Tanzanian fixed and mobile operator Zantel has launched 3G/3.5G mobile services based on HSPA+ technology on the island of Zanzibar, to improve internet access for the local population and afford them access to services such as multimedia (text, graphic, video and animation), mobile broadband internet access and improved voice call services. Commenting on the launch, Zantel’s chief commercial officer Ahmed Mokhles said: ‘Zantel’s superior internet connectivity has gained popularity and is of high demand in Tanzania, and now the Zanzibaris will be able to enjoy the fastest internet speed.’ The operator’s new service is promising maximum download speeds of 21Mbps via its E 3131 modem, which is priced at TZS60,000 (USD39), and 7.2Mbps on the cheaper E 303 modem (costing TZS30,000). The cellco is also supporting handsets and devices on the new network it said, including smartphones such as the BlackBerry and iPhone, iPads, tablets and other 3G modems and routers
Videotron’s internet, mobile sales climb 13.7%, 81.6%
Quebec-based quadruple-play cableco Videotron has reported that in the first quarter of 2012 its revenues from its telecoms services division rose by 10.7% year-on-year to CAD645.8 million (USD644.7 million), as cable broadband internet access grew by CAD23.0 million or 13.7% to CAD191.4 million, cable telephony revenue climbed 4.1% to CAD111.7 million and mobile voice/data services turnover jumped by 81.6% or CAD16.9 million to CAD37.6 million. This progress augmented cable TV sales which grew by 9.1% y-o-y to CAD268 million in January-March 2012, and helped push the telecoms segment’s Q1 operating income up by CAD48.5 million (19.1%) y-o-y to CAD303 million. Videotron’s mobile subscriber base increased by 22,000 in three months to reach 312,800 at 31 March 2012, while it added 8,000 broadband subscribers in the quarter, for a total of 1.341 million.
MTL launches WiMAX service
Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL), the country’s incumbent fixed line operator, has introduced a wireless broadband service based on WiMAX technology. The Daily Times cites MTL’s acting CEO Elias Imaan as saying that the new offering will be available to both residential and business customers, and will be rolled out in phases across the country, beginning with central business districts and some suburbs of Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
SKT inks LTE deal with Ericsson
South Korea’s largest mobile network operator by subscribers, SK Telecom, has selected Swedish vendor Ericsson to provide Long Term Evolution (LTE) services in the country’s ‘major cities’. In announcing the deal, Ericsson noted that its local operating unit – LG-Ericsson – will carry out the work on extending SKT’s 4G infrastructure, and the project is expected to be completed within the first half of 2012. Under the terms of the contract between the two companies, SKT will see its LTE footprint expanded to cities such as Busan and Daegu.
SAR Wars 4G: cellcos do battle over LTE
4G competition is set to heat up in Hong Kong as PCCW Mobile and Hutchison Telephone Company (3) both announced the official launch of their Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks on Wednesday. The two operators, which have deployed LTE in the 2600MHz band via their shared infrastructure venture Genius Brand, recently announced the availability of pre-ordered LTE devices, and this week introduced commercial packages for 4G users, with differing marketing strategies. The launches were the third and fourth LTE networks to become available in the Chinese Special Administrative Region (SAR), after CSL and China Mobile
BSNL wants refund for WiMAX frequencies
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is seeking a refund for surrendering its broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum, rejecting WiMAX technology in favour of other platforms, reports Telecom Lead. BSNL has requested a refund of INR83.139 billion (USD1.561 billion) for returning frequencies in the 2.5GHz-2.69GHz band in 20 circles
Cablecos to challenge internet provision ban?
A number of Uruguayan cable companies are considering the possibility of taking legal action against the government to challenge the ban on the provision of broadband services by cable network operators, NexTV Latam reports, citing local newspaper El Pais. At present, cable TV operators are not permitted to provide broadband internet services in the country, as state-owned telco Antel holds a monopoly on the supply of internet access using fixed networks. According to the report, Horacio Rodriguez, president of Camara Uruguaya de Television para Abonados, said that the pay-TV organisation had received comments from companies regarding the possibility of starting legal action against the government, stating that the position ‘affects the future viability of companies themselves and the future of the sector.’ He added that 15 internet service licence requests from cable TV companies are still pending at telecoms regulator Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones (URSEC).
ComReg consults on new draft strategy for 2012-2014
Irish telecoms regulator the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has published its draft strategy statement for regulating the Republic’s communications market for the period until 30 June 2014, as per the Communications Regulation Act (2002).
Tango and cash; Qualcomm invests USD40m in Luxembourg telco
Luxembourg’s full-service telecoms provider Tango has secured an additional USD40 million worth of funding from a series of investors, Telecompaper reports. Principal investors include US wireless technology manufacturer Qualcomm, acting through its venture arm, Qualcomm Ventures, and Access Industries. Additional investment has been sourced from members of co-founder Eric Setton’s family, who have bankrolled the company since its inception
True launches 200Mbps premium service, with premium price to match
Thailand’s True Corp has launched what it claims to be the fastest broadband internet service in the country, a 200Mbps/15Mbps download/upload connection based on DOCSIS 3.0 HFC cable technology. The group’s ISP and fixed line division True Online is aiming at the high-end customer market with the new super-fast product, by charging THB9,999 (USD323) per month for the premium package, although this includes a premium TrueVisions pay-TV channel package bundled in for the first twelve months, as well as unlimited usage of the True group’s public Wi-Fi hotspot broadband access network. As reported by TelecomAsia, True’s existing premium DOCSIS 3.0-based service, offering 100Mbps/15Mbps maximum download/upload speeds, currently has 3,000 users and is available in the city centres of 14 out of Thailand’s 76 provinces, while True’s ADSL broadband network is available in 36 provinces.
- TNL (Oi) sets aside USD3.25bn for 2012 CAPEX April 19, 2012
- Tata drops out of running for CWW April 19, 2012
- TeliaSonera’s EBITDA falls 0.7% on 3.5% revenue increase April 19, 2012
- Telia Denmark raises LTE upload speeds April 19, 2012
- STC reports 60% rise in Q1 net profit April 19, 2012
- CAT puts 3G plans on hold; TOT told to do same May 18, 2012
- Look before you Leap; cellco to expand LTE coverage to 65m people by 2014 May 18, 2012
- Videotron delivers on 200Mbps promise May 18, 2012
- T-Mobile has no plans to introduce LTE handsets May 18, 2012
- Antares to merge with mobile TV operator Dominanta? May 18, 2012
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