MUMBAI, INDIA & REDWOOD CITY, USA: Obopay, a leading provider of mobile and instant payment solutions for market-leading brands, announced the availability of Obopay Licensed Payment Services for Partners.
Obopay Licensed Payment Services for Partners is a new offering that enables partners to leverage Obopay’s money transfer licenses throughout the US and its expertise in compliance to accelerate bringing their own differentiated payment solutions to market.
With Obopay Licensed Payment Services for Partners, Obopay extends agency agreements to its partners and ensures compliance with applicable state and federal regulations. Partners can also take advantage of Obopay’s connections to a broad range of payment networks, as well as its risk management, compliance and settlement capabilities that enable companies to deliver additional unique services under their own brands.
“The Payments market is quite complex and requires expertise in compliance and working with state and federal regulators to ensure proper licensing, oversight and controls,” said Chris Martin, EVP of Operations and chief compliance officer, Obopay. “To obtain money transfer licenses and maintain them in good standing takes a large investment in time, money and specialized people. By working with Obopay, our partners significantly reduce their time to market and are assured of meeting all applicable regulatory requirements.”
Money transfer licenses are regulated at the state level, and are required in the US for companies that are not financial institutions themselves yet seek to move money between people or hold value on their behalf. Money transfer licenses also allow companies to process interbank payments across banks and payment networks.
Companies seeking licenses need to apply for them within each state in which they seek to operate. To obtain licenses; however, millions of dollars in surety bonds or reserves on deposit are required by State regulations, and it can take six to eighteen months or more to obtain money transmitter licensing. An ongoing effort from highly specialized personnel and infrastructure is required to keep licensing in good standing.
Corporate officers and investors of the company applying for licensing often need to divulge significant amounts of personal data as part of the process. Due to these barriers, only a small number of companies hold money transfer licenses in the US.
Obopay is a money services business, maintaining money transfer licenses in all required states throughout the US, and is registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCen) of the US Treasury Department. The company makes significant investments to maintain its licensing and has a dedicated team of experts that work with our partners to ensure the compliance of each of their programs.
In addition, Obopay also has active Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and transaction-fraud detection programs. Obopay's security and compliance procedures are regularly audited by industry leading financial services providers, mobile operators, third party auditors and state regulators. Enabling partners to take advantage of Obopay’s licensing and compliance expertise through this agency relationship is a natural extension of the company’s solutions for partners.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Ovum expects smartphone shipments to reach 1.7 billion in 2017 and Android to dominate as OS
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Smartphones will outperform the overall market for mobile phones, growing at a CAGR of 24.9 percent for the period 2011–17 to reach 1.7 billion units, according to Ovum. Predictions show Android as the dominant operating system over the next five years as handset vendors rush to make it their primary smartphone platform.
In its latest forecast, the leading telecoms analyst house reveals global annual mobile phone shipments will grow at a CAGR of 6.3 percent between 2011 and 2017, driven primarily by demand from emerging markets where connection growth will continue to fuel handset shipments.
Asia-Pacific will be the largest region in volume terms, shipping just over 200 million units by 2016. New shipments in developed markets, such as North America and Western Europe, will be almost entirely made up of smartphones, while feature phones will continue to play a small role in emerging markets in 2017.
“Android will dominate the smartphone market over the next five years,” said Adam Leach, principal analyst at Ovum. “While Apple has defined the smartphone market since it introduced the iPhone in 2007, we’re now seeing a sharp rise in the shipment volumes of Android, signaling its appeal to leading handset manufacturers.”
Smartphones based on Android accounted for 44 percent of the smartphone market in 2011, significantly up from 17 percent in 2010. However, its share will reach 48 percent in 2017, as Android-based smartphones are expected to grow at a CAGR of 26.8 percent over the forecast period. Apple's iOS will be the second most widely deployed software platform in 2017, accounting for 27 percent of the smartphone market, a slight increase on the 23% share of the market it reported in 2011.
Sitting some way behind the Android/iOS duopoly will be the remaining smartphone players.
“Although it will remain behind Android in terms of shipment volumes, Apple will continue to be a key player and innovator in the smartphone market over the forecast period,” says Leach. “We expect Microsoft, despite its slow start, to have established Windows Phone as a relevant smartphone platform by 2017.”
The Windows Phone platform, with the assistance of Nokia, will account for 13 percent of the smartphone market in 2017. Despite losing significant market share since its high point in 2009, RIM's BlackBerry platform will still represent 10 percent of the market in 2017.
In its latest forecast, the leading telecoms analyst house reveals global annual mobile phone shipments will grow at a CAGR of 6.3 percent between 2011 and 2017, driven primarily by demand from emerging markets where connection growth will continue to fuel handset shipments.
Asia-Pacific will be the largest region in volume terms, shipping just over 200 million units by 2016. New shipments in developed markets, such as North America and Western Europe, will be almost entirely made up of smartphones, while feature phones will continue to play a small role in emerging markets in 2017.
“Android will dominate the smartphone market over the next five years,” said Adam Leach, principal analyst at Ovum. “While Apple has defined the smartphone market since it introduced the iPhone in 2007, we’re now seeing a sharp rise in the shipment volumes of Android, signaling its appeal to leading handset manufacturers.”
Smartphones based on Android accounted for 44 percent of the smartphone market in 2011, significantly up from 17 percent in 2010. However, its share will reach 48 percent in 2017, as Android-based smartphones are expected to grow at a CAGR of 26.8 percent over the forecast period. Apple's iOS will be the second most widely deployed software platform in 2017, accounting for 27 percent of the smartphone market, a slight increase on the 23% share of the market it reported in 2011.
Sitting some way behind the Android/iOS duopoly will be the remaining smartphone players.
“Although it will remain behind Android in terms of shipment volumes, Apple will continue to be a key player and innovator in the smartphone market over the forecast period,” says Leach. “We expect Microsoft, despite its slow start, to have established Windows Phone as a relevant smartphone platform by 2017.”
The Windows Phone platform, with the assistance of Nokia, will account for 13 percent of the smartphone market in 2017. Despite losing significant market share since its high point in 2009, RIM's BlackBerry platform will still represent 10 percent of the market in 2017.
Sensory brings voice activation to the Samsung Galaxy – “Hi Galaxy”
SANTA CLARA, USA: The new Galaxy S III, unveiled by Samsung, is the latest Galaxy device to incorporate Sensory’s TrulyHandsfree technology. Sensory’s TrulyHandsfree has now been integrated into three Samsung products: the Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note and now the Galaxy S III.
Sensory’s TrulyHandsfree enables users of these Samsung devices to activate and access their device with the voice trigger phrase “Hi Galaxy.” Through voice activation users have the ability to access and run applications such as voice-to-text, calling and music - all without touching their phone.
Sensory Inc., a developer of speech recognition, voice activation, speaker verification and identification software and semiconductors, developed the TrulyHandsfree technology to be the first always-on, always listening voice control trigger that works. The technology is robust enough to work in noisy environments, has a low risk of false fires (won’t make a call when you don’t want it to) and has minimal impact on battery life, making it the ideal voice activation solution for mobile devices.
“Sensory’s TrulyHandfree solution enables mobile devices to be safer and more convenient to use,” said Todd Mozer, CEO of Sensory. “Samsung has been a pioneer in adopting this new approach to speech technology which is really building momentum in the mobile market.”
“Voice activation is the last piece of the speech recognition puzzle needed to deliver a 100 percent hands free device experience,” said Michael Morgan, mobile devices senior analyst with ABI Research. “Sensory’s TrulyHandsFree solution is the leader in bringing this capability to iconic mobile devices such as the Samsung Galaxy II, Note and III. The accuracy and low power consumption of Sensory’s solution in today’s mobile devices will become a driving force in making voice activation a must have feature across a vast array of consumer electronics.”
Overview of Sensory's TrulyHandsfree Voice Control's distinctive features:
Most accurate speech activation: Accuracy concerns have historically prevented mass adoption of voice trigger technology. The risk of false fires must be eliminated so the device doesn't mistakenly activate when human speech or other sounds are heard and misrecognized as the trigger.
Furthermore, performance should remain reliable in the noisiest of environments like cars or crowded living rooms. Sensory has perfected this highly noise tolerant approach, and in a quiet environment the technology can even respond to commands delivered as far as 20 feet away.
Natural, intuitive and safe voice user interface:TrulyHandsfree can be always-on and listening for dozens of keywords that will bring the device to life to be controlled via further voice commands. These keywords or phrases can be spoken in the middle of a sentence so users are not confined to a forced dialogue. In this scenario, consumers are communicating in a more human-like fashion, without the distraction and inconvenience of button presses. With TrulyHandsfree Voice Control, users are not required to hold the device to their mouth to deliver commands.
Unique expertise to deliver “always on”, low power hands-free experience: Speech technology is experiencing dramatic growth due to the rise of cloud computing and internet connected devices that enable complex voice searches and text-to-speech for data retrieval. Yet these server-based voice capabilities cannot be accessed truly handsfree without a client-side, low power, voice trigger technology. Certain use cases demand the safety and ease of button-less activation.
Sensory’s low MIPS and low current consumption enable a deeply embedded implementation to low power consumption in mobile and other battery powered devices. This “deeply embedded” approach is achieved by running below the OS layer on the lowest power hardware within the mobile phone infrastructure.
Sensory’s TrulyHandsfree enables users of these Samsung devices to activate and access their device with the voice trigger phrase “Hi Galaxy.” Through voice activation users have the ability to access and run applications such as voice-to-text, calling and music - all without touching their phone.
Sensory Inc., a developer of speech recognition, voice activation, speaker verification and identification software and semiconductors, developed the TrulyHandsfree technology to be the first always-on, always listening voice control trigger that works. The technology is robust enough to work in noisy environments, has a low risk of false fires (won’t make a call when you don’t want it to) and has minimal impact on battery life, making it the ideal voice activation solution for mobile devices.
“Sensory’s TrulyHandfree solution enables mobile devices to be safer and more convenient to use,” said Todd Mozer, CEO of Sensory. “Samsung has been a pioneer in adopting this new approach to speech technology which is really building momentum in the mobile market.”
“Voice activation is the last piece of the speech recognition puzzle needed to deliver a 100 percent hands free device experience,” said Michael Morgan, mobile devices senior analyst with ABI Research. “Sensory’s TrulyHandsFree solution is the leader in bringing this capability to iconic mobile devices such as the Samsung Galaxy II, Note and III. The accuracy and low power consumption of Sensory’s solution in today’s mobile devices will become a driving force in making voice activation a must have feature across a vast array of consumer electronics.”
Overview of Sensory's TrulyHandsfree Voice Control's distinctive features:
Most accurate speech activation: Accuracy concerns have historically prevented mass adoption of voice trigger technology. The risk of false fires must be eliminated so the device doesn't mistakenly activate when human speech or other sounds are heard and misrecognized as the trigger.
Furthermore, performance should remain reliable in the noisiest of environments like cars or crowded living rooms. Sensory has perfected this highly noise tolerant approach, and in a quiet environment the technology can even respond to commands delivered as far as 20 feet away.
Natural, intuitive and safe voice user interface:TrulyHandsfree can be always-on and listening for dozens of keywords that will bring the device to life to be controlled via further voice commands. These keywords or phrases can be spoken in the middle of a sentence so users are not confined to a forced dialogue. In this scenario, consumers are communicating in a more human-like fashion, without the distraction and inconvenience of button presses. With TrulyHandsfree Voice Control, users are not required to hold the device to their mouth to deliver commands.
Unique expertise to deliver “always on”, low power hands-free experience: Speech technology is experiencing dramatic growth due to the rise of cloud computing and internet connected devices that enable complex voice searches and text-to-speech for data retrieval. Yet these server-based voice capabilities cannot be accessed truly handsfree without a client-side, low power, voice trigger technology. Certain use cases demand the safety and ease of button-less activation.
Sensory’s low MIPS and low current consumption enable a deeply embedded implementation to low power consumption in mobile and other battery powered devices. This “deeply embedded” approach is achieved by running below the OS layer on the lowest power hardware within the mobile phone infrastructure.
Samsung announces the launch of the Samsung Galaxy SIII
AUSTRALIA: Adam Leach, principal analyst at Ovum, who was briefed on the arrival of the new device, has the following comments:
“The importance of the Galaxy S III to Samsung can not be underestimated; the company has built its reputation on producing the ‘must-have’ Android smartphone and in the process has become the poster child for the Android platform. However, Samsung’s Galaxy S III not only needs to stand out amongst a plethora of other Android-based smartphones it will also go head-to-head with the next iteration of Apple’s smartphone flag-ship the iPhone.
“Samsung has the advantage of time with the next iPhone due out towards the end of this year. In the meantime Samsung can maximize the marketing and distribution of the Galaxy S III on a global scale, and the London 2012 Summer Olympics will provide the perfect marketing opportunity for them.
“Aside from the success of the Galaxy S III, Samsung’s wider business challenge is to decide if it needs ownership of a software and services platform. Leveraging Android has played to Samsung’s advantage, so far, giving it the opportunity to move to the software platform of choice for consumers; however, it leaves the company venerable to a vast number of other OEMs, which could produce the next ‘must-have’ Android smartphone. Having a successful service proposition; would help the company build a deeper relationship with its customers.”
“The importance of the Galaxy S III to Samsung can not be underestimated; the company has built its reputation on producing the ‘must-have’ Android smartphone and in the process has become the poster child for the Android platform. However, Samsung’s Galaxy S III not only needs to stand out amongst a plethora of other Android-based smartphones it will also go head-to-head with the next iteration of Apple’s smartphone flag-ship the iPhone.
“Samsung has the advantage of time with the next iPhone due out towards the end of this year. In the meantime Samsung can maximize the marketing and distribution of the Galaxy S III on a global scale, and the London 2012 Summer Olympics will provide the perfect marketing opportunity for them.
“Aside from the success of the Galaxy S III, Samsung’s wider business challenge is to decide if it needs ownership of a software and services platform. Leveraging Android has played to Samsung’s advantage, so far, giving it the opportunity to move to the software platform of choice for consumers; however, it leaves the company venerable to a vast number of other OEMs, which could produce the next ‘must-have’ Android smartphone. Having a successful service proposition; would help the company build a deeper relationship with its customers.”
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Tablet users will help shape the future mobile app market
GERMANY: The number of new tablet app consumers increased by 58 million. As a result, tablet owners now constitute 8.6 percent of the installed app consumer base.
Based on Q2 projections for tablet shipments in 2012, the installed base of tablet users is set to increase more than 150 percent by 2013. As tablet users become a larger and larger app downloading segment, their app behavior and preferences will have an increasing influence on the app market – illustrated already in the growth in the number of apps and stores devoted to them.
Source: research2guidance, Germany.
During 2011, apps in the Apple App Store for iPad grew 180 percent to more than 140,000 apps by the end of Q4 2011. While this cannot be easily quantified for Android as tablet apps are not separated out, the growth of niche stores and niche store categories focusing on Android tablets reflects their growing presence. For example, Archos Appslib focuses completely on Android tablet apps, while other stores like Android Tapp has a dedicated category.
Several studies have shown that tablet users exhibit different behaviour towards app downloading/usage and mobile browsing than smartphone users. Based on the breadth of use cases for gaming, ecommerce, digital publishing and the enterprise – tablet user growth is likely to have a marked effect on consumption in these areas.
In the enterprise, for example, tablets have already been largely implemented at upper levels of management and are quickly working their way throughout organizations – according to Apple’s CEO Tim Cook in 2012, 92 percent of Fortune 500 companies are testing or deploying iPads. As more and more use cases are developed and penetration increases, so too will the number of apps being developed for enterprise tablet users. While Apple has already carved out a niche section for iPad and iPhone Business users called “@Work”, other players like Lenovo and Cisco are trying to do the same for Android Business users.
Based on Q2 projections for tablet shipments in 2012, the installed base of tablet users is set to increase more than 150 percent by 2013. As tablet users become a larger and larger app downloading segment, their app behavior and preferences will have an increasing influence on the app market – illustrated already in the growth in the number of apps and stores devoted to them.
Source: research2guidance, Germany.During 2011, apps in the Apple App Store for iPad grew 180 percent to more than 140,000 apps by the end of Q4 2011. While this cannot be easily quantified for Android as tablet apps are not separated out, the growth of niche stores and niche store categories focusing on Android tablets reflects their growing presence. For example, Archos Appslib focuses completely on Android tablet apps, while other stores like Android Tapp has a dedicated category.
Several studies have shown that tablet users exhibit different behaviour towards app downloading/usage and mobile browsing than smartphone users. Based on the breadth of use cases for gaming, ecommerce, digital publishing and the enterprise – tablet user growth is likely to have a marked effect on consumption in these areas.
In the enterprise, for example, tablets have already been largely implemented at upper levels of management and are quickly working their way throughout organizations – according to Apple’s CEO Tim Cook in 2012, 92 percent of Fortune 500 companies are testing or deploying iPads. As more and more use cases are developed and penetration increases, so too will the number of apps being developed for enterprise tablet users. While Apple has already carved out a niche section for iPad and iPhone Business users called “@Work”, other players like Lenovo and Cisco are trying to do the same for Android Business users.
Optus announces mobile infrastructure
Nicole McCormick, Ovum Principal Analyst, Telco Strategy
AUSTRALIA: Optus announced a mobile infrastructure sharing deal with Vodafone. This shows how Optus is leaving no stone unturned in minimizing its cost structure.
We are strong supporters of infrastructure sharing as the industry moves into a LTE world. Events of the last two days show Optus is re-positioning itself as a lean operator. This will help to cement its number two position in the market as the alternative operator to Telstra.
AUSTRALIA: Optus announced a mobile infrastructure sharing deal with Vodafone. This shows how Optus is leaving no stone unturned in minimizing its cost structure.
We are strong supporters of infrastructure sharing as the industry moves into a LTE world. Events of the last two days show Optus is re-positioning itself as a lean operator. This will help to cement its number two position in the market as the alternative operator to Telstra.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Ovum sees tablets impacting wealth management and corporate banking sectors in a big way
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Organisations in the wealth management and corporate banking sectors have yet to realise the potential for easy and enjoyable content consumption represented by tablets, according to Ovum. A tablet’s slick, gesture-driven user interface and shareable screen is ideal for helping customer meetings run more smoothly and effectively.
In a new report, the independent technology analysts look at support for tablet devices in corporate banking, to accommodate treasurers' needs when they are out of the office, and in wealth management, as an aid to customer interaction in face-to-face meetings.
“The financial sector as a whole has come out of the global crisis with an urgent need to rebuild its credibility with a disillusioned public,” says Rik Turner, senior analyst at Ovum and author of the report. “In certain sub-verticals such as wealth management more "face-time" with the customer can help this rebuilding process.”
Furthermore, as most divide their assets up to be managed by different wealth management providers, a well-executed meeting carried out with the aid of a tablet may attract further business away from a competitor.
In extending their platforms' functionality to tablets, Ovum finds that most of the independent software vendors (ISVs) that address these financial market segments currently prefer the downloadable to the browser-based app. This may be changing, however, as significant improvements are taking place in the technologies that enable the latter.
“HTML5 is becoming more robust and will gain momentum through 2012,” says Turner. “Features such as the ability to work offline, access on-device contact lists, and so on, are in development and although there is still a significant drawback to be addressed in the form of code security, this too may not be an insurmountable obstacle.”
With these improvements combined with the downloadable apps’ immense shortcoming – a different version must be written for each operating system the developer wants them to run on – Ovum expects to see more companies looking at browser-based functionality a year from now.
In a new report, the independent technology analysts look at support for tablet devices in corporate banking, to accommodate treasurers' needs when they are out of the office, and in wealth management, as an aid to customer interaction in face-to-face meetings.
“The financial sector as a whole has come out of the global crisis with an urgent need to rebuild its credibility with a disillusioned public,” says Rik Turner, senior analyst at Ovum and author of the report. “In certain sub-verticals such as wealth management more "face-time" with the customer can help this rebuilding process.”
Furthermore, as most divide their assets up to be managed by different wealth management providers, a well-executed meeting carried out with the aid of a tablet may attract further business away from a competitor.
In extending their platforms' functionality to tablets, Ovum finds that most of the independent software vendors (ISVs) that address these financial market segments currently prefer the downloadable to the browser-based app. This may be changing, however, as significant improvements are taking place in the technologies that enable the latter.
“HTML5 is becoming more robust and will gain momentum through 2012,” says Turner. “Features such as the ability to work offline, access on-device contact lists, and so on, are in development and although there is still a significant drawback to be addressed in the form of code security, this too may not be an insurmountable obstacle.”
With these improvements combined with the downloadable apps’ immense shortcoming – a different version must be written for each operating system the developer wants them to run on – Ovum expects to see more companies looking at browser-based functionality a year from now.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Radisys announces integration of CounterPath Bria softphone with MPX-12000 for enhanced mobile video delivery
CTIA WIRELESS 2012, HILLSBORO, USA: Radisys Corp., a leading provider of embedded wireless infrastructure solutions, announced the integration of the CounterPath Bria desktop and mobile softphone applications with Radisys’ MPX-12000 broadband Multimedia Resource Function (MRF) for enhanced delivery of mobile video services.
Together with CounterPath, Radisys can now offer mobile network operators, and their telecom equipment manufacturers (TEMs), the key building blocks required for delivering multi-platform, revenue-generating mobile video services.
In order to monetize the growing volume of mobile video traffic and increase average revenue per user (ARPU), mobile operators need a high-efficiency broadband MRF specifically designed to support compelling, differentiated and personalized real-time audio and video services.
By leveraging Radisys’ MPX-12000, TEMs avoid the complicated, time-consuming and expensive task of building broadband MRFs from scratch to meet operators’ needs. However, for operators to deploy a working solution, TEMs also need to provide a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based client application, available on a variety of mobile devices, to interwork with the Radisys MRF in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution architecture.
To help TEMs provide the best end-user experience, Radisys has collaborated with CounterPath to develop integrated mobile video service solutions built on SIP and open standards, to be delivered using the Radisys MPX-12000. The combined solution from Radisys and CounterPath is compliant with IMS standards and offers multi-platform support, enabling TEMs to quickly demonstrate services that ensure maximum addressable market and revenue growth potential for mobile operators.
“Our new Radisys MPX-12000 will provide the scalability and economics to offer profitable mobile video value-added services (VAS) in an IMS architecture, but consumption of these services requires an easy and efficient user interface on the mobile device,” said Manish Singh, CTO, Radisys. “CounterPath’s Bria softphone applications provide a compelling user experience, using the same IMS-based signaling and media interfaces supported by the Radisys MPX-12000. The Bria applications’ ability to deliver a ubiquitous user experience on a variety of mobile devices provides Radisys' customers a complete end-to-end mobile video service delivery infrastructure.”
The Bria softphone application enables an intuitive and appealing interface that allows users to adopt and consume mobile video VAS, accelerating operators’ revenue generation from mobile services. Today’s mobile video services are often constrained by proprietary solutions that only work on a subset of devices, but the CounterPath Bria interface is specifically designed to support multiple mobile client environments, broadening the appeal of a service offering to a much larger market. CounterPath’s Bria softphone works on multiple mobile platforms including PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone and Android.
“CounterPath’s Bria softphone application offers mobile operators a consistent end-user interface for the consumption of mobile video services on many of the industry’s standard platforms and devices,” said Todd Carothers, SVP of Marketing and Products at CounterPath. “The synergistic combination of Bria with the Radisys MPX-12000 provides a compelling video services solution offering for mobile operators. We are pleased with the complementary capabilities that our two companies offer together in providing mobile operators an attractive value proposition for monetizing VoIP and mobile video VAS in 3G and emerging 4G/LTE mobile networks.”
Together with CounterPath, Radisys can now offer mobile network operators, and their telecom equipment manufacturers (TEMs), the key building blocks required for delivering multi-platform, revenue-generating mobile video services.
In order to monetize the growing volume of mobile video traffic and increase average revenue per user (ARPU), mobile operators need a high-efficiency broadband MRF specifically designed to support compelling, differentiated and personalized real-time audio and video services.
By leveraging Radisys’ MPX-12000, TEMs avoid the complicated, time-consuming and expensive task of building broadband MRFs from scratch to meet operators’ needs. However, for operators to deploy a working solution, TEMs also need to provide a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based client application, available on a variety of mobile devices, to interwork with the Radisys MRF in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution architecture.
To help TEMs provide the best end-user experience, Radisys has collaborated with CounterPath to develop integrated mobile video service solutions built on SIP and open standards, to be delivered using the Radisys MPX-12000. The combined solution from Radisys and CounterPath is compliant with IMS standards and offers multi-platform support, enabling TEMs to quickly demonstrate services that ensure maximum addressable market and revenue growth potential for mobile operators.
“Our new Radisys MPX-12000 will provide the scalability and economics to offer profitable mobile video value-added services (VAS) in an IMS architecture, but consumption of these services requires an easy and efficient user interface on the mobile device,” said Manish Singh, CTO, Radisys. “CounterPath’s Bria softphone applications provide a compelling user experience, using the same IMS-based signaling and media interfaces supported by the Radisys MPX-12000. The Bria applications’ ability to deliver a ubiquitous user experience on a variety of mobile devices provides Radisys' customers a complete end-to-end mobile video service delivery infrastructure.”
The Bria softphone application enables an intuitive and appealing interface that allows users to adopt and consume mobile video VAS, accelerating operators’ revenue generation from mobile services. Today’s mobile video services are often constrained by proprietary solutions that only work on a subset of devices, but the CounterPath Bria interface is specifically designed to support multiple mobile client environments, broadening the appeal of a service offering to a much larger market. CounterPath’s Bria softphone works on multiple mobile platforms including PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone and Android.
“CounterPath’s Bria softphone application offers mobile operators a consistent end-user interface for the consumption of mobile video services on many of the industry’s standard platforms and devices,” said Todd Carothers, SVP of Marketing and Products at CounterPath. “The synergistic combination of Bria with the Radisys MPX-12000 provides a compelling video services solution offering for mobile operators. We are pleased with the complementary capabilities that our two companies offer together in providing mobile operators an attractive value proposition for monetizing VoIP and mobile video VAS in 3G and emerging 4G/LTE mobile networks.”
Four trends that will drive the always on, always connected world
Kumu Puri
USA: For the past few years, at my direction, Accenture has studied usage of technology by consumers to identify major trends that might assist our corporate clients. Our most recent survey of 19 different technologies across users in 10 countries revealed four major trends that we believe will be crucial over the next several years. They are:
* that consumers are reaching a state of “hypermobility,” rapidly adopting mobile technologies and downloading applications that keep them connected anywhere, anytime;
* that consumers are increasingly reaching into the network and modifying their behaviors as they rely on cloud services;
* that consumers’ use of electronics is increasingly more dependent on the exploding number of applications now within their reach; and
* that emerging markets lead in usage and spending growth of many consumer technologies.
Hypermobility
Consumers are adopting mobile technology so rapidly that the mobility trend is in hyper-drive. While consumers still have strong ownership and usage of desktop or laptop computers (90 percent surveyed own them), purchase intentions for computers are slowly declining. Simultaneously, smartphone and tablet PC ownership is rising steeply. More than half of consumers we surveyed own a smartphone—up 25 points in the past 12 months. This marks a growth rate of 89 percent over the previous year. One-third of respondents bought a smartphone in 2011, an increase of 15 percentage points compared with 2010.
On a similar trajectory, ownership of tablets grew by 50 percent last year, from 8 percent of consumers owning them to 12 percent, according to our study. Tablet computers are also a hot prospect for sales in the coming months. Intentions to purchase tablets in the next 12 months have doubled from last year – the largest relative gain among the 19 technologies surveyed. As consumers buy tablets, they increasingly view their laptop PC as a more stationary device. Fifty-eight percent of tablet owners said they were motivated to buy a tablet computer because it’s more mobile than a laptop.
USA: For the past few years, at my direction, Accenture has studied usage of technology by consumers to identify major trends that might assist our corporate clients. Our most recent survey of 19 different technologies across users in 10 countries revealed four major trends that we believe will be crucial over the next several years. They are:
* that consumers are reaching a state of “hypermobility,” rapidly adopting mobile technologies and downloading applications that keep them connected anywhere, anytime;
* that consumers are increasingly reaching into the network and modifying their behaviors as they rely on cloud services;
* that consumers’ use of electronics is increasingly more dependent on the exploding number of applications now within their reach; and
* that emerging markets lead in usage and spending growth of many consumer technologies.
Hypermobility
Consumers are adopting mobile technology so rapidly that the mobility trend is in hyper-drive. While consumers still have strong ownership and usage of desktop or laptop computers (90 percent surveyed own them), purchase intentions for computers are slowly declining. Simultaneously, smartphone and tablet PC ownership is rising steeply. More than half of consumers we surveyed own a smartphone—up 25 points in the past 12 months. This marks a growth rate of 89 percent over the previous year. One-third of respondents bought a smartphone in 2011, an increase of 15 percentage points compared with 2010.
On a similar trajectory, ownership of tablets grew by 50 percent last year, from 8 percent of consumers owning them to 12 percent, according to our study. Tablet computers are also a hot prospect for sales in the coming months. Intentions to purchase tablets in the next 12 months have doubled from last year – the largest relative gain among the 19 technologies surveyed. As consumers buy tablets, they increasingly view their laptop PC as a more stationary device. Fifty-eight percent of tablet owners said they were motivated to buy a tablet computer because it’s more mobile than a laptop.
IPTV - Subscribers up in a competitive market
UK: According to leading broadband analyst firm Point Topic, global IPTV subscriptions closed in on 60 million at the end of 2011, with the last yearly quarter witnessing the biggest three month increase in subscribers yet.
“The year end is often the strong quarter but in combination with the global recovery in consumer spending and the will and technical ability to deliver a service, IPTV is really starting to find the sweet spot,” comments Oliver Johnson, CEO of Point Topic. “In addition we’ve seen a growth in the Average Revenue per User (ARPU) the operators have managed to generate.”
These figures are taken from Point Topic’s Internet Video and Voice service, which provides a comprehensive view of the global internet video and voice markets.
IPTV as a service is very important to operators. It is the ‘stickiest’ of residential services and is a necessity for most ISPs. It also offers the best opportunity, at the moment, of increasing revenue.
“Globally ARPU increased by just under 2 percent in the year, total revenues were up over 30 percent and with the continued subscriber growth it looks like a very strong positive set of indicators.
“It is an extremely competitive market however. The technical path to deployment is well trodden but in combination with high equipment and content costs, and the increasing competition in the market IPTV is not a ‘slam dunk’ for operators,” says Johnson.
As margins from bare-bones broadband get ever smaller the future for operators is in value added services.
Johnson concludes: “Offering the right bundles for their consumers in a particular market, signing the right deals and maintaining a customer base in the face of global competition will be the mark of a successful ISP in the next few years. Get it wrong and they won’t see growth, get it right and their prize will be an income base worth several multiples of its yearly value.”
“The year end is often the strong quarter but in combination with the global recovery in consumer spending and the will and technical ability to deliver a service, IPTV is really starting to find the sweet spot,” comments Oliver Johnson, CEO of Point Topic. “In addition we’ve seen a growth in the Average Revenue per User (ARPU) the operators have managed to generate.”
These figures are taken from Point Topic’s Internet Video and Voice service, which provides a comprehensive view of the global internet video and voice markets.
IPTV as a service is very important to operators. It is the ‘stickiest’ of residential services and is a necessity for most ISPs. It also offers the best opportunity, at the moment, of increasing revenue.
“Globally ARPU increased by just under 2 percent in the year, total revenues were up over 30 percent and with the continued subscriber growth it looks like a very strong positive set of indicators.
“It is an extremely competitive market however. The technical path to deployment is well trodden but in combination with high equipment and content costs, and the increasing competition in the market IPTV is not a ‘slam dunk’ for operators,” says Johnson.
As margins from bare-bones broadband get ever smaller the future for operators is in value added services.
Johnson concludes: “Offering the right bundles for their consumers in a particular market, signing the right deals and maintaining a customer base in the face of global competition will be the mark of a successful ISP in the next few years. Get it wrong and they won’t see growth, get it right and their prize will be an income base worth several multiples of its yearly value.”
Bharti Airtel appoints Huawei to supply, manage TD LTE (4G) network in Karnataka
NEW DELHI, INDIA: Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa has selected Huawei, a leader in providing next-generation Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions for operators around the world to plan, design, supply and deploy its TD LTE (4G) network in Karnataka.
Besides offering rich data content to the customers in Karnataka, Bharti Airtel’s 4G LTE deployed on Huawei's TD LTE technology, will allow subscribers to experience high speed wireless internet access that can support bandwidth intensive applications, support video streaming and high-definition video conferencing. Under this agreement, Huawei will deliver the LTE solution comprising of network infrastructure and devices.
Sanjay Kapoor, CEO Bharti Airtel (India & South Asia) said: “High speed wireless broadband has the potential to transform India, providing a robust platform for building the country’s digital economy. According to industry estimates, mobile data traffic in the country will increase nearly 100-fold by 2015 and consumers will stream nearly 600 hours of video content. With the pioneering launch of 4G LTE, Airtel has paved the way for data revolution in the country by being at the forefront of India’s telecom revolution once again.”
Cai Liqun, CEO of Huawei India, said: “Bharti Airtel is a leading operator with global footprint and high business value. We understand Airtel’s strategic requirements and Huawei being a leading global broadband player; will together achieve a win-win business success. As a leading Telecom solutions partner with substantial experience, we believe our innovative technology as well as strong delivery capability will bring Bharti Airtel’s customers a better user experience and value proposition".
Huawei has partnered with Bharti Airtel in Sri Lanka and part of Bangladesh and is also the 3G provider in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Besides, they are also providing pan-India 4G optical network, Carrier Ethernet infrastructure and NGN switches.
Besides offering rich data content to the customers in Karnataka, Bharti Airtel’s 4G LTE deployed on Huawei's TD LTE technology, will allow subscribers to experience high speed wireless internet access that can support bandwidth intensive applications, support video streaming and high-definition video conferencing. Under this agreement, Huawei will deliver the LTE solution comprising of network infrastructure and devices.
Sanjay Kapoor, CEO Bharti Airtel (India & South Asia) said: “High speed wireless broadband has the potential to transform India, providing a robust platform for building the country’s digital economy. According to industry estimates, mobile data traffic in the country will increase nearly 100-fold by 2015 and consumers will stream nearly 600 hours of video content. With the pioneering launch of 4G LTE, Airtel has paved the way for data revolution in the country by being at the forefront of India’s telecom revolution once again.”
Cai Liqun, CEO of Huawei India, said: “Bharti Airtel is a leading operator with global footprint and high business value. We understand Airtel’s strategic requirements and Huawei being a leading global broadband player; will together achieve a win-win business success. As a leading Telecom solutions partner with substantial experience, we believe our innovative technology as well as strong delivery capability will bring Bharti Airtel’s customers a better user experience and value proposition".
Huawei has partnered with Bharti Airtel in Sri Lanka and part of Bangladesh and is also the 3G provider in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Besides, they are also providing pan-India 4G optical network, Carrier Ethernet infrastructure and NGN switches.
Advantech selects Innovasic’s RapID platform for Profinet I/O modules
ALBUQUERQUE, USA: Innovasic announced that Advantech has selected the Innovasic RapID Platform solution with the fido1100 Communication Controller to provide Profinet Class B connectivity in their new ADAM-6100PN series of real-time Profinet I/O modules for factory automation.
“Innovasic’s fido1100-based RapID Platform for Industrial Ethernet enables customers to quickly and cost-effectively get new products to market,” said Jordon Woods, Innovasic CTO. “By utilizing the flexible architecture and programmability of the platform, customers can rapidly release a series of compatible industrial Ethernet products,” he concluded.
“Innovasic’s platform provided the means for us to quickly add Profinet connectivity to our new product line. The RapID Platform provided us with a low cost and highly reliable solution for our new I/O modules,” said Evan Lin, CTO, Advantech Industrial Automation Group.
The RapID Platform is a complete, royalty-free design that provides PROFINET and EtherNet/IP connectivity for factory automation applications. The RapID Platform product line includes universal gateway modules, network interface modules and a complete developer solution.
“Innovasic’s fido1100-based RapID Platform for Industrial Ethernet enables customers to quickly and cost-effectively get new products to market,” said Jordon Woods, Innovasic CTO. “By utilizing the flexible architecture and programmability of the platform, customers can rapidly release a series of compatible industrial Ethernet products,” he concluded.
“Innovasic’s platform provided the means for us to quickly add Profinet connectivity to our new product line. The RapID Platform provided us with a low cost and highly reliable solution for our new I/O modules,” said Evan Lin, CTO, Advantech Industrial Automation Group.
The RapID Platform is a complete, royalty-free design that provides PROFINET and EtherNet/IP connectivity for factory automation applications. The RapID Platform product line includes universal gateway modules, network interface modules and a complete developer solution.
WEL Networks selects Silver Spring Networks for next-gen smart grid deployment
Energy Networks 2012, BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA: Silver Spring Networks, a leading provider of the networking platform and solutions for the smart grid, announced it has been selected by WEL Networks for an innovative smart grid deployment in the Waikato region of New Zealand.
Silver Spring will provide its smart grid platform – including advanced metering, distribution automation and deployment – to enable WEL Networks to better deliver reliable, efficient, and affordable power to its residential and commercial customers. The first deployment phase of 10,000 customers has now been extended to 45,000 for the coming year. WEL Networks will benefit from the increased flexibility and performance enabled by Silver Spring’s recently announced Gen4 networking technology.
“Cost, performance, and the ability to build atop a single, standardized platform are critical for WEL Networks’ next-generation utility grid,” said Dr. Julian Elder, CEO of WEL Networks. “Silver Spring gave us the ability to deliver multiple smart grid applications over a single, open platform and utilize its advanced technology to meet the performance needs of our network, all with a cost profile that helps WEL effectively invest in modernization improvements for the benefit of our customers.”
“We’re proud to partner with WEL Networks to lead the way toward a smarter, more energy efficient utility grid of the future,” said John Garner, MD, Australia and New Zealand, Silver Spring Networks. “Silver Spring’s standards-based IPv6 networking platform sets the foundation for a diverse range of smart grid applications and represents a big step forward in the journey to energy efficiency and sustainability.”
Silver Spring’s family of products embedding Gen4 technology, ranging from Communications Modules to Access Points and Relays, is focused on increasing performance and improving the flexibility needed to meet utilities’ demanding requirements across disparate service territories, deployment approaches, and application needs.
With the promise of “Any Transport, Any Territory, Any Endpoint, Any Application,” Gen4 technology provides a platform for additional communications options so utilities can efficiently cover all of their territory, from sparse to dense populations, and support multiple smart grid applications on an integrated, centrally managed IPv6 network.
Silver Spring will provide its smart grid platform – including advanced metering, distribution automation and deployment – to enable WEL Networks to better deliver reliable, efficient, and affordable power to its residential and commercial customers. The first deployment phase of 10,000 customers has now been extended to 45,000 for the coming year. WEL Networks will benefit from the increased flexibility and performance enabled by Silver Spring’s recently announced Gen4 networking technology.
“Cost, performance, and the ability to build atop a single, standardized platform are critical for WEL Networks’ next-generation utility grid,” said Dr. Julian Elder, CEO of WEL Networks. “Silver Spring gave us the ability to deliver multiple smart grid applications over a single, open platform and utilize its advanced technology to meet the performance needs of our network, all with a cost profile that helps WEL effectively invest in modernization improvements for the benefit of our customers.”
“We’re proud to partner with WEL Networks to lead the way toward a smarter, more energy efficient utility grid of the future,” said John Garner, MD, Australia and New Zealand, Silver Spring Networks. “Silver Spring’s standards-based IPv6 networking platform sets the foundation for a diverse range of smart grid applications and represents a big step forward in the journey to energy efficiency and sustainability.”
Silver Spring’s family of products embedding Gen4 technology, ranging from Communications Modules to Access Points and Relays, is focused on increasing performance and improving the flexibility needed to meet utilities’ demanding requirements across disparate service territories, deployment approaches, and application needs.
With the promise of “Any Transport, Any Territory, Any Endpoint, Any Application,” Gen4 technology provides a platform for additional communications options so utilities can efficiently cover all of their territory, from sparse to dense populations, and support multiple smart grid applications on an integrated, centrally managed IPv6 network.
IBM intros mew foundation for mobile computing
LAS VEGAS, USA: IBM unveiled its first ever Mobile Foundation, a comprehensive portfolio of software and services designed to help organizations capitalize on the proliferation of mobile environments -- including laptops, smartphones and tablets.
Building on its recent acquisition of Worklight, the new foundation further expands IBM's strategy to provide clients with a mobile platform that spans application development, integration, security and management.
The IBM Mobile Foundation is targeting $22 billion market opportunity that is expected to grow to $36 billion in 2015. In an IBM survey of more than 700 CIOs, three quarters said they are embracing a mobile strategy because a flexible workplace delivers a 20 percent improvement in employee productivity. The CIOs said they are significantly reducing the cost of doing business by decreasing dependence on email, improving social collaboration and adopting cloud technologies to reach mobile workers.
IBM has been steadily investing in the mobile space for more than a decade, both organically and through acquisitions: building a complete portfolio of software and services that delivers enterprise-ready mobility for clients.
Increasingly, enterprises are reaching beyond their traditional IT boundaries by consuming new Cloud services and creating new mobile applications for employees and customers for broad consumption by customers, partners and developers. As a result, the new IBM Mobile Foundation offers organizations the following core capabilities:
Connect Cloud and Mobile Environments: As the adoption of mobile computing continues to create increased demands for cloud services, IBM WebSphere Cast Iron is a crucial element of the new foundation. Now, clients will be able to easily connect mobile applications to a variety of Cloud and back-end systems.
Build and Connect Mobile Applications: A new set of development and integration tools from IBM Worklight will enable clients for the first time to develop mobile applications and their supporting infrastructures for a variety of platforms just once and run them on any mobile platform - including Apple iOS and Google Android, and RIM Blackberry. Through new resources provided on developerWorks at no charge, IBM is also providing the technical skill building information developers need to start building secure mobile solutions ranging from simple applications to integrated web-based and native architectures.
Manage and Secure Mobile Environments: In an effort to help organizations manage the Bring Your Own Device or "BYOD" trend, the foundation includes new software from IBM Endpoint Manager to help customers deliver a single solution that effectively manages and secures all endpoints. For example, this allows organizations to wipe enterprise data and applications from endpoints when needed. These unified capabilities extend from servers and laptops, to smartphones and tablets.
Extend Existing Capabilities and Capitalize on New Business Opportunities: A new set of services, such as the IBM Quick Win Pilot, can assist clients with their mobile strategy and deployment. At the end of the 10 week pilot, clients are able to implement a defined use case with IBM Mobile technology and achieve tangible results. Additionally, new capabilities in the IBM DataPower appliances can now help IT organizations quickly and securely expose their enterprise data and services to mobile devices.
"It's no secret that throughout the last decade, the most successful organizations have been quick to leverage new technology for business advantage," said Marie Wieck, GM, IBM Application and Integration Middleware. "Over this time, we have evolved our market-leading portfolio to meet our client's needs to extend their reach through new channels like mobile and cloud computing. Our latest offerings are yet another step in this direction and will provide customers with everything they need to support mobile devices in their business and use them to transform the way they interact with customers, partners and employees."
Building on its recent acquisition of Worklight, the new foundation further expands IBM's strategy to provide clients with a mobile platform that spans application development, integration, security and management.
The IBM Mobile Foundation is targeting $22 billion market opportunity that is expected to grow to $36 billion in 2015. In an IBM survey of more than 700 CIOs, three quarters said they are embracing a mobile strategy because a flexible workplace delivers a 20 percent improvement in employee productivity. The CIOs said they are significantly reducing the cost of doing business by decreasing dependence on email, improving social collaboration and adopting cloud technologies to reach mobile workers.
IBM has been steadily investing in the mobile space for more than a decade, both organically and through acquisitions: building a complete portfolio of software and services that delivers enterprise-ready mobility for clients.
Increasingly, enterprises are reaching beyond their traditional IT boundaries by consuming new Cloud services and creating new mobile applications for employees and customers for broad consumption by customers, partners and developers. As a result, the new IBM Mobile Foundation offers organizations the following core capabilities:
Connect Cloud and Mobile Environments: As the adoption of mobile computing continues to create increased demands for cloud services, IBM WebSphere Cast Iron is a crucial element of the new foundation. Now, clients will be able to easily connect mobile applications to a variety of Cloud and back-end systems.
Build and Connect Mobile Applications: A new set of development and integration tools from IBM Worklight will enable clients for the first time to develop mobile applications and their supporting infrastructures for a variety of platforms just once and run them on any mobile platform - including Apple iOS and Google Android, and RIM Blackberry. Through new resources provided on developerWorks at no charge, IBM is also providing the technical skill building information developers need to start building secure mobile solutions ranging from simple applications to integrated web-based and native architectures.
Manage and Secure Mobile Environments: In an effort to help organizations manage the Bring Your Own Device or "BYOD" trend, the foundation includes new software from IBM Endpoint Manager to help customers deliver a single solution that effectively manages and secures all endpoints. For example, this allows organizations to wipe enterprise data and applications from endpoints when needed. These unified capabilities extend from servers and laptops, to smartphones and tablets.
Extend Existing Capabilities and Capitalize on New Business Opportunities: A new set of services, such as the IBM Quick Win Pilot, can assist clients with their mobile strategy and deployment. At the end of the 10 week pilot, clients are able to implement a defined use case with IBM Mobile technology and achieve tangible results. Additionally, new capabilities in the IBM DataPower appliances can now help IT organizations quickly and securely expose their enterprise data and services to mobile devices.
"It's no secret that throughout the last decade, the most successful organizations have been quick to leverage new technology for business advantage," said Marie Wieck, GM, IBM Application and Integration Middleware. "Over this time, we have evolved our market-leading portfolio to meet our client's needs to extend their reach through new channels like mobile and cloud computing. Our latest offerings are yet another step in this direction and will provide customers with everything they need to support mobile devices in their business and use them to transform the way they interact with customers, partners and employees."
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