USA: BeQuick Software Inc., which delivers prepaid customer lifecycle and billing solutions to consumer-focused communications service providers, can now support MVNOs on one of the United States' leading nationwide GSM networks.
BeQuick, in conjunction with Prepaid Wireless Wholesale, LLC. (PWW), is part of a small group of mobile virtual network enablers (MVNEs) that has passed the carrier's strict qualification process. The team was selected based on the strength of Fusion, its cloud-based, next-generation MVNE platform.
BeQuick will work in close partnership with PWW, a full service provider and implementer of wireless services. BeQuick and PWW are uniquely positioned to service a new market segment of prepaid carriers looking to add GSM services to their offerings.
The clear advantage of a GSM-based MVNO offering is that it taps into the global economies of scale the GSM standard has enabled. This creates economic advantages in relation to handset procurement for MVNOs as well as bring-your-own-device (BYOD) opportunities for pre-paid customers. Previously, the primary networks for MVNOs have been based on CDMA wireless technologies which, though effective, create some constraints with regard to handset availability and BYOD.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Wi-Fi Alliance selects Marvell's Avastar 802.11ac 2x2 combo solution with NFC and Bluetooth for Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac test suite
USA: Marvell announced that the Marvell Avastar 88W8897, the industry's first 802.11ac 2x2 mobile MIMO combo radio solution with near field communications (NFC) and Bluetooth 4.0 support, was selected by Wi-Fi Alliance to the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac test suite.
Marvell's strong track record of consistently delivering robust, highly-integrated, breakthrough wireless solutions—which include the latest advancements such as 802.11ac, mobile multiple input multiple output (MIMO), near field communications (NFC), FM, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Miracast and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint — have successfully empowered leading service providers and top-tier enterprise and consumer manufacturers around the world.
The Avastar 88W8897 – which pairs today's most cutting-edge technology to bring superior wireless performance to Chrome, Windows and Android ultrabooks, tablets, gaming consoles and smart TVs – is now in production, with consumer electronics featuring Avastar expected by the 2013 holiday season.
The Avastar 88W8897 is the only 802.11ac 2x2 combo radio solution currently available on the market. The low-power, dual-band (2.4/5 GHz) IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2x2 combo is specifically designed to support the reliability and quality requirements of next-generation, Very High Throughput (VHT) WLAN products. The 88W8897 is also the only chip that increases throughput with 802.11ac technology while simultaneously leveraging NFC to enable simple tap-and-go wireless capabilities.
Additionally, the 88W8897 offers the highest level of integration available, including dual-band power amplifiers and power management, resulting in significant RBOM and footprint reduction from comparable solutions.
When paired with tablets and ultrabooks, the 88W8897 is designed to enable an Always On, Always Connected (AOAC) wireless experience, keeping e-mail, social media and digital content up-to-date even when a device is in standby mode – a capability lacking in legacy mobile computing products.
By coupling Marvell's full Wi-Fi offload solution with Windows 8 features such as Wake On Wireless functionality and Connected Standby (CS), the Avastar 88W8897 is expected to meet the demands of today's connected consumer and deliver the AOAC computing experience.
Marvell's strong track record of consistently delivering robust, highly-integrated, breakthrough wireless solutions—which include the latest advancements such as 802.11ac, mobile multiple input multiple output (MIMO), near field communications (NFC), FM, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Miracast and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint — have successfully empowered leading service providers and top-tier enterprise and consumer manufacturers around the world.
The Avastar 88W8897 – which pairs today's most cutting-edge technology to bring superior wireless performance to Chrome, Windows and Android ultrabooks, tablets, gaming consoles and smart TVs – is now in production, with consumer electronics featuring Avastar expected by the 2013 holiday season.
The Avastar 88W8897 is the only 802.11ac 2x2 combo radio solution currently available on the market. The low-power, dual-band (2.4/5 GHz) IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2x2 combo is specifically designed to support the reliability and quality requirements of next-generation, Very High Throughput (VHT) WLAN products. The 88W8897 is also the only chip that increases throughput with 802.11ac technology while simultaneously leveraging NFC to enable simple tap-and-go wireless capabilities.
Additionally, the 88W8897 offers the highest level of integration available, including dual-band power amplifiers and power management, resulting in significant RBOM and footprint reduction from comparable solutions.
When paired with tablets and ultrabooks, the 88W8897 is designed to enable an Always On, Always Connected (AOAC) wireless experience, keeping e-mail, social media and digital content up-to-date even when a device is in standby mode – a capability lacking in legacy mobile computing products.
By coupling Marvell's full Wi-Fi offload solution with Windows 8 features such as Wake On Wireless functionality and Connected Standby (CS), the Avastar 88W8897 is expected to meet the demands of today's connected consumer and deliver the AOAC computing experience.
Convergence of social networking and M2M to play key role in Internet of Everything
ENGLAND: A new study from ABI Research finds that integration with social networks will add significant value to enterprises’ M2M strategies in the coming years.
Initially, this trend will concern companies’ internal social channels, such as Salesforce.com’s Chatter, which is forecasted to be actively used by 60,000 enterprises at end-2013. Going forward, the emphasis will shift towards Facebook and other consumer-facing networks, which ABI Research forecasts to cover 2.9 billion users by end-2018.
Senior analyst Aapo Markkanen describes: “There’s an intriguing intersection developing around social networks and M2M services. At this stage the activity is nascent, but over the next five years we expect the relationship between the two to become increasingly synergistic. The innovations it results in will add a strong social ingredient to the decade’s true megatrend: the Internet of Everything.”
The immediate form of this is the mixing of machine data with CRM processes. Salesforce.com has been notably active in this field, having already teamed up with M2M players Axeda and Digi International to provide such “social M2M” convergence. Meanwhile, there are also early signs of taking the reverse approach to this convergence – and using social data to interact with machines.
Most of these interactions stem currently from the maker movement and are enabled by open-source Arduino microcontrollers. The most commercially prominent example is a marketing stunt that Brazilian drink brand Guarana Antarctica ran last year, featuring a campaign car that could be driven towards its destination only if there were enough “likes” and comments on its Facebook page.
In the future, we should expect to see also two-way flows of social and machine data. According to practice director Dan Shey: “Today, social M2M is about informational silo-busting in enterprises and novelty experiments in the consumer space, but the concept has enough potential to enable use cases that still seem futuristic. The day when we could use Facebook as a dashboard of home automation systems is closer than you might first think.”
Initially, this trend will concern companies’ internal social channels, such as Salesforce.com’s Chatter, which is forecasted to be actively used by 60,000 enterprises at end-2013. Going forward, the emphasis will shift towards Facebook and other consumer-facing networks, which ABI Research forecasts to cover 2.9 billion users by end-2018.
Senior analyst Aapo Markkanen describes: “There’s an intriguing intersection developing around social networks and M2M services. At this stage the activity is nascent, but over the next five years we expect the relationship between the two to become increasingly synergistic. The innovations it results in will add a strong social ingredient to the decade’s true megatrend: the Internet of Everything.”
The immediate form of this is the mixing of machine data with CRM processes. Salesforce.com has been notably active in this field, having already teamed up with M2M players Axeda and Digi International to provide such “social M2M” convergence. Meanwhile, there are also early signs of taking the reverse approach to this convergence – and using social data to interact with machines.
Most of these interactions stem currently from the maker movement and are enabled by open-source Arduino microcontrollers. The most commercially prominent example is a marketing stunt that Brazilian drink brand Guarana Antarctica ran last year, featuring a campaign car that could be driven towards its destination only if there were enough “likes” and comments on its Facebook page.
In the future, we should expect to see also two-way flows of social and machine data. According to practice director Dan Shey: “Today, social M2M is about informational silo-busting in enterprises and novelty experiments in the consumer space, but the concept has enough potential to enable use cases that still seem futuristic. The day when we could use Facebook as a dashboard of home automation systems is closer than you might first think.”
CANARIE expands 100G research and education network with Ciena
USA: Ciena Corp. announced that CANARIE, Canada’s Advanced Research and Innovation Network, has deployed Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform equipped with third generation WaveLogic Coherent Optical Processors to support the 100G (100 Gigabits per second) upgrade and network expansion of a route connecting Montreal and New York.
The new ultra-high-speed network link will sustain the “big data” streams used in today’s advanced academic and scientific research. For example, the 100G link can allow a full two hour HD movie to download in 4/10ths of a second.
Given today’s increasingly data-intensive and global environment, it is vitally important that CANARIE work with cutting-edge equipment, such as that provided by Ciena, to support their bandwidth requirements.
The new ultra-high-speed network link will sustain the “big data” streams used in today’s advanced academic and scientific research. For example, the 100G link can allow a full two hour HD movie to download in 4/10ths of a second.
Given today’s increasingly data-intensive and global environment, it is vitally important that CANARIE work with cutting-edge equipment, such as that provided by Ciena, to support their bandwidth requirements.
Verizon Wireless and Discover Financial Services join the NFC Forum as principal members
USA: The NFC Forum announced that Verizon Wireless and Discover Financial Services, LLC have become members at the principal level.
In addition, SMARTRAC has upgraded its membership to Principal, and 13 other organizations have joined the Forum since March. Overall membership now stands at more than 190 companies and non-profit groups.
The Principal level is the next-to-top tier of NFC Forum membership, and it includes significant participation opportunities. Principal members may designate individuals to run for Forum leadership positions, and they may appoint one voting representative to each NFC Forum Committee and Working Group. Other privileges include proposing Forum initiatives and participating in the NFC Forum testing and certification program using their own in-house test labs.
In addition, SMARTRAC has upgraded its membership to Principal, and 13 other organizations have joined the Forum since March. Overall membership now stands at more than 190 companies and non-profit groups.
The Principal level is the next-to-top tier of NFC Forum membership, and it includes significant participation opportunities. Principal members may designate individuals to run for Forum leadership positions, and they may appoint one voting representative to each NFC Forum Committee and Working Group. Other privileges include proposing Forum initiatives and participating in the NFC Forum testing and certification program using their own in-house test labs.
Knowlarity selects Voxbone Numbers to extend cloud-based VoIP services
BELGIUM: India’s VoIP market will grow 27 percent annually over the next five years, some analysts estimate, as the government and service providers invest heavily in wired and wireless broadband expansion.
To capitalize on that growing installed base, Knowlarity Communications will use Voxbone DID numbers to provide cloud-based VoIP services to small and medium businesses throughout India and the rest of the world.
Consistently ranked as one of Asia-Pacific’s fastest-growing companies, with funding from Sequoia Capital, Knowlarity cloud services enable businesses to reduce communications costs, improve customer service and enhance their competitive position.
Knowlarity will use Voxbone international DID numbers to link incoming calls all over the world to its hosted PBX system “Super Receptionist.” The service replaces legacy branch exchanges for small and medium businesses and adds functionalities such as intelligent call routing and CRM integration.
Knowlarity is the latest Indian service provider to select Voxbone numbers. Other customers include Sify Technologies, which has used Voxbone since 2011 to provide worldwide geographical and toll-free telephone numbers.
To capitalize on that growing installed base, Knowlarity Communications will use Voxbone DID numbers to provide cloud-based VoIP services to small and medium businesses throughout India and the rest of the world.
Consistently ranked as one of Asia-Pacific’s fastest-growing companies, with funding from Sequoia Capital, Knowlarity cloud services enable businesses to reduce communications costs, improve customer service and enhance their competitive position.
Knowlarity will use Voxbone international DID numbers to link incoming calls all over the world to its hosted PBX system “Super Receptionist.” The service replaces legacy branch exchanges for small and medium businesses and adds functionalities such as intelligent call routing and CRM integration.
Knowlarity is the latest Indian service provider to select Voxbone numbers. Other customers include Sify Technologies, which has used Voxbone since 2011 to provide worldwide geographical and toll-free telephone numbers.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Telebyte releases industry’s first noise solution for testing VDSL2 vectoring devices
USA: Telebyte Inc. announced another breakthrough in VDSL2 Vectoring layer 1 testing equipment with the release of the Model VxT-N48 48-Channel AWGN Generator/Injector. The unique product generates or injects the noises needed for more realistic testing of next-generation vectoring-enabled devices.
The Model VxT-N48 is designed to interface between CO or CPE equipment and the Telebyte VxT-48 xTalk Emulator for VDSL2 Vectoring Testing. It will generate 48 channels of built-in, uncorrelated, AWGN or inject up to 48 correlated or uncorrelated complex noises received from Telebyte’s popular Model 4901 Multi-Output Noise Simulator. This makes it ideal for testing per WT-249 (G.993.5 Self-FEXT Cancellation) or for any xDSL application that calls for flexible, dense noise generation and injection.
Service oroviders know that high speed does not always equate to high QOS unless interference in properly mitigated. Until now, some have relied upon cable farms alone for testing, leaving them unable to verify fully that complex noise has been dealt with and quality is acceptable. With Telebyte’s growing suite of test gear designed specifically for this purpose, they now have a solution to help them accelerate their vectoring rollout with confidence.
The Model VxT-N48 is designed to interface between CO or CPE equipment and the Telebyte VxT-48 xTalk Emulator for VDSL2 Vectoring Testing. It will generate 48 channels of built-in, uncorrelated, AWGN or inject up to 48 correlated or uncorrelated complex noises received from Telebyte’s popular Model 4901 Multi-Output Noise Simulator. This makes it ideal for testing per WT-249 (G.993.5 Self-FEXT Cancellation) or for any xDSL application that calls for flexible, dense noise generation and injection.
Service oroviders know that high speed does not always equate to high QOS unless interference in properly mitigated. Until now, some have relied upon cable farms alone for testing, leaving them unable to verify fully that complex noise has been dealt with and quality is acceptable. With Telebyte’s growing suite of test gear designed specifically for this purpose, they now have a solution to help them accelerate their vectoring rollout with confidence.
Qualcomm powered devices attract $189 per handset more subsidy than other devices
USA: Qualcomm powered devices are capturing the high end of the device market and this overriding factor has resulted in Qualcomm attracting an average implied subsidy of $530 compared to $341 for other IC vendor based products.
Hiigh end devices remain the most profitable part of the mobile device market; however, these margins are increasingly being challenged due to intense competition causing feature creep, i.e. more features are packed into the device, for no extra revenue.
Senior practice director for devices, Nick Spencer stated: “Competition is intense and some feature creep is inevitable, but vendors need consider which features create real value for the end user. The question they should ask themselves is, whether they should add in new features, rather than whether can we add in new features? Not focusing on innovation and value creation will result in a price war and margin erosion.”
While the mobile industry and media tend to focus on the high end of the market, it is worth noting that it is largely a replacement market—most of the future growth in the smart mobile device industry will come from lower priced devices. Stuart Carlaw, chief research officer, added, “Opportunity remains for device vendors and their IC vendor partners who can profitably optimize their product’s feature sets for low-end device markets and price points.”
Hiigh end devices remain the most profitable part of the mobile device market; however, these margins are increasingly being challenged due to intense competition causing feature creep, i.e. more features are packed into the device, for no extra revenue.
Senior practice director for devices, Nick Spencer stated: “Competition is intense and some feature creep is inevitable, but vendors need consider which features create real value for the end user. The question they should ask themselves is, whether they should add in new features, rather than whether can we add in new features? Not focusing on innovation and value creation will result in a price war and margin erosion.”
While the mobile industry and media tend to focus on the high end of the market, it is worth noting that it is largely a replacement market—most of the future growth in the smart mobile device industry will come from lower priced devices. Stuart Carlaw, chief research officer, added, “Opportunity remains for device vendors and their IC vendor partners who can profitably optimize their product’s feature sets for low-end device markets and price points.”
IMImobile powers National Rail Enquiries iPad app putting users on the Fast Track
INDIA: IMImobilea leading global mobile data infrastructure and solutions provider to telecom operators, enterprises and media companies has launched in partnership with National Rail Enquiries (NRE) their very first purpose built iPad application.
The IMImobile powered NRE iPad application delivers a streamlined customer experience with a smartly divided customisable home screen and intuitively designed user interface. The app is built to satisfy all the needs of a user on the move, from real-time travel updates, journey planning,to the ability to save favourite journeys and purchase tickets for all UK train operators from the comfort of your home or a million other locations.
The application delivers the same capabilities as NRE’s successful iPhone counterpart. However, the iPad app moves beyond this, providing real-time Twitter updates and alert notifications for any delayed or cancelled trains from all UK train operators. These real-time features ensure the user is always kept updated and all the information necessary is presented on an easy to navigate, intuitive interface.
The IMImobile powered NRE iPad application delivers a streamlined customer experience with a smartly divided customisable home screen and intuitively designed user interface. The app is built to satisfy all the needs of a user on the move, from real-time travel updates, journey planning,to the ability to save favourite journeys and purchase tickets for all UK train operators from the comfort of your home or a million other locations.
The application delivers the same capabilities as NRE’s successful iPhone counterpart. However, the iPad app moves beyond this, providing real-time Twitter updates and alert notifications for any delayed or cancelled trains from all UK train operators. These real-time features ensure the user is always kept updated and all the information necessary is presented on an easy to navigate, intuitive interface.
Huawei unveils Ascend Mate
INDIA: Huawei has launched the smartphone with 6.1 inch HD display, the Huawei Ascend Mate in the India market.
The HUAWEI Ascend Mate runs with an operating system of Android 4.1 JellyBean, a 1.5 GHz Hi-Silicon quad-core processor and a 4050 mAh battery. Together with Huawei’s proprietary Quick Power Control (QPC) and Automated Discontinuous Reception (ADRX) battery efficiency technology and fast sharing technology, the Huawei Ascend Mate is a delight for users and gives them a perfect cinematic and gaming experience. It can easily be termed as your new “pocket cinema” device.
Huawei Ascend Mate has a screen-to-body ratio of 73% – the highest in the industry – which maximizes your viewing pleasure for emails, documents, video or games. The 6.1-inch HD IPS+ LCD screen has a resolution of 1280 x 720 for unsurpassed clarity and color accuracy, and ‘Magic Touch’ which provides enhanced screen responsiveness even with gloves. The Ascend Mate is slim and stylish, designed to fit comfortably in a single hand at just 6.5mm thin at its narrowest part.
Huawei Ascend Mate features a 4050 mAh battery and Huawei’s Hi-Silicon 1.5 GHz quad-core processor. With Huawei’s QPC and ADRX smart power-saving technology, the smartphone provides up to two days of ordinary useage on a single charge. It has the fastest battery charging capability of smartphones in its range, which saves over 30 percent of battery charging time.
Featuring an 8.0-megapixel AF rear-facing camera with HDR and 1.0-megapixel HD front-facing camera, Huawei Ascend Mate also provides dual MIC noise reduction technology, Dolby sound system and stereo recording.
Huawei Ascend Mate features an Augmented Reality navigation application to help reach your destination, ‘smart reading’ functionality allowing quick reference to dictionaries, Wikipedia and Google Search pages, and ‘swift sharing’ to upload pictures, videos and other files two- to three-times faster than other smartphone users in a Wi-Fi environment.
The HUAWEI Ascend Mate runs with an operating system of Android 4.1 JellyBean, a 1.5 GHz Hi-Silicon quad-core processor and a 4050 mAh battery. Together with Huawei’s proprietary Quick Power Control (QPC) and Automated Discontinuous Reception (ADRX) battery efficiency technology and fast sharing technology, the Huawei Ascend Mate is a delight for users and gives them a perfect cinematic and gaming experience. It can easily be termed as your new “pocket cinema” device.
Huawei Ascend Mate has a screen-to-body ratio of 73% – the highest in the industry – which maximizes your viewing pleasure for emails, documents, video or games. The 6.1-inch HD IPS+ LCD screen has a resolution of 1280 x 720 for unsurpassed clarity and color accuracy, and ‘Magic Touch’ which provides enhanced screen responsiveness even with gloves. The Ascend Mate is slim and stylish, designed to fit comfortably in a single hand at just 6.5mm thin at its narrowest part.
Huawei Ascend Mate features a 4050 mAh battery and Huawei’s Hi-Silicon 1.5 GHz quad-core processor. With Huawei’s QPC and ADRX smart power-saving technology, the smartphone provides up to two days of ordinary useage on a single charge. It has the fastest battery charging capability of smartphones in its range, which saves over 30 percent of battery charging time.
Featuring an 8.0-megapixel AF rear-facing camera with HDR and 1.0-megapixel HD front-facing camera, Huawei Ascend Mate also provides dual MIC noise reduction technology, Dolby sound system and stereo recording.
Huawei Ascend Mate features an Augmented Reality navigation application to help reach your destination, ‘smart reading’ functionality allowing quick reference to dictionaries, Wikipedia and Google Search pages, and ‘swift sharing’ to upload pictures, videos and other files two- to three-times faster than other smartphone users in a Wi-Fi environment.
Aircel announces special prepaid services for Amarnath Yatris
INDIA: In its endeavor to make Amarnath Yatra more comfortable and memorable for the pilgrims, Aircel, one of India’s leading telecom players, announced the launch of special short-term prepaid Yatra SIM cards.
Aircel will also set-up special counters in Jammu, Pahalgam, Baltal and many more locations in J&K to make these special SIM cards available to the yatris. Aircel aims to ensure that the yatris have seamless access to the telecom services to stay in touch with their near and dear ones during the yatra.
To avail the services, yartis while purchasing the SIM card will be required to produce at the counter, original Yatra registration slip and have to submit a photocopy of the same. Additionally, yatris have to submit a self-certified copy of valid Proof of Identification and Proof of Address as prescribed by DoT , besides filling CEF and submitting four latest photographs.
Aircel will also set-up special counters in Jammu, Pahalgam, Baltal and many more locations in J&K to make these special SIM cards available to the yatris. Aircel aims to ensure that the yatris have seamless access to the telecom services to stay in touch with their near and dear ones during the yatra.
To avail the services, yartis while purchasing the SIM card will be required to produce at the counter, original Yatra registration slip and have to submit a photocopy of the same. Additionally, yatris have to submit a self-certified copy of valid Proof of Identification and Proof of Address as prescribed by DoT , besides filling CEF and submitting four latest photographs.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Telepak to offer fiber-based digital broadband services under C Spire fiber brand
USA: Telepak Networks Inc., a broadband networking company, announced plans to sell fiber-based digital broadband services under the C Spire Fiber brand.
lepak Networks already has a strong reputation in the telecommunications industry as one of the leading independent providers of Internet, telecommunications and network services – so teaming up with sister company C Spire Wireless, a leader in the wireless industry, was a logical next step, according to Gregg Logan, VP and GM of Telepak. Both companies will continue to operate independently under the marketing services agreement.
This is the second major move by Telepak to align with the C Spire brand. Last year, the company began offering its IP Voice phone services and fixed-rate, high-speed dedicated Internet access services for small and medium-sized businesses under the C Spire Business Solutions brand along with wireless services offered by C Spire Wireless.
lepak Networks already has a strong reputation in the telecommunications industry as one of the leading independent providers of Internet, telecommunications and network services – so teaming up with sister company C Spire Wireless, a leader in the wireless industry, was a logical next step, according to Gregg Logan, VP and GM of Telepak. Both companies will continue to operate independently under the marketing services agreement.
This is the second major move by Telepak to align with the C Spire brand. Last year, the company began offering its IP Voice phone services and fixed-rate, high-speed dedicated Internet access services for small and medium-sized businesses under the C Spire Business Solutions brand along with wireless services offered by C Spire Wireless.
Gill Electronics signs agreement with Qualcomm to develop next-gen wireless power technology
USA: Gill Electronics Inc. has signed an agreement with Qualcomm Inc. for Gill Electronics to obtain rights to develop, manufacture, and sell wireless power products for the automotive and furniture industries.
The licensed wireless power technology provides for real world use by allowing for spatial freedom when wirelessly charging products, as well as the ability to charge multiple devices and device types simultaneously.
"With the prevalence of mobile electronic devices in today's society, the need to provide power to charge these devices is enormous," says Richard Perreault, president of Gill. "With wireless power technology, people will be able to simultaneously charge anything from a Bluetooth headset, smartphone or tablet, to a netbook by simply placing it on the counter or desk, or in a car, without any plugin. We expect the first products to be available later this year."
Gill and Qualcomm are founding members of the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), a global, independently operated alliance dedicated to delivering a flexible wireless power technology to the consumer electronics and automotive marketplace. The performance of wireless charging based on the use of this technology can provide better support for the real world use of wireless power applications in automobiles and furniture, while meeting strict form factor and operating characteristics of the most demanding device manufacturers.
The licensed wireless power technology provides for real world use by allowing for spatial freedom when wirelessly charging products, as well as the ability to charge multiple devices and device types simultaneously.
"With the prevalence of mobile electronic devices in today's society, the need to provide power to charge these devices is enormous," says Richard Perreault, president of Gill. "With wireless power technology, people will be able to simultaneously charge anything from a Bluetooth headset, smartphone or tablet, to a netbook by simply placing it on the counter or desk, or in a car, without any plugin. We expect the first products to be available later this year."
Gill and Qualcomm are founding members of the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), a global, independently operated alliance dedicated to delivering a flexible wireless power technology to the consumer electronics and automotive marketplace. The performance of wireless charging based on the use of this technology can provide better support for the real world use of wireless power applications in automobiles and furniture, while meeting strict form factor and operating characteristics of the most demanding device manufacturers.
IndSoft.net to deploy IPv6
INDIA: IndSoft Systems, the on demand hosting service and the virtual data center provider for the micro, small to medium enterprises (MSMEs), is equipped to provide next generationIPv6 support.
IPv6 will soon be the requisite for business customers having internet website thereby require to improve routing and network configurations.
IPv6 is aimed to replace the current IP address system, which carries the vast majority of current internet traffic allowing up to approximately 4 billion addresses. IPv6 allocates a unique IP address to users, thereby enabling a direct track of the end user.
IPv6 extends the number of network address bits to 128 bits as against 32 bits of IPv4 to offer unlimited address space, greater flexibility and at the same time brings enhanced internet experience.
IPv6 will soon be the requisite for business customers having internet website thereby require to improve routing and network configurations.
IPv6 is aimed to replace the current IP address system, which carries the vast majority of current internet traffic allowing up to approximately 4 billion addresses. IPv6 allocates a unique IP address to users, thereby enabling a direct track of the end user.
IPv6 extends the number of network address bits to 128 bits as against 32 bits of IPv4 to offer unlimited address space, greater flexibility and at the same time brings enhanced internet experience.
Lava intros Iris 504q smartphone that understands human gestures
INDIA: LAVA International Ltd announced its entry into the high-end smartphone category with its new flagship smartphone, Lava Iris504q.
The phone boasts of technologically advanced gesture motion control that reinvents the mobile experience and set a new standard for smartphones in its category. Lava Iris504q is designed to address a large and important segment of the smartphone market where customers are looking to upgrade to an affordable, easy-to-use, full-featured and technologically competitive smartphone.
The Lava Iris 504q is a high-end Android smartphone with 8.4mm thickness that makes it the slimmest in its category. It brings HD experience to a 5 inch IPS screen with OGS display technology and a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. The new gesture motion feature allows the users to interact with the phone with just a swipe of the hand in the air.
The gesture control feature can be used for clicking photos, changing tracks on the music player and video player, tuning FM channels and browsing entertainment gallery on the smartphone.
Powered by a Quad Core 1.2GHz processor and running on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean), the Iris 504q comes with an intelligent flip cover, offering comfort and convenience to the consumer. This device sports an 8MP camera (rear auto-focus with in-built flash and BSI sensor) that provides multiple camera options to capture stunning photographs and a 2 MP front camera for 3G video calling. .
Lava Iris 504q also packs in 1GB RAM and an internal memory of 4 GB, which is expandable up to 32 GB, giving users enough space to store their multimedia content. A large 2,000-mAh battery provides ample back up for multimedia, stand by and talk time.
Lava Iris 504q is a super slim, fast and easy-to-use smartphone that delivers effortless multitasking, making life easier and hassle-free. Priced at Rs. 13,499 Lava Iris 504q will be available across national retail chain stores, multi-brand outlets across India and online stores beginning fourth week of June.
The Lava Iris 504q is a high-end Android smartphone with 8.4mm thickness that makes it the slimmest in its category. It brings HD experience to a 5 inch IPS screen with OGS display technology and a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. The new gesture motion feature allows the users to interact with the phone with just a swipe of the hand in the air.
The gesture control feature can be used for clicking photos, changing tracks on the music player and video player, tuning FM channels and browsing entertainment gallery on the smartphone.
Powered by a Quad Core 1.2GHz processor and running on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean), the Iris 504q comes with an intelligent flip cover, offering comfort and convenience to the consumer. This device sports an 8MP camera (rear auto-focus with in-built flash and BSI sensor) that provides multiple camera options to capture stunning photographs and a 2 MP front camera for 3G video calling. .
Lava Iris 504q also packs in 1GB RAM and an internal memory of 4 GB, which is expandable up to 32 GB, giving users enough space to store their multimedia content. A large 2,000-mAh battery provides ample back up for multimedia, stand by and talk time.
Lava Iris 504q is a super slim, fast and easy-to-use smartphone that delivers effortless multitasking, making life easier and hassle-free. Priced at Rs. 13,499 Lava Iris 504q will be available across national retail chain stores, multi-brand outlets across India and online stores beginning fourth week of June.
Friday, June 14, 2013
App user base is growing 15 times faster than stationary Internet user base; what are the consequences?
GERMANY: The growth rate of app users has been 251 percent (CAGR) over the last five years. It has outpaced the growth of the stationary internet users worldwide by an astonishing factor of 15. Stationary internet user base is still more than two times bigger than mobile app user base, but its growth rate (CAGR =16 percent) looks rather deplorable compared to mobile. There are four major implications every company has to deal with.
There are many reasons for the massive growth of the app user base. The wide range of Apps is one of the main drivers. Apps and smart mobile devices create a win-win alliance that goes beyond the software-PC alliance.
Apps provide the intelligence for smart devices to be used as a tool for almost every daily activity. The mobile device provides the technological basis but more important provides the context in which the app creates value for its user. There are no other mass market devices that users carry around 24/7, that are as personal and that provide location information at all times.
Where does it all lead to? We continue our discussion on the impact the app-eco system has on the industry by highlighting 4 consequences this rapid market growth will have.
1. The number of mobile app users will overtake stationary web users: This seems evident as there is no end in sight for the growth of mobile app users. Eventually a great part of today’s 7 billion (international Telecom Union) mobile subscribers will possess a capable device and will make use of apps.
The biggest challenge will be to tap into the developing countries with their 5.2 billion mobile subscribers. It will be only a matter of time until the industry will pour out cheap capable mobile devices for far less than $100 to allow monthly subscription plans with ARPUs of around $5.
2. IT development will become mobile: If private and business users are mobile, IT solutions will have to follow. Mobile app development business has already become a multi-billion dollar business (see report: The Market for Mobile Application Development Services), but this is just the beginning. Enterprises will mobilize their IT solutions to provide e.g. mobile access to company databases as well as to reach out to their customers for marketing, sales and service purposes.
Hundreds of thousands of IT developers will have to be trained in mobile programming languages as well as in GUI design and user flow. The IT service industry is about to realize these changes and the business opportunities this development will have in the next 10 years.
3. The mobile channel will become a key strategy element for every company: There is no industry that is not affected by the new mobile channel. It will be a challenging task to create, develop, maintain and manage hundreds of mobile services on an increasing number of platforms and for a diversity of internal and external user groups. This task is not being addressed properly in the majority of the company strategy and operation units at the moment.
4. M&A will become hot: Because of the speed the market developments and the time it takes to implement changes within an organization, companies will open their pockets and start to buy apps and mobile service companies to keep up with the pace of the market. The first specialized service providers like Apptopia have jumped on the train and offer matching services for buyers and sellers of apps. Apple’s new App Transfer service also facilitates the ownership changes of an app business.
These market developments emphasize the importance of formulating a mobile strategy that is covering all app strategy dimensions from mobile use case definition, platform selection, target group prioritization, decision on the proximity to core services, selection of open or walled garden sourcing strategy to organizational implementation of mobile into the existing company structures.
There are many reasons for the massive growth of the app user base. The wide range of Apps is one of the main drivers. Apps and smart mobile devices create a win-win alliance that goes beyond the software-PC alliance.
Apps provide the intelligence for smart devices to be used as a tool for almost every daily activity. The mobile device provides the technological basis but more important provides the context in which the app creates value for its user. There are no other mass market devices that users carry around 24/7, that are as personal and that provide location information at all times.
Where does it all lead to? We continue our discussion on the impact the app-eco system has on the industry by highlighting 4 consequences this rapid market growth will have.
1. The number of mobile app users will overtake stationary web users: This seems evident as there is no end in sight for the growth of mobile app users. Eventually a great part of today’s 7 billion (international Telecom Union) mobile subscribers will possess a capable device and will make use of apps.
The biggest challenge will be to tap into the developing countries with their 5.2 billion mobile subscribers. It will be only a matter of time until the industry will pour out cheap capable mobile devices for far less than $100 to allow monthly subscription plans with ARPUs of around $5.
2. IT development will become mobile: If private and business users are mobile, IT solutions will have to follow. Mobile app development business has already become a multi-billion dollar business (see report: The Market for Mobile Application Development Services), but this is just the beginning. Enterprises will mobilize their IT solutions to provide e.g. mobile access to company databases as well as to reach out to their customers for marketing, sales and service purposes.
Hundreds of thousands of IT developers will have to be trained in mobile programming languages as well as in GUI design and user flow. The IT service industry is about to realize these changes and the business opportunities this development will have in the next 10 years.
3. The mobile channel will become a key strategy element for every company: There is no industry that is not affected by the new mobile channel. It will be a challenging task to create, develop, maintain and manage hundreds of mobile services on an increasing number of platforms and for a diversity of internal and external user groups. This task is not being addressed properly in the majority of the company strategy and operation units at the moment.
4. M&A will become hot: Because of the speed the market developments and the time it takes to implement changes within an organization, companies will open their pockets and start to buy apps and mobile service companies to keep up with the pace of the market. The first specialized service providers like Apptopia have jumped on the train and offer matching services for buyers and sellers of apps. Apple’s new App Transfer service also facilitates the ownership changes of an app business.
These market developments emphasize the importance of formulating a mobile strategy that is covering all app strategy dimensions from mobile use case definition, platform selection, target group prioritization, decision on the proximity to core services, selection of open or walled garden sourcing strategy to organizational implementation of mobile into the existing company structures.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Doing what it does best: Apple re-invents existing iPhones with iOS7 and competitive music launch
USA: Apple’s unveiling Monday of a new streaming music service as well as a major redesign of its vaunted mobile operating system shouldn’t be construed as defending what many see as an increasingly embattled position.
Instead, the moves are really more in line with what the company does best—which is to adopt successful solutions or those that could stand some improvement, and then retool them with the famous Apple stamp to deliver a potentially better user experience, according to information and analytics provider IHS.
In the first day of its annual conference for developers on June 10, Apple said the new iTunes Radio would be part of an expanded music app that now features free Internet radio service, while a revamped iOS7 would sport fresh design elements and functionalities via a simpler user interface.
The twin moves, on one level, are intended to safeguard ongoing control by Apple of its already tight ecosystem while also maintaining the company’s hold on an increasingly crowded marketplace. In another sense, however, what Apple is doing is simply business as usual.
“Apple’s innovation is usually not with the introduction of new features, but rather comes from the execution and integration of features as part of a whole new experience for users,” said Jack Kent, principal analyst for mobile at IHS.
“This is a point worth remembering, which is something that Apple has done many times in the past,” said Francis Sideco, director for consumer electronics and communications technologies at IHS. “None of the devices that Apple is celebrated for—the iPhone, iPad or even the iPod—were the first of their kind when they were introduced, but they’ve so thoroughly remade the market since their launch that they’ve become category definers and market leaders of their individual segments.”
In the case of Apple’s new iTunes Radio, the service follows similar offerings from Pandora or Spotify, both of which precede iTunes Radio by several years. Apple’s key advantage, however, is the ability of its new service to integrate the radio experience with a user’s iTunes library to generate stations based on what a user is listening to at that moment, noted Kent.
Broadcasting iTunes radio
The plan for iTunes Radio also shows the astute thinking underlying Apple’s moves. A free ad-funded service will be accessible for all users, while the service will be available ad-free to customers that subscribe to iTunes Match at $24.99.
Ian Fogg, director for mobile and telecoms at IHS, agrees that the move to provide streaming music on Apple’s part is smart. “The US personalized radio market is essentially an ad-funded business and has been for years. To launch a free service is a precondition for even being in the game,” said Fogg. “In addition, bundling the ad-free streaming access with a new iTunes Match feature that personalizes song choices according to a user’s listening history is clever, boosting value for Apple’s existing paid tier.”
In the United States where the market for mobile music is the largest of its kind in the world, revenue for full-track music access subscription is projected to rise this year to $452.7 million, up a remarkable 46 percent from $309.4 million in 2012, as shown in the attached figure. Strong expansion is likewise forecast next year as revenue climbs another 33 percent to $660.6 million. The figures track subscriptions from a mobile phone for music in the form of either personalized radio or those accessed via an on-demand basis.
Overall, the new iTunes Radio service should help to tie some people further into Apple’s ecosystem, Kent believes, and removing the ads should increase the value of the relatively inexpensive iTunes Match. In this respect, Apple could be said to be catching up to competitors, Kent observed. Nokia already offers a completely ad-free radio service for Windows Phone Lumia devices, while Pandora and others have ad-funded mobile radio.
Mobile OS remade… in Apple’s image
Apple’s newly redesigned user interface can also be interpreted as an acknowledgment by the company that it may have fallen behind in some areas. The new design echoes elements already present in other operating systems like Windows Phone and Google’s Android.
To be sure, there are new features meant to keep current iPhone users engaged and prevent them from straying to the competition. Among them are a new phone-activation lock to erase data if the iPhone is stolen; a feature called AirDrop to quickly share content with people nearby; an audio element named FaceTime for high-quality calls over a data network; and a Night Mode in Maps for responding to ambient light when using the feature in the dark.
The new iOS7 design is important because Apple can now do updates to iPhones on all carriers at once, said Fogg. Unlike Android devices where updates have to be staggered over a period often extending to months because of the disparate models and various software versions in existence, an iPhone update means existing Apple users benefit at the same time.
App developers also will very quickly have a large base of iOS devices running the new features, and will have even more justification to innovate their own apps quickly than on Android devices when there is a new Android release, Fogg noted.
The iPhone: under attack?
The iPhone continues to maintain a position of strength in the smartphone market, observed Sideco. Despite slipping two-tenths of a percentage point from 2011, the iPhone still controlled a notable19.1 percent share of the smartphone market.
The iPhone has also enjoyed stronger shipment growth than for the overall smartphone space on average. From 2010 to 2011, for instance, smartphone shipments climbed 65 and 61 percent, respectively. In comparison, growth in iPhone shipments rose from an already heady 89 percent to an even more extraordinary 93 percent during the same period.
Growth decelerated last year for both the iPhone and the smartphone industry in general, bringing the iPhone’s expansion of 46 percent closer to the industry average of 47 percent, marking the first time that iPhone growth has lagged behind the market and causing a slight decline in iPhone market share.
Apple’s iPhone market share in 2013 is expected to shrink some more, but the retreat is more a function of the rapidly expanding low-end smartphone market, which is primarily enabled by the Android ecosystem. Even so, the iPhone market can still be considered remarkable in the face of the hundreds of millions of units that the unit has sold over the years, Sideco noted.
Instead, the moves are really more in line with what the company does best—which is to adopt successful solutions or those that could stand some improvement, and then retool them with the famous Apple stamp to deliver a potentially better user experience, according to information and analytics provider IHS.
In the first day of its annual conference for developers on June 10, Apple said the new iTunes Radio would be part of an expanded music app that now features free Internet radio service, while a revamped iOS7 would sport fresh design elements and functionalities via a simpler user interface.
The twin moves, on one level, are intended to safeguard ongoing control by Apple of its already tight ecosystem while also maintaining the company’s hold on an increasingly crowded marketplace. In another sense, however, what Apple is doing is simply business as usual.
“Apple’s innovation is usually not with the introduction of new features, but rather comes from the execution and integration of features as part of a whole new experience for users,” said Jack Kent, principal analyst for mobile at IHS.
“This is a point worth remembering, which is something that Apple has done many times in the past,” said Francis Sideco, director for consumer electronics and communications technologies at IHS. “None of the devices that Apple is celebrated for—the iPhone, iPad or even the iPod—were the first of their kind when they were introduced, but they’ve so thoroughly remade the market since their launch that they’ve become category definers and market leaders of their individual segments.”
In the case of Apple’s new iTunes Radio, the service follows similar offerings from Pandora or Spotify, both of which precede iTunes Radio by several years. Apple’s key advantage, however, is the ability of its new service to integrate the radio experience with a user’s iTunes library to generate stations based on what a user is listening to at that moment, noted Kent.
Broadcasting iTunes radio
The plan for iTunes Radio also shows the astute thinking underlying Apple’s moves. A free ad-funded service will be accessible for all users, while the service will be available ad-free to customers that subscribe to iTunes Match at $24.99.
Ian Fogg, director for mobile and telecoms at IHS, agrees that the move to provide streaming music on Apple’s part is smart. “The US personalized radio market is essentially an ad-funded business and has been for years. To launch a free service is a precondition for even being in the game,” said Fogg. “In addition, bundling the ad-free streaming access with a new iTunes Match feature that personalizes song choices according to a user’s listening history is clever, boosting value for Apple’s existing paid tier.”
In the United States where the market for mobile music is the largest of its kind in the world, revenue for full-track music access subscription is projected to rise this year to $452.7 million, up a remarkable 46 percent from $309.4 million in 2012, as shown in the attached figure. Strong expansion is likewise forecast next year as revenue climbs another 33 percent to $660.6 million. The figures track subscriptions from a mobile phone for music in the form of either personalized radio or those accessed via an on-demand basis.
Overall, the new iTunes Radio service should help to tie some people further into Apple’s ecosystem, Kent believes, and removing the ads should increase the value of the relatively inexpensive iTunes Match. In this respect, Apple could be said to be catching up to competitors, Kent observed. Nokia already offers a completely ad-free radio service for Windows Phone Lumia devices, while Pandora and others have ad-funded mobile radio.
Mobile OS remade… in Apple’s image
Apple’s newly redesigned user interface can also be interpreted as an acknowledgment by the company that it may have fallen behind in some areas. The new design echoes elements already present in other operating systems like Windows Phone and Google’s Android.
To be sure, there are new features meant to keep current iPhone users engaged and prevent them from straying to the competition. Among them are a new phone-activation lock to erase data if the iPhone is stolen; a feature called AirDrop to quickly share content with people nearby; an audio element named FaceTime for high-quality calls over a data network; and a Night Mode in Maps for responding to ambient light when using the feature in the dark.
The new iOS7 design is important because Apple can now do updates to iPhones on all carriers at once, said Fogg. Unlike Android devices where updates have to be staggered over a period often extending to months because of the disparate models and various software versions in existence, an iPhone update means existing Apple users benefit at the same time.
App developers also will very quickly have a large base of iOS devices running the new features, and will have even more justification to innovate their own apps quickly than on Android devices when there is a new Android release, Fogg noted.
The iPhone: under attack?
The iPhone continues to maintain a position of strength in the smartphone market, observed Sideco. Despite slipping two-tenths of a percentage point from 2011, the iPhone still controlled a notable19.1 percent share of the smartphone market.
The iPhone has also enjoyed stronger shipment growth than for the overall smartphone space on average. From 2010 to 2011, for instance, smartphone shipments climbed 65 and 61 percent, respectively. In comparison, growth in iPhone shipments rose from an already heady 89 percent to an even more extraordinary 93 percent during the same period.
Growth decelerated last year for both the iPhone and the smartphone industry in general, bringing the iPhone’s expansion of 46 percent closer to the industry average of 47 percent, marking the first time that iPhone growth has lagged behind the market and causing a slight decline in iPhone market share.
Apple’s iPhone market share in 2013 is expected to shrink some more, but the retreat is more a function of the rapidly expanding low-end smartphone market, which is primarily enabled by the Android ecosystem. Even so, the iPhone market can still be considered remarkable in the face of the hundreds of millions of units that the unit has sold over the years, Sideco noted.
Mobile app explosion in Asia Pacific region demands more application-aware networks
ENGLAND: The explosion of smartphone and mobile application usage is having a dramatic impact on network infrastructure requirements, as more users access networks via apps than the mobile web. This is particularly true in the Asia Pacific region.
In fact, Portio Research recently forecast that global mobile app users will jump from 1.2 billion in 2012 to 4.4 billion in 2017 with much of the growth coming from Asia, which will account for close to half of the mobile app users in 2017.
This growing mobile app usage when combined with a lack of application awareness in networks is causing significant challenges for network infrastructure vendors, including intelligence providers, reporting and subscriber analytics systems, policy and charging solution, firewall vendors, and network security providers.
“Given the constantly changing traffic profile of mobile users due to explosive app usage, all network infrastructure vendors today must incorporate application awareness that is capable of classifying, monitoring, measuring and monetizing network traffic if those providers are to remain relevant,” said Hendrik Schulze, CEO and co-founder of ipoque.
In fact, Portio Research recently forecast that global mobile app users will jump from 1.2 billion in 2012 to 4.4 billion in 2017 with much of the growth coming from Asia, which will account for close to half of the mobile app users in 2017.
This growing mobile app usage when combined with a lack of application awareness in networks is causing significant challenges for network infrastructure vendors, including intelligence providers, reporting and subscriber analytics systems, policy and charging solution, firewall vendors, and network security providers.
“Given the constantly changing traffic profile of mobile users due to explosive app usage, all network infrastructure vendors today must incorporate application awareness that is capable of classifying, monitoring, measuring and monetizing network traffic if those providers are to remain relevant,” said Hendrik Schulze, CEO and co-founder of ipoque.
Huawei selects ANADIGICS' Pentaband power amplifier for CPE and hotspot devices
USA: ANADIGICS Inc. announced that it is shipping production volumes of the ALT6526 pentaband power amplifier to Huawei for the E5172 consumer premises equipment (CPE) and E5776 WiFi hotspot.
Huawei's E5172 and E5776 solutions allow multiple WiFi-enabled devices to simultaneously share a single high-speed 3G and 4G cellular data account. The E5172 also provides Ethernet connectivity to support additional users.
The E5172 and E5776 leverage ANADIGICS' pentaband power amplifier to enable 3G and 4G connectivity, achieving speeds up to 150 Mbps with LTE Cat4.
Huawei's E5172 and E5776 solutions allow multiple WiFi-enabled devices to simultaneously share a single high-speed 3G and 4G cellular data account. The E5172 also provides Ethernet connectivity to support additional users.
The E5172 and E5776 leverage ANADIGICS' pentaband power amplifier to enable 3G and 4G connectivity, achieving speeds up to 150 Mbps with LTE Cat4.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Global V2V penetration into new vehicles to rise to 70 percent in 2027
ENGLAND: Global V2V Penetration into new vehicles will increase from just over 10 percent in 2018 to 70 percent in 2027, with the EU, US, and Japan as key regions adopting V2V in the mid-term.
“V2X market and regulatory dynamics vary greatly from region to region. While the US will decide whether or not to mandate V2X by the end of 2013 with implementation not expected before 2018, in Europe the CAR 2 CAR Communication Consortium (C2C-CC) has issued a MoU signed by major vehicle OEMs including Audi, BMW, Daimler, Honda, Man, Opel, PSA, Renault, Volkswagen, and Volvo committing to deploying pan-European standard Co-operative Intelligent Transport Systems by 2015 to improve road safety, traffic efficiency, and sustainable driving in line with the 2010 ITS EU Directive,” says VP and practice director Dominique Bonte.
With multiple trials taking place or planned in the US, Europe, Japan, and Australia and overall awareness about the benefits of cooperative systems increasing, 2013 is clearly a pivotal year for the future of V2X and the use of reserved DRSC spectrum in particular. However, doubts have arisen about the desirability and financial feasibility of deploying V2X communication and application technology platforms, with some touting LTE-Advanced as a viable alternative.
“V2X market and regulatory dynamics vary greatly from region to region. While the US will decide whether or not to mandate V2X by the end of 2013 with implementation not expected before 2018, in Europe the CAR 2 CAR Communication Consortium (C2C-CC) has issued a MoU signed by major vehicle OEMs including Audi, BMW, Daimler, Honda, Man, Opel, PSA, Renault, Volkswagen, and Volvo committing to deploying pan-European standard Co-operative Intelligent Transport Systems by 2015 to improve road safety, traffic efficiency, and sustainable driving in line with the 2010 ITS EU Directive,” says VP and practice director Dominique Bonte.
With multiple trials taking place or planned in the US, Europe, Japan, and Australia and overall awareness about the benefits of cooperative systems increasing, 2013 is clearly a pivotal year for the future of V2X and the use of reserved DRSC spectrum in particular. However, doubts have arisen about the desirability and financial feasibility of deploying V2X communication and application technology platforms, with some touting LTE-Advanced as a viable alternative.
MoSys announces extended reach 100G full-duplex quad retimer
USA: MoSys announced a new LineSpeed 100G Quad Retimer integrated circuit (IC) for next-generation networking and communications systems.
The quad 25G full-duplex retimer device leverages MoSys’ high-speed, silicon-proven CMOS PHY technology to enable industry-leading performance for line cards, backplanes, copper cables and optics modules requiring high density 100G capacity.
The LineSpeed MSH210 PHY is a 100G device, which incorporates an eight lane eye opener, equalizer, clock and data recovery (CDR) and retransmitter to support simultaneous full duplex 100G operation utilizing four lanes of 25 Gigabits per second (Gbps) data transmission. Data can be input and output on all channels simultaneously, with each lane operating at a data rate up to 28 Gbps. The MSH210 retimer device supports IEEE802.3ba 100G Ethernet and OIF-CEI-3.0 25/28G specifications.
The quad 25G full-duplex retimer device leverages MoSys’ high-speed, silicon-proven CMOS PHY technology to enable industry-leading performance for line cards, backplanes, copper cables and optics modules requiring high density 100G capacity.
The LineSpeed MSH210 PHY is a 100G device, which incorporates an eight lane eye opener, equalizer, clock and data recovery (CDR) and retransmitter to support simultaneous full duplex 100G operation utilizing four lanes of 25 Gigabits per second (Gbps) data transmission. Data can be input and output on all channels simultaneously, with each lane operating at a data rate up to 28 Gbps. The MSH210 retimer device supports IEEE802.3ba 100G Ethernet and OIF-CEI-3.0 25/28G specifications.
Allied Telesis launches GS950 PS series of WebSmart edge switches
NRF Loss Prevention and Expo 2013, USA: Allied Telesis announced the launch of the GS950 PS Series of WebSmart network switches with Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+), providing connectivity with security cameras, VoIP phones, RFID readers and wireless access points—all valuable criteria in the retail and IP surveillance and security markets.
Integrating the simplicity of unmanaged switches with the performance and reliability of managed switches, this series offers a value-driven, yet secure and reliable, solution for users who wish to integrate management at the edge of their networks. Allied Telesis GS950 PS switches offer user-friendly, web-based management, requiring minimum configuration while enabling security within the network solution.
The GS950 PS Series is available in configurations of 8-, 16- and 48-port PoE+ (AT-GS950/10PS, AT-GS950/16PS and AT-GS950/48PS). All three switches support PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) and are capable of delivering up to 30W per port. 8-port models offer two SFP combo ports, while 16- and 48-port models include four SFP combo ports, which is also an advantage when fiber is required; such as in Digital Video Surveillance (DVS) solutions.
With the introduction of this latest series of products, Allied Telesis becomes one of a select few companies able to provide WebSmart 16-port with PoE+ and WebSmart Gigabit 48-port with PoE+ switches. In addition, these products also enable twice the number of MAC addresses in comparison to other similar products on the market, meeting the needs of larger networks.
Integrating the simplicity of unmanaged switches with the performance and reliability of managed switches, this series offers a value-driven, yet secure and reliable, solution for users who wish to integrate management at the edge of their networks. Allied Telesis GS950 PS switches offer user-friendly, web-based management, requiring minimum configuration while enabling security within the network solution.
The GS950 PS Series is available in configurations of 8-, 16- and 48-port PoE+ (AT-GS950/10PS, AT-GS950/16PS and AT-GS950/48PS). All three switches support PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) and are capable of delivering up to 30W per port. 8-port models offer two SFP combo ports, while 16- and 48-port models include four SFP combo ports, which is also an advantage when fiber is required; such as in Digital Video Surveillance (DVS) solutions.
With the introduction of this latest series of products, Allied Telesis becomes one of a select few companies able to provide WebSmart 16-port with PoE+ and WebSmart Gigabit 48-port with PoE+ switches. In addition, these products also enable twice the number of MAC addresses in comparison to other similar products on the market, meeting the needs of larger networks.
Ekahau RTLS (RFID-over-Wi-Fi) delivers business intelligence with HP wireless networks
USA: Ekahau Inc., the leader in Real-Time Location Systems (RFID-over-Wi-Fi) announced that the Ekahau RTLS platform delivers location-based business intelligence using HP's wireless local area networks (LANs).
Operating over HP's Wi-Fi network, Ekahau Vision software and tags give customers visibility into the location, condition and status of assets, people and workflows via web browser. HP wireless network infrastructure integrates with Ekahau Wi-Fi tags, providing tag signal data to Ekahau Vision software for location analysis and display.
By leveraging an enterprise investment in an HP Wi-Fi network, the combined solution offers cost-effective, high-quality RTLS that avoids the need for wired readers. Ekahau RTLS using HP Wi-Fi networks enables customers to:
* Improve staff, patient and guest security with location-aware alerting.
* Remove workflow inefficiencies by quickly locating assets and people.
* Automate manual processes and work orders with badge-based messaging.
* Measure and monitor workflows and isolate workflow bottlenecks.
* Wirelessly monitor temperature-sensitive materials.
* Minimize guest, customer and patient wait times to improve satisfaction.
Operating over HP's Wi-Fi network, Ekahau Vision software and tags give customers visibility into the location, condition and status of assets, people and workflows via web browser. HP wireless network infrastructure integrates with Ekahau Wi-Fi tags, providing tag signal data to Ekahau Vision software for location analysis and display.
By leveraging an enterprise investment in an HP Wi-Fi network, the combined solution offers cost-effective, high-quality RTLS that avoids the need for wired readers. Ekahau RTLS using HP Wi-Fi networks enables customers to:
* Improve staff, patient and guest security with location-aware alerting.
* Remove workflow inefficiencies by quickly locating assets and people.
* Automate manual processes and work orders with badge-based messaging.
* Measure and monitor workflows and isolate workflow bottlenecks.
* Wirelessly monitor temperature-sensitive materials.
* Minimize guest, customer and patient wait times to improve satisfaction.
Immersion licenses haptic technology to Sharp
USA: Immersion Corp. announced that the recently released docomo AQUOS PHONE ZETA SH-06E manufactured by Sharp includes Immersion’s haptics technology.
The smartphone includes Immersion’s TouchSense and Integrator software and is Sharp’s first device to market under its new license agreement with Immersion.
The AQUOS PHONE ZETA SH-06E is available in Japan through NTT docomo. The AQUOS PHONE ZETA SH-06E’s screen is an FHD resolution IGZO screen which does not only provide high-quality images, but its unique low power consumption technology makes a significant contribution to the product’s battery life which can last for up to more than two days.
The f/1.9 camera lens which allows for taking crisp photos, and a music player with high audio quality and extended playing time are also pleasant additions for making the AQUOS PHONE ZETA SH-06E an overall high-end phone that meets the needs of the modern day mobile user.
The smartphone includes Immersion’s TouchSense and Integrator software and is Sharp’s first device to market under its new license agreement with Immersion.
The AQUOS PHONE ZETA SH-06E is available in Japan through NTT docomo. The AQUOS PHONE ZETA SH-06E’s screen is an FHD resolution IGZO screen which does not only provide high-quality images, but its unique low power consumption technology makes a significant contribution to the product’s battery life which can last for up to more than two days.
The f/1.9 camera lens which allows for taking crisp photos, and a music player with high audio quality and extended playing time are also pleasant additions for making the AQUOS PHONE ZETA SH-06E an overall high-end phone that meets the needs of the modern day mobile user.
Ranplan’s new in-building wireless network design and optimisation tools meet indoor data demand
ENGLAND: With up to 80 percent of data traffic already being consumed indoors, Ranplan has launched iBuildNet and iBuildNet-Fi for in-building wireless network design, simulation, optimisation and deployment.
The new Ranplan tools revolutionise the design of 2G/3G/4G (LTE) and Wi-Fi networks, along with Tetra and PMR systems for single buildings such as hotels, offices and shopping centres, as well as combined indoor-outdoor facilities including campuses, CBDs (Central Business Districts), stadiums, airports and stations.
With powerful 3D modelling, advanced algorithms and highly-automated processes, Ranplan delivers a 50 percent increase in productivity for system integrators compared with using currently available tools and typical CAPEX/OPEX savings for operators of 20-30 percent.
RF planning for indoor installations is far more complex than outdoor deployments and has to take into account issues such as signal distribution throughout complex building structures made of different materials and possible interference from outdoor cells.
With fast and accurate 3D modelling and signal coverage prediction techniques, iBuildNet can be used to design and simulate a wide range of wireless networks from microcells, repeaters and distributed antenna system to heterogeneous networks with femtocells and Wi-Fi. It also supports passive, active and hybrid signal distribution as well as multi-standard and frequency band solutions.
Ranplan’s iBuildNet-Fi is a powerful carrier grade Wi-Fi network planning and optimisation tool designed especially for high-capacity, combined indoor/outdoor venues. It features advanced 3D modelling techniques; automatic allocation for Access Point (AP) sites, Tx power and channel for Wi-Fi networks with thousands of APs; intelligent interference control; throughput distribution and capacity analysis; along with joint Wi-Fi and LTE network deployment.
The new Ranplan tools revolutionise the design of 2G/3G/4G (LTE) and Wi-Fi networks, along with Tetra and PMR systems for single buildings such as hotels, offices and shopping centres, as well as combined indoor-outdoor facilities including campuses, CBDs (Central Business Districts), stadiums, airports and stations.
With powerful 3D modelling, advanced algorithms and highly-automated processes, Ranplan delivers a 50 percent increase in productivity for system integrators compared with using currently available tools and typical CAPEX/OPEX savings for operators of 20-30 percent.
RF planning for indoor installations is far more complex than outdoor deployments and has to take into account issues such as signal distribution throughout complex building structures made of different materials and possible interference from outdoor cells.
With fast and accurate 3D modelling and signal coverage prediction techniques, iBuildNet can be used to design and simulate a wide range of wireless networks from microcells, repeaters and distributed antenna system to heterogeneous networks with femtocells and Wi-Fi. It also supports passive, active and hybrid signal distribution as well as multi-standard and frequency band solutions.
Ranplan’s iBuildNet-Fi is a powerful carrier grade Wi-Fi network planning and optimisation tool designed especially for high-capacity, combined indoor/outdoor venues. It features advanced 3D modelling techniques; automatic allocation for Access Point (AP) sites, Tx power and channel for Wi-Fi networks with thousands of APs; intelligent interference control; throughput distribution and capacity analysis; along with joint Wi-Fi and LTE network deployment.
Network performance vital for user loyalty
SWEDEN: Improved network performance is vital for ensuring subscriber loyalty among smartphone users, and provides operators with a significant competitive advantage.
These findings come from a new report from Ericsson ConsumerLab, which also shows that current mobile networks don't always live up to user expectations. Up to 60 percent of smartphone users say they experience problems at least once a week and just over 30 percent encounter problems every day.
The ConsumerLab research looked into the factors that influence users' loyalty to operator brands, says Anders Kälvemark, senior advisor, Consumer Insights at Ericsson ConsumerLab.
"Our analysis shows that network performance is currently the prime driver of consumer loyalty to an operator brand, followed by value for money," he says. "That is almost three times the impact of the handset/device offering, for example. Consumer satisfaction with these factors has to be improved to affect loyalty in a positive way.
"Generally, consumers expect more from the services than what they receive. When service requirements such as reasonable waiting times and sufficient coverage are not met - especially when people are in transit - it is natural that consumer loyalty suffers."
To ensure a good user experience, content needs to appear on the screen quickly. Relatively low levels of satisfaction with network performance are often a result of smartphone users becoming tired of waiting.
However, it is not enough for operators simply to improve network performance in the hope that customers will notice. Communication is essential for improving customer perceptions. Users need to be aware that things have changed for there to be an impact on satisfaction levels, and for this to improve their loyalty to the operator.
The report also shows that a satisfied user is generally less likely to switch operator, leading to higher operator revenue over the user's lifetime.
These findings come from a new report from Ericsson ConsumerLab, which also shows that current mobile networks don't always live up to user expectations. Up to 60 percent of smartphone users say they experience problems at least once a week and just over 30 percent encounter problems every day.
The ConsumerLab research looked into the factors that influence users' loyalty to operator brands, says Anders Kälvemark, senior advisor, Consumer Insights at Ericsson ConsumerLab.
"Our analysis shows that network performance is currently the prime driver of consumer loyalty to an operator brand, followed by value for money," he says. "That is almost three times the impact of the handset/device offering, for example. Consumer satisfaction with these factors has to be improved to affect loyalty in a positive way.
"Generally, consumers expect more from the services than what they receive. When service requirements such as reasonable waiting times and sufficient coverage are not met - especially when people are in transit - it is natural that consumer loyalty suffers."
To ensure a good user experience, content needs to appear on the screen quickly. Relatively low levels of satisfaction with network performance are often a result of smartphone users becoming tired of waiting.
However, it is not enough for operators simply to improve network performance in the hope that customers will notice. Communication is essential for improving customer perceptions. Users need to be aware that things have changed for there to be an impact on satisfaction levels, and for this to improve their loyalty to the operator.
The report also shows that a satisfied user is generally less likely to switch operator, leading to higher operator revenue over the user's lifetime.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Libelium brings 3G over-the-air programming to smart cities sensors
SPAIN & USA: Libelium released a new communications module capable of over-the-air programming (OTAP) via 3G and Wi-Fi for remote management of its wireless sensor platform Waspmote.
As a result, firmware updates to Waspmote sensor nodes deployed in any Smart Cities or M2M project can be performed automatically from the Cloud, without the need for physical access to the device.
With the volume of cellular M2M subscriptions forecast by Pyramid Research to increase fourfold from 2010 through this year, and global M2M and telematics market opportunities slated to reach $35 Billion by 2016 according to ABI Research, value-added 3G connectivity services are seen as crucial for carriers and operators to tap into Smart Cities and M2M markets.
Wireless programming is commonly used in the mobile phone industry to provide dynamic software upgrades and services to thousands of devices at once; its use in wireless sensor networks reduces operation costs for large-scale deployments.
Over-the-air programming simplifies the management of sensor networks for Smart Cities applications and Internet of Things devices that can remain in the field for up to 10 years. Designed by Libelium for such applications, Waspmote is an open source sensor network platform that integrates more than 60 sensors and features a low power consumption mode of 0.07uA for years of battery life.
As a result, firmware updates to Waspmote sensor nodes deployed in any Smart Cities or M2M project can be performed automatically from the Cloud, without the need for physical access to the device.
With the volume of cellular M2M subscriptions forecast by Pyramid Research to increase fourfold from 2010 through this year, and global M2M and telematics market opportunities slated to reach $35 Billion by 2016 according to ABI Research, value-added 3G connectivity services are seen as crucial for carriers and operators to tap into Smart Cities and M2M markets.
Wireless programming is commonly used in the mobile phone industry to provide dynamic software upgrades and services to thousands of devices at once; its use in wireless sensor networks reduces operation costs for large-scale deployments.
Over-the-air programming simplifies the management of sensor networks for Smart Cities applications and Internet of Things devices that can remain in the field for up to 10 years. Designed by Libelium for such applications, Waspmote is an open source sensor network platform that integrates more than 60 sensors and features a low power consumption mode of 0.07uA for years of battery life.
Linksys ships first HomePlug AV2 powerline networking kit
USA: Linksys has announced the availability of its next-generation compact design Powerline HomePlug AV2 Kit (PLEK500).
The all-new HomePlug AV2 technology allows consumers to cost-effectively upgrade their home network to smoothly handle high-bandwidth capabilities including HD / 3D video streaming, gaming and other data-intensive applications at faster speeds by simply leveraging their existing power outlets.
Combined with a Gigabit Ethernet port and HomePlug AV2 Technology, this new solution helps boost speeds of up to 500 Mbps when using computers, tablets, consoles and televisions throughout their home.
NPD Group, a market research firm, reports that there are more than 500 million devices in US homes connected to the internet and, on average, every home with Internet access has 5.7 devices connected to their home network.
The Linksys PLEK500 provides a simple way to help extend the home network into rooms that may not have wired Ethernet, have wireless dead spots or a limited wireless signal due to building materials; such as concrete or steel. With easy setup software and simple plug-and-play technology, users can easily network their devices in minutes by connecting one of the powerline adapters via a gigabit Ethernet cable to a router and plugging it into the wall, then plug the second adapter into a device that wants to be connected to the network and the other end into an electrical outlet.
The all-new HomePlug AV2 technology allows consumers to cost-effectively upgrade their home network to smoothly handle high-bandwidth capabilities including HD / 3D video streaming, gaming and other data-intensive applications at faster speeds by simply leveraging their existing power outlets.
Combined with a Gigabit Ethernet port and HomePlug AV2 Technology, this new solution helps boost speeds of up to 500 Mbps when using computers, tablets, consoles and televisions throughout their home.
NPD Group, a market research firm, reports that there are more than 500 million devices in US homes connected to the internet and, on average, every home with Internet access has 5.7 devices connected to their home network.
The Linksys PLEK500 provides a simple way to help extend the home network into rooms that may not have wired Ethernet, have wireless dead spots or a limited wireless signal due to building materials; such as concrete or steel. With easy setup software and simple plug-and-play technology, users can easily network their devices in minutes by connecting one of the powerline adapters via a gigabit Ethernet cable to a router and plugging it into the wall, then plug the second adapter into a device that wants to be connected to the network and the other end into an electrical outlet.
Smartphones will account for nearly half of 802.11ac and 802.11ad chipset shipments in 2018
USA: The growth of 802.11ac and 802.11ad will occur in very different ways. 802.11ac will explode into devices, including smartphones, from the start while 802.11ad will see a more modest and staggered growth.
802.11ac is being pushed into smartphones by key carriers’ device requirements that are in sync with 802.11ac hotspot plans for more robust Wi-Fi offloading.
“The push towards 11ac adoption overpowers the minor additional cost of dual-band 802.11n/802.11ac chipsets that will be used in smartphones,” states research director Philip Solis. “Perhaps surprising even to industry insiders, we will likely see 2X2 802.11ac implementations in smartphones in a few years.”
The proportion of various 802.11ac-enabled products will remain relatively consistent from 2013 to 2018, with smartphones making up 40 percent of those in 2013 and 46 percent in 2018, where over 3.5 billion Wi-Fi chipsets with 802.11ac will ship.
The Wi-Fi Alliance is just about to start certification of products using the protocol, yet its shipments have started and are already on track to distribute hundreds of millions this year. 802.11ac finally pushes Wi-Fi more towards the 5 GHz spectrum which is cleaner and permits for the much larger channel sizes that allow for greater speeds and capacity.
802.11ad will phase from larger to smaller products, starting from peripherals and larger non-handset mobile devices and shift to smaller and thinner devices over time. 802.11ad will make its way into smartphones in 2015, changing the proportion of 802.11ad-enabled products compared to prior to 2015.
Smartphones will account for nearly half of all 802.11ad-enabled products in 2018, though with less than half the volume in smartphones compared to 802.11ac. Even so, over 1.5 billion chipsets with 802.11ad will ship in 2018. 802.11ad pushes Wi-Fi into higher-speed, lower-power personal area networking that will be used simultaneously with other Wi-Fi protocols.
802.11ac is being pushed into smartphones by key carriers’ device requirements that are in sync with 802.11ac hotspot plans for more robust Wi-Fi offloading.
“The push towards 11ac adoption overpowers the minor additional cost of dual-band 802.11n/802.11ac chipsets that will be used in smartphones,” states research director Philip Solis. “Perhaps surprising even to industry insiders, we will likely see 2X2 802.11ac implementations in smartphones in a few years.”
The proportion of various 802.11ac-enabled products will remain relatively consistent from 2013 to 2018, with smartphones making up 40 percent of those in 2013 and 46 percent in 2018, where over 3.5 billion Wi-Fi chipsets with 802.11ac will ship.
The Wi-Fi Alliance is just about to start certification of products using the protocol, yet its shipments have started and are already on track to distribute hundreds of millions this year. 802.11ac finally pushes Wi-Fi more towards the 5 GHz spectrum which is cleaner and permits for the much larger channel sizes that allow for greater speeds and capacity.
802.11ad will phase from larger to smaller products, starting from peripherals and larger non-handset mobile devices and shift to smaller and thinner devices over time. 802.11ad will make its way into smartphones in 2015, changing the proportion of 802.11ad-enabled products compared to prior to 2015.
Smartphones will account for nearly half of all 802.11ad-enabled products in 2018, though with less than half the volume in smartphones compared to 802.11ac. Even so, over 1.5 billion chipsets with 802.11ad will ship in 2018. 802.11ad pushes Wi-Fi into higher-speed, lower-power personal area networking that will be used simultaneously with other Wi-Fi protocols.
Lemon Mobiles launches A4 full HD smartphone
INDIA: Lemon Mobiles has added a full high definition (FHD) smartphone to the family of its Aspirational series.
With this introduction, Lemon Mobiles will become the first Indian mobile handset company to launch the FHD smartphones in the country. The handset pushes the limits of affordable smartphone with its unique technology, content, design and high quality along with an impressive and innovative user interface. The A4 is priced at Rs 17,999.
A4, the newest addition to the family balances an optimal viewing experience on a 5-inch FHD screen with 1080p display; the phone is thin and portable enough to put into a pocket or hold in one hand.
A4 is a mix of popular features such as an effortless user experience while providing endless entertainment, a scratch-lessback, multitasking between video and other apps & much more. A4 is a new addition to its Aspirational series of smartphones. A4 will be available in a dual SIM version so that consumers can easily switch between tariffs with just one touch to stay on the most cost effective plan.
A4, the newest addition to the family balances an optimal viewing experience on a 5-inch FHD screen with 1080p display; the phone is thin and portable enough to put into a pocket or hold in one hand.
A4 is a mix of popular features such as an effortless user experience while providing endless entertainment, a scratch-lessback, multitasking between video and other apps & much more. A4 is a new addition to its Aspirational series of smartphones. A4 will be available in a dual SIM version so that consumers can easily switch between tariffs with just one touch to stay on the most cost effective plan.
ZTE demos most advanced video conferencing product
InfoComm 2013, CHINA: ZTE Corp. will demonstrate its high efficiency terminal at Infocomm 2013 in Orlando Florida. This will be the world's most advanced terminal to support the H.265 HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) technology.
H.265 HEVC technology is currently the world's most advanced video codec technology. It doubles the video compression efficiency of H.264 High Profile technology and offers 720P video image quality at a bandwidth cost of only 256K. ZTE is the world’s first provider to demonstrate its H.265 HD device in the industry.
While the industry chain of video communications applications is quickly moving forward, there is a growing demand for easy access to high-definition video content and services anytime, anywhere and with any terminal. As more video applications are released with higher definition, frame rates and compression ratios, more limitations are found in H.264, the current video codec standard. In response to this need, the ITU approved the HEVC/H.265 standard in 2013, which requires only half the bandwidth to ensure the same quality video allowed by H.264, and in turn greatly reduces the cost of operator network construction.
With the application of video conferencing products that support H.265 and the popularization of LTE and other 4G wireless technologies, mobile phones, tablet PCs and other mobile devices will be able to directly play online full HD (1080P) video, which will help popularize high-definition video conferencing in the 4G network, hence extended application scope of video conferencing services and greatly improved commercial viability of video services.
The H.265 video conferencing product provides much better video quality and greater color vividness by supporting both 4K (4096 × 2160) and 8K (8192 × 4320) ultra-high-definition video formats.
H.265 HEVC technology is currently the world's most advanced video codec technology. It doubles the video compression efficiency of H.264 High Profile technology and offers 720P video image quality at a bandwidth cost of only 256K. ZTE is the world’s first provider to demonstrate its H.265 HD device in the industry.
While the industry chain of video communications applications is quickly moving forward, there is a growing demand for easy access to high-definition video content and services anytime, anywhere and with any terminal. As more video applications are released with higher definition, frame rates and compression ratios, more limitations are found in H.264, the current video codec standard. In response to this need, the ITU approved the HEVC/H.265 standard in 2013, which requires only half the bandwidth to ensure the same quality video allowed by H.264, and in turn greatly reduces the cost of operator network construction.
With the application of video conferencing products that support H.265 and the popularization of LTE and other 4G wireless technologies, mobile phones, tablet PCs and other mobile devices will be able to directly play online full HD (1080P) video, which will help popularize high-definition video conferencing in the 4G network, hence extended application scope of video conferencing services and greatly improved commercial viability of video services.
The H.265 video conferencing product provides much better video quality and greater color vividness by supporting both 4K (4096 × 2160) and 8K (8192 × 4320) ultra-high-definition video formats.
Monday, June 10, 2013
NAVITEL releases navigation software Navitel Navigator 7.5.0.1284 for Windows Phone 8 devices
RUSSIA: NAVITEL has announced the release of navigation software Navitel Navigator 7.5.0.1284 for Windows Phone 8 devices. For users of Windows Phone 8 devices Navitel Navigator 7.5.0.1284 version is available.
Interactive service Navitel.Friends! Register at www.navitel.ru or fast register right from the program – and use an opportunity to see your friends' location on the map in real time, chat or make a route to meet them!
Free service Navitel.Traffic – traffic jams information on all coverage territory will help to make an optimal route, avoiding traffic and saving your time.
Navitel.Events – free interactive service, which allows users to mark and see on the map other users marks of the various types of road events.
Dynamic POI provides information about different types of POI on the country map: gas prices on petrol stations, showtimes at cinemas, etc.
Navitel.Weather service shows weather forecast for 3 days ahead for any place in the world.
My Navitel — program menu section, where you can make purchases, download free program and map updates, view your purchased licenses.
Download of voice packages from the program. Download and install voice packages right from program menu. Choose any of 30 free voice packages at your option.
Interactive service Navitel.Friends! Register at www.navitel.ru or fast register right from the program – and use an opportunity to see your friends' location on the map in real time, chat or make a route to meet them!
Free service Navitel.Traffic – traffic jams information on all coverage territory will help to make an optimal route, avoiding traffic and saving your time.
Navitel.Events – free interactive service, which allows users to mark and see on the map other users marks of the various types of road events.
Dynamic POI provides information about different types of POI on the country map: gas prices on petrol stations, showtimes at cinemas, etc.
Navitel.Weather service shows weather forecast for 3 days ahead for any place in the world.
My Navitel — program menu section, where you can make purchases, download free program and map updates, view your purchased licenses.
Download of voice packages from the program. Download and install voice packages right from program menu. Choose any of 30 free voice packages at your option.
GLDS adds BCI Broadband and Click! Network to growing list of customers
USA: Great Lakes Data Systems Inc. (GLDS), the leading provider of billing, subscriber management and provisioning systems for small-to-medium global broadband providers, has added Click! Network and BCI Broadband to its growing list of broadband service provider customers who rely on GLDS for subscriber management, billing provisioning and workforce management solutions. GLDS solutions support more than 400 operators in 44 countries worldwide.
Click! Network, one the nation's largest municipally owned networks, converted from CSG Systems to GLDS earlier this year and serves more than 20,000 subscribers in the greater Tacoma, Washington area.
“We have used and have researched several billing and subscriber management platforms and found that GLDS offered the most complete solution available for the money," said Tenzin Gyaltsen, GM, Click! Network. "I was impressed with GLDS’ ability to analyze a fairly complex project and provide solutions that not only met our growing needs, but meet them cost-effectively. We’ve had enough experience with GLDS already to know we made the right decision.”
BCI Broadband, founded in 2012 by the senior management team from the pioneering cable operator Bresnan Communications, recently completed the acquisition of Allegiance Communications, an existing GLDS customer. As a result, BCI Broadband entered into a new multi-year agreement with GLDS expanding the scope of the relationship between both parties.
Click! Network, one the nation's largest municipally owned networks, converted from CSG Systems to GLDS earlier this year and serves more than 20,000 subscribers in the greater Tacoma, Washington area.
“We have used and have researched several billing and subscriber management platforms and found that GLDS offered the most complete solution available for the money," said Tenzin Gyaltsen, GM, Click! Network. "I was impressed with GLDS’ ability to analyze a fairly complex project and provide solutions that not only met our growing needs, but meet them cost-effectively. We’ve had enough experience with GLDS already to know we made the right decision.”
BCI Broadband, founded in 2012 by the senior management team from the pioneering cable operator Bresnan Communications, recently completed the acquisition of Allegiance Communications, an existing GLDS customer. As a result, BCI Broadband entered into a new multi-year agreement with GLDS expanding the scope of the relationship between both parties.
Zain Jordan to offer global Wi-Fi access through iPass open mobile exchange
USA: iPass Inc., the global Wi-Fi roaming leader for enterprises and telecom service providers, announced that Zain Jordan, a subsidiary of Zain Group; the pioneer of mobile telecommunications across the Middle East and North Africa, with more than 44 million active individual and business customers, has chosen iPass Open Mobile Exchange (OMX) to provide global Wi-Fi access to its international travelers.
A recent iPass survey on international data roaming revealed that 98 percent of respondents own at least one smartphone and over one-third travel with two or more. Additionally, more than 162 million tablets will be shipped in 2013, of which around three-quarters (74 percent) are expected to ship with Wi-Fi as the only form of connectivity, according to Informa Telecoms & Media.
A recent iPass survey on international data roaming revealed that 98 percent of respondents own at least one smartphone and over one-third travel with two or more. Additionally, more than 162 million tablets will be shipped in 2013, of which around three-quarters (74 percent) are expected to ship with Wi-Fi as the only form of connectivity, according to Informa Telecoms & Media.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Interswitch creates holding company and spins off two core divisions for regional and international growth
NIGERIA: Interswitch Transnational Holdings, a pan-African integrated payment processing and transaction switching company, announces the spin-off, of two of its core divisions: Verve International and Switching and Processing, as separate, autonomous businesses.
Verve (the payment card solutions business) and Interswitch Switching and Processing (the transaction switching business) have been spun off as separate, autonomous businesses
Rationale for separation is driven by Interswitch’s strategy to orchestrate the next stage of sustainable growth through empowering the various line businesses to broaden and deepen their solution and service offerings to better serve their customers across Africa
Separation will enable Verve to leverage, to the maximum extent, its recent strategic alliance with the ‘Discover’ network, providing new business opportunities in over 185 countries around the world
Separation will also enable Interswitch Switching and Processing to take its card-agnostic pureplay switching services and third party transaction processing (Mastercard, Visa, Union Pay, Verve) capabilities across the region
Separation also brings Interswitch’s corporate structure into line with the guidelines of the Payment Systems Vision 2020 of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Verve International and Interswitch Switching and Processing to have separate management teams. Verve International to be led by Mr. Charles Ifedi
Interswitch Switching and Processing to be led by Akeem Lawal.
Verve (the payment card solutions business) and Interswitch Switching and Processing (the transaction switching business) have been spun off as separate, autonomous businesses
Rationale for separation is driven by Interswitch’s strategy to orchestrate the next stage of sustainable growth through empowering the various line businesses to broaden and deepen their solution and service offerings to better serve their customers across Africa
Separation will enable Verve to leverage, to the maximum extent, its recent strategic alliance with the ‘Discover’ network, providing new business opportunities in over 185 countries around the world
Separation will also enable Interswitch Switching and Processing to take its card-agnostic pureplay switching services and third party transaction processing (Mastercard, Visa, Union Pay, Verve) capabilities across the region
Separation also brings Interswitch’s corporate structure into line with the guidelines of the Payment Systems Vision 2020 of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Verve International and Interswitch Switching and Processing to have separate management teams. Verve International to be led by Mr. Charles Ifedi
Interswitch Switching and Processing to be led by Akeem Lawal.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Opera keeps on bringing first-class browsing to basic phones
NORWAY: With the Opera Mini browser, millions of users get online all over the world, even if their mobile phones aren’t the top of the crop. Now, with the Opera Mini 4.5 browser for low-price mobile phones, a first-class surfing experience is even closer with a long list of new features such as:
Download manager: With the download manager, you get better control of downloading new content to your mobile phone. Pause, resume and manage the download process, just as you would on more expensive phones or smartphones.
Privacy mode: Need to lend out your phone to a Facebook-checking friend? Turn on Privacy mode first, that way, Opera Mini won’t save any Facebook logins or data from your friend’s browsing. Once your friend is done borrowing your phone, all his personal data is gone, once the private tab is closed.
New, fresh look: The look and feel of Opera Mini 4.5 has been updated and refreshed. It’s now lighter and even more user friendly, with touch enhancements for supported phones.
“Getting online is a must in the modern world, and the kind of equipment you choose to use should not stand in the way of having a first-class browsing experience,” says Christian Uribe, Product Manager for Opera Mini for Opera Software. “That’s why we introduced some of the best-loved features from the advanced series of Opera browsers for basic phones. Having an excellent download manager is just as important for the students downloading class work to their phones as it is for business people with more advanced phones.”
Download manager: With the download manager, you get better control of downloading new content to your mobile phone. Pause, resume and manage the download process, just as you would on more expensive phones or smartphones.
Privacy mode: Need to lend out your phone to a Facebook-checking friend? Turn on Privacy mode first, that way, Opera Mini won’t save any Facebook logins or data from your friend’s browsing. Once your friend is done borrowing your phone, all his personal data is gone, once the private tab is closed.
New, fresh look: The look and feel of Opera Mini 4.5 has been updated and refreshed. It’s now lighter and even more user friendly, with touch enhancements for supported phones.
“Getting online is a must in the modern world, and the kind of equipment you choose to use should not stand in the way of having a first-class browsing experience,” says Christian Uribe, Product Manager for Opera Mini for Opera Software. “That’s why we introduced some of the best-loved features from the advanced series of Opera browsers for basic phones. Having an excellent download manager is just as important for the students downloading class work to their phones as it is for business people with more advanced phones.”
Wi-Fi and BYOD two key factors shaping future of mobile workforce
USA: iPass Inc. published its quarterly Mobile Workforce Report, which shows a relationship between Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, smartphone use by region and worker productivity.
This report shows that mobile workers are using connectivity to be more productive and work longer hours, and most of this work is being done over Wi-Fi -- this has been a remarkably consistent finding in this, the 14th quarterly iPass Mobile Workforce Report. However, poor connectivity and expensive Wi-Fi still impedes them, as well as overly strict BYOD policies.
The report reveals an interesting correlation between hours worked and BYOD and how it varies by region. North American workers work longer hours (50) each week, on average, than their peers in Asia Pacific (48) and Europe (47). More than half (51 percent) of mobile workers work 50 or more hours per week.
Sixteen percent work 60 or more hours per week. It appears that North Americans aren't just working more than other mobile workers, they view smartphones as a key productivity tool (according to the Q4 2012 iPass Mobile Workforce Report). BYOD policies can add to that productivity because they give workers freedom of device choice so they can work wherever and whenever they choose.
Re-inforcing the value of BYOD to mobile workers, 70 percent of all mobile workers now utilize company BYOD policies. Of all respondents, North American workers are the most likely to be employed at companies that allow BYOD. These policies are becoming so important that 35 percent of all respondents said a company's BYOD policy can sway their employment choices.
Most mobile workers spend the majority of their business days within range of a Wi-Fi hotspot but 41 percent of workers said lack of wireless coverage renders them unproductive at least 10 percent of their workday, which equates to 251 lost hours, or more than one month of lost productivity, per year per worker.
In fact, the productivity drain is likely to be even higher with 18 percent of mobile workers saying they are unproductive due to a lack of Wi-Fi for at least 25 percent of their day. A majority of respondents felt "more productive" rather than "less productive" working remotely at home and in remote offices.
Other highlights from the Q2 2013 iPass Mobile Workforce Report include:
* Fifty-nine percent of mobile workers have paid more than $20 for one-time use of Wi-Fi. Twenty-four percent of workers have paid $30 or more for one-time access to Wi-Fi.
* Seventy percent of mobile workers are allowed to use their personal mobile devices for work (BYOD). North American workers were most likely to work for a company with a BYOD policy, followed by Asia Pacific workers and then European workers. Of workers who do BYOD, the majority said they currently do or would expense Wi-Fi costs from their personal mobile devices.
* Mobile workers spend their remote work time in a range of places. The most likely locations are their homes or some type of office but 75 percent also work remotely from hotels; 40 percent report working from airplanes and coffee shops; and 29 percent report working on public transportation, such as trains, buses and subways.
* Nearly three out of four (71 percent) mobile workers research Wi-Fi hotspot availability before they travel. Asia Pacific workers are most likely to do this type of research, followed by European workers and North American workers.
This report shows that mobile workers are using connectivity to be more productive and work longer hours, and most of this work is being done over Wi-Fi -- this has been a remarkably consistent finding in this, the 14th quarterly iPass Mobile Workforce Report. However, poor connectivity and expensive Wi-Fi still impedes them, as well as overly strict BYOD policies.
The report reveals an interesting correlation between hours worked and BYOD and how it varies by region. North American workers work longer hours (50) each week, on average, than their peers in Asia Pacific (48) and Europe (47). More than half (51 percent) of mobile workers work 50 or more hours per week.
Sixteen percent work 60 or more hours per week. It appears that North Americans aren't just working more than other mobile workers, they view smartphones as a key productivity tool (according to the Q4 2012 iPass Mobile Workforce Report). BYOD policies can add to that productivity because they give workers freedom of device choice so they can work wherever and whenever they choose.
Re-inforcing the value of BYOD to mobile workers, 70 percent of all mobile workers now utilize company BYOD policies. Of all respondents, North American workers are the most likely to be employed at companies that allow BYOD. These policies are becoming so important that 35 percent of all respondents said a company's BYOD policy can sway their employment choices.
Most mobile workers spend the majority of their business days within range of a Wi-Fi hotspot but 41 percent of workers said lack of wireless coverage renders them unproductive at least 10 percent of their workday, which equates to 251 lost hours, or more than one month of lost productivity, per year per worker.
In fact, the productivity drain is likely to be even higher with 18 percent of mobile workers saying they are unproductive due to a lack of Wi-Fi for at least 25 percent of their day. A majority of respondents felt "more productive" rather than "less productive" working remotely at home and in remote offices.
Other highlights from the Q2 2013 iPass Mobile Workforce Report include:
* Fifty-nine percent of mobile workers have paid more than $20 for one-time use of Wi-Fi. Twenty-four percent of workers have paid $30 or more for one-time access to Wi-Fi.
* Seventy percent of mobile workers are allowed to use their personal mobile devices for work (BYOD). North American workers were most likely to work for a company with a BYOD policy, followed by Asia Pacific workers and then European workers. Of workers who do BYOD, the majority said they currently do or would expense Wi-Fi costs from their personal mobile devices.
* Mobile workers spend their remote work time in a range of places. The most likely locations are their homes or some type of office but 75 percent also work remotely from hotels; 40 percent report working from airplanes and coffee shops; and 29 percent report working on public transportation, such as trains, buses and subways.
* Nearly three out of four (71 percent) mobile workers research Wi-Fi hotspot availability before they travel. Asia Pacific workers are most likely to do this type of research, followed by European workers and North American workers.
Mindspeed and DSP Group intro DECT ULE-powered gateway solutions
USA: DSP Group Inc.announced a collaboration with Mindspeed Technologies Inc., a leading supplier of semiconductor solutions for network infrastructure applications, to introduce DECT-ULE across Mindspeed's Comcerto 2000 family of processors, which target home gateways and other network applications.
Devices incorporating DECT technology for home monitoring and automation are already widespread with more than 500 million homes utilizing this wireless standard today. DECT-ULE, a low power consumption radio technology based on the DECT standard, is ideally suited for home automation and other Machine-to-Machine (M2M) applications and provides numerous advantages over other radio technologies.
Notably, DECT-ULE best-in-class features include interference-free spectrum, long range, low cost, easy installation, and ultra-low power consumption with no compromise on audio or telephony performance. DECT-ULE provides the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to other competitive solutions and leverages DECT's reliability and large installed base of households using it for telephony and monitoring today.
In the framework of the initiative between the two companies, Mindspeed's Comcerto 2000 communications processor will integrate DSP Group's DECT-ULE hardware and software solutions. The joint solution will meet and exceed the requirements of the advanced gateway market, offering sophisticated telephony and home automation features that meet next-generation CAT-iq and ULE standards.
Devices incorporating DECT technology for home monitoring and automation are already widespread with more than 500 million homes utilizing this wireless standard today. DECT-ULE, a low power consumption radio technology based on the DECT standard, is ideally suited for home automation and other Machine-to-Machine (M2M) applications and provides numerous advantages over other radio technologies.
Notably, DECT-ULE best-in-class features include interference-free spectrum, long range, low cost, easy installation, and ultra-low power consumption with no compromise on audio or telephony performance. DECT-ULE provides the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to other competitive solutions and leverages DECT's reliability and large installed base of households using it for telephony and monitoring today.
In the framework of the initiative between the two companies, Mindspeed's Comcerto 2000 communications processor will integrate DSP Group's DECT-ULE hardware and software solutions. The joint solution will meet and exceed the requirements of the advanced gateway market, offering sophisticated telephony and home automation features that meet next-generation CAT-iq and ULE standards.
Scintera engages with Freescale for low power small cell RF technology
USA: Scintera Networks Inc. has engaged with Freescale Semiconductor, a leading provider of RF power solutions for wireless communications, to enable low power and cost-efficient solutions for the small cell base station market.
As part of the engagement, Freescale will design and optimize new small cell RF power amplifier devices and evaluation boards for operation with Scintera's RFPAL products. The engagement provides Freescale and their customers with preferred access to Scintera's RFPAL products.
As small cell deployments rise worldwide to help support exponential increases in worldwide IP traffic, system power requirements have grown dramatically stringent.
Scintera's innovative RFPAL technology handles pre-distortion tasks with an analog solution, which consumes substantially less power than digital pre-distortion solutions. Due to the higher power efficiency, RFPAL enables small cell wireless infrastructure equipment to operate within extremely aggressive power envelopes, ultimately allowing networking equipment to operate at a fraction of the power of current generation systems.
As part of the engagement, Freescale will design and optimize new small cell RF power amplifier devices and evaluation boards for operation with Scintera's RFPAL products. The engagement provides Freescale and their customers with preferred access to Scintera's RFPAL products.
As small cell deployments rise worldwide to help support exponential increases in worldwide IP traffic, system power requirements have grown dramatically stringent.
Scintera's innovative RFPAL technology handles pre-distortion tasks with an analog solution, which consumes substantially less power than digital pre-distortion solutions. Due to the higher power efficiency, RFPAL enables small cell wireless infrastructure equipment to operate within extremely aggressive power envelopes, ultimately allowing networking equipment to operate at a fraction of the power of current generation systems.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Smartphones forecast to represent over 50 percent of total cellphone sales for first time in 2013
USA: The smartphone is a subset of the total cellphone handset marketplace. One basic difference between an enhanced cellphone and a smartphone is the ability of the smartphone to incorporate third-party applications.
Smartphones also typically connect to leading-edge cellular network services and are at the forefront of the convergence of data, telecom, and consumer-oriented functions (such as video games, camera, music player, mobile TV, etc.) in a single handheld device.
Most smartphones include touchscreens with built-in wireless modems and GPS/GNSS, and are capable of Web browsing, sending and receiving e-mail, voice recognition, video and audio streaming, running office applications, and over-the-air synching with a PC.
Many in the cellphone industry believe new smartphone designs are reaching the point where they have enough performance to become the primary computing device for many consumers. If so, the market could be on the verge of entering into “the post-PC era,” as previously identified by the late Steve Jobs, who stirred up controversy with his provocative prediction in June 2010.
The new consumer/Web emphasis in the cellphone market has been a challenge for a number of top-ranked smartphone suppliers (e.g., RIM, Nokia, etc.), which have struggled to refocus their handset designs, software platforms, and business strategies to address the current phase of the fast-growing smartphone segment.
Fig. 1 shows that total smartphone shipments grew 47 percent in 2012 to 712 million units, after surging by 67 percent to 485 million in 2011. Moreover, smartphone shipments are forecast to grow by another 37 percent in 2013 and fall only 25 million units shy of 1 billion.
Smartphones are expected to account for over 50 percent of quarterly shipments for the first time ever in 2Q13. In fact, smartphone shipments are forecast to reach 300 million units in 4Q13 and represent 60 percent of total cellphones shipped that quarter. Smartphones are expected to surpass the 50 percent penetration level on an annual basis this year and hold 85 percent of total cellphone shipments in 2016.
In contrast to smartphones, total cellphone unit shipments grew only 1 percent in 2012 and are forecast to grow only 3 percent in 2013 (Fig. 2). As shown, non-smartphone cellphone sales were flat in 2011 but showed a 17 percent decline in 2012. Moreover, IC Insights expects another 20 percent drop in non-smartphone handset sales in 2013.
Between 2011 and 2016, smartphone shipments are expected to rise at a very strong CAGR of 29 percent to 1,760 million units in the final year of the forecast period (the 2011-2016 CAGR for non-smartphone unit shipments is -24 percent). Overall, the smartphone 2011-2016 unit shipment CAGR is greater than 7x the expected CAGR for total cellphone unit shipments in that same five-year timeframe (4 percent).
Competition in smartphones intensified in 2012 as suppliers rolled out new handset designs with larger touch-screen displays, more powerful processors, better operating systems, higher-resolution cameras, and new radio-modem connections to the faster “4G” cellular networks, which were quickly spreading in the US, South Korea, Europe, and Japan. In the next few years, new high-speed “4G” networks are planned for China, India, Brazil, the Middle East, and other fast-growing developing markets.
Samsung and Apple dominated the smartphone market in 2012 and are expected to do so again in 2013. In total, these two companies shipped 354 million smartphones (218 million for Samsung and 136 million for Apple) and held a combined 50 percent share of the total smartphone market last year. For 2013, these two companies are forecast to ship 480 million smartphones (300 million for Samsung and 180 million for Apple) and see their combined smartphone unit marketshare slip only one percentage point to 49 percent.
In 2012, smartphone sales from China-based ZTE, Lenovo, and Huawei surged. Combined, the three top-10 China-based smartphone suppliers shipped about 80 million smartphones in 2012, more than a 3x increase from the 24 million smartphones these three companies shipped in 2011.
Moreover, these three companies are forecast to ship 142 million smartphones in 2013 and together hold a 15 percent share of the worldwide smartphone market. In contrast to the success of the large China-based smartphone suppliers, IC Insights expects RIM and HTC to continue to struggle in the smartphone marketplace in 2013 with both companies forecast to show a double-digit decline in smartphone unit shipments as compared to 2012.
Smartphone suppliers under pressure include Nokia, RIM, and HTC, each of which registered steep double-digit year-over-year declines in smartphone sales in 2012. Until several years ago, Nokia held a 50% marketshare in smartphones, but in 2008 and 2009, the company saw its share fall below 40 percent due to increased competition from suppliers targeting consumers with interactive touch-screen handsets that are capable of running multimedia applications.
In 2012, Nokia’s smartphone shipments declined by 55 percent (to only 35 million units) and represented only a 5 percent share of the total smartphone market. Other smartphone producers that have fallen on hard times recently include RIM and HTC. While each of these companies had about a 10 percent share of the 2011 smartphone market, IC Insights forecasts that each of them will have only about a 3 percent share of the 2013 smartphone market.
Smartphones also typically connect to leading-edge cellular network services and are at the forefront of the convergence of data, telecom, and consumer-oriented functions (such as video games, camera, music player, mobile TV, etc.) in a single handheld device.
Most smartphones include touchscreens with built-in wireless modems and GPS/GNSS, and are capable of Web browsing, sending and receiving e-mail, voice recognition, video and audio streaming, running office applications, and over-the-air synching with a PC.
Many in the cellphone industry believe new smartphone designs are reaching the point where they have enough performance to become the primary computing device for many consumers. If so, the market could be on the verge of entering into “the post-PC era,” as previously identified by the late Steve Jobs, who stirred up controversy with his provocative prediction in June 2010.
The new consumer/Web emphasis in the cellphone market has been a challenge for a number of top-ranked smartphone suppliers (e.g., RIM, Nokia, etc.), which have struggled to refocus their handset designs, software platforms, and business strategies to address the current phase of the fast-growing smartphone segment.
Smartphones are expected to account for over 50 percent of quarterly shipments for the first time ever in 2Q13. In fact, smartphone shipments are forecast to reach 300 million units in 4Q13 and represent 60 percent of total cellphones shipped that quarter. Smartphones are expected to surpass the 50 percent penetration level on an annual basis this year and hold 85 percent of total cellphone shipments in 2016.
In contrast to smartphones, total cellphone unit shipments grew only 1 percent in 2012 and are forecast to grow only 3 percent in 2013 (Fig. 2). As shown, non-smartphone cellphone sales were flat in 2011 but showed a 17 percent decline in 2012. Moreover, IC Insights expects another 20 percent drop in non-smartphone handset sales in 2013.
Competition in smartphones intensified in 2012 as suppliers rolled out new handset designs with larger touch-screen displays, more powerful processors, better operating systems, higher-resolution cameras, and new radio-modem connections to the faster “4G” cellular networks, which were quickly spreading in the US, South Korea, Europe, and Japan. In the next few years, new high-speed “4G” networks are planned for China, India, Brazil, the Middle East, and other fast-growing developing markets.
Samsung and Apple dominated the smartphone market in 2012 and are expected to do so again in 2013. In total, these two companies shipped 354 million smartphones (218 million for Samsung and 136 million for Apple) and held a combined 50 percent share of the total smartphone market last year. For 2013, these two companies are forecast to ship 480 million smartphones (300 million for Samsung and 180 million for Apple) and see their combined smartphone unit marketshare slip only one percentage point to 49 percent.
In 2012, smartphone sales from China-based ZTE, Lenovo, and Huawei surged. Combined, the three top-10 China-based smartphone suppliers shipped about 80 million smartphones in 2012, more than a 3x increase from the 24 million smartphones these three companies shipped in 2011.
Moreover, these three companies are forecast to ship 142 million smartphones in 2013 and together hold a 15 percent share of the worldwide smartphone market. In contrast to the success of the large China-based smartphone suppliers, IC Insights expects RIM and HTC to continue to struggle in the smartphone marketplace in 2013 with both companies forecast to show a double-digit decline in smartphone unit shipments as compared to 2012.
Smartphone suppliers under pressure include Nokia, RIM, and HTC, each of which registered steep double-digit year-over-year declines in smartphone sales in 2012. Until several years ago, Nokia held a 50% marketshare in smartphones, but in 2008 and 2009, the company saw its share fall below 40 percent due to increased competition from suppliers targeting consumers with interactive touch-screen handsets that are capable of running multimedia applications.
In 2012, Nokia’s smartphone shipments declined by 55 percent (to only 35 million units) and represented only a 5 percent share of the total smartphone market. Other smartphone producers that have fallen on hard times recently include RIM and HTC. While each of these companies had about a 10 percent share of the 2011 smartphone market, IC Insights forecasts that each of them will have only about a 3 percent share of the 2013 smartphone market.
CSR combines audio and connectivity to drive connected car apps
ENGLAND & USA: CSR plc announced the launch of the CSRC9300, the first auto-grade chipset to combine Wi-Fi and Bluetooth v4.0 connectivity with audio capabilities.
The complete solution will enable car manufacturers to deliver future connected car applications, such as Miracast over 5Ghz, and keyless entry using Bluetooth v4.0. The chipset will be demonstrated for the first time on CSR’s stand #65 at Telematics Detroit 2013 from 5-6 June.
“Bluetooth is a major priority and we recognise that adoption of in-vehicle Wi-Fi is increasing,” says Thomas Carmody, head of Connectivity Marketing at CSR. “CSR is leading the way with CSRC9300, enabling our customers to easily create the connected car of the future. So we have created a chipset that combines CSR’s best of breed automotive grade Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v4.0 and audio technologies to allow us to support this growing market and enable our customers to differentiate their products.”
The solution will provide:
* Next-generation Wi-Fi for high-bandwidth applications.
* Bluetooth v4.0 Smart Ready for the low-power connectivity ecosystem.
* Complementary audio, including aptX for high-fidelity wireless streaming.
The CSRC9300 enables next-generation 5Ghz Wi-Fi connectivity with the 802.11a standard, which is set to support a number of exciting new applications for the car including in-vehicle video streaming. By moving high bandwidth demanding applications to the 5Ghz frequency, designers can avoid congestion on the 2.4Ghz frequency in the vehicle which is also used for Bluetooth and Bluetooth Smart Ready communications.
The chipset will also support the latest Wi-Fi features, including Wi-Fi direct and its services, which will enable more seamless Wi-Fi connectivity between cars and the latest smartphones on the market.
The chipset also contains Bluetooth v4.0 support which enables low-power connectivity and basic data transfer for applications previously limited by the power consumption, size constraints and complexity of other wireless standards. By including Bluetooth v4.0, the chipset will enable applications such as proximity and keyless entry applications. It will also allow consumers to securely connect to their cars, so they can have data such as lock/unlock status sent to their Bluetooth Smart Ready enabled smartphones.
In addition, the chipset incorporates audio offloading capabilities such as on-chip support for wideband speech codec processing, and Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) decoding for high-fidelity wireless audio. CSRC9300 will also include CSR’s award winning aptX audio codec to ensure consumers can stream CD-quality audio over Bluetooth from aptX-enabled smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S4.
By combining and optimising both software and hardware elements of the chipset, CSR has reduced engineering efforts for companies looking to integrate the device into next-generation designs. Existing customers can also reuse their software investment in existing CSR Bluetooth and Wi-Fi solutions, while migrating to the new solution, to enhance their existing designs.
The hardware components required to power the CSRC9300 have also been minimised, providing significant cost savings. CSRC9300 also offers a single, flexible solution for designers with a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capable device, as well as a Wi-Fi only variant in the same automotive grade package.
The complete solution will enable car manufacturers to deliver future connected car applications, such as Miracast over 5Ghz, and keyless entry using Bluetooth v4.0. The chipset will be demonstrated for the first time on CSR’s stand #65 at Telematics Detroit 2013 from 5-6 June.
“Bluetooth is a major priority and we recognise that adoption of in-vehicle Wi-Fi is increasing,” says Thomas Carmody, head of Connectivity Marketing at CSR. “CSR is leading the way with CSRC9300, enabling our customers to easily create the connected car of the future. So we have created a chipset that combines CSR’s best of breed automotive grade Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v4.0 and audio technologies to allow us to support this growing market and enable our customers to differentiate their products.”
The solution will provide:
* Next-generation Wi-Fi for high-bandwidth applications.
* Bluetooth v4.0 Smart Ready for the low-power connectivity ecosystem.
* Complementary audio, including aptX for high-fidelity wireless streaming.
The CSRC9300 enables next-generation 5Ghz Wi-Fi connectivity with the 802.11a standard, which is set to support a number of exciting new applications for the car including in-vehicle video streaming. By moving high bandwidth demanding applications to the 5Ghz frequency, designers can avoid congestion on the 2.4Ghz frequency in the vehicle which is also used for Bluetooth and Bluetooth Smart Ready communications.
The chipset will also support the latest Wi-Fi features, including Wi-Fi direct and its services, which will enable more seamless Wi-Fi connectivity between cars and the latest smartphones on the market.
The chipset also contains Bluetooth v4.0 support which enables low-power connectivity and basic data transfer for applications previously limited by the power consumption, size constraints and complexity of other wireless standards. By including Bluetooth v4.0, the chipset will enable applications such as proximity and keyless entry applications. It will also allow consumers to securely connect to their cars, so they can have data such as lock/unlock status sent to their Bluetooth Smart Ready enabled smartphones.
In addition, the chipset incorporates audio offloading capabilities such as on-chip support for wideband speech codec processing, and Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) decoding for high-fidelity wireless audio. CSRC9300 will also include CSR’s award winning aptX audio codec to ensure consumers can stream CD-quality audio over Bluetooth from aptX-enabled smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S4.
By combining and optimising both software and hardware elements of the chipset, CSR has reduced engineering efforts for companies looking to integrate the device into next-generation designs. Existing customers can also reuse their software investment in existing CSR Bluetooth and Wi-Fi solutions, while migrating to the new solution, to enhance their existing designs.
The hardware components required to power the CSRC9300 have also been minimised, providing significant cost savings. CSRC9300 also offers a single, flexible solution for designers with a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capable device, as well as a Wi-Fi only variant in the same automotive grade package.
NavFusion: True smartphone integration to car, announced for India
INDIA: NNG announced NavFusion, its latest innovation in navigation, for its automotive OEM and aftermarket partners.
The newest feature set of the iGO Navigation software is ready to be customized and integrated with the vehicles of global and local car manufacturers on the Indian market. Since NNG already experiences strong demand for NavFusion in India, the company introduces its new technology locally with its strategic partner, ANS.
NavFusion takes the onboard navigation experience to a new level by merging the advantages of the reliable and deeply integrated in-vehicle navigation and the smartphone’s personal nature, Internet connection, and flexibility.
Having several OEM partners lined up to deliver NavFusion into their future cars around the globe, the individual product solutions are currently being customized for the partners’ projects. The first iGO Navigation software with the NavFusion feature set is expected to launch in Q1 2014.
The newest feature set of the iGO Navigation software is ready to be customized and integrated with the vehicles of global and local car manufacturers on the Indian market. Since NNG already experiences strong demand for NavFusion in India, the company introduces its new technology locally with its strategic partner, ANS.
NavFusion takes the onboard navigation experience to a new level by merging the advantages of the reliable and deeply integrated in-vehicle navigation and the smartphone’s personal nature, Internet connection, and flexibility.
Having several OEM partners lined up to deliver NavFusion into their future cars around the globe, the individual product solutions are currently being customized for the partners’ projects. The first iGO Navigation software with the NavFusion feature set is expected to launch in Q1 2014.
Efficient small cell backhaul is self-organizing, invisible
ENGLAND: A self-organizing and "invisible" wireless backhaul network is key to enabling service providers to deploy small cells efficiently, the president of Siklu Communication told attendees at the Small Cells World Summit.
Small cells are most likely to be deployed at the street-level, on street lights, building sides, and similar locations. With that in mind, Izik Kirshenbaum told attendees that backhaul systems not only need to be small in size and blend into the cityscape unobtrusively, but they absolutely must be able to be installed quickly to minimize technicians' time, reduce traffic disturbance, and hold down costs.
Moreover, once installed, the systems need to be self-organizing, to smoothly integrate with the rest of the network elements, he emphasized.
"Zero-touch provisioning and commissioning based on SON (self-organizing network) principles is a critical enabler for mass deployment of small cell backhaul," Kirshenbaum said. "Self-configuration and auto-alignment automate the process of adding backhaul nodes to the network, shorten the installation process, and increase reliability."
Siklu, the industry leader in the E-band millimeter wave market, has its small cell backhaul system, the EtherHaul-600T, in advanced trials with a number of mobile operators. It is an ultra-small, all-outdoor system operating in the unlicensed 57-66 GHz V-band spectrum. Its compact and efficient design enables rapid deployment anywhere from street lamps to rooftops.
"Another essential element," Kirshenbaum told attendees, "is reliable performance, especially when backhaul systems are mounted on street lamps, which sway in the wind. Backhaul systems must be able to overcome this effect without fail if they are to deliver service dependably."
Small cells are most likely to be deployed at the street-level, on street lights, building sides, and similar locations. With that in mind, Izik Kirshenbaum told attendees that backhaul systems not only need to be small in size and blend into the cityscape unobtrusively, but they absolutely must be able to be installed quickly to minimize technicians' time, reduce traffic disturbance, and hold down costs.
Moreover, once installed, the systems need to be self-organizing, to smoothly integrate with the rest of the network elements, he emphasized.
"Zero-touch provisioning and commissioning based on SON (self-organizing network) principles is a critical enabler for mass deployment of small cell backhaul," Kirshenbaum said. "Self-configuration and auto-alignment automate the process of adding backhaul nodes to the network, shorten the installation process, and increase reliability."
Siklu, the industry leader in the E-band millimeter wave market, has its small cell backhaul system, the EtherHaul-600T, in advanced trials with a number of mobile operators. It is an ultra-small, all-outdoor system operating in the unlicensed 57-66 GHz V-band spectrum. Its compact and efficient design enables rapid deployment anywhere from street lamps to rooftops.
"Another essential element," Kirshenbaum told attendees, "is reliable performance, especially when backhaul systems are mounted on street lamps, which sway in the wind. Backhaul systems must be able to overcome this effect without fail if they are to deliver service dependably."
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Smartphones expected to grow 32.7 percent in 2013
USA: According to a new forecast from the International Data Corp. (IDC), Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, smartphone shipments are expected to grow 32.7 percent year over year in 2013 reaching 958.8 million units, up from 722.5 million units last year.
2013 will mark the first year that smartphone shipments surpass those of feature phones, with smartphones expected to account for 52.2 percent of all mobile phone shipments worldwide. This trend will continue for years to come as demand for mobile data and handheld computing spreads across both developed and emerging markets. Emerging markets will account for 64.8 percent of all smartphones shipped during 2013, which is up from 43.1 percent in 2010.
Driving smartphones forward has been a perfect combination of strong demand from end users, greater emphasis by both carriers and vendors, and a deep selection of devices available at multiple price points. In addition, user behavior has switched from simple voice telephony to data consumption and creation, and the smartphone has become the ideal tool for many users.
With the rise in global smartphone shipments, demand has quickly spread from developed markets to emerging markets. As a result, smartphone average selling prices (ASPs) have declined to $372 in 2013, down from $407 in 2012 and $443 in 2011. As this trend continues, smartphone ASPs are expected to drop as low as $309 by 2017 with emerging market demand the main catalyst in this change. Computing at such low end-user cost has posed many challenges to handset OEMs and component suppliers.
2013 will mark the first year that smartphone shipments surpass those of feature phones, with smartphones expected to account for 52.2 percent of all mobile phone shipments worldwide. This trend will continue for years to come as demand for mobile data and handheld computing spreads across both developed and emerging markets. Emerging markets will account for 64.8 percent of all smartphones shipped during 2013, which is up from 43.1 percent in 2010.
Driving smartphones forward has been a perfect combination of strong demand from end users, greater emphasis by both carriers and vendors, and a deep selection of devices available at multiple price points. In addition, user behavior has switched from simple voice telephony to data consumption and creation, and the smartphone has become the ideal tool for many users.
With the rise in global smartphone shipments, demand has quickly spread from developed markets to emerging markets. As a result, smartphone average selling prices (ASPs) have declined to $372 in 2013, down from $407 in 2012 and $443 in 2011. As this trend continues, smartphone ASPs are expected to drop as low as $309 by 2017 with emerging market demand the main catalyst in this change. Computing at such low end-user cost has posed many challenges to handset OEMs and component suppliers.
EdgeConneX to construct small cell network for high-profile Northern Virginia mixed-use development
USA: EdgeConneX a leading provider of Infrastructure as a Service solutions, announces that it is currently constructing a small cellular (‘small cell’) network for a high-profile, ‘urban’ Northern Virginia mixed-use class ‘A’ residential and retail property development.
On the heels of EdgeConneX’s announcement declaring the deployment of a ‘rural’ small cell network for CoverageCo throughout the State of Vermont, this second project illustrates the ready adoption of real estate developers and municipalities to leverage the technology in expanding cellular network coverage.
Small cell networks solve the problem of mobile network expansion in the wake of exponential growth and demand of mobile video and data traffic.
The networks are constructed with low-powered radio access nodes, strategically placed within small distances that extend service coverage into traditionally hard-to-reach areas such as mountainous regions, high-rise buildings and campus-style developments. Small cell networks are compatible with a wide range of air interfaces including GSM, SDMA, LTE, and WiMax, expanding the reach of both 3G and 4G networks.
On the heels of EdgeConneX’s announcement declaring the deployment of a ‘rural’ small cell network for CoverageCo throughout the State of Vermont, this second project illustrates the ready adoption of real estate developers and municipalities to leverage the technology in expanding cellular network coverage.
Small cell networks solve the problem of mobile network expansion in the wake of exponential growth and demand of mobile video and data traffic.
The networks are constructed with low-powered radio access nodes, strategically placed within small distances that extend service coverage into traditionally hard-to-reach areas such as mountainous regions, high-rise buildings and campus-style developments. Small cell networks are compatible with a wide range of air interfaces including GSM, SDMA, LTE, and WiMax, expanding the reach of both 3G and 4G networks.
Avago expands portfolio of small cell RF front-end solutions
USA & SINGAPORE: Avago Technologies announced two new RF power amplifiers (PAs), the MGA-43728 and MGA-43828, and a new WiFi FBAR filter, the ACFF-1024, designed specifically for small cell base transceiver station (BTS) applications.
Expanding upon Avago's proven MGA-43x28 PA family, the MGA-43728 and MGA-43828 are respectively new UMTS/LTE Band 7 and Band 8 PAs featuring high linearity, gain and power-added efficiency (PAE) with integrated power detector and shutdown function.
The ACFF-1024 is a new miniature band-pass filter optimized for use in the 2.4GHz ISM band. Designed with Avago's innovative FBAR technology, the ACFF-1024 enables concurrent operation of WiFi and Bluetooth applications that co-exist with other wireless standards such as PCS and LTE Bands 7, 38, and 40 without performance degradation due to interference.
Expanding upon Avago's proven MGA-43x28 PA family, the MGA-43728 and MGA-43828 are respectively new UMTS/LTE Band 7 and Band 8 PAs featuring high linearity, gain and power-added efficiency (PAE) with integrated power detector and shutdown function.
The ACFF-1024 is a new miniature band-pass filter optimized for use in the 2.4GHz ISM band. Designed with Avago's innovative FBAR technology, the ACFF-1024 enables concurrent operation of WiFi and Bluetooth applications that co-exist with other wireless standards such as PCS and LTE Bands 7, 38, and 40 without performance degradation due to interference.
Starhome acquires MACH’s European data clearing and NRTRDE business
SWITZERLAND: Starhome, a global provider of solutions to optimize multi-network mobility, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire almost the entirety of MACH’s data clearing and NRTRDE business within the European Economic Area (European Union countries plus Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway), which is being divested by Syniverse.
MACH is a leading provider of cloud-based managed communication services worldwide. The acquired business is a completely functional, independent entity comprising 76 mobile network operator customers (including groups and first tier MNOs), an experienced management team, dedicated employees, a fully operational service platform in Europe, and an R&D and operations center in India.
The acquisition includes full worldwide ownership of all intellectual property rights of the MACH brand, trademarks and logo; MACH Data Clearing and NRTRDE processing applications and platform; MACH MDS framework layer, MACH Smart (including MACH Dashboards), MACH Roaming Management Services (MACH RMS) and the MACH OPTIMIZER. The acquisition is contingent upon approval of Starhome by the European Commission and other applicable jurisdictions.
During 2013, Starhome and the MACH acquired business will continue to operate as separate business units to best serve their respective customers. A mutual roadmap will be developed for 2014 and beyond.
The acquisition strengthens Starhome’s position as a leader in the mobile roaming value-added services industry with the addition of MACH's cloud-based solutions: data clearing, reporting, NRTRDE and business management tools.
MACH is a leading provider of cloud-based managed communication services worldwide. The acquired business is a completely functional, independent entity comprising 76 mobile network operator customers (including groups and first tier MNOs), an experienced management team, dedicated employees, a fully operational service platform in Europe, and an R&D and operations center in India.
The acquisition includes full worldwide ownership of all intellectual property rights of the MACH brand, trademarks and logo; MACH Data Clearing and NRTRDE processing applications and platform; MACH MDS framework layer, MACH Smart (including MACH Dashboards), MACH Roaming Management Services (MACH RMS) and the MACH OPTIMIZER. The acquisition is contingent upon approval of Starhome by the European Commission and other applicable jurisdictions.
During 2013, Starhome and the MACH acquired business will continue to operate as separate business units to best serve their respective customers. A mutual roadmap will be developed for 2014 and beyond.
The acquisition strengthens Starhome’s position as a leader in the mobile roaming value-added services industry with the addition of MACH's cloud-based solutions: data clearing, reporting, NRTRDE and business management tools.
Secure voice over LTE – S-VoLTE!
FRANCE: ERCOM has successfully passed its first secure call on a live LTE network in Paris, France.
Thanks to more than 10 years’ experience in cryptography, ERCOM has enhanced its Cryptosmart technology to protect LTE/4G Smartphones. As LTE Networks are booming around the world, governments and corporations can now benefit from the advantages of high-speed LTE networks in a fully secure manner.
LTE/4G brings two major benefits to mobile users:
(1) higher bandwidth (up to 100Mbps) and
(2) reduced latency (down to 20ms). This combination creates a major enhancement for real-time applications such as secure voice.
Thus, ERCOM has decided to enlarge the portfolio of Cryptosmart enabled smartphones with the Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE. Compatibility with other LTE/4G smartphones will be launched in the near future.
Thanks to more than 10 years’ experience in cryptography, ERCOM has enhanced its Cryptosmart technology to protect LTE/4G Smartphones. As LTE Networks are booming around the world, governments and corporations can now benefit from the advantages of high-speed LTE networks in a fully secure manner.
LTE/4G brings two major benefits to mobile users:
(1) higher bandwidth (up to 100Mbps) and
(2) reduced latency (down to 20ms). This combination creates a major enhancement for real-time applications such as secure voice.
Thus, ERCOM has decided to enlarge the portfolio of Cryptosmart enabled smartphones with the Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE. Compatibility with other LTE/4G smartphones will be launched in the near future.
Movius showcases innovative technology for operators
USA: Movius Interactive Corp., a global leader in application enablement for telecoms service providers, will demo its innovative communications applications, available to the cable operator community, at this week’s ANGA COM in Germany.
The company has a suite of services for both set top boxes and smartphones that extend home phone capabilities to other devices. One example is the company’s Visual Voicemail solution that allows subscribers to have control over their ‘voicemail inbox’ through a visual interface that lists voice messages for easy selection and a fast response time.
The application supports Android, Blackberry and IOS devices and was recently made compatible with Windows 8, allowing operators to cover a larger customer base. For cable operators visual voice messaging is an application that increases consumption and allows maximum investment in data network infrastructure, as the end user downloads all audio files utilizing the device’s data channel.
Another service offered by Movius is myIdentities, a network based solution that allows customers to extend all fixed line capabilities (voice calls, call log and voicemail) to mobile phones, in essence making the fixed line mobile. It provides subscribers with privacy, control and mobility, whilst opening up new revenue streams for operators which can charge customers a premium for additional lines on their mobile phone.
The company has a suite of services for both set top boxes and smartphones that extend home phone capabilities to other devices. One example is the company’s Visual Voicemail solution that allows subscribers to have control over their ‘voicemail inbox’ through a visual interface that lists voice messages for easy selection and a fast response time.
The application supports Android, Blackberry and IOS devices and was recently made compatible with Windows 8, allowing operators to cover a larger customer base. For cable operators visual voice messaging is an application that increases consumption and allows maximum investment in data network infrastructure, as the end user downloads all audio files utilizing the device’s data channel.
Another service offered by Movius is myIdentities, a network based solution that allows customers to extend all fixed line capabilities (voice calls, call log and voicemail) to mobile phones, in essence making the fixed line mobile. It provides subscribers with privacy, control and mobility, whilst opening up new revenue streams for operators which can charge customers a premium for additional lines on their mobile phone.
Mindspeed and D2 to showcase LTE router with integrated IMS/VoLTE
Computex Taipei 2013, USA: Mindspeed Technologies Inc. and D2 Technologies announced the successful integration of D2’s vPort GW 2.0 embedded IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) software on Mindspeed's Comcerto 2000 content-aware network processor.
Mindspeed’s Comcerto 2000 processor family combines the processing power of a dual core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU running at 1.2GHz with gigabit class hardware accelerators to address applications as diverse as high-performance home gateways, network attached storage, small and medium business routers, voice appliances, etc.
The Open Packet Acceleration Logic (OPAL) technology integrated in the Comcerto 2000 includes programmable hardware accelerators for networking, security and deep packet inspection delivering the full potential of new technologies such as Wi-Fi 11ac, LTE and MoCA2.0 in next generation networking equipment.
D2 Technologies’ vPort GW 2.0 IMS VoLTE client software offers broadband service providers a carrier grade, interoperable solution to enable high-quality voice-over-IP in wireless client devices. The vPort GW 2.0 embedded client is fully IR.92 VoLTE compliant and includes support for IMS session initiation protocol (SIP), short message service (SMS) over IP, short message peer-to-peer (SMPP), ISIM and USIM authentication and registration, XCAP call supplemental services, and key voice engine components.
Mindspeed’s Comcerto 2000 processor family combines the processing power of a dual core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU running at 1.2GHz with gigabit class hardware accelerators to address applications as diverse as high-performance home gateways, network attached storage, small and medium business routers, voice appliances, etc.
The Open Packet Acceleration Logic (OPAL) technology integrated in the Comcerto 2000 includes programmable hardware accelerators for networking, security and deep packet inspection delivering the full potential of new technologies such as Wi-Fi 11ac, LTE and MoCA2.0 in next generation networking equipment.
D2 Technologies’ vPort GW 2.0 IMS VoLTE client software offers broadband service providers a carrier grade, interoperable solution to enable high-quality voice-over-IP in wireless client devices. The vPort GW 2.0 embedded client is fully IR.92 VoLTE compliant and includes support for IMS session initiation protocol (SIP), short message service (SMS) over IP, short message peer-to-peer (SMPP), ISIM and USIM authentication and registration, XCAP call supplemental services, and key voice engine components.
Shanghai joins Tata Communications’ global telepresence network
USA & INDIA: Tata Communications announced the addition of a state-of-the-art “virtual meeting” telepresence suite to its global network, situated in the heart of downtown Shanghai.
Launched in partnership with China Mobile and JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai, the new in-hotel facility located within the 5* luxury JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Tomorrow Square, provides participants a life-sized, high definition and immersive virtual collaboration experience.
Telepresence is the next generation of video conferencing that provides a fully immersive, life-like and high definition ‘virtual’ meeting experience. This creates the potential to improve all sorts of business interaction through better and more frequent meetings, resulting in stronger customer relationships and accelerated sales cycles, better project management and tighter integration of remote offices.
Through a partnership with China Mobile, the JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Telepresence facility will be connected to Tata Communications’ Global Meeting Exchange telepresence inter-exchange network - one of the broadest and widest-reaching telepresence networks available today.
This network has connectivity to all Tata Communications’ private telepresence rooms as well as the customers of service providers with whom it has inter-exchange connectivity agreements in place, and vice versa. Tata Communications’ Global Meeting Exchange telepresence inter-exchange network also serves as a gateway to its public room telepresence network with more than 40 rooms across five continents.
Launched in partnership with China Mobile and JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai, the new in-hotel facility located within the 5* luxury JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Tomorrow Square, provides participants a life-sized, high definition and immersive virtual collaboration experience.
Telepresence is the next generation of video conferencing that provides a fully immersive, life-like and high definition ‘virtual’ meeting experience. This creates the potential to improve all sorts of business interaction through better and more frequent meetings, resulting in stronger customer relationships and accelerated sales cycles, better project management and tighter integration of remote offices.
Through a partnership with China Mobile, the JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Telepresence facility will be connected to Tata Communications’ Global Meeting Exchange telepresence inter-exchange network - one of the broadest and widest-reaching telepresence networks available today.
This network has connectivity to all Tata Communications’ private telepresence rooms as well as the customers of service providers with whom it has inter-exchange connectivity agreements in place, and vice versa. Tata Communications’ Global Meeting Exchange telepresence inter-exchange network also serves as a gateway to its public room telepresence network with more than 40 rooms across five continents.
Qualcomm works with Microsoft to offer Snapdragon 800 processors for Windows RT 8.1
TAIWAN: Qualcomm Inc. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., has expanded its Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors portfolio to include support for Microsoft Windows RT 8.1.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors feature an integrated multimode 3G/4G LTE modem and CPU speeds of up to 2.2 GHz per core. Other capabilities include USB 3.0 and support for Windows RT 8.1 features and services. Qualcomm Technologies and Microsoft will continue to work together on the next level of advanced mobile computing and Microsoft will offer a free software update to Windows RT 8.1.
The free update will be available in the Windows Store later this year. Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors and Windows RT 8.1 are designed to enable OEMs to differentiate their newest products and offer outstanding mobile user experiences. New devices based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors and Windows RT 8.1 are expected to be available later this year.
Last year, Microsoft re-imagined and redesigned Windows, and, for the first time Windows ran on an ARM chip. The result of bringing Windows RT together with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors has enabled Qualcomm Technologies customers to build tablets, convertibles and notebooks that are thin and fan-less, and deliver speedy performance with long lasting battery life.
At Computex Taipei 2013, Qualcomm Technologies is building on this innovation and collaboration with Microsoft by showing Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors running on an early version of Windows RT 8.1.
"Qualcomm Technologies is committed to the Windows ecosystem and we are excited to be supporting Windows RT 8.1 with our flagship Snapdragon 800 processors," said Luis Pineda, senior vice president of product management, computing and consumer products at Qualcomm Technologies.
"Our Snapdragon 800 processors offer the best combination of high performance, efficient power usage and LTE network support and will help enable greater flexibility and connectivity options to Microsoft and device manufacturers. Snapdragon 800 processors deliver significant performance improvements across the entire SoC along with support for new Windows RT 8.1 features and services."
"We are excited to continue working with Qualcomm Technologies on the next iteration of Windows RT 8.1 with their new Snapdragon 800 processors," said Mike Anguilo, corporate VP, Planning and PC Ecosystem, Microsoft Corp. "The new Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors support our commitment to providing our customers with best-in-class capabilities. Our customers will now have the opportunity to leverage the numerous advantages of these new processors, including integrated 4G/LTE connectivity and outstanding device performance."
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors feature an integrated multimode 3G/4G LTE modem and CPU speeds of up to 2.2 GHz per core. Other capabilities include USB 3.0 and support for Windows RT 8.1 features and services. Qualcomm Technologies and Microsoft will continue to work together on the next level of advanced mobile computing and Microsoft will offer a free software update to Windows RT 8.1.
The free update will be available in the Windows Store later this year. Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors and Windows RT 8.1 are designed to enable OEMs to differentiate their newest products and offer outstanding mobile user experiences. New devices based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors and Windows RT 8.1 are expected to be available later this year.
Last year, Microsoft re-imagined and redesigned Windows, and, for the first time Windows ran on an ARM chip. The result of bringing Windows RT together with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors has enabled Qualcomm Technologies customers to build tablets, convertibles and notebooks that are thin and fan-less, and deliver speedy performance with long lasting battery life.
At Computex Taipei 2013, Qualcomm Technologies is building on this innovation and collaboration with Microsoft by showing Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors running on an early version of Windows RT 8.1.
"Qualcomm Technologies is committed to the Windows ecosystem and we are excited to be supporting Windows RT 8.1 with our flagship Snapdragon 800 processors," said Luis Pineda, senior vice president of product management, computing and consumer products at Qualcomm Technologies.
"Our Snapdragon 800 processors offer the best combination of high performance, efficient power usage and LTE network support and will help enable greater flexibility and connectivity options to Microsoft and device manufacturers. Snapdragon 800 processors deliver significant performance improvements across the entire SoC along with support for new Windows RT 8.1 features and services."
"We are excited to continue working with Qualcomm Technologies on the next iteration of Windows RT 8.1 with their new Snapdragon 800 processors," said Mike Anguilo, corporate VP, Planning and PC Ecosystem, Microsoft Corp. "The new Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors support our commitment to providing our customers with best-in-class capabilities. Our customers will now have the opportunity to leverage the numerous advantages of these new processors, including integrated 4G/LTE connectivity and outstanding device performance."
Qualcomm intros multi-mode 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi small cell solutions
SMALL CELL WORLD SUMMIT, ENGLAND: Qualcomm Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., has introduced a family of 28 nanometer (nm) solutions, the Qualcomm FSM99xx, that enable pico, metro and enterprise small cells that are designed to enhance operators' 3G and LTE networks.
The Qualcomm FSM99xx solutions integrate the company's 3G and 4G technologies and support advanced 802.11ac/n Wi-Fi to enable full-featured small cells that are designed to provide superior performance with greater power efficiency.
The mobile industry is preparing for an increase in mobile data traffic, which Qualcomm calls the 1000x data challenge . To address this increase in data traffic, operators around the globe are using small cell technologies as a cost-effective way to improve cellular network capacity and coverage. By bringing the network closer to mobile users, small cells enable operators to target capital expenditures where they are needed most to improve the user experience.
Qualcomm Technologies is providing an integrated 3G / 4G LTE small cell solution to facilitate the rollout of 4G services. With the introduction of these small cell devices, the company is helping operators mitigate the cost and complexity of supporting increased capacity on their networks.
The FSM99xx utilizes Qualcomm Technologies' industry-leading mobile processor technology, which has been proven in hundreds of flagship devices currently available, as well as its commercial grade 3G and 4G modems. The Qualcomm FSM99xx solutions are designed to support concurrent 3G and 4G operation or dual carrier 4G with carrier aggregation, and also host advanced Wi-Fi capabilities to make the best use of all available spectrum and seamless connectivity for mobile users.
The Qualcomm FSM99xx solutions are designed for maximum power efficiency to reduce operating expenses and enable compliance with power-over-Ethernet requirements for enterprise deployments. These solutions are produced in 28nm process technology and utilize Qualcomm Technologies' industry-leading quad core Krait mobile processors, which are designed to consume half the power of other processors.
The FSM99xx family of solutions also features RF linearization techniques designed to reduce power amplifier power consumption by up to half, a critical benefit given amplifiers can consume more than half of a small cell's power budget. The Qualcomm FSM99xx is a platform for advanced HetNet and SON (self-organizing networks) techniques, such as the Qualcomm UltraSON suite.
"Our new small cell solutions draw upon our immense mobile, Wi-Fi and networking strengths to enhance the consumer's mobile experiences," said Dan Rabinovitsj, senior VP and GM for Qualcomm Atheros. "We are at the forefront of the industry with this ground-breaking small cell solution in our quest to address the 1000x data challenge."
The Qualcomm FSM99xx solutions are expected to sample in the second half of 2013.
The Qualcomm FSM99xx solutions integrate the company's 3G and 4G technologies and support advanced 802.11ac/n Wi-Fi to enable full-featured small cells that are designed to provide superior performance with greater power efficiency.
The mobile industry is preparing for an increase in mobile data traffic, which Qualcomm calls the 1000x data challenge . To address this increase in data traffic, operators around the globe are using small cell technologies as a cost-effective way to improve cellular network capacity and coverage. By bringing the network closer to mobile users, small cells enable operators to target capital expenditures where they are needed most to improve the user experience.
Qualcomm Technologies is providing an integrated 3G / 4G LTE small cell solution to facilitate the rollout of 4G services. With the introduction of these small cell devices, the company is helping operators mitigate the cost and complexity of supporting increased capacity on their networks.
The FSM99xx utilizes Qualcomm Technologies' industry-leading mobile processor technology, which has been proven in hundreds of flagship devices currently available, as well as its commercial grade 3G and 4G modems. The Qualcomm FSM99xx solutions are designed to support concurrent 3G and 4G operation or dual carrier 4G with carrier aggregation, and also host advanced Wi-Fi capabilities to make the best use of all available spectrum and seamless connectivity for mobile users.
The Qualcomm FSM99xx solutions are designed for maximum power efficiency to reduce operating expenses and enable compliance with power-over-Ethernet requirements for enterprise deployments. These solutions are produced in 28nm process technology and utilize Qualcomm Technologies' industry-leading quad core Krait mobile processors, which are designed to consume half the power of other processors.
The FSM99xx family of solutions also features RF linearization techniques designed to reduce power amplifier power consumption by up to half, a critical benefit given amplifiers can consume more than half of a small cell's power budget. The Qualcomm FSM99xx is a platform for advanced HetNet and SON (self-organizing networks) techniques, such as the Qualcomm UltraSON suite.
"Our new small cell solutions draw upon our immense mobile, Wi-Fi and networking strengths to enhance the consumer's mobile experiences," said Dan Rabinovitsj, senior VP and GM for Qualcomm Atheros. "We are at the forefront of the industry with this ground-breaking small cell solution in our quest to address the 1000x data challenge."
The Qualcomm FSM99xx solutions are expected to sample in the second half of 2013.
Qualcomm expands reference design
TAIWAN: Qualcomm Inc. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., has expanded its Qualcomm Reference Design (QRD) portfolio with a reference design made specifically for tablets running on its Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM 8230 and MSM 8030 processors.
Both 7-and 10-inch versions of this tablet based on this Qualcomm Reference Design will be on display at Computex 2013 in Taiwan.
Tablets based on this latest Qualcomm Reference Design will run on Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM 8230 and MSM 8030 processors, respectively, with 1.2 - 1.4GHz dual-core CPUs featuring the Android Jelly Bean mobile operating system, broadband HSPA+ (up to 21Mbps) 3G performance, integrated 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi up to 72 Mbps, 1080p high definition video playback at 30fps, 1080p high definition video capture, and Adreno 305 GPU.
"While some of our customers have utilized Qualcomm Reference Designs for smartphones as a foundation for building and commercializing tablets in certain regions, Qualcomm Technologies has increasingly received customer interest in a Qualcomm Reference Design specifically designed for tablets in emerging regions" said Jeff Lorbeck, senior VP of product management, Qualcomm Technologies."That's why we're excited to announce this reference design specifically made for tablets, further speeding our customer's ability to commercialize devices and delivering on our commitment to enable mobile computing across device tiers."
The Qualcomm Reference Design program provides device manufacturers with comprehensive development platforms for various devices and access to third-party providers of tested and verified hardware and software components utilized in such devices.
Qualcomm Reference Design customers can rapidly deliver differentiated products to consumers that look for high performance devices. There have been more than 200 public QRD-based product launches to date in collaboration with more than 40 OEMs in 14 countries, and there are currently more than 100 designs in progress.
Both 7-and 10-inch versions of this tablet based on this Qualcomm Reference Design will be on display at Computex 2013 in Taiwan.
Tablets based on this latest Qualcomm Reference Design will run on Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM 8230 and MSM 8030 processors, respectively, with 1.2 - 1.4GHz dual-core CPUs featuring the Android Jelly Bean mobile operating system, broadband HSPA+ (up to 21Mbps) 3G performance, integrated 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi up to 72 Mbps, 1080p high definition video playback at 30fps, 1080p high definition video capture, and Adreno 305 GPU.
"While some of our customers have utilized Qualcomm Reference Designs for smartphones as a foundation for building and commercializing tablets in certain regions, Qualcomm Technologies has increasingly received customer interest in a Qualcomm Reference Design specifically designed for tablets in emerging regions" said Jeff Lorbeck, senior VP of product management, Qualcomm Technologies."That's why we're excited to announce this reference design specifically made for tablets, further speeding our customer's ability to commercialize devices and delivering on our commitment to enable mobile computing across device tiers."
The Qualcomm Reference Design program provides device manufacturers with comprehensive development platforms for various devices and access to third-party providers of tested and verified hardware and software components utilized in such devices.
Qualcomm Reference Design customers can rapidly deliver differentiated products to consumers that look for high performance devices. There have been more than 200 public QRD-based product launches to date in collaboration with more than 40 OEMs in 14 countries, and there are currently more than 100 designs in progress.
Qualcomm gives 802.11ac a boost
TAIWAN: Qualcomm Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Atheros Inc., is giving 802.11ac a boost with its family of Qualcomm VIVE 802.11ac (11ac) Wi-Fi solutions.
Qualcomm Atheros has gained strong traction in original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices across both mobile and networking segments, and is offering significant 11ac performance advantages compared to competitive solutions in both rate-over-range and power consumption.
In addition, Qualcomm Atheros is taking 802.11ac home routers to a new level with its Qualcomm StreamBoost technology, which intelligently identifies, classifies and manages the growing number of multimedia applications streaming into the home—dynamically giving each the bandwidth and speed required to ensure an optimal user experience.
Qualcomm Atheros is enabling the infusion of an array of end-products across multiple segments with its portfolio of VIVE 11ac solutions for mobile, computing, consumer electronics, and home and enterprise networking. Consumers can increasingly realize the performance benefits of 11ac given the growing number of smartphones based on VIVE 11ac mobile solutions—including devices from Samsung, Pantech, ZTE, as well as over 100 other mobile handsets and computing designs that are expected to arrive in the coming months.
Qualcomm Atheros is also enabling an increasing number of Gigabit-class Wi-Fi networks with more than 35 enterprise access points and carrier gateways, and 20 retail routers either in development or available today.
Qualcomm Atheros' 1-stream 802.11ac solution is now providing mobile platforms with over 300 Mbps UDP and TCP throughput, well over 3x the performance of previous 11n solutions. This extraordinary performance enables much faster content downloads and transfers, while extending mobile battery life. This significant capacity boost with Qualcomm Atheros' mobile Wi-Fi will help network operators offload mobile traffic, easing the growing data demands on networks.
VIVE network platforms, available in both 2- and 3-stream options, offer up to 866 Mbps and 1.3 Gbps data rates, respectively. To maximize wireless performance, particularly in challenging, crowded environments, Qualcomm Atheros provides superior channel agility on a packet-by-packet basis, and supports dynamic bandwidth allocation. This makes it possible for VIVE-based routers to flexibly transmit data on 80, 40 or 20 MHz channels – depending on the available bandwidth and capabilities of the connected client devices – and results in high throughput at range, even in high-density deployments like enterprises and hotspots.
As a result of this advantage, as well as other unique network design elements, routers featuring Qualcomm Atheros' 802.11ac are showing superior performance. For example, the NEC-AT Aterm WG1800HP , an HT80-11ac router recently launched in Japan, outperformed its nearest competitor in independent testing.
Whereas 802.11ac increases wireless bandwidth for applications and devices within the home, Qualcomm Atheros' high-performance home router solutions that use the company's StreamBoost technology intelligently optimize the network connection coming into the home. By allocating the appropriate bandwidth to each device and application, StreamBoost can ensure smooth, reliable multimedia experiences for everyone on the network. This capability is particularly valuable to service providers offering fee-based entertainment content and services requiring smooth, reliable streaming to multiple devices—simultaneously throughout the home.
Qualcomm Atheros launched StreamBoost in January this year and the first StreamBoost-enabled 11ac routers are slated to hit store shelves later this summer.
"Starting with our upcoming gaming router, we plan to offer networking solutions integrating Qualcomm Atheros' VIVE and StreamBoost technology, allowing D-Link to provide consumers the latest in Wi-Fi connectivity," said Albert Ling, executive VP of sales and marketing, D-Link Systems Inc. "Not only will D-Link's customers have the best possible performance in the home with VIVE 11ac, but they will also be able to better manage high-bandwidth activities for an enhanced user experience, whether for gaming, video or audio streaming."
"With the growing quantity of content and devices on home, hotspot and enterprise networks, 802.11ac Wi-Fi will quickly become the 'must-have' connectivity technology for mobile and consumer electronics devices and the networks that support them," said Amir Faintuch, president, Qualcomm Atheros. "With its dramatically enhanced capacity and performance, Qualcomm VIVE is enabling a new class of connected experiences—virtually anywhere— that promise great viewing and sharing of rich content while conserving power and battery life."
Qualcomm Atheros has gained strong traction in original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices across both mobile and networking segments, and is offering significant 11ac performance advantages compared to competitive solutions in both rate-over-range and power consumption.
In addition, Qualcomm Atheros is taking 802.11ac home routers to a new level with its Qualcomm StreamBoost technology, which intelligently identifies, classifies and manages the growing number of multimedia applications streaming into the home—dynamically giving each the bandwidth and speed required to ensure an optimal user experience.
Qualcomm Atheros is enabling the infusion of an array of end-products across multiple segments with its portfolio of VIVE 11ac solutions for mobile, computing, consumer electronics, and home and enterprise networking. Consumers can increasingly realize the performance benefits of 11ac given the growing number of smartphones based on VIVE 11ac mobile solutions—including devices from Samsung, Pantech, ZTE, as well as over 100 other mobile handsets and computing designs that are expected to arrive in the coming months.
Qualcomm Atheros is also enabling an increasing number of Gigabit-class Wi-Fi networks with more than 35 enterprise access points and carrier gateways, and 20 retail routers either in development or available today.
Qualcomm Atheros' 1-stream 802.11ac solution is now providing mobile platforms with over 300 Mbps UDP and TCP throughput, well over 3x the performance of previous 11n solutions. This extraordinary performance enables much faster content downloads and transfers, while extending mobile battery life. This significant capacity boost with Qualcomm Atheros' mobile Wi-Fi will help network operators offload mobile traffic, easing the growing data demands on networks.
VIVE network platforms, available in both 2- and 3-stream options, offer up to 866 Mbps and 1.3 Gbps data rates, respectively. To maximize wireless performance, particularly in challenging, crowded environments, Qualcomm Atheros provides superior channel agility on a packet-by-packet basis, and supports dynamic bandwidth allocation. This makes it possible for VIVE-based routers to flexibly transmit data on 80, 40 or 20 MHz channels – depending on the available bandwidth and capabilities of the connected client devices – and results in high throughput at range, even in high-density deployments like enterprises and hotspots.
As a result of this advantage, as well as other unique network design elements, routers featuring Qualcomm Atheros' 802.11ac are showing superior performance. For example, the NEC-AT Aterm WG1800HP , an HT80-11ac router recently launched in Japan, outperformed its nearest competitor in independent testing.
Whereas 802.11ac increases wireless bandwidth for applications and devices within the home, Qualcomm Atheros' high-performance home router solutions that use the company's StreamBoost technology intelligently optimize the network connection coming into the home. By allocating the appropriate bandwidth to each device and application, StreamBoost can ensure smooth, reliable multimedia experiences for everyone on the network. This capability is particularly valuable to service providers offering fee-based entertainment content and services requiring smooth, reliable streaming to multiple devices—simultaneously throughout the home.
Qualcomm Atheros launched StreamBoost in January this year and the first StreamBoost-enabled 11ac routers are slated to hit store shelves later this summer.
"Starting with our upcoming gaming router, we plan to offer networking solutions integrating Qualcomm Atheros' VIVE and StreamBoost technology, allowing D-Link to provide consumers the latest in Wi-Fi connectivity," said Albert Ling, executive VP of sales and marketing, D-Link Systems Inc. "Not only will D-Link's customers have the best possible performance in the home with VIVE 11ac, but they will also be able to better manage high-bandwidth activities for an enhanced user experience, whether for gaming, video or audio streaming."
"With the growing quantity of content and devices on home, hotspot and enterprise networks, 802.11ac Wi-Fi will quickly become the 'must-have' connectivity technology for mobile and consumer electronics devices and the networks that support them," said Amir Faintuch, president, Qualcomm Atheros. "With its dramatically enhanced capacity and performance, Qualcomm VIVE is enabling a new class of connected experiences—virtually anywhere— that promise great viewing and sharing of rich content while conserving power and battery life."
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