[cellular news] The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), Cable & Wireless Communications' business in The Bahamas, has removed charges for calls between the country's 29 islands.
While normal airtime charges still apply, mobile customers are now able to make calls to a fixed line or mobile in another island without incurring an additional US 18 cents per minute 'long- distance' charge.
BTC is the only mobile operator in The Bahamas, and holds exclusivity over the supply of mobile services until 2014. Cable & Wireless Communications purchased 51% of the shares in BTC and took management control on 6 April 2011.
Geoff Houston, Chief Executive Officer of BTC said: "The removal of long distance charges for island-to-island cellular calls is one of the promises made as part of our commitment to improve customer service while reducing rates. These new mobile upgrades are just the beginning of exciting changes we plan to implement in the months and years ahead."
The company's monopoly expires in 2014.
BTC Scraps Long Distance Phone Charges Between Bahamas Islands
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Australia - Allphones was fined AUD 45,000 for breaching undertakings on franchises
[cellular news] Australian phone retailer, Allphones has been fined AU$45,000 for contempt of orders following action by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
The company has found to have breached undertakings given in 2008 as part of a long running dispute between the company and its franchisees, who operate their own retail stores under the Allphones brand names.
In 2006, the company started a policy of deliberately trying to ease out those franchisees that it felt were under performing by withholding stock and income while still requiring the stores to deposit their sales with Allphone's own banks so that their financial viability was threatened.
The Accc launched legal action against Allphone and secured a settlement in April 2010 that included AU$3 million in costs.
However, the court has now found that since October 2008, the company continued to withhold consent to the assignment of an Allphones franchise if the franchisee would not sign a deed releasing Allphones from liability.
The company also failed to give the ACCC 7 days' written notice of its intention to withhold consent to the assignment of an Allphones franchise on the basis that the new franchisee must enter into a new franchise agreement.
"This decision sends a clear message that the ACCC and the Court regard breaches of court orders very seriously," ACCC Chairman Graeme Samuel said today. "Those who act in contempt of court can expect to be vigorously pursued by the ACCC," Mr Samuel added.
Allphones acknowledged that its conduct was both wrongful and culpable, and apologised to the Court and franchisees. Allphones made joint recommendations with the ACCC to the court as to the appropriate fine.
Australian Mobile Phone Retailer Fined for Contempt of Court
The company has found to have breached undertakings given in 2008 as part of a long running dispute between the company and its franchisees, who operate their own retail stores under the Allphones brand names.
In 2006, the company started a policy of deliberately trying to ease out those franchisees that it felt were under performing by withholding stock and income while still requiring the stores to deposit their sales with Allphone's own banks so that their financial viability was threatened.
The Accc launched legal action against Allphone and secured a settlement in April 2010 that included AU$3 million in costs.
However, the court has now found that since October 2008, the company continued to withhold consent to the assignment of an Allphones franchise if the franchisee would not sign a deed releasing Allphones from liability.
The company also failed to give the ACCC 7 days' written notice of its intention to withhold consent to the assignment of an Allphones franchise on the basis that the new franchisee must enter into a new franchise agreement.
"This decision sends a clear message that the ACCC and the Court regard breaches of court orders very seriously," ACCC Chairman Graeme Samuel said today. "Those who act in contempt of court can expect to be vigorously pursued by the ACCC," Mr Samuel added.
Allphones acknowledged that its conduct was both wrongful and culpable, and apologised to the Court and franchisees. Allphones made joint recommendations with the ACCC to the court as to the appropriate fine.
Australian Mobile Phone Retailer Fined for Contempt of Court
USA - N Dakota is most sociable state, while New Jersey is the flirtiest in use of social networks
[marketwire] According to Tagged, the leading social network for meeting new people, and their study of the social habits of millions of Americans, North Dakota has distinguished itself as the nation's most social state. In a related finding the proud state of New Jersey just beat out Ohio as the flirtiest state.
In the June 2011 study of the social and flirty characteristics of over 2 million Americans, Tagged found that New Jersey residents sent a whopping average of almost 94 online virtual winks per month, while the average North Dakotan demonstrated their social nature by requesting a staggering 1,956 new friend connections. In other findings North Dakota additionally claimed the most friendly or social men, while sunshine-basked Arizona boasts the most social women.
There's no denying it, by the tens of millions, people around the country and world are embracing online social networks at a quickening pace both for keeping in touch with people they know and also to meet new people. Whether it's for dating and flirting, or just to meet others with similar interests, they are demonstrating a great appetite to meet and socialize with new people online at Tagged.com.
The Top 10 Most Social states:
1. North Dakota
2. New Jersey
3. Washington DC
4. Idaho
5. North Carolina
6. Georgia
7. Montana
8. Pennsylvania
9. Maryland
10. New York
The Top 10 Flirtiest states:
1. New Jersey
2. Ohio
3. Pennsylvania
4. New York
5. Indiana
6. Massachusetts
7. Connecticut
8. Nevada
9. Rhode Island
10. Florida
"Reaching out to new people to flirt, play or to share interests, is a key aspect of our social selves," said Greg Tseng, Tagged CEO. "While North Dakotans will fully embrace their 'most social state' recognition, a few in New Jersey may not feel honored by their distinction. That said, we see a state's flirt quotient as a key indicator of the region's social nature, and something to be proud of too. It's also a potentially great ice breaker during a next flirting opportunity for those in the Garden State."
Tagged researchers suggest why North Dakota and New Jersey win out as the Nation's most social and flirtiest states:
While North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area, it is also the third least populous. Thus far-flung residents are naturally in search of new connections with neighbors and those far beyond.
A state known for both friendly residents and inclement weather, North Dakotans also rely heavily on community institutions which ever help expand their social networks. The state claims the most churches per capita of any state.
New Jersey residents represent an extremely social hybrid of urban and suburban populace who among Tagged's 100 million members are looking for ways to meet new people, not just maintain their existing networks, as Facebook is designed to do.
New Jersey's pop culture reputation for unabashed opinions and extraverted residents may be more than a myth and translate into higher average flirting numbers.
The New England region in general ruled the flirtation findings, suggesting the close concentration of urban hubs made for a more flirtatious environment.
Uff Da and Hello There: North Dakota Revealed to Be Most Social State in the Union
In the June 2011 study of the social and flirty characteristics of over 2 million Americans, Tagged found that New Jersey residents sent a whopping average of almost 94 online virtual winks per month, while the average North Dakotan demonstrated their social nature by requesting a staggering 1,956 new friend connections. In other findings North Dakota additionally claimed the most friendly or social men, while sunshine-basked Arizona boasts the most social women.
There's no denying it, by the tens of millions, people around the country and world are embracing online social networks at a quickening pace both for keeping in touch with people they know and also to meet new people. Whether it's for dating and flirting, or just to meet others with similar interests, they are demonstrating a great appetite to meet and socialize with new people online at Tagged.com.
The Top 10 Most Social states:
1. North Dakota
2. New Jersey
3. Washington DC
4. Idaho
5. North Carolina
6. Georgia
7. Montana
8. Pennsylvania
9. Maryland
10. New York
The Top 10 Flirtiest states:
1. New Jersey
2. Ohio
3. Pennsylvania
4. New York
5. Indiana
6. Massachusetts
7. Connecticut
8. Nevada
9. Rhode Island
10. Florida
"Reaching out to new people to flirt, play or to share interests, is a key aspect of our social selves," said Greg Tseng, Tagged CEO. "While North Dakotans will fully embrace their 'most social state' recognition, a few in New Jersey may not feel honored by their distinction. That said, we see a state's flirt quotient as a key indicator of the region's social nature, and something to be proud of too. It's also a potentially great ice breaker during a next flirting opportunity for those in the Garden State."
Tagged researchers suggest why North Dakota and New Jersey win out as the Nation's most social and flirtiest states:
While North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area, it is also the third least populous. Thus far-flung residents are naturally in search of new connections with neighbors and those far beyond.
A state known for both friendly residents and inclement weather, North Dakotans also rely heavily on community institutions which ever help expand their social networks. The state claims the most churches per capita of any state.
New Jersey residents represent an extremely social hybrid of urban and suburban populace who among Tagged's 100 million members are looking for ways to meet new people, not just maintain their existing networks, as Facebook is designed to do.
New Jersey's pop culture reputation for unabashed opinions and extraverted residents may be more than a myth and translate into higher average flirting numbers.
The New England region in general ruled the flirtation findings, suggesting the close concentration of urban hubs made for a more flirtatious environment.
Uff Da and Hello There: North Dakota Revealed to Be Most Social State in the Union
Africa - Bharti Airtel has signed an network management contract with Ericsson for two years
[marketwire] Bharti Airtel, ("Airtel") a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa today announced a five year managed services agreement with Ericsson for its Africa operations. As per the agreement, Ericsson will manage and optimise Airtel's mobile networks in Africa in order to provide a superior customer experience.
Under a separate two year agreement, Ericsson will modernize and upgrade Airtel's mobile networks in Africa with the latest technology including its multi standard RBS 6000 base station. Ericsson will deploy this superior 2G and HSPA 3G technology to ensure that Airtel's customers have an enhanced voice and data experience. As part of the modernization, Ericsson will also provide technology consulting, network planning & design and network deployment.
Manoj Kohli, CEO (International) & Joint Managing Director, Bharti Airtel said: "Ericsson has been our managed services and network technology partner in the Asian operations. Given its expertise and strong track record we are confident that this partnership will be able to efficiently deliver the best networks and services to our customers in Africa. The new generation equipment from Ericsson will help reduce our total cost of ownership of the networks."
Ericsson's first multi-country Managed Services deal in Africa will enable Airtel focus on its core operations of innovating and launching new products, services and mobile applications for over 44 million customers across the continent.
Hans Vestberg, President and CEO, Ericsson, says: "Ericsson is the industry leader in managed services, managing networks for operators worldwide that serve more than 800 million subscribers. This deal will allow us to assist Airtel with the complex task of managing operations in multiple countries. It also provides an opportunity for us to extend our managed services into new, untapped African markets. We will use our global expertise in this field to provide Airtel's customers with excellent service."
Bharti Airtel signs five year managed services agreement with Ericsson for its Africa operations
Under a separate two year agreement, Ericsson will modernize and upgrade Airtel's mobile networks in Africa with the latest technology including its multi standard RBS 6000 base station. Ericsson will deploy this superior 2G and HSPA 3G technology to ensure that Airtel's customers have an enhanced voice and data experience. As part of the modernization, Ericsson will also provide technology consulting, network planning & design and network deployment.
Manoj Kohli, CEO (International) & Joint Managing Director, Bharti Airtel said: "Ericsson has been our managed services and network technology partner in the Asian operations. Given its expertise and strong track record we are confident that this partnership will be able to efficiently deliver the best networks and services to our customers in Africa. The new generation equipment from Ericsson will help reduce our total cost of ownership of the networks."
Ericsson's first multi-country Managed Services deal in Africa will enable Airtel focus on its core operations of innovating and launching new products, services and mobile applications for over 44 million customers across the continent.
Hans Vestberg, President and CEO, Ericsson, says: "Ericsson is the industry leader in managed services, managing networks for operators worldwide that serve more than 800 million subscribers. This deal will allow us to assist Airtel with the complex task of managing operations in multiple countries. It also provides an opportunity for us to extend our managed services into new, untapped African markets. We will use our global expertise in this field to provide Airtel's customers with excellent service."
Bharti Airtel signs five year managed services agreement with Ericsson for its Africa operations
Australia - Operators maintain their revised consumer protection code will meet all concerns, avoiding further regulation
[it wire] The telecomms industry has been almost unanimous in its responses to the ACMA's draft report of its 'Reconnecting the Customer' enquiry in claiming that a revised Telecommunications Consumer Protection (TCP) Code will address the ACMA's concerns. ACCAN does not agree.
Industry insists: consumer code will address ACMA's issues
Industry insists: consumer code will address ACMA's issues
Australia - regulator has released the 40 submissions to its reconnecting customers addressing deep problems in the lack of customer care
[it wire] The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) have today released a wave of public submissions made about the organisation’s “Reconnecting the Customer” draft report.
Almost 40 public submissions were made to ACMA regarding the inquiry’s draft report published last month, coming from Australian organisations both in and out of the industry including Telstra, Vodafone Hutchison Australia, Optus, Internode, Central Land Council and the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
A number of individuals also made submissions to the inquiry, with one calling for telcos to “listen not [to just] hear” problems.
The inquiry began in April 2010, when ACMA announced it was time to investigate the growing dissatisfaction with customer service provided by internet service providers and telecommunication companies in Australia.
Preliminary results show key problematic areas include how long and hard it can be to get in touch with service providers when support is required, long waiting periods to get problems resolved and differing advice about services available between providers.
The inquiry has also found ”bill shock” — when a customer receives a higher bill than expected — is a common occurrence that needs to be dealt with.
Submissions to ACMA’s telco customer support inquiry released
Almost 40 public submissions were made to ACMA regarding the inquiry’s draft report published last month, coming from Australian organisations both in and out of the industry including Telstra, Vodafone Hutchison Australia, Optus, Internode, Central Land Council and the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
A number of individuals also made submissions to the inquiry, with one calling for telcos to “listen not [to just] hear” problems.
The inquiry began in April 2010, when ACMA announced it was time to investigate the growing dissatisfaction with customer service provided by internet service providers and telecommunication companies in Australia.
Preliminary results show key problematic areas include how long and hard it can be to get in touch with service providers when support is required, long waiting periods to get problems resolved and differing advice about services available between providers.
The inquiry has also found ”bill shock” — when a customer receives a higher bill than expected — is a common occurrence that needs to be dealt with.
Submissions to ACMA’s telco customer support inquiry released
Monday, July 25, 2011
Africa - Bharti Airtel has signed a 5-year agreement to manage its network operations in Africa
[The Citizen] The global telecommunications company, Bharti Airtel, has signed a five year-managed services agreement with Ericsson for its Africa operations.
According to Ericsson's statement made available to The Citizen, as per agreement, Ericsson will manage and optimise Airtel's mobile networks in Africa in order to provide a superior customer experience.
Under a separate two-year agreement, Ericsson will modernise and upgrade Airtel's mobile networks in Africa with the latest technology.
"Ericsson will also set up superior 2G and High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 3G technology to ensure that Airtel's customers have an enhanced voice and data experience," the statement reads in part.
As part of the modernisation, Ericsson will offer technology consulting, network planning and design as well as network deployment.
According to Bharti Airtel chief executive officer (CEO), Mr Manoj Kohli, Ericsson managed services and was its network technology partner in the Asian operations.
"Given its expertise and strong track record we are confident that this partnership will be able to efficiently deliver the best networks and services to our customers in Africa."
He added that the new generation equipment from Ericsson would help reduce their (Airtel) total cost of ownership of the networks.
Ericsson's first multi-country managed services deal in Africa will enable Airtel focus on its core operations of innovating and launching new products, services and mobile applications for over 44 million customers across the continent.
Mr Hans Vestberg, president and CEO of Ericsson said his company is the industry leader in managed services, managing networks for operations worldwide that serve more than 800 million subscribers.
"This deal will allow us to assist Airtel with the complex task of managing operations in multiple countries. It also provides an opportunity for us to extend our managed services into new untapped African markets," he said.
Mr Vestberg pointed out that they would utilise their global expertise in this field to provide Airtel's customers with excellent service.
Telecom Company Plans to Modernise Networks on Continent
According to Ericsson's statement made available to The Citizen, as per agreement, Ericsson will manage and optimise Airtel's mobile networks in Africa in order to provide a superior customer experience.
Under a separate two-year agreement, Ericsson will modernise and upgrade Airtel's mobile networks in Africa with the latest technology.
"Ericsson will also set up superior 2G and High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 3G technology to ensure that Airtel's customers have an enhanced voice and data experience," the statement reads in part.
As part of the modernisation, Ericsson will offer technology consulting, network planning and design as well as network deployment.
According to Bharti Airtel chief executive officer (CEO), Mr Manoj Kohli, Ericsson managed services and was its network technology partner in the Asian operations.
"Given its expertise and strong track record we are confident that this partnership will be able to efficiently deliver the best networks and services to our customers in Africa."
He added that the new generation equipment from Ericsson would help reduce their (Airtel) total cost of ownership of the networks.
Ericsson's first multi-country managed services deal in Africa will enable Airtel focus on its core operations of innovating and launching new products, services and mobile applications for over 44 million customers across the continent.
Mr Hans Vestberg, president and CEO of Ericsson said his company is the industry leader in managed services, managing networks for operations worldwide that serve more than 800 million subscribers.
"This deal will allow us to assist Airtel with the complex task of managing operations in multiple countries. It also provides an opportunity for us to extend our managed services into new untapped African markets," he said.
Mr Vestberg pointed out that they would utilise their global expertise in this field to provide Airtel's customers with excellent service.
Telecom Company Plans to Modernise Networks on Continent
Rwanda - Rwandatel to be sold off to cover the costs of paying creditors following its liquidation
[the new times] Rwandatel is set to be sold by the end of this year in a move aimed at raising money to pay its creditors.
The country is also in dire need of a third mobile phone operator in order to meet its ambitious six million mobile subscribers by the end of next year.
The decision to sale Rwandatel follows an order by the commercial court in Nyarungenge to liquidate Rwandatel, which once enjoyed a duopoly in Rwanda's telecom industry alongside MTN Rwanda
Court said liquidation of Rwandatel, which is the first in the country's history, was the best way to safeguard the interests of the company's creditors and other stakeholders.
"The liquidation strategy to be adopted is to sell the business assets to another player offering telecommunication services. The move will ensure maximisation of the value of assets and enable continuation of service delivery without interruption," Rwandatel's Administrator, Richard Mugisha, said.
He is hopeful the current assets are worth something and creditors' hopes entirely depend on being able to create value from these assets.
"We are not pessimistic that the assets cannot produce value," Mugisha said.Court requested all Rwandatel creditors to submit their claims against the company by August 18, 2011.
In an effort to create a framework to resolve the challenges with the company's creditors, the court requested all creditors to convene a special meeting.
The Administrator said they intend to sell the entire business, and that the objective is to get the best price from the assets.
Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA)'s Director General, Regis Gatarayiha, said the decision was taken according to the report provided, which showed that the company was financially distressed.
"It's not regulator that is supposed to determine whether any company is insolvent, it was done by the mandated institutes," Gatarayiha said.
RURA revoked Rwandatel's GSM licence on April 8, this year following two notices from the regulator asking the company to fulfil its investment plan, coverage, roll out plan and quality of service.
Rwandatel to Be Sold Off
The country is also in dire need of a third mobile phone operator in order to meet its ambitious six million mobile subscribers by the end of next year.
The decision to sale Rwandatel follows an order by the commercial court in Nyarungenge to liquidate Rwandatel, which once enjoyed a duopoly in Rwanda's telecom industry alongside MTN Rwanda
Court said liquidation of Rwandatel, which is the first in the country's history, was the best way to safeguard the interests of the company's creditors and other stakeholders.
"The liquidation strategy to be adopted is to sell the business assets to another player offering telecommunication services. The move will ensure maximisation of the value of assets and enable continuation of service delivery without interruption," Rwandatel's Administrator, Richard Mugisha, said.
He is hopeful the current assets are worth something and creditors' hopes entirely depend on being able to create value from these assets.
"We are not pessimistic that the assets cannot produce value," Mugisha said.Court requested all Rwandatel creditors to submit their claims against the company by August 18, 2011.
In an effort to create a framework to resolve the challenges with the company's creditors, the court requested all creditors to convene a special meeting.
The Administrator said they intend to sell the entire business, and that the objective is to get the best price from the assets.
Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA)'s Director General, Regis Gatarayiha, said the decision was taken according to the report provided, which showed that the company was financially distressed.
"It's not regulator that is supposed to determine whether any company is insolvent, it was done by the mandated institutes," Gatarayiha said.
RURA revoked Rwandatel's GSM licence on April 8, this year following two notices from the regulator asking the company to fulfil its investment plan, coverage, roll out plan and quality of service.
Rwandatel to Be Sold Off
Nigeria - 10 years of GSM but continuing complaints about the quality of the networks
[daily trust] On May 29, 2011, the Federal Capital Territory's phone subscribers literally experienced hell as they could not make or receive calls for the better part of the day. It was the day President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in for a fresh four year term, and the overzealous security personnel took their job beyond boarders and forced the telecoms operators out of business for, at least close to 12 hours.
It was said that security agencies took the decision to cut GSM services in order to forestall breach in security on the day many local and foreign dignitaries were expected in the capital city.
Masterminds of the October 1, 2010 bomb blasts around Abuja's Eagles Square, which killed scores of people, reportedly used mobile phones to perfect the dastardly act.
Although telecoms right activists did not see anything wrong in the government's action, the terrible experience (of not being able to make or receive calls)has made many residents to agree that GSM telephony is of great importance to their business and social relationship.
The advent of Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) in 2001 made life a lot easier for Nigerians as it gave rise to hope and aspirations of the citizens on a brighter future for the country.
Considering what life used to be for people prior to GSM revolution in Nigeria gives one a clear understanding of the many impacts it has had on Nigerians.
Many lives were lost simply because of lack of communication between one end and another due to non-availability of good telephony network. At that time, the now moribund Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL)'s lines were virtually out of reach of most Nigerians. Many had to walk for several kilometres and then queue for several hours before a call, which might not even be clear, could be made. It was really that bad!
But the arrival of GSM in the country ten years ago changed all this. From the paltry NITEL lines, the country's private sector dominated GSM industry produced 86 million lines though about 24 million of that were said to be inactive. There has been a tremendous change in the method of communication and an awesome improvement in businesses and security. Mobile internet and social networking, which have kept people very well informed of national and global developments, are some of the numerous of GSM advantages to Nigerians.
Needless travels and by extension needless accidents are now things of the past. Thanks to God who inspired the country's leader at the time to go for GSM.
It has also encouraged the setting up and efficient running of small scale businesses and also aided in cost and time savings to ensure smooth running of peoples day to day activities.
Not only that, the GSM revolution has also put Nigeria on a global pedestal. Recent records have shown that Nigeria is now the largest telecommunications market in Africa having surpassed South Africa years back and the country is also among the fastest growing telecommunications markets in the world.
However, Nigerians' hope of good quality GSM telephony, ten years after, is dashed by the operators' not-too-good services currently being offered. Drop calls are still prevalent while undelivered Short Message Service complaints are still being received by the regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
NCC said the telecoms operators are still rendering unacceptable quality of service in the country.
NCC, in a recent statement, said because of this it has turned down the request of MTN Nigeria to give incentives to its customers through promos.
The commission also directed Starcomms Nigeria Limited to stop all promotional activities in its network, pending appreciable improvement in its quality of service.
The NCC directive came on the heels of complaints of bad quality of services being rendered by operators to their subscribers.
Some subscribers who spoke with Daily Trust hailed the NCC's directive and urged it to go a step further to slam a ban on any erring operator.
Abdullahi Musa, a commercial motorcyclist in Abuja, said apart from stopping of promos, NCC should also compel the operators to reduce their tariffs. Musa believes that Nigerians are still being short-changed as regards what they pay for making calls.
Subscribers in the country pay between N12 and N40 per minute for making calls, depending on the type of package a subscriber chooses.
Another subscriber, Helen Adio, said she does not believe the operators would obey NCC as " we have always been told something like this, but at the end of the day we see nothing happening to the operators."
But NCC said the decision to turn down operators' request was made after series of reviews about the content of the promotions and the volume of traffic it is bound to generate. "Such promotions may further degrade its current quality of service status," it said.
It said further that consumer experience on the operators' network during similar promotions in the past, which tend to negate the current position of the commission that operators must take responsibility for improved quality of service for their customers.
But the operators say they are not to be blamed as government has virtually done nothing on improving on infrastructure.
But MTN's spokesperson, Mrs Funmi Omogbenigun, said "the official feedback that we received from the NCC specifically states that they wish to ascertain that our proposed promo will not adversely affect quality of service - this is a routine administrative procedure and they are currently undertaking extensive investigations in this regard."
She added that, "This manner of engagement and examination before NCC gives an approval for any promo is routine and it is in line with their statutory responsibility to ensure that acceptable quality levels are maintained."
Mrs Omogbenigun further said that "It is in our interest to ensure that our network has the capacity to support our promos or else the objective of the promo would be entirely defeated. Therefore, it is an established and necessary procedure for us to ensure that our network can support our activities prior to our application for NCC approval. On their part, NCC is statutorily entitled to seek proof and establish empirical evidence to support our assertions. We are confident that an SMS Promo (which is what we are seeking approval for) will have no effect on the voice network."
Another spokesman of one the country's GSM companies, who pleaded anonymity, said NCC was only playing to the gallery because it knew the challenges facing the operators.
He promised that Nigerians would only enjoy good quality service from the operators if the government improved on infrastructure.
So for Nigerians, it is still a long hope for good quality telephony service ten years after the GSM revolution.
10 Years of GSM - Citizens Still Long for Better Network
It was said that security agencies took the decision to cut GSM services in order to forestall breach in security on the day many local and foreign dignitaries were expected in the capital city.
Masterminds of the October 1, 2010 bomb blasts around Abuja's Eagles Square, which killed scores of people, reportedly used mobile phones to perfect the dastardly act.
Although telecoms right activists did not see anything wrong in the government's action, the terrible experience (of not being able to make or receive calls)has made many residents to agree that GSM telephony is of great importance to their business and social relationship.
The advent of Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) in 2001 made life a lot easier for Nigerians as it gave rise to hope and aspirations of the citizens on a brighter future for the country.
Considering what life used to be for people prior to GSM revolution in Nigeria gives one a clear understanding of the many impacts it has had on Nigerians.
Many lives were lost simply because of lack of communication between one end and another due to non-availability of good telephony network. At that time, the now moribund Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL)'s lines were virtually out of reach of most Nigerians. Many had to walk for several kilometres and then queue for several hours before a call, which might not even be clear, could be made. It was really that bad!
But the arrival of GSM in the country ten years ago changed all this. From the paltry NITEL lines, the country's private sector dominated GSM industry produced 86 million lines though about 24 million of that were said to be inactive. There has been a tremendous change in the method of communication and an awesome improvement in businesses and security. Mobile internet and social networking, which have kept people very well informed of national and global developments, are some of the numerous of GSM advantages to Nigerians.
Needless travels and by extension needless accidents are now things of the past. Thanks to God who inspired the country's leader at the time to go for GSM.
It has also encouraged the setting up and efficient running of small scale businesses and also aided in cost and time savings to ensure smooth running of peoples day to day activities.
Not only that, the GSM revolution has also put Nigeria on a global pedestal. Recent records have shown that Nigeria is now the largest telecommunications market in Africa having surpassed South Africa years back and the country is also among the fastest growing telecommunications markets in the world.
However, Nigerians' hope of good quality GSM telephony, ten years after, is dashed by the operators' not-too-good services currently being offered. Drop calls are still prevalent while undelivered Short Message Service complaints are still being received by the regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
NCC said the telecoms operators are still rendering unacceptable quality of service in the country.
NCC, in a recent statement, said because of this it has turned down the request of MTN Nigeria to give incentives to its customers through promos.
The commission also directed Starcomms Nigeria Limited to stop all promotional activities in its network, pending appreciable improvement in its quality of service.
The NCC directive came on the heels of complaints of bad quality of services being rendered by operators to their subscribers.
Some subscribers who spoke with Daily Trust hailed the NCC's directive and urged it to go a step further to slam a ban on any erring operator.
Abdullahi Musa, a commercial motorcyclist in Abuja, said apart from stopping of promos, NCC should also compel the operators to reduce their tariffs. Musa believes that Nigerians are still being short-changed as regards what they pay for making calls.
Subscribers in the country pay between N12 and N40 per minute for making calls, depending on the type of package a subscriber chooses.
Another subscriber, Helen Adio, said she does not believe the operators would obey NCC as " we have always been told something like this, but at the end of the day we see nothing happening to the operators."
But NCC said the decision to turn down operators' request was made after series of reviews about the content of the promotions and the volume of traffic it is bound to generate. "Such promotions may further degrade its current quality of service status," it said.
It said further that consumer experience on the operators' network during similar promotions in the past, which tend to negate the current position of the commission that operators must take responsibility for improved quality of service for their customers.
But the operators say they are not to be blamed as government has virtually done nothing on improving on infrastructure.
But MTN's spokesperson, Mrs Funmi Omogbenigun, said "the official feedback that we received from the NCC specifically states that they wish to ascertain that our proposed promo will not adversely affect quality of service - this is a routine administrative procedure and they are currently undertaking extensive investigations in this regard."
She added that, "This manner of engagement and examination before NCC gives an approval for any promo is routine and it is in line with their statutory responsibility to ensure that acceptable quality levels are maintained."
Mrs Omogbenigun further said that "It is in our interest to ensure that our network has the capacity to support our promos or else the objective of the promo would be entirely defeated. Therefore, it is an established and necessary procedure for us to ensure that our network can support our activities prior to our application for NCC approval. On their part, NCC is statutorily entitled to seek proof and establish empirical evidence to support our assertions. We are confident that an SMS Promo (which is what we are seeking approval for) will have no effect on the voice network."
Another spokesman of one the country's GSM companies, who pleaded anonymity, said NCC was only playing to the gallery because it knew the challenges facing the operators.
He promised that Nigerians would only enjoy good quality service from the operators if the government improved on infrastructure.
So for Nigerians, it is still a long hope for good quality telephony service ten years after the GSM revolution.
10 Years of GSM - Citizens Still Long for Better Network
Mexico - Regulator has opened an investigation into monopolistic practices of Telefonos de Mexico
[bloomberg] Mexico’s antitrust agency is opening an investigation into “relative monopolistic practices” in the markets for cable television, fixed-line phone and internet service.
The Federal Competition Commission, known as the CFC, will review actions or agreements by companies that have the “objective or effect of inappropriately displacing other market participants.” Competitors may also have attempted to increase costs for rivals or reduce demand for their services, according to a statement published in Mexico’s official gazette today.
The probe follows another CFC investigation into possible collusion in the same markets, announced June 1. Telefonos de Mexico SAB, the Mexico City-based company that controls 80 percent of the nation’s fixed-line market and is the largest Internet provider, filed a complaint with the CFC in March, saying commercial agreements between Grupo Televisa SA (TLEVICPO) and Megacable Holdings Inc. hurt competition.
Televisa, also based in Mexico City and the world’s largest Spanish-language broadcaster, controls three cable operators that offer packages of TV, phone and Web service, and it shares a brand, Yoo, with Megacable, the nation’s largest cable carrier.
The companies, which have been taking customers from Telmex with their package of services, have denied their collaboration hurts competition. Telmex, controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim’s America Movil SAB, is banned from offering a video product by Mexico’s government, which says the company must first comply with rules governing phone-network connections.
Mexico Antitrust Agency Starts Second Investigation of Telecom Market
The Federal Competition Commission, known as the CFC, will review actions or agreements by companies that have the “objective or effect of inappropriately displacing other market participants.” Competitors may also have attempted to increase costs for rivals or reduce demand for their services, according to a statement published in Mexico’s official gazette today.
The probe follows another CFC investigation into possible collusion in the same markets, announced June 1. Telefonos de Mexico SAB, the Mexico City-based company that controls 80 percent of the nation’s fixed-line market and is the largest Internet provider, filed a complaint with the CFC in March, saying commercial agreements between Grupo Televisa SA (TLEVICPO) and Megacable Holdings Inc. hurt competition.
Televisa, also based in Mexico City and the world’s largest Spanish-language broadcaster, controls three cable operators that offer packages of TV, phone and Web service, and it shares a brand, Yoo, with Megacable, the nation’s largest cable carrier.
The companies, which have been taking customers from Telmex with their package of services, have denied their collaboration hurts competition. Telmex, controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim’s America Movil SAB, is banned from offering a video product by Mexico’s government, which says the company must first comply with rules governing phone-network connections.
Mexico Antitrust Agency Starts Second Investigation of Telecom Market
Nigeria - Globacom is offering incentives to customers to register their SIM cards in compliance with the regulator's deadline
[daily trust] Globacom says it is intensifying its SIM registration exercise with a new campaign which is aimed at encouraging Glo subscribers to register their old and new SIM cards before the 28 September deadline given by the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and to get some incentives in return.
Speaking on the new initiative, Globacom's Group COO, Mohamed Jameel, according to a statement from the company, said the new campaign was aimed at expediting the pace of the ongoing Glo SIM registration exercise which the company started last year, through special incentives which will encourage all existing and new subscribers to register their SIMs.
Mr Jameel, according to the statement, stated that those customers who comply and immediately register their SIMs will be rewarded with fantastic prizes during the 3-month duration of the campaign.
In the first instance, all subscribers who register their SIMs get a guaranteed 30 minutes of free airtime during the 3 months of the promotion. 10 minutes of free airtime is given every month for three months. The 30 minutes bonus airtime will be given immediately the person recharges N500 and above in each of the 3 months of the campaign and will be valid for 7 days", the statement said.
An additional N20,000 worth of free airtime will also be given out to 300 lucky subscribers who will be picked during special draws which are to be held monthly. 100 lucky customers will be selected monthly and rewarded.
The highlight of the campaign is the offer of free all-expense paid pleasure trips to Manchester or Dubai for 60 lucky subscribers who register their SIMs. The winners of the free trips will be picked during special draws which will be conducted monthly for three months.
GLO Gives Subscribers Incentives for SIM Registration
Speaking on the new initiative, Globacom's Group COO, Mohamed Jameel, according to a statement from the company, said the new campaign was aimed at expediting the pace of the ongoing Glo SIM registration exercise which the company started last year, through special incentives which will encourage all existing and new subscribers to register their SIMs.
Mr Jameel, according to the statement, stated that those customers who comply and immediately register their SIMs will be rewarded with fantastic prizes during the 3-month duration of the campaign.
In the first instance, all subscribers who register their SIMs get a guaranteed 30 minutes of free airtime during the 3 months of the promotion. 10 minutes of free airtime is given every month for three months. The 30 minutes bonus airtime will be given immediately the person recharges N500 and above in each of the 3 months of the campaign and will be valid for 7 days", the statement said.
An additional N20,000 worth of free airtime will also be given out to 300 lucky subscribers who will be picked during special draws which are to be held monthly. 100 lucky customers will be selected monthly and rewarded.
The highlight of the campaign is the offer of free all-expense paid pleasure trips to Manchester or Dubai for 60 lucky subscribers who register their SIMs. The winners of the free trips will be picked during special draws which will be conducted monthly for three months.
GLO Gives Subscribers Incentives for SIM Registration
South Africa - FNB has launched the first mobile app with online access to bank accounts
[SouthAfrica.info] In a first for a South African bank, First National Bank has launched the FNB Banking Application, an "app" that gives users of smartphones and tablet computer devices easy access to their accounts online.
South Africa currently has an estimated 16% smartphone penetration, which according to information technology research company Gartner will ramp up to 80% by 2014. Global sales of tablet computers and smartphones are predicted to exceed PC, notebooks and netbooks in 2011.
The app market is also predicted to grow by 60%.
The FNB Banking App is available for Android, Apple and Blackberry devices, with an app for devices running the Symbian platform expected before the end of August.
"At FNB we are constantly looking at ways to improve on our innovations, staying one step ahead of our competitors and consistently adding value and choice for our customers," FNB chief executive Michael Jordaan said in a statement this week.
"In an increasingly digital world in which smartphones, tablet devices and apps are changing the way we communicate and live, the introduction of the FNB Banking App will enable us to widen our offering allowing us to provide our customers with convenient banking solutions and great user experience."
FNB Launches Nation's First Banking 'App'
South Africa currently has an estimated 16% smartphone penetration, which according to information technology research company Gartner will ramp up to 80% by 2014. Global sales of tablet computers and smartphones are predicted to exceed PC, notebooks and netbooks in 2011.
The app market is also predicted to grow by 60%.
The FNB Banking App is available for Android, Apple and Blackberry devices, with an app for devices running the Symbian platform expected before the end of August.
"At FNB we are constantly looking at ways to improve on our innovations, staying one step ahead of our competitors and consistently adding value and choice for our customers," FNB chief executive Michael Jordaan said in a statement this week.
"In an increasingly digital world in which smartphones, tablet devices and apps are changing the way we communicate and live, the introduction of the FNB Banking App will enable us to widen our offering allowing us to provide our customers with convenient banking solutions and great user experience."
FNB Launches Nation's First Banking 'App'
Mobile - LG has launched a glasses-free 3D mobile phone with music video content via YouTube
[prnewswire] LG Mobile announced today it will celebrate the launch of LG Thrill 4G™, the awe-inspiring, glasses-free 3D superphone available exclusively this summer from AT&T, with an integrated marketing campaign entitled "Bring Your World Alive." Encouraging consumers to experience the benefits of glasses-free mobile 3D for themselves, the campaign features a series of unprecedented, experience-driven events including the world's first 3D user-generated exclusive concert with alternative rock pioneers, Jane's Addiction, on Monday, July 25 in New York.
LG Mobile is teaming up with YouTube and Jane's Addiction to give fans the opportunity to bring their music alive by being a part of the "World's First 3D User-Generated Concert." Held at Terminal 5 in New York's trendy Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, more than 100 lucky ticket holders selected by LG and Jane's Addiction will be the first to capture 3D video footage of the one-of-a-kind event using the LG Thrill 4G. Video from the concert will then be transformed into a 60-minute documentary that will be available on the LG Thrill YouTube 3D channel, youtube.com/comealive, beginning Aug. 4, 2011.
"It's a night of firsts. For LG, Jane's Addiction, YouTube and the technology industry as a whole, the world's first 3D user-generated concert is an entertainment breakthrough, opening the door to mobile 3D possibilities," said Tim O'Brien, vice president of marketing for LG Mobile. "A revolutionary 360-degree stage coupled with Jane's Addiction's eclectic performance style will create the ideal setting for a one-of-a-kind concert experience."
In a partnership with Gameloft, a leading global publisher of digital and social games, LG also will challenge consumers to battle it out in 3D with a 3D Gaming Tournament at the Ferry Building Marketplace in San Francisco on Aug. 10, 2011. Using the LG Thrill 4G, teams of gamers will battle it out in "Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance (N.O.V.A.) 3D," Gameloft's 3D action game, during this exclusive 3D event experience. After multiple timed battles, top scorers will go head-to-head in a projected 3D main event for the chance to be crowned the N.O.V.A. Intergalactic Gaming Champion.
LG's "Bring Your World Alive" campaign began in late-June during the 3D Entertainment Summit in New York City with a keynote speech delivered by O'Brien discussing the ways in which LG Thrill 4G breaks the common barriers of 3D technology including accessibility, unwanted glasses and lack of content.
The ideal handset for on-the-move entertainment enthusiasts, LG Thrill 4G allows users to do it all in 3D – create, share and enjoy content in 3D. Gamers will love it for the 3D games, amateur cameramen will love the ability to create and share in 3D video and customers looking for one of the most powerful and capable superphone on the market will be delighted by the LG Thrill 4G, which will be available in AT&T company owned stores in the coming weeks for $99.99 with a two-year contract. For more information, please visit www.thrillbylg.com.
LG Mobile & Jane's Addiction "Bring Your World Alive" With World's First 3D User-Generated Concert
LG Mobile is teaming up with YouTube and Jane's Addiction to give fans the opportunity to bring their music alive by being a part of the "World's First 3D User-Generated Concert." Held at Terminal 5 in New York's trendy Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, more than 100 lucky ticket holders selected by LG and Jane's Addiction will be the first to capture 3D video footage of the one-of-a-kind event using the LG Thrill 4G. Video from the concert will then be transformed into a 60-minute documentary that will be available on the LG Thrill YouTube 3D channel, youtube.com/comealive, beginning Aug. 4, 2011.
"It's a night of firsts. For LG, Jane's Addiction, YouTube and the technology industry as a whole, the world's first 3D user-generated concert is an entertainment breakthrough, opening the door to mobile 3D possibilities," said Tim O'Brien, vice president of marketing for LG Mobile. "A revolutionary 360-degree stage coupled with Jane's Addiction's eclectic performance style will create the ideal setting for a one-of-a-kind concert experience."
In a partnership with Gameloft, a leading global publisher of digital and social games, LG also will challenge consumers to battle it out in 3D with a 3D Gaming Tournament at the Ferry Building Marketplace in San Francisco on Aug. 10, 2011. Using the LG Thrill 4G, teams of gamers will battle it out in "Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance (N.O.V.A.) 3D," Gameloft's 3D action game, during this exclusive 3D event experience. After multiple timed battles, top scorers will go head-to-head in a projected 3D main event for the chance to be crowned the N.O.V.A. Intergalactic Gaming Champion.
LG's "Bring Your World Alive" campaign began in late-June during the 3D Entertainment Summit in New York City with a keynote speech delivered by O'Brien discussing the ways in which LG Thrill 4G breaks the common barriers of 3D technology including accessibility, unwanted glasses and lack of content.
The ideal handset for on-the-move entertainment enthusiasts, LG Thrill 4G allows users to do it all in 3D – create, share and enjoy content in 3D. Gamers will love it for the 3D games, amateur cameramen will love the ability to create and share in 3D video and customers looking for one of the most powerful and capable superphone on the market will be delighted by the LG Thrill 4G, which will be available in AT&T company owned stores in the coming weeks for $99.99 with a two-year contract. For more information, please visit www.thrillbylg.com.
LG Mobile & Jane's Addiction "Bring Your World Alive" With World's First 3D User-Generated Concert
Liberia - One operator is to use online registration of SIM cards to meet govt mandated customer identification
[balancing act] Liberia, one of the poorest countries in Africa has joined in the race to register its mobile users. The process was officially launched on July 18th by the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), the local telecoms regulator.
The deadline for the completion of the registration process has been set to 90 days from the start day, a very short period to register about 1.6 million mobile subscribers. Isabelle Gross spoke to Avishai Marziano, the CEO of Cellcom, one of the four mobile operators active in Liberia about their initiative to launch a "paperless" registration process and what SIM registration entails for a mobile operator.
Four months ago, LTA started talking about launching the SIM registration process which would run according the telecoms regulator in parallel to the introduction of a new numbering plan for the country. In other words, LTA was of the view that it could "kill two birds with one stone". For Avishai Marziano, the CEO of Cellcom the preparation period was a bit thigh but they started to work on it straight away in terms of preparing the information required, drafting the registration form and developing the IT front and backend that will support the registration process all along. Cellcom's driving idea was to make the registration process fast and as paperless as possible. With these aims in mind they developed a mobile applications running on Windows7 to capture the mobile users details including the option to capture the user's photo and valid ID card via the mobile device's camera. All the data captured are then send to a backend server and encrypted to ensure that mobile users' data are kept confidential. According to Avishai, the mobile application enables to capture all the data including the details of the proxy person when required and it takes less than 5 minutes to complete the registration process. He hopes that this will greatly help to catch the mobile user's details on the spot.
To meet the 90 days deadline, Avishai reckons that the mobile operator will need to register between 3,000 and 4,000 mobile subscribers per day. This will not be too difficult in Monrovia, the capital city but going up in the country in rural areas will present more challenges because of the bad state of the roads and the raining season not yet over. In Liberia, the mobile operators also start the registration process with a blank sheet where us in African countries where mobile payment services have already been launched by mobile operators, they will already have details on their subscribers because of the KYC (Know Your Customer) banking requirements. It is easy to see that from a mobile operator's perspective the SIM registration process is a CAPEX and OPEX intensive task and because of the short notice period given by LTA to roll out the process, mobile operators had not really factored in these expenses in their budget. However, Cellcom plans to have between 200 and 300 registration points with additional labour costs estimated between US$50,000 and US$75, 000 per month. This also means that the company's size is going to double over a short period of time and according to Avishai, you need to make sure that the company and the people are prepared and ready for this.
Looking on the bright side of things, Avishai is convinced that the registration process is also a good opportunity for the mobile operator to acquire new customers. The registration agents have been tasked to go towards the customers in various places like the university or the army cantonments to register mobile users and recruit new customers. He also thinks that the registration of mobile users will help to develop a mobile user directory and also serves as a platform to develop other services like mobile payments services or micro-finance projects.
Besides putting in place all the front and backend to support the registration process, Liberia's mobile operators are also left with the task of explaining the registration process to the mobile users. According to Avishai, things are going well so far and customers have shown more confidence towards the electronic registration rather then filling in a paper form. Mobile users seem to entrust more mobile operators than a public administration that their personal data are protected and safe with them. Although the regulation on the SIM registration issued by LTA specified that the telecom regulator will keep the mobile users data in a Central Subscribers Database under its care, control and management, the current situation is that mobile operators will register and keep their subscribers data and only disclose individual details upon a request from LTA. This might actually not be such a bad thing considering what is happening in South Africa where a national audit of the mobile subscribers database has been recently ordered by the government in move to understand the extent of the illegitimate entries.
Cellcom Introduces a Paperless SIM Card Registration Process
The deadline for the completion of the registration process has been set to 90 days from the start day, a very short period to register about 1.6 million mobile subscribers. Isabelle Gross spoke to Avishai Marziano, the CEO of Cellcom, one of the four mobile operators active in Liberia about their initiative to launch a "paperless" registration process and what SIM registration entails for a mobile operator.
Four months ago, LTA started talking about launching the SIM registration process which would run according the telecoms regulator in parallel to the introduction of a new numbering plan for the country. In other words, LTA was of the view that it could "kill two birds with one stone". For Avishai Marziano, the CEO of Cellcom the preparation period was a bit thigh but they started to work on it straight away in terms of preparing the information required, drafting the registration form and developing the IT front and backend that will support the registration process all along. Cellcom's driving idea was to make the registration process fast and as paperless as possible. With these aims in mind they developed a mobile applications running on Windows7 to capture the mobile users details including the option to capture the user's photo and valid ID card via the mobile device's camera. All the data captured are then send to a backend server and encrypted to ensure that mobile users' data are kept confidential. According to Avishai, the mobile application enables to capture all the data including the details of the proxy person when required and it takes less than 5 minutes to complete the registration process. He hopes that this will greatly help to catch the mobile user's details on the spot.
To meet the 90 days deadline, Avishai reckons that the mobile operator will need to register between 3,000 and 4,000 mobile subscribers per day. This will not be too difficult in Monrovia, the capital city but going up in the country in rural areas will present more challenges because of the bad state of the roads and the raining season not yet over. In Liberia, the mobile operators also start the registration process with a blank sheet where us in African countries where mobile payment services have already been launched by mobile operators, they will already have details on their subscribers because of the KYC (Know Your Customer) banking requirements. It is easy to see that from a mobile operator's perspective the SIM registration process is a CAPEX and OPEX intensive task and because of the short notice period given by LTA to roll out the process, mobile operators had not really factored in these expenses in their budget. However, Cellcom plans to have between 200 and 300 registration points with additional labour costs estimated between US$50,000 and US$75, 000 per month. This also means that the company's size is going to double over a short period of time and according to Avishai, you need to make sure that the company and the people are prepared and ready for this.
Looking on the bright side of things, Avishai is convinced that the registration process is also a good opportunity for the mobile operator to acquire new customers. The registration agents have been tasked to go towards the customers in various places like the university or the army cantonments to register mobile users and recruit new customers. He also thinks that the registration of mobile users will help to develop a mobile user directory and also serves as a platform to develop other services like mobile payments services or micro-finance projects.
Besides putting in place all the front and backend to support the registration process, Liberia's mobile operators are also left with the task of explaining the registration process to the mobile users. According to Avishai, things are going well so far and customers have shown more confidence towards the electronic registration rather then filling in a paper form. Mobile users seem to entrust more mobile operators than a public administration that their personal data are protected and safe with them. Although the regulation on the SIM registration issued by LTA specified that the telecom regulator will keep the mobile users data in a Central Subscribers Database under its care, control and management, the current situation is that mobile operators will register and keep their subscribers data and only disclose individual details upon a request from LTA. This might actually not be such a bad thing considering what is happening in South Africa where a national audit of the mobile subscribers database has been recently ordered by the government in move to understand the extent of the illegitimate entries.
Cellcom Introduces a Paperless SIM Card Registration Process
USA - Mobile operators have rejected the "scare tactics" of the National Association of Broadcasters
[prnewswire] "Contrary to the scare tactics that NAB is presenting to consumers and policymakers, reallocating underutilized spectrum will not remove free over-the-air broadcast television. We also want to remind broadcasters of two key points in all of the incentive auction discussions, as well as in each of the legislative discussion drafts. First, participation in the auction is voluntary. Second, repacking costs will be reimbursed. NAB's study confirms that even under their analysis, spectrum can be moved voluntarily to its highest and best use, billions can be raised for the United States Treasury and free over-the-air broadcast services continue.
"Even though we are the most efficient users of spectrum, driving high-speed mobile broadband to 300 million Americans, the U.S. wireless industry needs the ability to purchase more spectrum in order to continue to provide their customers with the best products and services in the world. Since spectrum is a finite resource, it is vital that the U.S. government ensures the highest and best of use. Economists estimate that for every dollar invested in mobile Internet, it will create an additional $7-10 for the GDP. This is in addition to the tens of billions of dollars that will be raised at auction. Our members want to help boost our country's economy, but they must have access to more spectrum. This can, and should, be a win-win-win."
CTIA-The Wireless Association® Response to NAB's Study
"Even though we are the most efficient users of spectrum, driving high-speed mobile broadband to 300 million Americans, the U.S. wireless industry needs the ability to purchase more spectrum in order to continue to provide their customers with the best products and services in the world. Since spectrum is a finite resource, it is vital that the U.S. government ensures the highest and best of use. Economists estimate that for every dollar invested in mobile Internet, it will create an additional $7-10 for the GDP. This is in addition to the tens of billions of dollars that will be raised at auction. Our members want to help boost our country's economy, but they must have access to more spectrum. This can, and should, be a win-win-win."
CTIA-The Wireless Association® Response to NAB's Study
USA - 35% of consumers plan to purchase the forthcoming Apple mobile phone, many before the end of 2011
[prnewswire] Anticipation in the consumer electronics world is soaring for the launch of Apple's iPhone 5, which is rumored to be hitting store shelves this fall. PriceGrabber®, a part of Experian, just released the results of its iPhone 5 survey, revealing that 35 percent of consumers plan to purchase the latest iPhone upon its release. Of these respondents, 51 percent indicated that they will buy the smartphone within the first year of release, 30 percent will purchase it before the end of 2011, 14 percent will buy it within the first month, and 7 percent will buy it within the first week. Conducted from July 1–11, 2011, the survey includes responses from 2,852 U.S. online consumers.
Consumers are hoping for an improved battery life and reduced cost
When it comes to the new features shoppers deem most important in their decision to purchase the iPhone 5, practicality seems to reign. When respondents were asked to select new iPhone 5 features most important when considering a purchase, 59 percent indicated a better battery life, and 55 percent are looking for cost reduction. Forty-six percent said that 4G network compatibility was important to them, 45 percent are hoping for a larger screen, and 42 percent would like an improved camera.
"Our survey data confirms the strong following Apple has built around its iPhone, with more than one-third of consumers planning to upgrade to the latest model only a little over a year following the release of the iPhone 4," stated Graham Jones, general manager of PriceGrabber. "Anticipation and brand loyalty are certainly high, but in today's 24-7 work culture and uncertain economic environment, consumers are cautious to look for a reasonably priced phone that will perform optimally over an extended time period."
Apple iOS leads the pack for smartphone operating systems
Consumers' love for Apple products is clear. When asked which smartphone operating system they prefer, an overwhelming 48 percent of PriceGrabber survey respondents said Apple iOS. Nineteen percent of respondents indicated that they prefer Android OS, 7 percent said Microsoft Windows, and 6 percent chose RIM BlackBerry.
Respondents also were asked which smartphone they would prefer to receive as a gift. An astonishing 69 percent of consumers indicated that they would most like to receive Apple's iPhone 5. Seven percent said they would like to receive Motorola's upcoming Droid Bionic, 4 percent would prefer to get the Samsung Galaxy S II, and 3 percent said the BlackBerry Curve.
Smartphone use goes back to the basics
These days, smartphones' abilities are practically limitless, and app marketplaces are full of solutions to enhance everyday life. However, according to PriceGrabber's survey data, smartphones' simplest features remain the most popular. When asked what they generally use their smartphone for, 88 percent of respondents said phone calls, 77 said email, 73 percent indicated texting, 69 percent use it to browse the Internet, 51 percent said searching, and 50 percent use the phone's Global Positioning System.
Consumers use smartphones as an aid while shopping in brick-and-mortar stores
Even in our largely virtual world, the thrill of shopping in a real brick-and-mortar store has not died. PriceGrabber's survey data found that 36 percent of consumers said they use their smartphone for shopping. When these respondents were asked to select all the ways in which they use their smartphones for shopping, 48 percent said they compare prices online when shopping in a store; 35 percent use it to scan product bar codes to find the best price; 29 percent use localization features to find nearby products; and 28 percent like to receive coupons, deals and alerts while on the go.
When asked how often they make shopping-related purchases on their phone, 22 percent of respondents said a couple of times a month, 16 percent said a few times a year, and 12 percent said one or more times per week.
"Mobile shopping has truly emerged as a trend among savvy consumers, and what positions it for long-term success is the fact that consumers can use their smartphones as an enhancement to the shopping they already do in brick-and-mortar stores," said Jones. "Analysis of our survey data shows that shoppers are not just sitting behind a computer doing their shopping from home; they are engaging with and leveraging the technology of their smartphones to take advantage of what their local retailers have to offer, which is certainly a promising prospect for the Main Street economy."
Thirty-Five Percent of Consumers Will Purchase iPhone® 5 Following its Release, According to PriceGrabber® Survey
Consumers are hoping for an improved battery life and reduced cost
When it comes to the new features shoppers deem most important in their decision to purchase the iPhone 5, practicality seems to reign. When respondents were asked to select new iPhone 5 features most important when considering a purchase, 59 percent indicated a better battery life, and 55 percent are looking for cost reduction. Forty-six percent said that 4G network compatibility was important to them, 45 percent are hoping for a larger screen, and 42 percent would like an improved camera.
"Our survey data confirms the strong following Apple has built around its iPhone, with more than one-third of consumers planning to upgrade to the latest model only a little over a year following the release of the iPhone 4," stated Graham Jones, general manager of PriceGrabber. "Anticipation and brand loyalty are certainly high, but in today's 24-7 work culture and uncertain economic environment, consumers are cautious to look for a reasonably priced phone that will perform optimally over an extended time period."
Apple iOS leads the pack for smartphone operating systems
Consumers' love for Apple products is clear. When asked which smartphone operating system they prefer, an overwhelming 48 percent of PriceGrabber survey respondents said Apple iOS. Nineteen percent of respondents indicated that they prefer Android OS, 7 percent said Microsoft Windows, and 6 percent chose RIM BlackBerry.
Respondents also were asked which smartphone they would prefer to receive as a gift. An astonishing 69 percent of consumers indicated that they would most like to receive Apple's iPhone 5. Seven percent said they would like to receive Motorola's upcoming Droid Bionic, 4 percent would prefer to get the Samsung Galaxy S II, and 3 percent said the BlackBerry Curve.
Smartphone use goes back to the basics
These days, smartphones' abilities are practically limitless, and app marketplaces are full of solutions to enhance everyday life. However, according to PriceGrabber's survey data, smartphones' simplest features remain the most popular. When asked what they generally use their smartphone for, 88 percent of respondents said phone calls, 77 said email, 73 percent indicated texting, 69 percent use it to browse the Internet, 51 percent said searching, and 50 percent use the phone's Global Positioning System.
Consumers use smartphones as an aid while shopping in brick-and-mortar stores
Even in our largely virtual world, the thrill of shopping in a real brick-and-mortar store has not died. PriceGrabber's survey data found that 36 percent of consumers said they use their smartphone for shopping. When these respondents were asked to select all the ways in which they use their smartphones for shopping, 48 percent said they compare prices online when shopping in a store; 35 percent use it to scan product bar codes to find the best price; 29 percent use localization features to find nearby products; and 28 percent like to receive coupons, deals and alerts while on the go.
When asked how often they make shopping-related purchases on their phone, 22 percent of respondents said a couple of times a month, 16 percent said a few times a year, and 12 percent said one or more times per week.
"Mobile shopping has truly emerged as a trend among savvy consumers, and what positions it for long-term success is the fact that consumers can use their smartphones as an enhancement to the shopping they already do in brick-and-mortar stores," said Jones. "Analysis of our survey data shows that shoppers are not just sitting behind a computer doing their shopping from home; they are engaging with and leveraging the technology of their smartphones to take advantage of what their local retailers have to offer, which is certainly a promising prospect for the Main Street economy."
Thirty-Five Percent of Consumers Will Purchase iPhone® 5 Following its Release, According to PriceGrabber® Survey
South Africa - SEACOM is investing ZAR 100m in terrestrial networks to provide backhaul from Gauteng to its landing stations
[submarine telecoms forum] SEACOM has invested R100 million in additional South African infrastructure to meet the continuous high growth in demand for broadband services and applications. The investment includes the purchase of physical optical fibre links from Dark Fibre Africa (DFA) as well as installing the equipment required for SEACOM to manage the network linking KwaZulu Natal’s coast where the SEACOM marine cable lands to two redundant Points of Presence (PoPs) in Gauteng.
Initially, 100 Gigabit per second (Gb/s) of the fibre will be lit (using current 10 Gb/s technology) and a further 20 waves are expected to be lit within the next 12 months. Ultra-modern transmission technology is being used with 100 Gb/s per wavelength which gives the new link a design capacity of over 8 Terabit per second (Tb/s). This is in line with SEACOM’s plans to expand the marine portion of the cable to over 4.8 Tb/s.
This enormous amount of capacity enables SEACOM to align current and future customer needs with the explosion in broadband demand driven by a wave of content rich applications such as cloud computing to meet enterprise requirements, HD video streaming and IPTV services. This investment also supports SEACOM’s recently launched Internet Protocol (IP) platform that will drive the proliferation of content created in Africa and the regional hosting of international content.
Brian Herlihy, SEACOM CEO, said: “South Africa continues to offer tremendous growth opportunities and this investment confirms SEACOM’s view that adequate infrastructure will ensure that the market can absorb new capacity within record time.
“In our continuous quest to improve quality of service, this is one of the many investments that we are making to ensure that we provide our customers with the best possible support as we continue to build the African Internet based on low-latency, high speed and reliable infrastructure.“
Managed by SEACOM and its suppliers, the route is the company’s first co-build of this nature. It will be operated in parallel with SEACOM’s existing routes and will provide customers with the benefit of protected services delivered across multiple, physically diverse routes and operated by multiple providers.
Suveer Ramdhani, SEACOM’s Head of Product Strategy, said: “This new capacity will benefit the end user by enabling SEACOM clients to bring new content rich products to market in a reliable and economical way.
“The scale of the capacity we are making available on the route is yet another first in Africa and you can expect us to continue rolling out more ground-breaking technological developments in the near future.”
SEACOM believes in a world where the African Internet experience is characterised by abundant local content, minimal latency, fast download and streaming speeds, and interconnected African markets. Today, over a dozen countries across the African continent have access to SEACOM’s low cost products and services via its extended network.
SEACOM INVESTS R100M IN SA TERRESTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Initially, 100 Gigabit per second (Gb/s) of the fibre will be lit (using current 10 Gb/s technology) and a further 20 waves are expected to be lit within the next 12 months. Ultra-modern transmission technology is being used with 100 Gb/s per wavelength which gives the new link a design capacity of over 8 Terabit per second (Tb/s). This is in line with SEACOM’s plans to expand the marine portion of the cable to over 4.8 Tb/s.
This enormous amount of capacity enables SEACOM to align current and future customer needs with the explosion in broadband demand driven by a wave of content rich applications such as cloud computing to meet enterprise requirements, HD video streaming and IPTV services. This investment also supports SEACOM’s recently launched Internet Protocol (IP) platform that will drive the proliferation of content created in Africa and the regional hosting of international content.
Brian Herlihy, SEACOM CEO, said: “South Africa continues to offer tremendous growth opportunities and this investment confirms SEACOM’s view that adequate infrastructure will ensure that the market can absorb new capacity within record time.
“In our continuous quest to improve quality of service, this is one of the many investments that we are making to ensure that we provide our customers with the best possible support as we continue to build the African Internet based on low-latency, high speed and reliable infrastructure.“
Managed by SEACOM and its suppliers, the route is the company’s first co-build of this nature. It will be operated in parallel with SEACOM’s existing routes and will provide customers with the benefit of protected services delivered across multiple, physically diverse routes and operated by multiple providers.
Suveer Ramdhani, SEACOM’s Head of Product Strategy, said: “This new capacity will benefit the end user by enabling SEACOM clients to bring new content rich products to market in a reliable and economical way.
“The scale of the capacity we are making available on the route is yet another first in Africa and you can expect us to continue rolling out more ground-breaking technological developments in the near future.”
SEACOM believes in a world where the African Internet experience is characterised by abundant local content, minimal latency, fast download and streaming speeds, and interconnected African markets. Today, over a dozen countries across the African continent have access to SEACOM’s low cost products and services via its extended network.
SEACOM INVESTS R100M IN SA TERRESTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Netherlands - Vodafone has been permitted to acquire BelCompany a mobile phone retail chain subject to transition arrangements
[NMa] The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has approved the acquisition of Dutch mobile-phone retail chain BelCompany by telecom provider Vodafone under the condition that, from January 1, 2012, at the latest, Vodafone will no longer sell any mobile-phone plans of its competitors KPN and T-Mobile in the BelCompany stores or in its own stores. During the transitional period until then, BelCompany’s management is to be kept at arm’s length from Vodafone. At the same time, Vodafone cannot sell its plans through stores owned by KPN or T-Mobile. The NMa has attached these conditions to the acquisition in order to prevent Vodafone, KPN and T-Mobile from getting the opportunity to harmonize their commercial strategies through their stores. ‘We all know that, if that were to happen, consumers would get the short end of the stick, because they would end up paying too much. Competition would be reduced, and that is exactly what we are trying to prevent from happening with these conditions,’ Henk Don, member of the Board of the NMa, explains.
BelCompany, which, at the moment, is still an independent chain of retail stores, has locations all across the Netherlands, selling mobile-phone plans to consumers. After the acquisition, Vodafone will own these stores. An NMa investigation has revealed that, if the NMa conditions are met, consumers will continue to have enough choice after the acquisition.
NMa conditionally approves acquisition of mobile-phone retail chain BelCompany by Vodafone
BelCompany, which, at the moment, is still an independent chain of retail stores, has locations all across the Netherlands, selling mobile-phone plans to consumers. After the acquisition, Vodafone will own these stores. An NMa investigation has revealed that, if the NMa conditions are met, consumers will continue to have enough choice after the acquisition.
NMa conditionally approves acquisition of mobile-phone retail chain BelCompany by Vodafone
France - Regulator has supported govt proposal for a social broadband Internet tariff
[autorite de la concurrence] The Autorité de la concurrence issued an opinion to the French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry, following a request for its opinion on the implementation of a social broadband Internet tariff, in a referral dated 8 March 2011.
The government's plan is to develop a social tariff for broadband Internet access to reduce the digital divide affecting low income households. In a draft legislation reinforcing the rights, protection and information of consumers1, the Government is proposing setting up the social tariff through a system of labelling. This solution consists in labelling Internet Service Providers' (ISPs) offers that are below a certain price cap for a package of services. All operators would be able to obtain this label after concluding agreements with the government.
The Autorité de la concurrence welcomes a social tariff for broadband Internet access.
It publishes recommendations on the Government's plan for a label.
The government's plan is to develop a social tariff for broadband Internet access to reduce the digital divide affecting low income households. In a draft legislation reinforcing the rights, protection and information of consumers1, the Government is proposing setting up the social tariff through a system of labelling. This solution consists in labelling Internet Service Providers' (ISPs) offers that are below a certain price cap for a package of services. All operators would be able to obtain this label after concluding agreements with the government.
The Autorité de la concurrence welcomes a social tariff for broadband Internet access.
It publishes recommendations on the Government's plan for a label.
Australia - Regulator has identified issues on non-discriminatory access for ISPs to the NBN
[accc] The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today released an issues paper relating to the preparation of explanatory material on new non-discrimination provisions that form part of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
As part of the National Broadband Network reforms, NBN Co and other designated superfast telecommunications networks will be prohibited from discriminating between access seekers, except under limited circumstances.
"This issues paper provides an important opportunity for all stakeholders to express their views on the operation of the non-discrimination provisions and the guidance the ACCC should provide within its explanatory material," ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said.
"The guidelines that the ACCC are developing will serve as an important part of the framework for a fair and level playing field across the NBN and superfast telecommunication networks."
The ACCC is required to publish explanatory material relating to these non-discrimination provisions on its website. The issues paper is the first step in a consultation process that will inform the development of the explanatory material.
The ACCC is now accepting comments from interested parties. Submissions to the issues paper should be provided to the ACCC by COB on Monday 8 August 2011.
The ACCC expects to release final explanatory material in late 2011.
ACCC invites comment on non-discrimination guidance for NBN and superfast telecommunication networks
As part of the National Broadband Network reforms, NBN Co and other designated superfast telecommunications networks will be prohibited from discriminating between access seekers, except under limited circumstances.
"This issues paper provides an important opportunity for all stakeholders to express their views on the operation of the non-discrimination provisions and the guidance the ACCC should provide within its explanatory material," ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said.
"The guidelines that the ACCC are developing will serve as an important part of the framework for a fair and level playing field across the NBN and superfast telecommunication networks."
The ACCC is required to publish explanatory material relating to these non-discrimination provisions on its website. The issues paper is the first step in a consultation process that will inform the development of the explanatory material.
The ACCC is now accepting comments from interested parties. Submissions to the issues paper should be provided to the ACCC by COB on Monday 8 August 2011.
The ACCC expects to release final explanatory material in late 2011.
ACCC invites comment on non-discrimination guidance for NBN and superfast telecommunication networks
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