NEW DELHI, INDIA: Telit Wireless Solutions, a global leader in the field of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications, has selected Calixto Systems Pvt. Ltd., a Bangalore- based leading embedded product realization company, as its India Competence Center. Calixto was chosen as the Telit Competence Center for India based on its expertise in designing GSM/GPRS/CDMA/GPS-based products and its proven capabilities in high-level system design, hardware design including PCB design, software and firmware development.
As part of its core distribution strategy, Telit-designated Competence Centers play a critical role in offering M2M design, development and integration assistance to customers worldwide. The main objective of the Competence Center is to identify and execute a design for a specific customer application based on Telit’s technologies. In conjunction with Telit's distribution network, the Competence Center will also work with customers to develop concepts and ideas to realize target solutions for GSM/GPRS/CDMA/GPS products.
Together with Telit, Calixto Systems has already developed four solutions based on Telit’s GL868-DUAL product, which is the smallest GSM/GPRS surface-mounted module in the market. The solutions include:
* Data Concentration Unit (DCU) for electrical sub stations.
* Unique GPRS tower-based tracking unit.
* Entry-level monitoring and control solution.
* Intelligent remote monitoring and control solution.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Asian capex expected to grow at more subdued 5.7 percent in 2012 compared to 29.1 percent in 2011
SINGAPORE: “A number of Asian operators are bracing themselves for a quickening in 3G and 4G subscriber adoption in 2012,” says Jake Saunders, VP of forecasting. “Asian capital expenditure in 2012 is forecasted to increase 5.7 percent year-on-year to $58.8 billion.” Across the region, over 63 percent of the CAPEX budget for 2012 will focus on the construction of radio access network infrastructure, 8 percent on upgrades and capacity expansions to the core network, and 29 percent on development of new technologies and new businesses, construction of backhaul transmission facilities, etc.
Several Japanese operators are stepping up their 4G marketing and promotional campaigns:
* NTT DoCoMo is expected to have transitioned 100 percent of its subscribers to 3G/4G services by the end of March 2012 and switch off its 2G network completely. MTT DoCoMo completed a soft launch of its 4G LTE service in December 2010 and subscribers have ratcheted up to 0.66 percent (390,000) of the operator’s installed base.
* KDDI’s WiMAX subsidiary achieved 1.237 million users (3.54 percent share of installed base) and 95 percent+ coverage of Japan’s main cities.
* SoftBank plans to launch its 4G TD-LTE service in mid-February or March and has announced that TD-LTE smartphones will be on retail shelves by mid-2012.
In China, China Mobile has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerate TD-SCDMA/TD-LTE development so as to further develop mobile Internet services and enable the “Internet of Things.” China Unicom’s investment strategy has been to accelerate 3G network building, optimize 2G network coverage, expedite indoor coverage, and establish WiFi hotspot zones to increase network capacity. China Telecom is focused on rolling out integrated information service projects, strengthened the integration of wireline and mobile IT platforms, and implementing risk control systems.
In India, by contrast, only 10 to 20 percent of base stations are 3G-based. Operators like Idea are adding around 2,000 new cell sites per quarter to their networks and almost 3,000 3G base stations in base station upgrades and new cell site deployments.
Several Japanese operators are stepping up their 4G marketing and promotional campaigns:
* NTT DoCoMo is expected to have transitioned 100 percent of its subscribers to 3G/4G services by the end of March 2012 and switch off its 2G network completely. MTT DoCoMo completed a soft launch of its 4G LTE service in December 2010 and subscribers have ratcheted up to 0.66 percent (390,000) of the operator’s installed base.
* KDDI’s WiMAX subsidiary achieved 1.237 million users (3.54 percent share of installed base) and 95 percent+ coverage of Japan’s main cities.
* SoftBank plans to launch its 4G TD-LTE service in mid-February or March and has announced that TD-LTE smartphones will be on retail shelves by mid-2012.
In China, China Mobile has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerate TD-SCDMA/TD-LTE development so as to further develop mobile Internet services and enable the “Internet of Things.” China Unicom’s investment strategy has been to accelerate 3G network building, optimize 2G network coverage, expedite indoor coverage, and establish WiFi hotspot zones to increase network capacity. China Telecom is focused on rolling out integrated information service projects, strengthened the integration of wireline and mobile IT platforms, and implementing risk control systems.
In India, by contrast, only 10 to 20 percent of base stations are 3G-based. Operators like Idea are adding around 2,000 new cell sites per quarter to their networks and almost 3,000 3G base stations in base station upgrades and new cell site deployments.
Apple retakes smartphone lead in Q4; Samsung grabs top spot for full-year 2011
EL SEGUNDO, USA: After losing market leadership in the third quarter, Apple Inc. returned to the No. 1 rank in global smartphone shipments in the fourth quarter as consumers flocked to buy the newly introduced iPhone 4S. Meanwhile, based on strong sales of its broad line of smartphone products, Samsung has become the world’s largest smartphone brand for the entire year of 2011, marking the first time the South Korean electronics giant has held this distinction.
The table presents the shipments of smartphone companies that have reported results for the fourth quarter of 2011 to date. It doesn't include results of other major companies that haven't reported yet.
Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.
Apple in the fourth quarter of 2011 shipped 37 million smartphones worldwide, up 117 percent from 17 million in the second quarter. This represented the strongest sequential quarterly growth among the Top 5 smartphone brands. Apple’s strong performance allowed it to slightly exceed Samsung’s total of 36 million.
Apple in the fourth quarter took the top spot in the market, displacing Samsung, which dropped to second place. Previously in the third quarter, Samsung had usurped Apple to take over the No. 1 rank, which Apple had attained for the first time in the second quarter.
“Apple’s introduction of the 4S in the fourth quarter unleashed tremendous pent-up demand for the iPhone as consumers awaited the arrival of the latest model,” said Wayne Lam, senior analyst, wireless communications at IHS. “This caused the company’s smartphone shipments to surge, allowing it to retake market leadership by a slight margin. However, Apple and Samsung continue to run neck and neck in global smartphone shipments, setting up a tight battle for leadership that will continue throughout 2012.”
Samsung for the entire year of 2011 shipped 95 million smartphones, up an explosive 278 percent from 25 million in 2010. This industry-leading growth allowed it to pass both Apple and previous market leader Nokia to take the No. 1 rank for the entire year of 2011.
“Samsung advanced in 2011 because of its strategy of offering a complete line of smartphone products, spanning a variety of price points, features and operating systems,” Lam said. “This enabled Samsung to move past perennial market leader Nokia and to slightly exceed Apple’s total for the year.”
For its part, Apple posted the second-best performance of all smartphone brands for the entire year of 2011, with its shipments nearly doubling to 93 million units, up from 47 million in 2010.
The market share battle between Apple and Samsung reflects the competition between the two leading smartphone operating systems and ecosystems: Apple's iOS and Google's Android.
However, the other major Android licensees—Sony Ericsson and Motorola—did not match Samsung’s strong smartphone performance in the fourth quarter or for the entire year.
“The relatively small growth of Sony Ericsson and Motorola may indicate that the Android smartphone market is becoming too crowded as the various licensees compete for limited consumer mindshare and shelf space,” Lam said.
Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.
The table presents the shipments of smartphone companies that have reported results for the fourth quarter of 2011 to date. It doesn't include results of other major companies that haven't reported yet.
Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.Apple in the fourth quarter of 2011 shipped 37 million smartphones worldwide, up 117 percent from 17 million in the second quarter. This represented the strongest sequential quarterly growth among the Top 5 smartphone brands. Apple’s strong performance allowed it to slightly exceed Samsung’s total of 36 million.
Apple in the fourth quarter took the top spot in the market, displacing Samsung, which dropped to second place. Previously in the third quarter, Samsung had usurped Apple to take over the No. 1 rank, which Apple had attained for the first time in the second quarter.
“Apple’s introduction of the 4S in the fourth quarter unleashed tremendous pent-up demand for the iPhone as consumers awaited the arrival of the latest model,” said Wayne Lam, senior analyst, wireless communications at IHS. “This caused the company’s smartphone shipments to surge, allowing it to retake market leadership by a slight margin. However, Apple and Samsung continue to run neck and neck in global smartphone shipments, setting up a tight battle for leadership that will continue throughout 2012.”
Samsung for the entire year of 2011 shipped 95 million smartphones, up an explosive 278 percent from 25 million in 2010. This industry-leading growth allowed it to pass both Apple and previous market leader Nokia to take the No. 1 rank for the entire year of 2011.
“Samsung advanced in 2011 because of its strategy of offering a complete line of smartphone products, spanning a variety of price points, features and operating systems,” Lam said. “This enabled Samsung to move past perennial market leader Nokia and to slightly exceed Apple’s total for the year.”
For its part, Apple posted the second-best performance of all smartphone brands for the entire year of 2011, with its shipments nearly doubling to 93 million units, up from 47 million in 2010.
The market share battle between Apple and Samsung reflects the competition between the two leading smartphone operating systems and ecosystems: Apple's iOS and Google's Android.
However, the other major Android licensees—Sony Ericsson and Motorola—did not match Samsung’s strong smartphone performance in the fourth quarter or for the entire year.
“The relatively small growth of Sony Ericsson and Motorola may indicate that the Android smartphone market is becoming too crowded as the various licensees compete for limited consumer mindshare and shelf space,” Lam said.
Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.
Global handset shipments reach 1.6 billion units in 2011
BOSTON, USA: According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global handset shipments grew 11 percent annually to reach 445 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011. Apple was the star performer, capturing a record 8 percent market share worldwide during the quarter. Full-year handset shipments reached 1.6 billion units globally in 2011, with annual growth of 14 percent.
Alex Spektor, associate director at Strategy Analytics, said: “Despite continued macroeconomic difficulties in major markets like Western Europe, global handset shipments grew a reasonable 11 percent annually to reach 445 million units in Q4 2011. Apple was the star performer, shipping 37 million iPhones worldwide and capturing a highest-ever 8 percent market share. Apple’s growth was fueled by intense demand for its refreshed iPhone 4S, as well as the availability of three generations of iPhones at a variety of price points at operators like AT&T in the United States.”
Neil Mawston, executive director, added: “Nokia’s global handset shipments declined 8 percent annually to 113.5 million units in Q4 2011. Volumes were buoyed by the sales of Nokia’s low-end dual-SIM models in emerging markets like Southeast Asia, but were a little soft overall, as initial shipments of Microsoft Lumia phones could not offset declining Symbian sales. Hot on Nokia’s heels, second-ranked Samsung captured 21 percent share with shipments of 95 million units. Samsung’s 18 percent annual growth was fueled by robust shipments of its broad Galaxy-branded 3G portfolio, headlined by the Galaxy S2 superphone.”
Tom Kang, director at Strategy Analytics, added: “Smartphone specialist Apple shipped 93 million handsets worldwide in 2011, nearly doubling the previous year’s volumes. Currently, in just its fifth year of participation in the handset market, Apple is on track to ship well over 100 million units during 2012. China is becoming a key market for Apple this year, and we expect Apple’s share to grow rapidly in 2012, despite countless copycat rivals.”
Source: Strategy Analytics, USA.
Alex Spektor, associate director at Strategy Analytics, said: “Despite continued macroeconomic difficulties in major markets like Western Europe, global handset shipments grew a reasonable 11 percent annually to reach 445 million units in Q4 2011. Apple was the star performer, shipping 37 million iPhones worldwide and capturing a highest-ever 8 percent market share. Apple’s growth was fueled by intense demand for its refreshed iPhone 4S, as well as the availability of three generations of iPhones at a variety of price points at operators like AT&T in the United States.”
Neil Mawston, executive director, added: “Nokia’s global handset shipments declined 8 percent annually to 113.5 million units in Q4 2011. Volumes were buoyed by the sales of Nokia’s low-end dual-SIM models in emerging markets like Southeast Asia, but were a little soft overall, as initial shipments of Microsoft Lumia phones could not offset declining Symbian sales. Hot on Nokia’s heels, second-ranked Samsung captured 21 percent share with shipments of 95 million units. Samsung’s 18 percent annual growth was fueled by robust shipments of its broad Galaxy-branded 3G portfolio, headlined by the Galaxy S2 superphone.”
Tom Kang, director at Strategy Analytics, added: “Smartphone specialist Apple shipped 93 million handsets worldwide in 2011, nearly doubling the previous year’s volumes. Currently, in just its fifth year of participation in the handset market, Apple is on track to ship well over 100 million units during 2012. China is becoming a key market for Apple this year, and we expect Apple’s share to grow rapidly in 2012, despite countless copycat rivals.”
Source: Strategy Analytics, USA.
Apple becomes world's largest smartphone vendor in Q4 2011
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global smartphone shipments grew 54 percent annually to reach a record 155 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011. Apple reclaimed top position as the world’s number one smartphone vendor during the quarter.
Alex Spektor, Associate Director at Strategy Analytics, said, “Global smartphone shipments grew 54 percent annually to reach a record 155.0 million units in Q4 2011. Apple overtook Samsung to become the world’s largest smartphone vendor by volume with 24 percent market share. Apple’s global smartphone shipments surged 128 percent annually to 37.0 million units, as distribution of the iPhone family expanded across numerous countries, dozens of operators and multiple price points.”
Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “While Apple took the top spot in smartphones on a quarterly basis, Samsung became the market leader in annual terms for the first time with 20 percent global share during 2011. With global smartphone shipments nearing half a billion units in 2011, Samsung is now well positioned alongside Apple in a two-horse race at the forefront of one of the world’s largest and most valuable consumer electronics markets.”
Tom Kang, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “Nokia’s global smartphone market share halved from 33 percent in 2010 to 16 percent in 2011. A lackluster touchscreen smartphone portfolio and a limited presence in the huge United States market caused Nokia’s shrinkage last year. Nokia’s partnership with Microsoft will be very much in focus during 2012, and the industry will be watching closely to see how swiftly the two companies can expand in the high-value 4G LTE market that is rapidly emerging across the United States, Japan and elsewhere.”
Source: Strategy Analytics, USA.
Alex Spektor, Associate Director at Strategy Analytics, said, “Global smartphone shipments grew 54 percent annually to reach a record 155.0 million units in Q4 2011. Apple overtook Samsung to become the world’s largest smartphone vendor by volume with 24 percent market share. Apple’s global smartphone shipments surged 128 percent annually to 37.0 million units, as distribution of the iPhone family expanded across numerous countries, dozens of operators and multiple price points.”
Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “While Apple took the top spot in smartphones on a quarterly basis, Samsung became the market leader in annual terms for the first time with 20 percent global share during 2011. With global smartphone shipments nearing half a billion units in 2011, Samsung is now well positioned alongside Apple in a two-horse race at the forefront of one of the world’s largest and most valuable consumer electronics markets.”
Tom Kang, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “Nokia’s global smartphone market share halved from 33 percent in 2010 to 16 percent in 2011. A lackluster touchscreen smartphone portfolio and a limited presence in the huge United States market caused Nokia’s shrinkage last year. Nokia’s partnership with Microsoft will be very much in focus during 2012, and the industry will be watching closely to see how swiftly the two companies can expand in the high-value 4G LTE market that is rapidly emerging across the United States, Japan and elsewhere.”
Source: Strategy Analytics, USA.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Ethertronics EtherSmart LTE 1.0 phone adaptive antenna solution nominated for GSMA global mobile awards in best technology breakthrough category
SAN DIEGO, USA: Ethertronics, a leading technology company enabling innovative antenna and RF system solutions to deliver the best connected experience, announced its EtherSmart LTE 1.0 Phone Adaptive Antenna solution has been nominated for the GSMA 2012 Global Mobile Awards in the Best Technology Breakthrough category.
As part of its active antenna systems portfolio, EtherSmart LTE 1.0 is being recognized for its ability to meet global wireless carrier and OEM specifications for the challenging industrial designs that exist for LTE mobile phones.
EtherSmart LTE 1.0, a Phone Adaptive Antenna system solution, uses Active Impedance Matching techniques to enable a 50 percent reduction in physical antenna volume while maintaining optimal performance and consistent connection to the network. The additional space can be used to add more components for increased functionality.
Alternatively, these techniques can be used to cover a wider bandwidth in the same antenna volume. In addition, for OEMs, time-to-market is reduced since EtherSmart LTE 1.0 is able to dynamically re-tune itself when changes are made to the device during the design process.
Significantly reducing the antenna design process allows OEMs to save time and money in bringing products to market. This solution includes patented tuning capabilities that result in better phone performance – even in the smallest of form factors and independent of how a person holds their phone. EtherSmart LTE 1.0 is unique in that no other solution like it is available on the market.
“We are thrilled that our EtherSmart LTE 1.0 Phone Adaptive Antenna Solution is being honored by the GSMA,” said Laurent Desclos, president and CEO of Ethertronics. “This acknowledgement validates our vision that active antenna system solutions are the future of mobile devices. This is the first generation of our active antenna systems portfolio with much more innovation to come. Our global team is dedicated to developing innovative solutions for next-generation networks such as 4G LTE and beyond.”
“Reflecting the intensity of competition and innovation across the mobile ecosystem, we saw a record 600 entries and an exceptionally high quality field of contenders vying for this year’s Global Mobile Awards,” said Michael O’Hara, chief marketing officer, GSMA. “It is a significant achievement to have made the shortlist, and our warmest congratulations go to all the nominees. We look forward to the unveiling of the winners at the Mobile World Congress next month.”
As part of its active antenna systems portfolio, EtherSmart LTE 1.0 is being recognized for its ability to meet global wireless carrier and OEM specifications for the challenging industrial designs that exist for LTE mobile phones.
EtherSmart LTE 1.0, a Phone Adaptive Antenna system solution, uses Active Impedance Matching techniques to enable a 50 percent reduction in physical antenna volume while maintaining optimal performance and consistent connection to the network. The additional space can be used to add more components for increased functionality.
Alternatively, these techniques can be used to cover a wider bandwidth in the same antenna volume. In addition, for OEMs, time-to-market is reduced since EtherSmart LTE 1.0 is able to dynamically re-tune itself when changes are made to the device during the design process.
Significantly reducing the antenna design process allows OEMs to save time and money in bringing products to market. This solution includes patented tuning capabilities that result in better phone performance – even in the smallest of form factors and independent of how a person holds their phone. EtherSmart LTE 1.0 is unique in that no other solution like it is available on the market.
“We are thrilled that our EtherSmart LTE 1.0 Phone Adaptive Antenna Solution is being honored by the GSMA,” said Laurent Desclos, president and CEO of Ethertronics. “This acknowledgement validates our vision that active antenna system solutions are the future of mobile devices. This is the first generation of our active antenna systems portfolio with much more innovation to come. Our global team is dedicated to developing innovative solutions for next-generation networks such as 4G LTE and beyond.”
“Reflecting the intensity of competition and innovation across the mobile ecosystem, we saw a record 600 entries and an exceptionally high quality field of contenders vying for this year’s Global Mobile Awards,” said Michael O’Hara, chief marketing officer, GSMA. “It is a significant achievement to have made the shortlist, and our warmest congratulations go to all the nominees. We look forward to the unveiling of the winners at the Mobile World Congress next month.”
ITU approves G3-PLC as new worldwide smart grid standard
SUNNYVALE, USA: Maxim Integrated Products announced that its G3-PLC protocol has been approved by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as a new low-frequency, OFDM-based narrowband powerline communications (NB-PLC) standard.
In partnership with Electricité Réseau Distribution France (ERDF) and Sagemcom, Maxim developed the G3-PLC specification to promote open-endedness and interoperability among smart grid implementations. Currently, the G3-PLC is the only NB-PLC standard that supports the IPv6 internet protocol to allow new internet-based energy management systems.
The specification also optimizes bandwidth, corrects errors, and provides a higher data rate that supports two-way communication for demand response and other smart grid applications. The result is an increase in the performance reliability of crossing transformers, enabling a dramatic reduction in deployment costs.
Last year, Maxim introduced the MAX2992, a PLC modem that pairs with the MAX2991 analog front-end (AFE) to provide the first fully compliant G3-PLC chipset solution. Today, several manufacturers offer ITU-compatible G3-PLC solutions based on this chipset, and one such solution is already being deployed in France. With the approval of G3-PLC as an international standard and with available solutions from multiple sources, utility companies can now plan their deployments utilizing G3-PLC to achieve cost-effective smart grid systems with confidence.
Adding intelligence into the existing power grid is a capital-intensive undertaking, and utilities have not wanted to make such a large investment without assurance that the standard they have chosen will be widely adopted. With the ITU’s support, G3-PLC has become one of those accepted standards.
“The approved ITU NB-PLC family of international standards will be a fundamental building block for realizing a robust smart grid anywhere in the world, and will allow utilities to start immediate deployment of NB-PLC on a worldwide basis,” stated ITU Secretary-General Dr. Hamadoun Touré.*
Maxim and 11 other companies founded the G3-PLC Alliance last year to support the deployment of the G3-PLC protocol. “Both the formation of the G3-PLC Alliance and the final NB-PLC standard approval from the ITU provide the standardization and support that utilities need to begin deployments with the G3-PLC protocol,” said Michael Navid, executive business manager for Powerline Products at Maxim.
“The rapid ITU standardization and industry support for the G3-PLC Alliance are testaments to the advantages of G3-PLC and its ability to meet the speed, robustness, and ranges demanded by large-scale powerline networks.”
“One of the goals for the G3-PLC Alliance is to support standardization around the G3-PLC specification as an open international standard,” said Jean Vigneron, secretary-general for G3-PLC Alliance. “ITU is the first standards organization that has fully adopted it. We have this international standard today thanks to the dedication of many experienced experts in the field of communications and advanced metering infrastructure for the past several years.”
The G3-PLC open-standard approach and its global support enable developers to seamlessly adapt this next-generation PLC platform.
In partnership with Electricité Réseau Distribution France (ERDF) and Sagemcom, Maxim developed the G3-PLC specification to promote open-endedness and interoperability among smart grid implementations. Currently, the G3-PLC is the only NB-PLC standard that supports the IPv6 internet protocol to allow new internet-based energy management systems.
The specification also optimizes bandwidth, corrects errors, and provides a higher data rate that supports two-way communication for demand response and other smart grid applications. The result is an increase in the performance reliability of crossing transformers, enabling a dramatic reduction in deployment costs.
Last year, Maxim introduced the MAX2992, a PLC modem that pairs with the MAX2991 analog front-end (AFE) to provide the first fully compliant G3-PLC chipset solution. Today, several manufacturers offer ITU-compatible G3-PLC solutions based on this chipset, and one such solution is already being deployed in France. With the approval of G3-PLC as an international standard and with available solutions from multiple sources, utility companies can now plan their deployments utilizing G3-PLC to achieve cost-effective smart grid systems with confidence.
Adding intelligence into the existing power grid is a capital-intensive undertaking, and utilities have not wanted to make such a large investment without assurance that the standard they have chosen will be widely adopted. With the ITU’s support, G3-PLC has become one of those accepted standards.
“The approved ITU NB-PLC family of international standards will be a fundamental building block for realizing a robust smart grid anywhere in the world, and will allow utilities to start immediate deployment of NB-PLC on a worldwide basis,” stated ITU Secretary-General Dr. Hamadoun Touré.*
Maxim and 11 other companies founded the G3-PLC Alliance last year to support the deployment of the G3-PLC protocol. “Both the formation of the G3-PLC Alliance and the final NB-PLC standard approval from the ITU provide the standardization and support that utilities need to begin deployments with the G3-PLC protocol,” said Michael Navid, executive business manager for Powerline Products at Maxim.
“The rapid ITU standardization and industry support for the G3-PLC Alliance are testaments to the advantages of G3-PLC and its ability to meet the speed, robustness, and ranges demanded by large-scale powerline networks.”
“One of the goals for the G3-PLC Alliance is to support standardization around the G3-PLC specification as an open international standard,” said Jean Vigneron, secretary-general for G3-PLC Alliance. “ITU is the first standards organization that has fully adopted it. We have this international standard today thanks to the dedication of many experienced experts in the field of communications and advanced metering infrastructure for the past several years.”
The G3-PLC open-standard approach and its global support enable developers to seamlessly adapt this next-generation PLC platform.
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