecommunication sector playing a central role."
MTN has invested US$ 20 million in its network this year, which ultimately should consist of 60 base stations that will cover the entire country by the end of this year. It is also laying fiber optic cable from Gatuna border to Kigali and within Kigali city, with the view of enhancing broadband internet connection.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Albert Butare, commended the efforts made by MTN to connect the three countries, saying that with more connection, the numbers of subscribers will increase. He pointed out that the masts of MTN and Rwandatel in Ngororero district have increased subscribers.
"There is a huge market potential in far-away rural areas," the Minister said. He also hailed the impact the village phone has had in rural areas, where communication is improving, yet he asked the telecommunication company to provide accessories for the phones such as solar chargers, because power is still a problem in these areas.
Minister Butare further indicated that with improving telecommunications services, such as fiber optic cables, the cost will go down. He pointed out that Rwanda is still heavily depending on satellite, which makes communication expensive.
Focus Media (Kigali)
On October 3, MTN launched a roaming service which will enable subscribers in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda to use the same number while traveling. The MTN Home and Away service was launched simultaneously in the three countries.
MTN's chief executive officer, Themba Khumalo, said that Home and Away is a unique product which comes as an answer to a strong demand from the market. "From today on, subscribers of MTN Rwanda, MTN Uganda, and Kenya's Safaricom will not have to switch lines when visiting any of the three countries," Khumalo said. Truck drivers and tourists, he added, will be among those who will greatly benefit from the new service. All pre-pay and post-pay subscribers will have access to it in the three countries.
The CEO pointed out that the moment was opportune to launch Home and Away, given that the citizens of the East African Community (EAC) begin to view themselves as one. "This is a true manifestation of regional integration, especially since the package does not come at an extra cost," Themba Khumalo said.
At this moment, Burundi and Tanzania, who are also EAC member states, are not yet included the roaming agreement. Yet the MTN chief said that they are working with partners in those countries, although they unfortunately do not advance at the same pace. Khumalo indicated that the two countries would soon be part of the deal.
Asked whether MTN is being driven by competition from other telecommunication companies, the CEO replied that the company does not fear competitors, but is instead committed to offering better products and services at affordable prices. "MTN is dynamic, it responds to market needs," the Themba Khumalo said. "We strongly believe in the government's vision of turning Rwanda into an ICT hub by 2020, with the telecommunication sector playing a central role."
MTN has invested US$ 20 million in its network this year, which ultimately should consist of 60 base stations that will cover the entire country by the end of this year. It is also laying fiber optic cable from Gatuna border to Kigali and within Kigali city, with the view of enhancing broadband internet connection.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Albert Butare, commended the efforts made by MTN to connect the three countries, saying that with more connection, the numbers of subscribers will increase. He pointed out that the masts of MTN and Rwandatel in Ngororero district have increased subscribers.
"There is a huge market potential in far-away rural areas," the Minister said. He also hailed the impact the village phone has had in rural areas, where communication is improving, yet he asked the telecommunication company to provide accessories for the phones such as solar chargers, because power is still a problem in these areas.
Minister Butare further indicated that with improving telecommunications services, such as fiber optic cables, the cost will go down. He pointed out that Rwanda is still heavily depending on satellite, which makes communication expensive.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
BT - Wi-Fi roaming offer
BT offers alternative to hidden roaming charges for business travellers abroad
World’s first international Wi-Fi voucher avoids hidden costs
BT Openzone has paved the way for business travellers to avoid hidden voice and data roaming charges by launching the world’s first international Wi-Fi travel vouchers today – offering travellers cheaper and more predictable communications costs when abroad.
The announcement comes as BT strikes a new deal with high-speed internet provider, iBahn, adding an extra 1,200 hotels to the existing 9,600 hotels worldwide where BT Openzone customers can access Wi-Fi. The iBahn network goes live in November. The combined effect of both announcements means that travellers will be able to communicate around the world cheaply and conveniently with greater coverage than ever before.
The vouchers, the first of their kind, allow travellers to access data and make voice calls via thousands of hotspots globally. By using Wi-Fi, the vouchers allow travellers at participating hotspots to download data and make voice calls quicker and cheaper than via international roaming with GPRS, 3G and GSM 1. By paying a fixed voucher price, travellers can predict their communications spend when abroad and avoid hidden roaming charges. Travellers also benefit from paying the same price for Wi-Fi access no matter which participating country they visit.
The travel vouchers give travellers 500 minutes for £28 in the US and for £40 in Europe. This averages out at 5.6p a minute and 8p a minute respectively, which represents an even bigger saving for travellers than the 34p per minute price cap for mobile voice roaming imposed by the European Commission earlier this year. 2
Data downloads, which are not covered by the recent EC ruling, can often cost over £10 per megabyte when abroad. By using this voucher, this cost can be slashed to around 12p in the Americas and 16p in Europe. 3
Chris Bruce, General Manager of BT Openzone, said: “More than ever before the building blocks are in place to provide widespread coverage and cheaper calls for those who want to call home or access the internet when abroad using Wi-Fi. The international travel voucher makes business travel simple, convenient and hassle-free and our agreement with iBahn gives travellers even more opportunity to take advantage of it.”
“For too long, travellers have had no choice but to be forced onto high roaming charges when making calls outside the UK. Even customers who pick up their phone whilst abroad face huge hidden charges for receiving incoming calls. Thanks to the new voucher, travellers have a choice and can make cheap calls with a convenient voucher in a whole host of locations – on the internet there is no such thing as a charge for an incoming call.”
Two versions of the voucher are available. A European version – BT Openzone 500 Europe - covers France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Denmark. For the Americas, BT Openzone Americas 500 covers the USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina. These vouchers may also be used throughout the UK and Ireland. BT Openzone 500 Europe costs £40 and allows travellers 500 minutes of Wi-Fi within 14 days of first log-in. BT Openzone Americas 500 costs £28 and allows travellers 500 minutes of Wi-Fi within 7 days of first log-in. Because it is a voucher, there are no monthly subscription charges to pay.
Travellers can access Wi-Fi from hotel locations across the world, including the Hilton, Intercontinental, Marriott and Best Western hotel chains. The majority of Europe’s major airports are covered and there are thousands more hotspots open to voucher customers across Europe and the Americas.
All this means that a traveller, could for instance, buy a voucher in Heathrow, log in at the BA airport lounge, fly to Berlin and work in a Wi-Fi enabled cafe in the city before catching a train to Belgium and surfing the web in the station - all for the purchase of one travel voucher. Travellers who do not use up all their minutes whilst travelling will be able to use the voucher back in the UK or another trip within the expiry period.
With growing numbers of Wi-Fi enabled mobile phones and laptops now available, travellers are increasingly able to choose the most cost effective network when out on the move. Devices like the BT Fusion phone enable users to switch seamlessly to the most appropriate network be that GSM or Wi-Fi. And with more people making cheap or free calls over the Internet, voucher customers are well placed to take advantage of this with BT’s free to download product, Softphone.
World’s first international Wi-Fi voucher avoids hidden costs
BT Openzone has paved the way for business travellers to avoid hidden voice and data roaming charges by launching the world’s first international Wi-Fi travel vouchers today – offering travellers cheaper and more predictable communications costs when abroad.
The announcement comes as BT strikes a new deal with high-speed internet provider, iBahn, adding an extra 1,200 hotels to the existing 9,600 hotels worldwide where BT Openzone customers can access Wi-Fi. The iBahn network goes live in November. The combined effect of both announcements means that travellers will be able to communicate around the world cheaply and conveniently with greater coverage than ever before.
The vouchers, the first of their kind, allow travellers to access data and make voice calls via thousands of hotspots globally. By using Wi-Fi, the vouchers allow travellers at participating hotspots to download data and make voice calls quicker and cheaper than via international roaming with GPRS, 3G and GSM 1. By paying a fixed voucher price, travellers can predict their communications spend when abroad and avoid hidden roaming charges. Travellers also benefit from paying the same price for Wi-Fi access no matter which participating country they visit.
The travel vouchers give travellers 500 minutes for £28 in the US and for £40 in Europe. This averages out at 5.6p a minute and 8p a minute respectively, which represents an even bigger saving for travellers than the 34p per minute price cap for mobile voice roaming imposed by the European Commission earlier this year. 2
Data downloads, which are not covered by the recent EC ruling, can often cost over £10 per megabyte when abroad. By using this voucher, this cost can be slashed to around 12p in the Americas and 16p in Europe. 3
Chris Bruce, General Manager of BT Openzone, said: “More than ever before the building blocks are in place to provide widespread coverage and cheaper calls for those who want to call home or access the internet when abroad using Wi-Fi. The international travel voucher makes business travel simple, convenient and hassle-free and our agreement with iBahn gives travellers even more opportunity to take advantage of it.”
“For too long, travellers have had no choice but to be forced onto high roaming charges when making calls outside the UK. Even customers who pick up their phone whilst abroad face huge hidden charges for receiving incoming calls. Thanks to the new voucher, travellers have a choice and can make cheap calls with a convenient voucher in a whole host of locations – on the internet there is no such thing as a charge for an incoming call.”
Two versions of the voucher are available. A European version – BT Openzone 500 Europe - covers France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Denmark. For the Americas, BT Openzone Americas 500 covers the USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina. These vouchers may also be used throughout the UK and Ireland. BT Openzone 500 Europe costs £40 and allows travellers 500 minutes of Wi-Fi within 14 days of first log-in. BT Openzone Americas 500 costs £28 and allows travellers 500 minutes of Wi-Fi within 7 days of first log-in. Because it is a voucher, there are no monthly subscription charges to pay.
Travellers can access Wi-Fi from hotel locations across the world, including the Hilton, Intercontinental, Marriott and Best Western hotel chains. The majority of Europe’s major airports are covered and there are thousands more hotspots open to voucher customers across Europe and the Americas.
All this means that a traveller, could for instance, buy a voucher in Heathrow, log in at the BA airport lounge, fly to Berlin and work in a Wi-Fi enabled cafe in the city before catching a train to Belgium and surfing the web in the station - all for the purchase of one travel voucher. Travellers who do not use up all their minutes whilst travelling will be able to use the voucher back in the UK or another trip within the expiry period.
With growing numbers of Wi-Fi enabled mobile phones and laptops now available, travellers are increasingly able to choose the most cost effective network when out on the move. Devices like the BT Fusion phone enable users to switch seamlessly to the most appropriate network be that GSM or Wi-Fi. And with more people making cheap or free calls over the Internet, voucher customers are well placed to take advantage of this with BT’s free to download product, Softphone.
USA - Do not track
Key Privacy Groups Propose Do Not Track List
CDT joined with a coalition of privacy advocates on Wednesday to recommend an ambitious set of proposals intended to give consumers greater control over their personal data and to offset the impact of pervasive behavioral tracking. Included in the recommendations is a call to create a national "Do Not Track List" that would provide consumers with a simple tool for opting out of behavioral tracking. CDT joined with Consumer Action, the Consumer Federation of America, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Privacy Activism, Public Information Research, Privacy Journal, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, and the World Privacy Forum in crafting the proposal, which is timed to coincide with the start Thursday of a two-day Federal Trade Commission workshop on behavioral targeting.
From Center for Democracy and Technology
CDT joined with a coalition of privacy advocates on Wednesday to recommend an ambitious set of proposals intended to give consumers greater control over their personal data and to offset the impact of pervasive behavioral tracking. Included in the recommendations is a call to create a national "Do Not Track List" that would provide consumers with a simple tool for opting out of behavioral tracking. CDT joined with Consumer Action, the Consumer Federation of America, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Privacy Activism, Public Information Research, Privacy Journal, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, and the World Privacy Forum in crafting the proposal, which is timed to coincide with the start Thursday of a two-day Federal Trade Commission workshop on behavioral targeting.
From Center for Democracy and Technology
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Afghanistan
Afghan Wireless completes microwave ring
Afghan Wireless has announced the completion of a 2,500km STM1 microwave ring, which passes through 18 provinces. The new backbone connects cities including Mazar, Takhar, Badakshan, Kunduz, Kabul, Kandahar and Spinboldak. The ring extends west from Kandahar, passing through Hilmand, Nimroz and Farah to reach Herat. It also runs from Herat to Mazar via Badghees, Faryab and Jawjan provinces. In the East, the ring connects Kabul to Jalalabad and Turkham Border along with the Kunar Valley. It also connects Gardez and Khost in the South East of the country. Afghan Wireless claims to be the only telecoms company providing microwave connectivity to the Uzbekistan, Tajakistan and Pakistan borders. It also connects to the Iranian border in the west. Prior to the new network being lit, cities such as Herat were connected via VSAT connections.
see also Afghan Wireless
Afghan Wireless has announced the completion of a 2,500km STM1 microwave ring, which passes through 18 provinces. The new backbone connects cities including Mazar, Takhar, Badakshan, Kunduz, Kabul, Kandahar and Spinboldak. The ring extends west from Kandahar, passing through Hilmand, Nimroz and Farah to reach Herat. It also runs from Herat to Mazar via Badghees, Faryab and Jawjan provinces. In the East, the ring connects Kabul to Jalalabad and Turkham Border along with the Kunar Valley. It also connects Gardez and Khost in the South East of the country. Afghan Wireless claims to be the only telecoms company providing microwave connectivity to the Uzbekistan, Tajakistan and Pakistan borders. It also connects to the Iranian border in the west. Prior to the new network being lit, cities such as Herat were connected via VSAT connections.
see also Afghan Wireless
Monday, October 29, 2007
Nigeria - telephony
Nigeria: Telecoms Subscriber Base Hits 45.5 Million
This Day (Lagos)
The Nigerian telecoms market subscriber base has hit 45.5 million. The figure was recorded at the end of August, this year, as the telecoms industry heads for another major phase of its growth after the 2001 entry of mobile network operators triggered explosive service uptake in the sector.
According to the latest subscriber data obtained from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) by Technology Times, mobile operators still account for a huge chunk of the total subscriber base of 45,536,231 lines dominated by GSM operators with 43,066,679 subscribers as against fixed operators' 2,035,235 lines and CDMA operators' 434,317 lines.
Significantly, the regulators' latest statistics revealed a clear demarcation between 'active lines' and 'connected lines' in apparent response to mobile sector flaks that some players, in order to have competitive market edge, cite inactive lines as part of their overall subscriber base when making mandatory regulatory disclosure to NCC.
The figures also showed overall 'installed capacity' among fixed wired/wireless, GSM and Mobile CDMA operators reflecting the changes that have happened in the marketplace since last year when unified access service licence (UASL) was introduced to enable market players offer a bouquet of fixed, mobile, data and other services on the same technology platform.
Within the mobile space, GSM operators have the clear lead with 43,066,678 lines, while CDMA mobile operators recorded 43, 317 lines. On the other hand, fixed wired/wireless market segment records 2,035,235 lines to swell the nation's connected lines to 45,536,231 and teledensity to 26.47.
Within the period, overall installed capacity for all market segment peaked at 60,475,165 lines with GSM players leading with 57,608,525 lines followed by fixed line players with 2,331,640 lines and mobile CDMA services with 535,000 lines.
Significantly, the figures showed that Nigerian telecoms market has witnessed a phenomenon common to most telecoms market that have hitherto been faced by pent up demand: explosive uptake of mobile services followed by tapering growth in the market as the curve flattens.
In 2001, the year that three GSM operators, MTN Nigeria, Econet Wireless Nigeria (now Celtel Nigeria) and Mtel, went live with their service, the total subscriber base was 866,782 connected lines and teledensity was 0.73.
Of that number, the fixed line services, like NITEL and other PTOs like Multi-Links (now Multi-Links Telkom), Intercellular among others accounted for 600,321 while GSM operators had 266,461 lines.
If existing fixed line players have had it so good but recorded only over half a million lines prior to the entry of the GSM operators, the impact of the latter's entry was to be felt by year 2002 when total connected lines had nearly quadrupled to 2,271,050 lines and teledensity of 1.89.
GSM operators accounted for 1,569,050 lines from 266,461 lines the previous year. The fixed line market segment also accounted for 702,000 lines, a marginal increase over the previous year's 600,321 lines.
By the end of 2003 and with a few market landmarks like the entry of second national operator, Globacom Limited, that spun off its mobile business unit, Glo Mobile, to compete in the GSM space saw the introduction of per second billing and other market innovations like 'friends and family,' that were soon replicated by rival players, was beginning to change the market space.
Part of that change was the doubling of total connected in the country to 4,021, 9445 with GSM players then consolidating market lead with 3,149,472 lines and fixed line players accounting for 872,473 lines. Teledensity was pushed to 3.35 from the previous year's 1.89.
The consequences of 2003, the year that sector analysts perceived as setting off true competition in the mobile sector as the perceived 'duopoly' of MTN and Econet was broken by the more aggressive Glo mobile, was to manifest in 2004.
By end of 2004, growth in Nigeria's telecoms market has started arresting the attention of the international investment community as the large market size and explosive growth in mobile uptake saw total connected lines record over 50 per cent growth to peak at 10, 201, 209.
By this time, GSM operators had achieved a clear market lead with 9,174,209 lines against that of fixed line players' combined 1,027,519 lines more than doubling teledensity to 8.5.
Year-on-year growth was now sustained in the nation's telecoms sector by end of 2005 when total connected lines peaked at 19,810,258 lines and a nearly doubled teledensity of 15.72. By then, GSM players continued to assert their undisputable market lead with 18, 587,000 lines against the fixed lines sector's marginal growth to 1,027,519 lines.
By 2005, Nigeria had become Africa's telecoms market to watch sustaining its explosive growth by peaking total connected lines at 19,810,258 lines. Within the period, the GSM sector accounted for 18,587,000 lines while the fixed lines players recorded 1,223,258 lines to bring the nation's teledensity to 15.72.
Growth was sustained into 2006 when total connected lines became 34,010,174 and teledensity grew to 24.29. Out of that number, the GSM sector's connected line base was 32,322,202 as against that of fixed line players' 1,687,972 subscriber base.
By first quarter of 2007, total connected lines grew to 35, 938,180 lines with GSM players accounting for 34,240,613 lines against that of fixed wireless players' 1,697,567 lines growing teledensity to 25.67.
In the second quarter of 2007, total connected lines grew to 39,784,860 lines with the GSM sector accounting for 38,062,353 lines and fixed line base at 1,722,507 lines to bring teledensity to 28.42.
This Day (Lagos)
The Nigerian telecoms market subscriber base has hit 45.5 million. The figure was recorded at the end of August, this year, as the telecoms industry heads for another major phase of its growth after the 2001 entry of mobile network operators triggered explosive service uptake in the sector.
According to the latest subscriber data obtained from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) by Technology Times, mobile operators still account for a huge chunk of the total subscriber base of 45,536,231 lines dominated by GSM operators with 43,066,679 subscribers as against fixed operators' 2,035,235 lines and CDMA operators' 434,317 lines.
Significantly, the regulators' latest statistics revealed a clear demarcation between 'active lines' and 'connected lines' in apparent response to mobile sector flaks that some players, in order to have competitive market edge, cite inactive lines as part of their overall subscriber base when making mandatory regulatory disclosure to NCC.
The figures also showed overall 'installed capacity' among fixed wired/wireless, GSM and Mobile CDMA operators reflecting the changes that have happened in the marketplace since last year when unified access service licence (UASL) was introduced to enable market players offer a bouquet of fixed, mobile, data and other services on the same technology platform.
Within the mobile space, GSM operators have the clear lead with 43,066,678 lines, while CDMA mobile operators recorded 43, 317 lines. On the other hand, fixed wired/wireless market segment records 2,035,235 lines to swell the nation's connected lines to 45,536,231 and teledensity to 26.47.
Within the period, overall installed capacity for all market segment peaked at 60,475,165 lines with GSM players leading with 57,608,525 lines followed by fixed line players with 2,331,640 lines and mobile CDMA services with 535,000 lines.
Significantly, the figures showed that Nigerian telecoms market has witnessed a phenomenon common to most telecoms market that have hitherto been faced by pent up demand: explosive uptake of mobile services followed by tapering growth in the market as the curve flattens.
In 2001, the year that three GSM operators, MTN Nigeria, Econet Wireless Nigeria (now Celtel Nigeria) and Mtel, went live with their service, the total subscriber base was 866,782 connected lines and teledensity was 0.73.
Of that number, the fixed line services, like NITEL and other PTOs like Multi-Links (now Multi-Links Telkom), Intercellular among others accounted for 600,321 while GSM operators had 266,461 lines.
If existing fixed line players have had it so good but recorded only over half a million lines prior to the entry of the GSM operators, the impact of the latter's entry was to be felt by year 2002 when total connected lines had nearly quadrupled to 2,271,050 lines and teledensity of 1.89.
GSM operators accounted for 1,569,050 lines from 266,461 lines the previous year. The fixed line market segment also accounted for 702,000 lines, a marginal increase over the previous year's 600,321 lines.
By the end of 2003 and with a few market landmarks like the entry of second national operator, Globacom Limited, that spun off its mobile business unit, Glo Mobile, to compete in the GSM space saw the introduction of per second billing and other market innovations like 'friends and family,' that were soon replicated by rival players, was beginning to change the market space.
Part of that change was the doubling of total connected in the country to 4,021, 9445 with GSM players then consolidating market lead with 3,149,472 lines and fixed line players accounting for 872,473 lines. Teledensity was pushed to 3.35 from the previous year's 1.89.
The consequences of 2003, the year that sector analysts perceived as setting off true competition in the mobile sector as the perceived 'duopoly' of MTN and Econet was broken by the more aggressive Glo mobile, was to manifest in 2004.
By end of 2004, growth in Nigeria's telecoms market has started arresting the attention of the international investment community as the large market size and explosive growth in mobile uptake saw total connected lines record over 50 per cent growth to peak at 10, 201, 209.
By this time, GSM operators had achieved a clear market lead with 9,174,209 lines against that of fixed line players' combined 1,027,519 lines more than doubling teledensity to 8.5.
Year-on-year growth was now sustained in the nation's telecoms sector by end of 2005 when total connected lines peaked at 19,810,258 lines and a nearly doubled teledensity of 15.72. By then, GSM players continued to assert their undisputable market lead with 18, 587,000 lines against the fixed lines sector's marginal growth to 1,027,519 lines.
By 2005, Nigeria had become Africa's telecoms market to watch sustaining its explosive growth by peaking total connected lines at 19,810,258 lines. Within the period, the GSM sector accounted for 18,587,000 lines while the fixed lines players recorded 1,223,258 lines to bring the nation's teledensity to 15.72.
Growth was sustained into 2006 when total connected lines became 34,010,174 and teledensity grew to 24.29. Out of that number, the GSM sector's connected line base was 32,322,202 as against that of fixed line players' 1,687,972 subscriber base.
By first quarter of 2007, total connected lines grew to 35, 938,180 lines with GSM players accounting for 34,240,613 lines against that of fixed wireless players' 1,697,567 lines growing teledensity to 25.67.
In the second quarter of 2007, total connected lines grew to 39,784,860 lines with the GSM sector accounting for 38,062,353 lines and fixed line base at 1,722,507 lines to bring teledensity to 28.42.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Virtual worlds
Virtual Worlds Moving towards the "Multiverse" Era — New Business Outlook Seen in "Second Life"
Since around the end of 2006, increased attention has been given to Second Life (an Internet-based service in the US). A three-dimensional (3D) space such as Second Life is called a "virtual world." In Second Life, users can interact and conduct economic activities such as creating and selling/purchasing objects in a way similar to that in the real world.
Unlike conventional websites, the virtual world enables users to experience a high sense of reality and share real-time experiences. Some companies have started to use virtual worlds for their businesses.
The number of Second Life users has been expanding rapidly. At the beginning of 2006, the number of users was 100,000 throughout the world, and exceeded 7.5 million by the end of June 2007. The total money supply based on virtual currency has also been increasing, creating a virtual economic bloc amounting to more than \1.1 billion.
In addition to Second Life, various other virtual worlds have been appearing on the Internet. We are nearing a new era that can be referred to as the "multiverse era" where Internet users can select multiple virtual worlds according to their specific needs.
The arrival of the multiverse era will accelerate the emergence of new technology and/or services, such as technology for communication between multiple virtual worlds and between virtual worlds and the real world as well as financial services to transfer virtual currencies among different virtual worlds.
With the expansion of virtual worlds, the lack of legal systems that are available in the real world will constitute a problem. The sound development of virtual worlds will require the establishment of legal systems appropriate for the multiverse era and the forming of agreements on various matters.
Since around the end of 2006, increased attention has been given to Second Life (an Internet-based service in the US). A three-dimensional (3D) space such as Second Life is called a "virtual world." In Second Life, users can interact and conduct economic activities such as creating and selling/purchasing objects in a way similar to that in the real world.
Unlike conventional websites, the virtual world enables users to experience a high sense of reality and share real-time experiences. Some companies have started to use virtual worlds for their businesses.
The number of Second Life users has been expanding rapidly. At the beginning of 2006, the number of users was 100,000 throughout the world, and exceeded 7.5 million by the end of June 2007. The total money supply based on virtual currency has also been increasing, creating a virtual economic bloc amounting to more than \1.1 billion.
In addition to Second Life, various other virtual worlds have been appearing on the Internet. We are nearing a new era that can be referred to as the "multiverse era" where Internet users can select multiple virtual worlds according to their specific needs.
The arrival of the multiverse era will accelerate the emergence of new technology and/or services, such as technology for communication between multiple virtual worlds and between virtual worlds and the real world as well as financial services to transfer virtual currencies among different virtual worlds.
With the expansion of virtual worlds, the lack of legal systems that are available in the real world will constitute a problem. The sound development of virtual worlds will require the establishment of legal systems appropriate for the multiverse era and the forming of agreements on various matters.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
South Africa - roaming
No international roaming in SA?
[ Johannesburg, 24 October 2007 ] - Changes to an already controversial law, pushed through the National Assembly by the justice department as a crime-fighting measure, may instead hinder global trade and wreck the tourism industry, say local mobile phone operators.
The providers have warned the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) – Parliament's upper chamber – that planned amendments to the Regulation of Interception of Communication and Provision of Communication-related Information Act (RICA), if enacted, result in the blanket switch-off of international roaming facilities to all foreign visitors.
Cell C, MTN and Vodacom said it would also leave them in breach of hundreds of interconnect agreements. These agreements allow South Africans to roam abroad and visitors to use their mobile phones while visiting our shores.
“SA should try to avoid being the one country in the world where roaming is not possible,” commented Nadia Bulbulia, head of Cell C's regulatory division.
However, the Department of Justice said the overall aim of the legislation, namely to fight crime, outweighs the objections. The department's chief director for legislation, Lawrence Bassett, told the NCOP's security and constitutional affairs standing committee that the issues had been aired before. Notwithstanding those comments, the National Assembly had resolved to pass the legislation, he noted.
According to the Parliamentary Monitoring Group's record of the proceedings, he added that if there were any loopholes, such as excluding foreign visitors from registration, it would render the legislation meaningless. “If there is a single loophole, we can just as well not have this legislation. There is no room for any gaps.”
State law advisor Ina Botha told the committee in turn that the RICA amendment would require South Africans to register cellphone and personal details on pain of imprisonment. There was no cogent reason why the same should not apply to visitors to the country, she said. “We want enough information timeously to prevent, detect and solve crime. We also want the information to be legitimate.”
Industry disagrees
Vodacom managing executive for regulatory affairs Pakamile Pongwana disagreed. He said apart from the negative impact the requirement would have on business, the provision was “physically and technically unsound” as it would require every visitor to register with all three operators.
In addition, no other country in the world requires registration of foreign cellphones.
MTN senior legal and regulatory advisor Louina Nunan said existing delays at airports were already causing visitors frustration and resentment. “If we were to delay them at the airport for another 15 or 30 minutes [for purposes of registering with local providers], how would that affect tourism and international business travellers?”
Bulbulia added that in implementation, laws had to be reasonable, practical and possible. She said the requirement puts SA in “uncharted territory”.
She told the committee Cell C alone had 394 agreements with other networks to allow roaming and that it was not technically possible to block or allow individual foreign numbers. A provision to force registration of individual roaming numbers would effectively mean there could be no roaming at all.
Pongwana said the revised Section 40(1) provided that the operators could not activate a SIM card, or activate a cellphone, unless details were registered.
However, roaming was a wholesale, not retail activity. “We don't sign roaming agreements with individual people. Roaming agreements are signed with other network operators and these agreements run into the hundreds for each operator.”
For visitors, this happened overseas and the facility automatically kicked in when they switched on their mobile phones on arrival.
Present global wholesale roaming agreements, as well as the nature of mobile phone technology, make it impossible in practice to grant one individual access to local networks, but block another. Either everyone can roam or no one. Since allowing unregistered visitors to roam on South African networks will attract criminal penalties, the operators would have to end international roaming.
Impractical implementation
Pongwana doubts that closing every loophole was ever possible. “We are not saying we will not implement the law,” he said. “I understand what the Department of Justice is trying to do. [But] closing every loophole must be practical, implimentable and must make good sense.”
Committee chairman Kgoshi Lameck Mokoena said the comments “make sense”. African National Congress committee member Letlhogile Moseki added the country was already under fire for the difficulties and costs of doing business and the amount of red tape.
Democratic Alliance NCOP member Wilhelm le Roux added: “The whole world has a problem with crime and terrorism, some countries even more so than us. How is it then that just we insist on this roaming registration? Is it then not true that the providers are saying that it is just not practical to do?”
Justice officials were not convinced, and said the mobile providers had failed to explain why visitors should be exempt from a requirement that applied to all residents.
See also PMG record
[ Johannesburg, 24 October 2007 ] - Changes to an already controversial law, pushed through the National Assembly by the justice department as a crime-fighting measure, may instead hinder global trade and wreck the tourism industry, say local mobile phone operators.
The providers have warned the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) – Parliament's upper chamber – that planned amendments to the Regulation of Interception of Communication and Provision of Communication-related Information Act (RICA), if enacted, result in the blanket switch-off of international roaming facilities to all foreign visitors.
Cell C, MTN and Vodacom said it would also leave them in breach of hundreds of interconnect agreements. These agreements allow South Africans to roam abroad and visitors to use their mobile phones while visiting our shores.
“SA should try to avoid being the one country in the world where roaming is not possible,” commented Nadia Bulbulia, head of Cell C's regulatory division.
However, the Department of Justice said the overall aim of the legislation, namely to fight crime, outweighs the objections. The department's chief director for legislation, Lawrence Bassett, told the NCOP's security and constitutional affairs standing committee that the issues had been aired before. Notwithstanding those comments, the National Assembly had resolved to pass the legislation, he noted.
According to the Parliamentary Monitoring Group's record of the proceedings, he added that if there were any loopholes, such as excluding foreign visitors from registration, it would render the legislation meaningless. “If there is a single loophole, we can just as well not have this legislation. There is no room for any gaps.”
State law advisor Ina Botha told the committee in turn that the RICA amendment would require South Africans to register cellphone and personal details on pain of imprisonment. There was no cogent reason why the same should not apply to visitors to the country, she said. “We want enough information timeously to prevent, detect and solve crime. We also want the information to be legitimate.”
Industry disagrees
Vodacom managing executive for regulatory affairs Pakamile Pongwana disagreed. He said apart from the negative impact the requirement would have on business, the provision was “physically and technically unsound” as it would require every visitor to register with all three operators.
In addition, no other country in the world requires registration of foreign cellphones.
MTN senior legal and regulatory advisor Louina Nunan said existing delays at airports were already causing visitors frustration and resentment. “If we were to delay them at the airport for another 15 or 30 minutes [for purposes of registering with local providers], how would that affect tourism and international business travellers?”
Bulbulia added that in implementation, laws had to be reasonable, practical and possible. She said the requirement puts SA in “uncharted territory”.
She told the committee Cell C alone had 394 agreements with other networks to allow roaming and that it was not technically possible to block or allow individual foreign numbers. A provision to force registration of individual roaming numbers would effectively mean there could be no roaming at all.
Pongwana said the revised Section 40(1) provided that the operators could not activate a SIM card, or activate a cellphone, unless details were registered.
However, roaming was a wholesale, not retail activity. “We don't sign roaming agreements with individual people. Roaming agreements are signed with other network operators and these agreements run into the hundreds for each operator.”
For visitors, this happened overseas and the facility automatically kicked in when they switched on their mobile phones on arrival.
Present global wholesale roaming agreements, as well as the nature of mobile phone technology, make it impossible in practice to grant one individual access to local networks, but block another. Either everyone can roam or no one. Since allowing unregistered visitors to roam on South African networks will attract criminal penalties, the operators would have to end international roaming.
Impractical implementation
Pongwana doubts that closing every loophole was ever possible. “We are not saying we will not implement the law,” he said. “I understand what the Department of Justice is trying to do. [But] closing every loophole must be practical, implimentable and must make good sense.”
Committee chairman Kgoshi Lameck Mokoena said the comments “make sense”. African National Congress committee member Letlhogile Moseki added the country was already under fire for the difficulties and costs of doing business and the amount of red tape.
Democratic Alliance NCOP member Wilhelm le Roux added: “The whole world has a problem with crime and terrorism, some countries even more so than us. How is it then that just we insist on this roaming registration? Is it then not true that the providers are saying that it is just not practical to do?”
Justice officials were not convinced, and said the mobile providers had failed to explain why visitors should be exempt from a requirement that applied to all residents.
See also PMG record
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Europe 2006 review - functional separation
ETNO and UNI Telecom, the global telecom union, jointly call for the Review to encourage investment and jobs
Brussels – In a joint statement to the EU policy makers published today, ETNO and UNI Europa Telecom, recall the key impact of the EU telecoms rules on investment in the sector and hence, on jobs.
“In line with the Jobs and Growth strategy, the review should focus on measures that will stimulate large-scale investments in new access networks and boost quality employment in the sector. Better regulation would be the kind that adequately protects citizen, consumer and user interests while, at the same time, reduces the regulatory burden on those markets that have reached competitive maturity”, says Neil Anderson, UNI Telecom.
“The deployment of next generation access networks is essential for Europe’s society and economy. The inclusion of such a far reaching remedy as functional separation would be detrimental to much needed investment in access networks and would not be the right answer to this challenge”, says Michael Bartholomew, ETNO Director.
UNI and ETNO acknowledge the intention of the European Commission to remove some markets (in particular retail) from the list of markets subject to ex ante regulation. Reducing regulatory burden on retail markets will boost competition and innovation for the benefit of consumers.
UNI and ETNO are, however, concerned that the debate on the Review focuses currently on how to favour short-term competition at the service level, where it is already thriving. The introduction of new far-reaching remedies may discourage risky investment by all players in new and alternative access infrastructure.
Recent external studies, published by ETNO and UNI, show that intense access regulation does not encourage an optimal environment for new infrastructure investment.
Brussels – In a joint statement to the EU policy makers published today, ETNO and UNI Europa Telecom, recall the key impact of the EU telecoms rules on investment in the sector and hence, on jobs.
“In line with the Jobs and Growth strategy, the review should focus on measures that will stimulate large-scale investments in new access networks and boost quality employment in the sector. Better regulation would be the kind that adequately protects citizen, consumer and user interests while, at the same time, reduces the regulatory burden on those markets that have reached competitive maturity”, says Neil Anderson, UNI Telecom.
“The deployment of next generation access networks is essential for Europe’s society and economy. The inclusion of such a far reaching remedy as functional separation would be detrimental to much needed investment in access networks and would not be the right answer to this challenge”, says Michael Bartholomew, ETNO Director.
UNI and ETNO acknowledge the intention of the European Commission to remove some markets (in particular retail) from the list of markets subject to ex ante regulation. Reducing regulatory burden on retail markets will boost competition and innovation for the benefit of consumers.
UNI and ETNO are, however, concerned that the debate on the Review focuses currently on how to favour short-term competition at the service level, where it is already thriving. The introduction of new far-reaching remedies may discourage risky investment by all players in new and alternative access infrastructure.
Recent external studies, published by ETNO and UNI, show that intense access regulation does not encourage an optimal environment for new infrastructure investment.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Japan - competition
Revision to New Competition Promotion Program 2010 and Release of New Competition Promotion Program 2010 Progress Report
MIC released the New Competition Promotion Program 2010 on September 19, 2006 as a specific action plan to develop the environment for fair competition in the broadband market, and has since steadily promoted the program. Now that a year has passed since the program development, MIC compiled a program progress report in order to secure policy transparency and revised the program to respond appropriately to the rapid changes in the market environment.
In response to the "Agreement between the government and the ruling parties on regulatory frameworks for communications and broadcasting" (June 20, 2006), MIC developed the Process Program for the Reform of the Communications and Broadcasting Field (released on September 1, 2006). The program states that fair competition rules should be developed based on the final report from the Study Group on a Framework for Competition Rules to Address the Transition to IP-Based Networks (released on September 15, 2006) and be gradually implemented, starting from the rules that are decided.
MIC released the New Competition Promotion Program 2010 on September 19, 2006, as a roadmap for developing fair competition rules to be implemented in the telecommunications field by the early 2010s as well as a specific plan to implement the abovementioned process program.
MIC will continue to make proactive efforts for developing the sound competitive environment in the broadband market, based on the revised New Competition Promotion Program 2010.
MIC released the New Competition Promotion Program 2010 on September 19, 2006 as a specific action plan to develop the environment for fair competition in the broadband market, and has since steadily promoted the program. Now that a year has passed since the program development, MIC compiled a program progress report in order to secure policy transparency and revised the program to respond appropriately to the rapid changes in the market environment.
In response to the "Agreement between the government and the ruling parties on regulatory frameworks for communications and broadcasting" (June 20, 2006), MIC developed the Process Program for the Reform of the Communications and Broadcasting Field (released on September 1, 2006). The program states that fair competition rules should be developed based on the final report from the Study Group on a Framework for Competition Rules to Address the Transition to IP-Based Networks (released on September 15, 2006) and be gradually implemented, starting from the rules that are decided.
MIC released the New Competition Promotion Program 2010 on September 19, 2006, as a roadmap for developing fair competition rules to be implemented in the telecommunications field by the early 2010s as well as a specific plan to implement the abovementioned process program.
MIC will continue to make proactive efforts for developing the sound competitive environment in the broadband market, based on the revised New Competition Promotion Program 2010.
Burma - Internet closure
Pulling the Plug: A Technical Review of the Internet Shutdown in Burma
see also full text of the report
ONI has released a bulletin on the recent demonstrations in Burma and the Burmese government’s shutdown of the Internet there. ONI conducted a technical analysis of the Internet’s uptime, documenting a complete shutdown in Burma, followed by intermittent periods of up-time throughout early October, with an apparent return to full connection on October 13 for one of the two ISPs and on October 16 for the other. This bulletin presents these results and investigates the impact that the use of communication technologies had on shaping these key events.
see also full text of the report
ONI has released a bulletin on the recent demonstrations in Burma and the Burmese government’s shutdown of the Internet there. ONI conducted a technical analysis of the Internet’s uptime, documenting a complete shutdown in Burma, followed by intermittent periods of up-time throughout early October, with an apparent return to full connection on October 13 for one of the two ISPs and on October 16 for the other. This bulletin presents these results and investigates the impact that the use of communication technologies had on shaping these key events.
France - duct sharing
France Telecom offers to open its ducts to competitors to speed up optical fibre deployment
The Group has asked for reciprocal opening from owners of similar infrastructures
To ensure efficient and fair deployment of new optical fibre networks, France Telecom today announces its proposal to open its ducts to its competitors. The proposal has been officially made to ARCEP, the French Authority on Telecoms Regulation, as part of a public consultation ending in early October. The wholesale offer to use France Telecom ducts will be finalised by the end of 2007.
Access to existing civil engineering structures will include all information relevant to operators (maps, chamber locations, etc.), enabling them to install their own FTTH network by applying appropriate engineering rules. These rules will be designed to optimise the use of the ducts by managing the resources efficiently and avoiding saturation.
France Telecom has also asked ARCEP that the same principle of fair competition be applied to other owners of infrastructures needed to deploy optical fibre. This reciprocal opening will allow a fair and regulated framework to be defined based on the principle of non-discrimination between operators, while enabling the emergence of real platform competition and new user experiences.
The Group firmly believes that this step supports the European Commission and Regulatory authorities' plans to quickly enable fair infrastructure competition, for the benefit of the consumer.
Broadband already plays an important role in the lives of Europeans. Consumers benefit from an increasing range of voice, Internet and television offers. The traffic of digital information exchanged on electronic communication networks looks set to increase strongly over the years to come, with more and more images, better resolution, larger files and more exchanges of data. This trend has already been observed on the French market – one of the most innovative in the field. The deployment of FTTH technologies (fibre to the home) will be needed to respond to the huge demand for bandwidth.
This deployment will require wide and reciprocal access to civil engineering infrastructures so that all the market players can invest and make retail offers to customers under the same conditions. By infrastructure, we are not only referring to telecoms ducts, but also the various similar infrastructures such as those owned by cable operators and local authorities.
The Group has asked for reciprocal opening from owners of similar infrastructures
To ensure efficient and fair deployment of new optical fibre networks, France Telecom today announces its proposal to open its ducts to its competitors. The proposal has been officially made to ARCEP, the French Authority on Telecoms Regulation, as part of a public consultation ending in early October. The wholesale offer to use France Telecom ducts will be finalised by the end of 2007.
Access to existing civil engineering structures will include all information relevant to operators (maps, chamber locations, etc.), enabling them to install their own FTTH network by applying appropriate engineering rules. These rules will be designed to optimise the use of the ducts by managing the resources efficiently and avoiding saturation.
France Telecom has also asked ARCEP that the same principle of fair competition be applied to other owners of infrastructures needed to deploy optical fibre. This reciprocal opening will allow a fair and regulated framework to be defined based on the principle of non-discrimination between operators, while enabling the emergence of real platform competition and new user experiences.
The Group firmly believes that this step supports the European Commission and Regulatory authorities' plans to quickly enable fair infrastructure competition, for the benefit of the consumer.
Broadband already plays an important role in the lives of Europeans. Consumers benefit from an increasing range of voice, Internet and television offers. The traffic of digital information exchanged on electronic communication networks looks set to increase strongly over the years to come, with more and more images, better resolution, larger files and more exchanges of data. This trend has already been observed on the French market – one of the most innovative in the field. The deployment of FTTH technologies (fibre to the home) will be needed to respond to the huge demand for bandwidth.
This deployment will require wide and reciprocal access to civil engineering infrastructures so that all the market players can invest and make retail offers to customers under the same conditions. By infrastructure, we are not only referring to telecoms ducts, but also the various similar infrastructures such as those owned by cable operators and local authorities.
Monday, October 22, 2007
South Korea - IPR
WiBro Tech Leakers Sentenced to Prison
A court has delivered prison sentences to former researchers who tried to steal Korean-developed WiBro technology, the third-generation global standard wireless broadband technology.
The Seoul Central District Court said Sunday that it sentenced a former researcher from Korean IT company POSDATA to three years in prison for attempting to sell the company's core WiBro technology to a U.S. firm.
It also sentenced four other accomplices to 18 to 30 months in prison with a stay of execution for three to four years and 120-160 hours of public service.
The researchers were accused of stealing the technology through external hard drives and email from last September to March of this year and leaking it to a company they established in the U.S.
According to prosecutors, the leakers planned to headhunt some 30 researchers from POSDATA, offering high salaries and stock options as incentives, to complete the technology and then sell it to a U.S. communications company for W180 billion (US$1=W916).
A court has delivered prison sentences to former researchers who tried to steal Korean-developed WiBro technology, the third-generation global standard wireless broadband technology.
The Seoul Central District Court said Sunday that it sentenced a former researcher from Korean IT company POSDATA to three years in prison for attempting to sell the company's core WiBro technology to a U.S. firm.
It also sentenced four other accomplices to 18 to 30 months in prison with a stay of execution for three to four years and 120-160 hours of public service.
The researchers were accused of stealing the technology through external hard drives and email from last September to March of this year and leaking it to a company they established in the U.S.
According to prosecutors, the leakers planned to headhunt some 30 researchers from POSDATA, offering high salaries and stock options as incentives, to complete the technology and then sell it to a U.S. communications company for W180 billion (US$1=W916).
Egypt - 3G
MobiNil awarded 3G concession
Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has awarded MobiNil a licence to offer 3G mobile services. The 15-year concession makes MobiNil the third 3G licensee in the country, following in the footsteps of Etisalat Misr and Vodafone Egypt. MobilNil will pay EGP3.34 billion (USD61.5 million) for the concession in addition to an annual 2.4% of its total annual 3G revenues. The licence allows MobiNil to deploy EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA and HSUPA technologies and to provide services that include visual communications, video-messaging, high-speed data transfer and internet, MMS services, mobile-TV.
From Telegeography
Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has awarded MobiNil a licence to offer 3G mobile services. The 15-year concession makes MobiNil the third 3G licensee in the country, following in the footsteps of Etisalat Misr and Vodafone Egypt. MobilNil will pay EGP3.34 billion (USD61.5 million) for the concession in addition to an annual 2.4% of its total annual 3G revenues. The licence allows MobiNil to deploy EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA and HSUPA technologies and to provide services that include visual communications, video-messaging, high-speed data transfer and internet, MMS services, mobile-TV.
From Telegeography
3G - WiBRO
WiBro Globally Recognized as 3G Communication Technology
South Korea's communication technology has gained international recognition, brightening the prospects for its commercialization at home and abroad. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has approved the nation's homegrown mobile Internet technology called WiBro as one of international third-generation (3G) telecommunication standards. The decision was made during the global tech policymaking body's Radio Communications Assembly in Geneva, Thursday.
WiBro, or wireless broadband Internet, has emerged as the sixth global standard for the 3G telecommunication general platform called IMT-2000. WiBro is better known as Mobile WiMax internationally. The international adoption of the technology proves that the nation has made a significant breakthrough in telecommunications. There is no doubt that South Korea has reaffirmed its reputation as a world IT powerhouse. We hope WiBro will have greater opportunity to make inroads into world markets by taking advantage of the ITU's action. It is high time for the government and mobile carriers to step up cooperation to foster WiBro as one of the nation's future growth engines.
We take pride in the fact that South Korea was the first country in the world to develop WiBro technology. The IT giant Samsung Electronics and KT Corp., the nation's fixed-line phone and Internet operator, developed the system in cooperation with the Ministry of Information and Communication, and the state-funded Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI). WiBro is the result of the nation's technological prowess and its strenuous research and development efforts.
WiBro is a technology designed to enable users to log onto high-speed Internet connections even when on the move. The commercialization of the technology is still in its infancy. However, the ITU approval will help promote the use of the technology at home and abroad. WiBro will also have a competitive edge against other communication platforms, including CDMA-2000. And Korean firms can easily advance to the fourth-generation (4G) communications markets by making use of WiBro-related technology.
However, we cannot paint an all too rosy picture. In reality, the use of WiBro is in the doldrums even in South Korea. KT Corp. started commercial WiBro services in Seoul and its surrounding metropolitan areas last year. However, only 67,000 people have signed up for the mobile Internet service. This means its has failed to be a successful business.
Thus, the government, mobile carriers and IT companies will have to make further efforts to refine technology and promote the commercial use of its service. They must strengthen cooperation to make WiBro a success story for South Korean telecommunication technology. It is imperative for the nation to invest more in research and development and double its efforts to commercialize its new technologies.
From Korean Times
South Korea's communication technology has gained international recognition, brightening the prospects for its commercialization at home and abroad. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has approved the nation's homegrown mobile Internet technology called WiBro as one of international third-generation (3G) telecommunication standards. The decision was made during the global tech policymaking body's Radio Communications Assembly in Geneva, Thursday.
WiBro, or wireless broadband Internet, has emerged as the sixth global standard for the 3G telecommunication general platform called IMT-2000. WiBro is better known as Mobile WiMax internationally. The international adoption of the technology proves that the nation has made a significant breakthrough in telecommunications. There is no doubt that South Korea has reaffirmed its reputation as a world IT powerhouse. We hope WiBro will have greater opportunity to make inroads into world markets by taking advantage of the ITU's action. It is high time for the government and mobile carriers to step up cooperation to foster WiBro as one of the nation's future growth engines.
We take pride in the fact that South Korea was the first country in the world to develop WiBro technology. The IT giant Samsung Electronics and KT Corp., the nation's fixed-line phone and Internet operator, developed the system in cooperation with the Ministry of Information and Communication, and the state-funded Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI). WiBro is the result of the nation's technological prowess and its strenuous research and development efforts.
WiBro is a technology designed to enable users to log onto high-speed Internet connections even when on the move. The commercialization of the technology is still in its infancy. However, the ITU approval will help promote the use of the technology at home and abroad. WiBro will also have a competitive edge against other communication platforms, including CDMA-2000. And Korean firms can easily advance to the fourth-generation (4G) communications markets by making use of WiBro-related technology.
However, we cannot paint an all too rosy picture. In reality, the use of WiBro is in the doldrums even in South Korea. KT Corp. started commercial WiBro services in Seoul and its surrounding metropolitan areas last year. However, only 67,000 people have signed up for the mobile Internet service. This means its has failed to be a successful business.
Thus, the government, mobile carriers and IT companies will have to make further efforts to refine technology and promote the commercial use of its service. They must strengthen cooperation to make WiBro a success story for South Korean telecommunication technology. It is imperative for the nation to invest more in research and development and double its efforts to commercialize its new technologies.
From Korean Times
Sunday, October 21, 2007
USA - broadband
Broadband Regulation Needed to Improve Access
Competition may not fix problems with broadband speed and cost in the U.S., because of the high cost of entry into the market, the leader of a technology think tank said Friday.
Many policymakers in Washington, D.C., call for competition to cure issues with broadband value and build-out, but they don't recognize that the cost of building out competing networks may make broadband a natural monopoly or duopoly, said Robert Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF).
"It's a mistake for policymakers to assume that if they simply 'push the competition lever,' all the problems with broadband policy will be solved," wrote Atkinson, in an ITIF paper. "The bottom line is that if policymakers want to maximize not only societal welfare but also consumer welfare, they must balance the push for more competition with the need to maintain and create an efficient broadband industry structure."
Atkinson and some other speakers at an ITIF broadband policy forum argued that the U.S. may need more broadband regulations to achieve higher speeds and lower prices. Atkinson suggested a balance between competition and regulations that would mandate open pipes and create stronger enforcement of consumer protection and antitrust laws.
Not everyone agreed that more regulation was appropriate. The suggestion that broadband is a natural monopoly or duopoly "as an economist gives me the willies," said John Mayo, professor of economics, business and public policy at Georgetown University.
A government-supported monopoly in the traditional telephone market didn't work, Mayo said. He recalled an old Bell Atlantic billboard saying something to the effect of, "We don't sell you what you think you want; we sell you what we know you need."
Broadband is still a relatively new technology and the broadband business model is still evolving, Mayo said. The industry doesn't need government regulation while it's still developing.
Other speakers complained that U.S. residents get lower speeds for higher prices than many residents of Europe and the Far East. But Mayo noted that prices have been falling. "No matter how you measure it ... it's more affordable today than it's ever been," he said.
Speakers at the forum noted that broadband policy is becoming an issue in the U.S. presidential campaign. This month, Senator Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential front-runner, outlined a broadband policy that would include tax incentives for broadband carriers to move into rural and other underserved areas. Clinton also called for public and private partnerships to help roll out broadband and for the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to develop better data about where broadband is available.
Several other candidates have talked about broadband as well, including Republican front-runner Rudy Giuliani, noted Jonathan Sallet, a partner in the Washington communications firm, the Glover Park Group.
But many policymakers in Washington have recently taken a hands-off approach to broadband, thinking "let's create a neutral platform and just let stuff happen," added Steven Weber, a professor of political science at the University of California Berkeley. But just letting stuff happen isn't working to push broadband in many sectors, including health care, he said.
"I don't think that argument is completely adequate to most people," he said.
From PC World
see also ITIF Paper
Competition may not fix problems with broadband speed and cost in the U.S., because of the high cost of entry into the market, the leader of a technology think tank said Friday.
Many policymakers in Washington, D.C., call for competition to cure issues with broadband value and build-out, but they don't recognize that the cost of building out competing networks may make broadband a natural monopoly or duopoly, said Robert Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF).
"It's a mistake for policymakers to assume that if they simply 'push the competition lever,' all the problems with broadband policy will be solved," wrote Atkinson, in an ITIF paper. "The bottom line is that if policymakers want to maximize not only societal welfare but also consumer welfare, they must balance the push for more competition with the need to maintain and create an efficient broadband industry structure."
Atkinson and some other speakers at an ITIF broadband policy forum argued that the U.S. may need more broadband regulations to achieve higher speeds and lower prices. Atkinson suggested a balance between competition and regulations that would mandate open pipes and create stronger enforcement of consumer protection and antitrust laws.
Not everyone agreed that more regulation was appropriate. The suggestion that broadband is a natural monopoly or duopoly "as an economist gives me the willies," said John Mayo, professor of economics, business and public policy at Georgetown University.
A government-supported monopoly in the traditional telephone market didn't work, Mayo said. He recalled an old Bell Atlantic billboard saying something to the effect of, "We don't sell you what you think you want; we sell you what we know you need."
Broadband is still a relatively new technology and the broadband business model is still evolving, Mayo said. The industry doesn't need government regulation while it's still developing.
Other speakers complained that U.S. residents get lower speeds for higher prices than many residents of Europe and the Far East. But Mayo noted that prices have been falling. "No matter how you measure it ... it's more affordable today than it's ever been," he said.
Speakers at the forum noted that broadband policy is becoming an issue in the U.S. presidential campaign. This month, Senator Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential front-runner, outlined a broadband policy that would include tax incentives for broadband carriers to move into rural and other underserved areas. Clinton also called for public and private partnerships to help roll out broadband and for the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to develop better data about where broadband is available.
Several other candidates have talked about broadband as well, including Republican front-runner Rudy Giuliani, noted Jonathan Sallet, a partner in the Washington communications firm, the Glover Park Group.
But many policymakers in Washington have recently taken a hands-off approach to broadband, thinking "let's create a neutral platform and just let stuff happen," added Steven Weber, a professor of political science at the University of California Berkeley. But just letting stuff happen isn't working to push broadband in many sectors, including health care, he said.
"I don't think that argument is completely adequate to most people," he said.
From PC World
see also ITIF Paper
Friday, October 19, 2007
Turkey - Telecom strike
Telecom infrastructure ‘inadequate for disasters’
A strike currently under way by Türk Telekom workers has shown that Turkey is unprepared for times of war or natural disaster in terms of providing uninterrupted telecommunications services, said Yusuf Ata Arıak, chairman of the Turkish Competitive Telco Operators Association (TELKODER).
The strike has made it certain that there is no alternative infrastructure to continue communications -- and this is only solvable through liberalization of the business, he claimed. Arıak further noted that if the strike continues another week, serious problems in home land lines will begin to appear.
At a press conference held in İstanbul yesterday together with the other TELKODER board members, Arıak recalled the breaking of communication and fiber optic cables during the earthquakes in İzmit in 1999 and in Algeria in 2003 and 2004. "All of Turkey's connections with the outside world were cut," Arıak said, underlining that this anomaly has been overcome by the satellite capacity of new operators in the business.
The strike has already begun to concern Türk Telekom subscribers. Many subscribers are calling Türk Telekom customer services to learn how much longer the strike will continue. On the other hand, some customers have opted to call the Turkish Telecommunication Workers' Union (Türkiye Haber-İş), which is the responsible for the strike. Subscribers ask questions which only the company itself can answer such as Will Türk Telekom send bills during the strike? Since there is no one keeping the accounts, will calls be free until the strike ends? Will you end the strike tomorrow, please?
From Today's Zaman
A strike currently under way by Türk Telekom workers has shown that Turkey is unprepared for times of war or natural disaster in terms of providing uninterrupted telecommunications services, said Yusuf Ata Arıak, chairman of the Turkish Competitive Telco Operators Association (TELKODER).
The strike has made it certain that there is no alternative infrastructure to continue communications -- and this is only solvable through liberalization of the business, he claimed. Arıak further noted that if the strike continues another week, serious problems in home land lines will begin to appear.
At a press conference held in İstanbul yesterday together with the other TELKODER board members, Arıak recalled the breaking of communication and fiber optic cables during the earthquakes in İzmit in 1999 and in Algeria in 2003 and 2004. "All of Turkey's connections with the outside world were cut," Arıak said, underlining that this anomaly has been overcome by the satellite capacity of new operators in the business.
The strike has already begun to concern Türk Telekom subscribers. Many subscribers are calling Türk Telekom customer services to learn how much longer the strike will continue. On the other hand, some customers have opted to call the Turkish Telecommunication Workers' Union (Türkiye Haber-İş), which is the responsible for the strike. Subscribers ask questions which only the company itself can answer such as Will Türk Telekom send bills during the strike? Since there is no one keeping the accounts, will calls be free until the strike ends? Will you end the strike tomorrow, please?
From Today's Zaman
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Unified communications
Measuring the Pain: What is Fragmented Communications Costing the Enterprise?
This study has clearly captured the extent of the frustration felt by individuals, managers and teams, and quantified the extraneous costs leaking out of the enterprise as a result.
So where to go from here? This study validates, with convincing results, that the current communications status quo must be addressed, for companies that want to stay competitive and productive. The study clearly demonstrates that those in management roles are especially aware of the frustration and cost being tolerated by employees, yet few know how to change it. The significant financial cost of doing nothing is quantified and summarized on page 12.
The answer in large part is Unified Communications (UC). UC solutions aim to overcome communication obstacles and complexity to communication in the enterprise while optimizing the performance of communications-sensitive business processes. The implications of the study on competitive advantage are clear, and fortunately, there is a logical and actionable path to take. After reviewing the summary findings from our study,the final page of this report provides further guidance on Siemens’ industry-leading UC solution – OpenScape, designed to remove the costly communications guesswork, pain and expense endured by today’s global business community.
Unified Communication Strategies
This study has clearly captured the extent of the frustration felt by individuals, managers and teams, and quantified the extraneous costs leaking out of the enterprise as a result.
So where to go from here? This study validates, with convincing results, that the current communications status quo must be addressed, for companies that want to stay competitive and productive. The study clearly demonstrates that those in management roles are especially aware of the frustration and cost being tolerated by employees, yet few know how to change it. The significant financial cost of doing nothing is quantified and summarized on page 12.
The answer in large part is Unified Communications (UC). UC solutions aim to overcome communication obstacles and complexity to communication in the enterprise while optimizing the performance of communications-sensitive business processes. The implications of the study on competitive advantage are clear, and fortunately, there is a logical and actionable path to take. After reviewing the summary findings from our study,the final page of this report provides further guidance on Siemens’ industry-leading UC solution – OpenScape, designed to remove the costly communications guesswork, pain and expense endured by today’s global business community.
Unified Communication Strategies
UAE - Apple iPhone
Regulator Blocks Exclusivity Deal with U.A.E. Network Operators
The United Arab Emirates' Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced it will not allow Apple to establish any exclusive network services in the country for its new iPhone.
Significance: The ruling could prevent the phone from obtaining an official release in the federation. Apple's distribution deals set a precedent for a handset manufacturer to share subscription revenues with mobile operators directly. Apple has already obtained a two-year contract in place with the largest U.S. mobile group, AT&T, according to which it takes a share of revenues from sales of iPhone, as well as a regular monthly subscription fee for running servers for some value-added services, like visual voicemail. In the United Arab Emirates, iPhones, which have been unlocked using third-party software, are nevertheless being sold for as much as US$1,100 on the country's black market.
From PWC Communications Direct
see also TRA
The United Arab Emirates' Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced it will not allow Apple to establish any exclusive network services in the country for its new iPhone.
Significance: The ruling could prevent the phone from obtaining an official release in the federation. Apple's distribution deals set a precedent for a handset manufacturer to share subscription revenues with mobile operators directly. Apple has already obtained a two-year contract in place with the largest U.S. mobile group, AT&T, according to which it takes a share of revenues from sales of iPhone, as well as a regular monthly subscription fee for running servers for some value-added services, like visual voicemail. In the United Arab Emirates, iPhones, which have been unlocked using third-party software, are nevertheless being sold for as much as US$1,100 on the country's black market.
From PWC Communications Direct
see also TRA
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