Press Clippings: September 2007

Major Industry items you might have missed

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Bain and Huawei to acquire 3Com.

Source: NYT.

3Com, an unprofitable computer networking company, has announced that it has agreed to be acquired by Bain Capital Partners for US$2.2bn. in an arrangement that also gives a Chinese company, Huawei Technologies, a minority stake in the company.
It also provides yet another test case for Washington lawmakers wary of high-technology deals with Chinese companies that they think could compromise American security.

Posted by Judith — 4:34 AM


Ericsson acquires 84% in LHS.

Source: Digital Media Europe.

Ericsson has acquired an 84% stake in LHS Aktiengesellschaft, a German provider of telecom billing and customer care systems for wireless, wireline, and IP telecom markets.

Posted by Judith — 4:01 AM


Neuf Cegetel grants Bouygues Telecom 1,000 subscriber nodes.

Source: Digital Media Europe.

French telcos Bouygues Telecom and Neuf Cegetel have signed an agreement allowing Bouygues Telecom access to 1,000 subscriber nodes covering over 60% of the French population.

Posted by Judith — 3:43 AM


iBasis to merge with KPN’s wholesale voice unit.

Source: Digital Media Europe.

iBasis’ shareholders have approved the company’s merger with KPN’s wholesale voice business.
iBasis, a global VoIP company, is to acquire the KPN Global Carrier Services business unit and $55m in cash from KPN in exchange for 40m. shares of its common stock, making KPN a 51% shareholder in the company.

Posted by Judith — 3:24 AM

Friday, September 28, 2007

FT confirms sale of Dutch mobile and internet business to DT for EUR1.33bn

Source: TeleGeography.

France Telecom has announced that it has agreed to sell its Dutch mobile and internet operation, Orange Netherlands, to DT for a total consideration of EUR1.33bn. (US$1.88bn.) on an enterprise value basis.
The sale of the Dutch assets is part of a wide reshuffling of assets by FT which, like some other European telecoms operators, is looking to consolidate its market position in key areas and free up resources to fund acquisitions in emerging markets.

Posted by Judith — 5:11 AM


Disney to halt U.S. mobile phone service at year-end..

Source: Reuters.

Walt Disney Co. has announced that it will stop operating its U.S.-based mobile phone service at the end of the year to reassess how it competes in a tough market for high-end cell phone services.

Posted by Judith — 4:21 AM


Videocon applies for wireless licences for all 22 Indian circles.

Source: TeleGeography.

Indian industrial conglomerate Videocon has applied for mobile licences for all 22 telecoms circles of India. According to industry sources, this could mark the entry of US telco Verizon to the sub-continent, as the latter is speculated to be Videocon’s partner for the wireless venture. Earlier this year Verizon partnered Leo Communications, a subsidiary of the Videocon Group, while applying for national and international long-distance licences in India. Leo holds 26% of the joint venture.

Posted by Judith — 4:09 AM


Apple iPhone warning proves true.

Source: BBC.

An Apple software update is disabling iPhones that have been unlocked by owners who wanted to choose which mobile network to use.
Earlier this week Apple said a planned update would leave the device “permanently inoperable”.

Posted by Judith — 4:04 AM


Telus’s business telephony services deregulated.

Source: TeleGeography.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has deregulated Vancouver-based telco Telus Communications’ local telephony services for business customers in 35 local exchanges in Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec, covering all major metropolitan areas in those provinces. The move follows the deregulation of Telus’s residential local telephony services in various regional markets, which began in July, and similar allowances granted to other incumbent telcos, including the largest fixed line provider in the country, Bell Canada.

Posted by Judith — 3:55 AM

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Intel wins mobile WiMax chip deal with Nokia.

Source: Reuters.

Intel Corp has announced that it has won a mobile WiMax chip order from the world’s top cellphone maker Nokia, which will use its semiconductors in Internet-focused devices.
Nokia will roll out the first WiMax-enabled Internet tablets using Intel chips in the first half of 2008.

Posted by Judith — 4:30 AM


Google sets sights on Europe growth.

Source: FT.com.

Google is planning to expand its staff by a third, with most of the new hirings in Europe, as the internet search company tries to avoid being seen as an aggressive American multinational.
Google plans to hire several thousand engineers in Europe to create a research and development team in the region as large as the one it has in the US.

Posted by Judith — 3:45 AM


Blyk runs into problems already.

Source: Telecoms.com.

Ad funded MVNO Blyk, which started services in the UK Monday morning, is already running into technical issues, despite launching months later that expected.
A posting on the Blyk website under the heading ‘technical issues’, warned users of the service that MMS picture message connections between Blyk and other UK networks, Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile, O2 and 3 “are still under construction”.

Posted by Judith — 3:30 AM


NSN wins EUR180m. deal from Henan MCC.

Source: TeleGeography.

Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) has said it has won an order worth EUR180m. (US$253m.) from Henan Mobile Communications Company, part of China Mobile, for GSM network expansion, EDGE introduction as well as network planning and implementation services.

Posted by Judith — 3:03 AM


Facebook networking talks with Microsoft may value site at US$10bn.

Source: TimesOnline.

Microsoft is weighing up taking a stake in Facebook in a move that could value the social networking site at US$10bn. and trigger a bidding war.
It is understood that the world’s largest software developer is considering paying between US$300 and 500m. for a 5% stake in Facebook. A move by Microsoft would almost certainly trigger counter interest from a clutch of rivals including Google and Viacom.

Posted by Judith — 2:49 AM

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Vonage infringed Sprint patents.

Source: TechWeb.

A U.S. federal jury has found that Vonage Holdings Corp infringed six patents owned by Sprint Nextel Corp and ordered Vonage to pay US$69.5m. in damages, plus royalties.
The decision was the latest legal setback for Vonage, the loss-making Internet phone company that has also been found to infringe patents belonging to Verizon Communications Inc.

Posted by Judith — 6:24 AM


Virgin Mobile IPO underway.

Source: Telecoms.com.

US MVNO, Virgin Mobile USA, aims to raise US$375.6m. from its forthcoming IPO. The company, which Virgin owns as a joint venture with network provider Sprint Nextel, is expected to float in early October with shares selling for about US$16 each.
Virgin said it will use approximately US$160m. of the net proceeds from the offering to buy a further 16.7% stake from partner Sprint, taking Virgin’s own holding up to 63.7%.

Posted by Judith — 6:07 AM


NZ Telecom network split to go ahead.

Source: TeleGeography.

The New Zealand government has announced that it is going ahead with its plan to split national PTO Telecom New Zealand into three separate operational units to provide retail, wholesale and network services. The split is due to be carried out by end-March 2008 and will create a more level playing field in the telecoms market.

Posted by Judith — 5:17 AM

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

EarthLink opts out of Helio funding.

Source: TeleGeography.

Struggling US internet service provider EarthLink has opted not to pump additional funds into its MVNO subsidiary Helio, despite its partner in the venture, South Korea’s SK Telecom, recently announcing a new investment of US$270m. EarthLink says it will not be investing any more in Helio ‘for the time being’ and says that it is in negotiations with SK Telecom over the ‘future governance’ of the firm.

Posted by Judith — 5:18 AM


Orange teams up with BT Wholesale to bring fixed line calls to UK residential customers.

Source: BTplc.

Orange and BT Wholesale have announced a strategic agreement under which BT Wholesale will provide wholesale landline services to Orange customers who subscribe to its newly launched Home Max broadband package. It marks the first time that Orange has offered fixed line services to its personal customers.

Posted by Judith — 4:48 AM


‘DoubleClick ‘headed for EU investigation’.

Source: TimesOnline.

Google’s acquisition of DoubleClick, the largest broker of online banner advertising, will almost certainly be referred for an in-depth examination by the European Commission.
A decision to launch a full-blown inquiry would also be construed as an interim victory for Microsoft, which is lobbying fiercely against the DoubleClick deal being passed on competition and privacy grounds.

Posted by Judith — 3:44 AM


Microsoft calls for white space validation.

Source: Telecoms.com.

Proponents of so called ‘white space’ broadband are pushing the FCC to acknowledge their tests proving that the technology does not interfere with TV broadcasts.
A collaboration of tech firms headed up by Google, Intel, HP, Microsoft, Philips and Dell, known as the White Space Coalition, previously submitted a protype gadget which failed the FCC’s tests. However, Microsoft has nowsubmitted a test document to the FCC, featuring results showing that the device does not interfere with TV broadcasts.
The coalition is now calling on the regulator to validate its claims.

Posted by Judith — 3:01 AM

Monday, September 24, 2007

BT to consider fibre optic network.

Source: TeleGeography.

It is reported that the head of BT’s retail division will discuss with the government and Ofcom investing in an ultra-fast network. BT’s willingness to look at rolling out a fibre-optic network follows a warning last week by Stephen Timms, the UK’s competition minister, that the country risks falling behind other leading industrialised countries. Timms highlighted how the US, France, Germany and Japan are investing in fibre networks that promise to deliver broadband speeds of between 50Mbps-100Mbps.

Posted by Judith — 5:17 AM


Bell Canada shareholders OK privatization.

Source: Light Reading.

The deal to take Bell Canada private has cleared one more hurdle as shareholders overwhelmingly approved the bid by the Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan. About 62% of all shareholders voted, and 97% voted in favour of the deal.

Posted by Judith — 4:42 AM


FT gets IPTV.

Source: TeleGeography.

French former monopoly France Telecom has made its first foray into the broadcasting realm with the launch of IPTV channel, Orange Sports TV. The new service offers sports news and TV broadcasts via the internet, direct to Orange 3G users’ mobile phones.

Posted by Judith — 3:30 AM


Willcom to work with CNC to develop PHS in Asia.

Source: TeleGeography.

Japanese mobile company Willcom Inc, which offers wireless services based on personal handy system (PHS) technology, is said to be planning a tie-up with China Network Communications Group (CNC) to expand its low-cost phone business in Asia.
The two firms are also planning to work together to provide roaming services ahead of next years Olympic Games in Beijing, as many Japanese visitors are expected to attend the games.

Posted by Judith — 3:09 AM


Getting free cellphone calls for ads.

Source: NYT.

British cellphone users can now receive a new mobile service called Blyk, which will offer subscribers some free calls and text messages in return for their agreeing to accept advertising on their phones.
Virgin Mobile started a similar service in the US last year. But the introduction of Blyk in one of the most competitive and technologically sophisticated mobile markets means the service will be scrutinized as a test of mobile advertising’s viability.

Posted by Judith — 2:39 AM

Saturday, September 22, 2007

MontaVista takes seat in LiMo.

Source: Telecoms.com.

Mobile Linux movement, the LiMo Foundation, won yet more support when OS developer MontaVista joined the group.
A handful of telecom powerhouses banded together in January to form the mobile Linux collective. Mitsubishi, Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile, Samsung and Vodafone were the founding members.
A not for profit organisation, the foundation is aimed at blending the community-based development benefits of Linux with development practices from the mobile community in a bid to minimise fragmentation.

Posted by Judith — 4:16 AM


AlcatelLucent ‘Ads’ to Its TV Program.

Source: Light Reading.

Alcatel-Lucent says its acquisition of IPTV applications specialist Tamblin Ltd. gives it credibility in one of the most important niche areas of TV development: interactive advertising.
AlcaLu’s VP of multimedia and payment at the vendor’s Convergence business unit stated that the acquisition is “a key building block for us. It is showing the industry our intent and direction.”

Posted by Judith — 3:59 AM

Friday, September 21, 2007

Orange to sell Apple’s iPhone in France.

Source: NYT.

France Telecom will start marketing Apple Inc.’s iPhone in France through its wireless arm Orange.
The announcement came days after Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs visited Britain and Germany to unveil similar deals with mobile operator O2 and Deutsche Telekom AG.

Posted by Judith — 4:11 AM


Ofcom proposes 3G at 900MHz and 1800MHz.

Source: TeleGeography.

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has announced proposals for consultation to open up the 900MHz and 1800MHz spectrum bands to allow them to be used for 3G services, and with that the launch of new services and increased competition. Currently licences covering these bands restrict their use to 2G technology.

Posted by Judith — 3:47 AM


BT makes it easier to be green.

Source: Telephony.

BT Global Services is making a commercial product out of parent company BT’s internal commitment to the environment, offering a service in the U.K. and the U.S. that assesses the amount of carbon dioxide emissions produced by corporate IT departments. The new Carbon Impact Assessment service is aimed not only at BT customers but other corporations as well.

Posted by Judith — 3:30 AM


Cisco to acquire Cognio for wireless spectrum analysis.

Source: Converge.

Cisco agreed to acquire Cognio, a start-up specializing in wireless spectrum analysis and management for wireless networks. Cognio’s spectrum technology can be used for detecting, classifying, locating and mitigating sources of radio frequency interference.
Cisco said the acquisition provides it with complementary and differentiating technology, intellectual property and a core team to expand its leadership in unified wireless networking.

Posted by Judith — 3:06 AM

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Vodafone announces Hutchison Essar rebrand.

Source: TeleGeography.

UK-based mobile giant Vodafone Group will begin using its own name in India from Friday, following its US$11.1bn. acquisition of India’s third largest mobile operator, Hutchison Essar. The exercise, thought to be one of the world’s biggest-ever rebranding campaigns, is designed to touch over 35m.subscribers and 400,000 shops, and is seen as vital to the British firm’s earnings growth as it struggles to contend with market saturation in its core markets.

Posted by Judith — 5:32 AM


NextWave to exit Japanese mobile market.

Source: TeleGeography.

US telecoms company NextWave Wireless has revealed it is selling its stake in Japanese start-up IPMobile. It is understood Japanese real estate group Mori Trust Company will buy back the stake and again become the largest shareholder in the Tokyo-based cellphone company. Only last month, NextWave purchased a 69.23% stake in IPMobile from Mori Trust, making it the leading single shareholder.

Posted by Judith — 5:30 AM


New York adds mobile and WiFi to subways.

Source: BWCS.

New York City Transit has struck a deal with a consortium called Transit Wireless to provide mobile and WiFi links in all 277 subway stations across the Big Apple. Transit will reportedly pay NYT a sum of US$46.8m. over ten years, for the rights to wire the stations, though it will not be allowed to enter the tunnels. In return, Transit Wireless will be allowed to charge cell phone companies for all calls made to and from passengers’ phones whilst they are on the stations.

Posted by Judith — 4:58 AM


KDDI and Intel to bid for WiMax licence in Japan.

Source: FT.com.

KDDI and Intel are leading a joint venture to bid for a WiMax licence in Japan and subsequently develop and operate a wireless broadband network based on the technology.
Japan’s second biggest mobile operator and the US technology group join JR East, Kyocera, Daiwa and the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi in creating the company, called Wireless Broadband Planning.

Posted by Judith — 4:44 AM


Verizon, Vodafone work toward common platform.

Source: Reuters.

Verizon and Vodafone Group Plc aim to develop a common technology for their future mobile networks that would allow their cell phone users to roam on each others’ services. However, the endeavour will possibly take years to complete.

Posted by Judith — 4:38 AM

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

D.T’s T-Mobile wins iPhone deal.

Source: TeleGeography.

Deutsche Telekom’s mobile phone division, T-Mobile, has announced that it has won a deal to sell Apple’s iPhone and said the price would be EUR399 (US$558).

Posted by Judith — 6:05 AM


Seven bids for regulator in mobile auction.

Source: TeleGeography.

Seven companies and consortiums have placed bids for the second mobile network operating licence in Qatar. They are: Bahrain Telecom (Batelco), AT&T, Vodafone Group, Etisalat, Zain Group (formerly MTC), Ace Consortium (led by Bharti Airtel) and Argos Consortium (led by Verizon Communications).

Posted by Judith — 5:54 AM


Nokia taps Airvana for femtocells.

Source: Telecoms.com.

Nokia Siemens Networks has announced that it has teamed up with US kit supplier Airvana to develop an end to end femtocell platform for mobile operators worldwide.
Femtocells are small cellular access points tethered to a broadband internet connection, allowing operators to provide mobile broadband services in building by using existing connectivity.

Posted by Judith — 4:25 AM


Ericsson signs turnkey contract with Vodafone Netherlands.

Source: Digital Media Europe.

Ericsson has signed a turnkey contract with Vodafone Netherlands to deploy the Ericsson Automatic Data Retention Solution (ADRS), bringing the operator in line with a new EU directive under which operators must store traffic data for up to 24 months.
Under the contract, Ericsson will deliver a turnkey solution - from systems integration to business support systems - for Vodafone Netherlands’ existing network.

Posted by Judith — 4:06 AM


UK Government mulls broadband help.

Source: BBC.

The UK government is considering intervening in the way broadband is rolled out, in an effort to speed up the deployment of super-fast services.
Stephen Timms, Minister for Competitiveness, ordered a summit to look at the role of government in providing next-generation broadband.
While other countries are investing in new ways to deliver higher bandwidth, the UK is seen as lagging behind.

Posted by Judith — 3:54 AM


AT&T set for WiMAX launch?

Source: TeleGeography.

AT&T is reportedly preparing to launch WiMAX wireless broadband services in southern US states in the second quarter of next year. The firm has 2.3GHz spectrum which can be used to offer fixed WiMAX services, allowing it to compete with wired broadband technologies such as DSL and cable. Two firms - Sprint Nextel and Clearwire - own the bulk of the WiMAX-capable spectrum in the US and have already begun work on the deployment of a combined national wireless internet network which will offer full mobility.

Posted by Judith — 3:39 AM


Pipex Wireless chooses Axiom for city WiMAX installations.

Source: TeleGeography.

Axiom Systems has announced that Pipex Wireless, owned by the Pipex Group and Intel Capital, has chosen Axiom Systems to support the country’s largest wholesale WiMAX access network. Pipex Wireless will use the AXIOSS suite to automate service provisioning, thus speeding up and improving accuracy within the fulfilment process. The project will roll out to major cities in the UK, starting with Manchester later this year.

Posted by Judith — 3:21 AM

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Apple chooses O2 as iPhone carrier in UK.

Source: Reuters.

O2 UK, part of Spanish telecoms giant Telefonica, and European mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse have clinched the long-awaited deal to bring Apple Inc’s prized iPhone to Britain.
The phone will be sold through O2, Carphone Warehouse and Apple stores in Britain for GBP269 (US$536) from November 9.

Posted by Judith — 4:37 AM


Sprint to upgrade Microsoft mobile search services.

Source: Reuters.

Sprint Nextel has announced it will offer a new Microsoft Web and local business search application on its phones using a technology that pinpoints a caller’s location.
The company will also offer customers a download of a new voice-recognition search product from Microsoft to allow users to find local businesses by simply speaking into a handset.
It is the first offering from a wireless carrier to use the speech technology and voice database Microsoft acquired when it bought Tellme Networks this year for about US$800m.

Posted by Judith — 4:30 AM


Paetec to get bigger.

Source: NYT.

Paetec Holding has announced that it would buy the privately held McLeodUSA, which manages high-capacity fiber networks, for US$492m. in stock, to compete with Verizon and AT&T in the business market for phone and data service.

Posted by Judith — 4:15 AM


Google expands mobile ad empire.

Source: BWCS.

Following the news that Nokia is to purchase Boston-based mobile advertising technology company Enpocket, online search and advertising giant Google has announced an expansion of its mobile empire. The company has reportedly made it clear that from now on, any mobile interface compatible website will be able to use the Google ad platform.

Posted by Judith — 4:01 AM

Monday, September 17, 2007

T-Mobile buys SunCom.

Source: TeleGeography.

T-Mobile USA has agreed to pay US$1.6bn. for smaller rival SunCom Wireless. T-Mobile, a subsidiary of Germany’s Deutsche Telekom, will also assume around US$800m. of SunCom’s debt. SunCom has over 1.1m. subscribers in the south-eastern United States, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, while T-Mobile USA has almost 26.9m. customers nationwide.

Posted by Judith — 5:50 AM


Leap Wireless rejects takeover bid.

Source: NYT.

Leap Wireless International, the prepaid cellphone service provider, has announced that its board had rejected an unsolicited takeover offer from MetroPCS.
MetroPCS, another prepaid service provider, offered on Sept. 4 to buy Leap in an all-stock deal that would almost double its customer rolls and expand its reach throughout the country. But since MetroPCS’s announcement, Leap’s stock has traded above the offer price, indicating that investors expect a higher offer.

Posted by Judith — 4:41 AM


Microsoft loses anti-trust appeal.

Source: BBC.

Microsoft has lost its appeal against a record EUR497m. (GBP343m., US$690m.) fine imposed by the European Commission in a long-running competition dispute.
The European Court of First Instance upheld the ruling that Microsoft had abused its dominant market position.

Posted by Judith — 4:35 AM


Nokia buys into mobile advertising.

Source: BWCS.

Nokia is to purchase the privately owned, US-based, mobile advertising technology and services company Enpocket.
The Boston-based ad company currently employs around 120 people and works directly with several major mobile operators, including Vodafone, Sprint Nextel and Bharti Airtel in India.

Posted by Judith — 4:33 AM


Mobile TV joint venture passes anti-trust study.

Source: TeleGeography.

The German anti-monopoly authorities have approved plans by mobile network operators T-Mobile, O2 and Vodafone to create a joint technical platform to bring television to mobile phones. The trio will work to develop broadcasts on the new European standard DVB-H .

Posted by Judith — 4:32 AM


Sony in talks to sell chipmaking unit.

Source: FT.com.

Sony is in talks to sell its advanced semiconductor facilities to Toshiba in a move that would represent an effective retreat from high-end semiconductor fabrication.
The two companies are reportedly discussing the sale of Sony chip fabrication facilities. The cost to Toshiba of acquiring the facilities is expected to be about Y100bn. (US$866m).
The discussions highlight growing pressure on Japanese semiconductor manufacturers to address their lack of global competitiveness, particularly in the system LSI market, including microprocessors.

Posted by Judith — 4:13 AM


SME telephony markets deregulated.

Source: TeleGeography.

Bell Canada has been given clearance by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to set its own fixed line telephony rates for SMEs in 59 large urban markets across Ontario and Quebec, including Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. Recent deregulation in the residential telephony sector have allowed the wireline operators to compete more effectively with cablecos such as Rogers, Shaw, Cogeco, Videotron, Access and Eastlink.

Posted by Judith — 4:08 AM

Friday, September 14, 2007

Qualcomm chips back on the menu.

Source: Telecoms.com.

Embattled Qualcomm has won a victory of sorts, when a federal judge granted a stay on the ban preventing the import of handsets containing Qualcomm chips.
The stay pending appeal applies to third party handset manufacturers and operators that filed motions seeking limited exclusion from the order imposed by the ITC on Qualcomm. The companies in question are Kyocera Wireless, Motorola, Samsung Electronics, Sanyo Fisher, T-Mobile USA, LG Electronics, and AT&T.

Posted by Judith — 5:37 AM


Verizon Wireless suing over auction rules.

Source: NYT.

Verizon Wireless has sued the Federal Communications Commission, seeking to overturn auction rules requiring the buyers of some airwaves to make their networks compatible with any device.

Posted by Judith — 5:23 AM


Ericsson bolsters Its 3G network for mobile TV.

Source: InformationWeek.

Handset technology provider Ericsson has unveiled a platform for building mass-market multimedia devices.
The U335 WCDMA mobile platform combines high-speed uplink data and multimedia functionality for handling services such as mobile TV and mobile video.
It’s based on HSDPA, a third-generation high-speed digital data service provided by cellular carriers worldwide.

Posted by Judith — 4:45 AM


Tiscali completes Pipex purchase.

Source: TeleGeography.

Tiscali UK has announced the completion of its acquisition of the broadband and voice division of Pipex Communication for GBP210m. (US$420m.).

Posted by Judith — 4:30 AM


Hibernia Atlantic begins work on Ireland, Iceland submarine link.

Source: TeleGeography.

Dublin-based data communications provider Hibernia Atlantic has commenced rollout of a new US$50m. submarine fibre-optic cable link between the Republic and Iceland. The 1,350 km cable system is expected to be fully lit in 2008. The Hibernia link will connect to the company’s 52 Points of Presence (PoPs), giving Iceland 10Gbps Ethernet connectivity to the US, Ireland and the rest of Europe.
Through 360 Networks, Hibernia Atlantic deployed its original 12,200km fibre-optic system, linking the US and Canada to Ireland and the UK, for around US$900m. in 2000.

Posted by Judith — 4:13 AM

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Telecom Italia Sparkle expands its IP backbone in US.

Source: TeleGeography.

Telecom Italia Sparkle has announced the opening of two new IP points of presence (PoPs) in Atlanta and Dallas. An additional PoP in Los Angeles will be lit within the next month. Telecom Italia Sparkle is consolidating its presence in the US market as part of the expansion plans of Seabone, its global internet backbone.
With the forthcoming lanch of the new PoP in Los Angeles, Seabone will circle the US from East to West. Moreover, the Los Angeles PoP is of strategic importance as it will represent the East-bound landing point of the new IP PoP in Singapore - that will be launched in 4Q 2007 - interconnecting the European and Asian portions of the backbone.

Posted by Judith — 5:07 AM


Signal ruling boosts US cable groups.

Source: FT.com.

The FCC has agreed to a compromise related to the broadcasting of local signals, dealing a welcome break to US cable groups such as Comcast and Time Warner Cable that were threatened under original reform plans.
Instead of the FCC’s plans to require cable companies to air both digital and analogue signals for local broadcasters after a planned switch to digital television in 2009, rules were voted on that would require them to do this for just three years after the digital switchover.

Posted by Judith — 4:55 AM


Sprint goes shopping.

Source: BWCS.

Sprint Nextel will today launch its new mobile online shopping service to be called “Mobile Shopper”. The new, free service will allow subscribers to compare prices and purchase a huge range of products using their only their mobile handsets.
The retailers which have joined the scheme in the US include major mall-names such as Wal-Mart and Target.
However, the mobile company will not actually earn any commission on purchases but sees the service as a way of attracting new customers and encouraging existing ones to spend more time online.

Posted by Judith — 4:54 AM


EDS offers early retirement to 12,000.

Source: FT.com.

Electronic Data Systems has offered early retirement to nearly a quarter of its US workforce as it continues a push to shift work to lower-cost countries.
The Texas-based IT services company described the move as part of a continuing global reshuffling of its workforce, rather than an attempt to cut costs by reducing headcount.

Posted by Judith — 4:37 AM


Motorola freezes out Qualcomm.

Source: Telecoms.com.

The bad news just keeps on coming for Qualcomm, with revelations this week that Motorola has removed the US chip vendor from its 3G suppliers list.
In the short term, Moto is believed to be shifting its business to its own chipset spin off, Freescale Semiconductor, but in the long run, it looks like Texas Instruments is set up to get the contract.

Posted by Judith — 3:47 AM


Nortel lands more PBT action.

Source: Light Reading.

Carrier Ethernet technology Provider Backbone Transport (PBT) is back in the news as its leading vendor supporter, Nortel Networks Ltd. announced two new, but small, customer engagements and adds test vendor Ixia to its Ethernet-focused Ecosystem.
PBT, has emerged recently as one of the most controversial carrier technologies on the block, mostly because of its reputation as a rival to MPLS in metro network transport deployments. Support for the technology from BT Group plc has raised its profile considerably.

Posted by Judith — 3:10 AM


VimpelCom moves into Vietnam.

Source: Telecoms.com.

Second placed Russian mobile operator VimpelCom has announced that it will spend US$1bn. on the formation of a joint venture cellco in Vietnam.
The operator will be set up in partnership with the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and US-based Millennium Global Solutions Group. It will operate under the name GTel Mobile.

Posted by Judith — 3:04 AM


SEC charges four more ex-Nortel officers with fraud.

Source: InformationWeek.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has announcd that it has charged four more former officers at Canada’s Nortel Networks with engaging in accounting fraud.
The agency had previously charged the company’s former chief executive, chief financial officer and controller with directing the earnings management fraud in 2003 that manipulated the Toronto-based company’s reserves.

Posted by Judith — 2:47 AM

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Trio of cellcos facing mobile e-mail suit.

Source: TeleGeography.

The three largest US cellcos are facing legal action for alleged violations of patents relating to mobile e-mail services. Technology licensing firm NTP Inc claims that wireless e-mail services offered by AT&T Inc, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel infringe eight of its patents.

Posted by Judith — 5:45 AM


Koreans and Germans to co-operate on mobile TV services.

Source: BWCS.

The largest mobile operator in Korea, SK Telecom, said today that it has reached a preliminary agreement with German telecoms giant Deutsche Telekom which will see the pair jointly enter the mobile broadcasting market in Europe and Asia.

Posted by Judith — 4:48 AM


South Korea hits Intel with trade objections.

Source: FT.com.

Intel has been accused of anti-competitive behaviour by another regulator after the South Korean Fair Trade Commission followed the European Commission with formal charges against the world’s biggest chipmaker.
As in previous inquiries by regulators in Japan and Europe, Intel is accused of pressuring computer makers to buy its microprocessors rather than those of its rival Advanced Micro Devices.

Posted by Judith — 3:07 AM


BT to acquire INS Group S.A.

Source: BTplc.

BT announced today that it agreed to acquire INS Group S.A. (“INS”), a Belgium-based network and systems integrator. The acquisition will strengthen BT’s operations in the Benelux and enhance BT’s position in the global LAN and IP telephony services market.

Posted by Judith — 3:00 AM

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Clearwire tests mobile video with ICO.

Source: TeleGeography.

The US wireless internet service provider Clearwire is conducting trials of mobile video technology with satellite communications firm ICO Global. The trials will focus on two-way wireless and satellite broadband connectivity. In addition to testing mobile video broadcast, the trial will also examine the feasibility of utilising Clearwire’s 2.5GHz spectrum and ICO’s 2GHz spectrum more efficiently.

Posted by Judith — 6:27 AM


In 3 Months, iPhone Sales Top a Million.

Source: NYT.

Apple Inc. has sold its millionth iPhone less than three months after the device’s debut, allaying investor concerns that demand had slowed. It took almost two years for Apple to sell a million iPods.

Posted by Judith — 3:42 AM


Vodafone to launch unlimited music service in UK.

Source: Reuters.

Vodafone has unveiled a range of new handsets and services for the key Christmas period, including an exclusive music service offering unlimited tracks, to challenge the iPhone in Britain.
Nokia, the world’s largest cell phone maker, unveiled an online music store last month while Apple’s iPhone, is due in Britain by the end of the year.
Analysts had expected Vodafone to secure an exclusive, pan-European deal to sell the iPhone but media reports suggest it is now set to miss out.

Posted by Judith — 3:20 AM


NZ third cellular network faces delays.

Source: TeleGeography.

NZ Communications says it may not meet the launch schedule for its planned national wireless network as it is struggling to sign roaming and co-location agreements with rival operators Telecom New Zealand and Vodafone.

Posted by Judith — 3:14 AM


Mobiles for the ‘world’s poorest’.

Source: BBC.

Nearly half a million people, described by the UN as “the poorest of the poor”, will soon be able to make mobile calls.
As part of a UN programme to tackle poverty in rural Africa, 79 villages across 10 African countries will be hooked up to cellular networks.
It is hoped that the connections will help improve healthcare and education, as well as boosting the local economy.

Posted by Judith — 3:10 AM


Apple considering wireless bid.

Source: TeleGeography.

Apple says it is considering bidding in the US government’s planned 700MHz wireless spectrum auction next year. The minimum bid for the spectrum auction has been set at US$4.6bn., with a number of wireless players and new entrants such as Google already having signalled an interest in bidding.

Posted by Judith — 3:05 AM


Palm kills off Foleo before launch.

Source: Telecoms.com.

Handheld vendor Palm has decided to kill off its confusingly positioned Foleo notebook/smartphone companion device, jsust as the product was due to ship.
Ed Colligan, CEO of the manufacturer, has announced that it has become increasingly clear that the right path for Palm is to offer a single, consistent user experience and a single focus for our platform development efforts.
Palm will continue to develop products in partnership with Microsoft on the Windows Mobile platform

Posted by Judith — 3:01 AM

Monday, September 10, 2007

US moves to reform patent laws.

Source: FT.com.

Big US technology companies have won an important patent reform victory when the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill that would bring sweeping changes to the way America rewards innovation.
The bill, which could significantly shift the balance of power between US patent holders and their rivals, must still pass in the Senate.
Supporters of the bill, including companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Intel, Google, and many financial services firms, say it will improve patent quality and limit unnecessary litigation and excessive damages.
But opposition to the bill is widespread, ranging from pharmaceutical companies to big manufacturers, small inventors, many venture capitalists, some small technology companies, labour unions and the White House.

Posted by Judith — 5:30 AM


CenturyTel offers triple-play.

Source: TeleGeography.

The US fixed line telephony and broadband internet operator CenturyTel is adding IP-based television services to its portfolio to enable it to compete more effectively with the triple-play offerings of cable providers.

Posted by Judith — 5:19 AM


US backing for two-tier internet.

Source: BBC.

The US Justice Department has said that internet service providers should be allowed to charge for priority traffic.
The agency said it was opposed to “network neutrality”, the idea that all data on the net is treated equally.
The comments put the agency at odds with companies such as Microsoft and Google, who have called for legislation to guarantee equal access to the net.

Posted by Judith — 5:08 AM


Mobile phone technology turns 20.

Source: BBC.

The technology behind the mobile phone is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
On 7 September 1987, 15 phone firms signed an agreement to build mobile networks based on the GSM Communications.
According to the GSM Association there are more than 2.5 billion accounts that use this mobile phone technology.

Posted by Judith — 5:03 AM


BSNL/MTNL restructuring ‘on hold’.

Source: TeleGeography.

The Indian government has decided to put proposals for the merger of BSNL and MTNL on hold. The government has been considering the restructuring of the two telcos with the aim of achieving higher synergies in their operations.

Posted by Judith — 5:01 AM


Palm, Motorola seen as most hurt by iPhone price cut.

Source: Reuters.

Apple Inc’s hefty iPhone price cut pits it in direct competition with handsets from Motorola Inc. and Palm Inc. which are struggling to convince Wall Street they can turn around their aging brands.
With the music-playing iPhone now selling at US$399 instead of US$599, its price tag is much closer to other smartphones in the U.S. market, including Palm’s Treo and Motorola’s Razr2.

Posted by Judith — 4:58 AM


Strategy is shifted at Motorola.

Source: NYT.

Motorola executives have pledged to break the company out of its deep slump by introducing a series of innovative new cellphones rather than a “one-hit wonder” like the Razr.
The company has already disclosed plans to trim 7,500 jobs and US$1bn. in costs, but it has yet to come up with a worthy successor to the Razr in a market where Apple’s iPhone dominates.

Posted by Judith — 4:44 AM


Vodafone, Arcor join forces for digital marketing initiative.

Source: Digital Media Europe.

Vodafone Germany and Arcor, the German fixed-line operator, are pooling their internet and mobile phone platform marketing activities as part of the Vodafone/Arcor MediaNetwork.
As a result of this partnership, the new network will be one of the biggest digital media marketing networks in Germany.

Posted by Judith — 4:38 AM

Friday, September 7, 2007

Following MetroPCS merger offer, Leap loses CFO

Source: RCR News

Leap Wireless International Inc. announced that its CFO Amin Khalifa has “resigned from the company to pursue other interests,” and that Leap CEO and President Doug Hutcheson would assume his duties. Hutcheson was Leap’s CFO prior to being named CEO.

Posted by Penny — 3:39 PM


Microsoft delivers Office via the Web

Source: Telephony Online

Microsoft this week launched new software that lets customers “install” all of its Web-based office applications with a single click.

Posted by Penny — 3:34 PM


Ericsson signs USD1.3 billion deal with BSNL

Source: TeleGeography

Ericsson has announced that it has signed a turnkey contract valued at USD1.3 billion to supply GSM and W-CDMA/HSPA equipment and related telecom services to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL). Under the agreement Ericsson will be responsible for the expansion and upgrade of BSNL’s existing GSM network and for the introduction of W-CDMA/HSPA services. Ericsson will supply a GSM and W-CDMA/HSPA radio access network, transmission equipment and a complete GSM/W-CDMA common core network, including the Ericsson Mobile Softswitch Solution, service-aware Packet Core, IMS and a multiservice IP Packet Backbone Network. Ericsson will also deliver telecom-related services, such as network design, deployment and systems integration. Deliveries will start in October 2007, with the first phase of the project set to be completed in twelve months.

Posted by Penny — 9:58 AM

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Telus to keep wireless system

Source: The Globe and Mail

Even though Telus Corp. estimates rival Rogers Communications Inc. has a sweet $500-million annual sales stream from cellphone calls made by travellers to Canada, it’s not ready to switch wireless technologies.

Posted by Penny — 5:03 PM


Cisco: The big picture looks good

Source: ZDNet

Cisco Systems held its analyst day confab on Wednesday and there were few surprises. But Cisco’s big themes remain promising.

Posted by Penny — 10:50 AM


Sun sued by Network Appliance over many patents

Source: The Inquirer

NETWORK APPLIANCE (Net App) took Sun Microsystems to court in Texas on the 5th of September, alleging it had breached many of its patents. The filing said Sun had accused Net App of infringing its patents just a few months before it took over Storage Tek.

Posted by Barbara — 9:51 AM


Apple cuts iPhone price and revamps iPods

Source: Reuters

Apple Inc sharply cut the price of its iPhone on Wednesday and revamped its full iPod line, including adding a model with a touch screen that can browse the Web and buy songs wirelessly. While a $200 cut in the price of the most powerful iPhone to $399 raised some investor concerns about demand, the move and an array of new iPods, such as tiny colored nanos with video screens, left analysts forecasting Apple would stay ahead of the pack among gift-givers at the crucial year-end sales.

Posted by Barbara — 8:45 AM


Facebook lets users choose to publicize themselves

Source: Reuters

Facebook Inc, the social-network site that has enjoyed explosive growth in new members over the past three months, said it plans to let users tell the rest of the world how to find them on the site… Facebook will begin notifying members they have a choice over whether to keep their listings private or to allow Facebook to make their name and profile picture available when outsiders search the site.

Posted by Barbara — 8:43 AM


Cognos Makes Cash Offer for Applix

Source: Globe and Mail

In a move that would nearly double its customer base for performance management software, business software firm Cognos Inc. has agreed to purchase Applix Inc. for $339-million (U.S.).

Posted by Barbara — 8:37 AM

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Cisco reverses position on fast Wi-Fi

Source: TechWorld

Cisco has reversed its earlier position on 802.11n fast Wi-Fi, following other vendors in announcing products to meet the standard - which it said in May was not ready for business use.

Posted by Penny — 12:55 PM


Comcast Ready To Take FCC To Court

Source: Multichannel News

Comcast is planning to take the Federal Communications Commission to court after the agency on Tuesday night refused to exempt three set-top boxes from rules intended to promote a retail consumer market for such boxes.

Posted by Penny — 11:18 AM


Sirius Computer Solutions Snaps Up SCS

Source: Channel Web Network

IBM’s largest solution provider, Sirius Computer Solutions , has acquired fellow IBM reseller, Strategic Computer Solutions (SCS). As a result, Sirius will add more than 130 sales and technologists in the Northeast and shore up its IBM middleware and security practices, as well as its federal government technology solutions expertise. Both are privately held.

Posted by Penny — 11:06 AM


Oracle Buys Networking Vendor Netsure, Eyes Others

Source: CRN

Oracle did a bit of Labor Day shopping, announcing over the weekend a deal to purchase Irish network optimization technology maker Netsure Telecom. While Oracle did not disclose financial details of the deal, a Wall Street analyst estimated the purchase price to be around $100 million

Posted by Penny — 11:02 AM


Microsoft Loses ISO Vote on File Standards

Source: Washington Post

Microsoft Corp. has failed in a first step to win enough support to make the data format behind its flagship Office software a global standard, the International Standards Organization said Tuesday.
This weekend’s vote by standards agencies from 104 nations did not provide the two-thirds majority needed to give Microsoft’s format the ISO stamp of approval. But they will meet again in February to try to seek a consensus, and Microsoft could win them over at last.

Posted by Barbara — 10:27 AM


MetroPCS confirms bid for Leap Wireless

Source: Information Week

The long-anticipated merger of MetroPCS Communications and Leap Wireless International moved closer to reality Tuesday as MetroPCS formally offered to acquire Leap in a stock swap deal initially valued at $5.2 billion. If successfully combined, the companies would form a new national wireless carrier.

Posted by Barbara — 7:15 AM

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Deutsche Telekom makes three in broadband race

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

EUROPE’S biggest telecommunications company, Deutsche Telekom, has confirmed it wants to bid as part of a consortium to build a multi-billion-dollar high-speed broadband network in Australia.

The prospect of at least three bidders vying for the right to build a fibre-optic network in Australia’s largest cities comes as Deutsche Telekom joins Telstra and the Optus-led G9 consortium in criticising aspects of the Federal Government’s framework for the bidding process.

Posted by Penny — 12:26 PM


AT&T and Verizon can unite local, LD operations

Source: TeleGeography

The US telecoms watchdog has agreed to alter legislation which will allow major telcos such as AT&T and Verizon Communications to combine their local and long-distance telephony operations without facing additional regulations. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says that operators will be able to integrate their local and long-distance services without being burdened with so-called ‘dominant carrier’ regulations, Reuters reports. Telcos have agreed to introduce measures to protect consumers’ interests, including the launch of special tariff plans for low usage long-distance subscribers. Earlier this year the FCC allowed Qwest Communications to combine its own local and long-distance businesses.

Posted by Penny — 11:02 AM


Telstra: IMS hype doesn’t stand up to reality

Source: TelecomTV

Speaking at an IMS conference in Sydney, Telstra’s CTO, Hugh Bradlow said “There’s a lot of the hype around IMS that just doesn’t stand up to reality. IMS is supposed to work end-to-end. Try and find me a decent IMS handset today and I’d be very interested in talking to you, but don’t bring me the usual suspects because the way the industry is talking today you have a different IMS client for every service you’re offering, which totally defeats the purpose of the whole thing in the first place.”

Posted by Barbara — 10:42 AM

Monday, September 3, 2007

US FCC lets phone companies avoid added rules

Source: Reuters

U.S. communications regulators gave AT&T Inc (T.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) the go-ahead on Friday to more closely combine their local and long-distance businesses without being subject to additional regulations.

Posted by Barbara — 11:06 AM


BT passes the 4 million broadband subscriber milestone

Source: TelecomTV

BT has released figures showing that the incumbent British telco is the first supplier of broadband services in the UK to pass the four million subscriber mark.

Posted by Barbara — 10:50 AM


Amazon, Google, Yahoo, And Others Sued For Automating Their E-mail

Source: Information Week

Six major Internet companies have been sued for using computers to process their e-mail.
AOL, Amazon, Borders, Google, IAC, and Yahoo stand accused of violating a patent on automatic message routing held by Texas-based Polaris IP.

Posted by Barbara — 10:47 AM


Free Unveils FTTH, Better Profits

Source: Light Reading

Iliad, which operates in the French triple play market under the brand Free , has unveiled its initial FTTH (fiber-to-the-home) services offering and reported improved profits and turnover for the first half of this year.

Posted by Penny — 10:44 AM


Fujitsu Scores Massive FLAG Deal

Source: Light Reading

Fujitsu Ltd. has landed a monster $1.5 billion next-generation subsea network buildout deal from FLAG Telecom Ltd. , the two companies announced Monday.

Posted by Penny — 10:41 AM

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Transcorp enlists 3 new NITEL partners.

Source: TeleGeography.

Transcorp, the parent company of Nigerian incumbent NITEL, has signed a deal with US vendor Cisco, UK telco C&W and South Africa’s Dimension Data to provide technical assistance and equipment to help the beleaguered telco. In April this year the UK’s BT Group pulled out of a technical assistance partnership with the Nigerian incumbent citing a lack of funds.

Posted by Judith — 4:35 AM

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