Newsletter December 2012

EDITORIAL

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Dear Readers,
The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has finally selected consultants for its long awaited 3G auction. PTCL has introduced an offer for its inactive 3G Evo mobile internet customers. Customers who have not recharged since August this year can now recharge and get 100 percent free balance for one subsequent month, equivalent to the top-up or bill payment. Warid presented the cutting edge concept of Augmented Reality in the form of a never-seen-before brand engagement activity at the LUMS Thriller Night 2012.

Afghan Telecom has signed a US$32 million contract with ZTE the Chinese supplier to expand its network to underserved areas. The new contract will cover the supply of 700 base stations for both GSM and 3G services. Roshan has offered its mobile phone users access to BBC World Service news headlines and breaking news alerts with the launch of a new subscription text service. Fonex Kyrgyzstan the CDMA Operator has introduced a promotion to celebrate its ninth anniversary.

Qualcomm Life has announced the availability of its wireless healthcare services offering in Europe. Qualcomm and Cisco have announced that they are collaborating to accelerate indoor location services for venues that utilize Cisco wireless infrastructure. Qualcomm has reported revenues for its fiscal fourth quarter to September of USD 4.87 billion, up 18% from a year earlier and 5% higher than in the previous quarter.

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Industrial News

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Pakistan 3G auction back on track, expected in January 2013

The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has finally selected consultants for its long-awaited 3G auction. The PTA received 51 applications, 27 of which were qualified, before selecting three via a short listing and selection committee. Plans to auction 3G licences earlier this year ran into difficulties when it emerged that the PTA had not followed approved procedures for the selection of advisory consultants. The Auction is now expected to take place in mid-January 2013. The three consultants Rob Nicholas, Martin Sims and Denis Ward are all reputed names in the Telecom Industry, have been hired for a three-month period, at a total cost of USD 545,000. The PTA chairman reportedly expects the auction to generate USD900 million for state coffers.
Source: TeleGeography

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Afghan Telecom Signs Deal to Expand 3G Network Coverage

Afghan Telecom has signed a US$32 million contract with ZTE the Chinese supplier to expand its network to underserved areas, the Minister of Telecommunication, Amirzai Sangin told a news conference in Kabul. The Minister told that most of the mobile networks were still not providing coverage in insecure areas, but that Afghan Telecom would expand its coverage into those parts of the country. The new contract will cover the supply of 700 base stations for both GSM and 3G services. Afghan Telecom offers fixed line, wireless voice and data services under a 25 years licence. The company was previously owned by the government and operated until 2005 when the Ministry of Communications spun it off into a private entity.
Source: PAN News Agency

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PTCL launches 3G Evo re-activation offer

Pakistan Telecommunications Company (PTCL) has introduced an offer for its inactive 3G Evo mobile internet customers. Customers who have not recharged since 1 August this year can now recharge and get 100 percent free balance for one subsequent month, equivalent to the top-up or bill payment. This offer is valid for both prepaid and postpaid customers and postpaid customers are also exempted from previous outstanding dues by paying current month’s bill.
Source: TelecomPaper

Megafon Tajikistan offers free on-net calls at Nov weekends

Megafon Tajikistan has offered free on-net calls and On-net Video-calls at weekends in November. The operator has also launched its new GAP tariff for subscribers in the Sogdi region. On-net calls cost USD 0.005 per minute and the rate for calls to other Tajikistan networks is USD 0.03 per minute. The price of an SMS/MMS-message, as well as 1 MB of mobile internet service, is also USD 0.03.
Source: Telecompaper

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Roshan offers BBC text news alerts to mobile users

Roshan has offered its mobile phone users access to BBC World Service news headlines and breaking news alerts with the launch of a new subscription text service. Subscribers will receive national and international headlines and breaking news twice a day in Dari and Pashto. A monthly subscription to text messaging of BBC news alerts costs AFN 60.
Source: Telecompaper

Qualcomm Expands its Mobile Health Services into Europe

Qualcomm Life has announced the availability of its wireless healthcare services offering in Europe. Qualcomm Life’s 2net Platform and Hub are designed to enable medical device manufacturers and service providers to wirelessly connect their medical devices via a cloud-based solution so that biometric information is easily accessible by device users, their healthcare providers and caregivers. The 2net Platform and Hub are each individually certified as Class I Medical Devices in Europe, and FDA listed as a Medical Device Data System (MDDS) in the USA. Two of Qualcomm Life’s first European customers are Telbios and Cystelcom.
Source: Cellular-News

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ArmenTel offers Four In One promo in regions

ArmenTel has launched its Four In One offer for mobile subscribers of its regional tariffs. New retail subscribers can receive 300 minutes of free on-net calls, 100 SMS, 100 MMS and 100 MB mobile internet traffic free for three months when signing up for the subscription contract.
Source: Telecompaper

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Qualcomm chip puts 60GHz wireless gigabit into Dell Ultrabook

Wireless chip maker Wilocity has confirmed not only that Dell’s Latitude 6430u Ultrabook will incorporate WiGig, the 60GHz gigabit wireless spec, but that the machine uses its tri-band tech courtesy of a chipset from Qualcomm’s Atheros subsidiary. To make use of the Latitude laptop’s 60GHz capability, owners will need WiGig adaptors for their peripherals and in their routers if they want to use it as a data network technology too.
Source: Reghardware

PTA asked to stop cheap night packages

A Pakistani senate standing committee has asked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to stop all-night packages that are offered by mobile operators with cheap calls. These night packages are allegedly causing bad health and poor academic performance among younger mobile users.
Source: Telecompaper

Fonex introduces anniversary promotion

Fonex-Kyrgystan the CDMA Operator has introduced a promotion to celebrate its ninth anniversary. The operator offered nine hours of free on-net calls and SMS messages to all subscribers on 13 November, from 12 am to 9 pm.
Source: Telecompaper

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Qualcomm quarterly results top expectations

Qualcomm has reported revenues for its fiscal fourth quarter to September of USD 4.87 billion, up 18% from a year earlier and 5% higher than in the previous quarter. MSM chip shipments reached 141 million units, up 11% year-on-year and unchanged sequentially. Operating profit was flat year-on-year at USD 1.24 billion, and net profit rose 20% to USD 1.27 billion or USD 0.73 per share. The results were at the top or ahead of its earlier guidance. Qualcomm finished the fiscal year with USD 26.8 billion in cash.
Source: Telecompaper

Warid Glow Presents Augmented Reality at LUMS Thriller Night

Glow by Warid presented the cutting-edge concept of Augmented Reality in the form of a never-seen-before brand engagement activity at the LUMS Thriller Night 2012. Augmented Reality is a concept involving choreographed imagery in a video stream where a person interacts with the objects on screen, giving the perception of being part of that reality. This is a virtual setup where a group of friends stand in a blank space in front of a SMD screen and are then transposed to appear as if they are participating in a music video. With this very exciting activity, the cellular brand offered another way to LUMS students to rejoice with friends in a free spirited way. The activity also created a lot of buzz on campus and 200+ students showed up to participate in this activity.
Source: ProPakistani

Qualcomm and Cisco Working on Improving Indoor Location Based Services

Qualcomm and Cisco have announced that they are collaborating to accelerate indoor location services for venues that utilize Cisco wireless infrastructure. The combination of the Qualcomm IZat indoor location services platform and the Cisco “Connected Mobile Experience” solution is aimed at improving indoor location accuracy. Many connected consumers rely on their mobile devices and location-based apps for information, interaction and context. However, the majority of these apps and services are challenged in urban environments and indoors, where satellite systems are unable to provide location data. Together, Qualcomm Atheros and Cisco are focused on accelerating more precise indoor location capabilities and ensuring interoperability between their respective solutions. Qualcomm Atheros’ location technologies have shipped in more than one billion devices operating in mobile networks worldwide.
Source: Cellular-News

Airtel announces 3G data plans for iPhone 5

Airtel is offering a 50 per cent discount on postpaid plans, with an option to purchase the device on EMI soon. The launch coincided with Airtel issuing stocks of nano-SIM cards at the sales counters, to be available at their branded showrooms. The iPhone 5 has starting price of Rs.45,500 for the 16GB model, Rs.52,500 for the 32GB model and Rs.59,500 for the 64GB model. Airtel is also offering a 50 per cent discount on postpaid plans, starting from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,000. The plan offers free local minutes, SMS and 3G data.
Source: Technoholik.com

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U Mobile scales new heights with 3G network expansion

U Mobile Sdn Bhd has expanding its network across Peninsular Malaysia and will now offer 3G coverage and high- speed Internet services in every state. The provision of 3G network services to Sabah and Sarawak remained on schedule and would be launched in early 2013. In selected areas where 3G services are still being deployed, U Mobile customers will be able to continue to roam effortlessly on the 2G network which is available via U Mobile’s 2G domestic roaming partnerships with Maxis.
Source: biz.thestar.com

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Astelit confirms nationwide CDMA rollout in 2013

Astelit has revealed a plan to launch a CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev A 3.5G mobile broadband network covering cities nationwide next year, using the 800MHz CDMA licences it was allocated last month, which gave it a 5MHz spectrum allocation in all 27 regions (oblasts) in the country. Astelit has already launched a tender to select contractors for building the CDMA network, which it intends to use solely for providing services to data modem users, in the same vein as larger GSM rival MTS Ukraine which offers an EV-DO based data-only service on a national basis using CDMA-450 spectrum.
Source: TeleGeography

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Beeline expands 3G network in Chechnya

Russian mobile operator Vimpelcom, working under the Beeline brand, reported that it has expanded its 3G network in Chechnya. The number of 3G base stations grew by 10 percent in the republic in January-October. A quarter of the 3G base stations have been switched to HSPA+ technology.
Source: TelecomPaper

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Nawras Starts Testing Upgraded 3G Network

Oman based mobile network, Nawras is recording the first tangible results of its extensive network Turbocharging Programme with initial survey and testing results collected from Al Amerat. After speaking to the first group of customers in this pilot area, Nawras recorded an 83% score from customers saying that they are very satisfied or satisfied with the network. Drive tests undertaken in the same area show significant improvement in both coverage and quality. In addition, stationary tests in Al Amerat show great improvements in areas where previously speeds were low. Nawras will have more than doubled the number of base stations when the upgrade programme is completed.
Source: Cellular-News

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Grameenphone Secures Funding for 3G Network Deployment

Bangladesh based Grameenphone has been given authorization by the Central Bank to seek loans of up to US$355 million. The country’s government still regulates foreign currency loans. Citing an official at the company, the Daily Star said that the loan will be used to upgrade the network for the rollout of 3G services. Grameenphone borrowed Tk 846 crore from local banks and financial institutions as syndicated term loan for network expansion. The government is planning its long delayed 3G license auction to take place in the next few months. A total of 50Mhz of spectrum is being made available and the reserve price has been set at US$30 million per Mhz of spectrum. Grameenphone is majority owned by Norway’s Telenor.
Source: Cellular-News

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MTN Uganda announces higher 3G speeds

MTN Uganda is boosting its Internet data speed by providing a 21.9 Mbps upgrade on its 3G+ service.
With some one million Internet users on their network, the company said there was a need to bolster the existing infrastructure, services and coverage to meet the growing demands of users in Uganda.
The company will establish more than 300 3G+ sites across the country in order to boost customer experience. MTN Uganda also said it had expanded its local fiber optic network and has established a number of switching centers across all regions of the East African country. It also said it “has rolled out 78 base transmission sites to new coverage areas.”
Source: ITNews Africa

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Apriva certifies Ingenico’s iWL250 3G wireless terminal

Apriva, the leading provider of end-to-end wireless transactions, gateway services, and secure information solutions, announced that it has certified Ingenico’s advanced iWL250 terminal, the first payment terminal to support 3G connectivity on multiple payment processing platforms. The terminal is both NFC- and EMV-capable, and meets the latest PCI PTS version 3.0 security standards. The iWL250 is available immediately to Apriva’s network of over 850 merchant acquirers in the United States. Designed with ease of use and advanced functionality in mind, the iWL250 handheld terminal operates on 3G wireless networks, as well as legacy infrastructures and multiple payment processing platforms. The terminal supports traditional magnetic stripe technology, along with emerging EMV and NFC payment presentation technologies. The device is fully PCI compliant, and relies on the Telium2 architecture to ensure that transactions are fast and reliable.
Source: SAMENA

Docomo, Microsoft agree on combining tablets, LTE

NTT Docomo and Microsoft Japan have agreed on a cooperative business relationship to combine Windows 8 tablet devices and Docomo’s LTE mobile service (Xi) for corporate users in Japan. The cooperative relationship between Microsoft Japan and Docomo will be supported by partner companies on both sides and will also include joint marketing and sales to corporations.
Source: TelecomPaper

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U Mobile expands 3G network with Maxis

U Mobile has expanded its 3G network to every state in Peninsula Malaysia, covering major cities and towns through the activation of its 3G Radio Access Networks (RAN) sharing with competitor Maxis. In addition, the provision of 3G network services to East Malaysia remains on schedule and will be launched in early 2013. U Mobile has also launched a new advertising campaign entitled, “Connecting Lives” as well as new service offerings. For MYR 18 per month, customers get 250 MB of data, 25 voice minutes, and 25 SMS messages.
Source: TelecomPaper

Rostelecom to deploy LTE in at least 5 regions in 2013

Rostelecom plans to launch LTE services in at least five regions across the country in 2013. The operator is deploying LTE-ready networks in the regions where it operates mobile services. 3G networks are planned to launch in around ten regions this year. The company also said it plans to complete its rebranding in Moscow in the next year. Rebranding in the regions, started earlier, should be completed by the end of this year.
Source: TelecomPaper

U.S. Cellular to Expand LTE Coverage Next Week

U.S. Cellular in conjunction with its partner, King Street Wireless, has announced its launch of LTE network in over 30 new markets. The rollout expands the LTE based 4G footprint in selected cities in Iowa, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Oklahoma, and brings LTE coverage to some of U.S. Cellular’s leading markets in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. The next wave of market launches will follow shortly in Rockford, Ill., Medford, Ore., Yakima, Wash, and Knoxville, Tenn.
Source: Cellular-News

Vodafone Starts LTE Trials in Romania

¬Vodafone has launched the first LTE network in Romania, although it says commercial services won’t be available until next year. Vodafone’s LTE network operates in 1800 MHz frequency band and has been deployed with Huawei equipment. Coverage is available in 10 cities.
Source: Cellular-News

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US Market for LTE Metrocells to Grow at a 240% CAGR over Next 5 Years

To meet the rising demand for mobile data, operators will need to pursue a multi-pronged approach to upgrading and backfilling for capacity and throughput on their cellular voice/data networks. iGR expects that the total addressable market (TAM) for 4G LTE metrocells in the U.S. will grow at a compounded annual growth rate of nearly 240 percent between 2012 and 2016. The TAM for 3G metrocells will initially grow strongly (CAGR over 99 percent between 2012 and 2014) before the opportunity declines in favor of 4G LTE deployments. Overall, the combined TAM for both 3G and 4G metrocells grows at a strong CAGR of 50 percent between 2012 and 2016.
Source: Cellular-News

Rogers confirms 2600MHz LTE availability across its 2100MHz footprint

Rogers has announced that customers buying the special version of the LG Optimus G from 13 November can enjoy 4G coverage in the 2600MHz band in every city where it offers its 2100MHz LTE service, and in some areas at higher theoretical peak data speeds. The Rogers LTE 2600MHz bandwidth is in all markets where it offers LTE AWS 2100. In most markets where 2×20MHz (2600MHz) is available, the LG Optimus G is capable of theoretical maximum speeds of up to 100Mbps. In smaller LTE markets that have 2×10MHz (2600MHz), the LG Optimus G can reach theoretical max speeds of up to 75Mbps.
Source: TeleGeography

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UNE expands 4G LTE service to Cali

UNE EPM Telecommunications’ customers in the Cali area can now access UNE’s 4G LTE services. The operator commercially launched its LTE network in June for customers in the Bogota capital area and the city of Medellin. UNE has invested over USD 6 million in its LTE network deployment in Cali. Customers can take up UNE’s prepay and postpaid mobile data tariff plans with speeds of up to 12 Mbps.
Source: Telecompaper

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Alfa Prepares for LTE Launch in Lebanon

Alfa has said that it has carried out its first LTE lab tests. The company said that as a result, it will be launching a 3-month Pilot Phase using a network of 20 LTE base stations. The Pilot Phase will include 300 participants, and it will span across a geographical area covering the administrative area of Beirut. The commercial launch of Alfa’s 4G-LTE service will take place in 2013.
Source: Cellular-News

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Strata LTE roll out in Uintah Basin in November

Strata Networks has launched LTE network in the Uintah Basin beginning in November. The service is initially deployed in parts of Duchesne and Uintah counties, covering over 90 percent of the current population of the two counties. This deployment represents phase 1 completion of a multi-phase build out plan. Additional phases will be completed over the next twelve-eighteen months and will expand the initial coverage area.
Source: Telecompaper

South Africa’s Cell C Planning LTE Launch by End of 2012

Cell C has announced plans to launch its LTE services in two cities by the end of this year. Coverage will initially be available in Cape Town and Durban, with Johannesburg and Pretoria launching in early 2013. The company will seek out heavy data users who will be offered trial access to the network, which will be available from base stations connected to the company’s fibre backhaul.
Source: Cellular-News

TeliaSonera Extends M2M Agreement with Ericsson

TeliaSonera and Ericsson have entered into an agreement under which TeliaSonera Global M2M Services will implement the Ericsson Device Connection Platform, delivered as a service by Ericsson. The new platform will be used mainly for the Nordic and Baltic markets. TeliaSonera estimates there will be more than one billion connected devices in the Nordics and Baltics by 2020, of which 100 million will be connected to mobile networks. As a founding member of the Global M2M Association, TeliaSonera can extend connectivity and customer services globally to M2M-solutions through a network of operators.
Source: Cellular-News

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Sisvel Launches LTE Patent Pool

Sisvel has launched a new patent pool offering licenses under a portfolio of patents essential to LTE. The portfolio includes patents owned by Cassidian, the China Academy of Telecommunication Technology, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, France Telecom, TDF, and KPN, as well as patents originally filed by Nokia that Sisvel acquired in late 2011. It is a great opportunity for companies advocating lower aggregate royalty rates for the benefit of the LTE industry to advance that position by participating in this joint effort rather than undertaking individual license negotiations.
Source: Cellular-News

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TeliaSonera Looking to Sell 25% Stake in Kazakhstan Based KCell

KCell is moving ahead with long-standing plans to list its shares on both the local and UK stock exchanges. The company has appointed banks to handle the sale of up to 25% of the company. TeliaSonera’s effective ownership in KCell increased to 61.74%, late last year. The sale of the 25% stake is expected to raise around US$800 million. Depending on the share price development after the IPO, TeliaSonera may have to make an additional payment to Kazakhtelecom.
Source: Cellular-News

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Cell C reveals December LTE trial in Cape Town, Durban

Cell C has confirmed that will also switch on a 4G network based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology in Cape Town and Durban in December 2012. The launch will be implemented on a trial basis ahead of a full commercial switch-on, which will follow at a yet-to-be-disclosed date. Spokesperson Karin Fourie noted that the rollout will be expanded to Johannesburg and Pretoria early in 2013, adding that Cell C will identify heavy users of its network and invite these customers to join the trial.
Source: TeleGeography

3 pips TIM with small-scale LTE launch in Acuto

3 Italia has inaugurated its LTE network in the village of Acuto, in the province of Frosinone, which previously lacked broadband connectivity. The launch event was attended by 3 Italia CEO Vincenzo Novari, along with the mayor of Acuto, Augusto Agostini, and famous astronaut Umberto Guidoni, who was born locally. Explaining the unusual launch location, Novari said that choice was to start from a small town affected by the digital divide and that will connect to the large urban areas by 2013. Prominent locations such as Rome and Milan are earmarked for connectivity in December.
Source: TeleGeography

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Belgacom introduces commercial 4G services

Belgacom has announced that it has inaugurated commercial LTE services in eight locations. A range of tariffs on both dongles and handset will be offered to cater a wide range of would-be customers. For residential customers with a smartphone a pre-paid option, ‘Generation Connect’, costing EUR20 (USD25.6) per month, will offer a 2G data usage allowance, 2,000 SMS and up to 80 minutes of calls, while a monthly post-paid tariff, ‘Smart 75’, provides unlimited calls and SMS, plus a 5GB data usage cap for EUR75. LTE-based mobile internet service via dongle will also be available, with usage allowance starting at 1GB for EUR19.99 per month, while a 2GB cap costs EUR34.99 per month.
Source: TeleGeography

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MTC aiming for 45% LTE coverage by end-2013, launching fibre access

MTC aims to cover 45% of the country with its 4G LTE mobile network by the end of 2013, according to its CEO Miguel Geraldes. MTC also plans to extend fibre-optic network to offer direct fibre services to businesses and at a later stage to households. MTC spent NAD50 million (USD5.6 million) to launch the 4G mobile network in May this year, and has earmarked an additional NAD100 million in 2012 for the technology. The cellco also invested NAD150 million in connectivity on the WACS submarine cable and a further NAD100 million in other infrastructure, with further development projects estimated to cost NAD250 million.
Source: TeleGeography

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Claro Allowed to Participate in 4G Spectrum auction

Colombia’s government has announced that Claro will be allowed to bid for spectrum in an LTE auction due to take place in February 2013. The auction has previously been postponed due to concerns that Claro could extend its dominance to the mobile broadband sector if it is allowed to participate. However, Claro is now allowed to bid for spectrum, but only in the 2.5GHz band. The winning operators will be expected to provide 100% coverage of major cities by June 2014.
Source: TeleGeography

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Claro Chile to complete 1st phase of LTE deployment in 2013

Claro has planned to complete the first phase of its LTE network deployment in Chile in the first quarter of 2013. The network will initially cover the Santiago capital and two other regions, Vina, Valparaiso or Concepcion. Claro will assign around 24-30 percent of its overall capex in 2013 to its LTE deployment project. The remaining amount, up to USD 500 million will be invested in the expansion of Claro’s 3G/2G services and network coverage.
Source: Telecompaper

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Une-EPM extends LTE to fourth city

Une-EPM has extended its LTE service to Cali. The company, which also provides LTE services in Medellin, Bogota and Bucaramanga, says that its 4G network covers 80% of the city, and that it hopes to achieve 5,000 subscribers in Cali and 100% coverage of the city by the end of 2012. Une secured spectrum in the 2.5GHz band in 2010.
Source: TeleGeography

Vodacom Triples Number of LTE Base Stations

Vodacom has said that it has tripled the number of LTE enabled base stations in its network from just under 70 at launch a month ago to over 200 in Johannesburg and testing has begun in Cape Town. In addition to the wider network coverage, Vodacom now has LTE devices on sale at Vodacom World in Midrand and selected Vodacom outlets across Gauteng. The LTE service is currently available to Vodacom Contract customers and will be available to Top-up and Prepaid customers in 2013.
Source: Cellular-News

SmarTone and China Mobile permitted to swap 1800MHz spectrum

Hong Kong’s Communications Authority has released a statement on 6 November 2012 permitting China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK) and SmarTone Mobile Communications to swap a portion of their wireless spectrum in the 1800MHz band. The two cellcos are currently each assigned a total of 2×13.2MHz spectrum in the 1800MHz band. Their assignments are not contiguous as different frequency blocks were assigned to them at different times. In order to convert some of their fragmented frequency blocks to contiguous ones, CMHK and SmarTone had submitted a joint request to the CA.
Source: TeleGeography

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Vivo signs MoU to develop 450MHz LTE in Brazil

Vivo Participacoes has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AINMT Holdings to explore the possibility of setting up a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in the 450MHz band. The vendor operates in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, and under the MoU, will work with Vivo to help it to provide voice and mobile broadband services in rural parts of Brazil.
Source: TeleGeography

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VIP Mobile unveils new HSPA+ tariffs

Mobilkom Macedonia (VIP Mobile) has introduced a new range of mobile broadband tariffs based on its recently launched evolved high speed packet access (HSPA+) network. The cellco is offering a ‘VIP Internet’ plan costing MKD499 (USD10.5) per month for 5GB of data downloads and a maximum 4Mbps connection, while its ‘VIP Internet Plus’ plan promises 20GB of data and 20Mbps connectivity for MKD999 per month. In August this year VIP Mobile launched the 3.5G mobile network, promising to offer subscribers maximum mobile broadband download speeds of up to 21Mbps. The HSPA+ network is currently available to 90% of the population.
Source: TeleGeography

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Teletalk to offer smartphones with 3G Sims next year

Teletalk plans to offer sma¬rtphones with 3G Sims from February next year. Managing director Mujibur Rahman said that the operator will start offering the 3G-enabled handsets to subscribers in capital Dhaka at below-market prices. The company will initially supply 100,000 3G Sims. Teletalk officially launched its 3G services in October and has already sold 30,000 3G Sims.
Source: Telecompaper

UK Sets $2 Billion Reserve Price for 4G Licenses

Ofcom has outlined the final details for its delayed 4G license auctions and the reserve prices for the spectrum that is being auctioned. The combined total is £1.3 billion (US$2 billion). Ofcom has also announced 11 December as the provisional date for the submission of applications by prospective bidders. The auction itself is due to take place in January, with licenses awarded in February/March with the expectation that the first networks will launch services in May/June time.
Source: Cellular-News

DTAC Aiming to Offer Both 3G and 4G Services

DTAC has said that it expects to offer both 3G and 4G based services in order to cash in on revenue opportunities from booming mobile data traffic. Subject to the contested 3G licenses being awarded as originally planned, the company will launch a 3G service in the conventional 2.1ghz bands by next June. DTAC plans to roll out 5,000 3G base stations to cover half the population within one year, doubling the number within 4 years to reach 80% of the population. The company will also refarm its 1800Mhz spectrum for LTE services, once the regulator approves. The company is currently running 4G trials.
Source: Cellular-News

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LTE Network Launched in Alaska

Alaska Communications has said that it has introduced LTE wireless service to customers throughout Alaska’s urban areas launching 4G services in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Homer, Kenai, Palmer, Seward, Soldotna, Wasilla and Whittier. It will launch its LTE network with three 4G smartphones, the HTC OneX, Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy Note. Alaska Communications will also offer the Bandrich LTE mobile broadband router.
Source: Cellular-News

TeliaSonera Finland expands LTE network to 50 cities

TeliaSonera Finland has announced that 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) services are now available in 50 locations after expanding coverage to a number of new towns and cities including Kajaani, Kokkola, Kotka, Lappeenranta, Naantali, Rauma, Salo and Savonlinna. The company also revealed that in parallel to its LTE rollout it is deploying dual carrier technology over its 3G network, bringing maximum theoretical speeds of 42Mbps to more than 160 locations in Finland.
Source: TeleGeography

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Cellular One to Deploy LTE Network in Rural Tezas

Cellular One has entered into an agreement with Verizon Wireless to participate in its LTE in Rural America program. Under the agreement, Verizon Wireless will lease to Cellular One its 700 MHz upper C block wireless spectrum in parts of Texas. Using the leased spectrum, Cellular One will construct and operate a 4G LTE network serving Cellular One customers, Verizon Wireless customers, and customers of other LTE in Rural America participants. In addition, Cellular One customers will have access to Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network throughout the United States.
Source: Cellular-News

NCC sets tentative timeline for 4G licensing

Taiwan’s National Communications Commission has set a tentative timeline for the issue of 4G licences. The regulator will announce draft rates for spectrum and regulations by the end of this year. Following that, the NCC will hold public hearings to get feedback and will then work on revisions of the drafts in March 2013. In June, the NCC will seek applications for 4G licences and complete examinations of the applications by September. Licencees are expected to be announced at the end of November 2013.
Source: Telecompaper

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Moldcell reveals 4G license win

Moldcell has revealed that it has been awarded a 4G licence by the country’s telecoms regulator ANRCETI. Although full details of the concession have still to be published. Moldcell claimed 1.17 million subscribers at the end of September 2012 to give it around 35% of the country’s mobile market. The government announced in August this year that the three incumbent cellular operators could each acquire 15-year 4G concessions at a fixed price of EUR10 million (USD12.3 million) apiece.
Source: TeleGeography

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Spirent Expands Support of Mobile Infrastructure Testing for VoLTE

Spirent Communications announced that its Spirent Landslide now offers the ability to test mobile infrastructure’s readiness for all-IP services such as Voice over LTE (VoLTE), video calling and multi-player mobile gaming. Spirent Landslide is claimed to be the only industry solution that can test VoLTE performance and scalability at the intersection of the mobile core and IMS cloud. The solution is able to test the network’s ability to support data traffic and high-bandwidth/low latency applications including FaceTime, mobile gaming and Twitter. It combines control plane testing with application data to provide insights into policy control procedures, charging and content awareness.
Source: Cellular-News

Refarming GSM Spectrum for LTE Services Proving Popular with Operators

The GSA says that 1800MHz is now the most widely used band for LTE systems deployments worldwide. LTE1800 is serving customers today on over 37% of the 113 commercial LTE networks which had entered service by November 2, 2012. In most cases the 1800 MHz spectrum has been reformed from its original use as a GSM band, as a result of the technology-neutral licensing environments which have developed as regulators in all regions responded to the need for more spectrum for mobile broadband services. The second most popular band in which LTE systems are deployed is 2.6 GHz, followed by 700 MHz. Manufacturers have ensured a wide choice of LTE user devices which can operate on the 1800 MHz band, including all the leading brands. A survey of the LTE devices confirmed that 560 LTE user devices had been announced, of which 130 products (almost 1 in 4) support the 1800MHz band. A total of 42 operators have commercially launched LTE1800 either as a single band system, or as part of a multi-band deployment.
Source: Cellular-News

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Colombia sets the bar for LTE providers

Colombian operators that successfully bid for 4G spectrum in the upcoming auction will have until Q1 2014 to provide Long Term Evolution (LTE) services to 350,000 users, though new entrants to the market will be required to serve just 150,000 customers by the same date. In addition, operators will be required to provide LTE coverage of the main cities in each of Colombia’s 1,123 municipalities by Q2 2014 and must offer 24-month packages which include a device such as a laptop or tablet computer. The 4G auction, which will see the sale of 225MHz of LTE-suitable spectrum, has also been delayed further and is now expected to take place in February 2013.
Source: BN Americas

Orange set to enter 4G arena alongside Moldcell

Moldovan wireless operator Moldcell had been awarded a 2.6GHz 4G licence, it has now emerged that rival firm Orange Moldova has also acquired a concession. Moldova’s National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information technology (ANRCETI) is charging a fixed price of EUR10 million (USD12.3 million) for the 15-year 4G concessions which offer 20MHz of paired frequencies between 2500MHz and 2690GHz. The technology-neutral licences can be utilized for a range of technologies, including UMTS (W-CDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and/or IMT-Advanced. The country’s third mobile operator, Moldtelecom, has so far made no move to join its two competitors in the 4G sector.
Source: TeleGeography

Telcel’s LTE Network Based on Huawei Kit

Huawei announced it had partnered with Telcel to launch Mexico’s first commercial LTE network. The mobile network adopted Huawei’s SingleRAN LTE solution to build a Heterogonous Network (HetNet), which will enhance network spectrum utilization and end-user data transfer speeds. During the launch ceremony, Huawei’s Ascend P1 smartphone and Huawei’s LTE broadband modem E397 device were also displayed. The launched commercial LTE services will cover nine cities, with plans to expand to 26 markets until the first quarter of next year to reach 65% of the country’s population. In a separate development, last week it was also announced that Ericsson had won a contract to expand Telcel’s LTE network.
Source: Cellular-News

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Moldcell quick off the mark with LTE testing

The Moldovan mobile operator Moldcell has already launched its first public test area for 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) services, just days after being awarded a 4G licence. The firm is offering customers the chance to try out LTE technology at its Moldcell Cafe in the capital, Chisinau. The cellco, which is backed by TeliaSonera of Sweden, has been deploying 2.6GHz LTE equipment since last year in preparation for the award of licences. Concessions were offered to all three Moldovan mobile operators at a fixed price of EUR10 million (USD12.3 million), and so far Moldcell and Orange have both taken up the offer, with Moldtelecom still to make its move.
Source: TeleGeography

AT&T 4G LTE Coverage Doubled In 2012

USA based AT&T says that it’s LTE based 4G network now covers more than 150 million people across the country. The coverage is more than double AT&T’s LTE coverage at the end of 2011, with still more expansion planned through the end of the year. AT&T plans to expand 4G LTE to 250 million people by year-end 2013 and to 300 million by year-end 2014. AT&T’s LTE service is in 103 markets today. AT&T’s 4G LTE network delivered faster average download speeds than any other carrier in PCWorld’s most recent 13-market speed tests. Even as AT&T continues to expand its LTE coverage, customers can fall back onto the HSPA+ based 3G network when out of range, which the company says offers comparable speeds.
Source: Cellular-News

Three UK outlines DC-HSDPA rollout progress

The UK’s smallest mobile network operator, Hutchison 3G UK (H3G UK), which operates under the ‘Three’ banner, has issued an update on the progress of its Dual Carrier HSDPA (DC-HSDPA) rollout. In noting that it had added more than a million new subscribers over the last year, the cellco pointed to the rollout of what it has termed its ‘Ultrafast’ network as a key driver in uptake. With H3G UK revealing that 39% of the UK now has access to its DC-HSDPA-based services, coverage is currently focused on ’50 of the country’s biggest cities and towns’. Looking ahead, H3G UK has confirmed that it expects population coverage to rise to 50% by the end of this year, before increasing further, to 80% by April 2013. The mobile operator has also pointed to its recent acquisition of 2×15MHz spectrum in the 1800MHz band from market leader EE as another boost for its infrastructure, claiming that the new frequencies will greatly increase its overall spectrum capacity and ‘provides further room for customer growth’.
Source: TeleGeography

Kyocera launches Digno S LTE smartphone

Japanese handset manufacturer Kyocera has launched the Digno S smartphone, which is compliant with KDDI’s high-speed LTE network. The latest in the Kyocera Digno series of smartphones, Digno S is part of KDDI’s handset lineup announced on 17 October. The smartphone is powered by Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS and features a 4.7-inch HD screen, MSM8960 (1.5GHz) dual-core processor, 8.08-megapixel camera and Smart Sonic Receiver tissue-conduction audio technology. The handset is equipped with 2,520mAh battery providing up to 1,110 minutes of talk time and up to 720 hours (3G) or 580 hours (LTE) of standby time. The Digno S also has a tethering function, allowing up to ten Wi-Fi-equipped devices to link-up. The Digno S smartphone is available in black, white, pink colors. The pricing of Digno S smartphone is determined by retailer.
Source: TelecomPaper

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Claro announces full commercial LTE launch

Claro Puerto Rico has announced the full commercial launch of 4G LTE mobile broadband services for handset, modem and tablets users in 19 of the island’s 78 municipalities, including the three largest cities, San Juan, Ponce and Mayaguez, promising mobile data speeds of up to 30Mbps. Having announced a ‘soft launch’ of LTE technology in San Juan around a year ago, Ortiz de Montellano explained that the delay in bringing a commercial 4G service to market had a lot to do with waiting for the right range of smartphones to become available. At launch the cellco is offering the Motorola RAZR HD XT925 LTE handset as an exclusive in the country, while on its website it also advertises the Samsung Galaxy S III LTE i747 and Nokia Lumia LTE 900 handsets. A 4G modem, the ZTE MF820 USB LTE, is also offered on the site, as is 4G connectivity for compatible tablets.
Source: TeleGeography

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Australia Pushing its Preferred Plans for LTE in the 700Mhz Bands

Australia’s ACMA says that it has been a key driver in developing a block of radio spectrum, the APT 700 MHz plan, which identifies 45 MHz of paired spectrum within 703-803 MHz optimized for mobile broadband. The plan has been adopted as a standard by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) for LTE services. In a recent speech delivered in Mexico City, ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman said that “the increasing adoption of the APT 700 MHz plan around the world is testimony to the efficiency and utility of the plan and recognition of the immense economies of scale and roaming benefits the plan will make available.” The resulting economies of scale for APT band plan-compliant devices are expected to be massive, with corresponding economic, consumer and societal benefits.
Source: Cellular-News

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Cosmote launches first LTE network in Greece

Cosmote Greece has launched the country first commercial 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband network in Athens and Thessaloniki, for USB modem and tablet computer users. Cosmote’s technical director, Giorgos Tsonis, announced that the 4G network covers ‘the majority’ of municipalities in the regions of Attica (surrounding Athens) and Thessaloniki, while the gradual development of the network is ongoing. ‘Soon, Cosmote 4G will be available in more Greek cities,’ he added. Post-paid data subscribers wishing to access 4G speeds can sign up for the Cosmote Internet On The Go 20GB tariff plan, also available as an option with the existing Internet On The Go 5GB, 10GB, Student and Internet Any Way 5GB data plans. Pre-paid subscribers can access the LTE network through a new Internet On The Go connection package, ‘4G Full Pack’, provided they pay upfront for a compatible stick modem or 4G tablet.
Source: TeleGeography

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Telekom Slovenije deploying LTE in all major cities

Telekom will roll out 4G LTE mobile broadband technology covering ‘all major cities’ of Slovenia within ‘a few months’ under the recent network contract awarded by its wireless division Mobitel to Swedish vendor Ericsson. The statement added, ‘To respond to the increased use of mobile data services and market demands for even greater transfer speeds, Telekom Slovenije is launching the project of network modernization and LTE technology implementation that will be the basis for providing users with the next generation services. The gradual implementation will commence at Telekom Slovenije at the end of November this year, with the investment for this year estimated at EUR2.5 million (USD3.2 million).’
Source: TeleGeography

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Vodacom Doubles its South African LTE Coverage

South Africa’s Vodacom has managed to more than double the number of LTE-enabled base stations on its network in less than one month. As of today, the company officially has over 400 LTE-enabled base stations live and is ahead of schedule to meet its target of switching on 500 sites by the end of 2012. The company also announced the commercial launch of LTE services in Durban. Cape Town is expected to follow before the end of the year. The LTE service is currently available to Vodacom Contract customers and will be available to Top-up and Prepaid customers in 2013. It also requires customers to use a 64K or 128K SIM card.
Source: Cellular-News

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Zain Launches LTE Services in Kuwait

Kuwait’s Zain has announced the launch of its LTE network with nationwide coverage. The launch comes after the regulator authorized the use of LTE services in the 1800Mhz spectrum last month. Zain Kuwait CEO Omar Alomar said, “We are very proud to launch the new service that will provide the fastest mobile internet speeds to our customers all over Kuwait exclusively from Zain. This service is available for the first time nationwide.” Customers with compatible devices have to switch to a dedicated LTE tariff.
Source: Cellular-News

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Rostelecom claims first HSPA+ launch via subsidiary

State-owned telecoms giant Rostelecom has announced that it has inaugurated commercial HSPA+ services in the Irkutsk region, through its subsidiary, Baikalwestcom. The network, which supports downlink transmission speeds of up to 21Mbps, currently comprises 300 base stations across ‘several cities and towns’, equivalent to 70% of the region’s population. The network will be further extended in the first quarter of 2013. As previously stated, the telco is planning to launch 3G services in 26 Russian regions in 2013.
Source: TeleGeography

Orange launches LTE in four cities

Orange France has announced the launch of commercial services over its Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. Initially, corporate customers in four cities Lyon, Nantes, Lille and Marseille will be able to access the new service. The cellco then plans to unveil a range of consumer tariffs and devices compatible with both HSPA+ and LTE in February 2013, ahead of expanding coverage to ten cities in April. According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Orange has been running a pilot LTE network for testing purposes in Marseille since June 2012. At an event in Paris this week, the company also revealed that its HSPA+ coverage will reach 60% of the population by the end of 2012.
Source: TeleGeography

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SaskTel testing LTE ahead of February launch

Saskatchewan full-service operator SaskTel has begun LTE mobile broadband trials for its employees as the first phase of testing its new 4G network ahead of a commercial launch scheduled for early February 2013. SaskTel will launch LTE in nine cities in its home province using its 2100MHz wireless spectrum before a planned expansion to communities including Estevan, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Swift Current, Weyburn and Yorkton using 700MHz frequencies it expects to win in an auction in the first half of 2013.
Source: TeleGeography

Moldcell Launches First LTE Services in Moldova

Moldcell has launched LTE based 4G services for the very first time in the country, just a few weeks after being granted a license by the regulator. Moldcell new 4G network stands out through its quality, clearly superior to other wireless technologies. The launch of 4G services will place Moldova among the most technologically advanced countries in the world, says Tero Kivisaari, President of business areas Eurasia and Mobility Services. The company is a subsidiary of TeliaSonera. Moldcell launched 3G services in 2009 – the first in Moldova and among the first in the Eurasia region, and as of Q3/2012 covers about 73% of the country’s territory. In 2011, Moldcell finalized building the nation-wide fibre-optic backbone network.
Source: Cellular-News

NCC details minimum/maximum spectrum allocations for 4G auction

Taiwan’s National Communications Commission (NCC) has reportedly outlined the makeup of the spectrum blocks it plans to offer as part of its 4G spectrum auction. According to the China Post, the regulator has revealed that the smallest spectrum block that will be made available will offer 2×15MHz, an amount which Alison Kao, a public relations manager at local multiservice operator Far EasTone, was cited as saying would effectively prevent opportunists from taking advantage of the sale process. In addition to unveiling the basic bidding unit for the auction, the NCC has also stipulated a cap of 2×35MHz, preventing any single entity from winning frequencies in excess of that amount. The report, however, claims that the NCC has also said that after the auction is concluded winning bidders will be permitted to transfer 2×5MHz blocks to other operators.
Source: TeleGeography

Eastlink 3G/4G mobile launch ‘early 2013’

The CEO of Canadian cableco EastLink, Lee Bragg, has been giving details of the firm’s upcoming 3G HSPA and 4G LTE mobile network launch, set for ‘early’ 2013, although he is keeping the actual target launch date a secret, reports The Globe & Mail. The long-awaited 2100MHz mobile network launch will begin in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, where it has already deployed 150 cell sites of a planned 350, and its level of success in these provinces may determine how quickly EastLink expands the new services to its other licensed areas across Canada. EastLink is preparing to introduce discounted quadruple-play packages to fight tough competition from Bell Aliant which has been poaching its cable customers with IPTV/fiber broadband services, whilst aiming to win wireless customers from Rogers Communications which has been upgrading its networks in the Atlantic provinces, and also gaining a headstart on a more recent wireless market entrant, Wind Mobile, which is yet to utilize its spectrum holdings in the Atlantic region.
Source: TeleGeography

Sprint affiliate ShenTel launches LTE in 56 markets

Sprint Nextel’s regional affiliate Shenandoah Telecommunications (ShenTel) has confirmed that it has launched services based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology in around 56 markets in the mid-Atlantic, expanding Sprint’s 4G footprints by roughly 735,000 people. ShenTel chief operating officer Earle MacKenzie told Fierce Wireless that the company inaugurated its new network on 23 November in areas of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The company has used Alcatel-Lucent network equipment for its deployment; Alca-Lu is one the main vendors for Sprint’s ongoing ‘Network Vision’ modernization project. Separately, Sprint has confirmed that it has launched LTE in eleven new markets in the north-east and mid-west, bringing the total number covered to 43.
Source: TeleGeography

Next Plus launches mobile TV app

Polish company Next Plus has launched a mobile TV application enabling access to 27 TV channels over smartphones and tablets, reports Rpkom.pl. The application is available for download on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Source: TelecomPaper

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Beeline expands HSPA+ in Central Russia

Russian mobile operator Vimpelcom, working under the Beeline brand, has launched HSPA+ on its network in Yaroslavl, Oryol and Tambov. Up to 21 Mbps is offered for subscribers in the cities after the upgrade of the mobile network and expansion in fibre access in Central Russia.
Source: TelecomPaper

Taiwan Outlines Initial Details of 4G License Auction

Taiwan’s telecoms regulator, the NCC has set the spectrum allocations for its forthcoming 4G license auction. The NCC said that bidding for licenses would be set at “15MHz multiplied by two,” while the upper limit will be set at “35MHz multiplied by two.” There will be a total of four licenses available, each with 17-year licenses, and may come with conditions forbidding the use of unlimited data tariffs. Although operators will be required to bid for between 15Mhz and 35Mhz in the auction, they will be able to later sell blocks of 5Mhz to other operators.
Source: China Post

Tele2 Estonia launches LTE

Tele2 Estonia has launched commercial 4G LTE mobile broadband services for modem users. The Swedish-owned cellco is offering three LTE data packages all with ‘unlimited’ connection speeds: ‘4G Small’ offering 5GB for EUR10 (USD13) per month; ‘4G Medium’ (15GB, EUR20); and ‘4G Large’ (30GB, EUR30). At launch the company announced that its LTE network is capable of speeds of up to 150Mbps/75Mbps (download/upload) and covers most of the northern centres of Estonia. In 2013 it says it will add around 150 new base stations to expand coverage to other regional centres, and by 2017 the 4G network will cover ‘100% of Estonia’.
Source: TeleGeography

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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TM Forum Management World Asia 2013

TM Forum Management World Asia 2013 event will be taking place March 12 -13, 2013, Singapore. The availability of high-speed broadband across Asia is creating opportunities for service providers to generate new revenue streams with digital services, delivering innovative products and services often through partnership. Please visit: http://www.tmforum.org/Management-World-Asia/13951/home.html
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LTE Backhaul Summit 2013

LTE Backhaul Summit 2013 is taking place on 24-26 Jun 2013 at Amsterdam RAI, Netherlands. LTE Backhaul Summit will build upon 2013’s special focus track that took place for the first time at the industry leading LTE World Summit. For details visit: backhaul.lteconference.com
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Understanding Modern Spectrum Management, 18-22 March 2013

Understanding Modern Spectrum Management, 18-22 March 2013, Pembroke College, Oxford. The course is aimed at people who either work for regulators or a commercial organization which needs to understand the principles of spectrum management. Please visit:http://www.policytracker.com/home/training/understanding-modern-spectrum-management/
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Caspian Telecoms Conference & Showcase

Caspian Telecoms Conference & Showcase will take place on 18-19 APRIL 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. Caspian Telecoms Conference is the only event for the telecoms industry for Turkey, CIS, the Black Sea States and their neighboring Caspian and Central Asian regions. Please visit: http://www.caspiantelecoms.com/index.php/en/
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Mobile Commerce World China Summit 2013

Mobile Commerce World China Summit 2013 will be held on 18th-19th April, 2013 in Shanghai, China. Mobile Commerce World 2013China Summit is the only international business conference focusing on mobile commerce business in China. Please visit: http://www.cdmc.org.cn/mc/
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Phone World Magazine

CACF has launched 5th Edition of Phone World Magazine covering the devices and their ecosystem serving to bridge the gap between the OEMs, Operators, Distributors, Retailers, and the Consumers. Phone World 5th Edition is available in Pakistani markets. Pdf is available on www.phoneworld.com.pk . PhoneWorld website has latest local telecom news, handsets and also has blog section. For subscription email to: info@phoneworld.com.pk
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3G DEVICE SECTION

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[columns indent=”25″ bottom=”25″] [column]
[/column] [column] Name LG Nexus 4 E960
GENERAL
2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100
DATAGPRS/EDGE/Speed/WLAN/BLUE TOOTH/ USB/NFC/
Operating System Android OS, v4.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to v4.2.1
Chipset Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon

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[/column] [column] Name HTC DROID DNA
GENERAL
2G Network CDMA 800 / 1900 GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network CDMA2000 1xEV-DO HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
DATAGPRS/EDGE/Speed/WLAN/BLUE TOOTH/ USB/
Operating System Android OS, v4.1 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to v4.2 (Jelly Bean)
Chipset Qualcomm MDM615m/APQ8064
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[columns indent=”25″ bottom=”25″] [column]
[/column] [column] Name Samsung Galaxy Stratosphere II I415
GENERAL
2G Network CDMA 800 / 1900 GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network CDMA2000 1xEV-DO HSDPA 2100
4G Network LTE 700 MHz Class 13
DATAGPRS/EDGE/Speed/WLAN/BLUE TOOTH/ USB/
Operating System Android OS, v4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Chipset Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon

[/column] [column]
[/column] [column] Name Nokia Lumia 822
GENERAL
2G Network CDMA 800 / 1900 GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network CDMA2000 1xEV-DO HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G Network LTE 700 MHz Class 13
DATAGPRS/EDGE/Speed/WLAN/BLUE TOOTH/ USB/
Operating System Microsoft Windows Phone 8
Chipset Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon
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VENDORS/OEM SECTION

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ZTE to deliver 3G equipment to Afghan Telecom

Afghan Telecom has signed an agreement with Chinese equipment vendor ZTE. The latter will provide GSM and 3G equipment to Afghan Telecom; the USD 32 million contract includes 700 telecommunications towers. The project will be completed in the year March 2013 to March 2014, with Kabul to benefit first.
Source: TelecomPaper

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Huawei, Alcatel-Lucent to upgrade Mobilink network for 3G

Orascom Telecom has inked a five-year agreement with Huawei and Alcatel-Lucent to provide for the design, purchase, deployment and maintenance of next-generation mobile network equipment and supporting services at its Pakistani mobile operator Mobilink. The deal is expected to enhance data and voice services and pave the way for introducing 3G services as soon as these are licensed in Pakistan. Huawei was awarded 50 percent of the radio network and 100 percent of the core and value-added services networks, while Alcatel-Lucent was awarded the other 50 percent of the radio access network.
Source: Telecompaper

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Ericsson Wins Mexican LTE Deployment Contract

Telcel has chosen Ericsson as its key supplier in the rollout of an LTE network. The contract entails deployment of LTE in multiple bands and also includes the Evolved Packet Core with Home Subscriber Server (HSS) for user data management and SGSN-MME as the mobility management entity that handles control signaling and traffic. Ericsson will also deliver Operating Support Systems (OSS). Financial and timeline details for the contract were not disclosed.
Source: Cellular-News

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Huawei flouts tender terms with Nepal Telecom

Huawei has told Nepal Telecom that it would not engage in new contracts until it had installed 4.8 million GSM/UMTS lines under an earlier contract with Nepal Telecom. The contract, dubbed Pac¬kage A, is part of the company’s 10 million GSM lines project, and Huawei had also secured the other tender for rolling out 4.8 million lines before 2015 (Package B). However, Nepal Telecom says that Huawei has flouted its own declaration as it has started a new contract with mobile operator Ncell. The management at Nepal Telecom is mulling whether to write to Huawei seeking justification or to allow the company to complete the project.
Source: Telecompaper

Ericsson Demos LTE Running at 223Mbps Download Speeds

Ericsson has announced another successful demonstration in China of TD-LTE carrier aggregation using standard equipment. During the demonstration a peak download speed of 223Mbps was achieved using two carriers of 20MHz each over the same radio unit. The demonstration was performed in Beijing on standard Ericsson Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and Ericsson RBS 6000 radio hardware already running in China Mobile’s network, along with standard radio units and data link boards supporting carrier aggregation. Aeroflex provided the TM500 test user equipment.
Source: Cellular-News

ZTE Cuts Electricity Consumption in LTE Networks

ZTE has announced the launch of its Energy Saving Solution to help operators reduce energy consumption in their LTE networks. According to test results, a single site employing this solution can save up to 40% in power consumption. The global information and communication technology industry accounts for as much as 2.5 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to research firm Gartner. In a typical wireless telecommunications network, about 90 percent of the energy is consumed by base stations. ZTE’s Energy Saving Solution uses an array of technologies to reduce power consumption for base stations, including the industry’s first integrated system for automatic/dynamic PA bias voltage control and intelligent OFDM signalling shutdown without affecting performance.
Source: Cellular-News

Ericsson Wins Slovenian LTE Deployment Contract

Telekom Slovenije has selected Ericsson to supply radio access networks for 2G, 3G and 4G and an evolved packet core network for 4G that will provide support across network technologies. The contract also includes new functionality for their existing Ericsson IMS core network to enable launch of Voice over LTE (VoLTE). The new network will include the Ericsson RBS6000 Family of multi-standard base stations, ensuring lower carbon emissions, less heating and cooling, a smaller footprint, fewer components and fewer site visits. Under the contract as sole supplier for the mobile network, Ericsson will install, deploy and support multi-standard radio base station Ericsson RBS 6000 Family, evolved packet core EPC, Ericsson User Data Consolidation and VoLTE feature. Ericsson has been the sole supplier of mobile equipment to Telekom Slovenije since 1991.
Source: Cellular-News

Nokia Siemens Networks Helps Vodacom Introduce Voice and SMS alongside LTE

South Africa’s Vodacom has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to enable circuit switched fall-back (CSFB) functionality in its LTE network. This functionality allows 4G users to make and receive voice calls using either the GSM or 3G network while retaining the benefit of data services via LTE. Nokia Siemens Networks has also provided Vodacom with its single radio access network (RAN) based on its Flexi Multiradio Base Station. The company will also deliver planning, implementation, optimization and support services for the network. In addition, Nokia Siemens Networks has also provided services for access network planning and data fill for overlay MSS. This includes spare part management, emergency support, troubleshooting and training services.
Source: cellular-News

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ZTE trials eSRVCC VoLTE in Hong Kong

ZTE has launched a commercial trial of Voice over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) with enhanced single radio voice call continuity (eSRVCC) in Hong Kong, an alternative to Circuit Switched Fallback (CSFB), claiming an industry-first deployment. ZTE eSRVCC is a solution enabling higher quality voice calls while a mobile network is upgrading to LTE and provides end-to-end quality-of-service (QoS) assurance. ZTE’s core network vice president Tu Jiashun said that ‘eSRVCC VoLTE improves call connection time when compared to CSFB solution and shortens handover time when compared to SRVCC solution. It gives LTE users more options and better service experience.’
Source: TeleGeography

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3G Technologies (Guarantee) Ltd.
2, Street no. 23, F-7/2, Islamabad, Pakistan Tel: +92-51-2609324, Fax: +92-51-2609325

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