MUNICH, GERMANY: Cinterion, a leader in cellular machine-to-machine (M2M) communication modules, announced that its HC28-J module earned approval by NTTDoCoMo, the largest mobile network operator in Japan.
The latest HC28 variant, the “J” version, provides the UMTS/HSDPA frequency bands 800 and 2100 MHz to ensure optimal reception even in rural areas of the NTTDoCoMo network. Cinterion’s M2M Advanced Family, now including HC28, HC28-J, HC25 and EU3 modules, further strengthens Cinterion’s penetration in the Japanese market while providing international customers the opportunity to deploy one design globally.
“Our HC28 products were optimized for the unique technology requirements of Japanese wireless networks and allow our customers who conduct business in Japan to design high-quality, durable M2M applications,” said Norbert Muhrer, CEO and president, Cinterion.
“The Japanese M2M market is thriving, especially through the increased adoption of high-bandwidth applications. Our latest advanced communication modules will help integrators and end users alike improve their business operations with intelligent and cost-saving M2M technology.”
Cinterion’s HC28 modules enable fast, high-bandwidth cellular data transmissions needed for sophisticated M2M applications including metering and smart grid, video surveillance and security, tracking and tracing, industrial PDAs, gateways, fleet management and much more.
The HC28 modules offer full-featured functionality including voice and high-speed data capability up to 3.6 Mbps for downloads, global roaming, onboard GPS, a RIL/NDIS/USB driver for Microsoft Windows Mobile-based devices and USB 2.0 full-speed industrial interface - all connected via a rugged board-to-board connector.
These features, along with carrier certification, full type approval including R&TTE, GCF, FCC, PTCRB and the required Japanese certifications, JATE and TELEC, give manufacturers an opportunity to develop new devices and solutions for the Japanese market very quickly and at a low cost of ownership.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
MindTree selects Azimuth Systems' ACE MX MIMO channel emulator for LTE and WiMAX test
ACTON, USA: Azimuth Systems Inc., a leading provider of wireless channel emulators and broadband wireless test equipment, announced that the company's ACE MX MIMO channel emulator has been selected by MindTree Ltd for testing of its Next in Wireless (NIW) group which is part of their Product Engineering Business Unit.
MindTree will use the ACE MX universal wireless channel emulator primarily for 4x4 bi-directional LTE and WiMAX testing. The solution will allow them to test their TDD and FDD products in different bands, as well as to test advanced MIMO capabilities like beamforming.
MindTree delivers mobile and telecom infrastructure products for OEMs and telecom service providers. The Company's wireless products group provides white-labeled products with high-end technology and design innovation.
MindTree chose the ACE MX wireless channel emulator for testing of its Next in Wireless "off-the-shelf" and customized 3G/4G smart phones, IPs, subsystems and base stations for WiMAX and LTE technologies, because of the platform's ease-of-use and simplicity of setup that will save training time. The ACE MX will also support MindTree's focus of getting its products to market faster.
"MindTree's customers rely on our competence to provide the right mix of product differentiation through compelling and well-defined user experiences and cutting-edge performance, as well as faster go-to market capabilities," said Dr. Sriram N. Suresh, technical manager of MindTree.
"By using Azimuth's ACE MX wireless channel emulator to test our Next in Wireless product line, MindTree will improve upon its excellent track record of converting WiMAX and LTE theoretical specifications into superior real-world products that address the specific needs of this segment."
Azimuth's ACE MX wireless channel emulator provides the advanced features required for efficient, automated and repeatable testing of next generation carrier-grade WiMAX and LTE solutions.
The ACE MX wireless channel emulator provides dynamic channel emulation that scales for testing single channel devices up to MIMO 4X4 devices -- or even up to 8X4 MIMO -- and includes dedicated bi-directional channel modeling that can accurately emulate real world wireless over-the-air conditions in both the downlink and uplink paths simultaneously.
"As MindTree is widely respected for the quality and reliability of its wireless product line, the fact that the company chose the ACE MX MIMO channel emulator for its WiMAX and LTE testing needs is a powerful validation of our product's advanced capabilities," said Pete Paglia, vice president of sales and business development at Azimuth Systems.
"We are pleased that the ACE MX wireless channel emulator will allow MindTree to continue to create the high quality, high performance products that their company is known for."
MindTree will use the ACE MX universal wireless channel emulator primarily for 4x4 bi-directional LTE and WiMAX testing. The solution will allow them to test their TDD and FDD products in different bands, as well as to test advanced MIMO capabilities like beamforming.
MindTree delivers mobile and telecom infrastructure products for OEMs and telecom service providers. The Company's wireless products group provides white-labeled products with high-end technology and design innovation.
MindTree chose the ACE MX wireless channel emulator for testing of its Next in Wireless "off-the-shelf" and customized 3G/4G smart phones, IPs, subsystems and base stations for WiMAX and LTE technologies, because of the platform's ease-of-use and simplicity of setup that will save training time. The ACE MX will also support MindTree's focus of getting its products to market faster.
"MindTree's customers rely on our competence to provide the right mix of product differentiation through compelling and well-defined user experiences and cutting-edge performance, as well as faster go-to market capabilities," said Dr. Sriram N. Suresh, technical manager of MindTree.
"By using Azimuth's ACE MX wireless channel emulator to test our Next in Wireless product line, MindTree will improve upon its excellent track record of converting WiMAX and LTE theoretical specifications into superior real-world products that address the specific needs of this segment."
Azimuth's ACE MX wireless channel emulator provides the advanced features required for efficient, automated and repeatable testing of next generation carrier-grade WiMAX and LTE solutions.
The ACE MX wireless channel emulator provides dynamic channel emulation that scales for testing single channel devices up to MIMO 4X4 devices -- or even up to 8X4 MIMO -- and includes dedicated bi-directional channel modeling that can accurately emulate real world wireless over-the-air conditions in both the downlink and uplink paths simultaneously.
"As MindTree is widely respected for the quality and reliability of its wireless product line, the fact that the company chose the ACE MX MIMO channel emulator for its WiMAX and LTE testing needs is a powerful validation of our product's advanced capabilities," said Pete Paglia, vice president of sales and business development at Azimuth Systems.
"We are pleased that the ACE MX wireless channel emulator will allow MindTree to continue to create the high quality, high performance products that their company is known for."
Shipments of Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, 802.15.4 and Wi-Fi ICs will increase 20 percent in 2010
SINGAPORE: The market for short range wireless ICs is forecast to expand this year; total shipments of Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, 802.15.4 and Wi-Fi ICs will increase approximately 20 percent compared to 2009.
“Bluetooth ICs still lead the short-range wireless IC market,” says ABI Research industry analyst Celia Bo. “Unit shipments are expected to exceed 58 percent of the total short-range wireless IC shipments in 2010. Wi-Fi ICs rank second place in this market, making up approximately 35 percent of the total shipments, with the rest of the shipments accounted for by NFC, UWB and 502.15.4 ICs.”
Cellular handsets and accessories are taking a significant portion of the market for Bluetooth-enabled products in 2010, accounting for almost 75 percent of total shipments. This is followed by the notebook and UMD segments, taking approximately 12 percent.
The demand for Bluetooth-enabled consumer electronic and home entertainment products is expected to grow steadily over the next five years. Shipments of portable media players are forecast to grow tenfold in 2015 as compared to 2010, and the total shipments of networked game consoles and handheld game consoles are expected to show a 14 percent CAGR between 2010 and 2015.
Bo adds, “Combination chip solutions that integrate two or more short-range wireless technologies will be broadly deployed in hundreds of millions of electronic devices due to their advantages of lower cost and smaller chip size, paving the way for expansion of the short-range wireless IC market.”
The Bluetooth+FM radio integration solution is taking the highest market share among the major integration solutions of “combo” chips today, followed by Bluetooth+Wi-Fi+FM radio and Bluetooth+FM radio+GPS solutions.
Bluetooth’s integration with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless technology will be adopted widely from next year and is projected to account for more than 50 percent of total Bluetooth combo IC shipments in 2015.
“Bluetooth ICs still lead the short-range wireless IC market,” says ABI Research industry analyst Celia Bo. “Unit shipments are expected to exceed 58 percent of the total short-range wireless IC shipments in 2010. Wi-Fi ICs rank second place in this market, making up approximately 35 percent of the total shipments, with the rest of the shipments accounted for by NFC, UWB and 502.15.4 ICs.”
Cellular handsets and accessories are taking a significant portion of the market for Bluetooth-enabled products in 2010, accounting for almost 75 percent of total shipments. This is followed by the notebook and UMD segments, taking approximately 12 percent.
The demand for Bluetooth-enabled consumer electronic and home entertainment products is expected to grow steadily over the next five years. Shipments of portable media players are forecast to grow tenfold in 2015 as compared to 2010, and the total shipments of networked game consoles and handheld game consoles are expected to show a 14 percent CAGR between 2010 and 2015.
Bo adds, “Combination chip solutions that integrate two or more short-range wireless technologies will be broadly deployed in hundreds of millions of electronic devices due to their advantages of lower cost and smaller chip size, paving the way for expansion of the short-range wireless IC market.”
The Bluetooth+FM radio integration solution is taking the highest market share among the major integration solutions of “combo” chips today, followed by Bluetooth+Wi-Fi+FM radio and Bluetooth+FM radio+GPS solutions.
Bluetooth’s integration with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless technology will be adopted widely from next year and is projected to account for more than 50 percent of total Bluetooth combo IC shipments in 2015.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Ceragon receives orders for mobile backhaul equipment from one of India's leading operators
PARAMUS, USA: Ceragon Networks Ltd, the provider of high-capacity, 4G/LTE-Ready wireless backhaul networks, has received new orders for its advanced FibeAir platforms from a leading Indian operator.
Ceragon's equipment will be deployed in a number of circles to facilitate the operator's network expansion.
"We are very happy to see that the regulatory process related to security considerations in India is in place and orders are beginning to be released by operators as they receive clearance from the Indian government," said Ira Palti, president and CEO of Ceragon. "We expect revenue from the current orders to be recognized during 2011, while continuing to target revenue growth in the range of 30-35 percent for 2010."
With more than 110 million users added in the first half of 2010, India's mobile subscriber-base has grown to over 635 million. According the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) more than 94% of telephony services in India are passed over wireless networks.
Ceragon is an important player in India's expanding wireless backhaul market. The company's advanced hybrid (IP/TDM) and all-IP solutions are used by most of India's leading mobile operators to provide vital, high quality and high-capacity connectivity.
Ceragon's equipment will be deployed in a number of circles to facilitate the operator's network expansion.
"We are very happy to see that the regulatory process related to security considerations in India is in place and orders are beginning to be released by operators as they receive clearance from the Indian government," said Ira Palti, president and CEO of Ceragon. "We expect revenue from the current orders to be recognized during 2011, while continuing to target revenue growth in the range of 30-35 percent for 2010."
With more than 110 million users added in the first half of 2010, India's mobile subscriber-base has grown to over 635 million. According the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) more than 94% of telephony services in India are passed over wireless networks.
Ceragon is an important player in India's expanding wireless backhaul market. The company's advanced hybrid (IP/TDM) and all-IP solutions are used by most of India's leading mobile operators to provide vital, high quality and high-capacity connectivity.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Bluetrek metal evolution Bluetooth headset for iPhone
ST. CLAIR SHORES, USA: Bluetrek announces the launch of Bluetooth headset specially designed for iPhone 4 and 3GS.
In a stylish brushed metallic finish on a reinforced aluminum casing, this silver color Metal evolution for iPhone is the perfect match for the design and styling of the iPhone.
The Bluetooth chipset used in this Bluetrek headset is from the same maker as the one used in the iPhones, hence, ensures optimum connectivity and compatibility between the two devices.
The audio tuning of the Metal evolution for iPhone is specially catered to iPhone 4 and 3GS, In addition, the headset is equipped with “NoiseLock™” noise cancellation technology that effectively eliminates background noise in the surrounding environment up to 80dB.
“iPhone 4 is in my professional opinion, the premier handset in appearance and functionality available on the market today. I would recommend all iPhone 4 owners use our Metal evolution Bluetooth headset for iPhone to communicate, for the highest quality and most user friendly hands free experience,” said John Haley, Director of Bluetrek USA.
When not in use, the Metal Evolution for iPhone headset can be carried conveniently in the belt clip provided.
The belt clip also embeds a mini USB adapter to charge the headset from any standard USB compatible travel charger or car charger.
In a stylish brushed metallic finish on a reinforced aluminum casing, this silver color Metal evolution for iPhone is the perfect match for the design and styling of the iPhone.
The Bluetooth chipset used in this Bluetrek headset is from the same maker as the one used in the iPhones, hence, ensures optimum connectivity and compatibility between the two devices.
The audio tuning of the Metal evolution for iPhone is specially catered to iPhone 4 and 3GS, In addition, the headset is equipped with “NoiseLock™” noise cancellation technology that effectively eliminates background noise in the surrounding environment up to 80dB.
“iPhone 4 is in my professional opinion, the premier handset in appearance and functionality available on the market today. I would recommend all iPhone 4 owners use our Metal evolution Bluetooth headset for iPhone to communicate, for the highest quality and most user friendly hands free experience,” said John Haley, Director of Bluetrek USA.
When not in use, the Metal Evolution for iPhone headset can be carried conveniently in the belt clip provided.
The belt clip also embeds a mini USB adapter to charge the headset from any standard USB compatible travel charger or car charger.
Panduit intros smallest diameter category 6A cabling system
LONDON, UK: Panduit has expanded its high speed data transport offering with the launch of the industry’s smallest diameter Category 6A copper cabling system.
This new TX6A-SD 10Gig UTP Copper Cabling System is part of Panduit’s range of High Speed Data Transport (HSDT) solutions, offering proven performance to ensure availability, reliability and scalability of critical systems.
Meeting industry standard requirements up to 70 metres, this Category 6A system offers a 6.1 mm cable diameter for easier cable routing and increases fill capacity by 115 per cent over industry standard limits.
This allows data centre and other customers to quickly and easily deploy a 10GBASE-T solution while reducing energy costs and increasing thermal performance in high-density environments. The superior cable management ensures proper airflow for improved network performance and availability.
Kenny Presly, UK and Ireland Area Manager at Panduit, said: “This is the latest product from Panduit to demonstrate our flexibility and innovative approach to finding reliable solutions to growing technological challenges.
“The TX6A-SD 10Gig UTP Copper Cabling System allows users to upgrade their capacity significantly without causing issues with space, reliability, performance or backwards compatibility.”
The launch is part of Panduit’s bid to provide cost-effective and seamless migration from Gigabit to 10Gigabit Ethernet. A 10GBASE-T Ecosystem with companies including Cisco and Intel was launched at Cisco Live in Barcelona to demonstrate the industry’s most complete end-to-end solution with investment protection. The demonstration incorporated the TX6A-SD 10Gig UTP Copper Cabling System.
Steve Schultz, director of marketing, Intel LAN Access Division, said: “The 10GBASE-T ecosystem solution includes industry-leading switches and cabling from companies such as Cisco and Panduit respectively, as well as a new generation of Intel adapters. 10GBASE-T’s backward compatibility with Gigabit Ethernet and solid ecosystem give customers an easy migration path to 10 Gigabit Ethernet.”
This new TX6A-SD 10Gig UTP Copper Cabling System is part of Panduit’s range of High Speed Data Transport (HSDT) solutions, offering proven performance to ensure availability, reliability and scalability of critical systems.
Meeting industry standard requirements up to 70 metres, this Category 6A system offers a 6.1 mm cable diameter for easier cable routing and increases fill capacity by 115 per cent over industry standard limits.
This allows data centre and other customers to quickly and easily deploy a 10GBASE-T solution while reducing energy costs and increasing thermal performance in high-density environments. The superior cable management ensures proper airflow for improved network performance and availability.
Kenny Presly, UK and Ireland Area Manager at Panduit, said: “This is the latest product from Panduit to demonstrate our flexibility and innovative approach to finding reliable solutions to growing technological challenges.
“The TX6A-SD 10Gig UTP Copper Cabling System allows users to upgrade their capacity significantly without causing issues with space, reliability, performance or backwards compatibility.”
The launch is part of Panduit’s bid to provide cost-effective and seamless migration from Gigabit to 10Gigabit Ethernet. A 10GBASE-T Ecosystem with companies including Cisco and Intel was launched at Cisco Live in Barcelona to demonstrate the industry’s most complete end-to-end solution with investment protection. The demonstration incorporated the TX6A-SD 10Gig UTP Copper Cabling System.
Steve Schultz, director of marketing, Intel LAN Access Division, said: “The 10GBASE-T ecosystem solution includes industry-leading switches and cabling from companies such as Cisco and Panduit respectively, as well as a new generation of Intel adapters. 10GBASE-T’s backward compatibility with Gigabit Ethernet and solid ecosystem give customers an easy migration path to 10 Gigabit Ethernet.”
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wynncom all set to launch India’s first Hindi QWERTY keypad phone
NEW DELHI, INDIA: After the successful launch of seven mobile handsets in India Wynncom is now set to entice the consumers with India’s first Hindi QWERTY keypad phone-Y-45 which facilitates a tech savvy urban youth to chat in our National language.
Wynncom has come up with yet another product innovation; this time the company has devised a new idea to make texting in Hindi possible by introducing a Hindi Qwerty keypad phone. This makes it easier for a user to connect especially in the Tier II and Tier III towns where one can express oneself in Hindi without any language restrictions.
Y-45 also allows a consumer to send free SMS’s across India, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines instantly with an inbuilt soft key for 160by2 - Free Mobile Phone Applications provider(Free SMS service provider)
Amongst the other key features , Y 45 has a dual SIM (GSM+GSM) capacity with a 5.6 cm (2.2) 262 TFT colour screen, supports social networking sites like Opera Mini, Snaptu, Nimbuzz, Facebook, Twitter, MSN etc and also has a Geographic location finder – Saarthi, 1.3 MP camera, 1100 mAh Battery (long lasting battery - Talk time of 7 hours & Standby time of 250 Hrs), expandable memory up to 8 GB, Bluetooth with A2DP, E mail facility, PC Sync, Video recording and Playback.
Arvind Vohra, co-founder and MD, Wynn Telecom Ltd said, “With our mission to offer something new and exciting to our consumers we have devised Y-45 a multimedia series mobile phone for those who are looking for Hindi keypad on a QWERTY phone at affordable price.”
In smaller cities where English language is a big hurdle for communicating your thoughts while texting a SMS, Y-45 will act as an apt medium for the people to express themselves in Hindi in a better way, he added.
This stylish, unique yet simple phone is available just at MOP Rs. 3,395/- only.
Wynncom has come up with yet another product innovation; this time the company has devised a new idea to make texting in Hindi possible by introducing a Hindi Qwerty keypad phone. This makes it easier for a user to connect especially in the Tier II and Tier III towns where one can express oneself in Hindi without any language restrictions.Y-45 also allows a consumer to send free SMS’s across India, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines instantly with an inbuilt soft key for 160by2 - Free Mobile Phone Applications provider(Free SMS service provider)
Amongst the other key features , Y 45 has a dual SIM (GSM+GSM) capacity with a 5.6 cm (2.2) 262 TFT colour screen, supports social networking sites like Opera Mini, Snaptu, Nimbuzz, Facebook, Twitter, MSN etc and also has a Geographic location finder – Saarthi, 1.3 MP camera, 1100 mAh Battery (long lasting battery - Talk time of 7 hours & Standby time of 250 Hrs), expandable memory up to 8 GB, Bluetooth with A2DP, E mail facility, PC Sync, Video recording and Playback.
Arvind Vohra, co-founder and MD, Wynn Telecom Ltd said, “With our mission to offer something new and exciting to our consumers we have devised Y-45 a multimedia series mobile phone for those who are looking for Hindi keypad on a QWERTY phone at affordable price.”
In smaller cities where English language is a big hurdle for communicating your thoughts while texting a SMS, Y-45 will act as an apt medium for the people to express themselves in Hindi in a better way, he added.
This stylish, unique yet simple phone is available just at MOP Rs. 3,395/- only.
Asian incumbents do it tough
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Average revenues for leading Asian telecoms incumbents fell for the first time in 2009, according to Ovum’s new report, Asia-Pacific’s Telecoms Overview.
Besides difficult macroeconomic conditions, price declines and market saturation were responsible for the decline in top-line revenue of 0.8 percent.
“In 2009, macroeconomic factors had a significant impact on operator performance, making it a financially difficult year for telcos,” said Nicole McCormick, Senior Analyst. “In addition, the rapid decline in fixed voice services and the slowdown in both broadband and mobile growth also affected results.”
Despite the decline in revenue, incumbents were able to slightly improve EBITDA margins through operational efficiency and cost-optimization programs.
“A greater focus was placed on these programs in 2009 when economic uncertainty was at its peak, resulting in average operational expenditure falling by 1 percent,” added McCormick, based in Brisbane.
On the other hand, Ovum’s mobile revenue forecasts for Asia-Pacific, predict continued trying times ahead for cellular operators.
Ovum expects mobile voice revenues in the region to peak in 2012, before declining to $176.8 billion by end-2015 as voice continues to commoditize.
“The good news for mobile operators is that data revenues will continue to offset declining voice revenues during the forecast period,” says Nicole McCormick.
But mobile revenue growth is predicted to increase by just 1.3 percent in 2015, compared with 2 percent growth in 2009.
“Overall voice/data revenues for mobile operators are tipped to increase from $267.1 billion in 2010 to $310.6 billion by 2015,” says McCormick. “By 2015, mobile connections in Asia-Pacific are predicted to top 3.84 billion, or 96 percent penetration.”
However, she warns that unless operators plan to save their way to success, new business models and drivers of growth are essential.
The most common areas being explored for future revenue growth are in adjacent industries such as international investments, IT services, entertainment (especially video), and methods to further monetize broadband access.
However, Ovum believes these new initiatives will have a relatively minor impact on incumbents’ overall performance as existing services will continue to provide the bulk of revenue share for some time.
Besides difficult macroeconomic conditions, price declines and market saturation were responsible for the decline in top-line revenue of 0.8 percent.
“In 2009, macroeconomic factors had a significant impact on operator performance, making it a financially difficult year for telcos,” said Nicole McCormick, Senior Analyst. “In addition, the rapid decline in fixed voice services and the slowdown in both broadband and mobile growth also affected results.”
Despite the decline in revenue, incumbents were able to slightly improve EBITDA margins through operational efficiency and cost-optimization programs.
“A greater focus was placed on these programs in 2009 when economic uncertainty was at its peak, resulting in average operational expenditure falling by 1 percent,” added McCormick, based in Brisbane.
On the other hand, Ovum’s mobile revenue forecasts for Asia-Pacific, predict continued trying times ahead for cellular operators.
Ovum expects mobile voice revenues in the region to peak in 2012, before declining to $176.8 billion by end-2015 as voice continues to commoditize.
“The good news for mobile operators is that data revenues will continue to offset declining voice revenues during the forecast period,” says Nicole McCormick.
But mobile revenue growth is predicted to increase by just 1.3 percent in 2015, compared with 2 percent growth in 2009.
“Overall voice/data revenues for mobile operators are tipped to increase from $267.1 billion in 2010 to $310.6 billion by 2015,” says McCormick. “By 2015, mobile connections in Asia-Pacific are predicted to top 3.84 billion, or 96 percent penetration.”
However, she warns that unless operators plan to save their way to success, new business models and drivers of growth are essential.
The most common areas being explored for future revenue growth are in adjacent industries such as international investments, IT services, entertainment (especially video), and methods to further monetize broadband access.
However, Ovum believes these new initiatives will have a relatively minor impact on incumbents’ overall performance as existing services will continue to provide the bulk of revenue share for some time.
Panduit contributes to development of 40G/100G Ethernet standard
TINLEY PARK, USA: Panduit, a world-class developer and provider of Unified Physical Infrastructure (UPI) based solutions, is in full agreement with the IEEE’s inclusion of OM4 fiber optic cabling as physical layer option within the IEEE802.3ba, 40/100G Ethernet standard. Panduit is proud to have been a key contributor in the development of this recently ratified standard.
The 802.3ba study group was formed, in December 2007, to develop a standard to support 40Gig and 100Gig Ethernet data rates. The draft standard only specified OM3 fiber and a maximum reach of 100 meters. Through extensive research, Panduit determined that next generation OM4 fiber would substantially extend the distance the standard could reach to 150 meters, thereby supporting a larger percentage of links within a data center.
In order to provide users with this additional design flexibility and performance, Dr. Rick Pimpinella, Distinguished Engineer in Panduit Laboratories and a voting member of the 802.3 committee, submitted technical comment #217 against the draft standard to include OM4 fiber.
The comment stated: “Based on growing customer demand for high performance multimode fiber, OM4 should be included as a fiber type option for 40/100Gig.” Panduit obtained support from key industry leaders ranging from equipment manufacturers to optical module providers, and the proposal to include OM4 fiber was presented to the IEEE task force and adopted without opposition.
The benefits of OM4 fiber are higher network reliability due to the increased link margins and increased design flexibility allowing links with a reach of 150 meters.
With OM4 optical fiber addressing an additional 60% of the links in the core-to-distribution channels and in the access-to-distribution channels compared to OM3, Panduit is confident this will lead to faster market acceptance of 40G/100G Ethernet and OM4 fiber.
As virtualization, consolidation, and convergence initiatives continue to grow more pervasive, so do the demands placed on the physical infrastructure. Next-generation networking architectures deliver enhanced performance characteristics and capabilities to help reduce the risks associated with availability, reliability, and agility.
Panduit’s OM4 Fiber Optic cable and connectivity solutions deliver unmatched performance and reliability through cutting-edge fiber technology and comprehensive pre-testing. These fiber systems are part of Panduit’s comprehensive High Speed Data Transport (HSDT) Solutions for optimized physical infrastructure, supporting technology requirements and business needs.
The 802.3ba study group was formed, in December 2007, to develop a standard to support 40Gig and 100Gig Ethernet data rates. The draft standard only specified OM3 fiber and a maximum reach of 100 meters. Through extensive research, Panduit determined that next generation OM4 fiber would substantially extend the distance the standard could reach to 150 meters, thereby supporting a larger percentage of links within a data center.
In order to provide users with this additional design flexibility and performance, Dr. Rick Pimpinella, Distinguished Engineer in Panduit Laboratories and a voting member of the 802.3 committee, submitted technical comment #217 against the draft standard to include OM4 fiber.
The comment stated: “Based on growing customer demand for high performance multimode fiber, OM4 should be included as a fiber type option for 40/100Gig.” Panduit obtained support from key industry leaders ranging from equipment manufacturers to optical module providers, and the proposal to include OM4 fiber was presented to the IEEE task force and adopted without opposition.
The benefits of OM4 fiber are higher network reliability due to the increased link margins and increased design flexibility allowing links with a reach of 150 meters.
With OM4 optical fiber addressing an additional 60% of the links in the core-to-distribution channels and in the access-to-distribution channels compared to OM3, Panduit is confident this will lead to faster market acceptance of 40G/100G Ethernet and OM4 fiber.
As virtualization, consolidation, and convergence initiatives continue to grow more pervasive, so do the demands placed on the physical infrastructure. Next-generation networking architectures deliver enhanced performance characteristics and capabilities to help reduce the risks associated with availability, reliability, and agility.
Panduit’s OM4 Fiber Optic cable and connectivity solutions deliver unmatched performance and reliability through cutting-edge fiber technology and comprehensive pre-testing. These fiber systems are part of Panduit’s comprehensive High Speed Data Transport (HSDT) Solutions for optimized physical infrastructure, supporting technology requirements and business needs.
Smart phones helping to move business from boardroom to bathroom
DALLAS, USA: Samsung Mobile, the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the US, announced the candid results of a new online survey that showed working Americans who own smart phones are breaking old boundaries on when and where it’s appropriate to make and take business calls.
According to the results, these professionals conduct their business far, far away from the office setting including while on vacation, the bathroom, during a date, at church or even during sex.
Respondents admit the need to stay connected and productive with their jobs led them to take their business calls into more private settings than ever before, such as a trip to the bathroom or during an intimate moment with their significant other.
Close to three quarters (72 percent) were comfortable taking calls in the commode, while at least one out of every 10 people came clean about doing business over the phone at a funeral (16 percent) or in the throes of passion (10 percent). Other taboo business calls have taken place in the middle of the night (59 percent), during a date (38 percent) and at church (32 percent).
Other surprising, but less salacious survey results determined the following business behaviors:
The great communicators
Given that 78 percent of smart phone using office workers consider their smart phone a critical part of everyday business, it’s no surprise that an overwhelming majority (89 percent) believe it’s important to be readily available to colleagues, supervisors and clients at all times, even after business hours. In fact, almost eight in 10 (79 percent) immediately respond to a work email on their smart phone regardless of time of day.
Leave your computer behind
According to survey findings, nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of respondents say that their dependency on their smart phone has reduced the frequency they use an office computer or laptop.
Four in 10 (40 percent) also claim they feel most productive working from a smart phone outside the office, rather than at a desk on their computer. Consequently, nearly a third (32 percent) see their smart phone as more important than their desktop or laptop computer. In fact, 51 percent turn to their smart phone to work on projects instead of their computer, even if their monitor is within reach.
As the smart phone continues to increase in prominence in today’s mobile world, 29 percent of survey respondents say they can envision the day that office computers become obsolete, with smart phones taking their place. More than seven in 10 (71 percent) office workers with smart phones think companies should automatically supply the phones, rather than laptops, to all employees free of charge.
Samsung Mobile has made it even easier to stay connected with its Galaxy S portfolio of devices. The Android 2.1-powered Galaxy S devices are currently available on AT&T and T-Mobile, will be available on Sprint on August 31 and Verizon Wireless, US Cellular and Cellular South in 2010.
Samsung Mobile has packed powerful, cutting-edge technology into each Galaxy S device, including features such as a stunning 4-inch Super AMOLED display screen, 1GHz Hummingbird Application Processor and a multitude of entertainment, messaging and social networking features and applications.
The survey, commissioned by Samsung Mobile, was conducted by Kelton Research and included 503 Americans ages 18 and older who own a smart phone and work in an office.
According to the results, these professionals conduct their business far, far away from the office setting including while on vacation, the bathroom, during a date, at church or even during sex.
Respondents admit the need to stay connected and productive with their jobs led them to take their business calls into more private settings than ever before, such as a trip to the bathroom or during an intimate moment with their significant other.
Close to three quarters (72 percent) were comfortable taking calls in the commode, while at least one out of every 10 people came clean about doing business over the phone at a funeral (16 percent) or in the throes of passion (10 percent). Other taboo business calls have taken place in the middle of the night (59 percent), during a date (38 percent) and at church (32 percent).
Other surprising, but less salacious survey results determined the following business behaviors:
The great communicators
Given that 78 percent of smart phone using office workers consider their smart phone a critical part of everyday business, it’s no surprise that an overwhelming majority (89 percent) believe it’s important to be readily available to colleagues, supervisors and clients at all times, even after business hours. In fact, almost eight in 10 (79 percent) immediately respond to a work email on their smart phone regardless of time of day.
Leave your computer behind
According to survey findings, nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of respondents say that their dependency on their smart phone has reduced the frequency they use an office computer or laptop.
Four in 10 (40 percent) also claim they feel most productive working from a smart phone outside the office, rather than at a desk on their computer. Consequently, nearly a third (32 percent) see their smart phone as more important than their desktop or laptop computer. In fact, 51 percent turn to their smart phone to work on projects instead of their computer, even if their monitor is within reach.
As the smart phone continues to increase in prominence in today’s mobile world, 29 percent of survey respondents say they can envision the day that office computers become obsolete, with smart phones taking their place. More than seven in 10 (71 percent) office workers with smart phones think companies should automatically supply the phones, rather than laptops, to all employees free of charge.
Samsung Mobile has made it even easier to stay connected with its Galaxy S portfolio of devices. The Android 2.1-powered Galaxy S devices are currently available on AT&T and T-Mobile, will be available on Sprint on August 31 and Verizon Wireless, US Cellular and Cellular South in 2010.
Samsung Mobile has packed powerful, cutting-edge technology into each Galaxy S device, including features such as a stunning 4-inch Super AMOLED display screen, 1GHz Hummingbird Application Processor and a multitude of entertainment, messaging and social networking features and applications.
The survey, commissioned by Samsung Mobile, was conducted by Kelton Research and included 503 Americans ages 18 and older who own a smart phone and work in an office.
Cricket launches first Android phone -- ZIO by Kyocera
SAN DIEGO, USA: Cricket Communications Inc., a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International Inc., and Kyocera Communications Inc., a provider of Kyocera- and Sanyo-branded wireless devices, announced the immediate availability of the Sanyo ZIO (pronounced Zī -O) by Kyocera.
This is the highly-anticipated first Android phone launched by the innovative leader in no-contract, nationwide mobile wireless. ZIO blends an elegant design with an ultra-intuitive user interface to unlock the vast array of content and applications in Android Market.
The all-new Sanyo ZIO by Kyocera is immediately available online at mycricket.com, at Cricket-branded retail stores and at dealers nationwide without a contract for $249.99. The sleek new device comes equipped with a vivid, 3.5inch WVGA touchscreen and runs on Cricket’s all-3G network, providing users with access to the tens of thousands of Android Market applications, GPS capabilities and much more. In addition, the ZIO features real web browsing at 3G speeds and Wi-Fi connectivity.
“Launching ZIO as our inaugural Android device is the first big step of many that Cricket is taking to provide elite, yet affordable devices and service plans to customers on any type of budget,” stated Matt Stoiber, vice president and general manager of devices for Cricket Communications. “Not only are we offering Smartphones at extremely competitive prices, but our rate plans truly reflect the needs of our customers and a respect that we have for their wallets.”
ZIO uses CDMA2000 1xEV-DO rev. A and Wi-Fi network technologies and features an impressive, high-resolution 3.5-inch WVGA motion-enhanced, touchscreen display as a backdrop for a fully customizable mobile multimedia experience.
Along with the touchscreen, an intuitive, effortless trackball helps users navigate features such as the 3.2 MP camera with video record/playback, media player, full HTML web browser, Google Maps and countless widgets and applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Open Table and more available in Android Market.
ZIO offers substantial user-available internal memory (512MB) and supports an additional 32GB through its microSD memory slot. ZIO also comes equipped with an ambient light sensor and accelerometer for easy viewing virtually any way, anywhere.
“This is an important milestone for Kyocera, as we launch the highly anticipated ZIO and bring the power of Android to Cricket consumers,” said Eric Anderson, vice president of sales at Kyocera Communications Inc. “ZIO is the first in a series of Android devices Kyocera will bring to market and we’re excited to partner with Cricket to set the standard by offering a Smartphone device that encourages individuality for the customer who desires unlimited expression.”
Cricket is launching a special, all-inclusive $55 Android service plan to accompany the device, which offers customers unlimited talk, text, picture mail, web browsing, email, international text and more – all without telecom taxes and fees – at nearly half the price of Smartphone service plans at other major carriers. The $55 Android service plan is one of a number of new, all-inclusive voice service plans that the company has recently begun to offer to consumers.
Cricket is the first carrier to offer the new, feature-packed ZIO. ZIO is the second of three Smartphones expected to be launched by Cricket in 2010. Cricket launched the Blackberry Curve 8530 earlier this month.
This is the highly-anticipated first Android phone launched by the innovative leader in no-contract, nationwide mobile wireless. ZIO blends an elegant design with an ultra-intuitive user interface to unlock the vast array of content and applications in Android Market.
The all-new Sanyo ZIO by Kyocera is immediately available online at mycricket.com, at Cricket-branded retail stores and at dealers nationwide without a contract for $249.99. The sleek new device comes equipped with a vivid, 3.5inch WVGA touchscreen and runs on Cricket’s all-3G network, providing users with access to the tens of thousands of Android Market applications, GPS capabilities and much more. In addition, the ZIO features real web browsing at 3G speeds and Wi-Fi connectivity.
“Launching ZIO as our inaugural Android device is the first big step of many that Cricket is taking to provide elite, yet affordable devices and service plans to customers on any type of budget,” stated Matt Stoiber, vice president and general manager of devices for Cricket Communications. “Not only are we offering Smartphones at extremely competitive prices, but our rate plans truly reflect the needs of our customers and a respect that we have for their wallets.”
ZIO uses CDMA2000 1xEV-DO rev. A and Wi-Fi network technologies and features an impressive, high-resolution 3.5-inch WVGA motion-enhanced, touchscreen display as a backdrop for a fully customizable mobile multimedia experience.
Along with the touchscreen, an intuitive, effortless trackball helps users navigate features such as the 3.2 MP camera with video record/playback, media player, full HTML web browser, Google Maps and countless widgets and applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Open Table and more available in Android Market.
ZIO offers substantial user-available internal memory (512MB) and supports an additional 32GB through its microSD memory slot. ZIO also comes equipped with an ambient light sensor and accelerometer for easy viewing virtually any way, anywhere.
“This is an important milestone for Kyocera, as we launch the highly anticipated ZIO and bring the power of Android to Cricket consumers,” said Eric Anderson, vice president of sales at Kyocera Communications Inc. “ZIO is the first in a series of Android devices Kyocera will bring to market and we’re excited to partner with Cricket to set the standard by offering a Smartphone device that encourages individuality for the customer who desires unlimited expression.”
Cricket is launching a special, all-inclusive $55 Android service plan to accompany the device, which offers customers unlimited talk, text, picture mail, web browsing, email, international text and more – all without telecom taxes and fees – at nearly half the price of Smartphone service plans at other major carriers. The $55 Android service plan is one of a number of new, all-inclusive voice service plans that the company has recently begun to offer to consumers.
Cricket is the first carrier to offer the new, feature-packed ZIO. ZIO is the second of three Smartphones expected to be launched by Cricket in 2010. Cricket launched the Blackberry Curve 8530 earlier this month.
Intuit GoPayment and mophie marketplace offer complete credit card solution for iPhone
MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA: Small businesses can now get everything they need in one package to quickly start processing credit cards on their iPhone.
Intuit Inc. and mophie announced the availability of the Complete Credit Card Solution, an all-in-one product that enables small businesses to easily process credit card payments via the Apple iPhone. It integrates Intuit’s GoPayment credit card processing app and quick-to-activate merchant account with the mophie marketplace iPhone credit card reader. This package is now available in Apple Retail Stores and soon on Apple's site.
As part of this solution, Intuit GoPayment offers a quick and easy application process that is designed to let merchants start processing credit cards on their iPhones in as few as 15 minutes. As an option, GoPayment is also compatible with QuickBooks Mac to help save time in keeping business financial files up to date.
“We designed this to meet the needs of small businesses who want a complete credit card solution that works with their iPhone,” said Chris Hylen, general manager of Intuit’s Payment Solutions division. “Now we have a best-in-class solution from Intuit and mophie to meet that need. This means that a business owner only needs to buy one package to get set up with everything they need to start taking mobile payments even before they leave the store.”
Doing more with mobile devices is key for small businesses on the go.
“mophie designs products that enable consumers to do more with their Apple devices and that deliver additional convenience and freedom for all types of mobile activity,” said Shawn Dougherty, COO of mophie. “This integrated hardware and software mobile payment solution enables immediate and secure financial transactions on the go for a vast audience of small business owners and their employees.”
Intuit Inc. and mophie announced the availability of the Complete Credit Card Solution, an all-in-one product that enables small businesses to easily process credit card payments via the Apple iPhone. It integrates Intuit’s GoPayment credit card processing app and quick-to-activate merchant account with the mophie marketplace iPhone credit card reader. This package is now available in Apple Retail Stores and soon on Apple's site.
As part of this solution, Intuit GoPayment offers a quick and easy application process that is designed to let merchants start processing credit cards on their iPhones in as few as 15 minutes. As an option, GoPayment is also compatible with QuickBooks Mac to help save time in keeping business financial files up to date.
“We designed this to meet the needs of small businesses who want a complete credit card solution that works with their iPhone,” said Chris Hylen, general manager of Intuit’s Payment Solutions division. “Now we have a best-in-class solution from Intuit and mophie to meet that need. This means that a business owner only needs to buy one package to get set up with everything they need to start taking mobile payments even before they leave the store.”
Doing more with mobile devices is key for small businesses on the go.
“mophie designs products that enable consumers to do more with their Apple devices and that deliver additional convenience and freedom for all types of mobile activity,” said Shawn Dougherty, COO of mophie. “This integrated hardware and software mobile payment solution enables immediate and secure financial transactions on the go for a vast audience of small business owners and their employees.”
Andrew makes 'smooth' entry into Telefonica
HICKORY, USA: Telefonica Moviles Group, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators, has approved HELIAX 2.0 FXL smoothwall cable from Andrew Solutions, the CommScope Inc. division that is a global leader in wireless communication systems and products, for use in many of its wireless networks.
Andrew’s high-performing, lower-cost transmission line solution, HELIAX 2.0 FXL, which surpasses or equals the electrical performance of leading copper corrugated cables, has now been approved for use by several Telefonica offices in Central America, South America and Europe.
Telefonica accepted FXL smoothwall after performing successful trials around the globe, and currently has deployed the cable in one South American market with more under consideration.
“We were impressed in the trials of Andrew’s FXL smoothwall cable due to its excellent RF performance as a transmission line plus the cable’s lighter weight, increased ease during installation, and other benefits,” said Juan Cerusico, GCTO architecture and planning, Telefonica LatAm.
“Our customers value the performance of our networks, so we had to ensure that switching to a new cable would continue meeting our high standards, and we are confident that FXL smoothwall will meet these expectations.”
The patented solid triple-bonded construction of FXL smoothwall adds crush and tensile strength that far exceeds corrugated cables. Andrew® FXL smoothwall cable provides maximum RF coverage due to better return loss and attenuation that surpasses or equals leading copper cables. Lighter weight than all-copper corrugated cables, FXL smoothwall can help reduce tower loading and freight costs.
“Operators around the globe are seeing the benefit of switching to smoothwall cable, and it has been accepted by many operators and OEMs,” said Stan Catey, senior vice president and general manager, Cable Products, Andrew. “We are pleased that Telefonica has joined the evolution to FXL smoothwall for use in many of their markets.”
Major operators worldwide have been trialing and deploying FXL smoothwall cable for close to a decade with over 48 million feet installed in wireless networks globally.
Andrew’s high-performing, lower-cost transmission line solution, HELIAX 2.0 FXL, which surpasses or equals the electrical performance of leading copper corrugated cables, has now been approved for use by several Telefonica offices in Central America, South America and Europe.
Telefonica accepted FXL smoothwall after performing successful trials around the globe, and currently has deployed the cable in one South American market with more under consideration.
“We were impressed in the trials of Andrew’s FXL smoothwall cable due to its excellent RF performance as a transmission line plus the cable’s lighter weight, increased ease during installation, and other benefits,” said Juan Cerusico, GCTO architecture and planning, Telefonica LatAm.
“Our customers value the performance of our networks, so we had to ensure that switching to a new cable would continue meeting our high standards, and we are confident that FXL smoothwall will meet these expectations.”
The patented solid triple-bonded construction of FXL smoothwall adds crush and tensile strength that far exceeds corrugated cables. Andrew® FXL smoothwall cable provides maximum RF coverage due to better return loss and attenuation that surpasses or equals leading copper cables. Lighter weight than all-copper corrugated cables, FXL smoothwall can help reduce tower loading and freight costs.
“Operators around the globe are seeing the benefit of switching to smoothwall cable, and it has been accepted by many operators and OEMs,” said Stan Catey, senior vice president and general manager, Cable Products, Andrew. “We are pleased that Telefonica has joined the evolution to FXL smoothwall for use in many of their markets.”
Major operators worldwide have been trialing and deploying FXL smoothwall cable for close to a decade with over 48 million feet installed in wireless networks globally.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Smartphone application market reaches over $2.2 billion in H1 2010
BERLIN, GERMANY: The worldwide smartphone applications market grew more than $2.2 billion dollars within the first six months of 2010, according to research2guidance.
Mobile application download numbers reached a total of 3.8 billion in only 6 months, compared to 3.1 billion in 2009 according to the latest report by research2guidance.
"The market is gaining momentum as more and more smartphone users have direct and easy access to app stores," explains Ralf-Gordon Jahns, Research Director at research2guidance. "In addition, the app stores which were founded in 2009 have finally managed to increase application numbers and are growing their app business."
Key market data 2009 (full year) 1st half year 2010
App market revenue $1.7 bn $2.2 bn
App download number 3.1 bn 3.9 bn
"Apple's competitors like Nokia and BlackBerry started to leverage their global reach and increased the traffic on their app stores" says Egle Mikalajunaite Research Analyst at research2guidance. "We see this trend continuing in the next several months and years. The next wave of new app stores will be niche stores specializing on e.g. business or mobile health apps".
Average application prices steeped to $3.60 per paid application in the first half of 2010.
"Although there are still significant differences with regard to prices between stores, the overall decline of app prices has reclined", according to Ralf-Gordon Jahns. "App publishers should be aware of the price differences between stores and mobile platforms. These price differences are a sign of a lack of market transparency. They represent a good business opportunity, but not for too long."
Mobile application download numbers reached a total of 3.8 billion in only 6 months, compared to 3.1 billion in 2009 according to the latest report by research2guidance.
"The market is gaining momentum as more and more smartphone users have direct and easy access to app stores," explains Ralf-Gordon Jahns, Research Director at research2guidance. "In addition, the app stores which were founded in 2009 have finally managed to increase application numbers and are growing their app business."
Key market data 2009 (full year) 1st half year 2010
App market revenue $1.7 bn $2.2 bn
App download number 3.1 bn 3.9 bn
"Apple's competitors like Nokia and BlackBerry started to leverage their global reach and increased the traffic on their app stores" says Egle Mikalajunaite Research Analyst at research2guidance. "We see this trend continuing in the next several months and years. The next wave of new app stores will be niche stores specializing on e.g. business or mobile health apps".
Average application prices steeped to $3.60 per paid application in the first half of 2010.
"Although there are still significant differences with regard to prices between stores, the overall decline of app prices has reclined", according to Ralf-Gordon Jahns. "App publishers should be aware of the price differences between stores and mobile platforms. These price differences are a sign of a lack of market transparency. They represent a good business opportunity, but not for too long."
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Andrew's GeoLENs proves supple with SUPL
BANGALORE, INDIA: Wireless operators examining ways to deploy commercial location-based services (LBS) quickly should explore the new, standalone GeoLENs Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) platform from Andrew Solutions, the CommScope Inc. division that is a global leader in wireless communication systems and products.
“SUPL has become an important and attractive architecture for location-enabling wireless networks given its ease of implementation through bypassing the access network signaling dependencies,” said Martin Dawson, director, Mobile Location, Andrew. “Commercial location-based services can be provided without the cost and complication of implementing control plane location interfaces in the network.”
Andrew’s new GeoLENs SUPL platform is based on a standalone server compliant to the Open Mobile Alliance’s SUPL 1.0 standard, which utilizes the user plane for providing the location of a mobile device. The benefits of using SUPL for determining location include easy integration into operator networks, offering immediate high-accuracy location capabilities with minimal investment in network infrastructure. The GeoLENs SUPL Platform has already been deployed by multiple Tier 1 operators to support commercial LBS.
“Our development and deployment of a standalone SUPL Platform is in response to operator requests for such a solution,” said Dawson. “The versatility and adaptability of the GeoLENs location solution paired with Andrew’s expertise in location technologies helped us respond quickly to this market need.”
Andrew was one of the first vendors to recognize the potential of SUPL and has been offering the capability in its GeoLENs portfolio for a number of years. This is the first time, however, that the company is offering a standalone SUPL configuration for wireless operators who need SUPL-only functionality. SUPL-based location allows operators to provide their subscribers location-based applications even when roaming as it operates independently of the capabilities of the visited access network.
While SUPL can offer a quicker, cost-effective way to deploy commercial LBS, control plane location capabilities are typically needed for meeting E-911 requirements and enabling security applications. Andrew believes its comprehensive GeoLENs Mobile Location Center supports the widest range of positioning capabilities available from a single vendor including network-based, control plane technologies.
SUPL determines location by using radio measurements made by the mobile device from cell towers, Wi-Fi, and GPS signals. SUPL calculates location based on knowledge of such radio network sources and topology, and it can also provide GPS assistance data to the end device. Andrew’s GeoLENs SUPL Platform enables operators to locate mobile devices that are SUPL-enabled over a secure data connection using a variety of positioning technologies including Cell ID, Enhanced Cell-ID, and A-GPS.
Andrew operates a SUPL interoperability testing program with handset vendors to ensure interoperability between GeoLENs and mobile devices, lowering the cost of deployment for wireless operators. The enormous surge in smartphones and location-aware applications is significantly increasing activity in this program as operators explore quick, cost-efficient methods for supporting high-accuracy location throughout their networks.
The upcoming SUPL 2.0 standard will enable operators to provide location in LTE networks, offer geo-fencing applications that allow operators to target users in specific geographic areas, and support other powerful features.
Andrew’s GeoLENs SUPL Platform is available now globally, with SUPL 2.0 LTE functionality planned for 2011.
“SUPL has become an important and attractive architecture for location-enabling wireless networks given its ease of implementation through bypassing the access network signaling dependencies,” said Martin Dawson, director, Mobile Location, Andrew. “Commercial location-based services can be provided without the cost and complication of implementing control plane location interfaces in the network.”
Andrew’s new GeoLENs SUPL platform is based on a standalone server compliant to the Open Mobile Alliance’s SUPL 1.0 standard, which utilizes the user plane for providing the location of a mobile device. The benefits of using SUPL for determining location include easy integration into operator networks, offering immediate high-accuracy location capabilities with minimal investment in network infrastructure. The GeoLENs SUPL Platform has already been deployed by multiple Tier 1 operators to support commercial LBS.
“Our development and deployment of a standalone SUPL Platform is in response to operator requests for such a solution,” said Dawson. “The versatility and adaptability of the GeoLENs location solution paired with Andrew’s expertise in location technologies helped us respond quickly to this market need.”
Andrew was one of the first vendors to recognize the potential of SUPL and has been offering the capability in its GeoLENs portfolio for a number of years. This is the first time, however, that the company is offering a standalone SUPL configuration for wireless operators who need SUPL-only functionality. SUPL-based location allows operators to provide their subscribers location-based applications even when roaming as it operates independently of the capabilities of the visited access network.
While SUPL can offer a quicker, cost-effective way to deploy commercial LBS, control plane location capabilities are typically needed for meeting E-911 requirements and enabling security applications. Andrew believes its comprehensive GeoLENs Mobile Location Center supports the widest range of positioning capabilities available from a single vendor including network-based, control plane technologies.
SUPL determines location by using radio measurements made by the mobile device from cell towers, Wi-Fi, and GPS signals. SUPL calculates location based on knowledge of such radio network sources and topology, and it can also provide GPS assistance data to the end device. Andrew’s GeoLENs SUPL Platform enables operators to locate mobile devices that are SUPL-enabled over a secure data connection using a variety of positioning technologies including Cell ID, Enhanced Cell-ID, and A-GPS.
Andrew operates a SUPL interoperability testing program with handset vendors to ensure interoperability between GeoLENs and mobile devices, lowering the cost of deployment for wireless operators. The enormous surge in smartphones and location-aware applications is significantly increasing activity in this program as operators explore quick, cost-efficient methods for supporting high-accuracy location throughout their networks.
The upcoming SUPL 2.0 standard will enable operators to provide location in LTE networks, offer geo-fencing applications that allow operators to target users in specific geographic areas, and support other powerful features.
Andrew’s GeoLENs SUPL Platform is available now globally, with SUPL 2.0 LTE functionality planned for 2011.
Australian election – Implications for government and industry
Kevin Noonan, research director, Ovum.
AUSTRALIA: Australia has a compulsory voting system that mobilises the entire adult population about every three years to consider the nation’s political future. This time the result was far from a ringing endorsement of the alternatives on offer.
For the first time in 70 years a first term government has not secured a second term majority. Historians also need to go back to the 1930s to find a time when one of the major parties party did not win a governing majority. This election also saw high rates of informal/protest votes. For example, in New South Wales (6.9 percent) and Queensland (5.6 percent), the rate of informal/protest vote was greater than the two party preferred election swing.
Voters appear to have been universally turned off by traditional election marketing campaigns, and the general lack of genuine grass roots engagement.
The Independent Members are now likely to hold the balance of power, and are foreshadowing significant reforms aimed at raising the level of cooperation in government; increasing citizen engagement; and delivering what they see as a fairer deal for regional and rural constituents.
The Independent Members are signalling flexibility to achieve a long term stable government, but also strong resolve the traditionally combative approach to government administration.
Chance will favour the prepared mind
While the future shape of Government is Australia will be unclear for some time, sufficient trends are emerging to enable IT managers to undertake some reasonable scenario planning. This is certainly not a time to sit around waiting for an answer, as the news is not all bad for government IT.
Scenario: Open Government will become more central to government policy
Gov 2.0 has already been an area of policy development for the previous Labor Government. The changed electoral landscape could very well propel Gov 2.0 to become a more significant policy issue. During the election, public sector reform was largely sidelined by both parties.
Both the Moran Review and Gershon Reinvestment Fund were early funding casualties as both sides scrambled to gather funds to support offerings seen to be more tantalising for swinging voters. However a changed electoral landscape may favour the re-emergence of these initiatives dressed up in new forms.
Scenario: Broadband delivery will be a priority for regional Australia
Since the election, all indications point to continuing government interest in delivering a national broadband solution. Indeed the Independent Members have been signalling this is would be an important part of a new policy mix for regional and rural citizens.
However, the gulf between the two policy alternatives is unlikely to be resolved in the short term. For the immediate future, the ICT industry will need to have its foot firmly on the accelerator and on the break at the same time.
Scenario: Cost savings will a key driver for government IT policy
An incoming government, from either side of politics, will be faced with an impossible funding dilemma. No incoming government will be prepared to step away from its core promise to deliver a surplus budget with within three years. Some hard decisions will need to be made about promises made during the election, especially as the Independent Members add their own list of demands to an already optimistic list of promises. IT savings measures are likely to remain hot topics during the life of the next government.
Scenario: An incoming government will behave like a first term government
At the beginning of the election, there was a reasonable expectation that either incoming government would be expected to slip into office with relative ease. Not any more! It is now clear that the incoming government is more likely to behave like a first term government, with a pause in government spending while new policy directions are negotiated and new relationships are settled.
While the time ahead for government IT will be much less predictable, there are opportunities. Chance will favour the prepared mind.
AUSTRALIA: Australia has a compulsory voting system that mobilises the entire adult population about every three years to consider the nation’s political future. This time the result was far from a ringing endorsement of the alternatives on offer.
For the first time in 70 years a first term government has not secured a second term majority. Historians also need to go back to the 1930s to find a time when one of the major parties party did not win a governing majority. This election also saw high rates of informal/protest votes. For example, in New South Wales (6.9 percent) and Queensland (5.6 percent), the rate of informal/protest vote was greater than the two party preferred election swing.
Voters appear to have been universally turned off by traditional election marketing campaigns, and the general lack of genuine grass roots engagement.
The Independent Members are now likely to hold the balance of power, and are foreshadowing significant reforms aimed at raising the level of cooperation in government; increasing citizen engagement; and delivering what they see as a fairer deal for regional and rural constituents.
The Independent Members are signalling flexibility to achieve a long term stable government, but also strong resolve the traditionally combative approach to government administration.
Chance will favour the prepared mind
While the future shape of Government is Australia will be unclear for some time, sufficient trends are emerging to enable IT managers to undertake some reasonable scenario planning. This is certainly not a time to sit around waiting for an answer, as the news is not all bad for government IT.
Scenario: Open Government will become more central to government policy
Gov 2.0 has already been an area of policy development for the previous Labor Government. The changed electoral landscape could very well propel Gov 2.0 to become a more significant policy issue. During the election, public sector reform was largely sidelined by both parties.
Both the Moran Review and Gershon Reinvestment Fund were early funding casualties as both sides scrambled to gather funds to support offerings seen to be more tantalising for swinging voters. However a changed electoral landscape may favour the re-emergence of these initiatives dressed up in new forms.
Scenario: Broadband delivery will be a priority for regional Australia
Since the election, all indications point to continuing government interest in delivering a national broadband solution. Indeed the Independent Members have been signalling this is would be an important part of a new policy mix for regional and rural citizens.
However, the gulf between the two policy alternatives is unlikely to be resolved in the short term. For the immediate future, the ICT industry will need to have its foot firmly on the accelerator and on the break at the same time.
Scenario: Cost savings will a key driver for government IT policy
An incoming government, from either side of politics, will be faced with an impossible funding dilemma. No incoming government will be prepared to step away from its core promise to deliver a surplus budget with within three years. Some hard decisions will need to be made about promises made during the election, especially as the Independent Members add their own list of demands to an already optimistic list of promises. IT savings measures are likely to remain hot topics during the life of the next government.
Scenario: An incoming government will behave like a first term government
At the beginning of the election, there was a reasonable expectation that either incoming government would be expected to slip into office with relative ease. Not any more! It is now clear that the incoming government is more likely to behave like a first term government, with a pause in government spending while new policy directions are negotiated and new relationships are settled.
While the time ahead for government IT will be much less predictable, there are opportunities. Chance will favour the prepared mind.
Colt deploys Infinera to deliver low latency routes in Europe
SUNNYVALE, USA: Infinera announced that Colt has deployed Infinera low-latency optical networking systems to support low latency services on its next generation pan-European network.
With Infinera systems optimized to deliver substantial reductions in latency and the benefit of new direct fiber routes, Colt is now offering services with a measured latency of 4.22 milliseconds between London and Frankfurt and 2.65 milliseconds between Paris and Brussels.
Infinera low-latency solutions are engineered to provide significantly lower latency than conventional DWDM solutions through the use of innovative optics and electronics that drive latency out of the optical network.
Infinera's low-latency solutions facilitate the delivery of native wavelengths across the optical network, as well as other important data and storage protocols for applications including business continuity and disaster recovery. Like all Infinera networks, Infinera low-latency networks provide industry-leading levels of reliability and 24x7 customer support.
Infinera's Digital Optical Networks architecture enables the rapid deployment, fast provisioning, and simple, quick and cost-effective operation of the optical network. Infinera's GMPLS-powered management software provides for end-to-end management of the optical network and the provisioning of services quickly and accurately with a minimum of human intervention.
"When it comes to succeeding in the financial markets, technology -- including the underpinning network -- is what drives competitive advantage. Colt addresses the need to be ahead of the game with its FastNet Ultra Portfolio. We've chosen Infinera for our next generation network, and our new low-latency networks between major financial centers, to give our customers the performance, quality and reliability they expect," said Terry Quigley, Head of Industry Practices at Colt.
"We've worked closely with Colt to customize a solution to deliver the lowest possible latency to the Colt network," said Infinera vice president for network strategy Chris Liou.
"As the leader in digital optical networking, our focus is on using innovative technologies to deliver new solutions and competitive advantages to our customers, and we are pleased Colt has deployed Infinera's unique Bandwidth Virtualization solution and low-latency technologies to enable highly differentiated low-latency services within Europe, including 1GbE and 10GbE and beyond."
Infinera ranked second worldwide in long-haul optical networking revenue in the first quarter of 2010 according to independent analyst reports. In the second quarter, Infinera posted revenue of $111 million, a 62 percent increase over the year-earlier figure.
Demand has grown for low-latency solutions with the worldwide growth of algorithm-based trading of financial products. Low-latency networks can provide a competitive advantage in today's financial markets where prices change constantly and related securities trade in many different financial centers.
With Infinera systems optimized to deliver substantial reductions in latency and the benefit of new direct fiber routes, Colt is now offering services with a measured latency of 4.22 milliseconds between London and Frankfurt and 2.65 milliseconds between Paris and Brussels.
Infinera low-latency solutions are engineered to provide significantly lower latency than conventional DWDM solutions through the use of innovative optics and electronics that drive latency out of the optical network.
Infinera's low-latency solutions facilitate the delivery of native wavelengths across the optical network, as well as other important data and storage protocols for applications including business continuity and disaster recovery. Like all Infinera networks, Infinera low-latency networks provide industry-leading levels of reliability and 24x7 customer support.
Infinera's Digital Optical Networks architecture enables the rapid deployment, fast provisioning, and simple, quick and cost-effective operation of the optical network. Infinera's GMPLS-powered management software provides for end-to-end management of the optical network and the provisioning of services quickly and accurately with a minimum of human intervention.
"When it comes to succeeding in the financial markets, technology -- including the underpinning network -- is what drives competitive advantage. Colt addresses the need to be ahead of the game with its FastNet Ultra Portfolio. We've chosen Infinera for our next generation network, and our new low-latency networks between major financial centers, to give our customers the performance, quality and reliability they expect," said Terry Quigley, Head of Industry Practices at Colt.
"We've worked closely with Colt to customize a solution to deliver the lowest possible latency to the Colt network," said Infinera vice president for network strategy Chris Liou.
"As the leader in digital optical networking, our focus is on using innovative technologies to deliver new solutions and competitive advantages to our customers, and we are pleased Colt has deployed Infinera's unique Bandwidth Virtualization solution and low-latency technologies to enable highly differentiated low-latency services within Europe, including 1GbE and 10GbE and beyond."
Infinera ranked second worldwide in long-haul optical networking revenue in the first quarter of 2010 according to independent analyst reports. In the second quarter, Infinera posted revenue of $111 million, a 62 percent increase over the year-earlier figure.
Demand has grown for low-latency solutions with the worldwide growth of algorithm-based trading of financial products. Low-latency networks can provide a competitive advantage in today's financial markets where prices change constantly and related securities trade in many different financial centers.
Wireless Innovation Forum opens Europe office
WASHINGTON, USA: The Wireless Innovation Forum, a non-profit mutual benefit corporation dedicated to driving technology innovation in commercial, civil, and defense communications worldwide, has opened a European office, located in Brussels, to provide stronger support to its current European membership and the growing advanced wireless market in Europe.
“A key tenet of the Forum’s 2010 to 2014 Strategic Plan, as approved by the members during the Annual General Meeting held on December 3, 2009, was the development of regional plans to better support the needs of our members and potential members around the world,” said Lee Pucker, CEO of the Wireless Innovation Forum. “This action directly supports that strategy and reconfirms the Forum’s status as an international organization.”
The Forum currently has 116 members, 29 of whom are in Europe, and holds an annual European event designed to bring together the advanced wireless community to explore the evolution of reconfigurable radio. The call for papers for the third annual European event will be announced September 9, 2010 and the event itself will be held June 22 to 24, in Brussels.
The expansion supports the specific goals established by the Forum’s Board of Directors in the FY2011 Operations Plan, which include growing regional participation, supporting the specific needs of the local member organizations, chartering regional chapters of the Forum and supporting those chapters in holding local meetings focused on regional issues, and establishing regional workshops and conferences focused on specific areas of local interest.
The Forum has retained Brussels-based Interel Association Management Company to support the new office. Established in 1983, Interel is a leading European corporate affairs consultancy, focusing on public affairs, corporate communications and association management, underpinned by a suite of online and offline creative services. Interel operates through own offices and partners across Europe and internationally.
Milagros Mostaza-Corral, director, Interel Association Management and Senior WInnForum European liaison officer, commented: “We are delighted to be given the opportunity to partner with the Wireless Innovation Forum and look forward to supporting the expansion of the Forum’s important programmes and activities in Europe. We believe that with the now existing on-the-ground delivery capability and proximity to members and partners in Europe we will be able to further build the WInnForum community to address the emerging wireless communications requirements in Europe.”
“A key tenet of the Forum’s 2010 to 2014 Strategic Plan, as approved by the members during the Annual General Meeting held on December 3, 2009, was the development of regional plans to better support the needs of our members and potential members around the world,” said Lee Pucker, CEO of the Wireless Innovation Forum. “This action directly supports that strategy and reconfirms the Forum’s status as an international organization.”
The Forum currently has 116 members, 29 of whom are in Europe, and holds an annual European event designed to bring together the advanced wireless community to explore the evolution of reconfigurable radio. The call for papers for the third annual European event will be announced September 9, 2010 and the event itself will be held June 22 to 24, in Brussels.
The expansion supports the specific goals established by the Forum’s Board of Directors in the FY2011 Operations Plan, which include growing regional participation, supporting the specific needs of the local member organizations, chartering regional chapters of the Forum and supporting those chapters in holding local meetings focused on regional issues, and establishing regional workshops and conferences focused on specific areas of local interest.
The Forum has retained Brussels-based Interel Association Management Company to support the new office. Established in 1983, Interel is a leading European corporate affairs consultancy, focusing on public affairs, corporate communications and association management, underpinned by a suite of online and offline creative services. Interel operates through own offices and partners across Europe and internationally.
Milagros Mostaza-Corral, director, Interel Association Management and Senior WInnForum European liaison officer, commented: “We are delighted to be given the opportunity to partner with the Wireless Innovation Forum and look forward to supporting the expansion of the Forum’s important programmes and activities in Europe. We believe that with the now existing on-the-ground delivery capability and proximity to members and partners in Europe we will be able to further build the WInnForum community to address the emerging wireless communications requirements in Europe.”
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Real-time service creation environment deployed at Latin-American operator
PADERBORN, GERMANY: Leading Latin-American MNO has recently deployed Orga Systems' Service Creation Environment (SCE). The solution is a very important component to support the MNOs go-to-market strategy.
With the SCE, services can easily be created and launched extremely fast to meet subscribers' whishes. The deployment was done within a very short time frame of only around two months -- having the services ready to be used.
Service creation environment for real-time bonus, loyalty and bundles
Today, MNOs need to focus on improving their customer relationships and to tackle churn, especially within the prepaid market segment. Furthermore, the launch of successful marketing campaigns increasing customer lifetime value is essential. This will be the key to stay ahead of the field and sustain growth in the long run.
Market champions will be the ones that have innovative marketing and promotion capabilities to enhance their customers' satisfaction.
Two months to real-time service creation
Orga Systems' real-time Service Creation Environment enables operators to introduce and manage marketing campaigns and cross-service promotions efficiently and to instantly create innovative loyalty schemes. Using Service Creation Environment, MNOs can reduce churn and stimulate service usage.
The solution facilitates highly configurable promotion scenarios for single users and selected customer segments. This provides the basis for subscriber-centric marketing campaigns and turns service usage into positive reward and user experience. Part of the project at the Latin American MNO has also been the MNO's employees training, enabling them to create their own services.
With the SCE, services can easily be created and launched extremely fast to meet subscribers' whishes. The deployment was done within a very short time frame of only around two months -- having the services ready to be used.
Service creation environment for real-time bonus, loyalty and bundles
Today, MNOs need to focus on improving their customer relationships and to tackle churn, especially within the prepaid market segment. Furthermore, the launch of successful marketing campaigns increasing customer lifetime value is essential. This will be the key to stay ahead of the field and sustain growth in the long run.
Market champions will be the ones that have innovative marketing and promotion capabilities to enhance their customers' satisfaction.
Two months to real-time service creation
Orga Systems' real-time Service Creation Environment enables operators to introduce and manage marketing campaigns and cross-service promotions efficiently and to instantly create innovative loyalty schemes. Using Service Creation Environment, MNOs can reduce churn and stimulate service usage.
The solution facilitates highly configurable promotion scenarios for single users and selected customer segments. This provides the basis for subscriber-centric marketing campaigns and turns service usage into positive reward and user experience. Part of the project at the Latin American MNO has also been the MNO's employees training, enabling them to create their own services.
Mistrust in US and India impacts Chinese telecom equipment suppliers
EL SEGUNDO, USA: Concerns are rising in the United States and India over perceived security risks associated with using Chinese-made telecommunications equipment, potentially slowing global sales growth for China’s major gear makers, according to iSuppli Corp.
A group of US senators last week asked the Obama administration to review a bid from China’s Huawei Technologies to supply telecommunications gear to Sprint Nextel, citing concerns over espionage. Meanwhile, Huawei and fellow Chinese equipment maker ZTE reported that the Indian government started blocking purchase orders placed with them in mid-February.
The stakes are enormous, with the combined global market for wired and wireless infrastructure telecommunications gear expected to amount to exceed $65 billion in 2010, and rise to more than $83 billion in 2014, as presented in the figure.
Source: iSuppli, USA.
Indian obstacles
“India’s move to obstruct the orders from the Chinese telecommunications has kicked off a sequence of events that resulted in billions of dollars of lost revenue for global telecom market vendors and significant project delays for India’s telecom service providers,” said Lee Ratliff, senior analyst for broadband and the digital home at iSuppli.
“India’s concern stems from suspicions that foreign-made equipment — particularly Chinese gear—represents a significant security risk given the possibility that sensitive information could be transmitted to foreign governments through firmware back doors.”
As pieced together from accounts given by numerous service providers and equipment vendors, India started requiring all equipment purchase orders to be reviewed by the government for approval before allowing authorization.
While Western vendors experienced severe delays in the approval process, purchase orders with Chinese vendors were rejected outright. Nonetheless, India has never acknowledged that a ban existed, and says simply that orders were put on “indefinite hold” while being investigated.
By the end of June, a total of 450 orders amounting to more than $2 billion had been put on hold due to the security clearance process, said India’s Economic Times. Of these, 27 had been approved—all with Western vendors such as Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks.
In May, India’s state-run telephone company BSNL announced that Huawei and ZTE would be excluded from bidding on a $500 million GSM expansion project, most likely to avoid delays because of the security clearance process. The decision came despite the fact that BSNL had chosen Huawei as a GSM vendor for a project earlier in the year that had since then been cancelled, telecom market research from iSuppli indicated.
US roadblock
Even before the recent concerns expressed by the senators, the Chinese telecom gear makers have faced obstacles when doing business in the United States.
“Huawei and ZTE rank among the top telecom equipment vendors globally, but neither has been able to crack the U.S. market despite more than a decade of effort,” Ratliff said. “Lingering concerns over security have reportedly led the US government to ban transmission of its sensitive data over networks using Chinese equipment.
“A 2008 Pentagon report to Congress highlighted Huawei’s links to the Chinese government, furthering concerns. Huawei’s efforts to buy its way into the US market through acquisitions of 3COM, 2Wire, and Motorola’s wireless unit have all been scuttled due to concerns of a US government veto.
“Fair or not, Huawei’s opaque ownership and structure, as well as its CEO’s well-known ties to the People’s Liberation Army and the Communist party, are likely to handicap the company in India, the United States and other countries—at least until Huawei becomes considerably more transparent and consciously distances itself from Beijing.”
Growth inhibitor
“The key elements that have made Chinese vendors successful — inexpensive labor, a home-field advantage in China’s hot telecom market, and access to an almost unlimited line of credit though government banks—are unlikely to disappear any time soon,” Ratliff said.
“However, the vendors face serious opposition in several of the largest markets left to penetrate. Having already picked the low-hanging fruit, these companies may find it more difficult to grow in the future than they have in the past. And, each pause on the way to growth for the Chinese companies is an opportunity instead for Western vendors to get back on their feet and adjust to the new competition.”
Source: iSuppli, USA.
A group of US senators last week asked the Obama administration to review a bid from China’s Huawei Technologies to supply telecommunications gear to Sprint Nextel, citing concerns over espionage. Meanwhile, Huawei and fellow Chinese equipment maker ZTE reported that the Indian government started blocking purchase orders placed with them in mid-February.
The stakes are enormous, with the combined global market for wired and wireless infrastructure telecommunications gear expected to amount to exceed $65 billion in 2010, and rise to more than $83 billion in 2014, as presented in the figure.
Source: iSuppli, USA.Indian obstacles
“India’s move to obstruct the orders from the Chinese telecommunications has kicked off a sequence of events that resulted in billions of dollars of lost revenue for global telecom market vendors and significant project delays for India’s telecom service providers,” said Lee Ratliff, senior analyst for broadband and the digital home at iSuppli.
“India’s concern stems from suspicions that foreign-made equipment — particularly Chinese gear—represents a significant security risk given the possibility that sensitive information could be transmitted to foreign governments through firmware back doors.”
As pieced together from accounts given by numerous service providers and equipment vendors, India started requiring all equipment purchase orders to be reviewed by the government for approval before allowing authorization.
While Western vendors experienced severe delays in the approval process, purchase orders with Chinese vendors were rejected outright. Nonetheless, India has never acknowledged that a ban existed, and says simply that orders were put on “indefinite hold” while being investigated.
By the end of June, a total of 450 orders amounting to more than $2 billion had been put on hold due to the security clearance process, said India’s Economic Times. Of these, 27 had been approved—all with Western vendors such as Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks.
In May, India’s state-run telephone company BSNL announced that Huawei and ZTE would be excluded from bidding on a $500 million GSM expansion project, most likely to avoid delays because of the security clearance process. The decision came despite the fact that BSNL had chosen Huawei as a GSM vendor for a project earlier in the year that had since then been cancelled, telecom market research from iSuppli indicated.
US roadblock
Even before the recent concerns expressed by the senators, the Chinese telecom gear makers have faced obstacles when doing business in the United States.
“Huawei and ZTE rank among the top telecom equipment vendors globally, but neither has been able to crack the U.S. market despite more than a decade of effort,” Ratliff said. “Lingering concerns over security have reportedly led the US government to ban transmission of its sensitive data over networks using Chinese equipment.
“A 2008 Pentagon report to Congress highlighted Huawei’s links to the Chinese government, furthering concerns. Huawei’s efforts to buy its way into the US market through acquisitions of 3COM, 2Wire, and Motorola’s wireless unit have all been scuttled due to concerns of a US government veto.
“Fair or not, Huawei’s opaque ownership and structure, as well as its CEO’s well-known ties to the People’s Liberation Army and the Communist party, are likely to handicap the company in India, the United States and other countries—at least until Huawei becomes considerably more transparent and consciously distances itself from Beijing.”
Growth inhibitor
“The key elements that have made Chinese vendors successful — inexpensive labor, a home-field advantage in China’s hot telecom market, and access to an almost unlimited line of credit though government banks—are unlikely to disappear any time soon,” Ratliff said.
“However, the vendors face serious opposition in several of the largest markets left to penetrate. Having already picked the low-hanging fruit, these companies may find it more difficult to grow in the future than they have in the past. And, each pause on the way to growth for the Chinese companies is an opportunity instead for Western vendors to get back on their feet and adjust to the new competition.”
Source: iSuppli, USA.
QLogic second only to Intel in 10Gb Ethernet adapter market share
ALISO VIEJO, USA: QLogic Corp. announced that it gained share in the 10GbE adapter market for the fifth consecutive quarter according to new data published by market researchers at the Dell'Oro Group in its 2Q10 Network Adapter Report.
QLogic is the only vendor to have gained market share for five consecutive quarters (Q2CY09-Q2CY10). With 15.7 percent revenue share in the 10GbE adapter market, QLogic took over the number two position for the first time, second only to Intel for the quarter.
"With the momentum of our leadership position in 10GbE converged network adapters, the latest Dell'Oro Group Network Adapter Report confirms that our 10Gb Ethernet adapter portfolio continues to gain significant sales traction in the marketplace," said Amit Vashi, vice president of marketing, Host Solutions Group, QLogic.
"A key reason we have achieved the number two position in this critical market is that the QLogic Ethernet software stack is qualified and shipping at every major OEM—including Cisco, Dell, EMC, HP, Hitachi Data Systems, IBM, NetApp and Oracle—powering a broad range of 10GbE-based networking solutions."
Dell'Oro forecasts the 10GbE adapter market to grow from $200 million in 2010 to nearly $800 million by 2014. Converged data center infrastructures and the increasing prevalence of virtual machines—all against the backdrop of a server refresh cycle—are driving this growth.
QLogic is the only vendor to have gained market share for five consecutive quarters (Q2CY09-Q2CY10). With 15.7 percent revenue share in the 10GbE adapter market, QLogic took over the number two position for the first time, second only to Intel for the quarter.
"With the momentum of our leadership position in 10GbE converged network adapters, the latest Dell'Oro Group Network Adapter Report confirms that our 10Gb Ethernet adapter portfolio continues to gain significant sales traction in the marketplace," said Amit Vashi, vice president of marketing, Host Solutions Group, QLogic.
"A key reason we have achieved the number two position in this critical market is that the QLogic Ethernet software stack is qualified and shipping at every major OEM—including Cisco, Dell, EMC, HP, Hitachi Data Systems, IBM, NetApp and Oracle—powering a broad range of 10GbE-based networking solutions."
Dell'Oro forecasts the 10GbE adapter market to grow from $200 million in 2010 to nearly $800 million by 2014. Converged data center infrastructures and the increasing prevalence of virtual machines—all against the backdrop of a server refresh cycle—are driving this growth.
Xelerated samples programmable Ethernet switches for high-speed unified fiber access and mobile backhaul
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN: Xelerated is sampling its AX family of programmable Ethernet switches. Based on Xelerated’s unique and wirespeed dataflow architecture, the AX family allows system vendors to unify switching and packet processing for fixed FTTx and mobile broadband access solutions.
The AX switches cater to a new generation of high-density, high-capacity access systems, including point-to-point Ethernet, GE and 10GE, as well as point-to-multipoint EPON, GPON, 10GEPON and XGPON. Its inherent programmability enables vendor customization and in-field feature enhancements – extending product lifetimes and increasing ROI.
The AX family integrates Ethernet MAC, switching, programmable packet processing and traffic management into a single chip. With high feature flexibility, the AX family enables unified processing of subscriber sessions and OAM functions – key components of a carrier grade data plane.
System vendors can now build fiber access line cards and pizza boxes supporting advanced broadband services at 50-88 Gbps duplex using a single chip. In addition, the AX family supports Synchronous Ethernet and Packet Time Protocol (PTP-2008) for distribution of synchronization services. Required in Packet Transport Network (PTN) and mobile backhaul networks, this makes the AX family ideal for both mobile and fixed FTTx access solutions.
“The next-generation fiber access market is continuing to evolve at a rapid pace,” said Jag Bolaria, Senior Analyst at The Linley Group. “To stay ahead of the curve, system vendors are looking for ways to differentiate their offerings while providing cost-effective and scalable subscriber session processing. Xelerated is addressing this core need with the sampling of its AX devices.”
“The AX programmable Ethernet switches brings new business opportunities to the competitive access market,” said Johan Sandell, VP and Head of Product Management at Xelerated. “Instead of designing with fixed-function switch ASICs that becomes outdated, our customers can now upgrade over time – extending the lifetime of their access systems at a significantly reduced cost.”
To provide faster time to market, Xelerated is also releasing a range of software, development tools and a hardware reference design kit (RDK). A full-featured data plane software designed specifically for the Unified Fiber Access market will also be available to reduce development time for FTTx system vendors.
Now, system vendors can easily leverage investments in line card designs and data plane software between different platforms, as the AX switches share technology with Xelerated’s HX family of network processor units.
The AX switches cater to a new generation of high-density, high-capacity access systems, including point-to-point Ethernet, GE and 10GE, as well as point-to-multipoint EPON, GPON, 10GEPON and XGPON. Its inherent programmability enables vendor customization and in-field feature enhancements – extending product lifetimes and increasing ROI.
The AX family integrates Ethernet MAC, switching, programmable packet processing and traffic management into a single chip. With high feature flexibility, the AX family enables unified processing of subscriber sessions and OAM functions – key components of a carrier grade data plane.
System vendors can now build fiber access line cards and pizza boxes supporting advanced broadband services at 50-88 Gbps duplex using a single chip. In addition, the AX family supports Synchronous Ethernet and Packet Time Protocol (PTP-2008) for distribution of synchronization services. Required in Packet Transport Network (PTN) and mobile backhaul networks, this makes the AX family ideal for both mobile and fixed FTTx access solutions.
“The next-generation fiber access market is continuing to evolve at a rapid pace,” said Jag Bolaria, Senior Analyst at The Linley Group. “To stay ahead of the curve, system vendors are looking for ways to differentiate their offerings while providing cost-effective and scalable subscriber session processing. Xelerated is addressing this core need with the sampling of its AX devices.”
“The AX programmable Ethernet switches brings new business opportunities to the competitive access market,” said Johan Sandell, VP and Head of Product Management at Xelerated. “Instead of designing with fixed-function switch ASICs that becomes outdated, our customers can now upgrade over time – extending the lifetime of their access systems at a significantly reduced cost.”
To provide faster time to market, Xelerated is also releasing a range of software, development tools and a hardware reference design kit (RDK). A full-featured data plane software designed specifically for the Unified Fiber Access market will also be available to reduce development time for FTTx system vendors.
Now, system vendors can easily leverage investments in line card designs and data plane software between different platforms, as the AX switches share technology with Xelerated’s HX family of network processor units.
TEOCO acquires TTI Telecom
ROSH HA'AYIN, ISRAEL: TTI Team Telecom International Ltd, a global supplier of Operations Support Systems (OSS) to communications service providers, has completed its previously announced sale pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 8, 2010, by and among TEOCO Corp., a Delaware corporation, TEOCO Israel Ltd, an Israeli company and a wholly owned subsidiary of TEOCO, and TTI Telecom, under which TTI Telecom has been acquired by TEOCO through a merger of Merger Sub with and into TTI Telecom.
Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, which was approved by TTI Telecom's shareholders on July 22, 2010, TTI Telecom has become a private company and each outstanding ordinary share and preferred share of TTI Telecom has been automatically converted into the right to receive US$3.00 in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes.
In connection with the closing, trading of TTI Telecom shares on the NASDAQ will cease today and TTI Telecom will de-list its shares from the NASDAQ.
Shareholders who possess TTI Telecom share certificates will receive a letter of transmittal with detailed instructions, along with other forms, from the appointed paying agent, BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, regarding the surrender of their certificates for the merger consideration.
For shares held in street name by a broker, bank or other nominee, the broker, bank or other nominee will handle the exchange of shares for the shareholders and will provide them with any relevant instructions for effecting the exchange.
Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, which was approved by TTI Telecom's shareholders on July 22, 2010, TTI Telecom has become a private company and each outstanding ordinary share and preferred share of TTI Telecom has been automatically converted into the right to receive US$3.00 in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes.
In connection with the closing, trading of TTI Telecom shares on the NASDAQ will cease today and TTI Telecom will de-list its shares from the NASDAQ.
Shareholders who possess TTI Telecom share certificates will receive a letter of transmittal with detailed instructions, along with other forms, from the appointed paying agent, BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, regarding the surrender of their certificates for the merger consideration.
For shares held in street name by a broker, bank or other nominee, the broker, bank or other nominee will handle the exchange of shares for the shareholders and will provide them with any relevant instructions for effecting the exchange.
Mindspeed presents next generation of 4G base station technology
NEWPORT BEACH, USA: Mindspeed Technologies Inc., a leading supplier of semiconductor solutions for network infrastructure applications, announced that James Johnston, CTO, presented an in-depth architectural overview of the Transcede family of 3G/4G/long-term evolution (LTE) wireless baseband processors at the HOT CHIPS 22 conference at Stanford University in Palo Alto.
Johnston’s presentation, entitled “Transcede: Solving 4G Challenges for Pico, Micro and Macrocell Platforms,” detailed the system-on-chip (SoC) approach to overcoming the computational challenges and complexities presented by the explosion of video traffic across worldwide mobile networks, as today’s operators execute a massive infrastructure upgrade to new 4G standards.
“The increasing use of smart phones and the surge of mobile video applications are key contributors to the network capacity crunch that many 3G subscribers are experiencing,” said Johnston. “3G and 4G network operators are looking to migrate to a more flexible cellular landscape, which can accommodate compact base stations, such as microcells, picocells and metro femtocells. Mindspeed has designed the Transcede family of baseband processors to enable tomorrow’s network architects to deploy powerful 4G macrocells and ‘small cells,’ which are built on a common framework.”
Launched earlier this year at the 2010 Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Spain, the Transcede family of SoCs integrates an unprecedented 26 programmable processors into a single device, including two ARM Cortex A9 multi-core symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processors, 10 CEVA digital signal processors (DSPs) and 10 DSP accelerators that support the complete wideband code-division multiple access (W-CDMA), LTE or WiMAX (Layers 1, 2 and above) processing needs of single- and multi-sector base stations.
The Transcede family of SoCs can deliver three sectors of LTE processing in a single device, while still providing substantial processing headroom, allowing manufacturers to deploy their own value-added features as part of an overall Transcede-based solution.
Johnston’s presentation, entitled “Transcede: Solving 4G Challenges for Pico, Micro and Macrocell Platforms,” detailed the system-on-chip (SoC) approach to overcoming the computational challenges and complexities presented by the explosion of video traffic across worldwide mobile networks, as today’s operators execute a massive infrastructure upgrade to new 4G standards.
“The increasing use of smart phones and the surge of mobile video applications are key contributors to the network capacity crunch that many 3G subscribers are experiencing,” said Johnston. “3G and 4G network operators are looking to migrate to a more flexible cellular landscape, which can accommodate compact base stations, such as microcells, picocells and metro femtocells. Mindspeed has designed the Transcede family of baseband processors to enable tomorrow’s network architects to deploy powerful 4G macrocells and ‘small cells,’ which are built on a common framework.”
Launched earlier this year at the 2010 Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Spain, the Transcede family of SoCs integrates an unprecedented 26 programmable processors into a single device, including two ARM Cortex A9 multi-core symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processors, 10 CEVA digital signal processors (DSPs) and 10 DSP accelerators that support the complete wideband code-division multiple access (W-CDMA), LTE or WiMAX (Layers 1, 2 and above) processing needs of single- and multi-sector base stations.
The Transcede family of SoCs can deliver three sectors of LTE processing in a single device, while still providing substantial processing headroom, allowing manufacturers to deploy their own value-added features as part of an overall Transcede-based solution.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Smartphones to account for 54 percent of Asia-Pacific device sales by 2015
MALAYSIA: Growth in the Asia-Pacific smartphone market is likely to skyrocket in the coming years and by 2015, Frost & Sullivan forecasts that 54 percent of all devices sold in the region will be smartphones, up from only 5 percent in 2009.
Smartphone sales in Asia-Pacific are rapidly increasing in all markets, as developed markets like Japan and South Korea are switching from feature phones to smartphones, while operators in emerging markets are pushing smartphones to entice users to upgrade from 2G to 3G service.
Mobile social networking has also proven to be a big driver of smartphone adoption in all Asian countries.
“Smartphones are critical to every operator’s mobile broadband business case, as a smartphone user’s ARPU (average revenue per user) typically increased by 25 to 100 percent after adoption depending on the market,” says Frost & Sullivan industry manager Marc Einstein.
“The Asia-Pacific market is particularly interesting for smartphones as there has been significant uptake in emerging markets like China, India and Indonesia, even among prepaid users,” he adds.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, 2010 Asia-Pacific Mobile Device & Smartphone Outlook, finds that the incremental data usage from smartphones will generate over $38 billion for operators in the Asia-Pacific region (18 Asia-Pac countries, including Japan), up from just over $1.3 billion in 2009.
Despite the massive growth in smartphone sales, there are still many factors impeding sale of the device in many markets. According to Einstein: “80 percent of Asian mobile users use prepaid cards, and in fact in many markets are as high as 97 percent, making smartphone subsidies impossible for most users. Furthermore, there is a lack of public Wi-Fi, particularly in emerging markets which has been a smartphone saviour in the USA and other developed markets.”
Smartphone sales are also particularly important for vendors as the total market for device sales is stagnant in most markets.
“Only the most developing markets are seeing double-digit increases in device sales, and with flat or negative growth in many markets, smartphone sales are filling in this gap,” Einstein adds.
He estimates 477 million units of smartphones will be sold in Asia-Pacific in 2015.
Smartphone sales in Asia-Pacific are rapidly increasing in all markets, as developed markets like Japan and South Korea are switching from feature phones to smartphones, while operators in emerging markets are pushing smartphones to entice users to upgrade from 2G to 3G service.
Mobile social networking has also proven to be a big driver of smartphone adoption in all Asian countries.
“Smartphones are critical to every operator’s mobile broadband business case, as a smartphone user’s ARPU (average revenue per user) typically increased by 25 to 100 percent after adoption depending on the market,” says Frost & Sullivan industry manager Marc Einstein.
“The Asia-Pacific market is particularly interesting for smartphones as there has been significant uptake in emerging markets like China, India and Indonesia, even among prepaid users,” he adds.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, 2010 Asia-Pacific Mobile Device & Smartphone Outlook, finds that the incremental data usage from smartphones will generate over $38 billion for operators in the Asia-Pacific region (18 Asia-Pac countries, including Japan), up from just over $1.3 billion in 2009.
Despite the massive growth in smartphone sales, there are still many factors impeding sale of the device in many markets. According to Einstein: “80 percent of Asian mobile users use prepaid cards, and in fact in many markets are as high as 97 percent, making smartphone subsidies impossible for most users. Furthermore, there is a lack of public Wi-Fi, particularly in emerging markets which has been a smartphone saviour in the USA and other developed markets.”
Smartphone sales are also particularly important for vendors as the total market for device sales is stagnant in most markets.
“Only the most developing markets are seeing double-digit increases in device sales, and with flat or negative growth in many markets, smartphone sales are filling in this gap,” Einstein adds.
He estimates 477 million units of smartphones will be sold in Asia-Pacific in 2015.
Virgin Mobile ties up with world’s largest independent app store GetJar
MUMBAI, INDIA: Virgin Mobile India, the only national youth focused mobile service brand today announced its alliance with GetJar, the World's largest cross platform mobile applications store.
GetJar currently offers more than 70,000 free mobile games and applications to its users. With this alliance Virgin Mobile customers will have access to a wide gamut of applications ranging from games, education, social networking, entertainment, finance, food, health, search, lifestyle and several other utility applications.
Popular applications such as Facebook Mobile, Yahoo!, Nimbuzz, Opera Mini Browser, eBuddy and thousands of such applications can now be easily downloaded across all major platforms.
M.A. Madhusudan, CEO, Virgin Mobile India, said: "This alliance with GetJar is an initiative in line with our strategy to engage and enthrall the youth with the latest innovative cutting-edge content on the move. Mobile applications and games garner a significant share of time spent on the phone by the youth today.
"We are excited to announce our alliance with GetJar; the world’s largest cross platform application store. This will provide our users free, easy access to globally acclaimed applications, games and will further reiterate our commitment to offer the best value-for-money services to our valued customers."
As the world’s largest independent application store, GetJar enables the most cost effective, easy and scalable distribution channel to generate traffic and downloads. With over 300% growth every year, GetJar achieves an average of almost three million downloads per day globally and adds hundreds of new applications every week to its repository.
GetJar supports all major platforms such as Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Java and Symbian phones, among others and delivers applications for every kind of smart phone and feature phone across 200 countries.
“App Catalogue Express is a white label solution designed to make it quick and easy for carriers, aggregators and partners to seamlessly launch a pre-populated app store across all major platforms and devices,” said Ilja Laurs, founder and CEO, GetJar. "It's a pleasure to partner with a youth focused brand like Virgin Mobile in India. We look forward to garnering a significant mindshare amongst the youth with this alliance," adds Laurs.
Virgin Mobile subscribers can visit the link: m.virginin.getjar.com to access GetJar’s world of applications. This link is currently available on Virgin Mobile India’s WAP portal (Vbytes) on GSM platform across 16 circles -- Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu & Chennai, Kerala, Orissa, Mumbai and Maharashtra, Kolkata and West Bengal, Haryana, Bihar, MP&CG, Punjab, UP (E) and UP (W).
Virgin Mobile India users will be able to download all applications free of cost. Only the data browsing charges of 1p/kb will be charged on access.
GetJar currently offers more than 70,000 free mobile games and applications to its users. With this alliance Virgin Mobile customers will have access to a wide gamut of applications ranging from games, education, social networking, entertainment, finance, food, health, search, lifestyle and several other utility applications.
Popular applications such as Facebook Mobile, Yahoo!, Nimbuzz, Opera Mini Browser, eBuddy and thousands of such applications can now be easily downloaded across all major platforms.
M.A. Madhusudan, CEO, Virgin Mobile India, said: "This alliance with GetJar is an initiative in line with our strategy to engage and enthrall the youth with the latest innovative cutting-edge content on the move. Mobile applications and games garner a significant share of time spent on the phone by the youth today.
"We are excited to announce our alliance with GetJar; the world’s largest cross platform application store. This will provide our users free, easy access to globally acclaimed applications, games and will further reiterate our commitment to offer the best value-for-money services to our valued customers."
As the world’s largest independent application store, GetJar enables the most cost effective, easy and scalable distribution channel to generate traffic and downloads. With over 300% growth every year, GetJar achieves an average of almost three million downloads per day globally and adds hundreds of new applications every week to its repository.
GetJar supports all major platforms such as Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Java and Symbian phones, among others and delivers applications for every kind of smart phone and feature phone across 200 countries.
“App Catalogue Express is a white label solution designed to make it quick and easy for carriers, aggregators and partners to seamlessly launch a pre-populated app store across all major platforms and devices,” said Ilja Laurs, founder and CEO, GetJar. "It's a pleasure to partner with a youth focused brand like Virgin Mobile in India. We look forward to garnering a significant mindshare amongst the youth with this alliance," adds Laurs.
Virgin Mobile subscribers can visit the link: m.virginin.getjar.com to access GetJar’s world of applications. This link is currently available on Virgin Mobile India’s WAP portal (Vbytes) on GSM platform across 16 circles -- Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu & Chennai, Kerala, Orissa, Mumbai and Maharashtra, Kolkata and West Bengal, Haryana, Bihar, MP&CG, Punjab, UP (E) and UP (W).
Virgin Mobile India users will be able to download all applications free of cost. Only the data browsing charges of 1p/kb will be charged on access.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Fixed broadband subscriber numbers approach 449 million in 2Q 2010
SINGAPORE: The number of fixed broadband subscribers totaled just under 449 million in the second quarter of 2010, according to ABI Research’s most recent broadband subscriber Market Data. This represents a 10 percent increase over the same period in 2009.
“The key fixed broadband subscriber growth was found in the Asia-Pacific region, adding approximately three million subscribers in the second quarter of 2010,” says digital home practice director Jason Blackwell.
Despite continued economic uncertainties in the European telecommunication market, European fixed broadband growth results were positive in the first half 2010. However, growth was slower than that in 2009, especially in the saturated markets such as Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland.
According to research associate Khin Sandi Lynn, “In mature European markets, operators are resorting to bundled packages including TV, fixed telephone and broadband service in order to maintain ARPU. Overall European fixed broadband subscriber numbers surpassed 126.4 million at the end of 2Q 2010.”
In addition to price competition, the speed of the broadband package is still very much an important purchasing criterion. Many operators are upgrading their existing networks to provide higher speeds. For example, Jazztel, one of the leading broadband operators in Spain, has launched an Internet service offering up to 30 Mbps based on new VDSL2 technology. Similarly, the cable operator ZON in Portugal covered 2.8 million homes with Eurodocsis 3.0.
In the Asia-Pacific region, China represents approximately 59 percent of total APAC broadband subscribers. With 28 percent penetration, China’s broadband market has still enough room to grow, and Chinese operators may need to increase the current average bandwidth which is about 2Mbps.
Chinese broadband operators are gearing up to expand FTTx that would help to raise penetration as well as speed. ABI Research estimates that Chinese fiber broadband subscribers will total almost 34 million at the end of 2015 with a CAGR of 26.6 percent between 2010 and 2015.
“The key fixed broadband subscriber growth was found in the Asia-Pacific region, adding approximately three million subscribers in the second quarter of 2010,” says digital home practice director Jason Blackwell.
Despite continued economic uncertainties in the European telecommunication market, European fixed broadband growth results were positive in the first half 2010. However, growth was slower than that in 2009, especially in the saturated markets such as Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland.
According to research associate Khin Sandi Lynn, “In mature European markets, operators are resorting to bundled packages including TV, fixed telephone and broadband service in order to maintain ARPU. Overall European fixed broadband subscriber numbers surpassed 126.4 million at the end of 2Q 2010.”
In addition to price competition, the speed of the broadband package is still very much an important purchasing criterion. Many operators are upgrading their existing networks to provide higher speeds. For example, Jazztel, one of the leading broadband operators in Spain, has launched an Internet service offering up to 30 Mbps based on new VDSL2 technology. Similarly, the cable operator ZON in Portugal covered 2.8 million homes with Eurodocsis 3.0.
In the Asia-Pacific region, China represents approximately 59 percent of total APAC broadband subscribers. With 28 percent penetration, China’s broadband market has still enough room to grow, and Chinese operators may need to increase the current average bandwidth which is about 2Mbps.
Chinese broadband operators are gearing up to expand FTTx that would help to raise penetration as well as speed. ABI Research estimates that Chinese fiber broadband subscribers will total almost 34 million at the end of 2015 with a CAGR of 26.6 percent between 2010 and 2015.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Ignore m-commerce and face being marginalised
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Insurance companies that ignore m-commerce face marginalising themselves as younger generations come of purchasing age, according to Ovum.
In a new report, the independent technology analyst looks at the effect m-commerce will have on the insurance industry and concludes that companies that avoid it could be bypassed when younger generations come to make their first purchase.
According to the report, m-commerce is a ‘game changer’ for the insurance industry, due to its high speed capabilities, and companies must begin to offer it to customers in 2010 to maintain market presence.
Barry Rabkin, author of the report and an Ovum insurance technology analyst, said: “The speed that m-commerce is conducted at obliterates both distance and time. When commerce is conducted at this speed, it creates heightened customer expectations of availability, responsiveness and fulfillment and puts insurance companies on a path to offering a world class customer experience.
“Some insurers may feel that m-commerce is not a viable channel for them to sell their products, believing that their clients do not live or work in areas with adequate wireless service.
“However, we believe that if they decide to ignore m-commerce, they will marginalise themselves as quickly as younger generations arrive at their first purchasing decision.”
The report points out that the definition of m-commerce goes beyond financial transactions and also includes the role it plays in providing information to customers before and after a purchase, as well encompassing a wide range of devices.
It also states that to successfully embrace m-commerce, companies need to tick several boxes, including having strong connectivity, reliable and secure infrastructure and adequate resources.
Barry adds: “For insurance companies to benefit from m-commerce they need to ensure they are truly viewing the picture from the customer perspective. Only by doing so will they ensure their m-commerce environment will be one that their customers need or appreciate.”
In a new report, the independent technology analyst looks at the effect m-commerce will have on the insurance industry and concludes that companies that avoid it could be bypassed when younger generations come to make their first purchase.
According to the report, m-commerce is a ‘game changer’ for the insurance industry, due to its high speed capabilities, and companies must begin to offer it to customers in 2010 to maintain market presence.
Barry Rabkin, author of the report and an Ovum insurance technology analyst, said: “The speed that m-commerce is conducted at obliterates both distance and time. When commerce is conducted at this speed, it creates heightened customer expectations of availability, responsiveness and fulfillment and puts insurance companies on a path to offering a world class customer experience.
“Some insurers may feel that m-commerce is not a viable channel for them to sell their products, believing that their clients do not live or work in areas with adequate wireless service.
“However, we believe that if they decide to ignore m-commerce, they will marginalise themselves as quickly as younger generations arrive at their first purchasing decision.”
The report points out that the definition of m-commerce goes beyond financial transactions and also includes the role it plays in providing information to customers before and after a purchase, as well encompassing a wide range of devices.
It also states that to successfully embrace m-commerce, companies need to tick several boxes, including having strong connectivity, reliable and secure infrastructure and adequate resources.
Barry adds: “For insurance companies to benefit from m-commerce they need to ensure they are truly viewing the picture from the customer perspective. Only by doing so will they ensure their m-commerce environment will be one that their customers need or appreciate.”
Total US market handset sales likely to grow at CAGR of about 1.5 percent to 144 million units in 2014
DUBLIN, IRELAND: Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "United States Consumer Electronics Report Q3 2010" report to its offering.
Business Monitor International's United States Consumer Electronics Report provides industry professionals and strategists, corporate analysts, electronics associations, government departments and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on the United States' consumer electronics industry.
The US consumer electronics devices market, defined as the addressable market for computing devices, mobile handsets and AV products, is projected to be worth around $232.9 billion in 2010. This is expected to increase to $268.1 billion by 2014 at a CAGR of 3.6 percent, driven by premium TV sets, smartphones and notebooks.
In the first quarter of 2010, sales of consumer electronics products such as notebooks and LED-backlit TV sets grew strongly, building on a recovery signalled by solid 2009 winter holiday sales of consumer electronics products. However, consumer credit has been contracting at an unprecedented pace over the past several months, and we see this trend continuing.
Going forward, mature markets in many segments mean that growth will rely to a large extent on product innovation such as Android smartphones, and touchscreen handsets as well as 3D and internet-enabled and 3DTV sets.
Computers
BMI forecasts US PC sales of $116.6 billion in 2010. CAGR for the 2010-2014 period will be around 4.6 percent, but there will be growth areas in multimedia and entertainment notebooks.
US PC sales grew strongly in Q110, with unit sales estimated by BMI at above 17 million units. BMI estimated that the market is on course for total PC sales of 77 million in 2010. Netbooks and notebooks remain the largest product category, but face competition from the smartphones of Palm, RIM, Apple and other vendors as well as tablet notebooks, spearheaded by Apple's iPad.
AV
The US domestic video, audio and gaming device market is projected at $66.9 billion in 2010. Video applications will account for around 80 percent of demand during the 2010-2014 forecast period, with growth areas linked to new technologies such as LED TV sets, 3DTV and Blu-ray.
Vendors will focus on product innovation, with drivers including improved display quality and wider screens, as well as features such as internet connectivity. Sales of 3DTV sets in the United State markets could exceed 3 million units in 2010, or around 10 percent of the expected LCD TV market.
Mobile handsets
Total US market handset sales are expected to grow at a CAGR of about 1.5 percent to 144 million units in 2014. With an increasingly saturated US market, handset revenues will be driven by emerging product areas such as smartphones, touchscreen phones and HD camera phones.
Smartphones will be a key growth area and currently account for around 20 percent of volume sales in the US market. As new long-term evolution (LTE) networks begin to come online from 2010, this should boost replacement handset purchases.
Business Monitor International's United States Consumer Electronics Report provides industry professionals and strategists, corporate analysts, electronics associations, government departments and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on the United States' consumer electronics industry.
The US consumer electronics devices market, defined as the addressable market for computing devices, mobile handsets and AV products, is projected to be worth around $232.9 billion in 2010. This is expected to increase to $268.1 billion by 2014 at a CAGR of 3.6 percent, driven by premium TV sets, smartphones and notebooks.
In the first quarter of 2010, sales of consumer electronics products such as notebooks and LED-backlit TV sets grew strongly, building on a recovery signalled by solid 2009 winter holiday sales of consumer electronics products. However, consumer credit has been contracting at an unprecedented pace over the past several months, and we see this trend continuing.
Going forward, mature markets in many segments mean that growth will rely to a large extent on product innovation such as Android smartphones, and touchscreen handsets as well as 3D and internet-enabled and 3DTV sets.
Computers
BMI forecasts US PC sales of $116.6 billion in 2010. CAGR for the 2010-2014 period will be around 4.6 percent, but there will be growth areas in multimedia and entertainment notebooks.
US PC sales grew strongly in Q110, with unit sales estimated by BMI at above 17 million units. BMI estimated that the market is on course for total PC sales of 77 million in 2010. Netbooks and notebooks remain the largest product category, but face competition from the smartphones of Palm, RIM, Apple and other vendors as well as tablet notebooks, spearheaded by Apple's iPad.
AV
The US domestic video, audio and gaming device market is projected at $66.9 billion in 2010. Video applications will account for around 80 percent of demand during the 2010-2014 forecast period, with growth areas linked to new technologies such as LED TV sets, 3DTV and Blu-ray.
Vendors will focus on product innovation, with drivers including improved display quality and wider screens, as well as features such as internet connectivity. Sales of 3DTV sets in the United State markets could exceed 3 million units in 2010, or around 10 percent of the expected LCD TV market.
Mobile handsets
Total US market handset sales are expected to grow at a CAGR of about 1.5 percent to 144 million units in 2014. With an increasingly saturated US market, handset revenues will be driven by emerging product areas such as smartphones, touchscreen phones and HD camera phones.
Smartphones will be a key growth area and currently account for around 20 percent of volume sales in the US market. As new long-term evolution (LTE) networks begin to come online from 2010, this should boost replacement handset purchases.
Smartphone apps key to automotive multimedia success
BOSTON, USA: The Strategy Analytics Automotive Multimedia and Communications Service (AMCS) report, “Smartphone Market Evolution and Automotive Opportunity Implications,” details market developments and opportunities to implement smartphone features and functions into the vehicle’s multimedia system.
There is a high priority for automotive suppliers and OEMs to track smartphone markets regularly while noting consumer trends by region. Understanding how the smartphone fits into the automotive environment is essential for multimedia planning in the automotive market.
Wireless and Internet players are aiming to deliver multimedia and communications solutions that play out across multiple environments and product platforms including the TV, computer, mobile device and in vehicles. Media content providers aim to deliver content to the consumer in all environments: the home, office, mobile and automotive spaces.
According to Mark Fitzgerald, Associate Director, Strategy Analytics Global Automotive Practice, “Understanding the smartphone device, ‘apps’ and wireless media market evolution along with consumer trends is crucial for forward planning for both automotive manufacturers and tier suppliers.”
There is a high priority for automotive suppliers and OEMs to track smartphone markets regularly while noting consumer trends by region. Understanding how the smartphone fits into the automotive environment is essential for multimedia planning in the automotive market.
Wireless and Internet players are aiming to deliver multimedia and communications solutions that play out across multiple environments and product platforms including the TV, computer, mobile device and in vehicles. Media content providers aim to deliver content to the consumer in all environments: the home, office, mobile and automotive spaces.
According to Mark Fitzgerald, Associate Director, Strategy Analytics Global Automotive Practice, “Understanding the smartphone device, ‘apps’ and wireless media market evolution along with consumer trends is crucial for forward planning for both automotive manufacturers and tier suppliers.”
Kyte extends mobile production capabilities to BlackBerry devices
SAN FRANCISCO, USA: Kyte, the 360° video platform, has launched the Kyte Mobile Producer for BlackBerry, giving Kyte customers the ability to record, upload and distribute video content and photos directly from their BlackBerry mobile devices in real-time.
Building on previously released mobile producers for iPhone and Nokia S60, Kyte Mobile Producer for BlackBerry supports Kyte’s continued mission to provide a powerful range of video production and distribution capabilities for media companies and brands.
Kyte Mobile Producer for BlackBerry provides an easy, low-cost way for publishers to produce video and photo content and publish it to multiple online and mobile destinations simultaneously, enabling them to engage audiences in real-time from wherever they are, including a company website, social network, mobile or connected device.
“Ease of use and flexibility is incredibly important to our customers as they look to quickly and easily produce and distribute compelling video content,” said Gannon Hall, CEO, Kyte.
“For example, Fox News has been using Kyte Mobile Producer for iPhone to broadcast first-person accounts from events around the world, demonstrating the power and utility of real-time mobile video production for news organizations. Our new Mobile Producer for BlackBerry expands this capability to BlackBerry users, who make up a significant portion of our media and enterprise customers.”
Key features of Kyte Mobile Producer for BlackBerry include:
* Recording and Uploading Video and Photos: The ability to produce video or pictures from your phone and instantly publish them to multiple screens.
* Uploading Video and Photos from the Gallery: The ability to select and broadcast video and pictures from your phone’s gallery.
The Kyte Platform is designed to meet the demands of the world's most innovative media companies and brands. The system utilizes modular, extensible components and exposes the full suite of functionality via standards-based web services and APIs.
Only Kyte combines the real-time, interactive and community building capabilities of the social web with the analytics, control, and monetization features of a professional video platform.
Building on previously released mobile producers for iPhone and Nokia S60, Kyte Mobile Producer for BlackBerry supports Kyte’s continued mission to provide a powerful range of video production and distribution capabilities for media companies and brands.
Kyte Mobile Producer for BlackBerry provides an easy, low-cost way for publishers to produce video and photo content and publish it to multiple online and mobile destinations simultaneously, enabling them to engage audiences in real-time from wherever they are, including a company website, social network, mobile or connected device.
“Ease of use and flexibility is incredibly important to our customers as they look to quickly and easily produce and distribute compelling video content,” said Gannon Hall, CEO, Kyte.
“For example, Fox News has been using Kyte Mobile Producer for iPhone to broadcast first-person accounts from events around the world, demonstrating the power and utility of real-time mobile video production for news organizations. Our new Mobile Producer for BlackBerry expands this capability to BlackBerry users, who make up a significant portion of our media and enterprise customers.”
Key features of Kyte Mobile Producer for BlackBerry include:
* Recording and Uploading Video and Photos: The ability to produce video or pictures from your phone and instantly publish them to multiple screens.
* Uploading Video and Photos from the Gallery: The ability to select and broadcast video and pictures from your phone’s gallery.
The Kyte Platform is designed to meet the demands of the world's most innovative media companies and brands. The system utilizes modular, extensible components and exposes the full suite of functionality via standards-based web services and APIs.
Only Kyte combines the real-time, interactive and community building capabilities of the social web with the analytics, control, and monetization features of a professional video platform.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Major telcos will be strong force in cloud computing
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: The major global telecommunications companies will become strong players in the cloud computing market as interest from previously cautious end users increases rapidly over the next two to three years, Ovum has predicted.
A new report* by the independent telecoms analyst states that AT&T, BT, Orange Business Services and Verizon Business have made considerable progress in the arena in just over a year, and in terms of services, can now compete with established players from the IT industry.
According to the report, these companies have led a ‘competitive march’ from telecoms into cloud computing, and now have widely acknowledged credibility in the field.
Peter Hall, report author and Ovum principal analyst, said: “The major telcos have a long heritage in providing managed data center services and hosting, and have combined this with their networking and security expertise to meet the needs of customers for cloud computing services.
“All of the players reviewed in the report see cloud computing as leveraging their core competencies and Orange has coined the term ‘IT operator’ to reflect its new role in IT services by analogy with its traditional role as a network operator. We believe that the global and major regional telcos will become strong players across the full spectrum of cloud computing services including Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).
“But it’s still early days and telcos that have not yet developed a cloud computing strategy should not feel that they have missed the boat as the market is still embryonic and many end users are still cautious about cloud computing. However, we expect to see interest pick up quite rapidly over the next two to three years, so the time is right for many telcos to be developing a strategy and roadmap for their entry to the market.”
A new report* by the independent telecoms analyst states that AT&T, BT, Orange Business Services and Verizon Business have made considerable progress in the arena in just over a year, and in terms of services, can now compete with established players from the IT industry.
According to the report, these companies have led a ‘competitive march’ from telecoms into cloud computing, and now have widely acknowledged credibility in the field.
Peter Hall, report author and Ovum principal analyst, said: “The major telcos have a long heritage in providing managed data center services and hosting, and have combined this with their networking and security expertise to meet the needs of customers for cloud computing services.
“All of the players reviewed in the report see cloud computing as leveraging their core competencies and Orange has coined the term ‘IT operator’ to reflect its new role in IT services by analogy with its traditional role as a network operator. We believe that the global and major regional telcos will become strong players across the full spectrum of cloud computing services including Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).
“But it’s still early days and telcos that have not yet developed a cloud computing strategy should not feel that they have missed the boat as the market is still embryonic and many end users are still cautious about cloud computing. However, we expect to see interest pick up quite rapidly over the next two to three years, so the time is right for many telcos to be developing a strategy and roadmap for their entry to the market.”
BlackBerry Torch carries $171.05 BoM
EL SEGUNDO, USA: Research in Motion Ltd.’s new Torch 9800 smart phone carries a Bill of Materials (BOM) of $171.05 , according to a dissection and cost model conducted by the Teardown Analysis service at iSuppli Corp.
“On the outside, the Torch delivers a rich feature set, with three User Interfaces (UIs): a capacitive touch screen, an optical track pad and the first slider QWERTY keyboard found in a BlackBerry,” said Andrew Rassweiler, principal analyst, teardown services manager, for iSuppli.
“On the inside, the Torch’s electronic design heavily leverages subsystems used in previous members of the BlackBerry smart phone line, specifically the Storm2 and the Bold 9700. With this evolutionary approach, RIM has delivered a smart phone with an enhanced feature set that largely matches those of the BlackBerry’s chief competitors: the iPhone and the Android-based handsets.”
Firsts and seconds
Along with the QWERTY slider keyboard, the Torch delivers a number of other firsts for the BlackBerry line, including the newly rewritten BlackBerry OS 6, as well as Social Feeds, Universal Search and a faster WebKit-based browser. The new BlackBerry smart phone also contains a GPS Integrated Circuit (IC) from CSR plc, the first time iSuppli has seen this new chip in a product teardown.
On the other hand, the Torch’s Radio Frequency (RF), power amplifier and power management subsystems are similar or virtually identical to those of a previous member of the BlackBerry line, the Bold 9700, which had been torn down in the past by iSuppli. In terms of specs and size, the Torch’s display is very similar to that of the BlackBerry Storm2 9550. Further, the Torch employs the same MEMS accelerometer by Analog Devices Inc. used in the Storm2 9550.
The Torch also bears some similarity to smart phones from other brands. Mechanically, it is comparable in complexity and cost to HTC Tilt 2. Likewise, the Torch integrates Texas Instruments Inc.’s WL1271x WLAN/BlueTooth IC, which can be found in products including Motorola Inc.’s Droid X and Microsoft Corp.’s Kin 2.
Torch BOM
When adding in an estimated manufacturing cost of $12, the Torch’s combined production and BOM cost amounts to $183.05.
The figure presents a summary of iSuppli’s preliminary Bill of Materials and manufacturing cost estimate for the BlackBerry Torch 9800, broken down by subsystem.
Source: iSuppli, USA.
Please note that iSuppli’s teardown assessment accounts only for hardware and manufacturing costs, and does not take into consideration other expenses such as software, licensing and royalties.
Cost countdown
The most expensive subsystem in the Torch is the LCD and touch screen display module section, at a price of $34.85, representing 20.4 percent of the product’s BOM, according to iSuppli’s semiconductor costing estimate. The display is a 3.2-inch diagonal TFT LCD with a 480 by 360 pixel resolution.
While it was not possible to identify from a teardown analysis the supplier of the display, RIM in the past has employed displays from Samsung Mobile Display, Toshiba Mobile Display Co. Ltd. and Sharp, according to mobile market research from Vinita Jakhanwal, principal analyst, small/medium displays for iSuppli.
The touch screen uses capacitive technology and includes a Synaptics Inc. controller IC. And although the supplier of an entire module is rarely identifiable from a teardown analysis, the controller IC indicates that Synaptics is a potential supplier of the turnkey solution.
Coming in at a close second in terms of cost is the memory subsystem, at $34.25, amounting to 20 percent of the Bill of Materials. In the individual Torch torn down by iSuppli, Samsung supplied a 4Gbyte eMMC NAND flash memory device, plus an 8Gbit NAND flash and 4Gbit Mobile Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAM
SanDisk Corp. contributed a 4Gbyte removable Micro SD memory card.
The mechanical/electromechanical portions of the Torch, including the printed circuit boards and the enclosure plastics and metals, came in third at an estimated cost of $23.35, representing 13.7 percent of the Torch’s BOM.
Marvell, Infineon, Renesas light up the Torch
Next on the cost ranking is the applications processor/baseband section at $15, or 8.8 percent of the BOM.
This section is dominated by the communications processor, which features an integrated baseband from Marvell Technology Group Ltd.
Coming in at fifth in terms of cost is the RF transceiver and power amplifier section, at $13.90, or 8.1 percent of the BOM cost. Infineon Technologies AG’s PMB5701 tri-band RF transceiver is featured in the section, along with Renesas Electronics Corp.’s R2A60177BG quad-band RF transceiver and its RPF59001B power amplifier module.
User interface chips
The user interface electronics subsection comes in sixth, at $12.40, or 7.2 percent of the BOM. This section includes STMicroelectronics NV’s STV0987 video/image processor that supports mobile imaging. It also features Texas Instruments Inc.’s TLV320AIC36IZQERaudio codec, CrucialTec Co. Ltd.’s optical trackpad assembly and the Analog Devices 3-axis accelerometer.
Other notable sections include the Bluetooth/WLAN/GPS area, with a price of $10.60 and 6.2 percent share of the Bill of Materials. Components in this subsystem include the Texas Instruments WL1271A single-chip Bluetooth/WLAN/FM transmitter/receiver and the CSR GSD4t-9800 GPS receiver.
Finally, there’s the power management section, at $4.90, or 2.9 percent of the BOM. This subsystem includes the Texas Instruments TPS65856 power management IC.
Source: iSuppli, USA.
“On the outside, the Torch delivers a rich feature set, with three User Interfaces (UIs): a capacitive touch screen, an optical track pad and the first slider QWERTY keyboard found in a BlackBerry,” said Andrew Rassweiler, principal analyst, teardown services manager, for iSuppli.
“On the inside, the Torch’s electronic design heavily leverages subsystems used in previous members of the BlackBerry smart phone line, specifically the Storm2 and the Bold 9700. With this evolutionary approach, RIM has delivered a smart phone with an enhanced feature set that largely matches those of the BlackBerry’s chief competitors: the iPhone and the Android-based handsets.”
Firsts and seconds
Along with the QWERTY slider keyboard, the Torch delivers a number of other firsts for the BlackBerry line, including the newly rewritten BlackBerry OS 6, as well as Social Feeds, Universal Search and a faster WebKit-based browser. The new BlackBerry smart phone also contains a GPS Integrated Circuit (IC) from CSR plc, the first time iSuppli has seen this new chip in a product teardown.
On the other hand, the Torch’s Radio Frequency (RF), power amplifier and power management subsystems are similar or virtually identical to those of a previous member of the BlackBerry line, the Bold 9700, which had been torn down in the past by iSuppli. In terms of specs and size, the Torch’s display is very similar to that of the BlackBerry Storm2 9550. Further, the Torch employs the same MEMS accelerometer by Analog Devices Inc. used in the Storm2 9550.
The Torch also bears some similarity to smart phones from other brands. Mechanically, it is comparable in complexity and cost to HTC Tilt 2. Likewise, the Torch integrates Texas Instruments Inc.’s WL1271x WLAN/BlueTooth IC, which can be found in products including Motorola Inc.’s Droid X and Microsoft Corp.’s Kin 2.
Torch BOM
When adding in an estimated manufacturing cost of $12, the Torch’s combined production and BOM cost amounts to $183.05.
The figure presents a summary of iSuppli’s preliminary Bill of Materials and manufacturing cost estimate for the BlackBerry Torch 9800, broken down by subsystem.
Source: iSuppli, USA.Please note that iSuppli’s teardown assessment accounts only for hardware and manufacturing costs, and does not take into consideration other expenses such as software, licensing and royalties.
Cost countdown
The most expensive subsystem in the Torch is the LCD and touch screen display module section, at a price of $34.85, representing 20.4 percent of the product’s BOM, according to iSuppli’s semiconductor costing estimate. The display is a 3.2-inch diagonal TFT LCD with a 480 by 360 pixel resolution.
While it was not possible to identify from a teardown analysis the supplier of the display, RIM in the past has employed displays from Samsung Mobile Display, Toshiba Mobile Display Co. Ltd. and Sharp, according to mobile market research from Vinita Jakhanwal, principal analyst, small/medium displays for iSuppli.
The touch screen uses capacitive technology and includes a Synaptics Inc. controller IC. And although the supplier of an entire module is rarely identifiable from a teardown analysis, the controller IC indicates that Synaptics is a potential supplier of the turnkey solution.
Coming in at a close second in terms of cost is the memory subsystem, at $34.25, amounting to 20 percent of the Bill of Materials. In the individual Torch torn down by iSuppli, Samsung supplied a 4Gbyte eMMC NAND flash memory device, plus an 8Gbit NAND flash and 4Gbit Mobile Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAM
SanDisk Corp. contributed a 4Gbyte removable Micro SD memory card.
The mechanical/electromechanical portions of the Torch, including the printed circuit boards and the enclosure plastics and metals, came in third at an estimated cost of $23.35, representing 13.7 percent of the Torch’s BOM.
Marvell, Infineon, Renesas light up the Torch
Next on the cost ranking is the applications processor/baseband section at $15, or 8.8 percent of the BOM.
This section is dominated by the communications processor, which features an integrated baseband from Marvell Technology Group Ltd.
Coming in at fifth in terms of cost is the RF transceiver and power amplifier section, at $13.90, or 8.1 percent of the BOM cost. Infineon Technologies AG’s PMB5701 tri-band RF transceiver is featured in the section, along with Renesas Electronics Corp.’s R2A60177BG quad-band RF transceiver and its RPF59001B power amplifier module.
User interface chips
The user interface electronics subsection comes in sixth, at $12.40, or 7.2 percent of the BOM. This section includes STMicroelectronics NV’s STV0987 video/image processor that supports mobile imaging. It also features Texas Instruments Inc.’s TLV320AIC36IZQERaudio codec, CrucialTec Co. Ltd.’s optical trackpad assembly and the Analog Devices 3-axis accelerometer.
Other notable sections include the Bluetooth/WLAN/GPS area, with a price of $10.60 and 6.2 percent share of the Bill of Materials. Components in this subsystem include the Texas Instruments WL1271A single-chip Bluetooth/WLAN/FM transmitter/receiver and the CSR GSD4t-9800 GPS receiver.
Finally, there’s the power management section, at $4.90, or 2.9 percent of the BOM. This subsystem includes the Texas Instruments TPS65856 power management IC.
Source: iSuppli, USA.
IPTV to secure 11 percent share of pay-TV narket by 2015
SINGAPORE: Worldwide pay-TV subscribers totaled 688 million at the end of the second quarter of 2010. “Subscriber growth is fastest in IPTV platforms, while cable and satellite platforms have the most stable growth rate,” says Jason Blackwell, practice director, digital home at ABI Research.
“According to the latest market data, overall pay-TV subscriptions are expected to reach 854.5 million in 2015, with a 5.7 percent CAGR from 2010 to 2015.”
Cable platforms maintain the largest market share, representing approximately 70 percent of the overall pay-TV market. According to research associate Khin Sandi Lynn,
“The cable-TV market is declining in some countries, especially in Western Europe and North America. One reason is market saturation in these countries. Furthermore, there is aggressive competition from IPTV operators. Cable operators are coming under pressure to maintain subscriber and ARPU growth. Some operators have cut subscription prices in order to compete with IPTV operators.”
The number of IPTV subscribers worldwide continued to grow in 2Q 2010. Western Europe and Asia-Pacific are home to the majority of IPTV subscribers, but the IPTV growth rate in some European countries is expected to slow as the market starts to mature.
However, countries in Asia-Pacific, such as China, are expected to grow their IPTV subscriber bases. ABI Research forecasts that IPTV’s share of the overall pay-TV market will increase from 6 percent in 2010 to 11 percent in 2015.
Alternative pay-TV platforms also are becoming available to end-users around the world. Pay-DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) is starting to make its presence felt. Pay-DTT services have been successful in a number of European countries.
For example, in Spain, Gol TV achieved one million subscribers within nine months of being launched. The low cost of deploying a pay-DTT service is the main attraction for pay-TV operators. Western European pay-DTT subscriptions are expected to reach 14.4 million by the end of 2015.
“According to the latest market data, overall pay-TV subscriptions are expected to reach 854.5 million in 2015, with a 5.7 percent CAGR from 2010 to 2015.”
Cable platforms maintain the largest market share, representing approximately 70 percent of the overall pay-TV market. According to research associate Khin Sandi Lynn,
“The cable-TV market is declining in some countries, especially in Western Europe and North America. One reason is market saturation in these countries. Furthermore, there is aggressive competition from IPTV operators. Cable operators are coming under pressure to maintain subscriber and ARPU growth. Some operators have cut subscription prices in order to compete with IPTV operators.”
The number of IPTV subscribers worldwide continued to grow in 2Q 2010. Western Europe and Asia-Pacific are home to the majority of IPTV subscribers, but the IPTV growth rate in some European countries is expected to slow as the market starts to mature.
However, countries in Asia-Pacific, such as China, are expected to grow their IPTV subscriber bases. ABI Research forecasts that IPTV’s share of the overall pay-TV market will increase from 6 percent in 2010 to 11 percent in 2015.
Alternative pay-TV platforms also are becoming available to end-users around the world. Pay-DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) is starting to make its presence felt. Pay-DTT services have been successful in a number of European countries.
For example, in Spain, Gol TV achieved one million subscribers within nine months of being launched. The low cost of deploying a pay-DTT service is the main attraction for pay-TV operators. Western European pay-DTT subscriptions are expected to reach 14.4 million by the end of 2015.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
2.6 billion Wi-Fi consumer devices by 2014
BOSTON, USA: The global market will see an installed base of over 2.6 billion Wi-Fi enabled consumer devices by 2014, according to a report just published by Strategy Analytics. The report, “Embedded WLAN (Wi-Fi) CE Devices: Global Market Forecast,” predicts the retail value of the market will exceed $250 billion in the same year.
“Consumer demand for the 'everywhere web' will drive Wi-Fi adoption in mobile Internet devices,” according to Peter King, Director of the Connected Home Device service at Strategy Analytics. “Even where 3G or 4G technologies are available, Wi-Fi will still be a preferred access route for many, as hot-spots and home networks proliferate.”
The embedded Wi-Fi device market—until now dominated by computing and gaming—will become much more evenly spread by 2014, according to the report.
“While today the market is dominated by portable products, Wi-Fi Networked TV & Blu-ray players will become significant products in the family room by 2014,” added King.
“Consumer demand for the 'everywhere web' will drive Wi-Fi adoption in mobile Internet devices,” according to Peter King, Director of the Connected Home Device service at Strategy Analytics. “Even where 3G or 4G technologies are available, Wi-Fi will still be a preferred access route for many, as hot-spots and home networks proliferate.”
The embedded Wi-Fi device market—until now dominated by computing and gaming—will become much more evenly spread by 2014, according to the report.
“While today the market is dominated by portable products, Wi-Fi Networked TV & Blu-ray players will become significant products in the family room by 2014,” added King.
Wynn Telecom signs an exclusive agreement with 160by2
NEW DELHI, INDIA: Wynncom mobiles is all set to offer its prospective consumers something attractive. Taking a cue from the trend of this generation, Wynncom decides to suit the requirement of the youth by entering into an exclusive agreement with a free SMS service application provider 160by2.com.
This kind of product innovation, which allows sending free SMS from mobile phone, is happening for the first time ever in mobile handset industry.
Wynncom mobile phones will have a preinstalled mobile application developed by160by2.com , one of India’s largest free SMS service providers. This unique application enables mobile phone users to send free SMS to any mobile not only in India but also to UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines.
Another feature provided by this application is that the user can access the phone book on the mobile to send messages. One can also save mobile phone contacts on 160by2.com as a memory back-up.
Vivek Sachdev, GM, Product Division, Wynn Telecom Ltd, said: ”Wynncom makes life simpler by cutting down the requirement to browse the internet from your phone by introducing this unique feature of having a direct access to 160by2.com in just one click. This application in Wynncom mobiles bridges distances and helps stay connected and affordable.”
Messaging is one of the most used VAS services in India; Today SMS consumes a major portion of mobile bills and this facility will certainly help Wynncom mobile users to save a reasonable portion of their mobile bill, Sachdev further added.
160by2 intends to extend its services shortly to rest of the Middle-East nations including Bahrain, Yemen, Qatar and Oman. With a large number of Indian expats residing in these nations, 160by2.com will be the perfect platform for their near and dear ones in India to stay connected.
Commenting on the tie-up with Wynncom Mobiles, Satyakalyan Yerramsetti, CEO-160by2.com said: “We are extremely happy with our tie-up with Wynncom mobiles and hope this partnership will take mobile messaging to the next level. 160by2.com will upgrade this application from time to time in order to serve all Wynncom mobile users better.’’
Ranked among the top 100 most visited sites in India, and among the top 10 most visited WAP sites in India, 160by2 also provides bulk messaging platform enabling business and promotional users to connect with their associates and target customers in a cost effective manner.
This kind of product innovation, which allows sending free SMS from mobile phone, is happening for the first time ever in mobile handset industry.
Wynncom mobile phones will have a preinstalled mobile application developed by160by2.com , one of India’s largest free SMS service providers. This unique application enables mobile phone users to send free SMS to any mobile not only in India but also to UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines.
Another feature provided by this application is that the user can access the phone book on the mobile to send messages. One can also save mobile phone contacts on 160by2.com as a memory back-up.
Vivek Sachdev, GM, Product Division, Wynn Telecom Ltd, said: ”Wynncom makes life simpler by cutting down the requirement to browse the internet from your phone by introducing this unique feature of having a direct access to 160by2.com in just one click. This application in Wynncom mobiles bridges distances and helps stay connected and affordable.”
Messaging is one of the most used VAS services in India; Today SMS consumes a major portion of mobile bills and this facility will certainly help Wynncom mobile users to save a reasonable portion of their mobile bill, Sachdev further added.
160by2 intends to extend its services shortly to rest of the Middle-East nations including Bahrain, Yemen, Qatar and Oman. With a large number of Indian expats residing in these nations, 160by2.com will be the perfect platform for their near and dear ones in India to stay connected.
Commenting on the tie-up with Wynncom Mobiles, Satyakalyan Yerramsetti, CEO-160by2.com said: “We are extremely happy with our tie-up with Wynncom mobiles and hope this partnership will take mobile messaging to the next level. 160by2.com will upgrade this application from time to time in order to serve all Wynncom mobile users better.’’
Ranked among the top 100 most visited sites in India, and among the top 10 most visited WAP sites in India, 160by2 also provides bulk messaging platform enabling business and promotional users to connect with their associates and target customers in a cost effective manner.
NEW DELHI, INDIA: Wynncom mobiles is all set to offer its prospective consumers something attractive. Taking a cue from the trend of this generation, Wynncom decides to suit the requirement of the youth by entering into an exclusive agreement with a free SMS service application provider 160by2.com.
This kind of product innovation, which allows sending free SMS from mobile phone, is happening for the first time ever in mobile handset industry.
Wynncom mobile phones will have a preinstalled mobile application developed by160by2.com , one of India’s largest free SMS service providers. This unique application enables mobile phone users to send free SMS to any mobile not only in India but also to UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines.
Another feature provided by this application is that the user can access the phone book on the mobile to send messages. One can also save mobile phone contacts on 160by2.com as a memory back-up.
Vivek Sachdev, GM, Product Division, Wynn Telecom Ltd, said: ”Wynncom makes life simpler by cutting down the requirement to browse the internet from your phone by introducing this unique feature of having a direct access to 160by2.com in just one click. This application in Wynncom mobiles bridges distances and helps stay connected and affordable.”
Messaging is one of the most used VAS services in India; Today SMS consumes a major portion of mobile bills and this facility will certainly help Wynncom mobile users to save a reasonable portion of their mobile bill, Sachdev further added.
160by2 intends to extend its services shortly to rest of the Middle-East nations including Bahrain, Yemen, Qatar and Oman. With a large number of Indian expats residing in these nations, 160by2.com will be the perfect platform for their near and dear ones in India to stay connected.
Commenting on the tie-up with Wynncom Mobiles, Satyakalyan Yerramsetti, CEO-160by2.com said: “We are extremely happy with our tie-up with Wynncom mobiles and hope this partnership will take mobile messaging to the next level. 160by2.com will upgrade this application from time to time in order to serve all Wynncom mobile users better.’’
Ranked among the top 100 most visited sites in India, and among the top 10 most visited WAP sites in India, 160by2 also provides bulk messaging platform enabling business and promotional users to connect with their associates and target customers in a cost effective manner.
This kind of product innovation, which allows sending free SMS from mobile phone, is happening for the first time ever in mobile handset industry.
Wynncom mobile phones will have a preinstalled mobile application developed by160by2.com , one of India’s largest free SMS service providers. This unique application enables mobile phone users to send free SMS to any mobile not only in India but also to UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines.
Another feature provided by this application is that the user can access the phone book on the mobile to send messages. One can also save mobile phone contacts on 160by2.com as a memory back-up.
Vivek Sachdev, GM, Product Division, Wynn Telecom Ltd, said: ”Wynncom makes life simpler by cutting down the requirement to browse the internet from your phone by introducing this unique feature of having a direct access to 160by2.com in just one click. This application in Wynncom mobiles bridges distances and helps stay connected and affordable.”
Messaging is one of the most used VAS services in India; Today SMS consumes a major portion of mobile bills and this facility will certainly help Wynncom mobile users to save a reasonable portion of their mobile bill, Sachdev further added.
160by2 intends to extend its services shortly to rest of the Middle-East nations including Bahrain, Yemen, Qatar and Oman. With a large number of Indian expats residing in these nations, 160by2.com will be the perfect platform for their near and dear ones in India to stay connected.
Commenting on the tie-up with Wynncom Mobiles, Satyakalyan Yerramsetti, CEO-160by2.com said: “We are extremely happy with our tie-up with Wynncom mobiles and hope this partnership will take mobile messaging to the next level. 160by2.com will upgrade this application from time to time in order to serve all Wynncom mobile users better.’’
Ranked among the top 100 most visited sites in India, and among the top 10 most visited WAP sites in India, 160by2 also provides bulk messaging platform enabling business and promotional users to connect with their associates and target customers in a cost effective manner.
Mobile banking services to generate almost 90 billion text messages per year by 2015
HAMPSHIRE, UK: New types of SMS mobile banking alerts will help to treble the volume of mobile banking messages to almost 90 billion p.a. by 2015, equating to one message every two days, per mobile banking user, according to a new in depth study by Juniper Research.
Juniper’s in-depth interviews with mobile banking vendors and banks revealed that there is considerable scope for banks to offer new messaging based services on top of basic balance alerts. Banks are seeking to exploit these new process alerts to speed up customer communications during applications for products such as loans and mortgages.
Mobile Banking report author, Howard Wilcox, explained: "Our research found that messaging is a ‘win-win’ for banks. They can improve customer service significantly, whilst simultaneously eliminating the cost of servicing customer enquiries placed with call centres."
The Juniper report, however, identified that some banks are still to seize the potential of SMS services. The overall strategy behind alert messaging development is to encourage customers towards the self service world, with information delivery SMS which most people are familiar with.
Juniper Research also announced that the winner for the Future Mobile Award for Mobile Banking 2010 has been Wells Fargo, taking account of its multiple platform strategy and continued service innovation such as the recent near real-time warning of potentially fraudulent activity.
Further findings of the report included:
* Over 80 percent of banks offer some form of mobile banking;
* Western Europe will be the region with the highest penetration of users in 2015;
* Transactional mobile banking usage will see similar growth rates to SMS.
Juniper’s in-depth interviews with mobile banking vendors and banks revealed that there is considerable scope for banks to offer new messaging based services on top of basic balance alerts. Banks are seeking to exploit these new process alerts to speed up customer communications during applications for products such as loans and mortgages.
Mobile Banking report author, Howard Wilcox, explained: "Our research found that messaging is a ‘win-win’ for banks. They can improve customer service significantly, whilst simultaneously eliminating the cost of servicing customer enquiries placed with call centres."
The Juniper report, however, identified that some banks are still to seize the potential of SMS services. The overall strategy behind alert messaging development is to encourage customers towards the self service world, with information delivery SMS which most people are familiar with.
Juniper Research also announced that the winner for the Future Mobile Award for Mobile Banking 2010 has been Wells Fargo, taking account of its multiple platform strategy and continued service innovation such as the recent near real-time warning of potentially fraudulent activity.
Further findings of the report included:
* Over 80 percent of banks offer some form of mobile banking;
* Western Europe will be the region with the highest penetration of users in 2015;
* Transactional mobile banking usage will see similar growth rates to SMS.
Smartphone boom causes headaches to operators
PADERBORN, GERMANY: According to leading Analysts, 325.6 million handsets and smartphones have been sold in the second quarter of this year. This means an increase of nearly 14 percent as compared to the same time period in 2009.
The number of smartphones has experienced an increase of 50 percent - presumably leading to an increasing demand of bandwidth consumption. Orga Systems, #1 choice for real-time charging and billing, solves this problem of bandwidth demanding service consumption and increasing costs on the network side with its market leading, real-time based solutions.
Generating revenues from NG mobile broadband services
Mobile operators have to be prepared to offer next generation mobile broadband services - and making them profitable. At the moment, mobile data traffic is growing fast, but revenues are lagging behind the cost operators have in providing it. Common flat rate offerings and a highly competitive business field fostering those are causing operators additional pain.
From customer acquisition to customer centric services
In the long run, smartphone will become the dominating device category in mature markets. As operators more than ever need to capitalize on the huge increase in usage of data services without further increasing the network cost, they will have to switch from a focus on customer acquisition to a focus on optimizing services and profitability.
Orga Systems unifies policy management, active mediation and charging control on one single platform, helping operators to manage complex subscriber profiles and charging rules for all services across all networks for pre and postpaid subscribers. Real-time charging and policy management allow for the control of bandwidth-hungry applications, while at the same time generating additional revenues with new individualized service offerings.
The number of smartphones has experienced an increase of 50 percent - presumably leading to an increasing demand of bandwidth consumption. Orga Systems, #1 choice for real-time charging and billing, solves this problem of bandwidth demanding service consumption and increasing costs on the network side with its market leading, real-time based solutions.
Generating revenues from NG mobile broadband services
Mobile operators have to be prepared to offer next generation mobile broadband services - and making them profitable. At the moment, mobile data traffic is growing fast, but revenues are lagging behind the cost operators have in providing it. Common flat rate offerings and a highly competitive business field fostering those are causing operators additional pain.
From customer acquisition to customer centric services
In the long run, smartphone will become the dominating device category in mature markets. As operators more than ever need to capitalize on the huge increase in usage of data services without further increasing the network cost, they will have to switch from a focus on customer acquisition to a focus on optimizing services and profitability.
Orga Systems unifies policy management, active mediation and charging control on one single platform, helping operators to manage complex subscriber profiles and charging rules for all services across all networks for pre and postpaid subscribers. Real-time charging and policy management allow for the control of bandwidth-hungry applications, while at the same time generating additional revenues with new individualized service offerings.
Mobile data offloaded will grow 100-fold by 2015
LONDON, UK: Mobile data offloading is forecast to triple in the next five years. According to a new study from ABI Research, about 16 percent of mobile data is diverted from mobile networks today, and that is expected to increase to 48 percent by 2015. But data traffic itself will have grown by a factor of 30, meaning that offloaded data will expand 100-fold.
The serious, well-publicized traffic overloads (including content data and radio signaling) that are starting to choke many mobile networks will only worsen as smartphones and other mobile devices proliferate, and operators must extend capacity. Brute force network expansion, requiring a doubling of capacity, isn’t an option.
Instead, several approaches and technologies will play specific roles in relieving network congestion. These include Wi-Fi, femtocells, mobile CDNs (content delivery networks) media optimization, and more.
Aditya Kaul, practice director, ABI Research, explains: “Each one of these offload and optimization technologies is aimed at solving a particular problem and they will all coexist. Wi-Fi is effective in covering limited areas containing many users, such as transport stations and sports venues. A femtocell, in contrast, is a good solution for targeting small numbers of heavy data users. Mobile CDNs attack the problem of frequently-used content, for example a video that has ‘gone viral’, by caching the file locally rather than loading it onto the network for each download request.”
One of the most effective tools is media optimization – effectively improved compression – which is already being used widely. Media optimization will grow the fastest and deliver the greatest traffic reduction of all these methods.
Data offloading saves money as well as relieving network traffic. “Moving data costs a surprising amount,” says Kaul. “Wi-Fi and femtocells in particular do that at a tiny fraction of the per-Gigabyte cost of a 3G network. The ABI Research report precisely quantifies these savings.”
Most of these solutions are being offered to operators by a number of suppliers. Prominent among them: Belair Networks for carrier Wi-Fi; Ubiquisys for femtocells; Akamai for CDN; Stoke, Inc. for core offloading; and for media optimization, Bytemobile and Openwave.
The serious, well-publicized traffic overloads (including content data and radio signaling) that are starting to choke many mobile networks will only worsen as smartphones and other mobile devices proliferate, and operators must extend capacity. Brute force network expansion, requiring a doubling of capacity, isn’t an option.
Instead, several approaches and technologies will play specific roles in relieving network congestion. These include Wi-Fi, femtocells, mobile CDNs (content delivery networks) media optimization, and more.
Aditya Kaul, practice director, ABI Research, explains: “Each one of these offload and optimization technologies is aimed at solving a particular problem and they will all coexist. Wi-Fi is effective in covering limited areas containing many users, such as transport stations and sports venues. A femtocell, in contrast, is a good solution for targeting small numbers of heavy data users. Mobile CDNs attack the problem of frequently-used content, for example a video that has ‘gone viral’, by caching the file locally rather than loading it onto the network for each download request.”
One of the most effective tools is media optimization – effectively improved compression – which is already being used widely. Media optimization will grow the fastest and deliver the greatest traffic reduction of all these methods.
Data offloading saves money as well as relieving network traffic. “Moving data costs a surprising amount,” says Kaul. “Wi-Fi and femtocells in particular do that at a tiny fraction of the per-Gigabyte cost of a 3G network. The ABI Research report precisely quantifies these savings.”
Most of these solutions are being offered to operators by a number of suppliers. Prominent among them: Belair Networks for carrier Wi-Fi; Ubiquisys for femtocells; Akamai for CDN; Stoke, Inc. for core offloading; and for media optimization, Bytemobile and Openwave.
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