Cell phone companies and third-party vendors, eager to pry more money from subscribers' wallets, are marketing extra services like ringtones, games, music, and more. But an increasingly angry chorus of cell phone customers complain that they're getting mysterious bills for monthly services that they did not intend to sign up for, and that then take months to cancel.
Customers are also upset about paying for spam text messages to their phones. And lawsuits and consumer groups are targeting the huge early termination fees most companies charge and the seeming myriad of taxes that can make up as much as a fifth of monthly phone bills.
Perhaps the most frustrating of the problems are the mysterious bills for extra services. Take the case of real estate agent Dorothea Cole, of Davenport, Iowa. Last spring, she discovered a monthly $34 charge she didn't recognize on one of her firm's Sprint wireless phone bills. The carrier said the charge was from a third-party service, not Sprint. But the support reps said they were unable to identify the the charge. The phone had been used by a former employee who was no longer reachable, so it was up to Cole to figure out how to stop this recurring charge.
When she asked Sprint to stop the billing, it refused and told her to contact the company herself. But since Sprint had said it couldn't name the company, Cole was stuck. She says her bill indicated only that the charge was for a "Premium Services Non-Telecom Purchase."
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Friday, February 23, 2007
Analysts say Apple appears to have topped Cisco in iPhone agreement
Apple and Cisco Systems ended their feud over the iPhone name late Wednesday - and Apple appears to have won, tech analysts said.
The two Silicon Valley tech giants said they agreed to share rights to the name and end their legal battle over it.
Cisco - the longtime owner of the name - had earlier said it would share it with Apple as long as the electronics-maker made its iPhone compatible with other companies' products. The settlement addressed that concern, with the two companies pledging to "explore opportunities for interoperability in the areas of security, and consumer and (business) communications."
Other terms were confidential.
Since the full deal was not made public, it's hard to say for sure which company came out on top, says tech analyst Roger Kay with Endpoint Technologies Associates. But it sure looks like a "face-saving" agreement for Cisco, he says.
"It looks like Cisco caved," says independent tech analyst Rob Enderle. The pledge of interoperability talks "looks like the typical promise that (Apple CEO)
Steve Jobs has no intention of keeping," he says.
Cisco declined to comment beyond the official statement. Apple did not return phone calls.
The controversy over the iPhone name began last year, when Apple was developing a feature-packed cellphone. Long before it had an official name, Apple fans dubbed it the iPhone. That's because many Apple products begin with an "i", including the iPod music player and iTunes music store.
But there was a problem: Cisco, the world's largest network equipment maker, owned the iPhone trademark. It had originally been registered in 1996 by InfoGear, a networking company later acquired by Cisco. After the deal, Cisco adopted the name and introduced a line of iPhones, which it still sells today.
Cisco's iPhones are corporate office phones that place calls over an Internet connection instead of a traditional phone network. They do not compete directly with Apple's iPhone.
Lawyers from the two companies talked, but Apple broke off the discussion, Cisco said. Hours later, Apple announced its iPhone. Cisco sued in U.S. District Court.
At the time, Cisco said what it really wanted was for Apple to make the iPhone compatible with other products. Cisco advocates such standards because it sells the networking gear that connects them.
But now it appears that Apple will get the name without fully meeting Cisco's demands, Kay says.
"It looks like Cisco got shafted," he says. "Maybe there's something in the (undisclosed) terms, but I don't see how they're getting the good end of the deal."
The two Silicon Valley tech giants said they agreed to share rights to the name and end their legal battle over it.
Cisco - the longtime owner of the name - had earlier said it would share it with Apple as long as the electronics-maker made its iPhone compatible with other companies' products. The settlement addressed that concern, with the two companies pledging to "explore opportunities for interoperability in the areas of security, and consumer and (business) communications."
Other terms were confidential.
Since the full deal was not made public, it's hard to say for sure which company came out on top, says tech analyst Roger Kay with Endpoint Technologies Associates. But it sure looks like a "face-saving" agreement for Cisco, he says.
"It looks like Cisco caved," says independent tech analyst Rob Enderle. The pledge of interoperability talks "looks like the typical promise that (Apple CEO)
Steve Jobs has no intention of keeping," he says.
Cisco declined to comment beyond the official statement. Apple did not return phone calls.
The controversy over the iPhone name began last year, when Apple was developing a feature-packed cellphone. Long before it had an official name, Apple fans dubbed it the iPhone. That's because many Apple products begin with an "i", including the iPod music player and iTunes music store.
But there was a problem: Cisco, the world's largest network equipment maker, owned the iPhone trademark. It had originally been registered in 1996 by InfoGear, a networking company later acquired by Cisco. After the deal, Cisco adopted the name and introduced a line of iPhones, which it still sells today.
Cisco's iPhones are corporate office phones that place calls over an Internet connection instead of a traditional phone network. They do not compete directly with Apple's iPhone.
Lawyers from the two companies talked, but Apple broke off the discussion, Cisco said. Hours later, Apple announced its iPhone. Cisco sued in U.S. District Court.
At the time, Cisco said what it really wanted was for Apple to make the iPhone compatible with other products. Cisco advocates such standards because it sells the networking gear that connects them.
But now it appears that Apple will get the name without fully meeting Cisco's demands, Kay says.
"It looks like Cisco got shafted," he says. "Maybe there's something in the (undisclosed) terms, but I don't see how they're getting the good end of the deal."
Report: China will not issue 3G licenses before 2008
The Chinese government will not issue licenses for 3G (third-generation) mobile services until the first quarter of 2008, according to a Chinese report.
China's Ministry of Information Industry (MII) will not issue the licenses until a new round of tests involving the homegrown TD-SCDMA (time division synchronous code division multiple access) 3G technology ends next year, reported Caijing magazine in its latest issue.
Delaying the release of the 3G licenses will give TD-SCDMA and its backers additional time to close the gap with more mature 3G technologies, WCDMA (wideband
CDMA) and CDMA2000 EV-DO (evolution data optimized).
In December, China's Minister of Information Industry, Wang Xudong, reiterated a promise that commercial 3G services would be available when Beijing hosts the
Olympic Games in 2008. Issuing licenses during the first quarter of 2008 would still allow operators to meet this goal, even if they have little time to expand their 3G coverage areas throughout the country.
The eventual release of 3G licenses will coincide with a restructuring of China's major telecommunications operators, which are currently split into fixed-line and mobile carriers, Caijing reported.
The four major Chinese telecommunication operators, which are all state-owned, are currently divided into fixed-line and mobile carriers.
China Telecommunications (China Telecom) and China Network Telecommunications Group (China Netcom) are the country's primary fixed-line carriers, offering voice and Internet services. To avoid overlap and direct competition between the two carriers, the country was divided up between the two companies. China Telecom serves western and southern China, including Shanghai, while China Netcom's market covers the north, including Beijing.
The two mobile carriers, China Mobile Communications (China Mobile) and China United Telecommunications Co. (China Unicom), are not restricted geographically but they use different technologies. China Mobile operates a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network and has the most subscribers, while China Unicom has both a GSM network and a CDMA service that is its primary network and offers faster data downloads.
Determining how these companies will be structured, and what mobile networks they will have, is not something that will be determined by MII alone. The decision also involves the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), which oversees China's state-owned companies and is a central player in the 3G licensing process.
Further complicating the bureaucratic wrangling over 3G and telecommunication industry reform, there are other government organizations, including the National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Science and Technology, involved in the decision process.
China's Ministry of Information Industry (MII) will not issue the licenses until a new round of tests involving the homegrown TD-SCDMA (time division synchronous code division multiple access) 3G technology ends next year, reported Caijing magazine in its latest issue.
Delaying the release of the 3G licenses will give TD-SCDMA and its backers additional time to close the gap with more mature 3G technologies, WCDMA (wideband
CDMA) and CDMA2000 EV-DO (evolution data optimized).
In December, China's Minister of Information Industry, Wang Xudong, reiterated a promise that commercial 3G services would be available when Beijing hosts the
Olympic Games in 2008. Issuing licenses during the first quarter of 2008 would still allow operators to meet this goal, even if they have little time to expand their 3G coverage areas throughout the country.
The eventual release of 3G licenses will coincide with a restructuring of China's major telecommunications operators, which are currently split into fixed-line and mobile carriers, Caijing reported.
The four major Chinese telecommunication operators, which are all state-owned, are currently divided into fixed-line and mobile carriers.
China Telecommunications (China Telecom) and China Network Telecommunications Group (China Netcom) are the country's primary fixed-line carriers, offering voice and Internet services. To avoid overlap and direct competition between the two carriers, the country was divided up between the two companies. China Telecom serves western and southern China, including Shanghai, while China Netcom's market covers the north, including Beijing.
The two mobile carriers, China Mobile Communications (China Mobile) and China United Telecommunications Co. (China Unicom), are not restricted geographically but they use different technologies. China Mobile operates a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network and has the most subscribers, while China Unicom has both a GSM network and a CDMA service that is its primary network and offers faster data downloads.
Determining how these companies will be structured, and what mobile networks they will have, is not something that will be determined by MII alone. The decision also involves the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), which oversees China's state-owned companies and is a central player in the 3G licensing process.
Further complicating the bureaucratic wrangling over 3G and telecommunication industry reform, there are other government organizations, including the National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Science and Technology, involved in the decision process.
Apple-Cisco iPhone Deal Positions Firms To Jointly Pursue Wi-Fi And VoIP
Now that Apple and Cisco Systems have forged an agreement to resolved their dispute over the iPhone trademark, the companies are now in a position to team up on Wi-Fi and VoIP. Apple and Cisco announced late Wednesday that they have reached agreement over the rights to use the name iPhone.
Scheduled for delivery in June, Apple's iPhone will have Wi-Fi capability -- a mobile phone feature that is likely to roil the entire cell phone landscape. Cisco's iPhone family, marketed through its Linksys unit, already has Wi-Fi capability as well as VoIP features.
In the terse announcement reporting the conclusion of their dispute over the iPhone trademark, the firms stated: "Cisco and Apple will explore opportunities for interoperability in the areas of security and consumer and enterprise communications. Other terms of the agreement are confidential."
Apple plans to sell its iPhone through an exclusive marketing agreement with AT&T's Cingular Wireless unit. While Cingular's data network is woefully slow, the Wi-Fi feature will give the mobile phone high speed data capability when users can find Wi-Fi hotspots. To date, cell phone service providers have been reluctant to introduce mobile phones with Wi-Fi capability, fearing the wireless technology -- which is often free -- could cannibalize their existing data network service offerings.
Apple and Cisco had been negotiating for months over the iPhone trademark prior to Apple's formal introduction of its device on Jan. 9. Cisco promptly sued Apple on Jan. 10 over the trademark. The two sides squared off with Apple calling the Cisco suit "silly" and Cisco continuing to pursue the lawsuit. In accordance with the agreement, all litigation over the trademark has been dropped.
The two firms are now all sweetness and light in the wake of the agreement, which stipulates that both companies can use the iPhone trademark on their respective products worldwide.
Scheduled for delivery in June, Apple's iPhone will have Wi-Fi capability -- a mobile phone feature that is likely to roil the entire cell phone landscape. Cisco's iPhone family, marketed through its Linksys unit, already has Wi-Fi capability as well as VoIP features.
In the terse announcement reporting the conclusion of their dispute over the iPhone trademark, the firms stated: "Cisco and Apple will explore opportunities for interoperability in the areas of security and consumer and enterprise communications. Other terms of the agreement are confidential."
Apple plans to sell its iPhone through an exclusive marketing agreement with AT&T's Cingular Wireless unit. While Cingular's data network is woefully slow, the Wi-Fi feature will give the mobile phone high speed data capability when users can find Wi-Fi hotspots. To date, cell phone service providers have been reluctant to introduce mobile phones with Wi-Fi capability, fearing the wireless technology -- which is often free -- could cannibalize their existing data network service offerings.
Apple and Cisco had been negotiating for months over the iPhone trademark prior to Apple's formal introduction of its device on Jan. 9. Cisco promptly sued Apple on Jan. 10 over the trademark. The two sides squared off with Apple calling the Cisco suit "silly" and Cisco continuing to pursue the lawsuit. In accordance with the agreement, all litigation over the trademark has been dropped.
The two firms are now all sweetness and light in the wake of the agreement, which stipulates that both companies can use the iPhone trademark on their respective products worldwide.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Biometrics to ease CIOs' cell phone concerns
A biometric systems vendor has a pitch for CIOs nervous about company executives losing their mobile phones and risking the loss of confidential information.
AuthenTec, a developer of biometric fingerprint technology, wants to address concerns handset manufacturers may have about adding advanced security features to their product by reducing the size, power consumption, and cost of its touch-powered sensors.
"Many CIOs would like to put productivity applications on mobile phones but are worried about the handsets being lost or stolen," said Andrew Germano, director of wireless markets at AuthenTec. Biometric sensors could overcome these worries, provided handset makers can deliver the phones in volume at attractive prices, according to Germano.
There are challenges: advanced security technologies are among the many other features competing for space and power in handsets' tiny form factor, Germano said.
AuthenTec has reduced the size of its original fingerprint sensor from around 1.5 centimeters to less than 4 millimeters and has lowered the power consumption to 1.8 volts. Further enhancements are in the pipeline.
Cost is another big factor. AuthenTec has been selling its chips to handset makers for around $3 each but will need to bring the price down even further -- as low as $1 -- if it hopes to see them deployed on a large scale by major vendors, according to Germano.
The company plans to integrate additional features into its sensors -- for instance NFC (near field communication) capability -- and sell it at the same $3 price. "We would essentially take features that today are on two or three separate chips and integrate them into one for the same price," he said.
AuthenTec sensors already sport a number of features, including fingertip navigation. Users can use a tiny sensor display instead of buttons to scroll through menus or surf the Web.
Germano sees opportunities for biometric fingerprint sensors in phones equipped with NFC technology to provide mobile payment and security services, for enterprise users and consumers alike.
The company has a number of operator customers, including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and NTT DoCoMo.
source news : IDGNS
AuthenTec, a developer of biometric fingerprint technology, wants to address concerns handset manufacturers may have about adding advanced security features to their product by reducing the size, power consumption, and cost of its touch-powered sensors.
"Many CIOs would like to put productivity applications on mobile phones but are worried about the handsets being lost or stolen," said Andrew Germano, director of wireless markets at AuthenTec. Biometric sensors could overcome these worries, provided handset makers can deliver the phones in volume at attractive prices, according to Germano.
There are challenges: advanced security technologies are among the many other features competing for space and power in handsets' tiny form factor, Germano said.
AuthenTec has reduced the size of its original fingerprint sensor from around 1.5 centimeters to less than 4 millimeters and has lowered the power consumption to 1.8 volts. Further enhancements are in the pipeline.
Cost is another big factor. AuthenTec has been selling its chips to handset makers for around $3 each but will need to bring the price down even further -- as low as $1 -- if it hopes to see them deployed on a large scale by major vendors, according to Germano.
The company plans to integrate additional features into its sensors -- for instance NFC (near field communication) capability -- and sell it at the same $3 price. "We would essentially take features that today are on two or three separate chips and integrate them into one for the same price," he said.
AuthenTec sensors already sport a number of features, including fingertip navigation. Users can use a tiny sensor display instead of buttons to scroll through menus or surf the Web.
Germano sees opportunities for biometric fingerprint sensors in phones equipped with NFC technology to provide mobile payment and security services, for enterprise users and consumers alike.
The company has a number of operator customers, including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and NTT DoCoMo.
source news : IDGNS
3GSM: iPhone competitors not there yet
So much for Apple Inc. raising the bar in the mobile phone industry.
Since Apple announced it would soon start selling a combined music player and mobile device called the iPhone, industry experts have predicted that competing cell phone makers would rise to the challenge and start producing equally exciting phones.
They may yet do that, but so far they haven't.
I took a quick stroll around the show floor of the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona checking out the music phones from some of the biggest handset makers out there to see if anything might compare to the hype around expectations for the iPhone. Apple is known for great hardware designs and simple, intuitive user interfaces. While I saw a dizzying array of form factors and a multitude of user interface styles, I was unimpressed with the hardware I saw and downright confounded by the complexity of all the user interfaces.
My examinations were quick -- the show floor is incredibly crowded and hot, so sometimes it took some sharp elbows to even get to touch a phone. I took a brief look at the overall form factor of the phones and then did some navigating around the music player.
I started out at the Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB booth, perhaps because I know the company has been pushing its Walkman handsets. The W880 is a really nice looking phone. It's incredibly thin and has unusual raised keys that work nicely. Sony Ericsson gets high marks for the hardware form factor on this one, but the software user interface was a different story. I never did manage to find the music player from the home screen. Ultimately, I just moved along to another phone in the display area that was already running the music player.
I had a similar navigation problem on
Nokia Corp.'s 5200 music phone. From the home screen, I clicked on an icon with a music note in it, which seemed a logical place to launch the music player. But that took me to a music-related game. I scrolled and scrolled through a horizontal bar of icons but didn't find a music player there. Then I noticed that floating in the middle of the screen were two long bars: one for the music player and one for the calendar. That threw me -- of all phone functions, why were the music player and calendar the only two to be presented that way?
At least Nokia had loaded the demonstration phones with music. Some of the other handsets I tried out, such as the Sony Ericsson one, had just one song on them. That makes it difficult to get a feel for navigating around the music player.
I don't love the form factor of the 5200 but I think some people might. It's sporty, in white and bright red, and a shape reminiscent of Motorola Inc.'s PEBL phones. It slides open.
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.'s SG HF300 "Ultramusic" was next up. I couldn't help but be struck by the cool design. One side of the phone is nearly all screen; the flip side has a keypad for dialing the phone.
I never managed to figure out how to use the control panel on the music player side of the phone. It looks like the iPod's but square. I don't have an iPod so maybe iPod users can easily figure it out. If you're not an iPod user -- and you may not be if you're in the market for a music phone -- the SG HF300 might require a steep learning curve.
Motorola was next in line. I'm probably least impressed with the Z8 than any of the others. I think the design is clunky and looks and feels like a slider phone from a couple of years ago. For the innovator of the thin phone, Motorola should have done better with the Z8's size. I found it difficult to figure out which buttons corresponded with the words at the bottom of the screen so even hitting "back" proved difficult initially. Then, when looking for the music player application, I suddenly found an error message on the screen and the phone froze. Not a great sign.
My final stop was Neonode AB, a Swedish company that has been touting its music phone, particularly its touch screen. The device is in a category of its own and is very un-phone like. About the size of a business card, though not as thin, its touch screen definitely requires training to use. I would have never been able to figure it out without instruction.
Users sweep up along the home screen within three columns. The first opens a navigation page with icons for functions such as the music player, calendar and calculator. The middle column opens a touch pad for dialing calls. And the final column opens a tools menu.
Sweeping left along the screen goes back a page and sweeping right opens a function that is highlighted. When presented with a list such as albums, you touch the item to highlight it and then touch the middle of the screen to open. Sound confusing? It was. Still, I'm not panning it. It may require a bit of direction and practice but I think it'd be pretty easy to get the hang of how it works.
While the small size was attractive, it also meant that it felt a bit designed for a child. Most adults have fingertips that are bigger than the icons on the screen.
Overall, I was largely underwhelmed with my experiences. But there's time -- Apple only just announced the iPhone and its competitors haven't really had time to respond.
Also, my search was by no means exhaustive. For example, I didn't make it to LG Electronics Inc., which recently unveiled a phone, the KE850, that is being compared to the iPhone. Even at the booths I visited, I chose to look at the phone that appeared to me to be the most focused on music but that may not be the one the manufacturer would direct me to and other models may compare more directly with the iPhone.
And finally, I'm the first to admit my exercise was a bit silly given that I've never even seen an iPhone. But such is the power of the Apple marketing machine.
source news : IDGNS
Since Apple announced it would soon start selling a combined music player and mobile device called the iPhone, industry experts have predicted that competing cell phone makers would rise to the challenge and start producing equally exciting phones.
They may yet do that, but so far they haven't.
I took a quick stroll around the show floor of the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona checking out the music phones from some of the biggest handset makers out there to see if anything might compare to the hype around expectations for the iPhone. Apple is known for great hardware designs and simple, intuitive user interfaces. While I saw a dizzying array of form factors and a multitude of user interface styles, I was unimpressed with the hardware I saw and downright confounded by the complexity of all the user interfaces.
My examinations were quick -- the show floor is incredibly crowded and hot, so sometimes it took some sharp elbows to even get to touch a phone. I took a brief look at the overall form factor of the phones and then did some navigating around the music player.
I started out at the Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB booth, perhaps because I know the company has been pushing its Walkman handsets. The W880 is a really nice looking phone. It's incredibly thin and has unusual raised keys that work nicely. Sony Ericsson gets high marks for the hardware form factor on this one, but the software user interface was a different story. I never did manage to find the music player from the home screen. Ultimately, I just moved along to another phone in the display area that was already running the music player.
I had a similar navigation problem on
Nokia Corp.'s 5200 music phone. From the home screen, I clicked on an icon with a music note in it, which seemed a logical place to launch the music player. But that took me to a music-related game. I scrolled and scrolled through a horizontal bar of icons but didn't find a music player there. Then I noticed that floating in the middle of the screen were two long bars: one for the music player and one for the calendar. That threw me -- of all phone functions, why were the music player and calendar the only two to be presented that way?
At least Nokia had loaded the demonstration phones with music. Some of the other handsets I tried out, such as the Sony Ericsson one, had just one song on them. That makes it difficult to get a feel for navigating around the music player.
I don't love the form factor of the 5200 but I think some people might. It's sporty, in white and bright red, and a shape reminiscent of Motorola Inc.'s PEBL phones. It slides open.
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.'s SG HF300 "Ultramusic" was next up. I couldn't help but be struck by the cool design. One side of the phone is nearly all screen; the flip side has a keypad for dialing the phone.
I never managed to figure out how to use the control panel on the music player side of the phone. It looks like the iPod's but square. I don't have an iPod so maybe iPod users can easily figure it out. If you're not an iPod user -- and you may not be if you're in the market for a music phone -- the SG HF300 might require a steep learning curve.
Motorola was next in line. I'm probably least impressed with the Z8 than any of the others. I think the design is clunky and looks and feels like a slider phone from a couple of years ago. For the innovator of the thin phone, Motorola should have done better with the Z8's size. I found it difficult to figure out which buttons corresponded with the words at the bottom of the screen so even hitting "back" proved difficult initially. Then, when looking for the music player application, I suddenly found an error message on the screen and the phone froze. Not a great sign.
My final stop was Neonode AB, a Swedish company that has been touting its music phone, particularly its touch screen. The device is in a category of its own and is very un-phone like. About the size of a business card, though not as thin, its touch screen definitely requires training to use. I would have never been able to figure it out without instruction.
Users sweep up along the home screen within three columns. The first opens a navigation page with icons for functions such as the music player, calendar and calculator. The middle column opens a touch pad for dialing calls. And the final column opens a tools menu.
Sweeping left along the screen goes back a page and sweeping right opens a function that is highlighted. When presented with a list such as albums, you touch the item to highlight it and then touch the middle of the screen to open. Sound confusing? It was. Still, I'm not panning it. It may require a bit of direction and practice but I think it'd be pretty easy to get the hang of how it works.
While the small size was attractive, it also meant that it felt a bit designed for a child. Most adults have fingertips that are bigger than the icons on the screen.
Overall, I was largely underwhelmed with my experiences. But there's time -- Apple only just announced the iPhone and its competitors haven't really had time to respond.
Also, my search was by no means exhaustive. For example, I didn't make it to LG Electronics Inc., which recently unveiled a phone, the KE850, that is being compared to the iPhone. Even at the booths I visited, I chose to look at the phone that appeared to me to be the most focused on music but that may not be the one the manufacturer would direct me to and other models may compare more directly with the iPhone.
And finally, I'm the first to admit my exercise was a bit silly given that I've never even seen an iPhone. But such is the power of the Apple marketing machine.
source news : IDGNS
Vodafone chief has big plans for India's Hutch Essar
Telecom giant Vodafone said it will invest more than two billion dollars in a drive to make its new Indian purchase, Hutchison Essar, the country's biggest mobile phone company.
"There's a lot of headroom to grow in the years to come," said Indian-born Vodafone chief executive Arun Sarin, facing local media for the first time since the British company announced at the weekend its 11.1-billion-dollar purchase of a 67 percent stake in India's fourth-largest cellular operator.
"We're committed to India, we're here for the long haul," he said.
Vodafone, the world's biggest mobile firm, aimed to grow Hutchison Essar's customers in India to 100 million from 23 million now, he said.
"We'll be investing over two billion dollars in India over the next two years. We want 100 million subscribers in a few years," said Sarin.
"We want Hutchison Essar to be India's biggest mobile company."
The purchase -- Vodafone's biggest acquisition since he took over the helm three years ago -- was expected to close in April, he said.
The company would become the largest in the Vodafone stable, measured by the number of customers within the next two years, he said.
The acquisition is part of Vodafone's push to lessen its dependence on saturated European markets, where mobile phone penetration is 100 percent.
Mobile penetration in India, the world's fastest-growing cellular market, is just 13 per 100 people, while in China, the only other country with a billion-plus population, it is 40 percent.
Sarin, son of an Indian army officer who studied engineering at the elite Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur, called the deal a "homecoming" but stressed it was also "very much strategically what the company wants to do."
"Arun Sarin's personal enthusiasm for the deal is icing on the cake," said the 51-year-old executive, now a US citizen, who arrived in India late Tuesday on a two-day trip to meet government officials and Hutchison Essar executives.
Vodafone aims to grow its Indian customer base by pushing into the rural market.
It has signed an infrastructure sharing pact with market leader and rival Bharti Airtel, saying it is the only way to expand the cellular network in India quickly and cheaply.
"We want every citizen to have the choice to have a mobile phone," Sarin said. "We've found that when you give people the chance to talk -- they do."
Right now, India's "mobile revolution" is mainly confined to the cities, but the real prize for phone companies is the vast rural market, where nearly 70 percent of India's 1.1 billion population lives, analysts say.
The government has forecast that by 2010 India will have over 500 million mobile subscribers.
Sarin said he wanted India's steel-to-shipping Essar Group, which owns a third of Hutchison Essar, to remain a partner in the company which holds a 16 percent share of the Indian fiercely competitive mobile market.
"That's my first preference, second and third that we stay and we build the company together," Sarin said.
The Ruia family, which owns the Essar Group and has termed telecommunications a core business, is expected to announce its plans within the next five weeks.
Essar had insisted it had first right of refusal in any Hutchison Essar stake sale by Hong Kong-based Hutchison Telecommunications, triggering speculation it might take legal action to disrupt the deal.
Sarin said Essar had no right of first refusal but "we have a true desire to partner them."
"Today is
Valentine's Day, we're sending roses to the Ruias and will visit them," he added with a smile.
Sarin said despite its infrastructure sharing pact with Bharti Airtel, which has some 33 million customers, the two would be rivals.
Bharti plans to invest around two billion dollars to expand its network in the financial year to March 2008.
Bharti chairman Sunil Mittal has said he hopes Hutchison Essar pushes from its fourth-place ranking to a "strong No. 2," but not to No. 1 spot.
source news : AFP
"There's a lot of headroom to grow in the years to come," said Indian-born Vodafone chief executive Arun Sarin, facing local media for the first time since the British company announced at the weekend its 11.1-billion-dollar purchase of a 67 percent stake in India's fourth-largest cellular operator.
"We're committed to India, we're here for the long haul," he said.
Vodafone, the world's biggest mobile firm, aimed to grow Hutchison Essar's customers in India to 100 million from 23 million now, he said.
"We'll be investing over two billion dollars in India over the next two years. We want 100 million subscribers in a few years," said Sarin.
"We want Hutchison Essar to be India's biggest mobile company."
The purchase -- Vodafone's biggest acquisition since he took over the helm three years ago -- was expected to close in April, he said.
The company would become the largest in the Vodafone stable, measured by the number of customers within the next two years, he said.
The acquisition is part of Vodafone's push to lessen its dependence on saturated European markets, where mobile phone penetration is 100 percent.
Mobile penetration in India, the world's fastest-growing cellular market, is just 13 per 100 people, while in China, the only other country with a billion-plus population, it is 40 percent.
Sarin, son of an Indian army officer who studied engineering at the elite Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur, called the deal a "homecoming" but stressed it was also "very much strategically what the company wants to do."
"Arun Sarin's personal enthusiasm for the deal is icing on the cake," said the 51-year-old executive, now a US citizen, who arrived in India late Tuesday on a two-day trip to meet government officials and Hutchison Essar executives.
Vodafone aims to grow its Indian customer base by pushing into the rural market.
It has signed an infrastructure sharing pact with market leader and rival Bharti Airtel, saying it is the only way to expand the cellular network in India quickly and cheaply.
"We want every citizen to have the choice to have a mobile phone," Sarin said. "We've found that when you give people the chance to talk -- they do."
Right now, India's "mobile revolution" is mainly confined to the cities, but the real prize for phone companies is the vast rural market, where nearly 70 percent of India's 1.1 billion population lives, analysts say.
The government has forecast that by 2010 India will have over 500 million mobile subscribers.
Sarin said he wanted India's steel-to-shipping Essar Group, which owns a third of Hutchison Essar, to remain a partner in the company which holds a 16 percent share of the Indian fiercely competitive mobile market.
"That's my first preference, second and third that we stay and we build the company together," Sarin said.
The Ruia family, which owns the Essar Group and has termed telecommunications a core business, is expected to announce its plans within the next five weeks.
Essar had insisted it had first right of refusal in any Hutchison Essar stake sale by Hong Kong-based Hutchison Telecommunications, triggering speculation it might take legal action to disrupt the deal.
Sarin said Essar had no right of first refusal but "we have a true desire to partner them."
"Today is
Valentine's Day, we're sending roses to the Ruias and will visit them," he added with a smile.
Sarin said despite its infrastructure sharing pact with Bharti Airtel, which has some 33 million customers, the two would be rivals.
Bharti plans to invest around two billion dollars to expand its network in the financial year to March 2008.
Bharti chairman Sunil Mittal has said he hopes Hutchison Essar pushes from its fourth-place ranking to a "strong No. 2," but not to No. 1 spot.
source news : AFP
T-Mobile CEO: VOIP will have No Major Impact
Don't expect new mobile phone services based on the Internet Protocol to become nearly as prevalent as those running over PCs. That's the view of Hamid Akhavan, CEO of T-Mobile International AG & Co. KG, one of Europe's largest mobile phone operators.
VOIP (voice over Internet Protocol) services provided over mobile phone networks will have "far less impact" than those offered over fixed-line networks, Akhavan said Tuesday on the sidelines of a news conference at the 3GSM conference in Barcelona.
"There are all sorts of technical issues that make mobile VOIP services difficult to implement," he said. Technical issues related to how networks pass on IP addresses of mobile users have not been completely resolved, he noted. "Take reachability, for example: How can the call come to me?"
Akhavan also said emergency phone service and "always on" connectivity are also big issues, since staying online takes up bandwidth on pricey mobile networks.
And then there's price: "When people talk about VOIP, they think free," Akhavan said. "With any mobile service provided over the Internet, you're going to need to buy a data package."
Mobile VOIP "will take a small share" of revenue generated by mobile voice services, he said.
Akhavan's views on the technical and commercial hurdles are shared even by some of the key advocates of mobile VOIP-- namely Skype Ltd.
In a recent interview with a Finnish newspaper, Skype co-founder and CEO Niklas Zennstr�m spoke of "technical obstacles" and conceded that efforts to make Skype work had been taking "much longer than expected."
Earlier, Eric Lagier, Skype director of business development for hardware and mobile, called the lack of attractive flat-rate fees for most mobile phone services a key commercial hurdle to mobile VOIP usage. He said the company didn't want to be in a position of claiming that its service is free, but facing users who at the end of the month are docked with a huge broadband usage fee.
At last year's 3GSM World Congress, Skype and the Hutchison 3 Group (Hutchison 3G) announced a partnership to provide what they had hoped to become the world's first commercial VOIP service for mobile phones.
Hutchison 3G, which operates IP-based mobile broadband networks in several European markets, was one of the first mobile phone operators to embrace VOIP, a technology many in the industry view as a major threat to their cash-cow voice business.
source news : IDG News Service
VOIP (voice over Internet Protocol) services provided over mobile phone networks will have "far less impact" than those offered over fixed-line networks, Akhavan said Tuesday on the sidelines of a news conference at the 3GSM conference in Barcelona.
"There are all sorts of technical issues that make mobile VOIP services difficult to implement," he said. Technical issues related to how networks pass on IP addresses of mobile users have not been completely resolved, he noted. "Take reachability, for example: How can the call come to me?"
Akhavan also said emergency phone service and "always on" connectivity are also big issues, since staying online takes up bandwidth on pricey mobile networks.
And then there's price: "When people talk about VOIP, they think free," Akhavan said. "With any mobile service provided over the Internet, you're going to need to buy a data package."
Mobile VOIP "will take a small share" of revenue generated by mobile voice services, he said.
Akhavan's views on the technical and commercial hurdles are shared even by some of the key advocates of mobile VOIP-- namely Skype Ltd.
In a recent interview with a Finnish newspaper, Skype co-founder and CEO Niklas Zennstr�m spoke of "technical obstacles" and conceded that efforts to make Skype work had been taking "much longer than expected."
Earlier, Eric Lagier, Skype director of business development for hardware and mobile, called the lack of attractive flat-rate fees for most mobile phone services a key commercial hurdle to mobile VOIP usage. He said the company didn't want to be in a position of claiming that its service is free, but facing users who at the end of the month are docked with a huge broadband usage fee.
At last year's 3GSM World Congress, Skype and the Hutchison 3 Group (Hutchison 3G) announced a partnership to provide what they had hoped to become the world's first commercial VOIP service for mobile phones.
Hutchison 3G, which operates IP-based mobile broadband networks in several European markets, was one of the first mobile phone operators to embrace VOIP, a technology many in the industry view as a major threat to their cash-cow voice business.
source news : IDG News Service
iPhone Competitors Not There Yet
So much for Apple Inc. raising the bar in the mobile phone industry.
Since Apple announced it would soon start selling a combined music player and mobile device called the iPhone, industry experts have predicted that competing cell phone makers would rise to the challenge and start producing equally exciting phones.
They may yet do that, but so far they haven't.
I took a quick stroll around the show floor of the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona checking out the music phones from some of the biggest handset makers out there to see if anything might compare to the hype around expectations for the iPhone. Apple is known for great hardware designs and simple, intuitive user interfaces. While I saw a dizzying array of form factors and a multitude of user interface styles, I was unimpressed with the hardware I saw and downright confounded by the complexity of all the user interfaces.
My examinations were quick-- the show floor is incredibly crowded and hot, so sometimes it took some sharp elbows to even get to touch a phone. I took a brief look at the overall form factor of the phones and then did some navigating around the music player.
I started out at the Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB booth, perhaps because I know the company has been pushing its Walkman handsets. The W880 is a really nice looking phone. It's incredibly thin and has unusual raised keys that work nicely. Sony Ericsson gets high marks for the hardware form factor on this one, but the software user interface was a different story. I never did manage to find the music player from the home screen. Ultimately, I just moved along to another phone in the display area that was already running the music player.
I had a similar navigation problem on
Nokia Corp.'s 5200 music phone. From the home screen, I clicked on an icon with a music note in it, which seemed a logical place to launch the music player. But that took me to a music-related game. I scrolled and scrolled through a horizontal bar of icons but didn't find a music player there. Then I noticed that floating in the middle of the screen were two long bars: one for the music player and one for the calendar. That threw me-- of all phone functions, why were the music player and calendar the only two to be presented that way?
At least Nokia had loaded the demonstration phones with music. Some of the other handsets I tried out, such as the Sony Ericsson one, had just one song on them. That makes it difficult to get a feel for navigating around the music player.
I don't love the form factor of the 5200 but I think some people might. It's sporty, in white and bright red, and a shape reminiscent of Motorola Inc.'s PEBL phones. It slides open.
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.'s SG HF300 "Ultramusic" was next up. I couldn't help but be struck by the cool design. One side of the phone is nearly all screen; the flip side has a keypad for dialing the phone.
I never managed to figure out how to use the control panel on the music player side of the phone. It looks like the iPod's but square. I don't have an iPod so maybe iPod users can easily figure it out. If you're not an iPod user-- and you may not be if you're in the market for a music phone-- the SG HF300 might require a steep learning curve.
Motorola was next in line. I'm probably least impressed with the Z8 then any of the others. I think the design is clunky and looks and feels like a slider phone from a couple of years ago. For the innovator of the thin phone, Motorola should have done better with the Z8's size. I found it difficult to figure out which buttons corresponded with the words at the bottom of the screen so even hitting "back" proved difficult initially. Then, when looking for the music player application, I suddenly found an error message on the screen and the phone froze. Not a great sign.
My final stop was Neonode AB, a Swedish company that has been touting its music phone, particularly its touch screen. The device is in a category of its own and is very un-phone like. About the size of a business card, though not as thin, its touch screen definitely requires training to use. I would have never been able to figure it out without instruction.
Users sweep up along the home screen within three columns. The first opens a navigation page with icons for functions such as the music player, calendar and calculator. The middle column opens a touch pad for dialing calls. And the final column opens a tools menu.
Sweeping left along the screen goes back a page and sweeping right opens a function that is highlighted. When presented with a list such as albums, you touch the item to highlight it and then touch the middle of the screen to open. Sound confusing? It was. Still, I'm not panning it. It may require a bit of direction and practice but I think it'd be pretty easy to get the hang of how it works.
While the small size was attractive, it also meant that it felt a bit designed for a child. Most adults have fingertips that are bigger than the icons on the screen.
Overall, I was largely underwhelmed with my experiences. But there's time-- Apple only just announced the iPhone and its competitors haven't really had time to respond.
Also, my search was by no means exhaustive. For example, I didn't make it to LG Electronics Inc., which recently unveiled a phone, the KE850, that is being compared to the iPhone. Even at the booths I visited, I chose to look at the phone that appeared to me to be the most focused on music but that may not be the one the manufacturer would direct me to and other models may compare more directly with the iPhone.
And finally, I'm the first to admit my exercise was a bit silly given that I've never even seen an iPhone. But such is the power of the Apple marketing machine.
IDG News Service
Since Apple announced it would soon start selling a combined music player and mobile device called the iPhone, industry experts have predicted that competing cell phone makers would rise to the challenge and start producing equally exciting phones.
They may yet do that, but so far they haven't.
I took a quick stroll around the show floor of the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona checking out the music phones from some of the biggest handset makers out there to see if anything might compare to the hype around expectations for the iPhone. Apple is known for great hardware designs and simple, intuitive user interfaces. While I saw a dizzying array of form factors and a multitude of user interface styles, I was unimpressed with the hardware I saw and downright confounded by the complexity of all the user interfaces.
My examinations were quick-- the show floor is incredibly crowded and hot, so sometimes it took some sharp elbows to even get to touch a phone. I took a brief look at the overall form factor of the phones and then did some navigating around the music player.
I started out at the Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB booth, perhaps because I know the company has been pushing its Walkman handsets. The W880 is a really nice looking phone. It's incredibly thin and has unusual raised keys that work nicely. Sony Ericsson gets high marks for the hardware form factor on this one, but the software user interface was a different story. I never did manage to find the music player from the home screen. Ultimately, I just moved along to another phone in the display area that was already running the music player.
I had a similar navigation problem on
Nokia Corp.'s 5200 music phone. From the home screen, I clicked on an icon with a music note in it, which seemed a logical place to launch the music player. But that took me to a music-related game. I scrolled and scrolled through a horizontal bar of icons but didn't find a music player there. Then I noticed that floating in the middle of the screen were two long bars: one for the music player and one for the calendar. That threw me-- of all phone functions, why were the music player and calendar the only two to be presented that way?
At least Nokia had loaded the demonstration phones with music. Some of the other handsets I tried out, such as the Sony Ericsson one, had just one song on them. That makes it difficult to get a feel for navigating around the music player.
I don't love the form factor of the 5200 but I think some people might. It's sporty, in white and bright red, and a shape reminiscent of Motorola Inc.'s PEBL phones. It slides open.
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.'s SG HF300 "Ultramusic" was next up. I couldn't help but be struck by the cool design. One side of the phone is nearly all screen; the flip side has a keypad for dialing the phone.
I never managed to figure out how to use the control panel on the music player side of the phone. It looks like the iPod's but square. I don't have an iPod so maybe iPod users can easily figure it out. If you're not an iPod user-- and you may not be if you're in the market for a music phone-- the SG HF300 might require a steep learning curve.
Motorola was next in line. I'm probably least impressed with the Z8 then any of the others. I think the design is clunky and looks and feels like a slider phone from a couple of years ago. For the innovator of the thin phone, Motorola should have done better with the Z8's size. I found it difficult to figure out which buttons corresponded with the words at the bottom of the screen so even hitting "back" proved difficult initially. Then, when looking for the music player application, I suddenly found an error message on the screen and the phone froze. Not a great sign.
My final stop was Neonode AB, a Swedish company that has been touting its music phone, particularly its touch screen. The device is in a category of its own and is very un-phone like. About the size of a business card, though not as thin, its touch screen definitely requires training to use. I would have never been able to figure it out without instruction.
Users sweep up along the home screen within three columns. The first opens a navigation page with icons for functions such as the music player, calendar and calculator. The middle column opens a touch pad for dialing calls. And the final column opens a tools menu.
Sweeping left along the screen goes back a page and sweeping right opens a function that is highlighted. When presented with a list such as albums, you touch the item to highlight it and then touch the middle of the screen to open. Sound confusing? It was. Still, I'm not panning it. It may require a bit of direction and practice but I think it'd be pretty easy to get the hang of how it works.
While the small size was attractive, it also meant that it felt a bit designed for a child. Most adults have fingertips that are bigger than the icons on the screen.
Overall, I was largely underwhelmed with my experiences. But there's time-- Apple only just announced the iPhone and its competitors haven't really had time to respond.
Also, my search was by no means exhaustive. For example, I didn't make it to LG Electronics Inc., which recently unveiled a phone, the KE850, that is being compared to the iPhone. Even at the booths I visited, I chose to look at the phone that appeared to me to be the most focused on music but that may not be the one the manufacturer would direct me to and other models may compare more directly with the iPhone.
And finally, I'm the first to admit my exercise was a bit silly given that I've never even seen an iPhone. But such is the power of the Apple marketing machine.
IDG News Service
Monday, February 12, 2007
Company Highlights Industry-Leading Mobile Backhaul and Fixed-Mobile Convergence Solutions; Company Executives Featured in Speaking Program
At the 3GSM World Congress 2007, the world's largest exhibition for the mobile industry, Juniper Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:JNPR - News; Hall 2, Floor 1, Booth #2-1A72) will showcase its converged IP infrastructure and advanced mobile network security solutions. Featured on Juniper's stand will be a live mobile security demonstration entitled Dynamic Threat Mitigation. In addition, Shailesh Shukla, vice president of Service Provider Marketing and Partnerships, will be a featured part of the speaking program, and many other Juniper executives will be attending the show and available to speak with customers, press and industry analysts.
Juniper Networks - "Open Architecture, Secured Convergence"
Scalable and secure IP networks enable wireless and mobile carriers to pursue new revenue streams and a lower-cost services infrastructure. Increasingly, mobile operators are moving to a single infrastructure, looking towards Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC). An intelligent IP/MPLS mobile backbone serves as the network foundation, efficiently supporting a mix of voice, data and video (e.g. IPTV) services, as well as wireless and wireline. As mobile services transition to IP, operators must secure both users and the services against threats previously limited to wireline networks.
Juniper Networks helps mobile operators evolve to a secure, intelligent and open converged IP infrastructure. We work closely with strategic partners to integrate our products into end-to-end solutions for core, RAN, and IMS. Eleven of the top twelve mobile operators globally use our mobile solutions(1), and customers have deployed our products in approximately 100 wireless networks worldwide.
For more information about Juniper Networks' solutions for mobile operators please visit: www.juniper.net/solutions/service_provider/wireless_carrier/.
Speaking Engagements
Technology Breakout Session: Radio Optimization
Shailesh Shukla. vice president Service Provider Marketing and Partnerships
15th February 2007 14:00 to 15:20
Juniper Executives Attending 3GSM
If you are interested in arranging a press or industry analyst briefing with a Juniper executive at 3GSM please contact Emilie Beneitez Lefebvre, elefebvre@juniper.net. More information on Juniper executives attending the show can be found below.
Pradeep Sindhu (Vice Chairman of the Board, CTO and Founder)
Pradeep Sindhu founded Juniper Networks in February 1996 and has held several central roles in shaping the company, currently serving as Vice Chairman of the Board and CTO, where he is responsible for the company's technical roadmap as well as day-to-day design and development of future products. He served as Chairman and CEO for eight months when he founded the company and played a central role in the architecture, design, and development of the M40 router.
Shailesh Shukla (VP Service Provider Marketing and Partnerships)
Shailesh Shukla is Vice President, Service Provider Marketing and Partnerships at Juniper Networks. Shailesh joined Juniper from Redback Networks and he works closely with customers, sales and product management across all product lines to meet the needs of service providers worldwide.
Chandra Tekwani (Director and Head, Mobility and Convergence)
Chandra Tekwani leads the Mobile and convergence marketing and partnership activities at Juniper Networks. Chandra became part of Juniper Networks after the acquisition of NetScreen in 2004. At NetScreen, Chandra started the Mobile Carrier Security business and managed the Alliances Program for Service Provider and Enterprise Business.
Rob Sturgeon (Executive VP and General Manager, Security Products Group)
Sturgeon is Executive Vice President of the Security Products Group (SPG), responsible for driving the group's business strategy, innovation and product development. He also serves as general manager of the Enterprise Business Team (EBT), a cross-functional team comprised of product development, marketing, sales, support and business operations to build integrated business plans to drive all elements of success for the Enterprise market segment.
About 3GSM World Congress
The world's biggest mobile communications conference and exhibition, the 3GSM World Congress is the annual event where top executives from mobile operators, equipment vendors, IT companies and entertainment providers meet to do business. Presented by the GSM Association, the 3GSM World Congress 2007 will take place at the Fira de Barcelona, Spain, between 12th and 15th February 2007. The 2006 event attracted 50,000 visitors, 962 exhibitors and 2,200 journalists.
About Juniper Networks, Inc.
Juniper Networks develops purpose-built, high performance IP platforms that enable customers to support many different services and applications at scale. Service providers, enterprises, governments and research and education institutions rely on Juniper to deliver a portfolio of proven networking, security and application acceleration solutions that solve highly complex, fast-changing problems in the world's most demanding networks. Additional information can be found at www.juniper.net.
Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo and NetScreen are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners.
(1) Source: Gartner Research, "Market Share: Mobile Equity Connections, Worldwide, 2005" August 2006
Contact:
Juniper Networks, Inc.
Penny Still, +44 (0) 1372 385 692 (Media)
pstill@juniper.net
Emilie Lefebvre, +44 (0) 7785 381 302 (Media)
elefebvre@juniper.net
Michelle Levine, 408-936-2775 (Investor Relations)
mlevine@juniper.net
Source: Juniper Networks, Inc.
Juniper Networks - "Open Architecture, Secured Convergence"
Scalable and secure IP networks enable wireless and mobile carriers to pursue new revenue streams and a lower-cost services infrastructure. Increasingly, mobile operators are moving to a single infrastructure, looking towards Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC). An intelligent IP/MPLS mobile backbone serves as the network foundation, efficiently supporting a mix of voice, data and video (e.g. IPTV) services, as well as wireless and wireline. As mobile services transition to IP, operators must secure both users and the services against threats previously limited to wireline networks.
Juniper Networks helps mobile operators evolve to a secure, intelligent and open converged IP infrastructure. We work closely with strategic partners to integrate our products into end-to-end solutions for core, RAN, and IMS. Eleven of the top twelve mobile operators globally use our mobile solutions(1), and customers have deployed our products in approximately 100 wireless networks worldwide.
For more information about Juniper Networks' solutions for mobile operators please visit: www.juniper.net/solutions/service_provider/wireless_carrier/.
Speaking Engagements
Technology Breakout Session: Radio Optimization
Shailesh Shukla. vice president Service Provider Marketing and Partnerships
15th February 2007 14:00 to 15:20
Juniper Executives Attending 3GSM
If you are interested in arranging a press or industry analyst briefing with a Juniper executive at 3GSM please contact Emilie Beneitez Lefebvre, elefebvre@juniper.net. More information on Juniper executives attending the show can be found below.
Pradeep Sindhu (Vice Chairman of the Board, CTO and Founder)
Pradeep Sindhu founded Juniper Networks in February 1996 and has held several central roles in shaping the company, currently serving as Vice Chairman of the Board and CTO, where he is responsible for the company's technical roadmap as well as day-to-day design and development of future products. He served as Chairman and CEO for eight months when he founded the company and played a central role in the architecture, design, and development of the M40 router.
Shailesh Shukla (VP Service Provider Marketing and Partnerships)
Shailesh Shukla is Vice President, Service Provider Marketing and Partnerships at Juniper Networks. Shailesh joined Juniper from Redback Networks and he works closely with customers, sales and product management across all product lines to meet the needs of service providers worldwide.
Chandra Tekwani (Director and Head, Mobility and Convergence)
Chandra Tekwani leads the Mobile and convergence marketing and partnership activities at Juniper Networks. Chandra became part of Juniper Networks after the acquisition of NetScreen in 2004. At NetScreen, Chandra started the Mobile Carrier Security business and managed the Alliances Program for Service Provider and Enterprise Business.
Rob Sturgeon (Executive VP and General Manager, Security Products Group)
Sturgeon is Executive Vice President of the Security Products Group (SPG), responsible for driving the group's business strategy, innovation and product development. He also serves as general manager of the Enterprise Business Team (EBT), a cross-functional team comprised of product development, marketing, sales, support and business operations to build integrated business plans to drive all elements of success for the Enterprise market segment.
About 3GSM World Congress
The world's biggest mobile communications conference and exhibition, the 3GSM World Congress is the annual event where top executives from mobile operators, equipment vendors, IT companies and entertainment providers meet to do business. Presented by the GSM Association, the 3GSM World Congress 2007 will take place at the Fira de Barcelona, Spain, between 12th and 15th February 2007. The 2006 event attracted 50,000 visitors, 962 exhibitors and 2,200 journalists.
About Juniper Networks, Inc.
Juniper Networks develops purpose-built, high performance IP platforms that enable customers to support many different services and applications at scale. Service providers, enterprises, governments and research and education institutions rely on Juniper to deliver a portfolio of proven networking, security and application acceleration solutions that solve highly complex, fast-changing problems in the world's most demanding networks. Additional information can be found at www.juniper.net.
Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo and NetScreen are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners.
(1) Source: Gartner Research, "Market Share: Mobile Equity Connections, Worldwide, 2005" August 2006
Contact:
Juniper Networks, Inc.
Penny Still, +44 (0) 1372 385 692 (Media)
pstill@juniper.net
Emilie Lefebvre, +44 (0) 7785 381 302 (Media)
elefebvre@juniper.net
Michelle Levine, 408-936-2775 (Investor Relations)
mlevine@juniper.net
Source: Juniper Networks, Inc.
Companies Will Share Distribution Channels, Enabling Resellers to Efficiently Meet Small Business Requirements for Price and Performance
Avaya Inc. a global leader in business communications applications, systems and services, and Extreme Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXTR - News), are working together to give small businesses the high quality and performance they need in a converged communication solution, at a price that meets small companies' requirements.
Avaya and Extreme Networks® will use their respective networks of authorized distributors and certified resellers in the U.S., enabling these channels to offer even the smallest business a complete, high quality networking solution that includes Avaya's flagship IP telephony solution for smaller firms and the same intelligent and highly available network edge switches Extreme Networks sells to big businesses.
The companies are offering a specially-priced package, with planned availability at the end of February that combines Avaya IP Office, an award- winning converged communications solution created for small businesses, with Extreme Networks' Summit® series of versatile network edge switches. Extreme Network switches provide bandwidth management to help ensure clear, consistent IP voice calls, simple management from a central location, and integrated security and service recovery features for business continuity.
Avaya distributors who are also distributors of Extreme Networks products in the U.S. will be offering special pricing on Extreme Networks Summit® 200 (24 and 48 ports), 300 (24 ports) and X450e (24 and 48 ports) series edge switches when purchased with an Avaya IP Office.
The combined offer gives even very small firms an easy, affordable way to take advantage of advanced, secure IP-based communications to improve productivity, customer service, and virtually any business process.
Today, Avaya also announced significant enhancements to its IP Office portfolio. "Small businesses know they can rely on their resellers for a complete networking solution of the highest quality. Now, with Avaya IP Office and Extreme Networks data switches available as a package through authorized resellers across the country, they can deliver a really powerful solution," said Geoffrey Baird, vice president and general manager, Appliances, Mobility and Small Systems Division, Avaya. "We are strong proponents of open standards, particularly because most companies' networks typically include elements from a number of vendors. As a result, Avaya's and Extreme Network's solutions, because they are based on open standards, provide businesses of all sizes the choice and flexibility they need to build the network that's right for their company."
The agreement enables SMBs to purchase a high quality, end-to-end converged communication system from authorized resellers at significantly reduced rates.
"Extreme Networks provides our customers with converged networking platforms that can deliver high availability, simple management and can give them valuable benefits that are tested and proven to work with Avaya's leading communication solutions," said Mike Seaton, vice president of strategic alliances for Extreme Networks. "It's the same high quality switch we sell to medium and large enterprises, and now it's available to smaller firms."
Extreme Networks is a platinum member of the Avaya DeveloperConnection program -- an initiative to develop, market and sell innovative third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology.
"Offering a total package to our small business customers is a huge differentiator," said Paul Hill, chief executive officer at TSG, a certified Avaya reseller. "Security and voice quality are typical concerns of our customers, whether they're a small or a large business. Now, with market- leading products from Avaya and Extreme Networks, we can offer the best of both worlds in both areas."
According to Jarrod Sipe, president, CEO, Matrix Technologies, an authorized Extreme Networks and Avaya reseller, in addition to security and voice quality, system reliability and ease of management are equally critical. "When our small business customers make the decision to install an IP-based system, they demand assurances of quality and reliability," he said. "With Avaya's IP Office, which brings 'big business' features and capabilities to companies of all sizes, and Extreme Networks' feature-rich switches now available to our SMB clients at an attractive price, we have an even more compelling package to offer those clients."
About Avaya
Avaya Inc. designs, builds and manages communications networks for more than one million businesses worldwide, including over 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500®. Focused on businesses large to small, Avaya is a world leader in secure and reliable Internet protocol telephony systems and communications software applications and services.
Driving the convergence of voice and data communications with business applications -- and distinguished by comprehensive worldwide services -- Avaya helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information visit the Avaya Web site: http://www.avaya.com.
About Extreme Networks Inc.
Extreme Networks designs, builds, and installs Ethernet infrastructure solutions that help solve the toughest business communications challenges. Our commitment to open networking sets us apart from the alternatives by delivering meaningful insight and unprecedented control to applications and services. We believe openness is the best foundation for growth, freedom, flexibility and choice. We focus on enterprises and service providers who demand high performance, converged networks that support voice, video and data over a wired and wireless infrastructure. Extreme Networks, BlackDiamond, Summit and ExtremeXOS are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc., in the United States and other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective holders.
Source: Avaya Inc.
Avaya and Extreme Networks® will use their respective networks of authorized distributors and certified resellers in the U.S., enabling these channels to offer even the smallest business a complete, high quality networking solution that includes Avaya's flagship IP telephony solution for smaller firms and the same intelligent and highly available network edge switches Extreme Networks sells to big businesses.
The companies are offering a specially-priced package, with planned availability at the end of February that combines Avaya IP Office, an award- winning converged communications solution created for small businesses, with Extreme Networks' Summit® series of versatile network edge switches. Extreme Network switches provide bandwidth management to help ensure clear, consistent IP voice calls, simple management from a central location, and integrated security and service recovery features for business continuity.
Avaya distributors who are also distributors of Extreme Networks products in the U.S. will be offering special pricing on Extreme Networks Summit® 200 (24 and 48 ports), 300 (24 ports) and X450e (24 and 48 ports) series edge switches when purchased with an Avaya IP Office.
The combined offer gives even very small firms an easy, affordable way to take advantage of advanced, secure IP-based communications to improve productivity, customer service, and virtually any business process.
Today, Avaya also announced significant enhancements to its IP Office portfolio. "Small businesses know they can rely on their resellers for a complete networking solution of the highest quality. Now, with Avaya IP Office and Extreme Networks data switches available as a package through authorized resellers across the country, they can deliver a really powerful solution," said Geoffrey Baird, vice president and general manager, Appliances, Mobility and Small Systems Division, Avaya. "We are strong proponents of open standards, particularly because most companies' networks typically include elements from a number of vendors. As a result, Avaya's and Extreme Network's solutions, because they are based on open standards, provide businesses of all sizes the choice and flexibility they need to build the network that's right for their company."
The agreement enables SMBs to purchase a high quality, end-to-end converged communication system from authorized resellers at significantly reduced rates.
"Extreme Networks provides our customers with converged networking platforms that can deliver high availability, simple management and can give them valuable benefits that are tested and proven to work with Avaya's leading communication solutions," said Mike Seaton, vice president of strategic alliances for Extreme Networks. "It's the same high quality switch we sell to medium and large enterprises, and now it's available to smaller firms."
Extreme Networks is a platinum member of the Avaya DeveloperConnection program -- an initiative to develop, market and sell innovative third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology.
"Offering a total package to our small business customers is a huge differentiator," said Paul Hill, chief executive officer at TSG, a certified Avaya reseller. "Security and voice quality are typical concerns of our customers, whether they're a small or a large business. Now, with market- leading products from Avaya and Extreme Networks, we can offer the best of both worlds in both areas."
According to Jarrod Sipe, president, CEO, Matrix Technologies, an authorized Extreme Networks and Avaya reseller, in addition to security and voice quality, system reliability and ease of management are equally critical. "When our small business customers make the decision to install an IP-based system, they demand assurances of quality and reliability," he said. "With Avaya's IP Office, which brings 'big business' features and capabilities to companies of all sizes, and Extreme Networks' feature-rich switches now available to our SMB clients at an attractive price, we have an even more compelling package to offer those clients."
About Avaya
Avaya Inc. designs, builds and manages communications networks for more than one million businesses worldwide, including over 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500®. Focused on businesses large to small, Avaya is a world leader in secure and reliable Internet protocol telephony systems and communications software applications and services.
Driving the convergence of voice and data communications with business applications -- and distinguished by comprehensive worldwide services -- Avaya helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information visit the Avaya Web site: http://www.avaya.com.
About Extreme Networks Inc.
Extreme Networks designs, builds, and installs Ethernet infrastructure solutions that help solve the toughest business communications challenges. Our commitment to open networking sets us apart from the alternatives by delivering meaningful insight and unprecedented control to applications and services. We believe openness is the best foundation for growth, freedom, flexibility and choice. We focus on enterprises and service providers who demand high performance, converged networks that support voice, video and data over a wired and wireless infrastructure. Extreme Networks, BlackDiamond, Summit and ExtremeXOS are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc., in the United States and other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective holders.
Source: Avaya Inc.
VeriChip's IPO: Losses Ahead for New Implant System
Bill Simpson wrote an analysis of VeriChip (NasdaqGM: CHIP). The IPO began trading on Feb. 9, and the stock opened and closed at a share price of $6.50, from a range of $6.50 to $8.50. The underwriters also cut the size of VeriChip's IPO to 3.1 million shares from 4.3 million shares.
The text of Mr. Simpson's original writeup follows:
VeriChip plans on offering 4.95 million shares at a range of $6.50 - $8.50. Merriman Curhan Ford is lead managing the deal, Kaufman and CE Unterberg are co-managing. As far as I can tell, Merriman as currently structured has not led an offering previously. Post-offering CHIP will have 11 million shares outstanding for a market cap of $82.5 million on a $7 1/2 pricing. IPO proceeds will be used by CHIP to market their VeriMed system as well as for general corporate purposes.
Applied Digital Solutions (NasdaqCM: ADSX) will own a little over 50% of CHIP's outstanding shares post-ipo. CHIP Chairman of the Board and CEO, Scott R. Silverman was CEO of ADSX from 3/03 - 12/06. He resigned that position in order to take the CEO position with CHIP. Note that Mr. Silverman received a substantial pay package in 2006 as part of this switch. Total 2006 compensation for Mr. Silverman was approximately $4.7 million. ADSX 2006 revenues were a little under $30 million. Yes, approximately $3.5 million of this compensation was part of a deal in which Mr. Silverman waived certain accrued incentives/options with ADSX. Still this was quite a nice payout for the CEO of such a small operation as CHIP. Note also, that Mr. Silverman has a $100,000+ annual expense allowance as CEO of CHIP. This is over/above his salary, bonus and stock awards.
complete this news click here
The text of Mr. Simpson's original writeup follows:
VeriChip plans on offering 4.95 million shares at a range of $6.50 - $8.50. Merriman Curhan Ford is lead managing the deal, Kaufman and CE Unterberg are co-managing. As far as I can tell, Merriman as currently structured has not led an offering previously. Post-offering CHIP will have 11 million shares outstanding for a market cap of $82.5 million on a $7 1/2 pricing. IPO proceeds will be used by CHIP to market their VeriMed system as well as for general corporate purposes.
Applied Digital Solutions (NasdaqCM: ADSX) will own a little over 50% of CHIP's outstanding shares post-ipo. CHIP Chairman of the Board and CEO, Scott R. Silverman was CEO of ADSX from 3/03 - 12/06. He resigned that position in order to take the CEO position with CHIP. Note that Mr. Silverman received a substantial pay package in 2006 as part of this switch. Total 2006 compensation for Mr. Silverman was approximately $4.7 million. ADSX 2006 revenues were a little under $30 million. Yes, approximately $3.5 million of this compensation was part of a deal in which Mr. Silverman waived certain accrued incentives/options with ADSX. Still this was quite a nice payout for the CEO of such a small operation as CHIP. Note also, that Mr. Silverman has a $100,000+ annual expense allowance as CEO of CHIP. This is over/above his salary, bonus and stock awards.
complete this news click here
Vodafone wins Hutch Essar auction with $19 bln bid
Vodafone Group Plc has won the battle for a controlling stake in India's No.4 mobile operator Hutchison Essar with a bid that values it at around $19 billion including debt, a source and India's Essar group said on Sunday.
A source close to the matter told Reuters that Vodafone had trumped India's Reliance Communications (Bombay:RLCM.BO - News) and Hinduja group, as well as Essar itself in the race for the 67 percent stake being sold by Hong Kong-based Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd. (HKSE:2332.HK - News).
The deal will give the British group, the world's biggest mobile operator in terms of subscribers outside of China, the opportunity to bring its brand into the world's fastest growing and second biggest mobile market.
The Essar Group, which owns 33 percent of Hutch Essar and had also been bidding, said it was evaluating a proposal from Vodafone to stay on as its partner.
"$19 billion shows just what value has been created ... Vodafone has invited us to be its partner in Hutchison Essar, an offer we are evaluating," Essar group Vice Chairman Ravi Ruia said in a statement.
Vodafone, which as a foreign company is barred by Indian law from owning more than 74 percent of a local telecoms operator, declined to comment whether it had won the auction. Hutchison was not immediately available for comment.
Prabal Banerjee, chief finance officer for the Hinduja group told an Indian television channel that Vodafone had offered a "top-notch value" for the business.
"We were never agreeable for a price that was not backed by fundamentals. I'm sure Essar and Vodafone will tie up pretty well and create much more valuation for the organization," Banerjee said.
A spokesman for Reliance Communications declined to comment.
CRUCIAL MOVE
The deal is a crucial move by Vodafone Chief Executive Arun Sarin, who is under pressure to expand the business amid slowing growth in Vodafone's core European markets, while at the same time not overpay for acquisitions.
Sarin, who was born in India, last month vowed not to pay "over the top" in the Indian bidding and said Vodafone would adhere to its strict internal acquisition criteria in its chase for the Hutch Essar majority stake.
Early reactions from analysts, some of whom had braced for bids as high as $20 billion, were positive. They are looking forward to cost savings through sharing telecom networks between Indian operators and Vodafone cashing in on other Indian investments.
"It is now important to understand Vodafone's plans for the business including any initiatives such as network sharing, the exit terms from Bharti," said Dresdner Kleinwort analyst Robert Grindle.
Vodafone could look to realize over $3 billion from the sale of its 10 percent stake in India's number one player Bharti Airtel Ltd. (Bombay:BRTI.BO - News) with nearly 34 million subscribers.
Vodafone, which bought the Bharti stake for $1.5 billion in 2005, had been keen to raise its stake in the company, but Bharti's main shareholders -- Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal and Singapore Telecom (SES:TELE.SI - News) had been reluctant to sell.
With 24.4 million subscribers, Hutch Essar will give Vodafone a 16 percent share in the fast-growing Indian mobile market, which has around 150 million subscribers and is adding over 5-6 million new customers each month.
With a mobile penetration of around 15 percent, India still offers operators a lot of headroom for growth.
The deal would also be a lucrative exit for Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, whose Hutchison Whampoa (HKSE:0013.HK - News) conglomerate ultimately controls the Indian operator through its majority holding in Hutchison Telecom (NYSE:HTX - News)
Li Ka-shing, Asia's richest man and the chairman of Hutchison Whampoa, is famed for his market timing, having sold mobile group Orange to Germany's Mannesmann during the telecoms boom in 1999 for a $15 billion profit.
source news : Reuters
A source close to the matter told Reuters that Vodafone had trumped India's Reliance Communications (Bombay:RLCM.BO - News) and Hinduja group, as well as Essar itself in the race for the 67 percent stake being sold by Hong Kong-based Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd. (HKSE:2332.HK - News).
The deal will give the British group, the world's biggest mobile operator in terms of subscribers outside of China, the opportunity to bring its brand into the world's fastest growing and second biggest mobile market.
The Essar Group, which owns 33 percent of Hutch Essar and had also been bidding, said it was evaluating a proposal from Vodafone to stay on as its partner.
"$19 billion shows just what value has been created ... Vodafone has invited us to be its partner in Hutchison Essar, an offer we are evaluating," Essar group Vice Chairman Ravi Ruia said in a statement.
Vodafone, which as a foreign company is barred by Indian law from owning more than 74 percent of a local telecoms operator, declined to comment whether it had won the auction. Hutchison was not immediately available for comment.
Prabal Banerjee, chief finance officer for the Hinduja group told an Indian television channel that Vodafone had offered a "top-notch value" for the business.
"We were never agreeable for a price that was not backed by fundamentals. I'm sure Essar and Vodafone will tie up pretty well and create much more valuation for the organization," Banerjee said.
A spokesman for Reliance Communications declined to comment.
CRUCIAL MOVE
The deal is a crucial move by Vodafone Chief Executive Arun Sarin, who is under pressure to expand the business amid slowing growth in Vodafone's core European markets, while at the same time not overpay for acquisitions.
Sarin, who was born in India, last month vowed not to pay "over the top" in the Indian bidding and said Vodafone would adhere to its strict internal acquisition criteria in its chase for the Hutch Essar majority stake.
Early reactions from analysts, some of whom had braced for bids as high as $20 billion, were positive. They are looking forward to cost savings through sharing telecom networks between Indian operators and Vodafone cashing in on other Indian investments.
"It is now important to understand Vodafone's plans for the business including any initiatives such as network sharing, the exit terms from Bharti," said Dresdner Kleinwort analyst Robert Grindle.
Vodafone could look to realize over $3 billion from the sale of its 10 percent stake in India's number one player Bharti Airtel Ltd. (Bombay:BRTI.BO - News) with nearly 34 million subscribers.
Vodafone, which bought the Bharti stake for $1.5 billion in 2005, had been keen to raise its stake in the company, but Bharti's main shareholders -- Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal and Singapore Telecom (SES:TELE.SI - News) had been reluctant to sell.
With 24.4 million subscribers, Hutch Essar will give Vodafone a 16 percent share in the fast-growing Indian mobile market, which has around 150 million subscribers and is adding over 5-6 million new customers each month.
With a mobile penetration of around 15 percent, India still offers operators a lot of headroom for growth.
The deal would also be a lucrative exit for Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, whose Hutchison Whampoa (HKSE:0013.HK - News) conglomerate ultimately controls the Indian operator through its majority holding in Hutchison Telecom (NYSE:HTX - News)
Li Ka-shing, Asia's richest man and the chairman of Hutchison Whampoa, is famed for his market timing, having sold mobile group Orange to Germany's Mannesmann during the telecoms boom in 1999 for a $15 billion profit.
source news : Reuters
Branded Content Channels Bring Engaging Mobile Experiences to Telenor Customers.
At the 3GSM World Congress, Adobe Systems Incorporated and Telenor announced a partnership to deliver Adobe FlashCast(TM) in Sweden. Telenor will conduct the first trial in Europe, joining several operators across the globe now testing FlashCast, a flexible client-server solution that effectively delivers rich and engaging data experiences to mobile phones. Trial users will be able to access specific channels dedicated to weather, news, and entertainment.
Designed to solve many of the limitations of today's mobile data services, FlashCast impacts the entire mobile ecosystem by expediting and simplifying the delivery of mobile content. It not only enables pioneering, mobile network operators like Telenor to differentiate their brands in the fiercely competitive wireless market, it also helps to establish recurring revenue streams by increasing data adoption and usage. Similarly, it enables content developers and handset manufactures to create and deliver more dynamic applications.
"FlashCast makes it easy for users to discover personalized content, from gathering news and traffic conditions to gambling or booking a round of golf," said Michael Bergman, responsible for New Business at Telenor Sweden. "This is of growing importance to our subscribers as the market for mobile content services continues to intensify."
For innovative operators like Telenor, the remarkable success of NTT DoCoMo's FlashCast application is a great example. Since the i-channel(TM) news and daily information delivery service launched in Japan in 2005, more than eight million mobile phone subscribers have signed up for the service. Subscribers receive five base channels for content -- including news, weather, entertainment reports, sports and horoscopes -- and are alerted to new channel updates via the standby screens of their mobile phone. In addition, third-party developers can also offer additional value-added content to enhance the breadth of available content for the user.
"Today, more than 200 million Flash Lite(TM) enabled mobile devices have shipped and Adobe continues to focus on ensuring that mobile content delivery is ever more integrated across its flagship creative products," said Mike Bergeron, vice president for business development, Mobile and Devices at Adobe. "Flash developers worldwide now see the delivery of mobile content as an essential part of their future business plans and partnering with innovators like Telenor will open new markets for engaging Flash content."
Telenor's trials will begin in Sweden this month followed by in-depth focus groups. A commercial launch is expected in the fall of 2007.
About Telenor
In Sweden, Telenor is a leading total supplier of communication services such as mobile, fixed telephony and data services. With a focus on the customer, Telenor is able to offer its services to private individuals and companies alike. Telenor is also represented by the Brendbandsbolaget, djuice, Glocalnet and Canal Digital.
Telenor is one of the largest Stock Exchange listed companies in Norway with sales for 2005 of NOK 68.9 billion. The number of employees at the end of 2005 was approximately 27,600, of which 16,700 were outside of Norway. Telenor is a market leader in Norway within the areas of telecommunication, data services and media distribution and has significant international activities, in particular within the area of mobile communication. Telenor is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (TEL) and on Nasdaq in New York (TELN).
About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information - anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.
© 2007 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Flash, FlashCast and Flash Lite are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contact:
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Stefan Offermann, 408-536-4023
sofferma@adobe.com
or
Telenor
Elisabeth Petersson, +46 709 61 42 07
elisabeth.petersson@telenor.com
Source: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Designed to solve many of the limitations of today's mobile data services, FlashCast impacts the entire mobile ecosystem by expediting and simplifying the delivery of mobile content. It not only enables pioneering, mobile network operators like Telenor to differentiate their brands in the fiercely competitive wireless market, it also helps to establish recurring revenue streams by increasing data adoption and usage. Similarly, it enables content developers and handset manufactures to create and deliver more dynamic applications.
"FlashCast makes it easy for users to discover personalized content, from gathering news and traffic conditions to gambling or booking a round of golf," said Michael Bergman, responsible for New Business at Telenor Sweden. "This is of growing importance to our subscribers as the market for mobile content services continues to intensify."
For innovative operators like Telenor, the remarkable success of NTT DoCoMo's FlashCast application is a great example. Since the i-channel(TM) news and daily information delivery service launched in Japan in 2005, more than eight million mobile phone subscribers have signed up for the service. Subscribers receive five base channels for content -- including news, weather, entertainment reports, sports and horoscopes -- and are alerted to new channel updates via the standby screens of their mobile phone. In addition, third-party developers can also offer additional value-added content to enhance the breadth of available content for the user.
"Today, more than 200 million Flash Lite(TM) enabled mobile devices have shipped and Adobe continues to focus on ensuring that mobile content delivery is ever more integrated across its flagship creative products," said Mike Bergeron, vice president for business development, Mobile and Devices at Adobe. "Flash developers worldwide now see the delivery of mobile content as an essential part of their future business plans and partnering with innovators like Telenor will open new markets for engaging Flash content."
Telenor's trials will begin in Sweden this month followed by in-depth focus groups. A commercial launch is expected in the fall of 2007.
About Telenor
In Sweden, Telenor is a leading total supplier of communication services such as mobile, fixed telephony and data services. With a focus on the customer, Telenor is able to offer its services to private individuals and companies alike. Telenor is also represented by the Brendbandsbolaget, djuice, Glocalnet and Canal Digital.
Telenor is one of the largest Stock Exchange listed companies in Norway with sales for 2005 of NOK 68.9 billion. The number of employees at the end of 2005 was approximately 27,600, of which 16,700 were outside of Norway. Telenor is a market leader in Norway within the areas of telecommunication, data services and media distribution and has significant international activities, in particular within the area of mobile communication. Telenor is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (TEL) and on Nasdaq in New York (TELN).
About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information - anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.
© 2007 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Flash, FlashCast and Flash Lite are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contact:
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Stefan Offermann, 408-536-4023
sofferma@adobe.com
or
Telenor
Elisabeth Petersson, +46 709 61 42 07
elisabeth.petersson@telenor.com
Source: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Zi Corporation Launches Qix for Windows Mobile at 3GSM in Barcelona
Zi Corporation, a leading provider of intelligent interface solutions, today announced a new version of its award-winning search and discovery engine, Qix(TM), will be launched at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, February 12 - 15. Qix for Windows Mobile 5 (WM5) is now available for operator deployment.
It is expected that 30 million Windows Mobile Smartphones will ship in 2007 around the globe based on published figures by RBC Capital Markets on Microsoft. Zi expects to extend support to Windows Mobile 6 by the end of the year.
"This is a significant step forward for Qix technology," Milos Djokovic said. "Qix now supports the two most important platforms in the Smartphone market today and this launch is aligned with the company's strategy to enable immediate deployment of Qix."
Qix is a revolutionary search and discovery engine that enables quick and easy use of a mobile phone's applications and services. It allows users to access the full range of phone features simply and intuitively, all without having to remember where or how to locate them. This simplicity motivates users to find and use revenue-producing features more often. Qix complements standard mobile search products.
Demonstration versions of Qix for WM5 are available on HTC Qtek 8300 handsets.
Zi Corporation will be at 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, Spain from February 12 - 15 at Stand C58, Hall 2. To make an appointment please contact Brian Dolby at +44(0)115 948 6901 or email brian@gbcspr.com.
About Zi Corporation
Zi Corporation (www.zicorp.com) is a technology company that delivers intelligent interface solutions to enhance the user experience of wireless and consumer technologies. The company provides device manufacturers and network operators with a full range of intuitive and easy-to-use input solutions, including: eZiType(TM) for keyboard prediction with auto-correction; eZiText® for one-touch predictive text entry; Decuma® for predictive pen-input handwriting recognition; and the Qix search and service discovery engine to enhance the user experience and drive service usage and adoption. The Zi product portfolio dramatically improves the usability of mobile phones, PDAs, gaming consoles and television set-top boxes and the applications on them including SMS, MMS, email and Web browsing. Zi supports its strategic partners and customers from offices in Asia, Europe and North America. A publicly traded company, Zi Corporation is listed on NASDAQ (ZICA) and the Toronto (ZIC) Stock Exchanges.
This release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements, which are subject to the safe harbour provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding future events and the future financial performance of Zi Corporation that involve risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results due to a variety of factors, including: the growth trends in the input technology industry; new product development; global economic conditions and uncertainties in the geopolitical environment; financial and operating performance of Zi's OEM customers and variations in their customer demand for products and services; the ability to successfully acquire businesses and technologies and to successfully integrate and operate these acquired businesses and technologies; dependence on the introduction and market acceptance of new product offerings and standards; rapid technological and market change; matters affecting Zi Corporation's significant shareholder; litigation involving patents, intellectual property, and other matters; the ability to recruit and retain key personnel; Zi Corporation's ability to manage financial risk; currency fluctuations and other international factors; potential volatility in operating results and other factors listed in Zi Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any projections in this release are based on limited information currently available to Zi Corporation, which is subject to change. Although any such projections and the factors influencing them will likely change, except to the extent required by law, Zi Corporation will not necessarily update the information. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.
Zi, eZiType, eZiText, Decuma and Qix are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the Zi Group of Companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contact:
Contacts:
For Zi Corporation:
GBCS PR
Brian Dolby or Emma Tagg
+44 (0) 115 948 6901
Email: brian@gbcspr.com / emma@gbcspr.com
Website: http://www.zicorp.com
Allen & Caron Inc.
Jill Bertotti
(949) 474-4300
Email: jill@allencaron.com
Source: Zi Corporation
It is expected that 30 million Windows Mobile Smartphones will ship in 2007 around the globe based on published figures by RBC Capital Markets on Microsoft. Zi expects to extend support to Windows Mobile 6 by the end of the year.
"This is a significant step forward for Qix technology," Milos Djokovic said. "Qix now supports the two most important platforms in the Smartphone market today and this launch is aligned with the company's strategy to enable immediate deployment of Qix."
Qix is a revolutionary search and discovery engine that enables quick and easy use of a mobile phone's applications and services. It allows users to access the full range of phone features simply and intuitively, all without having to remember where or how to locate them. This simplicity motivates users to find and use revenue-producing features more often. Qix complements standard mobile search products.
Demonstration versions of Qix for WM5 are available on HTC Qtek 8300 handsets.
Zi Corporation will be at 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, Spain from February 12 - 15 at Stand C58, Hall 2. To make an appointment please contact Brian Dolby at +44(0)115 948 6901 or email brian@gbcspr.com.
About Zi Corporation
Zi Corporation (www.zicorp.com) is a technology company that delivers intelligent interface solutions to enhance the user experience of wireless and consumer technologies. The company provides device manufacturers and network operators with a full range of intuitive and easy-to-use input solutions, including: eZiType(TM) for keyboard prediction with auto-correction; eZiText® for one-touch predictive text entry; Decuma® for predictive pen-input handwriting recognition; and the Qix search and service discovery engine to enhance the user experience and drive service usage and adoption. The Zi product portfolio dramatically improves the usability of mobile phones, PDAs, gaming consoles and television set-top boxes and the applications on them including SMS, MMS, email and Web browsing. Zi supports its strategic partners and customers from offices in Asia, Europe and North America. A publicly traded company, Zi Corporation is listed on NASDAQ (ZICA) and the Toronto (ZIC) Stock Exchanges.
This release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements, which are subject to the safe harbour provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding future events and the future financial performance of Zi Corporation that involve risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results due to a variety of factors, including: the growth trends in the input technology industry; new product development; global economic conditions and uncertainties in the geopolitical environment; financial and operating performance of Zi's OEM customers and variations in their customer demand for products and services; the ability to successfully acquire businesses and technologies and to successfully integrate and operate these acquired businesses and technologies; dependence on the introduction and market acceptance of new product offerings and standards; rapid technological and market change; matters affecting Zi Corporation's significant shareholder; litigation involving patents, intellectual property, and other matters; the ability to recruit and retain key personnel; Zi Corporation's ability to manage financial risk; currency fluctuations and other international factors; potential volatility in operating results and other factors listed in Zi Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any projections in this release are based on limited information currently available to Zi Corporation, which is subject to change. Although any such projections and the factors influencing them will likely change, except to the extent required by law, Zi Corporation will not necessarily update the information. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.
Zi, eZiType, eZiText, Decuma and Qix are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the Zi Group of Companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contact:
Contacts:
For Zi Corporation:
GBCS PR
Brian Dolby or Emma Tagg
+44 (0) 115 948 6901
Email: brian@gbcspr.com / emma@gbcspr.com
Website: http://www.zicorp.com
Allen & Caron Inc.
Jill Bertotti
(949) 474-4300
Email: jill@allencaron.com
Source: Zi Corporation
Telemar Selects Telenor to Provide Global Satellite Broadband on 27 Vessels
Telenor Satellite Services, a subsidiary of Telenor of Norway (Oslo Stock Exchange: TEL and NASDAQ: TELN) announced today that it has teamed with Telemar Scandinavia AB on delivery of broadband maritime communications for 27 vessels managed by Wallenius Marine AB.
Under the terms of the recently signed agreement between Telemar and Wallenius Marine, Telemar will deliver and install antennas and other equipment, and provide the "always-on" global broadband for voice, fax, data and Internet access via Telenor Satellite Services' Sealink(TM) maritime very small aperture (VSAT) solution. Installations have already begun with plans to complete all installations within two years.
During a recently concluded pilot project, Wallenius tested and evaluated the Sealink and found it to be a proven and reliable system.
Sealink is Telenor's cost-efficient and highly reliable maritime broadband system that provides voice and high-speed data services via satellite, including Internet access and crew calling, Sealink is considered the leading broadband system for both Ku-band for regional coverage and C-band for worldwide coverage, which is a prerequisite for the Wallenius Fleet.
"Maritime telecommunications are now undergoing major changes. Wallenius is the first shipping company of its kind to fit their ships with global broadband at large scale. The company's decision is therefore a landmark breakthrough for the maritime communications industry," said Captain Lars Brodje, managing director of Telemar Scandinavia. "In addition to paving the way for more efficient ship operation, the broadband facilities will improve the crew's social situation by making it easier to stay in contact with friends and family."
"We are delighted that Telemar and Wallenius have selected the Sealink maritime VSAT solution to meet the global 'at sea' communications requirements for Wallenius' fleet," said Tore Morten Olsen, executive vice president of Telenor Satellite Services. "Telenor's Sealink VSAT solution enables Wallenius to provide its vessels and ship operators with a complete suite of business communications capabilities complete with advanced IP-based applications similar to what they expect at their home and office."
Sealink(TM) is Telenor's suite of digital high-speed communications solutions that extend corporate networks and make other broadband communications available to ships at sea. Sealink provides turnkey managed communications solutions for a wide variety of maritime industries as well as ocean-going transportation and supply operations. All communications are delivered through Telenor's fully-owned network of teleports.
Telenor is one of the world's largest providers of mobile broadband services on land and at sea, supporting more than 2,000 land-based VSAT sites and operating on more than 500 ships around the world.
Contact:
Telemar Scandinavia
Lars Brodje, +46 31 89 28 11
or
Telenor Satellite Services
Tore Morten Olsen, +47 90 85 50 97
or
Tom Surface, +1 301-838-7830
thomas.surface@telenor-usa.com
Source: Telenor Satellite Services
Under the terms of the recently signed agreement between Telemar and Wallenius Marine, Telemar will deliver and install antennas and other equipment, and provide the "always-on" global broadband for voice, fax, data and Internet access via Telenor Satellite Services' Sealink(TM) maritime very small aperture (VSAT) solution. Installations have already begun with plans to complete all installations within two years.
During a recently concluded pilot project, Wallenius tested and evaluated the Sealink and found it to be a proven and reliable system.
Sealink is Telenor's cost-efficient and highly reliable maritime broadband system that provides voice and high-speed data services via satellite, including Internet access and crew calling, Sealink is considered the leading broadband system for both Ku-band for regional coverage and C-band for worldwide coverage, which is a prerequisite for the Wallenius Fleet.
"Maritime telecommunications are now undergoing major changes. Wallenius is the first shipping company of its kind to fit their ships with global broadband at large scale. The company's decision is therefore a landmark breakthrough for the maritime communications industry," said Captain Lars Brodje, managing director of Telemar Scandinavia. "In addition to paving the way for more efficient ship operation, the broadband facilities will improve the crew's social situation by making it easier to stay in contact with friends and family."
"We are delighted that Telemar and Wallenius have selected the Sealink maritime VSAT solution to meet the global 'at sea' communications requirements for Wallenius' fleet," said Tore Morten Olsen, executive vice president of Telenor Satellite Services. "Telenor's Sealink VSAT solution enables Wallenius to provide its vessels and ship operators with a complete suite of business communications capabilities complete with advanced IP-based applications similar to what they expect at their home and office."
Sealink(TM) is Telenor's suite of digital high-speed communications solutions that extend corporate networks and make other broadband communications available to ships at sea. Sealink provides turnkey managed communications solutions for a wide variety of maritime industries as well as ocean-going transportation and supply operations. All communications are delivered through Telenor's fully-owned network of teleports.
Telenor is one of the world's largest providers of mobile broadband services on land and at sea, supporting more than 2,000 land-based VSAT sites and operating on more than 500 ships around the world.
Contact:
Telemar Scandinavia
Lars Brodje, +46 31 89 28 11
or
Telenor Satellite Services
Tore Morten Olsen, +47 90 85 50 97
or
Tom Surface, +1 301-838-7830
thomas.surface@telenor-usa.com
Source: Telenor Satellite Services
Philippine Shares Slip on Profit-Taking
Philippine shares declined Monday as investors locked in profits from last week's gains.
The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 11.65 points, or 0.4 percent, at 3,234.16, after rising 1.6 percent Friday.
The profit-taking may have been stoked by a renewed concern over a possible rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve, said BPI Securities assistant vice president Spencer Yap.
Philippine financial markets will be watching closely Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony later this week. Any change in U.S. interest rates may impact local interest and exchange rates.
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. was the most active, off 1.2 percent at 2,520 pesos following the 0.3 percent loss in the company's American depository receipts in New York.
The PLDT also lost on concerns over 2006 earnings, after its rival Globe Telecom Inc. last week reported lower-than-expected 2006 gains.
Globe was down 0.4 percent at 1,355 pesos.
Filinvest Land shed 3.3 percent at 1.76 pesos on profit-taking after the housing concern's successful listing last week to cap a recent share offer.
Decliners led advancers 56 to 50, while 54 stocks were unchanged.
The peso weakened in line with the U.S. dollar's broad strength after Federal Reserve officials hinted of possible rate hikes.
The dollar closed at 48.365 pesos, up from 48.305 pesos Friday.
AP
The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 11.65 points, or 0.4 percent, at 3,234.16, after rising 1.6 percent Friday.
The profit-taking may have been stoked by a renewed concern over a possible rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve, said BPI Securities assistant vice president Spencer Yap.
Philippine financial markets will be watching closely Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony later this week. Any change in U.S. interest rates may impact local interest and exchange rates.
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. was the most active, off 1.2 percent at 2,520 pesos following the 0.3 percent loss in the company's American depository receipts in New York.
The PLDT also lost on concerns over 2006 earnings, after its rival Globe Telecom Inc. last week reported lower-than-expected 2006 gains.
Globe was down 0.4 percent at 1,355 pesos.
Filinvest Land shed 3.3 percent at 1.76 pesos on profit-taking after the housing concern's successful listing last week to cap a recent share offer.
Decliners led advancers 56 to 50, while 54 stocks were unchanged.
The peso weakened in line with the U.S. dollar's broad strength after Federal Reserve officials hinted of possible rate hikes.
The dollar closed at 48.365 pesos, up from 48.305 pesos Friday.
AP
Axesstel to Develop HSUPA and EDGE Devices Designed to Drive Operator Revenue and Address Emerging and Developed Markets
- MU430 HSUPA Gateway and EDGE/HSUPA USB Modems Provide Operators with Fixed and Mobile Broadband Solutions to Increase ARPU and Capture New Markets -
- Exhibiting 3G Gateways and USB Modems at 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona -
Axesstel, Inc., a leader in the design and development of fixed wireless voice and broadband data products, today at the 3GSM World Congress announced it will develop the MU430 3G Gateway for high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA) networks and portable USB modems for HSUPA and enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) networks. Axesstel will exhibit its 3G gateways and USB modems at 3GSM World Congress being held in Barcelona, Spain, February 12 - 15, 2007.
The MU430 3G Gateway provides operators with one device that aids in increasing average revenue per unit (ARPU) from data services while enabling them to capture market share from fixed line operators in residential, small office/home office (SOHO) and vertical markets.
The versatile the HSUPA and EDGE USB modems allow operators to increase ARPU while providing subscribers the flexibility of voice and broadband data access from the home or office and while working remotely or traveling.
"Operators worldwide are striving to compete more effectively, increase profitability and more fully leverage their broadband network investments. Our new HSUPA and EDGE devices provide operators with solutions that drive ARPU and enable them to gain market share in a number of markets that are either untapped or dominated by fixed line operators," said Marv Tseu, chief executive officer for Axesstel, Inc. "The new 3G gateway and USB modems will be engineered to address emerging and developed market demands and designed with efficiencies that result in competitively priced, quality broadband data solutions.
"Entering HSUPA and EDGE markets will allow us to further diversify our broadband product portfolio and expand our addressable markets while providing our operator customers worldwide with solutions that enable them to meet strategic objectives," Tseu added.
The MU430 provides networking of multiple desktop and laptop PCs and Wi-Fi enabled devices. Allowing wireless broadband data access at speeds up to 7.2 megabits per second (Mbps), the MU430 offers a superior alternative to dial-up, integrated services digital network (ISDN) or DSL connections.
The small and portable HSUPA and EDGE USB modems provide consumers and mobile professionals with access to voice calling, email, the Internet and large files at speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSUPA and up to 236.8 kilobits per second (kbps) on quad-band (850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz) EDGE networks.
"This is the start of a new family of products that will help Axesstel serve a market place we have only partially served before," said Murray Kawchuk, senior vice president of sales and corporate marketing. "This family puts Axesstel in the forefront of wireless data solutions on a global scale. We are very pleased with the rapid development of these platforms, but more importantly, our lead customers are excited to have us bring some innovation to the HSUPA market."
The MU430 gateway will leverage HSUPA networks and be backward compatible to universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), EDGE, and general packet radio service (GPRS) networks to provide broadband access to email, the Internet, data intensive photos and graphics, and multi-media streaming. Integrated with an 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi router, the MU430 offers wireless broadband data connectivity from any room in a home or office. As a broadband mobile hotspot, the MU430 enables a variety of applications in small business, enterprise, retail, lodging, public transportation, emergency response and other vertical market environments. Without software drivers to install, a four port Ethernet (RJ-45) router provides plug-and-play access to broadband data. A backup battery allows wire-free access from virtually any room, office or environment.
The HSUPA and EDGE USB modems will be backward compatible to provide connectivity to networks worldwide, allowing mobile professionals to stay productive virtually anywhere, at any time. Additional features of the modems include voice calling, and text messaging, personal information management functionality, MS Outlook® phonebook synchronization and compatibility with virtual private networks for secure data transmissions.
HSUPA is expected to be deployed in most major markets worldwide. The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) states that, as of November 2006, there were 156 commercial GSM/EDGE networks in 92 countries (source: www.gsacom.com).
Test units for some of the new devices are anticipated to be available in early third quarter 2007.
For more information on the MU430 and HSUPA/EDGE USB modems visit, www.axesstel.com or Axesstel's virtual press office (VPO) for 3GSM World Congress at: http://www.virtualpressoffice.com/presskit/index.jsp?showId=1152106483 649&companyId=1170709803360 (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)
AXESSTEL AT 3GSM WORLD CONGRESS
Axesstel will exhibit its 3G gateways and USB modems along with its other fixed wireless phones, voice/data terminals, and broadband modems at stand 2.1F45 located in Hall 2, Level 1 at 3GSM World Congress being held February 12 - 15 at Fira de Barcelona - Montjuic in Barcelona, Spain.
NOTES FOR EDITORS AND ANALYSTS
Senior Axesstel executives will be available at 3GSM World Congress to offer comment on:
- Global market demand for fixed and mobile broadband data access
- Advantages of fixed and mobile wireless broadband data access
- Successful business models and applications for fixed wireless voice and broadband data
- Convergence of voice & data, land-line and wireless technology and WLAN/WWAN networking
- Axesstel's new USB modems, 3G gateways, fixed wireless phones and product roadmap
To set up a briefing, please contact:
Kim K. Haneke
Axesstel, Inc.
+1 858-228-7249 or +34 687 539 084 during 3GSM World Congress
khaneke@axesstel.com
ABOUT AXESSTEL, INC.
Axesstel (AMEX: AFT - News) is a leader in the design and development of fixed wireless voice and broadband data products. Axesstel's product portfolio includes fixed wireless desktop phones, public call office phones, voice/data terminals, fixed and mobile broadband modems and 3G gateways for access to voice calling and high-speed data services. The company delivers innovative wireless solutions to leading telecommunications operators and distributors worldwide. Axesstel is headquartered in San Diego, California and has a research and development center in Seoul, South Korea. For more information on Axesstel, visit www.axesstel.com.
© 2007 Axesstel, Inc. All rights reserved. The Axesstel logo is a trademark of Axesstel, Inc.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: With the exception of historical information, the statements set forth above include forward-looking statements relating to market penetration and conditions, product capabilities and the timing of new product introductions which may affect future results and the future viability of Axesstel. Axesstel wishes to caution readers that actual results could differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties and a number of important risk factors. Those factors include but are not limited to unforeseen manufacturing difficulties, unanticipated component shortages, competitive pricing pressures and the risk factors noted in Axesstel's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as the rapidly changing nature of technology and frequent introductions of new products and enhancements by competitors; the competitive nature of the markets for Axesstel's products; product and customer mix, Axesstel's need to gain market acceptance for its products; the risks of primary dependence on one large customer; potential intellectual property-related litigation; Axesstel's need to attract and retain skilled personnel; and Axesstel's primary reliance on its sole contract manufacturer. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Axesstel undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after this press release.
Contact:
Company PR Contact:
Axesstel, Inc.
Kim K. Haneke, +1 858-228-7249 or +34 687 539 084
khaneke@axesstel.com
or
Investor Relations Contacts:
Lippert / Heilshorn & Associates
Kirsten Chapman, +1 415-433-3777
kchapman@lhai.com
Source: Axesstel, Inc.
- Exhibiting 3G Gateways and USB Modems at 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona -
Axesstel, Inc., a leader in the design and development of fixed wireless voice and broadband data products, today at the 3GSM World Congress announced it will develop the MU430 3G Gateway for high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA) networks and portable USB modems for HSUPA and enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) networks. Axesstel will exhibit its 3G gateways and USB modems at 3GSM World Congress being held in Barcelona, Spain, February 12 - 15, 2007.
The MU430 3G Gateway provides operators with one device that aids in increasing average revenue per unit (ARPU) from data services while enabling them to capture market share from fixed line operators in residential, small office/home office (SOHO) and vertical markets.
The versatile the HSUPA and EDGE USB modems allow operators to increase ARPU while providing subscribers the flexibility of voice and broadband data access from the home or office and while working remotely or traveling.
"Operators worldwide are striving to compete more effectively, increase profitability and more fully leverage their broadband network investments. Our new HSUPA and EDGE devices provide operators with solutions that drive ARPU and enable them to gain market share in a number of markets that are either untapped or dominated by fixed line operators," said Marv Tseu, chief executive officer for Axesstel, Inc. "The new 3G gateway and USB modems will be engineered to address emerging and developed market demands and designed with efficiencies that result in competitively priced, quality broadband data solutions.
"Entering HSUPA and EDGE markets will allow us to further diversify our broadband product portfolio and expand our addressable markets while providing our operator customers worldwide with solutions that enable them to meet strategic objectives," Tseu added.
The MU430 provides networking of multiple desktop and laptop PCs and Wi-Fi enabled devices. Allowing wireless broadband data access at speeds up to 7.2 megabits per second (Mbps), the MU430 offers a superior alternative to dial-up, integrated services digital network (ISDN) or DSL connections.
The small and portable HSUPA and EDGE USB modems provide consumers and mobile professionals with access to voice calling, email, the Internet and large files at speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSUPA and up to 236.8 kilobits per second (kbps) on quad-band (850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz) EDGE networks.
"This is the start of a new family of products that will help Axesstel serve a market place we have only partially served before," said Murray Kawchuk, senior vice president of sales and corporate marketing. "This family puts Axesstel in the forefront of wireless data solutions on a global scale. We are very pleased with the rapid development of these platforms, but more importantly, our lead customers are excited to have us bring some innovation to the HSUPA market."
The MU430 gateway will leverage HSUPA networks and be backward compatible to universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), EDGE, and general packet radio service (GPRS) networks to provide broadband access to email, the Internet, data intensive photos and graphics, and multi-media streaming. Integrated with an 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi router, the MU430 offers wireless broadband data connectivity from any room in a home or office. As a broadband mobile hotspot, the MU430 enables a variety of applications in small business, enterprise, retail, lodging, public transportation, emergency response and other vertical market environments. Without software drivers to install, a four port Ethernet (RJ-45) router provides plug-and-play access to broadband data. A backup battery allows wire-free access from virtually any room, office or environment.
The HSUPA and EDGE USB modems will be backward compatible to provide connectivity to networks worldwide, allowing mobile professionals to stay productive virtually anywhere, at any time. Additional features of the modems include voice calling, and text messaging, personal information management functionality, MS Outlook® phonebook synchronization and compatibility with virtual private networks for secure data transmissions.
HSUPA is expected to be deployed in most major markets worldwide. The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) states that, as of November 2006, there were 156 commercial GSM/EDGE networks in 92 countries (source: www.gsacom.com).
Test units for some of the new devices are anticipated to be available in early third quarter 2007.
For more information on the MU430 and HSUPA/EDGE USB modems visit, www.axesstel.com or Axesstel's virtual press office (VPO) for 3GSM World Congress at: http://www.virtualpressoffice.com/presskit/index.jsp?showId=1152106483 649&companyId=1170709803360 (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)
AXESSTEL AT 3GSM WORLD CONGRESS
Axesstel will exhibit its 3G gateways and USB modems along with its other fixed wireless phones, voice/data terminals, and broadband modems at stand 2.1F45 located in Hall 2, Level 1 at 3GSM World Congress being held February 12 - 15 at Fira de Barcelona - Montjuic in Barcelona, Spain.
NOTES FOR EDITORS AND ANALYSTS
Senior Axesstel executives will be available at 3GSM World Congress to offer comment on:
- Global market demand for fixed and mobile broadband data access
- Advantages of fixed and mobile wireless broadband data access
- Successful business models and applications for fixed wireless voice and broadband data
- Convergence of voice & data, land-line and wireless technology and WLAN/WWAN networking
- Axesstel's new USB modems, 3G gateways, fixed wireless phones and product roadmap
To set up a briefing, please contact:
Kim K. Haneke
Axesstel, Inc.
+1 858-228-7249 or +34 687 539 084 during 3GSM World Congress
khaneke@axesstel.com
ABOUT AXESSTEL, INC.
Axesstel (AMEX: AFT - News) is a leader in the design and development of fixed wireless voice and broadband data products. Axesstel's product portfolio includes fixed wireless desktop phones, public call office phones, voice/data terminals, fixed and mobile broadband modems and 3G gateways for access to voice calling and high-speed data services. The company delivers innovative wireless solutions to leading telecommunications operators and distributors worldwide. Axesstel is headquartered in San Diego, California and has a research and development center in Seoul, South Korea. For more information on Axesstel, visit www.axesstel.com.
© 2007 Axesstel, Inc. All rights reserved. The Axesstel logo is a trademark of Axesstel, Inc.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: With the exception of historical information, the statements set forth above include forward-looking statements relating to market penetration and conditions, product capabilities and the timing of new product introductions which may affect future results and the future viability of Axesstel. Axesstel wishes to caution readers that actual results could differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties and a number of important risk factors. Those factors include but are not limited to unforeseen manufacturing difficulties, unanticipated component shortages, competitive pricing pressures and the risk factors noted in Axesstel's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as the rapidly changing nature of technology and frequent introductions of new products and enhancements by competitors; the competitive nature of the markets for Axesstel's products; product and customer mix, Axesstel's need to gain market acceptance for its products; the risks of primary dependence on one large customer; potential intellectual property-related litigation; Axesstel's need to attract and retain skilled personnel; and Axesstel's primary reliance on its sole contract manufacturer. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Axesstel undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after this press release.
Contact:
Company PR Contact:
Axesstel, Inc.
Kim K. Haneke, +1 858-228-7249 or +34 687 539 084
khaneke@axesstel.com
or
Investor Relations Contacts:
Lippert / Heilshorn & Associates
Kirsten Chapman, +1 415-433-3777
kchapman@lhai.com
Source: Axesstel, Inc.
bcgi Payment Manager Enables Cross-Border Prepaid Top-Up and Roaming Recharge
BUSINESS WIRE (bcgi) , a leading provider of solutions to mobile operators and MVNOs worldwide, today announced new capabilities within its Payment Manager application that enable operators and MVNOs to extend their top-up footprints across international borders and across mobile operators.
Cross-border, cross-carrier recharge lets mobile subscribers recharge their own phones as well as those of family and friends, no matter their location. This new capability will allow international roamers to maintain their account balances, improving the roamer's customer experience and helping increase international roaming revenues for operators.
International recharge also allows prepaid subscribers to send prepaid payments to a friend or relative, regardless of borders, increasing per subscriber revenue for operators and MVNOs.
Payment Manager's international recharge capability provides currency conversion and international settlement, among its many features. It also includes ISO 8583 interface support, allowing rapid integration to banking networks and prepaid distributors around the world.
"Consumers want convenience regardless of borders," said Tom Erskine, bcgi vice president of product development and marketing. "Whether recharging their phone on holiday or accepting a payment from a family member in another country, international top-up will help operators drive incremental revenue, reduce churn and extend the presence of their brand."
There is a strong business case for international recharge functionality; for example, remittances sent to Latin America and the Caribbean from all parts of the world totaled more than $60 billion in 2006, according to the Inter-American Development Bank Multilateral Investment Fund. An estimated 12.6 million Latin American immigrants in the United States sent home approximately $45 billion in 2006. The international recharge module of bcgi Payment Manager lets mobile operators and MVNOs tap into this remittance stream while increasing top-up options for their subscribers.
About bcgi
bcgi delivers innovative products and services that enable mobile operators and MVNOs worldwide to differentiate their offerings and increase market penetration while reducing costs. Founded in 1988, bcgi is a leader in identifying and addressing new market needs with proven solutions, including prepaid and postpaid billing, payments and access management. For more information, visit www.bcgi.net.
About bcgi Payment Manager and International Recharge
Payment Manager
bcgi Payment Manager is a single platform that supports the unique payment needs of mobile operators. Payment Manager allows operators to create multiple payment channels and manage those channels all from a single Web-based user interface. With support for real-time payment processing, multi-level settlement capabilities, sophisticated payment loyalty functionality and fraud prevention tools, Payment Manager can be integrated into any operator network to improve operational efficiency and lower costs of accepting customer payments.
International Recharge
The latest module of bcgi's proven Payment Manager platform, IR performs the international recharge request routing, exchange rate management, currency conversion and integration to prepaid billing systems. The rich reporting and settlement capabilities included in IR allow national operators to easily reconcile transactions between carriers, countries and distributors.
Contact:
bcgi
Stephanie Myers Pachucki, 1-781-904-5026
spachucki@bcgi.net
or
Rachel Stein, 1-714-540-1030
bcgi@bockpr.com
Source: bcgi
Cross-border, cross-carrier recharge lets mobile subscribers recharge their own phones as well as those of family and friends, no matter their location. This new capability will allow international roamers to maintain their account balances, improving the roamer's customer experience and helping increase international roaming revenues for operators.
International recharge also allows prepaid subscribers to send prepaid payments to a friend or relative, regardless of borders, increasing per subscriber revenue for operators and MVNOs.
Payment Manager's international recharge capability provides currency conversion and international settlement, among its many features. It also includes ISO 8583 interface support, allowing rapid integration to banking networks and prepaid distributors around the world.
"Consumers want convenience regardless of borders," said Tom Erskine, bcgi vice president of product development and marketing. "Whether recharging their phone on holiday or accepting a payment from a family member in another country, international top-up will help operators drive incremental revenue, reduce churn and extend the presence of their brand."
There is a strong business case for international recharge functionality; for example, remittances sent to Latin America and the Caribbean from all parts of the world totaled more than $60 billion in 2006, according to the Inter-American Development Bank Multilateral Investment Fund. An estimated 12.6 million Latin American immigrants in the United States sent home approximately $45 billion in 2006. The international recharge module of bcgi Payment Manager lets mobile operators and MVNOs tap into this remittance stream while increasing top-up options for their subscribers.
About bcgi
bcgi delivers innovative products and services that enable mobile operators and MVNOs worldwide to differentiate their offerings and increase market penetration while reducing costs. Founded in 1988, bcgi is a leader in identifying and addressing new market needs with proven solutions, including prepaid and postpaid billing, payments and access management. For more information, visit www.bcgi.net.
About bcgi Payment Manager and International Recharge
Payment Manager
bcgi Payment Manager is a single platform that supports the unique payment needs of mobile operators. Payment Manager allows operators to create multiple payment channels and manage those channels all from a single Web-based user interface. With support for real-time payment processing, multi-level settlement capabilities, sophisticated payment loyalty functionality and fraud prevention tools, Payment Manager can be integrated into any operator network to improve operational efficiency and lower costs of accepting customer payments.
International Recharge
The latest module of bcgi's proven Payment Manager platform, IR performs the international recharge request routing, exchange rate management, currency conversion and integration to prepaid billing systems. The rich reporting and settlement capabilities included in IR allow national operators to easily reconcile transactions between carriers, countries and distributors.
Contact:
bcgi
Stephanie Myers Pachucki, 1-781-904-5026
spachucki@bcgi.net
or
Rachel Stein, 1-714-540-1030
bcgi@bockpr.com
Source: bcgi
PCTEL Introduces MAXRAD Wideband Antennas to Cover WiMAX Frequencies
PCTEL, Inc., a leader in Wireless Broadband Solutions, today introduced the MAXRAD high-gain, wideband sector panel Antenna for WiMAX Base stations. This MAXRAD series of antennas cover 2.3 to 2.7GHz and 3.3 to 3.8GHz frequency bands, available in 60 degree and 65 degree beam. PCTEL will be demonstrating its WiMAX base station antennas as well as its portfolio of GPS, Mobile and other infrastructure antenna solutions at the 2007 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona. PCTEL's booth will be located at 2C71 in Hall 2.
The wideband frequency coverage minimizes the number of antennas required to cover the WiMAX frequency bands. The antenna radiation patterns have been optimized to provide market leading RF coverage solutions providing 18dBi of gain in a 48 inch tall radome structure and up to 17dBi of gain in 28 inch radome structure. The MAXRAD sector panel antennas have been designed with a superior front to back ratio minimizing interference and allowing for installation on communication towers already congested with radio equipment.
"Growth in WiMAX continues to be driven by need for seamless ubiquitous broadband wireless access for voice, video, and data applications. We are proud to have responded to market demand with the MAXRAD high performance antenna solutions that provide optimized coverage, high gain and options that allow for mounting flexibility," said Jeff Miller, General Manager of the Broadband Technology Group. "As the demand for WiMAX coverage increases, we will continue to provide MAXRAD antenna products to remain consistent with our mission in becoming the leader in the high growth WiMAX and broadband antenna solutions market," added Miller.
About PCTEL
PCTEL, Inc. (Nasdaq:PCTI - News), which is headquartered in Chicago, is a global leader in wireless broadband solutions. The company's Broadband Technology Group (BTG) includes Antenna Products and RF Solutions. PCTEL's BTG designs, distributes, and supports innovative antenna solutions for public safety applications, unlicensed and licensed wireless broadband, fleet management, network timing, and other GPS applications. Its portfolio of OEM receivers, receiver based products and interference management solutions are used to measure, monitor and optimize cellular networks. PCTEL's Mobility Solutions Group's software tools provide secure, access independent, remote connectivity to the Internet and IMS software for converged handsets.
The company's products are sold or licensed to wireless carriers, wireless ISPs, distributors, system integrators, wireless test and measurement companies, wireless network equipment, handset manufacturers, and government agencies. PCTEL protects its technology with a strong intellectual property portfolio and broad cross-licensing agreements. For more information, please visit the company's web site at: http://www.pctel.com.
SAFE HARBOR
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, these forward-looking statements include statements regarding the potential benefits to WiMAX and broadband antenna solutions markets from the use of the new MAXRAD wideband antennas to cover WiMAX frequencies. These statements are based on PCTEL's current expectations and anticipated customer benefits and product capabilities may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, PCTEL's success in marketing and selling, PCTEL's ability to forecast customer requirements and demand for this product, and pricing uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties in PCTEL's business, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in PCTEL's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, can affect results. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and PCTEL disclaims any obligation to update or revise the information contained in any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact:
PCTEL, Inc.
John Schoen, CFO, 773-243-3000
or
Public Relations
Jack Seller, 773-243-3016
jack.seller@pctel.com
Source: PCTEL, Inc.
The wideband frequency coverage minimizes the number of antennas required to cover the WiMAX frequency bands. The antenna radiation patterns have been optimized to provide market leading RF coverage solutions providing 18dBi of gain in a 48 inch tall radome structure and up to 17dBi of gain in 28 inch radome structure. The MAXRAD sector panel antennas have been designed with a superior front to back ratio minimizing interference and allowing for installation on communication towers already congested with radio equipment.
"Growth in WiMAX continues to be driven by need for seamless ubiquitous broadband wireless access for voice, video, and data applications. We are proud to have responded to market demand with the MAXRAD high performance antenna solutions that provide optimized coverage, high gain and options that allow for mounting flexibility," said Jeff Miller, General Manager of the Broadband Technology Group. "As the demand for WiMAX coverage increases, we will continue to provide MAXRAD antenna products to remain consistent with our mission in becoming the leader in the high growth WiMAX and broadband antenna solutions market," added Miller.
About PCTEL
PCTEL, Inc. (Nasdaq:PCTI - News), which is headquartered in Chicago, is a global leader in wireless broadband solutions. The company's Broadband Technology Group (BTG) includes Antenna Products and RF Solutions. PCTEL's BTG designs, distributes, and supports innovative antenna solutions for public safety applications, unlicensed and licensed wireless broadband, fleet management, network timing, and other GPS applications. Its portfolio of OEM receivers, receiver based products and interference management solutions are used to measure, monitor and optimize cellular networks. PCTEL's Mobility Solutions Group's software tools provide secure, access independent, remote connectivity to the Internet and IMS software for converged handsets.
The company's products are sold or licensed to wireless carriers, wireless ISPs, distributors, system integrators, wireless test and measurement companies, wireless network equipment, handset manufacturers, and government agencies. PCTEL protects its technology with a strong intellectual property portfolio and broad cross-licensing agreements. For more information, please visit the company's web site at: http://www.pctel.com.
SAFE HARBOR
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, these forward-looking statements include statements regarding the potential benefits to WiMAX and broadband antenna solutions markets from the use of the new MAXRAD wideband antennas to cover WiMAX frequencies. These statements are based on PCTEL's current expectations and anticipated customer benefits and product capabilities may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, PCTEL's success in marketing and selling, PCTEL's ability to forecast customer requirements and demand for this product, and pricing uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties in PCTEL's business, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in PCTEL's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, can affect results. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and PCTEL disclaims any obligation to update or revise the information contained in any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact:
PCTEL, Inc.
John Schoen, CFO, 773-243-3000
or
Public Relations
Jack Seller, 773-243-3016
jack.seller@pctel.com
Source: PCTEL, Inc.
Vodafone Makes Smart Move In India
Keith McMahon submits: Vodafone has announced that it has agreed to acquire companies that control a 67% interest in Hutch Essar from Hutchison Telecom International Limited (NYSE: HTX - News) for a cash consideration of US$11.1bn. Vodafone will assume net debt of approximately US$2.0 bn. The transaction implies an enterprise value of US$18.8 billion (£9.6 billion) for Hutch Essar.
Vodafone has also offered to buy the 33% stake of the Essar Group and has made arrangements with local partners to keep within the government 74% foreign holding limit if Essar decide to sell out. This is significantly lower than some of the US$20bn+ valuations placed on Hutchison Essar by some analysts.
One item of the transaction that definitely seems appealing on the surface is the unwinding of the 10% ownership in the #1 Indian Operator, Bharti. First, Vodafone has granted an option to sell its direct 5.6% investment for US$1.6bn to the local partner Bharti. Vodafone seems to have granted deferred payment terms for the 5.6% stake over the next 18 months. This leaves Voda with an indirect stake of 4.4% worth around US$1.3bn based upon an initial investment of US$0.8bn for the whole of the 10% stake.
companywise market share
company technology
As part of this transaction, Voda has immediately allayed fear about the capital costs of roll-out of rural GSM in India. It seems that the #3 (Hutch Essar) and #1 (Bharti) will share infrastructure and which will make the investment look at lot more attractive than rolling out infrastructure solo. This potentially gives this partnership a huge advantage over the #1 CDMA operator, Reliance, and the state owned #2, BSNL and MTNL, in the GSM market.
The local major shareholder of Bharti, Sunil Mittal, seems to be making very positive noises about the partnership going forward and it does seem at first glance like a huge win-win for both parties. I would expect the other overseas operator with a shareholding in Bharti, Singtel, will be extremely disappointed that they have not picked up the Vodafone stake, however the fears will be allayed by the network sharing deal. The #1 CDMA Operator, Reliance, will be extremely disappointed that they have not won the deal, but their infrastructure partner, Qualcomm, will probably be extremely happy as they should now reinforce their commitment to CDMA technologies.
In the short term, the pressure will be on for Voda:
# To improve the market performance at Hutch Essar: the Voda press release indicates a market share (presumably by revenue) of 25% by FY2012
# To rollout the Voda brand and services
# To rollout the network to the 6 circles where there is currently no service.
hutch india
Even more important is the resolution of the issue of the local partner. In the press release Voda have indicated they have offered to the Essar Group terms to buy them out. The Essar Group have made noises all along in the auction process that they would try and use pre-emption rights to buy the HTIL stake that Voda have bought. It is also fair to say that the relationship between Essar and Hutchison Whampoa was extremely strained. It is really important to reduce the risk for Voda to sort out this problem as soon as possible.
In the medium to long term, Voda will no doubt look at acquiring some of the smaller Indian GSM players to gain market share. Ultimately, the aim must be to be #1 in the market.
For me, this is a stunning transaction which will transform the Voda Group growth prospects in one swoop. Voda have also managed to complete the transaction on a lower cost than some of the rumours in the press. Voda have also immediately addressed the situation with Bharti. The only potential problem is the current minority 33% holder, Essar Group. I expect to see a short term uplift in the Voda shareprice when the markets open this morning.
SeekingAlpha
Vodafone has also offered to buy the 33% stake of the Essar Group and has made arrangements with local partners to keep within the government 74% foreign holding limit if Essar decide to sell out. This is significantly lower than some of the US$20bn+ valuations placed on Hutchison Essar by some analysts.
One item of the transaction that definitely seems appealing on the surface is the unwinding of the 10% ownership in the #1 Indian Operator, Bharti. First, Vodafone has granted an option to sell its direct 5.6% investment for US$1.6bn to the local partner Bharti. Vodafone seems to have granted deferred payment terms for the 5.6% stake over the next 18 months. This leaves Voda with an indirect stake of 4.4% worth around US$1.3bn based upon an initial investment of US$0.8bn for the whole of the 10% stake.
companywise market share
company technology
As part of this transaction, Voda has immediately allayed fear about the capital costs of roll-out of rural GSM in India. It seems that the #3 (Hutch Essar) and #1 (Bharti) will share infrastructure and which will make the investment look at lot more attractive than rolling out infrastructure solo. This potentially gives this partnership a huge advantage over the #1 CDMA operator, Reliance, and the state owned #2, BSNL and MTNL, in the GSM market.
The local major shareholder of Bharti, Sunil Mittal, seems to be making very positive noises about the partnership going forward and it does seem at first glance like a huge win-win for both parties. I would expect the other overseas operator with a shareholding in Bharti, Singtel, will be extremely disappointed that they have not picked up the Vodafone stake, however the fears will be allayed by the network sharing deal. The #1 CDMA Operator, Reliance, will be extremely disappointed that they have not won the deal, but their infrastructure partner, Qualcomm, will probably be extremely happy as they should now reinforce their commitment to CDMA technologies.
In the short term, the pressure will be on for Voda:
# To improve the market performance at Hutch Essar: the Voda press release indicates a market share (presumably by revenue) of 25% by FY2012
# To rollout the Voda brand and services
# To rollout the network to the 6 circles where there is currently no service.
hutch india
Even more important is the resolution of the issue of the local partner. In the press release Voda have indicated they have offered to the Essar Group terms to buy them out. The Essar Group have made noises all along in the auction process that they would try and use pre-emption rights to buy the HTIL stake that Voda have bought. It is also fair to say that the relationship between Essar and Hutchison Whampoa was extremely strained. It is really important to reduce the risk for Voda to sort out this problem as soon as possible.
In the medium to long term, Voda will no doubt look at acquiring some of the smaller Indian GSM players to gain market share. Ultimately, the aim must be to be #1 in the market.
For me, this is a stunning transaction which will transform the Voda Group growth prospects in one swoop. Voda have also managed to complete the transaction on a lower cost than some of the rumours in the press. Voda have also immediately addressed the situation with Bharti. The only potential problem is the current minority 33% holder, Essar Group. I expect to see a short term uplift in the Voda shareprice when the markets open this morning.
SeekingAlpha
Hong Kong Shares Drop, Led by China Mobile and Property Shares
Hong Kong shares fell Monday led by China Mobile which will have its weighting cut in a reshuffle of the city's benchmark index. Property shares also dropped on concerns about delays in U.S. interest rate cuts.
The blue chip Hang Seng Index fell 84.25 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 20,593.41 points.
Analysts expected the benchmark index could fall further this week ahead of next week's Lunar New Year holiday.
"The market is likely to consolidate in the next few days. There's no fresh news likely to come out so people are taking some profits out," said Ernie Hon, senior quantitative analyst at ICEA Securities.
China Mobile fell 1.6 percent to HK$75.20 after HSI Services announced on Friday the addition of China Life Insurance and mainland banking giant Industrial & Commercial Bank of China to the blue-chip gauge.
China's biggest mobile operator by subscribers was also hurt by speculation that Vodafone Group will sell its 3.3 percent stake to help fund a US$11.1 billion purchase of a 67 percent stake in an Indian cell phone firm from Hutchison Telecommunications International.
Hutchison Telecoms was suspended from trading pending an announcement about the deal.
Hong Kong property developers dropped after three Federal Reserve officials warned Friday they stood ready to raise rates if U.S. economic growth was stronger than expected.
Sun Hung Kai Properties dropped 1.7 percent to HK$96 and Cheung Kong Holdings fell 1 percent to HK$105.40 as Hong Kong interest rates tend to track U.S. rates due to a linked currency.
Turnover totaled HK$46.29 billion (US$5.92 billion; euro 4.56 billion), down from HK$48.89 billion Friday.
source news : biz.yahoo.com
The blue chip Hang Seng Index fell 84.25 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 20,593.41 points.
Analysts expected the benchmark index could fall further this week ahead of next week's Lunar New Year holiday.
"The market is likely to consolidate in the next few days. There's no fresh news likely to come out so people are taking some profits out," said Ernie Hon, senior quantitative analyst at ICEA Securities.
China Mobile fell 1.6 percent to HK$75.20 after HSI Services announced on Friday the addition of China Life Insurance and mainland banking giant Industrial & Commercial Bank of China to the blue-chip gauge.
China's biggest mobile operator by subscribers was also hurt by speculation that Vodafone Group will sell its 3.3 percent stake to help fund a US$11.1 billion purchase of a 67 percent stake in an Indian cell phone firm from Hutchison Telecommunications International.
Hutchison Telecoms was suspended from trading pending an announcement about the deal.
Hong Kong property developers dropped after three Federal Reserve officials warned Friday they stood ready to raise rates if U.S. economic growth was stronger than expected.
Sun Hung Kai Properties dropped 1.7 percent to HK$96 and Cheung Kong Holdings fell 1 percent to HK$105.40 as Hong Kong interest rates tend to track U.S. rates due to a linked currency.
Turnover totaled HK$46.29 billion (US$5.92 billion; euro 4.56 billion), down from HK$48.89 billion Friday.
source news : biz.yahoo.com
Mexico ETF Rises With Elections
Tom Lydon (ETF Trends) submits: The Mexican elections might be helping out the Mexico exchange traded fund. iShares MSCI Mexico Fund reached new highs last week and has been on a steady rise since mid-June. Joanne Von Alroth of Investor's Business Daily points out that the rise coincides with the July election of President Felipe Calderon, a conservative who is continuing the free-market policies of the past administration. He has not implemented any new policies, but investors seem confident his leadership will be good for the country. One area of focus is a crackdown on drug cartels to lower the violence in the country.
EWW rose 43% in 2006 and is up 6% this year. The largest holding is America Movil, makes up 24% of the ETF. AMX is a wireless phone company with over 93.3 million customers in 14 countries.
source news : biz.yahoo.com
EWW rose 43% in 2006 and is up 6% this year. The largest holding is America Movil, makes up 24% of the ETF. AMX is a wireless phone company with over 93.3 million customers in 14 countries.
source news : biz.yahoo.com
Google, Vodafone Agree Deal to Develop Maps for Mobile Phones
Vodafone Group PLC, the world's largest mobile phone network operator, said Monday it agreed with Google to develop maps for mobile telephones.
The company said it will, in conjunction with Google Maps, provide easy-to-use maps and local listings, as well as local search and navigation capabilities.
"Vodafone sees Google Maps as a new milestone in the relationship that both companies are developing. It is a prime example of how Vodafone, through its location service and distribution scale, can complement Google's products and unlock mass-market access to exciting services," said Frank Rovekamp, global chief marketing officer of Vodafone.
On the Net: www.vodafone.com
The company said it will, in conjunction with Google Maps, provide easy-to-use maps and local listings, as well as local search and navigation capabilities.
"Vodafone sees Google Maps as a new milestone in the relationship that both companies are developing. It is a prime example of how Vodafone, through its location service and distribution scale, can complement Google's products and unlock mass-market access to exciting services," said Frank Rovekamp, global chief marketing officer of Vodafone.
On the Net: www.vodafone.com
PassTime(TM) USA Launches New PassTime(TM) ''ELITE'' Based on Wavecom Innovation
ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX, France & LITTLETON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PassTime(TM) USA today announced the launch of its latest payment assurance device, PassTime(TM) Elite, featuring the Wavecom Q2687 Wireless CPU®. The device harnesses the power of wireless machine-to-machine technology to help credit-troubled people own their own vehicles and mend their credit at the same time. PassTime(TM) starter-interrupt devices alert car-owners in advance of payment due dates and shut down the vehicle in the event of missed payments. While this may sound somewhat unpleasant, car owner Mary Cueller would disagree. "I didn't have good credit and this helps me make my payments on time," she said. Asked if she'd install the device on her family's other car, she responds, "Yes, I would. I would in a heartbeat."
As the premier provider and market leader of starter-interrupt and payment assurance technologies, PassTime(TM) has helped many like Mary repair their credit and go on to home ownership and more - at the same time, transforming the $600 Billion automotive finance market. With more than 3,500 customers and 500,000 devices on the road, PassTime(TM) technology protects over $1 Billion in assets. The newest product, PassTime(TM) Elite, is expected to achieve volumes in excess of 100,000 units with the potential to reach as high as two Million units over the next five years.
Always evolving to better serve its marketplace, PassTime(TM) is the first Wavecom customer in the U.S. to fully utilize C-GPS Open AT® Plug-In using Opus technology from eRide and Wavecom Q2687 Wireless CPU®. In fact, the unique PassTime(TM) functionality is entirely built-in and operated by Open AT® software. This cutting edge technology, at the heart of the new PassTime(TM) Elite platform, was vital in providing PassTime(TM) a competitive edge thanks in part to reduced materials costs and remote upgradeability for lower total cost of ownership.
"We are excited to be at the heart of this exciting application," said Wavecom COO Anders Franzen. "Our partnership with PassTime(TM) is a prime example of cooperative development and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting our customers throughout their development process."
"Working with Wavecom has been a huge help in developing this cutting-edge solution," said PassTime(TM) Chief Operating Officer Chris Macheca. "Wavecom offered a great deal of interaction with our developers and I know they pulled a lot of late nights helping us pull off an aggressive schedule for this product."
PassTime(TM) devices help lenders improve their financial portfolio's performance and gain high levels of operational efficiency and profitability. PassTime(TM) lenders are able to reduce collection staff levels, avoid expenses related to repossessions, and reduce their financial charge-offs and losses. PassTime(TM) lenders, through credit bureau reporting, have the capability to improve the credit scores of their customers.
"PassTime(TM) Elite will change the way lenders collect money. This is the greatest technology invention for collectors since the invention of the telephone." - Sue Karlin, CIO, PassTime(TM) USA.
About PassTime(TM) USA
Headquartered in Littleton, Colorado, PassTime(TM) supports and enhances the specialized finance industry through an entire family of payment guarantee solutions. Founded in 1990, PassTime(TM) invented the industry's first starter interrupt device in 1997.
The PassTime(TM) family of products improves customer payment performance and reduces default and repossession risks. We are proud to offer code-based, wireless, and GPS products and would like to announce our NEW PassTime Elite product.
About Wavecom
Wavecom (Paris:AVM - News; NASDAQ:WVCM - News; ISIN:FR0000073066) is a worldwide leader in embedded industrial wireless communication solutions for automotive, machine-to-machine and mobile professional applications. Wavecom's solutions include the Open AT® software platform encompassing the Wavecom Open AT® Operating System, a wide range of Plug-Ins, the Open AT® Integrated Development Environment (IDE) along with a market-leading range of Wireless CPU®s (Central Processing Units), and an expanding portfolio of services. These complete embedded solutions enable makers of all types of machines to develop a new breed of intelligent wireless applications, without the need of external processors and other ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and components.
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Issy-les-Moulineaux (France) near Paris, Wavecom has subsidiaries in Hong Kong (PRC), Research Triangle Park, NC (USA), Camberley (UK). Wavecom is publicly traded on Euronext Paris (Eurolist) in France and on the NASDAQ (WVCM) exchange in the U.S.
www.wavecom.com
Contact:
Wavecom
Lisa Ann Sanders, + 33 1 46 29 41 81
Director, Communications and IR
lisaann.sanders@wavecom.com
or
Wavecom, Inc.
Sara Brown, +1 919-237-4007
Communications Manager
+1 919-451-9027 (on site)
sara.brown@wavecom.com
www.wavecom.com
or
PassTime USA
Corinne Schwarz, 303-962-4102 (direct)
National Accts/Marketing Director
877-PASSTIME
cschwarz@passtimeusa.com
www.passtimeusa.com
Source: Wavecom
As the premier provider and market leader of starter-interrupt and payment assurance technologies, PassTime(TM) has helped many like Mary repair their credit and go on to home ownership and more - at the same time, transforming the $600 Billion automotive finance market. With more than 3,500 customers and 500,000 devices on the road, PassTime(TM) technology protects over $1 Billion in assets. The newest product, PassTime(TM) Elite, is expected to achieve volumes in excess of 100,000 units with the potential to reach as high as two Million units over the next five years.
Always evolving to better serve its marketplace, PassTime(TM) is the first Wavecom customer in the U.S. to fully utilize C-GPS Open AT® Plug-In using Opus technology from eRide and Wavecom Q2687 Wireless CPU®. In fact, the unique PassTime(TM) functionality is entirely built-in and operated by Open AT® software. This cutting edge technology, at the heart of the new PassTime(TM) Elite platform, was vital in providing PassTime(TM) a competitive edge thanks in part to reduced materials costs and remote upgradeability for lower total cost of ownership.
"We are excited to be at the heart of this exciting application," said Wavecom COO Anders Franzen. "Our partnership with PassTime(TM) is a prime example of cooperative development and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting our customers throughout their development process."
"Working with Wavecom has been a huge help in developing this cutting-edge solution," said PassTime(TM) Chief Operating Officer Chris Macheca. "Wavecom offered a great deal of interaction with our developers and I know they pulled a lot of late nights helping us pull off an aggressive schedule for this product."
PassTime(TM) devices help lenders improve their financial portfolio's performance and gain high levels of operational efficiency and profitability. PassTime(TM) lenders are able to reduce collection staff levels, avoid expenses related to repossessions, and reduce their financial charge-offs and losses. PassTime(TM) lenders, through credit bureau reporting, have the capability to improve the credit scores of their customers.
"PassTime(TM) Elite will change the way lenders collect money. This is the greatest technology invention for collectors since the invention of the telephone." - Sue Karlin, CIO, PassTime(TM) USA.
About PassTime(TM) USA
Headquartered in Littleton, Colorado, PassTime(TM) supports and enhances the specialized finance industry through an entire family of payment guarantee solutions. Founded in 1990, PassTime(TM) invented the industry's first starter interrupt device in 1997.
The PassTime(TM) family of products improves customer payment performance and reduces default and repossession risks. We are proud to offer code-based, wireless, and GPS products and would like to announce our NEW PassTime Elite product.
About Wavecom
Wavecom (Paris:AVM - News; NASDAQ:WVCM - News; ISIN:FR0000073066) is a worldwide leader in embedded industrial wireless communication solutions for automotive, machine-to-machine and mobile professional applications. Wavecom's solutions include the Open AT® software platform encompassing the Wavecom Open AT® Operating System, a wide range of Plug-Ins, the Open AT® Integrated Development Environment (IDE) along with a market-leading range of Wireless CPU®s (Central Processing Units), and an expanding portfolio of services. These complete embedded solutions enable makers of all types of machines to develop a new breed of intelligent wireless applications, without the need of external processors and other ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and components.
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Issy-les-Moulineaux (France) near Paris, Wavecom has subsidiaries in Hong Kong (PRC), Research Triangle Park, NC (USA), Camberley (UK). Wavecom is publicly traded on Euronext Paris (Eurolist) in France and on the NASDAQ (WVCM) exchange in the U.S.
www.wavecom.com
Contact:
Wavecom
Lisa Ann Sanders, + 33 1 46 29 41 81
Director, Communications and IR
lisaann.sanders@wavecom.com
or
Wavecom, Inc.
Sara Brown, +1 919-237-4007
Communications Manager
+1 919-451-9027 (on site)
sara.brown@wavecom.com
www.wavecom.com
or
PassTime USA
Corinne Schwarz, 303-962-4102 (direct)
National Accts/Marketing Director
877-PASSTIME
cschwarz@passtimeusa.com
www.passtimeusa.com
Source: Wavecom
Govt may go for limited VoIP licensing
A seven-member technical committee is expected to recommend the government by February 15 how to award licences for the voice over internet protocol (VoIP) quickly by protecting national interest.
The committee is also considering limiting the licences to Bangladeshi companies only for now to maximise financial gains for the country, sources said.
A quick awarding of licences for VoIP operation has become urgent in the backdrop of the recent crackdown on the illegal internet telephony which has bogged down the cheap and easy international calling system.
At the same time, however, in the absence of a common platform through which all VoIP calls would be channelised for monitoring, the awarding of the licence could deprive the government of the same earning that was being drained away by the illegal VoIP operation for the last seven-eight years.
"That is why, the committee is tilted to the idea of awarding limited VoIP licences for now," said a source close to the committee that held a meeting yesterday. "The committee is now reviewing the international call handling capability of the state owned Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB). The call demand is higher than BTTB's capacity and the VoIP licences may be awarded only to handle calls which the BTTB cannot technically deal with," he said.
The total call demand of the country hovered around 16 million minutes before the crackdown on illegal VoIP began last month.
BTTB sources said it can handle up to 12.25 million minutes of overseas calls a day.
"But this does not mean that everyone is able to connect to Bangladesh as they did before," said an official, adding, "People who have been using illegal VoIP to call Bangladesh will not have that facility now as most VoIP operators have suspended their operations. The BTTB system cannot provide the same facility."
In other words, the BTTB cannot provide enough mobile interconnections. "But we are considering an increase of interconnections to end this problem," he said.
Headed by Saiful Islam, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) professor of electrical and electronics department, the committee has held several meetings and its members are taking opinions of various IT experts.
It is expected to file its recommendations to the government after February 15 and that recommendation would be materialised by the BTTB and the Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
Sources said the committee emphasises on setting up a common platform to ensure transparency in the VoIP operation.
The move to set up this platform was initiated in mid-2006, but it underwent three rounds of tender bids without any achievement. The present situation demands that both the VoIP licences be awarded soon and the common platform be ready to operate to ensure maximum revenue for the country.
However, the creation of this platform may take another six months.
Meanwhile, a few IT experts, internet service providers (ISPs), and Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) operators association appealed to the committee to limit the licences to Bangladeshi companies only.
They said the mobile companies owned by foreign investors repatriate hundreds of millions of dollars as profit, and VoIP licences will only increase that profit.
"They would continue to enjoy growth even if VoIP licences are not awarded to them as 90 percent of international calls are terminated through mobile phones anyway," said an IT expert.
"Our young generation has somehow learnt how to operate in this area--it is time we gave them an opportunity for our own sake," he added.
Other members of the committee are Buet electrical and electronics department Chairman Satya Prasad Majumder, BTTB member Ashraful Alim, Chief Executive Officer Lt Col Ziaur Rashid Safdar, a member of the Signal Corps of the Armed Forces Division, post and telecommunications ministry Director ATM Monirul Alam, and BTRC Director Rezaul Quader.
The BTRC in late 2003 announced legalisation of the VoIP, a cheap telephony based on internet technology that was booming illegally with the help from influential quarters. But the BTRC mysteriously refrained from awarding licences seemingly under pressure from the influential VoIP operators who were bagging more than a thousand crore taka a year. The government and the BTTB have been the biggest casualties of this business.
CALL SYSTEM RECOVERS FROM SHOCK
The recent crackdown on illegal VoIP operators spearheaded by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) for the first time destroyed the backbone of this illegal business. Initially, this affected the international call system everyone was accustomed to.
On the other hand, overseas calls through the BTTB system have shot up from a daily 3.5 million minutes to 8 million. This covers half of the daily total demand.
Bangladeshis living in North America and Europe--the biggest users of VoIP calling cards--had initially remained almost disconnected from Bangladesh. Now immigrants, who were used to making calls to Bangladesh with calling cards at a rock-bottom price of US 4 cents per minute, are paying almost double to get a connection home.
At the international call exchange market, the per minute Bangladesh call rate has shot up to 5-6 cents from the previous rate of 2.5-3 cents. Market operators said although majority of the illegal VoIP operation has been shut down, some operators are still in the field.
source news : www.thedailystar.net
The committee is also considering limiting the licences to Bangladeshi companies only for now to maximise financial gains for the country, sources said.
A quick awarding of licences for VoIP operation has become urgent in the backdrop of the recent crackdown on the illegal internet telephony which has bogged down the cheap and easy international calling system.
At the same time, however, in the absence of a common platform through which all VoIP calls would be channelised for monitoring, the awarding of the licence could deprive the government of the same earning that was being drained away by the illegal VoIP operation for the last seven-eight years.
"That is why, the committee is tilted to the idea of awarding limited VoIP licences for now," said a source close to the committee that held a meeting yesterday. "The committee is now reviewing the international call handling capability of the state owned Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB). The call demand is higher than BTTB's capacity and the VoIP licences may be awarded only to handle calls which the BTTB cannot technically deal with," he said.
The total call demand of the country hovered around 16 million minutes before the crackdown on illegal VoIP began last month.
BTTB sources said it can handle up to 12.25 million minutes of overseas calls a day.
"But this does not mean that everyone is able to connect to Bangladesh as they did before," said an official, adding, "People who have been using illegal VoIP to call Bangladesh will not have that facility now as most VoIP operators have suspended their operations. The BTTB system cannot provide the same facility."
In other words, the BTTB cannot provide enough mobile interconnections. "But we are considering an increase of interconnections to end this problem," he said.
Headed by Saiful Islam, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) professor of electrical and electronics department, the committee has held several meetings and its members are taking opinions of various IT experts.
It is expected to file its recommendations to the government after February 15 and that recommendation would be materialised by the BTTB and the Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
Sources said the committee emphasises on setting up a common platform to ensure transparency in the VoIP operation.
The move to set up this platform was initiated in mid-2006, but it underwent three rounds of tender bids without any achievement. The present situation demands that both the VoIP licences be awarded soon and the common platform be ready to operate to ensure maximum revenue for the country.
However, the creation of this platform may take another six months.
Meanwhile, a few IT experts, internet service providers (ISPs), and Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) operators association appealed to the committee to limit the licences to Bangladeshi companies only.
They said the mobile companies owned by foreign investors repatriate hundreds of millions of dollars as profit, and VoIP licences will only increase that profit.
"They would continue to enjoy growth even if VoIP licences are not awarded to them as 90 percent of international calls are terminated through mobile phones anyway," said an IT expert.
"Our young generation has somehow learnt how to operate in this area--it is time we gave them an opportunity for our own sake," he added.
Other members of the committee are Buet electrical and electronics department Chairman Satya Prasad Majumder, BTTB member Ashraful Alim, Chief Executive Officer Lt Col Ziaur Rashid Safdar, a member of the Signal Corps of the Armed Forces Division, post and telecommunications ministry Director ATM Monirul Alam, and BTRC Director Rezaul Quader.
The BTRC in late 2003 announced legalisation of the VoIP, a cheap telephony based on internet technology that was booming illegally with the help from influential quarters. But the BTRC mysteriously refrained from awarding licences seemingly under pressure from the influential VoIP operators who were bagging more than a thousand crore taka a year. The government and the BTTB have been the biggest casualties of this business.
CALL SYSTEM RECOVERS FROM SHOCK
The recent crackdown on illegal VoIP operators spearheaded by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) for the first time destroyed the backbone of this illegal business. Initially, this affected the international call system everyone was accustomed to.
On the other hand, overseas calls through the BTTB system have shot up from a daily 3.5 million minutes to 8 million. This covers half of the daily total demand.
Bangladeshis living in North America and Europe--the biggest users of VoIP calling cards--had initially remained almost disconnected from Bangladesh. Now immigrants, who were used to making calls to Bangladesh with calling cards at a rock-bottom price of US 4 cents per minute, are paying almost double to get a connection home.
At the international call exchange market, the per minute Bangladesh call rate has shot up to 5-6 cents from the previous rate of 2.5-3 cents. Market operators said although majority of the illegal VoIP operation has been shut down, some operators are still in the field.
source news : www.thedailystar.net
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