STERLING, USA: Self-optimizing network specialist Reverb Networks has released new details of the speed, stability and customer experience benefits of their unique Predictive self-optimizing network solution.
Reverb Networks recently introduced Predictive SON, which moves self-optimizing networks forward to next generation pre-active capabilities.
But what are the advantages of P-SON? By “pre-acting” to network demands, Reverb’s SON system reduces OSS demands, increases stability, and increases customer experience.
Traditionally self-optimizing networks have been very weak at providing responses to network demands in real time. Predictive SON, in contrast, is able to “pre-act”, which means making adjustments before the expected load takes place. The capability is also referred to as “beyond real-time”.
Predictive SON allows networks to remain much more stable over a longer timeframe, rather than bouncing between one setting and another in reaction to events that have already occurred. One added advantage of this approach is that the OSS system is not overloaded by a large number of commands arriving in a very short space of time, a problem with many existing SON implementations.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Huawei selects TEOCO to deliver capacity planning
MUMBAI, INDIA: TEOCO, the leading provider of assurance, analytics and optimization solutions to communications service providers (CSPs), has announced that its DIMENSION software will be used by Huawei to provide capacity planning to one of its customers in the Middle East.
Huawei is currently working with a leading operator group in the region to plan its capacity requirements, and to improve quality of service. Huawei will use DIMENSION as part of this project, and plans to use the software in similar capacity planning projects in the future.
DIMENSION enables operators to plan their entire logical and physical network capacity across each element, from radio access to backhaul and transport core in a multi-layer manner. Network planners can design a more efficient infrastructure by identifying bottlenecks before they happen, and then test scenarios to determine how the network will cope.
DIMENSION accurately models tens of thousands of network elements, across many different technologies and equipment from multiple vendors. It is a centralized system that can be accessed simultaneously by numerous network planners.
Huawei is currently working with a leading operator group in the region to plan its capacity requirements, and to improve quality of service. Huawei will use DIMENSION as part of this project, and plans to use the software in similar capacity planning projects in the future.
DIMENSION enables operators to plan their entire logical and physical network capacity across each element, from radio access to backhaul and transport core in a multi-layer manner. Network planners can design a more efficient infrastructure by identifying bottlenecks before they happen, and then test scenarios to determine how the network will cope.
DIMENSION accurately models tens of thousands of network elements, across many different technologies and equipment from multiple vendors. It is a centralized system that can be accessed simultaneously by numerous network planners.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
NAVITEL launches Navitel.Monitoring
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: NAVITEL, a leader in the navigation system market in the EMEA, offers a latest and technologically most advanced commercial solution in the field of transport telematics.
Navitel.Monitoring system allows you to determine exact coordinates of a motor vehicle online and to monitor the trajectory of its movement and other important parameters, such as the number of kilometres driven, the vehicle’s speed, its fuel consumption and the driving direction.
Main advantages of the monitoring system produced by NAVITEL:
* The most detailed map in the market, the vendor’s extensive experience in the field of cartography technologies.
* Integrated with Navitel Navigator, the most popular navigation system.
* Comfortable user interface, many useful functions and details for easier work with the system.
* Fault-free functioning of the system’s server.
* Technical support.
* Automatic update when a new version is released.
With Navitel.Monitoring, you can create detailed reports with more than twenty parameters for any object, save these reports for later analysis in the form of CSV, XLS and PDF files, monitor events in real time and log the findings in an event diary. The system allows you to create routes, check geographical zones while the vehicle is driving and set the messages to be sent via SMS or to an email addresses.
Furthermore, you can control the vehicle’s speed with the monitoring system and keep records of its real and nominal fuel consumption, as well as carry out many other tasks. The system presents all data in the form of handy and easy-to-understand graphs.
Navitel.Monitoring system allows you to determine exact coordinates of a motor vehicle online and to monitor the trajectory of its movement and other important parameters, such as the number of kilometres driven, the vehicle’s speed, its fuel consumption and the driving direction.
Main advantages of the monitoring system produced by NAVITEL:
* The most detailed map in the market, the vendor’s extensive experience in the field of cartography technologies.
* Integrated with Navitel Navigator, the most popular navigation system.
* Comfortable user interface, many useful functions and details for easier work with the system.
* Fault-free functioning of the system’s server.
* Technical support.
* Automatic update when a new version is released.
With Navitel.Monitoring, you can create detailed reports with more than twenty parameters for any object, save these reports for later analysis in the form of CSV, XLS and PDF files, monitor events in real time and log the findings in an event diary. The system allows you to create routes, check geographical zones while the vehicle is driving and set the messages to be sent via SMS or to an email addresses.
Furthermore, you can control the vehicle’s speed with the monitoring system and keep records of its real and nominal fuel consumption, as well as carry out many other tasks. The system presents all data in the form of handy and easy-to-understand graphs.
Alcatel-Lucent and MTN Nigeria to boost connectivity in Africa’s most populous nation
LAGOS, NIGERIA: Alcatel-Lucent is opening up Africa’s most populous nation to the benefits of ultra-broadband connectivity by launching a superfast, 100 gigabit-per-second fiber-optic network with MTN Nigeria, a subsidiary of Dubai-based MTN Group and the leading service provider in Africa.
MTN Nigeria, which covers more than almost 90 percent of Nigeria’s land mass, will deploy a 100G network that re-uses existing 10G optical assets thereby preserving MTN past investments while ensuring future proof and state of art solution.
Nigeria’s growing economy is fueling a proliferation of mobile subscribers, which number about 275 to every one landline in the country. As a result, Nigeria has a significant need for reliable, mobile broadband access to support growing demand for bandwidth hungry services such as streaming video plus the ever-increasing need from enterprises for storage and data center connections. The new network also gives MTN the capacity and flexibility to offer wholesale services to other service providers in the region.
MTN Nigeria, which covers more than almost 90 percent of Nigeria’s land mass, will deploy a 100G network that re-uses existing 10G optical assets thereby preserving MTN past investments while ensuring future proof and state of art solution.
Nigeria’s growing economy is fueling a proliferation of mobile subscribers, which number about 275 to every one landline in the country. As a result, Nigeria has a significant need for reliable, mobile broadband access to support growing demand for bandwidth hungry services such as streaming video plus the ever-increasing need from enterprises for storage and data center connections. The new network also gives MTN the capacity and flexibility to offer wholesale services to other service providers in the region.
Huawei selects TEOCO to deliver capacity planning
FAIRFAX, USA & LEATHERHEAD, UK TEOCO, the leading provider of assurance, analytics and optimization solutions to communications service providers (CSPs), has announced that its DIMENSION software will be used by Huawei to provide capacity planning to one of its customers in the Middle East.
Huawei is currently working with a leading operator group in the region to plan its capacity requirements, and to improve quality of service. Huawei will use DIMENSION as part of this project, and plans to use the software in similar capacity planning projects in the future.
DIMENSION enables operators to plan their entire logical and physical network capacity across each element, from radio access to backhaul and transport core in a multi-layer manner. Network planners can design a more efficient infrastructure by identifying bottlenecks before they happen, and then test scenarios to determine how the network will cope.
DIMENSION accurately models tens of thousands of network elements, across many different technologies and equipment from multiple vendors. It is a centralized system that can be accessed simultaneously by numerous network planners.
Huawei selected TEOCO’s DIMENSION software after a rigorous selection process. As the network consisted of 3 radio technologies (GSM, UMTS and LTE) and the backhaul and transport networks were a mixture of TDM and IP/ETH over microwave, leased lines and fiber, the solution needed to be able to plan for this multi-domain and multi-layered complexity.
Huawei is currently working with a leading operator group in the region to plan its capacity requirements, and to improve quality of service. Huawei will use DIMENSION as part of this project, and plans to use the software in similar capacity planning projects in the future.
DIMENSION enables operators to plan their entire logical and physical network capacity across each element, from radio access to backhaul and transport core in a multi-layer manner. Network planners can design a more efficient infrastructure by identifying bottlenecks before they happen, and then test scenarios to determine how the network will cope.
DIMENSION accurately models tens of thousands of network elements, across many different technologies and equipment from multiple vendors. It is a centralized system that can be accessed simultaneously by numerous network planners.
Huawei selected TEOCO’s DIMENSION software after a rigorous selection process. As the network consisted of 3 radio technologies (GSM, UMTS and LTE) and the backhaul and transport networks were a mixture of TDM and IP/ETH over microwave, leased lines and fiber, the solution needed to be able to plan for this multi-domain and multi-layered complexity.
MegaChips to begin sampling BlueChip wireless sub-GHz band wireless communication LSI
SAN JOSE, USA: MegaChips Corp. will begin sampling its sub-Ghz band BlueChip Wireless communication LSI (Model: MAB0100) LSI at the end of October and begin mass production volume shipping in January 2015.
Since the sub-GHz band has been opened up to Internet of Things (IoT) on a worldwide basis, the new LSI may be used in many countries including Japan, the United States, China, Europe and the Republic of Korea. MegaChips will provide customers with new IoT solutions in the domains of smart grid, home energy management, building energy management systems and others.
"The IoT market requirements for Machine to Machine (M2M)-related products are increasing and there is an urgent need to construct better communication networks," said Akira Takata, president and CEO at MegaChips. "Our innovative BlueChip Wireless LSI meets this demand and provides our customers with devices that provide greater communications distance with lower power consumption."
On July 25, 2012, the 920 MHz radio band was allocated in Japan as an industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band, in addition to the 2.4 GHz band, and was widely available. The sub-GHz band used by the BlueChip Wireless chip provides a longer communication range and higher diffraction properties compared to the 2.4 GHz band and enables communication that bypasses obstacles. Additionally as a newly allocated frequency band, it is not congested with communication traffic.
MegaChips has developed numerous applications that make use of a variety of different sensors. Its extensive expertise in data acquisition from different sensors and in lighting and air conditioning control is incorporated into many different applications. The release of this new product enables the company to offer communication solutions as well.
To support customer development, MegaChips will provide an evaluation kit consisting of a hardware platform as well as a software development kit and a communication performance verification tool. This will allow customers to immediately carry out evaluation and development according to their specific applications. The BlueChip Wireless LSI will be offered as a standalone chip as well as in wireless modules by the company's module vendor.
Since the sub-GHz band has been opened up to Internet of Things (IoT) on a worldwide basis, the new LSI may be used in many countries including Japan, the United States, China, Europe and the Republic of Korea. MegaChips will provide customers with new IoT solutions in the domains of smart grid, home energy management, building energy management systems and others.
"The IoT market requirements for Machine to Machine (M2M)-related products are increasing and there is an urgent need to construct better communication networks," said Akira Takata, president and CEO at MegaChips. "Our innovative BlueChip Wireless LSI meets this demand and provides our customers with devices that provide greater communications distance with lower power consumption."
On July 25, 2012, the 920 MHz radio band was allocated in Japan as an industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band, in addition to the 2.4 GHz band, and was widely available. The sub-GHz band used by the BlueChip Wireless chip provides a longer communication range and higher diffraction properties compared to the 2.4 GHz band and enables communication that bypasses obstacles. Additionally as a newly allocated frequency band, it is not congested with communication traffic.
MegaChips has developed numerous applications that make use of a variety of different sensors. Its extensive expertise in data acquisition from different sensors and in lighting and air conditioning control is incorporated into many different applications. The release of this new product enables the company to offer communication solutions as well.
To support customer development, MegaChips will provide an evaluation kit consisting of a hardware platform as well as a software development kit and a communication performance verification tool. This will allow customers to immediately carry out evaluation and development according to their specific applications. The BlueChip Wireless LSI will be offered as a standalone chip as well as in wireless modules by the company's module vendor.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Reverb Networks expands South American presence
STERLING, USA: Self-optimizing network specialist Reverb Networks has announced establishment of a broader footprint in South America, signing a local partnership in support of ongoing SON projects in countries such as Brazil, Uruguay, Chile and Argentina.
Following on rapidly from the announcement of a nationwide SON deployment in Canada, Reverb’s expansion of self-optimizing network partners in South America sees the company cement a strong position across both major American continents.
“We are very happy to see the strong interest in Reverb’s self-optimizing network solutions in the South American market, and the partnership we have signed with one of the fastest-growing providers of network planning and optimization services in Latin America helps Reverb to extend in a professional and technically excellent manner,” said Zoran Kehler, CEO of Reverb Networks.
“Reverb’s self-optimizing networks have proven themselves in large deployments, and the mix of reliability, experience and advanced features such as Predictive SON are proving to be real winners with mobile operators.”
Reverb’s unique Predictive SON capability is one of the quickest and least expensive ways to bring stability and beyond real-time reactivity to a heavily-loaded network. By pre-acting to network demands, Reverb’s SON system reduces OSS demands, increases stability, and increases customer experience.
Following on rapidly from the announcement of a nationwide SON deployment in Canada, Reverb’s expansion of self-optimizing network partners in South America sees the company cement a strong position across both major American continents.
“We are very happy to see the strong interest in Reverb’s self-optimizing network solutions in the South American market, and the partnership we have signed with one of the fastest-growing providers of network planning and optimization services in Latin America helps Reverb to extend in a professional and technically excellent manner,” said Zoran Kehler, CEO of Reverb Networks.
“Reverb’s self-optimizing networks have proven themselves in large deployments, and the mix of reliability, experience and advanced features such as Predictive SON are proving to be real winners with mobile operators.”
Reverb’s unique Predictive SON capability is one of the quickest and least expensive ways to bring stability and beyond real-time reactivity to a heavily-loaded network. By pre-acting to network demands, Reverb’s SON system reduces OSS demands, increases stability, and increases customer experience.
CounterPath signs agreement with ProVu
LONDON, UK & VANCOUVER, CANADA: CounterPath Corp. announced a distribution agreement with ProVu Communications, a leading Value Added Distributor (VAD) in the UK.
With a previous solutions portfolio focused on VoIP hardware, ProVu has selected CounterPath’s industry-leading Bria softphone clients and Stretto Platform to enable resellers and hosted service providers across the UK to meet the increasing demand for Enterprise OTT unified communications.
Worldwide revenue of enterprise UC applications saw an increase of 31% in 2013(1), presenting a significant opportunity for vendors in the industry.
However, with this opportunity comes the challenge of equipping enterprises with solutions that overcome the licensing, deployment and client management hurdles that arise with the deployment of unified communications, while meeting security standards and bringing consumer functionality into the enterprise.
CounterPath’s Bria UC clients and Stretto Platform enable the rapid build and deployment of flexible enterprise UC solutions which not only empower enterprises to easily manage and configure their UC clients, but offer an unmatched user experience for both IT professionals and end users.
By fully mobilizing voice, video, presence and messaging services, CounterPath Enterprise OTT solutions effectively put the enterprise PBX in users’ pockets.
With a previous solutions portfolio focused on VoIP hardware, ProVu has selected CounterPath’s industry-leading Bria softphone clients and Stretto Platform to enable resellers and hosted service providers across the UK to meet the increasing demand for Enterprise OTT unified communications.
Worldwide revenue of enterprise UC applications saw an increase of 31% in 2013(1), presenting a significant opportunity for vendors in the industry.
However, with this opportunity comes the challenge of equipping enterprises with solutions that overcome the licensing, deployment and client management hurdles that arise with the deployment of unified communications, while meeting security standards and bringing consumer functionality into the enterprise.
CounterPath’s Bria UC clients and Stretto Platform enable the rapid build and deployment of flexible enterprise UC solutions which not only empower enterprises to easily manage and configure their UC clients, but offer an unmatched user experience for both IT professionals and end users.
By fully mobilizing voice, video, presence and messaging services, CounterPath Enterprise OTT solutions effectively put the enterprise PBX in users’ pockets.
Jibe Mobile showcases turnkey RCS/joyn communications service
MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA & BERLIN, GERMANY: Jibe Mobile announced that it will showcase Jibe’s cloud-based IP communications services, enabling carriers to provide next generation messaging for their subscribers and friends throughout the world, at Rich Communication 2014.
This year’s event will be held at the Maritim proArte Hotel in Berlin, Tuesday, October 28 and Wednesday, October 29.
In addition to a demonstration of Jibe’s end-to-end cloud based services, senior director of product marketing Craig Marshall-Nicholls will share with telecom decision makers from around the world why and how Jibe’s RCS/joyn cloud is replacing traditional infrastructure in order for its mobile operator customers to compete with OTTs.
“Jibe’s IP Communications Cloud is enabling Mobile Operators such as Deutsche Telekom in Europe and Sprint in North America to rapidly transition to IP networks with innovative, integrated SMS/MMS-next generation messaging to compete head-on with OTT,” said Amir Sarhangi, CEO Jibe Mobile. “As carriers deploy their IP infrastructure they are now moving to interconnect with each other through Jibe’s RCS Hub.”
Jibe will showcase its end-to-end IP messaging cloud-based services and interconnectivity provided by Jibe’s RCS Hub. Jibe’s platform and messaging client are based on GSMA’s RCS specification, enabling carriers to rapidly launch and interconnect IP services integrated with SMS throughout the world.
Attendees with see how customers use a single service to connect via integrated SMS/MMS-next generation messaging, including video call, text, instant messaging, group messaging, as well as share their favorite photos and videos — on iPhone and Android™- powered smartphones.
This year’s event will be held at the Maritim proArte Hotel in Berlin, Tuesday, October 28 and Wednesday, October 29.
In addition to a demonstration of Jibe’s end-to-end cloud based services, senior director of product marketing Craig Marshall-Nicholls will share with telecom decision makers from around the world why and how Jibe’s RCS/joyn cloud is replacing traditional infrastructure in order for its mobile operator customers to compete with OTTs.
“Jibe’s IP Communications Cloud is enabling Mobile Operators such as Deutsche Telekom in Europe and Sprint in North America to rapidly transition to IP networks with innovative, integrated SMS/MMS-next generation messaging to compete head-on with OTT,” said Amir Sarhangi, CEO Jibe Mobile. “As carriers deploy their IP infrastructure they are now moving to interconnect with each other through Jibe’s RCS Hub.”
Jibe will showcase its end-to-end IP messaging cloud-based services and interconnectivity provided by Jibe’s RCS Hub. Jibe’s platform and messaging client are based on GSMA’s RCS specification, enabling carriers to rapidly launch and interconnect IP services integrated with SMS throughout the world.
Attendees with see how customers use a single service to connect via integrated SMS/MMS-next generation messaging, including video call, text, instant messaging, group messaging, as well as share their favorite photos and videos — on iPhone and Android™- powered smartphones.
Friday, October 24, 2014
UIC's NFC technology compatible with ApplePay
FREMONT, USA: UIC is pleased to announce that its existing NFC technology is compatible with Apple Pay. UIC's NFC payment readers are currently used in many industries including vending, laundry, EV charge, parking, petroleum, unattended, retail, QSR, mobile, aero service, and many others.
Those systems equipped with UIC's NFC technology can now accept payments from Apple Pay equipped iOS devices, without the need to upgrade hardware.
In addition to Apple Pay, UIC's NFC readers also currently support Visa payWave™, MasterCard PayPass™, American Express ExpressPay™ and Discover D-PAS™. UIC's PCI-PTS and EMV certified PIN Pads and terminals equipped with our NFC technology will also accept Apple Pay, taking advantage of UIC's long standing reputation of providing superior design and high quality products to the payment industry.
The UIC product portfolio for NFC readers also includes bezel payment systems and NFC modules for the OEM/ODM markets.
"Apple Pay combines a simple contactless payment technology with the existing security features of the Apple iOS devices to provide a mobile payment solution for the entire payment industry." – said Albert Li, GM of UIC. "UIC partners that currently support our NFC technology are in position to take advantage of the increase in NFC deployment, which some predict to reach 77 to 90 million within the next five years.
Those systems equipped with UIC's NFC technology can now accept payments from Apple Pay equipped iOS devices, without the need to upgrade hardware.
In addition to Apple Pay, UIC's NFC readers also currently support Visa payWave™, MasterCard PayPass™, American Express ExpressPay™ and Discover D-PAS™. UIC's PCI-PTS and EMV certified PIN Pads and terminals equipped with our NFC technology will also accept Apple Pay, taking advantage of UIC's long standing reputation of providing superior design and high quality products to the payment industry.
The UIC product portfolio for NFC readers also includes bezel payment systems and NFC modules for the OEM/ODM markets.
"Apple Pay combines a simple contactless payment technology with the existing security features of the Apple iOS devices to provide a mobile payment solution for the entire payment industry." – said Albert Li, GM of UIC. "UIC partners that currently support our NFC technology are in position to take advantage of the increase in NFC deployment, which some predict to reach 77 to 90 million within the next five years.
Open Mobile Alliance partners with automotive industry experts
SAN DIEGO, USA: The Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) has announced that they will be moderating a panel at this year’s Telematics West Coast conference; the panel titled ‘The car steps out into the connected world’ will be comprised of industry leaders and moderated by senior OMA representative, Dr. Eshwar Pittampalli.
The panel is set to cover the latest developments and predictions in the In-Vehicle-Infotainment (IVI) market and give visitors to the conference a detailed insight into whether the content providers, software architects, tier 1s or OEMs will take ownership of the in-car experience as the industry moves further into the connected world.
Panel member Scott Burnell of Ford will be giving visitors an insight into his argument for the need for a single connectivity platform in the auto industry as well as why he thinks the industry’s main quest should be to deliver an in-vehicle experience and not just a range of apps.
“The panel is a great way to discuss the developments in the industry and what is next in the telematics space,” commented Burnell. Furthermore, Zach Brand of NPR will discuss on the panel the growing demand for in-vehicle-infotainment as well as the need for a re-fresh on automobiles as opportunities for the connected car grow and grow.
The panel is set to cover the latest developments and predictions in the In-Vehicle-Infotainment (IVI) market and give visitors to the conference a detailed insight into whether the content providers, software architects, tier 1s or OEMs will take ownership of the in-car experience as the industry moves further into the connected world.
Panel member Scott Burnell of Ford will be giving visitors an insight into his argument for the need for a single connectivity platform in the auto industry as well as why he thinks the industry’s main quest should be to deliver an in-vehicle experience and not just a range of apps.
“The panel is a great way to discuss the developments in the industry and what is next in the telematics space,” commented Burnell. Furthermore, Zach Brand of NPR will discuss on the panel the growing demand for in-vehicle-infotainment as well as the need for a re-fresh on automobiles as opportunities for the connected car grow and grow.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Aculab ApplianX solution now rated “Avaya Compliant”
MILTON KEYNES, UK: Aculab, a leading provider of telephony products to the global communications market, announced that its ApplianX QSIG-to-SIP gateway is compliant with Avaya Aura Communication Manager 6.2 and Avaya Aura Session Manager 6.3 solutions from Avaya, a global provider of business collaboration and communication software and services.
The ApplianX QSIG-to-SIP gateway helps businesses connect their QSIG-based PBX to the Avaya Aura® Platform, allowing them to expand their communication functionality as their needs grow. The application is now compliance-tested by Avaya for compatibility with Avaya Aura Communication Manager 6.2 and Avaya Aura Session Manager 6.3.
Aculab is a Technology Partner in the Avaya DevConnect program – an initiative to develop, market and sell innovative third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology and extend the value of a company’s investment in its network.
The ApplianX QSIG-to-SIP gateway helps businesses connect their QSIG-based PBX to the Avaya Aura® Platform, allowing them to expand their communication functionality as their needs grow. The application is now compliance-tested by Avaya for compatibility with Avaya Aura Communication Manager 6.2 and Avaya Aura Session Manager 6.3.
Aculab is a Technology Partner in the Avaya DevConnect program – an initiative to develop, market and sell innovative third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology and extend the value of a company’s investment in its network.
Telefonica/VIVO and ISPM – building Brazil’s first smart city
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL & LONDON, UK: Telefonica/VIVO, the largest telecommunications service provider in Brazil, and ISPM, a leading vendor of flexible service assurance, orchestration and management software for telecommunications and IT infrastructure, announced the launch of a comprehensive project to turn Águas de São Pedro, a city in the São Paulo region, into the first smart city in the country.
The project has been initiated to coincide with the modernisation of the city’s telecommunications infrastructure. In addition to the provision of high-speed broadband connectivity to citizens and businesses, digital solutions will be designed and delivered to assist in education, health, tourism and public spaces, among other areas.
ISPM, the leader in quality management for digital services, was invited to participate in the project through the delivery of solutions that will manage the quality of the services that will be used in the city. ISPM will provide technical support and maintenance for over 400 remote solutions used across the health and education sectors.
In addition, ISPM will be responsible for service level management of a range of services using its NetVision IoT platform, which will consolidate the Service Assurance of various digital services in a single portal.
The project has been initiated to coincide with the modernisation of the city’s telecommunications infrastructure. In addition to the provision of high-speed broadband connectivity to citizens and businesses, digital solutions will be designed and delivered to assist in education, health, tourism and public spaces, among other areas.
ISPM, the leader in quality management for digital services, was invited to participate in the project through the delivery of solutions that will manage the quality of the services that will be used in the city. ISPM will provide technical support and maintenance for over 400 remote solutions used across the health and education sectors.
In addition, ISPM will be responsible for service level management of a range of services using its NetVision IoT platform, which will consolidate the Service Assurance of various digital services in a single portal.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Starhome Mach’s steering of roaming best solution in market
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND: For the second year running, Starhome Mach’s steering of roaming solution was selected by mobile operators worldwide as the best in the market in an independent survey conducted by Roaming Consulting Co. Ltd (ROCCO). Starhome Mach is the global leader in mobile inter-carrier network and clearing services.
Starhome Mach excelled in the leadership KPIs, including industry expertise and customer orientation, and as the leading roaming enabler. For performance KPIs, Starhome Mach received the highest rankings in customer service, value for money, reliability, and depth of understanding of the roaming business.
“The best judges of a product are its users. To be selected among our competitors is the best endorsement of our product, service, and the value we provide to our customers,” said Guy Reiffer, VP, Marketing and Partnerships at Starhome MACH. “The survey shows what operators worldwide already know – that Starhome Mach offers the best product, affirming our position as a leader in the inter-carrier market, recognizing the value we add to operators and their customers, who are looking for excellent user experience and lower costs.”
Starhome Mach excelled in the leadership KPIs, including industry expertise and customer orientation, and as the leading roaming enabler. For performance KPIs, Starhome Mach received the highest rankings in customer service, value for money, reliability, and depth of understanding of the roaming business.
“The best judges of a product are its users. To be selected among our competitors is the best endorsement of our product, service, and the value we provide to our customers,” said Guy Reiffer, VP, Marketing and Partnerships at Starhome MACH. “The survey shows what operators worldwide already know – that Starhome Mach offers the best product, affirming our position as a leader in the inter-carrier market, recognizing the value we add to operators and their customers, who are looking for excellent user experience and lower costs.”
UK-based mobile provider Improves MVNO capabilities for business users
WARRINGTON, UK: MDS, a leading provider of real-time charging, billing and customer management solutions, announced the successful implementation of the latest version of its Customer Management Platform (CMP) for a Tier 1 UK MVNO business provider, in a deal worth over $10 million in contractual term commitments.
MDS’ CMP is a fully-managed real-time billing and customer management solution that provides the MVNO with enhanced charging and billing capabilities which allow it to respond rapidly to its customers’ demands for innovative new digital services. This latest version of the business support service also empowers the MVNO to take advantage of new network capabilities, supporting the massive growth in data.
Thanks to CMP, the MVNO will soon be launching new and enhanced products and propositions that are attractive to its valuable business customers. New CMP features enable the creation of exciting new offers for business users, furthering innovation and improving service excellence in a dynamic and growing market.
The project required the MDS team to deliver a number of new pieces of development and carry out a significant number of complex infrastructure changes, including integration with a new network and automating the porting and migration process, within a tight timeframe. Working in partnership with the MVNO’s operational teams, MDS maintained uninterrupted service for the provider and its customers, which allowed the MVNO to continue to provide the same levels of superior support to its important business users.
The CMP implementation also gives the MVNO the opportunity to migrate a large base of business subscribers onto new services. The migration element of the project presented a unique set of challenges for MDS that included building a complete new back office whilst at the same time maintaining business as usual.
MDS’ CMP is a fully-managed real-time billing and customer management solution that provides the MVNO with enhanced charging and billing capabilities which allow it to respond rapidly to its customers’ demands for innovative new digital services. This latest version of the business support service also empowers the MVNO to take advantage of new network capabilities, supporting the massive growth in data.
Thanks to CMP, the MVNO will soon be launching new and enhanced products and propositions that are attractive to its valuable business customers. New CMP features enable the creation of exciting new offers for business users, furthering innovation and improving service excellence in a dynamic and growing market.
The project required the MDS team to deliver a number of new pieces of development and carry out a significant number of complex infrastructure changes, including integration with a new network and automating the porting and migration process, within a tight timeframe. Working in partnership with the MVNO’s operational teams, MDS maintained uninterrupted service for the provider and its customers, which allowed the MVNO to continue to provide the same levels of superior support to its important business users.
The CMP implementation also gives the MVNO the opportunity to migrate a large base of business subscribers onto new services. The migration element of the project presented a unique set of challenges for MDS that included building a complete new back office whilst at the same time maintaining business as usual.
Connectivity anytime, anywhere, on any device
FRANCE: Apple's quiet release of its Apple SIM has recently disrupted the embedded connectivity market. Not only does this technology allow users to switch mobile carriers without changing their SIM card, but this new technology also paves the way for a future where device manufacturers will be connectivity resellers or even connectivity providers.
Transatel, an innovative French company and leader within the mobile services market, anticipated this market trend long ago and developed a new product, offering device manufacturers an end-to-end embedded connectivity solution. This innovative technology based on the multi-local 901 mobile network code allows device manufacturers to delivers global 3G/LTE services to their end-users with one unique SIM card.
Consumer mobile broadband usage is increasing on connected devices, driven by 4G adoption and the need to be always connected, anywhere, anytime. With 30 billion connected devices expected by 2020, the forecasted growth in Connectivity and the Internet of Things markets clearly ensures a bright future for this innovative connectivity solution.
Transatel, an innovative French company and leader within the mobile services market, anticipated this market trend long ago and developed a new product, offering device manufacturers an end-to-end embedded connectivity solution. This innovative technology based on the multi-local 901 mobile network code allows device manufacturers to delivers global 3G/LTE services to their end-users with one unique SIM card.
Consumer mobile broadband usage is increasing on connected devices, driven by 4G adoption and the need to be always connected, anywhere, anytime. With 30 billion connected devices expected by 2020, the forecasted growth in Connectivity and the Internet of Things markets clearly ensures a bright future for this innovative connectivity solution.
OSS/BSS market projected to be worth $48.54 billion by 2018
ALBANY, USA: OSS/BSS Market - Asia Pacific and Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2012-2018, a report published by Transparency Market Research, provides valuable insights into the global OSS/BSS Market and forecasts the various factors that could propel as well as hinder the market, and the hot market areas for this industry during over the forecast period.
According to the report, the global OSS/BSS market, which had a market value worth $17 billion in 2011, could rise to $48.54 billion by 2018. The market is projected to show a year-on-year CAGR of 16.2 percent during the forecast period, which seems quite certain according to the current state of the industry and its favorable market conditions.
All telecommunication services (fixed line or mobile) are basically made up of a combination of hardware devices and embedded software that enables the hardware in undertaking various operations. Along with the embedded software, there are two other software applications that are critical for the proper management of the telecom network. These are OSS and BSS.
OSS refers to either operations support systems or operational support systems and BSS to Business support systems. The report states that factors such as the rapid growth in the telecommunications industry and the growing use of convergent billing systems could help the industry grow at the estimated rates.
According to the report, the global OSS/BSS market, which had a market value worth $17 billion in 2011, could rise to $48.54 billion by 2018. The market is projected to show a year-on-year CAGR of 16.2 percent during the forecast period, which seems quite certain according to the current state of the industry and its favorable market conditions.
All telecommunication services (fixed line or mobile) are basically made up of a combination of hardware devices and embedded software that enables the hardware in undertaking various operations. Along with the embedded software, there are two other software applications that are critical for the proper management of the telecom network. These are OSS and BSS.
OSS refers to either operations support systems or operational support systems and BSS to Business support systems. The report states that factors such as the rapid growth in the telecommunications industry and the growing use of convergent billing systems could help the industry grow at the estimated rates.
WhiteSpace Alliance to speak at Spectrum Futures conference in Singapore
CHELMSFORD, USA: The WhiteSpace Alliance (WSA), a global industry organization enabling sharing of underutilized spectrum, announced that its members will be featured speakers at the Spectrum Futures Conference in Singapore in October, 2014.
The new conference, hosted by the Pacific Telecommunications Council, will focus upon the latest developments in the use of spectrum for Internet access in Asia and Oceania with a particular focus on South and Southeast Asia. Spectrum Futures will feature briefings by country regulators and platform suppliers about innovations in the use of unlicensed, shared and licensed spectrum to support rapid deployment of Internet access.
The conference will take place 29-30 October, 2014, at the Arts House in Singapore.
“Southern Asia represents a rapidly growing market for shared spectrum solutions”, said Dr. Apurva N. Mody, chairman of WhiteSpace Alliance. “Our broad ecosystem of members has strong Asian representation and knowhow regarding whitespace technology implementation. Many of our members have participated in spectrum sharing trials in countries such as Singapore, Japan, and the Philippines.”
The new conference, hosted by the Pacific Telecommunications Council, will focus upon the latest developments in the use of spectrum for Internet access in Asia and Oceania with a particular focus on South and Southeast Asia. Spectrum Futures will feature briefings by country regulators and platform suppliers about innovations in the use of unlicensed, shared and licensed spectrum to support rapid deployment of Internet access.
The conference will take place 29-30 October, 2014, at the Arts House in Singapore.
“Southern Asia represents a rapidly growing market for shared spectrum solutions”, said Dr. Apurva N. Mody, chairman of WhiteSpace Alliance. “Our broad ecosystem of members has strong Asian representation and knowhow regarding whitespace technology implementation. Many of our members have participated in spectrum sharing trials in countries such as Singapore, Japan, and the Philippines.”
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Mobile network operators missing A2P SMS opportunity
MUNICH, GERMANY: New global research from analyst house mobilesquared, sponsored by mobile interaction specialist tyntec, highlights that four in five (81 percent) mobile network operators (MNOs) cite decreasing revenues on traditional telecom offerings such as P2P (Person-to-Person) SMS as their most pressing concern.
The survey of more than 50 international MNOs showed that one in three (32 per cent) respondents have seen a reduction in P2P traffic over the last 12 months whilst half (50 percent) who have seen an increase in Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging. One in three MNOs (32 percent) reported at least a 6 percent growth in A2P traffic over the last year while - in contrast - almost one in five MNOs (18 percent) have seen P2P traffic decline by more than 5 percent.
This clearly indicates growth in the A2P sector but, given the difference in scale between P2P and A2P, greater focus will be needed on driving growth and monetisation if A2P messaging is to fill the revenue gap left by the decline of P2P SMS.
A2P SMS is a crucial revenue opportunity for mobile network operators. Worldwide A2P messages are expected to increase to 2.19 trillion by 2018 and A2P revenues will grow to $60 billion by 2018.
The decline of P2P SMS is being attributed to the surge in over-the-top (OTT) services like WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger. The latest research by mobilesquared reveals uptake of these services is rising rapidly, with half of MNOs (50 percent) expecting at least half (50 percent) of their customers to be using OTT services in 2015.
In relation to previous research by mobilesquared, this compares to one in five MNOs (21 percent) projecting the same level of usage in 2013 for the year ahead and none projecting a comparative level of usage in 2012 for 2013.
Utilising A2P SMS has been a challenge for network operators as the technology has previously been inundated with spam. Recently, it has emerged as an attractive revenue stream following demand for high-quality traffic by enterprises and OTT players.
The survey of more than 50 international MNOs showed that one in three (32 per cent) respondents have seen a reduction in P2P traffic over the last 12 months whilst half (50 percent) who have seen an increase in Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging. One in three MNOs (32 percent) reported at least a 6 percent growth in A2P traffic over the last year while - in contrast - almost one in five MNOs (18 percent) have seen P2P traffic decline by more than 5 percent.
This clearly indicates growth in the A2P sector but, given the difference in scale between P2P and A2P, greater focus will be needed on driving growth and monetisation if A2P messaging is to fill the revenue gap left by the decline of P2P SMS.
A2P SMS is a crucial revenue opportunity for mobile network operators. Worldwide A2P messages are expected to increase to 2.19 trillion by 2018 and A2P revenues will grow to $60 billion by 2018.
The decline of P2P SMS is being attributed to the surge in over-the-top (OTT) services like WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger. The latest research by mobilesquared reveals uptake of these services is rising rapidly, with half of MNOs (50 percent) expecting at least half (50 percent) of their customers to be using OTT services in 2015.
In relation to previous research by mobilesquared, this compares to one in five MNOs (21 percent) projecting the same level of usage in 2013 for the year ahead and none projecting a comparative level of usage in 2012 for 2013.
Utilising A2P SMS has been a challenge for network operators as the technology has previously been inundated with spam. Recently, it has emerged as an attractive revenue stream following demand for high-quality traffic by enterprises and OTT players.
Axiros emerges as an IoT powerhouse
BBWF 2014, AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS: At the Broadband World Forum 2014 in Amsterdam, Axiros, the technology leader in open device management solutions for service providers and enterprises, announced several major investments in its product offerings, new customers and global expansion as it paves the way for its Internet of Things (IoT) products.
Axiros' new and existing Tier 1 and 2 service provider customers and device manufacturers have consistently reinvested in Axiros technology, validating the company's unique and innovative vision to offer strong and reliable products in the IoT device and service management space.
Over the last few months alone, the company announced major partnerships with industry manufacturers including Yeastar, OneAccess, KAONMEDIA, Wi-NEXT, ZyXEL, and BULL, and has upgraded many of its current top-tier telco customers with its latest product offerings, including Vodafone Group, LGI, Telecom Italia, UNE Group, KPN Group, DT Group and Swisscom.
Axiros' new and existing Tier 1 and 2 service provider customers and device manufacturers have consistently reinvested in Axiros technology, validating the company's unique and innovative vision to offer strong and reliable products in the IoT device and service management space.
Over the last few months alone, the company announced major partnerships with industry manufacturers including Yeastar, OneAccess, KAONMEDIA, Wi-NEXT, ZyXEL, and BULL, and has upgraded many of its current top-tier telco customers with its latest product offerings, including Vodafone Group, LGI, Telecom Italia, UNE Group, KPN Group, DT Group and Swisscom.
Developed Asia trumps Europe in the world’s first integrated fixed and mobile fast broadband development index
LONDON, ENGLAND: Norway is the only major European country to make it into the top 10 global markets in the Broadband Development Index*, a new service launched by global technology research and advisory firm Ovum to track the take-up of high-speed fixed and mobile broadband services in 191 countries.
The Asian markets of South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan currently occupy the top four spots for end-2014 in the Broadband Development Index. Ovum expects these to retain their positions over the next five years. The US ranks 8th, thanks largely to the success of its early LTE rollouts, but will fall back to 13th by 2019.
European rankings will, however, improve over the next five years as a result of investment in LTE and fast fixed-broadband networks. The Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden will all become top-ten markets by 2019.
Other big movers between 2014 and 2019 include China and India, which will rise from 59th and 157th to 35th and 125th respectively. Germany (29th at the end of 2014), the UK (27th) and Spain (33rd) will also improve their rankings over the period. The biggest faller will be Qatar – from 5th to 16th. Qatar’s migration to fast mobile broadband is forecast to be relatively slow, and its fast fixed-broadband score stops increasing after 2014 when it reaches 100% penetration.
“Previous country-by-country comparisons of broadband connectivity have focussed on basic broadband connectivity and on fixed rather than mobile telecommunications,” notes Milena Cooper, senior financial analyst at Ovum. “We wanted to find a way to include both fixed and mobile broadband because in many emerging markets mobile is the de facto broadband technology.”
“In practice, those countries that score highly on fast fixed broadband do likewise for mobile broadband. South Korea and Singapore rank first and second respectively in both fixed and mobile fast broadband throughout the forecast period,” concludes Cooper.
The Asian markets of South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan currently occupy the top four spots for end-2014 in the Broadband Development Index. Ovum expects these to retain their positions over the next five years. The US ranks 8th, thanks largely to the success of its early LTE rollouts, but will fall back to 13th by 2019.
Other big movers between 2014 and 2019 include China and India, which will rise from 59th and 157th to 35th and 125th respectively. Germany (29th at the end of 2014), the UK (27th) and Spain (33rd) will also improve their rankings over the period. The biggest faller will be Qatar – from 5th to 16th. Qatar’s migration to fast mobile broadband is forecast to be relatively slow, and its fast fixed-broadband score stops increasing after 2014 when it reaches 100% penetration.
“Previous country-by-country comparisons of broadband connectivity have focussed on basic broadband connectivity and on fixed rather than mobile telecommunications,” notes Milena Cooper, senior financial analyst at Ovum. “We wanted to find a way to include both fixed and mobile broadband because in many emerging markets mobile is the de facto broadband technology.”
“In practice, those countries that score highly on fast fixed broadband do likewise for mobile broadband. South Korea and Singapore rank first and second respectively in both fixed and mobile fast broadband throughout the forecast period,” concludes Cooper.
Calix E7 delivers "fibredirect" service for businesses to Ireland's first fiber towns
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS: Calix Inc. has announced that its Calix E7-2 Ethernet Service Access Platform (ESAP) and P- and T-Series fiber services gateways have been chosen by enet for the rollout of the company's "fibredirect" superfast fiber broadband service that targets small and medium-sized businesses in towns and cities throughout Ireland.
enet, a private company, which operates fiber optic infrastructure on behalf of the Irish State, has now rolled out its "fibredirect" service in Claremorris, making that community Ireland's first fiber town, and will soon connect every business in the town directly to the national fiber infrastructure.
This open access service will also soon be offered to businesses in three additional towns - Kilkenny, Loughrea, and Ardee - and will help to energize the rural local economies by providing greater connectivity for businesses, increasing their prospects for competitiveness and job creation.
enet operates and manages the Irish State's fiber optic infrastructure known as the Metropolitan Area Networks or MANs, a wholesale open access telecoms infrastructure with 94 MAN-enabled towns in the Republic of Ireland.
The aim of the MANs is to provide a middle mile infrastructure with high bandwidth capacity to all authorized operators. This model enables operators to sell high-capacity broadband and telephony services to end users such as large corporations. enet already serves the main service providers in the country with open access fiber.
The new "fibredirect" initiative aims to extend the services to local ISPs in towns and cities throughout Ireland and to target the smaller and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in those communities, bringing last mile fiber to businesses and business parks throughout the chosen locations.
Claremorris, in County Mayo in the West of Ireland, is the first community to go live with fiber business connections, as local ISP Airspeed Telecom has delivered speeds of up to 250 megabits per second (Mbps) since late September. enet "fibredirect" is a 100 percent fiber service, with fiber access infrastructure being delivered directly into premises. enet found the efficiency of GPON's shared infrastructure as the best fiber technology fit for its network.
enet determined that the Calix E7-2 ESAP was the best fit due to the E7-2's industry-leading modularity and flexibility, meeting enet's needs for a scalable solution that could go from smaller scale deployments like Claremorris and grow as customer demand increased.
Calix is working in partnership with Irish network systems integrator Agile Networks, a networking specialist already supporting 14 of the top 25 ISPs in Ireland.
"The Calix portfolio is an excellent fit for enet's needs and we believe introducing this technology into the marketplace will be truly disruptive in allowing greater rollout of fiber services in Ireland. Our partnership with Calix underlines the commitment to combine leading technology with local expertise, which is critical to the success of a national project of this scale and importance," commented Darragh Richardson, MD of Agile Networks.
Calix Advantage Program is a comprehensive program that combines the key tools and services necessary to manage, maintain, and support each customer's access network. It provides combined network management systems, software upgrades, and technical support across the Calix Unified Access portfolio, which was instrumental in enet's selection of the Calix solution.
enet, a private company, which operates fiber optic infrastructure on behalf of the Irish State, has now rolled out its "fibredirect" service in Claremorris, making that community Ireland's first fiber town, and will soon connect every business in the town directly to the national fiber infrastructure.
This open access service will also soon be offered to businesses in three additional towns - Kilkenny, Loughrea, and Ardee - and will help to energize the rural local economies by providing greater connectivity for businesses, increasing their prospects for competitiveness and job creation.
enet operates and manages the Irish State's fiber optic infrastructure known as the Metropolitan Area Networks or MANs, a wholesale open access telecoms infrastructure with 94 MAN-enabled towns in the Republic of Ireland.
The aim of the MANs is to provide a middle mile infrastructure with high bandwidth capacity to all authorized operators. This model enables operators to sell high-capacity broadband and telephony services to end users such as large corporations. enet already serves the main service providers in the country with open access fiber.
The new "fibredirect" initiative aims to extend the services to local ISPs in towns and cities throughout Ireland and to target the smaller and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in those communities, bringing last mile fiber to businesses and business parks throughout the chosen locations.
Claremorris, in County Mayo in the West of Ireland, is the first community to go live with fiber business connections, as local ISP Airspeed Telecom has delivered speeds of up to 250 megabits per second (Mbps) since late September. enet "fibredirect" is a 100 percent fiber service, with fiber access infrastructure being delivered directly into premises. enet found the efficiency of GPON's shared infrastructure as the best fiber technology fit for its network.
enet determined that the Calix E7-2 ESAP was the best fit due to the E7-2's industry-leading modularity and flexibility, meeting enet's needs for a scalable solution that could go from smaller scale deployments like Claremorris and grow as customer demand increased.
Calix is working in partnership with Irish network systems integrator Agile Networks, a networking specialist already supporting 14 of the top 25 ISPs in Ireland.
"The Calix portfolio is an excellent fit for enet's needs and we believe introducing this technology into the marketplace will be truly disruptive in allowing greater rollout of fiber services in Ireland. Our partnership with Calix underlines the commitment to combine leading technology with local expertise, which is critical to the success of a national project of this scale and importance," commented Darragh Richardson, MD of Agile Networks.
Calix Advantage Program is a comprehensive program that combines the key tools and services necessary to manage, maintain, and support each customer's access network. It provides combined network management systems, software upgrades, and technical support across the Calix Unified Access portfolio, which was instrumental in enet's selection of the Calix solution.
Dawn of ultrafast broadband era
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS: Ultrafast broadband, that can enable the Internet of Everything, which includes 4K-video and cloud-based applications, is a growing presence as a proportion of total world fixed broadband subscriptions, which reached a record 700.19 million this week.
But now, the big challenge for the emerging ultrafast technologies such as G.fast is interoperability and today at the Broadband World Forum in Amsterdam, the Broadband Forum is hosting the most advanced showcase of interoperable equipment and solutions ever staged, on its Interoperability Pavilion.
The Broadband Forum’s work and mission is focused on ensuring that broadband enables innovative high-speed applications and cloud based services to deploy at pace. However, as the network evolves and even higher speeds can be achieved with more innovative technologies, interoperability remains the key enabler.
This week’s Pavilion features 17 of the world’s top vendors, test houses and industry bodies and visitors will be able to see live examples of the latest G.fast technology, VDSL2 Vectoring, GPON and the Forum’s much-acclaimed TR-069 remote management protocol. The Pavilion is at the heart of the event at stand number E50 and among the organizations supporting the Forum has been the ITU-T, which is a partner for the Pavilion.
“Both standards and their implementation are a collaborative effort, and ITU-T is working closely with the Broadband Forum and others to help deliver both the protocols and the fast deployment of innovative technological developments such as G.fast. We are pleased to support this Pavilion as one example of our close collaboration,” said Malcolm Johnson, director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. “Working together, ITU and the Broadband Forum can make sure the framework is in place to move to ultrafast rates.”
G.fast is one of the main areas of focus on the Pavilion. It answers many of the deployment questions around the demand for faster broadband – giving Gigabit speeds without the Outside Plant (OSP) costs. It is essentially a “fiber to the periphery” solution, bringing fiber closer to the customer; typically to within 20-200m depending on the deployment scenario. G.fast is set to be very important, particularly as service providers look to provide services such as IPTV at 500 to 1000 Mbps.
As G.fast moves forward, the Broadband Forum has also selected the world’s first testing laboratory to certify products designed for G.fast deployment. It has chosen the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL), which has more than 25 years’ experience and major testing facilities.
But now, the big challenge for the emerging ultrafast technologies such as G.fast is interoperability and today at the Broadband World Forum in Amsterdam, the Broadband Forum is hosting the most advanced showcase of interoperable equipment and solutions ever staged, on its Interoperability Pavilion.
The Broadband Forum’s work and mission is focused on ensuring that broadband enables innovative high-speed applications and cloud based services to deploy at pace. However, as the network evolves and even higher speeds can be achieved with more innovative technologies, interoperability remains the key enabler.
This week’s Pavilion features 17 of the world’s top vendors, test houses and industry bodies and visitors will be able to see live examples of the latest G.fast technology, VDSL2 Vectoring, GPON and the Forum’s much-acclaimed TR-069 remote management protocol. The Pavilion is at the heart of the event at stand number E50 and among the organizations supporting the Forum has been the ITU-T, which is a partner for the Pavilion.
“Both standards and their implementation are a collaborative effort, and ITU-T is working closely with the Broadband Forum and others to help deliver both the protocols and the fast deployment of innovative technological developments such as G.fast. We are pleased to support this Pavilion as one example of our close collaboration,” said Malcolm Johnson, director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. “Working together, ITU and the Broadband Forum can make sure the framework is in place to move to ultrafast rates.”
G.fast is one of the main areas of focus on the Pavilion. It answers many of the deployment questions around the demand for faster broadband – giving Gigabit speeds without the Outside Plant (OSP) costs. It is essentially a “fiber to the periphery” solution, bringing fiber closer to the customer; typically to within 20-200m depending on the deployment scenario. G.fast is set to be very important, particularly as service providers look to provide services such as IPTV at 500 to 1000 Mbps.
As G.fast moves forward, the Broadband Forum has also selected the world’s first testing laboratory to certify products designed for G.fast deployment. It has chosen the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL), which has more than 25 years’ experience and major testing facilities.
Qualcomm drives 802.11ac 2.0 ecosystem
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS: Qualcomm Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Atheros Inc., is putting high performance Wi-Fi connectivity in consumers' hands and homes with the only end-to-end ecosystem of 802.11ac 2.0 solutions with multi-user multi-input/multi-output (MU-MIMO).
Leading home networking manufacturers such as AVM are introducing products based on Qualcomm VIVE 802.11ac chipsets with Qualcomm® MU | EFX MU-MIMO technology, which Qualcomm Atheros introduced earlier this year to greatly improve Wi-Fi performance for the growing number of connected devices on home, business and public networks.
Mobile device manufacturers are also preparing smartphones and tablets to take advantage of these advanced features to achieve up to three times faster 11ac Wi-Fi. Further expanding its portfolio of 11ac 2.0 capable chips, Qualcomm Atheros is introducing the QCA9377, which extends the performance benefits of MU | EFX to notebooks, TVs, cameras, and other consumer electronics that are connecting to increasingly crowded Wi-Fi networks.
The single-stream 11ac + Bluetooth 4.1 combination chip is designed to provide the best possible performance with reduced power consumption.
Qualcomm VIVE is the only line of 802.11ac 2.0 solutions for networking equipment, consumer electronics, and mobile and computing devices. With more devices connecting via Wi-Fi, Qualcomm VIVE enabled networks with MU | EFX can multi-task like never before – supporting more simultaneous devices to make better use of wireless capacity that is wasted in Wi-Fi networks that serve one device at a time. As a result, Qualcomm MU | EFX helps consumers experience Wi-Fi to its maximum effect, with up to three times faster connections than other 802.11ac solutions currently available.
Showcasing Qualcomm Atheros' leadership in this sector, AVM will introduce a new FRITZ! Box router based on the Qualcomm IPQ and 4-stream 802.11ac with MU-MIMO products, targeting both retail and carrier segments.
Leading home networking manufacturers such as AVM are introducing products based on Qualcomm VIVE 802.11ac chipsets with Qualcomm® MU | EFX MU-MIMO technology, which Qualcomm Atheros introduced earlier this year to greatly improve Wi-Fi performance for the growing number of connected devices on home, business and public networks.
Mobile device manufacturers are also preparing smartphones and tablets to take advantage of these advanced features to achieve up to three times faster 11ac Wi-Fi. Further expanding its portfolio of 11ac 2.0 capable chips, Qualcomm Atheros is introducing the QCA9377, which extends the performance benefits of MU | EFX to notebooks, TVs, cameras, and other consumer electronics that are connecting to increasingly crowded Wi-Fi networks.
The single-stream 11ac + Bluetooth 4.1 combination chip is designed to provide the best possible performance with reduced power consumption.
Qualcomm VIVE is the only line of 802.11ac 2.0 solutions for networking equipment, consumer electronics, and mobile and computing devices. With more devices connecting via Wi-Fi, Qualcomm VIVE enabled networks with MU | EFX can multi-task like never before – supporting more simultaneous devices to make better use of wireless capacity that is wasted in Wi-Fi networks that serve one device at a time. As a result, Qualcomm MU | EFX helps consumers experience Wi-Fi to its maximum effect, with up to three times faster connections than other 802.11ac solutions currently available.
Showcasing Qualcomm Atheros' leadership in this sector, AVM will introduce a new FRITZ! Box router based on the Qualcomm IPQ and 4-stream 802.11ac with MU-MIMO products, targeting both retail and carrier segments.
Authometion’s IoTuino automation device controls various home appliances
ROME, ITALY: The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the widespread use of ultra-portable and ever-connected devices such as smartphones and tablets is reshaping the concept of home automation. It is now possible to monitor and control electrical appliances, lighting, and more with a simple command in a wireless home automation ecosystem.
Authometion, the startup engaged in IoT solutions for WiFi home automation applications, has just launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise €50,000 by November 17 to kick-off preorders of their first set of products that allows homeowners to transform their homes into smart homes.
The first product released by Authometion is IoTuino, an Arduino-compatible tiny core module (56×23 mm) incorporating a low-power WiFi module and radio transceiver. IoTuino has been completely designed and engineered in-house by Authometion after almost two years of research and development.
The goal of the product is to offer all makers and developers the opportunity to work with a powerful yet miniaturized microcontroller for rapid prototyping and to leverage the Arduino open-source electronics platform to build plenty of IoT devices.
“IoTuino is the perfect partner for DIY Home Automation applications,” said company founder and CEO, Pietro Moscetta. “It can be embedded into any object to immediately embrace the IoT revolution.”
IoTuino is based on an ATMega328P microcontroller and includes a built-in low-power Wi-Fi module (IEEE802.11 b/g/n), a 512Kb SPI Flash, a 2.4 GHz radio transceiver, and an integrated mini USB programming port.
Authometion has also developed LYT, a smart LED bulb for automated lighting control. LYT works in a bundle with IoTuino, which serves as a gateway, and can be controlled and automated by sensors and actuators for heat, light, force, motion, sound, and more. LYT is a 9W WiFi smart RGB+W LED bulb with an E27 Edison screw base.
IoTuino is a unique open-source core module that smoothly incorporates a native control over LED bulbs. For the first time ever, the Makers Community can use the IoTuino and LYT bundle to manage lighting by using LYTs as if they were wireless sensors and customize the devices’ functions according to the maker’s needs and wants. Thanks to the internet connection, any maker will benefit from countless applications and service available on the Internet.
Authometion, the startup engaged in IoT solutions for WiFi home automation applications, has just launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise €50,000 by November 17 to kick-off preorders of their first set of products that allows homeowners to transform their homes into smart homes.
The first product released by Authometion is IoTuino, an Arduino-compatible tiny core module (56×23 mm) incorporating a low-power WiFi module and radio transceiver. IoTuino has been completely designed and engineered in-house by Authometion after almost two years of research and development.
The goal of the product is to offer all makers and developers the opportunity to work with a powerful yet miniaturized microcontroller for rapid prototyping and to leverage the Arduino open-source electronics platform to build plenty of IoT devices.
“IoTuino is the perfect partner for DIY Home Automation applications,” said company founder and CEO, Pietro Moscetta. “It can be embedded into any object to immediately embrace the IoT revolution.”
IoTuino is based on an ATMega328P microcontroller and includes a built-in low-power Wi-Fi module (IEEE802.11 b/g/n), a 512Kb SPI Flash, a 2.4 GHz radio transceiver, and an integrated mini USB programming port.
Authometion has also developed LYT, a smart LED bulb for automated lighting control. LYT works in a bundle with IoTuino, which serves as a gateway, and can be controlled and automated by sensors and actuators for heat, light, force, motion, sound, and more. LYT is a 9W WiFi smart RGB+W LED bulb with an E27 Edison screw base.
IoTuino is a unique open-source core module that smoothly incorporates a native control over LED bulbs. For the first time ever, the Makers Community can use the IoTuino and LYT bundle to manage lighting by using LYTs as if they were wireless sensors and customize the devices’ functions according to the maker’s needs and wants. Thanks to the internet connection, any maker will benefit from countless applications and service available on the Internet.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Axiros, Eye Networks and ZyXEL to deliver comprehensive and scalable cloud-hosted device management solutions
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS: Three leading broadband technology companies, Axiros, Eye Networks and ZyXEL, announced a strategic partnership that will bring an unprecedented level of device management to the telecommunications and service provider marketplace at the Broadband World Forum 2014 in Amsterdam.
Axiros, technology leader in open device management solutions for service providers and enterprises, Eye Networks, leading provider of pre-qualified telecom hardware and software solutions and ZyXEL, leader in customer premises broadband networking technology, have combined forces to deliver off-the-shelf ZyXEL CPE with pre-integrated cloud-based ACS solutions. This will include services spanning from basic provisioning and firmware updates to an operator-accessed end user support portal.
This out-of-the-box cloud ACS solution targets comparatively small and lean Tier 2 / 3 providers who want to bring such value added services to their customers, but find the cost and complexity of building the necessary infrastructure and competencies to be prohibitive.
Greg Pannell, senior Business Development manager of ZyXEL, comments: "Our new offering eliminates this barrier to entry and our partnership is opening up a whole new realm of valueadded opportunity to service providers that have thousands of devices to manage.
"Partnering with Axiros and Eye Networks provides a scalable platform that can grow with the needs of the operators backed by independent support and includes the option to add legacy devices from other vendors. This ensures service providers can choose ZyXEL and our ACS solutions with complete confidence."
The new vendor-agnostic, future-proof and backwards-compatible solution incorporates the respective core competencies of the three partners. The AXESS.ACS Managed Service Platform by Axiros is a comprehensive software suite of tools for device and CPE management including zero-touch provisioning, remote device management, troubleshooting, security and self-service portals - all fully guaranteed to be interoperable and TR-069 compliant.
Eye Networks, with its wealth of experience in enabling service providers to offer their customers value added services, will be providing the cloud based turnkey service and tool suit for service providers.
With its comprehensive product portfolio ranging from entry level ADSL gateways to high end VDSL and FTTx IADs featuring 11ac wireless, ZyXEL has developed a range of CPEs specifically for Tier 2 and 3 service providers into which it will pre-integrate ACS solutions enabling service providers to efficiently access industry leading tools to deliver best in class services and support to their customers.
Axiros, technology leader in open device management solutions for service providers and enterprises, Eye Networks, leading provider of pre-qualified telecom hardware and software solutions and ZyXEL, leader in customer premises broadband networking technology, have combined forces to deliver off-the-shelf ZyXEL CPE with pre-integrated cloud-based ACS solutions. This will include services spanning from basic provisioning and firmware updates to an operator-accessed end user support portal.
This out-of-the-box cloud ACS solution targets comparatively small and lean Tier 2 / 3 providers who want to bring such value added services to their customers, but find the cost and complexity of building the necessary infrastructure and competencies to be prohibitive.
Greg Pannell, senior Business Development manager of ZyXEL, comments: "Our new offering eliminates this barrier to entry and our partnership is opening up a whole new realm of valueadded opportunity to service providers that have thousands of devices to manage.
"Partnering with Axiros and Eye Networks provides a scalable platform that can grow with the needs of the operators backed by independent support and includes the option to add legacy devices from other vendors. This ensures service providers can choose ZyXEL and our ACS solutions with complete confidence."
The new vendor-agnostic, future-proof and backwards-compatible solution incorporates the respective core competencies of the three partners. The AXESS.ACS Managed Service Platform by Axiros is a comprehensive software suite of tools for device and CPE management including zero-touch provisioning, remote device management, troubleshooting, security and self-service portals - all fully guaranteed to be interoperable and TR-069 compliant.
Eye Networks, with its wealth of experience in enabling service providers to offer their customers value added services, will be providing the cloud based turnkey service and tool suit for service providers.
With its comprehensive product portfolio ranging from entry level ADSL gateways to high end VDSL and FTTx IADs featuring 11ac wireless, ZyXEL has developed a range of CPEs specifically for Tier 2 and 3 service providers into which it will pre-integrate ACS solutions enabling service providers to efficiently access industry leading tools to deliver best in class services and support to their customers.
Starhome Mach adds six operators in Q3 across four continents
LUXEMBOURG: Starhome Mach, the global leader in mobile inter-carrier network and clearing services, announced that six major operators have chosen Starhome Mach’s Financial Clearing Solution in Q3 to get complete transparency and control over their international roaming financial clearing and settlement.
“With this much activity in a single quarter, it’s clear that the industry is looking for a fresh solution for financial clearing,” says Bruno Pagliuca, COO of Starhome Mach. “We have initiated new levels of transparency in one comprehensive solution aimed at maximizing cash flow and efficiency. Customers can now drive, influence, and control their financial clearing process.”
Operators using Starhome Mach’s Financial Clearing benefit from a clear, actionable view of each stage of the clearing and settlement process. This includes online approval or rejection of invoices, credits/debits notes, and payments.
All clearing processes are transparent, providing clarity on debt chasing and dispute resolution as well as detailed logs of all actions. Cross-cycle netting optimizes payments between carriers. Its transparent foreign exchange rate mechanism gives true visibility of the currency spread and provides assurance on currency costs.
Starhome Mach Financial Clearing uses one common approach to data and financial clearing to ensure reliable and secure processing of roaming transactions from call to cash. Integration into Starhome Mach’s Unity Business Management tool delivers significant management advantages, providing a complete 360o view of all clearing activities in one place.
“With this much activity in a single quarter, it’s clear that the industry is looking for a fresh solution for financial clearing,” says Bruno Pagliuca, COO of Starhome Mach. “We have initiated new levels of transparency in one comprehensive solution aimed at maximizing cash flow and efficiency. Customers can now drive, influence, and control their financial clearing process.”
Operators using Starhome Mach’s Financial Clearing benefit from a clear, actionable view of each stage of the clearing and settlement process. This includes online approval or rejection of invoices, credits/debits notes, and payments.
All clearing processes are transparent, providing clarity on debt chasing and dispute resolution as well as detailed logs of all actions. Cross-cycle netting optimizes payments between carriers. Its transparent foreign exchange rate mechanism gives true visibility of the currency spread and provides assurance on currency costs.
Starhome Mach Financial Clearing uses one common approach to data and financial clearing to ensure reliable and secure processing of roaming transactions from call to cash. Integration into Starhome Mach’s Unity Business Management tool delivers significant management advantages, providing a complete 360o view of all clearing activities in one place.
Italtel France achieves premier certification from Cisco
MILAN, ITALY: Italtel, a leading telecommunications company in next generation networks and services and IP communication, announced that its subsidiary company Italtel France has achieved Premier Certification from Cisco.
Italtel France earned the certification after it met Cisco’s high standards for networking competency, service, support and customer satisfaction. In addition to branding as a Cisco Premier Certified Partner, Italtel France will also receive new benefits from the Premier Certification, including recognition as a Premier Certified Partner in the Cisco Partner Locator; eligibility to participate in Cisco Channel Incentives Programs, with greater economic incentives than for the Select Certification level; and eligibility to sell Cisco Smart Care Services.
Italtel France will also be able to become a “Certified Agent” in the Global Partner Network Program and will receive a Cisco Certified Partner kit that contains resources such as sales tools, logos, guidelines, and information.
Stefano Pileri, Italtel’s CEO, said: “We are extremely pleased that Italtel France has achieved Premier Certification, particularly because this is a strategic market for us. Italtel has built strong technological and market synergies with Cisco to enable carriers and service providers to develop advanced services on new generation networks.
"In France, especially, Italtel is focused on unified communications and mobile/enhanced packet core segments. This certification adds an important quality - integration capabilities - to the competence that Italtel France has demonstrated in providing customers with turnkey proprietary solutions.”
As a Cisco Premier Certified Partner, Italtel France demonstrates a range of technical expertise. Before gaining Cisco Premier Certification Italtel France was required to achieve the Cisco Express Foundation Specialization, which includes tests on technical competence in the integration of basic routing and switching, wireless LANs and security technologies.
Italtel France was also required to integrate a base level of Cisco Lifecycle Services into their offerings and demonstrate high levels of customer satisfaction based on independently audited customer satisfaction surveys.
Italtel France earned the certification after it met Cisco’s high standards for networking competency, service, support and customer satisfaction. In addition to branding as a Cisco Premier Certified Partner, Italtel France will also receive new benefits from the Premier Certification, including recognition as a Premier Certified Partner in the Cisco Partner Locator; eligibility to participate in Cisco Channel Incentives Programs, with greater economic incentives than for the Select Certification level; and eligibility to sell Cisco Smart Care Services.
Italtel France will also be able to become a “Certified Agent” in the Global Partner Network Program and will receive a Cisco Certified Partner kit that contains resources such as sales tools, logos, guidelines, and information.
Stefano Pileri, Italtel’s CEO, said: “We are extremely pleased that Italtel France has achieved Premier Certification, particularly because this is a strategic market for us. Italtel has built strong technological and market synergies with Cisco to enable carriers and service providers to develop advanced services on new generation networks.
"In France, especially, Italtel is focused on unified communications and mobile/enhanced packet core segments. This certification adds an important quality - integration capabilities - to the competence that Italtel France has demonstrated in providing customers with turnkey proprietary solutions.”
As a Cisco Premier Certified Partner, Italtel France demonstrates a range of technical expertise. Before gaining Cisco Premier Certification Italtel France was required to achieve the Cisco Express Foundation Specialization, which includes tests on technical competence in the integration of basic routing and switching, wireless LANs and security technologies.
Italtel France was also required to integrate a base level of Cisco Lifecycle Services into their offerings and demonstrate high levels of customer satisfaction based on independently audited customer satisfaction surveys.
NICC Open Forum to explore future of telecommunications
LONDON, ENGLAND: NICC, the UK's technical forum for communications interoperability, will bring together industry leaders at its annual Open Forum (12 November in London) to explore the key issues for mobile telecommunications.
The agenda will address the eagerly anticipated 5G technology as well as nuisance calls, Customer Line Identification (CLI), and the rapidly growing SIP market.
Prof. Jim Norton FREng, will open the conference with a keynote that will analyse the unprecedented demand for mobile data networks. Prof. Norton is an external member of the Board of the UK Parliament's Office of Science and Technology (POST), where he acts as a policy advisor and is currently the independent Chair of the Spectrum Policy Forum, established for the Department of Culture, Media & Sport and facilitated by techUK.
Prof. Norton said: "Assuring interoperability is essential to extracting the benefits from our burgeoning Digital Society. Interoperability does not just happen; it is the result of much careful planning and hard work. NICC is at the heart of this work in making interoperability real rather than just a pious aspiration."
Continuing with the theme of 5G mobile networks, Prof. Andy Sutton, Principal Network Architect at EE, will look at the commercial position of 5G for mobile providers and discuss viable business models beneficial to both operators and consumers. Prof Sutton is responsible for network architecture revolution and mobile backhaul strategy at EE, benefitting from over 30 years of industry experience.
Prof. Rahim Tafazolli, Head of the Centre for Communication Systems Research (CCSR) at the University of Surrey will follow with an address of 5G from a researcher's perspective. The University of Surrey hosts a 5G Innovation Centre to research the groundbreaking advancements that will underpin the technology and experiment with these innovations on a specially created test bed.
The agenda will address the eagerly anticipated 5G technology as well as nuisance calls, Customer Line Identification (CLI), and the rapidly growing SIP market.
Prof. Jim Norton FREng, will open the conference with a keynote that will analyse the unprecedented demand for mobile data networks. Prof. Norton is an external member of the Board of the UK Parliament's Office of Science and Technology (POST), where he acts as a policy advisor and is currently the independent Chair of the Spectrum Policy Forum, established for the Department of Culture, Media & Sport and facilitated by techUK.
Prof. Norton said: "Assuring interoperability is essential to extracting the benefits from our burgeoning Digital Society. Interoperability does not just happen; it is the result of much careful planning and hard work. NICC is at the heart of this work in making interoperability real rather than just a pious aspiration."
Continuing with the theme of 5G mobile networks, Prof. Andy Sutton, Principal Network Architect at EE, will look at the commercial position of 5G for mobile providers and discuss viable business models beneficial to both operators and consumers. Prof Sutton is responsible for network architecture revolution and mobile backhaul strategy at EE, benefitting from over 30 years of industry experience.
Prof. Rahim Tafazolli, Head of the Centre for Communication Systems Research (CCSR) at the University of Surrey will follow with an address of 5G from a researcher's perspective. The University of Surrey hosts a 5G Innovation Centre to research the groundbreaking advancements that will underpin the technology and experiment with these innovations on a specially created test bed.
Philips Mobile launches first-of-its kind feature phone for senior citizens
INDIA: Philips mobile announced the launch of Philips Xenium X2566, the first-of-its-kind feature phone exclusively designed for senior citizens.
With features such as large font size, long lasting battery life and SOS function, priced at an affordable price range, the device has features that makes technology accessible to the elderly.
Senior citizens are often inconvenienced by the standard phones available in the market due to their small font size, short battery life and fragility.
According to Pew Research Internet Group, elderly citizens face several difficulties while adopting new technologies. Two in five elderly citizens indicated that they have a "physical or health condition that makes reading difficult or challenging" or a "disability, handicap, or chronic disease that prevents them from fully participating in many common daily activities".
With features such as large font size, long lasting battery life and SOS function, priced at an affordable price range, the device has features that makes technology accessible to the elderly.
Senior citizens are often inconvenienced by the standard phones available in the market due to their small font size, short battery life and fragility.
According to Pew Research Internet Group, elderly citizens face several difficulties while adopting new technologies. Two in five elderly citizens indicated that they have a "physical or health condition that makes reading difficult or challenging" or a "disability, handicap, or chronic disease that prevents them from fully participating in many common daily activities".
Sun Sea and Optical Communications, ECOC exhibition brings out industry best
LONDON, ENGLAND: Nexus Business Media Ltd (NBM),organiser of the ECOC (European Conference on Optical Communications) 2014 exhibition, has announced that this year’s show, held at the end of September bought over 5,500 industry professionals and over 300 exhibitors to Cannes.
The show at the Palais Des Festival in Cannes last month attracted professionals from across the globe to view the latest optical communication solutions from more than 300 exhibitors and to hear the ever successful Market Focus presentations from a host of industry-leading executives.
JDSU, Inphi, FTTH Council Europe and Oclaro pulled large crowds with a diverse range of topics and discussion-evoking points covering access and mobile network, photonics integration, high speed optical networks and data centres. Visitors heard from Daryl Innis of Ovum who gave an insightful presentation on 100g for metro networks and covering the latest in optical transmission, this year was Daryl’s third consecutive year of presenting in the sessions, he commented
“Market Focus is important because it is an opportunity to take the technology that has been developed in the market and show how it is impacting the real world as well as creating business opportunities”. The Market Focus seminars were once again a central attraction at the exhibition and this year saw an impressive 27 presentations from 29 leading industry speakers.
This year’s show played host to some great announcements from a diverse set of industry experts, giving visitors and insight into the future of the optical communications market. Visitors were also witness to a multitude of magnificent stands that created an immense buzz on the show floor. INNO Instrument, HJ3.W Inc and Keysight Technologies are just some of the exhibitors who bought in large crowds with their sleek and uniquely designed booths.
The show at the Palais Des Festival in Cannes last month attracted professionals from across the globe to view the latest optical communication solutions from more than 300 exhibitors and to hear the ever successful Market Focus presentations from a host of industry-leading executives.
JDSU, Inphi, FTTH Council Europe and Oclaro pulled large crowds with a diverse range of topics and discussion-evoking points covering access and mobile network, photonics integration, high speed optical networks and data centres. Visitors heard from Daryl Innis of Ovum who gave an insightful presentation on 100g for metro networks and covering the latest in optical transmission, this year was Daryl’s third consecutive year of presenting in the sessions, he commented
“Market Focus is important because it is an opportunity to take the technology that has been developed in the market and show how it is impacting the real world as well as creating business opportunities”. The Market Focus seminars were once again a central attraction at the exhibition and this year saw an impressive 27 presentations from 29 leading industry speakers.
This year’s show played host to some great announcements from a diverse set of industry experts, giving visitors and insight into the future of the optical communications market. Visitors were also witness to a multitude of magnificent stands that created an immense buzz on the show floor. INNO Instrument, HJ3.W Inc and Keysight Technologies are just some of the exhibitors who bought in large crowds with their sleek and uniquely designed booths.
IDT Global and Elara bring voice and data connectivity to rural villages in Mexico
LONDON, ENGLAND: IDT Global, a leading supplier of wholesale voice and payment services to telecommunications providers around the world, and Elara Comunicaciones, a leading provider of telecommunication and technology services in Mexico, are launching an international calling app for customers in rural and remote villages in south-eastern Mexico. The app will make international phone calls simpler and less expensive.
Elara Comunicaciones is implementing IDT's VoiceLine app across its Wi-Fi network enabling international calling via the app on mobile devices. Elara's large scale satellite network, implemented through a government project in south-east Mexico, provides over 3000 towns with voice and data services. The network brings voice and data connectivity to citizens, schools, hospitals, and some other government institutions, in the region for the first time.
Maurice Soreque, Commercial director, Elara Comunicaciones said: "We are thrilled to further broaden our services in rural areas of Mexico. This new service is another fantastic step forward in the development of connectivity in the region. It will enable our customers to connect to friends, family and businesses across the globe cheaply and easily. With IDT, the app launch was seamless, quick and easy. IDT's partner approach enabled us to adapt its VoiceLine app to our own business needs. We are delighted to be working with IDT to bring better connectivity to the region."
IDT's white label VoiceLine application enables businesses to create new forms of revenue streams and gain new subscribers. The application comes with both unlimited and pay-as-you-go calling plans and works over both 3G and Wi-Fi networks, allowing customers to use their existing phone number and contacts. It also includes voicemail services and class 5 telephony features.
Elara Comunicaciones is implementing IDT's VoiceLine app across its Wi-Fi network enabling international calling via the app on mobile devices. Elara's large scale satellite network, implemented through a government project in south-east Mexico, provides over 3000 towns with voice and data services. The network brings voice and data connectivity to citizens, schools, hospitals, and some other government institutions, in the region for the first time.
Maurice Soreque, Commercial director, Elara Comunicaciones said: "We are thrilled to further broaden our services in rural areas of Mexico. This new service is another fantastic step forward in the development of connectivity in the region. It will enable our customers to connect to friends, family and businesses across the globe cheaply and easily. With IDT, the app launch was seamless, quick and easy. IDT's partner approach enabled us to adapt its VoiceLine app to our own business needs. We are delighted to be working with IDT to bring better connectivity to the region."
IDT's white label VoiceLine application enables businesses to create new forms of revenue streams and gain new subscribers. The application comes with both unlimited and pay-as-you-go calling plans and works over both 3G and Wi-Fi networks, allowing customers to use their existing phone number and contacts. It also includes voicemail services and class 5 telephony features.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Huawei facilitates telecom network transformation in cloud era
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY: Huawei showcased its software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) technologies at the SDN & OpenFlow World Congress in Germany.
At the event, Huawei discussed how industry partners can best utilize these technologies to further the development of the telecom industry, with specific focus on how its SoftCOM strategy will continue to help address this industry trend.
"Huawei's SoftCOM will unleash the full potential of SDN and NFV, building an open and flexible network infrastructure for the ICT industry. We hope to work with all industry participants to create a future-oriented open network ecosystem in the cloud ICT era," said Ken Wang (Shengqing), president of Global Marketing and Solutions, Huawei.
As ICT technologies become increasingly cloud-based, telecom carriers are faced with the pressure of increased development costs and sluggish revenue growth. In this new era of ICT, carriers must now focus on evolving their businesses to address these challenges and regain competency.
Based on the concepts of cloud computing, SDN, and NFV, Huawei developed the future-oriented telecom network architecture strategy, SoftCOM, which aims to help reconstruct the telecom industry from the perspectives of network architecture, network functions, as well as service and Observation and Measurements (O&M) models.
The SoftCOM strategy enables telecom carriers to realize comprehensive network evolution and business transformation, thus creating and seizing new value opportunities through ICT integration. This approach will further help with establishing and advancing an open, interconnected, and innovative ecosystem, to increase and better leverage the aggraded industry value.
At the event, Huawei discussed how industry partners can best utilize these technologies to further the development of the telecom industry, with specific focus on how its SoftCOM strategy will continue to help address this industry trend.
"Huawei's SoftCOM will unleash the full potential of SDN and NFV, building an open and flexible network infrastructure for the ICT industry. We hope to work with all industry participants to create a future-oriented open network ecosystem in the cloud ICT era," said Ken Wang (Shengqing), president of Global Marketing and Solutions, Huawei.
As ICT technologies become increasingly cloud-based, telecom carriers are faced with the pressure of increased development costs and sluggish revenue growth. In this new era of ICT, carriers must now focus on evolving their businesses to address these challenges and regain competency.
Based on the concepts of cloud computing, SDN, and NFV, Huawei developed the future-oriented telecom network architecture strategy, SoftCOM, which aims to help reconstruct the telecom industry from the perspectives of network architecture, network functions, as well as service and Observation and Measurements (O&M) models.
The SoftCOM strategy enables telecom carriers to realize comprehensive network evolution and business transformation, thus creating and seizing new value opportunities through ICT integration. This approach will further help with establishing and advancing an open, interconnected, and innovative ecosystem, to increase and better leverage the aggraded industry value.
Enterprise mobility management revenue expected to hit $9.6 billion by 2018
NEW YORK, USA: 451 Research, a pre-eminent information technology research and advisory company with a core focus on technology innovation and market disruption, expects the Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) market to grow from $3.8 billion in revenue in 2014 to $9.6 billion in 2018.
EMM, defined as a set of tools that include mobile device management, mobile application management, mobile email container applications, mobile application platforms, mobile back-end as a service (MBaaS) and mobile virtualization, can be used solo, in parallel or in a tiered fashion across a mobile environment.
451 Research sees these as important toolsets adopted by the enterprise, and as critical enablers of future mobile computing. As enterprises increasingly adopt EMM, we believe this will lead to a market CAGR of 22 percent from 2013 to 2018.
"EMM is moving from tools that control mobility, to instrumental elements that enable productivity for a growing number of mobile-enabled employees," said Chris Hazelton, Research director for 451 Research’s Enterprise Mobility channel.
"Mobile apps in the enterprise are growing in importance and are the key to driving business transformation, and EMM will play a key role in putting these apps in the hands of users. As companies move from a reactive to a mobile-first strategy, EMM technologies will be the foundation for any deployment.”
EMM, defined as a set of tools that include mobile device management, mobile application management, mobile email container applications, mobile application platforms, mobile back-end as a service (MBaaS) and mobile virtualization, can be used solo, in parallel or in a tiered fashion across a mobile environment.
451 Research sees these as important toolsets adopted by the enterprise, and as critical enablers of future mobile computing. As enterprises increasingly adopt EMM, we believe this will lead to a market CAGR of 22 percent from 2013 to 2018.
"EMM is moving from tools that control mobility, to instrumental elements that enable productivity for a growing number of mobile-enabled employees," said Chris Hazelton, Research director for 451 Research’s Enterprise Mobility channel.
"Mobile apps in the enterprise are growing in importance and are the key to driving business transformation, and EMM will play a key role in putting these apps in the hands of users. As companies move from a reactive to a mobile-first strategy, EMM technologies will be the foundation for any deployment.”
Truecaller partners exclusively with Microsoft to launch live caller ID for Windows Phone
NEW DELHI, INDIA: Truecaller, an app that helps people take the right call, today announced its collaboration with Microsoft to exclusively offer Live Caller ID Lookup feature on Lumia devices.
With Live Caller ID feature, users can now identify unknown numbers during incoming calls, even if the user has not stored that phone number in their phonebook.
The new Lumia smartphone users will have access to all the features of Truecaller in addition to the latest Live Caller ID Lookup feature. Truecaller version 4.2 is the latest update on the app which provides the Live Caller ID and will only be available for Windows Phone 8.1 Lumia Cyan and above.
The Caller ID feature will be available in the Windows Phone Store for all Lumia devices with 8.1 Cyan update or later, starting Thursday, October 16th 2014.
With Live Caller ID feature, users can now identify unknown numbers during incoming calls, even if the user has not stored that phone number in their phonebook.
The new Lumia smartphone users will have access to all the features of Truecaller in addition to the latest Live Caller ID Lookup feature. Truecaller version 4.2 is the latest update on the app which provides the Live Caller ID and will only be available for Windows Phone 8.1 Lumia Cyan and above.
The Caller ID feature will be available in the Windows Phone Store for all Lumia devices with 8.1 Cyan update or later, starting Thursday, October 16th 2014.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Linksys launches high performance 4X4 wireless AC router for families and gamers
RUSHDEN, UK: Linksys announced its first 4x4 wireless AC router aimed at households with multiple internet users as well as single users who use the Internet for high bandwidth applications such as gaming or video streaming.
The new Linksys AC2400 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router (E8350) is equipped with 4 external antennae and provides wireless network speeds up to 2.4 Gbps. The new powerhouse provides the best technical specifications available today and is therefore ideal for consumers that require increased wireless performance and range at home.
"Linksys is all about quality and performance. Our aim is to provide a solution that will help provide better wireless performance, whether that be for families with several devices connected to the internet or for single users such as gamers who need to achieve high performance levels on one device." said Mike Chen, VP, product management, Linksys.
"We have been working closely with our vendors to design and engineer this router so they have advantages to outperform and provide the value consumers are looking for in high end routers."
The Linksys AC2400 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi router offers the fastest Wi-Fi technology for a seamless entertainment experience. This 4x4 AC router is the latest in Wireless-AC, delivering four simultaneous, independent data streams to devices on the network for speeds of up to 2.4 Gbps.
The AC2400 helps provide the best overall performance to single devices that require high band for tasks such as video streaming or online gaming. The AC2400 features a 1.4 GHz CPU, four Gigabit ports, and an eSATA port with data transfer speeds of up to 3 Gbps.
The new Linksys AC2400 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router (E8350) is equipped with 4 external antennae and provides wireless network speeds up to 2.4 Gbps. The new powerhouse provides the best technical specifications available today and is therefore ideal for consumers that require increased wireless performance and range at home.
"Linksys is all about quality and performance. Our aim is to provide a solution that will help provide better wireless performance, whether that be for families with several devices connected to the internet or for single users such as gamers who need to achieve high performance levels on one device." said Mike Chen, VP, product management, Linksys.
"We have been working closely with our vendors to design and engineer this router so they have advantages to outperform and provide the value consumers are looking for in high end routers."
The Linksys AC2400 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi router offers the fastest Wi-Fi technology for a seamless entertainment experience. This 4x4 AC router is the latest in Wireless-AC, delivering four simultaneous, independent data streams to devices on the network for speeds of up to 2.4 Gbps.
The AC2400 helps provide the best overall performance to single devices that require high band for tasks such as video streaming or online gaming. The AC2400 features a 1.4 GHz CPU, four Gigabit ports, and an eSATA port with data transfer speeds of up to 3 Gbps.
NI collaborates with CROWD to define 5G wireless communications
USA: NI announced its collaboration with CROWD, the European Union Framework Project 7 (EU FP7), to define next-generation wireless 5G communications.
CROWD researches the combination of small- and large-density cells in a heterogeneous wireless network for an efficient architecture in which small cells meet traffic hot-spot needs while large cells offer reliable coverage for high-mobility users.
“Current demand is barely supported by existing network infrastructure, so we need higher points of dense networks,” said James Kimery, director of RF, communications and software defined radio for NI. “However, network densification requires advanced self-organized network techniques to manage interference. The goal of CROWD is to develop higher layer algorithms to manage increased complexity due to densification.”
NI, one of seven collaborators in the CROWD consortium, leads the testbed activities within the EU FP7 CROWD research project in the domain of future communication and ICT services infrastructures.
An NI PXI chassis running FlexRIO FPGA modules, NI 5791 RF front-end modules and LabVIEW system design software provides the infrastructure for an LTE/WiFi testbed for conducting experiments to showcase software defined networking concepts proposed by various partners in the project.
CROWD researches the combination of small- and large-density cells in a heterogeneous wireless network for an efficient architecture in which small cells meet traffic hot-spot needs while large cells offer reliable coverage for high-mobility users.
“Current demand is barely supported by existing network infrastructure, so we need higher points of dense networks,” said James Kimery, director of RF, communications and software defined radio for NI. “However, network densification requires advanced self-organized network techniques to manage interference. The goal of CROWD is to develop higher layer algorithms to manage increased complexity due to densification.”
NI, one of seven collaborators in the CROWD consortium, leads the testbed activities within the EU FP7 CROWD research project in the domain of future communication and ICT services infrastructures.
An NI PXI chassis running FlexRIO FPGA modules, NI 5791 RF front-end modules and LabVIEW system design software provides the infrastructure for an LTE/WiFi testbed for conducting experiments to showcase software defined networking concepts proposed by various partners in the project.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Lava launches Xtron Z704 tablet, adds to Xtron family
NEW DELHI, INDIA: LAVA International Ltd, a fast growing company in the mobile handset industry, announced the launch of its latest addition to its Xtron series of tablets with Xtron Z704. Competitively priced at Rs. 6,499, it is targeted at college going students and young professionals.
Xtron Z704’s capabilities make it a good substitute for computers. This high-on-performance tablet comes with a quad core engine and high benchmark scores. It sports a stylish youthful design with multiple connectivity options suitable for student’s needs.
A successor of Xtron+, the Xtron Z704 has a 7 inch screen with a sharp 1024 X 600 display that renders an amazing viewing experience. It is powered by a fast 1.3 GHz Quad core processor that allows users to enjoy a hassle free multi-tasking experience. The Xtron Z704 runs on the latest Android 4.4.
The tablet sports a 2MP rear camera which can easily take snapshots of all the necessary notes and documents along with a VGA camera in the front. It comes with 1GB RAM for a smooth user experience and 32 GB T-flash supports that provide ample space for keeping all the important documents, applications, videos and files.
In terms of connectivity, the tablet supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, EDGE and GPS. The tablet is supported by a 4000 mAh battery which delivers up to 300 hours of standby time and 10 hours talk time. Priced at 6499, Lava Xtron Z704 will be available for sale across all national retail stores and multi-brand outlets across India.
Xtron Z704’s capabilities make it a good substitute for computers. This high-on-performance tablet comes with a quad core engine and high benchmark scores. It sports a stylish youthful design with multiple connectivity options suitable for student’s needs.
A successor of Xtron+, the Xtron Z704 has a 7 inch screen with a sharp 1024 X 600 display that renders an amazing viewing experience. It is powered by a fast 1.3 GHz Quad core processor that allows users to enjoy a hassle free multi-tasking experience. The Xtron Z704 runs on the latest Android 4.4.
The tablet sports a 2MP rear camera which can easily take snapshots of all the necessary notes and documents along with a VGA camera in the front. It comes with 1GB RAM for a smooth user experience and 32 GB T-flash supports that provide ample space for keeping all the important documents, applications, videos and files.
In terms of connectivity, the tablet supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, EDGE and GPS. The tablet is supported by a 4000 mAh battery which delivers up to 300 hours of standby time and 10 hours talk time. Priced at 6499, Lava Xtron Z704 will be available for sale across all national retail stores and multi-brand outlets across India.
Qualcomm announces Qualcomm Robotics Accelerator, powered by Techstars
SAN DIEGO, USA: Qualcomm Inc. announced the Qualcomm Robotics Accelerator, powered by Techstars, a four-month mentorship-driven startup program aimed to accelerate the development of the next generation of robotics and intelligent machines.
Approximately 10 companies will be selected to participate in the program and will be based on Qualcomm's corporate campus in San Diego. These companies will build next generation smart machines that combine mechanics and intelligent controls, computer vision, sensors, navigation and wireless communications.
Qualcomm is committing over $1 million in aggregate funding to the program participants. Additionally, the participants will be offered business and technical insight on robotics during the program. Upon completion of the four-month accelerator program, companies will be able to leverage Techstars' network of over 3,000 successful entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and corporate partners.
The Qualcomm Robotics Accelerator, powered by Techstars, aligns with Qualcomm's current efforts to develop "smarter," more efficient robotics platforms with more enhanced connectivity built around the Qualcomm® Snapdragon processor. These platforms aim to provide an integrated, low power solution for multiple robotics applications. Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
For instance, Qualcomm has already announced work on Qualcomm Zeroth, a technology that enables robots and smartphones to excel at perceptual pattern matching tasks that can be executed fully on device.
Last month, Qualcomm demonstrated the Zeroth technology embedded in the Snapdragon Rover, a robot that learned to successfully classify different types of toys including specific models it had never seen before. It was able to then pick them up and sort them into different bins.
Approximately 10 companies will be selected to participate in the program and will be based on Qualcomm's corporate campus in San Diego. These companies will build next generation smart machines that combine mechanics and intelligent controls, computer vision, sensors, navigation and wireless communications.
Qualcomm is committing over $1 million in aggregate funding to the program participants. Additionally, the participants will be offered business and technical insight on robotics during the program. Upon completion of the four-month accelerator program, companies will be able to leverage Techstars' network of over 3,000 successful entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and corporate partners.
The Qualcomm Robotics Accelerator, powered by Techstars, aligns with Qualcomm's current efforts to develop "smarter," more efficient robotics platforms with more enhanced connectivity built around the Qualcomm® Snapdragon processor. These platforms aim to provide an integrated, low power solution for multiple robotics applications. Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
For instance, Qualcomm has already announced work on Qualcomm Zeroth, a technology that enables robots and smartphones to excel at perceptual pattern matching tasks that can be executed fully on device.
Last month, Qualcomm demonstrated the Zeroth technology embedded in the Snapdragon Rover, a robot that learned to successfully classify different types of toys including specific models it had never seen before. It was able to then pick them up and sort them into different bins.
Yahoo gets serious about mobile messaging apps
AUSTRALIA: Internet giant Yahoo is deepening its focus on the mobile messaging market, reportedly acting as lead investor in an upcoming funding round for Snapchat, which will value the self-destructing messaging app provider at about $10 billion.
Earlier this year, Yahoo acquired Blink, a self-destructing messaging app start-up that offers a similar service to Snapchat, and earlier this month it acquired yet another mobile messaging app, MessageMe. Yahoo is potentially setting itself up to either significantly revamp its own Yahoo Messenger app for mobile, or launch a completely new messaging app.
Pamela Clark-Dickson, senior analyst, Consumer Services, Ovum, spoke on Snapchat, MessageMe, and Blink investments that signal Yahoo’s commitment to messaging.
Under Marissa Mayer, Yahoo’s focus has increasingly become mobile. In May 2014, Yahoo had 430 million mobile users, an increase of 43 percent year-on-year, and the company expects its mobile traffic to outstrip its desktop traffic by the end of 2014. Yahoo has increased the number of employees working on mobile from 60 to over 500 within two years.
With the reported lead in the upcoming Snapchat funding round, and its acqui-hires of MessageMe and Blink, Yahoo seems focused on either making significant improvements to Yahoo Messenger, or launching a completely new mobile messaging app that would sit alongside Yahoo Messenger.
Investing in Snapchat could be viewed as a coup for Mayer, in that Yahoo has seemingly succeeded in getting a stake in the company, following Snapchat’s refusal of offers from Facebook and Google. Clearly, the Snapchat management prefers investment at this stage, or at least until it is satisfied with the amount of money offered.
Snapchat reportedly has 100 million monthly active users, which between them send 700 million Snaps a day (August 2014) and over 1 billion Snapchat Stories a day (June 2014). That level of user engagement strongly positions Snapchat to determine its own path, at least for now.
A tie-up with Yahoo would help Snapchat to populate and monetize its forthcoming Snapchat Discovery, an advertising-based ephemeral content delivery service. Yahoo has a wealth of content and a substantial advertiser base which Snapchat could tap.
Investing in a company that does not yet generate revenue might seem a risky strategy for Yahoo, but should Snapchat Discovery launch in November, as planned, Snapchat stands a good chance of providing a compelling new service from which it can earn advertising revenue, a proportion of which would be passed on to Yahoo. But Yahoo would also benefit from being able to expand its presence in mobile by harnessing Snapchat’s user engagement and innovation.
In addition, Yahoo will be able to use the skills of the Blink and MessageMe teams to either continue to enhance the mobile Yahoo Messenger app, to which it recently added beta voice and video calling features, or develop a new mobile messaging app. Ovum believes the company’s renewed focus on mobile messaging is not before time, with Yahoo typically viewed as significantly lagging both its traditional and new competitors.
Earlier this year, Yahoo acquired Blink, a self-destructing messaging app start-up that offers a similar service to Snapchat, and earlier this month it acquired yet another mobile messaging app, MessageMe. Yahoo is potentially setting itself up to either significantly revamp its own Yahoo Messenger app for mobile, or launch a completely new messaging app.
Pamela Clark-Dickson, senior analyst, Consumer Services, Ovum, spoke on Snapchat, MessageMe, and Blink investments that signal Yahoo’s commitment to messaging.
Under Marissa Mayer, Yahoo’s focus has increasingly become mobile. In May 2014, Yahoo had 430 million mobile users, an increase of 43 percent year-on-year, and the company expects its mobile traffic to outstrip its desktop traffic by the end of 2014. Yahoo has increased the number of employees working on mobile from 60 to over 500 within two years.
With the reported lead in the upcoming Snapchat funding round, and its acqui-hires of MessageMe and Blink, Yahoo seems focused on either making significant improvements to Yahoo Messenger, or launching a completely new mobile messaging app that would sit alongside Yahoo Messenger.
Investing in Snapchat could be viewed as a coup for Mayer, in that Yahoo has seemingly succeeded in getting a stake in the company, following Snapchat’s refusal of offers from Facebook and Google. Clearly, the Snapchat management prefers investment at this stage, or at least until it is satisfied with the amount of money offered.
Snapchat reportedly has 100 million monthly active users, which between them send 700 million Snaps a day (August 2014) and over 1 billion Snapchat Stories a day (June 2014). That level of user engagement strongly positions Snapchat to determine its own path, at least for now.
A tie-up with Yahoo would help Snapchat to populate and monetize its forthcoming Snapchat Discovery, an advertising-based ephemeral content delivery service. Yahoo has a wealth of content and a substantial advertiser base which Snapchat could tap.
Investing in a company that does not yet generate revenue might seem a risky strategy for Yahoo, but should Snapchat Discovery launch in November, as planned, Snapchat stands a good chance of providing a compelling new service from which it can earn advertising revenue, a proportion of which would be passed on to Yahoo. But Yahoo would also benefit from being able to expand its presence in mobile by harnessing Snapchat’s user engagement and innovation.
In addition, Yahoo will be able to use the skills of the Blink and MessageMe teams to either continue to enhance the mobile Yahoo Messenger app, to which it recently added beta voice and video calling features, or develop a new mobile messaging app. Ovum believes the company’s renewed focus on mobile messaging is not before time, with Yahoo typically viewed as significantly lagging both its traditional and new competitors.
Qualcomm to acquire CSR
SAN DIEGO, USA: Qualcomm Inc. announced that it has reached agreement with CSR plc regarding the terms of a recommended cash acquisition through which the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of CSR will be acquired by Qualcomm Global Trading Pte. Ltd, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc.
The acquisition complements Qualcomm's current offerings by adding products, channels, and customers in the important growth categories of Internet of Everything (IoE) and automotive infotainment, accelerating Qualcomm's presence and path to leadership. This opportunity is aligned with Qualcomm's established strategic priorities in these rapidly growing business areas.
At £9.00 per share, the acquisition of the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of CSR is valued at approximately £1.6 billion ($2.5 billion based upon an exchange rate of USD:GBP 1.6057). This cash offer has been unanimously recommended by the CSR board of directors.
The acquisition is subject to a number of conditions as set forth in the announcement released today in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the UK Takeover Code, including the receipt of U.S. and other regulatory approvals and the approval of CSR's shareholders.
Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions, the transaction is expected to close by the end of the summer of 2015. Qualcomm expects the acquisition to be accretive to Non-GAAP earnings per share in fiscal 2016, the first full year of combined operations.
The acquisition complements Qualcomm's current offerings by adding products, channels, and customers in the important growth categories of Internet of Everything (IoE) and automotive infotainment, accelerating Qualcomm's presence and path to leadership. This opportunity is aligned with Qualcomm's established strategic priorities in these rapidly growing business areas.
At £9.00 per share, the acquisition of the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of CSR is valued at approximately £1.6 billion ($2.5 billion based upon an exchange rate of USD:GBP 1.6057). This cash offer has been unanimously recommended by the CSR board of directors.
The acquisition is subject to a number of conditions as set forth in the announcement released today in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the UK Takeover Code, including the receipt of U.S. and other regulatory approvals and the approval of CSR's shareholders.
Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions, the transaction is expected to close by the end of the summer of 2015. Qualcomm expects the acquisition to be accretive to Non-GAAP earnings per share in fiscal 2016, the first full year of combined operations.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
SpeedCast selected by EMAS AMC for satellite communications for fleet of offshore construction vessels
SINGAPORE: SpeedCast International Ltd (SpeedCast), a leading global satellite communications service provider, announced that it has been awarded a multi-year contract from EMAS AMC, EMAS' subsea construction services division.
The EMAS Group is a leading global contracting group providing offshore/subsea construction, marine, production and well intervention services, and is Singapore listed under the Ezra Holdings Limited's operating brand.
The new satellite service provides high-performance broadband connectivity for mission critical data and voice applications on EMAS AMC vessels and client platforms. SpeedCast will provide satellite network connectivity for a total of 12 of EMAS AMC's vessels, which perform a wide variety of missions including offshore pipe lay, installation and subsea construction.
EMAS AMC's vessels are built and outfitted to execute complex projects in any environment, anywhere in the world. SpeedCast designed the communications solution from the ground-up, leveraging both Ku-band and C-band frequencies, to meet the unique requirements of EMAS AMC, which include office and ship management applications, voice telephony, as well as crew communications.
SpeedCast is technology and frequency agnostic and operates the largest suite of solutions, enabling it to develop such customized satellite communication solutions based on its customers' exact needs.
As a leading global offshore contractor, with a modern and versatile fleet of offshore support and construction vessels, and an extensive track record of offshore engineering solutions for the entire oilfield lifecycle, EMAS AMC understands communications are a critical component of their fleet's mission.
SpeedCast's strong global network and support capabilities will support EMAS AMC's ability to execute a full spectrum of seabed-to-surface engineering, construction, marine and production services throughout the world.
The EMAS Group is a leading global contracting group providing offshore/subsea construction, marine, production and well intervention services, and is Singapore listed under the Ezra Holdings Limited's operating brand.
The new satellite service provides high-performance broadband connectivity for mission critical data and voice applications on EMAS AMC vessels and client platforms. SpeedCast will provide satellite network connectivity for a total of 12 of EMAS AMC's vessels, which perform a wide variety of missions including offshore pipe lay, installation and subsea construction.
EMAS AMC's vessels are built and outfitted to execute complex projects in any environment, anywhere in the world. SpeedCast designed the communications solution from the ground-up, leveraging both Ku-band and C-band frequencies, to meet the unique requirements of EMAS AMC, which include office and ship management applications, voice telephony, as well as crew communications.
SpeedCast is technology and frequency agnostic and operates the largest suite of solutions, enabling it to develop such customized satellite communication solutions based on its customers' exact needs.
As a leading global offshore contractor, with a modern and versatile fleet of offshore support and construction vessels, and an extensive track record of offshore engineering solutions for the entire oilfield lifecycle, EMAS AMC understands communications are a critical component of their fleet's mission.
SpeedCast's strong global network and support capabilities will support EMAS AMC's ability to execute a full spectrum of seabed-to-surface engineering, construction, marine and production services throughout the world.
Wholesale carriers must create the future and not just protect the past
LONDON, ENGLAND: Carriers must look to the future and transform their business models in order to compete and win in an increasingly competitive business environment, Telstra's Global head of Wholesale, Peter Hobbs, has warned.
Speaking at Carriers World, which is taking place in London, Hobbs described how the wholesale carrier landscape is "heating up" with new entrant customers including start-ups, social networking sites and OTT providers transforming traditional wholesale operating models.
He advised the audience on what to consider when responding to these emerging technologies, evolving customer needs and new entrant customers.
"To succeed, carriers need to continue to support their traditional revenue streams while also embracing new, innovative services and customer types," said Hobbs. "While some may argue that the challenge for carriers is that their traditional operating models are not adapted to the more nimble Internet-orientated service experiences, it's undeniable that telecom wholesalers and technology go hand in hand."
Despite the emergence of OTT video and media services, which triggered the data traffic explosion, Hobbs insisted there is a "success formula" for carriers and that shifting to a "service organisation" focused on the customer should be the number one priority.
Speaking at Carriers World, which is taking place in London, Hobbs described how the wholesale carrier landscape is "heating up" with new entrant customers including start-ups, social networking sites and OTT providers transforming traditional wholesale operating models.
He advised the audience on what to consider when responding to these emerging technologies, evolving customer needs and new entrant customers.
"To succeed, carriers need to continue to support their traditional revenue streams while also embracing new, innovative services and customer types," said Hobbs. "While some may argue that the challenge for carriers is that their traditional operating models are not adapted to the more nimble Internet-orientated service experiences, it's undeniable that telecom wholesalers and technology go hand in hand."
Despite the emergence of OTT video and media services, which triggered the data traffic explosion, Hobbs insisted there is a "success formula" for carriers and that shifting to a "service organisation" focused on the customer should be the number one priority.
HPI first to market with motor trade app for vehicle checks on the move
ENGLAND: Now dealers can conduct HPI Checks wherever they are, with the launch of HPI’s new app dedicated to the motor trade industry.
Available on IOS mobile devices, including tablets and smartphones, customers can access HPI’s vehicle data and provenance checks in the palm of their hand. This launch forms part of HPI’s ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of its customers operating in a competitive marketplace.
The new, free to download trade app includes HPI and ID Checks, as well as CAP Live, Glass’s and Market Values Valuations, ensuring dealers can protect the quality of their stock and avoid paying over the odds.
The app also features the award winning HPI Spec Check and NMR Check. Dealers can set preferences for optional elements locally on the device whilst the account holder maintains control of mandatory elements via their main account settings.
Results are clear and simple, with the benefit of being able to add extra valuations or spec data, if available. The last 100 checks remain on the device, allowing dealers to revisit recent results and recheck a vehicle. All checks made on an account, across all devices, are recorded in HPI History online.
Available on IOS mobile devices, including tablets and smartphones, customers can access HPI’s vehicle data and provenance checks in the palm of their hand. This launch forms part of HPI’s ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of its customers operating in a competitive marketplace.
The new, free to download trade app includes HPI and ID Checks, as well as CAP Live, Glass’s and Market Values Valuations, ensuring dealers can protect the quality of their stock and avoid paying over the odds.
The app also features the award winning HPI Spec Check and NMR Check. Dealers can set preferences for optional elements locally on the device whilst the account holder maintains control of mandatory elements via their main account settings.
Results are clear and simple, with the benefit of being able to add extra valuations or spec data, if available. The last 100 checks remain on the device, allowing dealers to revisit recent results and recheck a vehicle. All checks made on an account, across all devices, are recorded in HPI History online.
MRV, Orange and Allot to demo SDN-enabled application aware virtual CPE
CHATSWORTH, USA: MRV Communications Inc. and Allot Communications Ltd have announced their collaboration to demonstrate a software-defined networking (SDN)-enabled virtual Customer Premises Equipment (vCPE) solution for bringing application awareness to service providers’ access networks.
Initiated and validated in Orange Labs, the proof of concept demonstration (PoC) will take place at the Layer 123 SDN & OpenFlow World Congress on October 14-17, 2014, in Düsseldorf, Germany.
MRV and Allot have partnered to respond to Orange’s needs by introducing an innovative solution for delivering application awareness at the access network. The solution combines a centralized traffic detection function (TDF), a programmable business CPE and an OpenDayLight SDN controller. This integrated platform initiates stringent SLA enforcement at the customer premises and sets per-application priority and dedicated bandwidth throughout the network.
Initiated and validated in Orange Labs, the proof of concept demonstration (PoC) will take place at the Layer 123 SDN & OpenFlow World Congress on October 14-17, 2014, in Düsseldorf, Germany.
MRV and Allot have partnered to respond to Orange’s needs by introducing an innovative solution for delivering application awareness at the access network. The solution combines a centralized traffic detection function (TDF), a programmable business CPE and an OpenDayLight SDN controller. This integrated platform initiates stringent SLA enforcement at the customer premises and sets per-application priority and dedicated bandwidth throughout the network.
UTEL to reveal innovative total cabinet automation system at Broadband World Forum
SUFFOLK, UK & AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS: UTEL, a leading independent research and development company for telecommunications systems, announced its new product, Robo-Cab, an innovative fully managed ADF system which will revolutionise the future operation and management of FTTC.
UTEL is to unveil Robo-Cab at Broadband World Forum 2014, in Amsterdam. The system can fully automate the whole cabinet, including copper cross connect, VDSL splitter jumpering, copper line testing, VDSL DSLAM port testing and cross connect testing.
The complete copper network management system includes key components such as a 625 x 625 line to any ADF, copper and golden modem test head, test access switch and a remote powering up converter.
“With data volumes on the rise as new technology trends, such as the Smart Home, are finally realised, the reliability of networks has never been more important for operators,” said Frank Kaufhold, MD of UTEL. “Robo-Cab eliminates the higher costs and risk of human error which come when manually managing interconnect technology. This will allow operators to take back control of their network management.”
Using Robo-Cab provides many business benefits, including eliminating OPEX and facilitating exceptional customer service; full automation of the provisioning and repair processes; providing remote ‘no touch’ cross connect and eliminating truck roles and human error.
UTEL is to unveil Robo-Cab at Broadband World Forum 2014, in Amsterdam. The system can fully automate the whole cabinet, including copper cross connect, VDSL splitter jumpering, copper line testing, VDSL DSLAM port testing and cross connect testing.
The complete copper network management system includes key components such as a 625 x 625 line to any ADF, copper and golden modem test head, test access switch and a remote powering up converter.
“With data volumes on the rise as new technology trends, such as the Smart Home, are finally realised, the reliability of networks has never been more important for operators,” said Frank Kaufhold, MD of UTEL. “Robo-Cab eliminates the higher costs and risk of human error which come when manually managing interconnect technology. This will allow operators to take back control of their network management.”
Using Robo-Cab provides many business benefits, including eliminating OPEX and facilitating exceptional customer service; full automation of the provisioning and repair processes; providing remote ‘no touch’ cross connect and eliminating truck roles and human error.
Tango S.A. chooses Starhome Mach’s financial clearing solution
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND: Tango S.A. chose Starhome Mach’s Financial Clearing to deliver transparency and traceability. Starhome Mach is the global leader in mobile inter-carrier network and clearing services.
“Starhome Mach’s Financial Clearing provides complete transparency and control over the entire financial clearing process, which was not available in our previous clearing solution,” said Jose Rey de Mena, chief accountant at Tango S.A.
“The technology allows us to do things that we simply could not do previously such as drive and influence all stages of the financial clearing process online. Our business processes have been simplified and accounting accuracy is now optimized.”
Tango S.A. has complete control of its cash management process throughout the entire settlement cycle, while integration with Starhome Mach’s Business Management tool allows comprehensive drill down from a full summary to individual invoices and payments. Cross netting is provided seamlessly across periods to further optimize mobile operator cash flow.
Starhome Mach customers are the first in the mobile industry to have full visibility of the foreign exchange process, with transactions performed directly in their own bank accounts, clearly seeing actual rates and costs associated with the process.
“Starhome Mach’s Financial Clearing provides complete transparency and control over the entire financial clearing process, which was not available in our previous clearing solution,” said Jose Rey de Mena, chief accountant at Tango S.A.
“The technology allows us to do things that we simply could not do previously such as drive and influence all stages of the financial clearing process online. Our business processes have been simplified and accounting accuracy is now optimized.”
Tango S.A. has complete control of its cash management process throughout the entire settlement cycle, while integration with Starhome Mach’s Business Management tool allows comprehensive drill down from a full summary to individual invoices and payments. Cross netting is provided seamlessly across periods to further optimize mobile operator cash flow.
Starhome Mach customers are the first in the mobile industry to have full visibility of the foreign exchange process, with transactions performed directly in their own bank accounts, clearly seeing actual rates and costs associated with the process.
IMImobile strengthens position as leading mobile solution provider by acquiring TextLocal
LONDON, UK: IMImobile, a global technology company providing software and services, which help businesses capitalise on the growth in mobile communications, announced the acquisition of TxtLocal Limited (TextLocal), an award winning self-service, cloud based, mobile messaging business.
Named one of the fastest growing technology companies in 2013 by Deloitte and GP Bullhound in 2014, TextLocal is the leading mobile communications company focused on enabling SMBs to harness the capabilities of mobile messaging. Based in Chester and Malvern, TextLocal has served over 120,000 businesses, including customers such as Debenhams, Paddy Power, Greenpeace, Groupon and P&O Ferries.
IMImobile has identified significant opportunity to leverage its global footprint to introduce TextLocal’s messaging platform to new international markets, industries and clients. The SMB mobile messaging market is forecasted by many analysts as one of the fastest growing segments and the TextLocal platform will form an essential element of IMImobile’s mobile engagement product portfolio to capitalise on this trend.
Named one of the fastest growing technology companies in 2013 by Deloitte and GP Bullhound in 2014, TextLocal is the leading mobile communications company focused on enabling SMBs to harness the capabilities of mobile messaging. Based in Chester and Malvern, TextLocal has served over 120,000 businesses, including customers such as Debenhams, Paddy Power, Greenpeace, Groupon and P&O Ferries.
IMImobile has identified significant opportunity to leverage its global footprint to introduce TextLocal’s messaging platform to new international markets, industries and clients. The SMB mobile messaging market is forecasted by many analysts as one of the fastest growing segments and the TextLocal platform will form an essential element of IMImobile’s mobile engagement product portfolio to capitalise on this trend.
Sixty percent of British smartphone users unhappy with mobile data speeds
ENGLAND: A new survey has found that mobile data speeds aren’t meeting modern day requirements with 60 percent of respondents claiming to be unhappy with their smartphone's mobile internet connection.
The independent survey, commissioned by TigerMobiles.com, queried 4300 users who have purchased a 3G or 4G ready contract in the last 12 months with at least 1GB of monthly data allowance.
Carried out as part of on-going research into consumers’ expectations and experience of mobile phones the survey reveals that mobile data expectations are not being met with the majority of users experiencing slow or unreliable performance on a regular basis.
Key survey findings include:
• 60 percent of respondents are overall dissatisfied with the data speed on their smartphone.
• 82 percent of users expect websites to load as quickly on their smartphone as they do via fixed line broadband.
• However, over half (56 percent) said websites load more slowly on their smartphone.
• 82 percent of those surveyed had a problem trying to load a website over a data connection in the last year, whilst 79 percent had difficulty using apps that require a data connection to function properly.
• 85 percent revealed they would access websites more often from their phone via mobile data if the experience was as fast and reliable.
• 62 percent think faster mobile data would allow them to get more use out of their smartphone.
The independent survey, commissioned by TigerMobiles.com, queried 4300 users who have purchased a 3G or 4G ready contract in the last 12 months with at least 1GB of monthly data allowance.
Carried out as part of on-going research into consumers’ expectations and experience of mobile phones the survey reveals that mobile data expectations are not being met with the majority of users experiencing slow or unreliable performance on a regular basis.
Key survey findings include:
• 60 percent of respondents are overall dissatisfied with the data speed on their smartphone.
• 82 percent of users expect websites to load as quickly on their smartphone as they do via fixed line broadband.
• However, over half (56 percent) said websites load more slowly on their smartphone.
• 82 percent of those surveyed had a problem trying to load a website over a data connection in the last year, whilst 79 percent had difficulty using apps that require a data connection to function properly.
• 85 percent revealed they would access websites more often from their phone via mobile data if the experience was as fast and reliable.
• 62 percent think faster mobile data would allow them to get more use out of their smartphone.
Monday, October 13, 2014
S&C delivers end-to-end IoT service platform for telecom operators
SPAIN: Energy providers, city authorities and end users are looking to telecoms to offer smart solutions to solve complex problems.
“Telecoms are in the best position to propose suitable alternatives. That’s why operators across the globe have selected our technology to deliver new value-added services – from home & building automation to mobile security and safety to smart energy and water,” states Narcís Avellana, CEO and founder of S&C.
Telecoms seek the perfect go-to-market combination – a scalable, cost-effective IoT service platform, affordable hardware plus end-to-end support.
“We understand what it takes to successfully develop and deploy a new service. That’s why we have created strategic partnerships with technology providers throughout the value chain so we can deliver a complete package.”
Telecom partners across Europe, Asia and Latin America are leveraging S&C’s flexible enControl IoT service platform.
“Telecoms are in the best position to propose suitable alternatives. That’s why operators across the globe have selected our technology to deliver new value-added services – from home & building automation to mobile security and safety to smart energy and water,” states Narcís Avellana, CEO and founder of S&C.
Telecoms seek the perfect go-to-market combination – a scalable, cost-effective IoT service platform, affordable hardware plus end-to-end support.
“We understand what it takes to successfully develop and deploy a new service. That’s why we have created strategic partnerships with technology providers throughout the value chain so we can deliver a complete package.”
Telecom partners across Europe, Asia and Latin America are leveraging S&C’s flexible enControl IoT service platform.
LINX announces launch of new Internet Exchange for Wales
WALES: LINX is proud to announce the launch of IXCardiff, our newest UK Internet exchange, and the only dedicated Internet Exchange Point (IXP) in Wales.
The new exchange is the latest stage in LINX's mission to distribute and decentralise peering within the UK, empowering ISPs, content providers and other network operators to "keep local traffic local", resulting in reduced latency, greater resilience and faster connectivity for local networks and Internet users.
Hosted in a carrier-neutral facility managed by LINX within the BT Stadium House data centre, IXCardiff launches on 15th October following an extensive period of consultation to establish a local community of interest among network operators, and with the support of the Cardiff City Council and the Welsh Government.
The new exchange is the latest stage in LINX's mission to distribute and decentralise peering within the UK, empowering ISPs, content providers and other network operators to "keep local traffic local", resulting in reduced latency, greater resilience and faster connectivity for local networks and Internet users.
Hosted in a carrier-neutral facility managed by LINX within the BT Stadium House data centre, IXCardiff launches on 15th October following an extensive period of consultation to establish a local community of interest among network operators, and with the support of the Cardiff City Council and the Welsh Government.
Dynamic spectrum access comes to Asia
ENGLAND: Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) technologies and evolving spectrum regulations are underway in Asia, helping governments, businesses, and communities to make wireless broadband more widely available and affordable, and increasing the amount of spectrum to the benefit of consumers and businesses alike.
The viability of DSA including TV White Spaces (TVWS) has been proven in numerous trials across the globe, from remote villages, to dense urban centres.
This month witnessed Prof. H Nwana, Executive Director of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, tour the region, which kicked off with presentations by himself and EJ Chiang from MediaTek, a Dynamic Spectrum Alliance member, focused on utilizing spectrum’s full potential, at the Radio Spectrum Technology & Management Conference @ Wireless China Industry Summit in Beijing.
While in Asia, Prof. Nwana also held meetings with the Chinese Academy of Telecom Research (CATR), State Radio Regulatory Commission (SRRC), Ministry of Industry & Information Technology (MIIT), State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), United States Information Technology Office (USITO) in Beijing, and Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and a group of Japanese companies interested in DSA.
Prof. H Nwana, Dynamic Spectrum Alliance's executive director, said: “DSA’s time has come in Asia. The pace of development in the region is incredibly encouraging so, by supporting and working together with regional Asian organisations, regulatory bodies and Governmental departments, we hope to continue to open up underused spectrum by advocating for new laws and regulations that will lead to more efficient and effective spectrum utilisation and encouraging DSA pilot project initiatives.”
Recently, Asia has witnessed a flood of activity. In China, the Government of the People’s Republic of China has already made significant advancements regarding management of its spectrum resources as it continues to go through a public consultation period on revising its radio spectrum management policies. In Singapore, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) has developed a regulatory framework for unlicensed access to 180MHz of unused radio spectrum in the broadcast TV frequency bands which comes into effect in November 2014.
Elsewhere, the Taiwan Dynamic Spectrum Access Pilot Group continues to make good progress. The Pilot Group, which Prof. Nwana participated in the signing of, is working towards the creation and development of a world-leading dynamic spectrum access ecosystem in Taiwan. This will leverage Taiwan’s tremendous capabilities in semiconductor design and fabrication, component and devices manufacturing, and systems integration and solutions.
The viability of DSA including TV White Spaces (TVWS) has been proven in numerous trials across the globe, from remote villages, to dense urban centres.
This month witnessed Prof. H Nwana, Executive Director of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, tour the region, which kicked off with presentations by himself and EJ Chiang from MediaTek, a Dynamic Spectrum Alliance member, focused on utilizing spectrum’s full potential, at the Radio Spectrum Technology & Management Conference @ Wireless China Industry Summit in Beijing.
While in Asia, Prof. Nwana also held meetings with the Chinese Academy of Telecom Research (CATR), State Radio Regulatory Commission (SRRC), Ministry of Industry & Information Technology (MIIT), State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), United States Information Technology Office (USITO) in Beijing, and Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and a group of Japanese companies interested in DSA.
Prof. H Nwana, Dynamic Spectrum Alliance's executive director, said: “DSA’s time has come in Asia. The pace of development in the region is incredibly encouraging so, by supporting and working together with regional Asian organisations, regulatory bodies and Governmental departments, we hope to continue to open up underused spectrum by advocating for new laws and regulations that will lead to more efficient and effective spectrum utilisation and encouraging DSA pilot project initiatives.”
Recently, Asia has witnessed a flood of activity. In China, the Government of the People’s Republic of China has already made significant advancements regarding management of its spectrum resources as it continues to go through a public consultation period on revising its radio spectrum management policies. In Singapore, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) has developed a regulatory framework for unlicensed access to 180MHz of unused radio spectrum in the broadcast TV frequency bands which comes into effect in November 2014.
Elsewhere, the Taiwan Dynamic Spectrum Access Pilot Group continues to make good progress. The Pilot Group, which Prof. Nwana participated in the signing of, is working towards the creation and development of a world-leading dynamic spectrum access ecosystem in Taiwan. This will leverage Taiwan’s tremendous capabilities in semiconductor design and fabrication, component and devices manufacturing, and systems integration and solutions.
Employees demand greater investment in mobile technology to boost workplace productivity
ENGLAND, UK: Almost two-thirds (62 percent) of employees in mid-market businesses in the UK want to see greater investment in mobile technology to access back office systems in order to boost their productivity.
This is the key finding of research carried out by Source for Consulting in partnership with leading software provider, Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced).
The research findings have been published in a new white paper – Don’t forget the back office: exploiting social and mobile to make mid-sized organisations more productive.
The report is based on a survey of staff from 160 mid-market UK organisations in July 2014, carried out to gauge interest in using mobile technologies to access and manage information held on CRM, HR, finance and other business critical systems.
The survey reveals that employee demand to use smartphone and tablet devices in a professional capacity is only partially being met. Only seven per cent of finance staff can access customer and supplier data via mobile devices and just nine per cent can retrieve key business performance data and metrics. Only one in five HR personnel can access their organisation’s core HR systems via their smartphones.
Around 56 percent of respondents stated they would like to submit holiday requests via their smartphones whereas only 23 per cent are able to do so. And, 50 percent admitted they would like to be able to report absences using a mobile device, but this is currently an option for just 21 percent of those surveyed. Approving expenses while on the move is a preferred option for 44 percent of respondents.
This is the key finding of research carried out by Source for Consulting in partnership with leading software provider, Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced).
The research findings have been published in a new white paper – Don’t forget the back office: exploiting social and mobile to make mid-sized organisations more productive.
The report is based on a survey of staff from 160 mid-market UK organisations in July 2014, carried out to gauge interest in using mobile technologies to access and manage information held on CRM, HR, finance and other business critical systems.
The survey reveals that employee demand to use smartphone and tablet devices in a professional capacity is only partially being met. Only seven per cent of finance staff can access customer and supplier data via mobile devices and just nine per cent can retrieve key business performance data and metrics. Only one in five HR personnel can access their organisation’s core HR systems via their smartphones.
Around 56 percent of respondents stated they would like to submit holiday requests via their smartphones whereas only 23 per cent are able to do so. And, 50 percent admitted they would like to be able to report absences using a mobile device, but this is currently an option for just 21 percent of those surveyed. Approving expenses while on the move is a preferred option for 44 percent of respondents.
Cellwize SON boosts Telefónica UK’s network modernisation rollout
LONDON, ENGLAND & SINGAPORE: Cellwize announced that its elastic-SON, the Centralized Self Organizing Network solution (C-SON) has been commercially deployed by Telefónica UK to enhance mobile network performance and Quality of Service for UK subscribers. elastic-SON from Cellwize was selected following a rigorous evaluation process carried out by the Telefónica Global CTO Team and Telefónica UK.
Telefónica UK is the first to implement the C-SON solution in the Telefónica Group globally and effectively the first company in the UK to implement a SON solution across all three technologies (2G, 3G and 4G).
Since 2012 Telefónica UK has been working with Vodafone to share their basic network infrastructure to create a single network grid in the UK that runs two competing nationwide mobile networks. This advanced network requires a robust SON solution that’s capable of working across different technologies with equipment from multiple-vendors – and effectively manage the transition between old and new solutions.
As one of the industry’s most intelligent SON solutions, Cellwize elastic-SON meets this criteria having already proven SON implementations operating on Ericsson, Nokia and Huawei networks.
Cellwize’s SON solution played two key roles during the network modernization process. Telefónica UK’s network performance was optimized to work between legacy and modern RAN infrastructure to enhance network reliability and Quality of Service. To support the migration of equipment, elastic-SON connected seamlessly with multi-vendor technology enabling new solutions to come online rapidly.
Telefónica UK is the first to implement the C-SON solution in the Telefónica Group globally and effectively the first company in the UK to implement a SON solution across all three technologies (2G, 3G and 4G).
Since 2012 Telefónica UK has been working with Vodafone to share their basic network infrastructure to create a single network grid in the UK that runs two competing nationwide mobile networks. This advanced network requires a robust SON solution that’s capable of working across different technologies with equipment from multiple-vendors – and effectively manage the transition between old and new solutions.
As one of the industry’s most intelligent SON solutions, Cellwize elastic-SON meets this criteria having already proven SON implementations operating on Ericsson, Nokia and Huawei networks.
Cellwize’s SON solution played two key roles during the network modernization process. Telefónica UK’s network performance was optimized to work between legacy and modern RAN infrastructure to enhance network reliability and Quality of Service. To support the migration of equipment, elastic-SON connected seamlessly with multi-vendor technology enabling new solutions to come online rapidly.
IDT highlights challenges carriers face in a hyperconnected world
LONDON, UK: Nick Ford, p\resident of Carrier Services at IDT Telecom, will present some key topics for those in the telecoms industry at this year’s Carriers World in London. Nick will discuss the benefits and challenges carriers face in a hyperconnected world and whether voice is still considered important in an ever changing digital world.
In Ford's talk he suggests that we are all living in a hyper connected world - people are constantly finding new ways of talking to each other as new over the top (OTT) apps appear in the market which give customers access to global conversations more easily and at cheaper rates. Hyperconnectivity will enable users to engage in voice conversation in a much more convenient way.
He comments that: “Although we live in this hyperconnected world, some things in the voice market will remain the same. Consumers will still want to make calls using technology that works and is reliable and cost effective, rather than what happens to be the latest whizz-bang breakthrough.”
Voice will remain one of the most important services an operator can offer in terms of revenue, customer demand and customer satisfaction – whether that traffic is measured in packets or megabytes.
“IDT is one of the world’s biggest voice carriers with 30 billion international minutes per year. We learnt that the market evolves and we have to evolve with it and the emerging ecosystems,” he commented.
In Ford's talk he suggests that we are all living in a hyper connected world - people are constantly finding new ways of talking to each other as new over the top (OTT) apps appear in the market which give customers access to global conversations more easily and at cheaper rates. Hyperconnectivity will enable users to engage in voice conversation in a much more convenient way.
He comments that: “Although we live in this hyperconnected world, some things in the voice market will remain the same. Consumers will still want to make calls using technology that works and is reliable and cost effective, rather than what happens to be the latest whizz-bang breakthrough.”
Voice will remain one of the most important services an operator can offer in terms of revenue, customer demand and customer satisfaction – whether that traffic is measured in packets or megabytes.
“IDT is one of the world’s biggest voice carriers with 30 billion international minutes per year. We learnt that the market evolves and we have to evolve with it and the emerging ecosystems,” he commented.
“LINE Conference Tokyo 2014” to present business ventures
TOKYO, JAPAN: LINE, the world’s leading mobile platform with 560 million users, announced the hosting of its LINE Conference Tokyo 2014 at Maihama Amphitheatre to present its current and new business ventures.
The conference included announcements of the newest information and achievements for LINE, including their breakthrough to over 560 million global users, and a newly released figure for the amount of monthly active users (MAU), which has reached 170 million.
LINE also announced its plans for the future, expressing its aim to become more integral to daily life by surpassing the boundaries between online and offline and offering a variety of new services and business ideas under the theme of “Life.”
The details of the announcements made at the conference are written below.
LINE Pay
Planned Release: Winter, 2014
Supported Regions: Global (Credit Card Payment Only)
LINE Pay is a payment system that lets users pay for a variety of services by using the LINE app on their iPhone or Android smartphone, including of course LINE and related services, associated stores, web services, and apps. Payment can be made by linking credit cards, paying at convenience stores, or by adding money beforehand with an account from an associated bank (Mizuho Bank or Sumitomo Bank).
Using LINE’s unique characteristics, users can split the purchase price of goods and services among their LINE friends by using the “Share Payment” feature, or even send money directly to a friend’s bank account without having to input their bank information by using the “Send Money” feature. The “Withdrawal” feature will let users deposit the money sent to them directly into their associated bank account.
Three security measures will be set in place for the service: a separate password from LINE to act as a secondary verification, fingerprint verification via Apple Touch ID (iPhone only) required to view the password, and compulsory smartphone verification to use the PC site. This security system will ensure a safe and secure payment system for users.
Planned for a winter release, payment options will be available first for LINE and related web services and apps, with expansion into offline shops and other venues planned in the future.
LINE GAME
1. Expansion of Game Lineup
LINE’s game distribution platform LINE GAME has been built up around casual games such as LINE: Disney Tsum Tsum and LINE Rangers up until this point, and further aims to expand and succeed as a global platform by diversifying its lineup, finally offering mid-core and core games to audiences.
LINE GAME will bring out the following series of titles starting from autumn 2014. (Alphabetical order)
LINE POP 2 (Puzzle)
LINE Puzzle Trio (Puzzle)
LINE Chronicles of Albion (Strategy RPG)
LINE Legion of Heroes (Strategy RPG)
And more.
2. New companies established with GREE Inc. and Cyber Agent Inc.
The basic groundwork has been laid for the establishment of two new companies, one to be co-funded by GREE Inc. and one to be co-funded by Cyber Agent Inc., in an effort to stimulate the development of global content. Through the establishment of these new companies, LINE will work with its partners to speed up the expansion of their businesses and bring high-quality Japanese gaming content to players around the world.
3. Investment into Translimit Inc. via Game Fund
The first recipient for LINE’s investment fund, LINE Game Global Gateway, established to invest in Japanese game development companies as well as other gaming content, will be Translimit, Inc.. Combining the company’s game development prowess, which has allowed it to achieve global success in over 150 countries—especially in the United States and Asia—with games such as the competitive thinking game “BrainWars”, and LINE’s extensive global user base, they will develop new exciting game content.
LINE GAME will continue to make efforts to strengthen partnerships with third-party content providers, using high quality gaming content developed in Japan to become the world’s No. 1 mobile platform.
Moreover, LINE will continue to improve and increase the level of convenience it offers to its users by developing its services around these new features.
The conference included announcements of the newest information and achievements for LINE, including their breakthrough to over 560 million global users, and a newly released figure for the amount of monthly active users (MAU), which has reached 170 million.
LINE also announced its plans for the future, expressing its aim to become more integral to daily life by surpassing the boundaries between online and offline and offering a variety of new services and business ideas under the theme of “Life.”
The details of the announcements made at the conference are written below.
LINE Pay
Planned Release: Winter, 2014
Supported Regions: Global (Credit Card Payment Only)
LINE Pay is a payment system that lets users pay for a variety of services by using the LINE app on their iPhone or Android smartphone, including of course LINE and related services, associated stores, web services, and apps. Payment can be made by linking credit cards, paying at convenience stores, or by adding money beforehand with an account from an associated bank (Mizuho Bank or Sumitomo Bank).
Using LINE’s unique characteristics, users can split the purchase price of goods and services among their LINE friends by using the “Share Payment” feature, or even send money directly to a friend’s bank account without having to input their bank information by using the “Send Money” feature. The “Withdrawal” feature will let users deposit the money sent to them directly into their associated bank account.
Three security measures will be set in place for the service: a separate password from LINE to act as a secondary verification, fingerprint verification via Apple Touch ID (iPhone only) required to view the password, and compulsory smartphone verification to use the PC site. This security system will ensure a safe and secure payment system for users.
Planned for a winter release, payment options will be available first for LINE and related web services and apps, with expansion into offline shops and other venues planned in the future.
LINE GAME
1. Expansion of Game Lineup
LINE’s game distribution platform LINE GAME has been built up around casual games such as LINE: Disney Tsum Tsum and LINE Rangers up until this point, and further aims to expand and succeed as a global platform by diversifying its lineup, finally offering mid-core and core games to audiences.
LINE GAME will bring out the following series of titles starting from autumn 2014. (Alphabetical order)
LINE POP 2 (Puzzle)
LINE Puzzle Trio (Puzzle)
LINE Chronicles of Albion (Strategy RPG)
LINE Legion of Heroes (Strategy RPG)
And more.
2. New companies established with GREE Inc. and Cyber Agent Inc.
The basic groundwork has been laid for the establishment of two new companies, one to be co-funded by GREE Inc. and one to be co-funded by Cyber Agent Inc., in an effort to stimulate the development of global content. Through the establishment of these new companies, LINE will work with its partners to speed up the expansion of their businesses and bring high-quality Japanese gaming content to players around the world.
3. Investment into Translimit Inc. via Game Fund
The first recipient for LINE’s investment fund, LINE Game Global Gateway, established to invest in Japanese game development companies as well as other gaming content, will be Translimit, Inc.. Combining the company’s game development prowess, which has allowed it to achieve global success in over 150 countries—especially in the United States and Asia—with games such as the competitive thinking game “BrainWars”, and LINE’s extensive global user base, they will develop new exciting game content.
LINE GAME will continue to make efforts to strengthen partnerships with third-party content providers, using high quality gaming content developed in Japan to become the world’s No. 1 mobile platform.
Moreover, LINE will continue to improve and increase the level of convenience it offers to its users by developing its services around these new features.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Hosted unified communications in Latin America to experience ten-fold increase by 2020
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: The Latin America (LATAM) hosted Internet protocol (IP) telephony and integrated unified communications and collaboration (UCC) applications market remains on a rapid growth trajectory.
Customers are increasingly realizing that the hosted model and operational-expenditure (OPEX) modality enhance flexibility, enable easy scalability and expansion. With hosted solutions, enterprises can also constantly update their complex communication systems with state-of-the-art technology and without further financial burden.
Hosted IP telephony and integrated UCC application vendors need to promote these advantages to customers and forge stronger channel partnerships to thrive in the Latin American market.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Analysis of the Latin American Hosted IP Telephony and Integrated UCC Applications Market, finds that the market registered revenues of $80.7 million in 2013 and estimates this to expand ten-fold in the coming years, reaching $839.4 million in 2020.
"As almost no initial investment is required to deploy hosted, pay-as-you-go communications solutions, barriers to adoption among small and medium businesses are low," said Frost & Sullivan Information & Communication Technologies Industry analyst, Sebastian Menutti. "Thus, hosted IP telephony and integrated UCC applications will gain traction in this segment, in addition to the large distributed enterprise and government segments."
Already, end users across application segments can choose from a wide range of hosted solutions, including video, mobility and multiple-devices access. Even so, Latin American service providers are developing more solid hosted communications solutions.
As some vendors in Latin America have not yet introduced their full-fledged hosted communications portfolio, a larger number of platforms are anticipated to be available in the next 12 to 18 months. While this will broaden the options available for regional customers, it will also boost competitive pressures. Consequently, prices of hosted communications solutions will drop. This will reduce market participants' profitability but drive adoption rates.
The longer-than-average renewal period of communications infrastructure in Latin America is also checking the pace of market development. Additionally, concerns on the security of hosted communications solutions among some end users hinder sales.
Customers are increasingly realizing that the hosted model and operational-expenditure (OPEX) modality enhance flexibility, enable easy scalability and expansion. With hosted solutions, enterprises can also constantly update their complex communication systems with state-of-the-art technology and without further financial burden.
Hosted IP telephony and integrated UCC application vendors need to promote these advantages to customers and forge stronger channel partnerships to thrive in the Latin American market.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Analysis of the Latin American Hosted IP Telephony and Integrated UCC Applications Market, finds that the market registered revenues of $80.7 million in 2013 and estimates this to expand ten-fold in the coming years, reaching $839.4 million in 2020.
"As almost no initial investment is required to deploy hosted, pay-as-you-go communications solutions, barriers to adoption among small and medium businesses are low," said Frost & Sullivan Information & Communication Technologies Industry analyst, Sebastian Menutti. "Thus, hosted IP telephony and integrated UCC applications will gain traction in this segment, in addition to the large distributed enterprise and government segments."
Already, end users across application segments can choose from a wide range of hosted solutions, including video, mobility and multiple-devices access. Even so, Latin American service providers are developing more solid hosted communications solutions.
As some vendors in Latin America have not yet introduced their full-fledged hosted communications portfolio, a larger number of platforms are anticipated to be available in the next 12 to 18 months. While this will broaden the options available for regional customers, it will also boost competitive pressures. Consequently, prices of hosted communications solutions will drop. This will reduce market participants' profitability but drive adoption rates.
The longer-than-average renewal period of communications infrastructure in Latin America is also checking the pace of market development. Additionally, concerns on the security of hosted communications solutions among some end users hinder sales.
Biometrics boost consumer privacy for mobile commerce
DENVER, USA: A decade of intense debate over whether consumer biometrics is a privacy boosting or privacy busting technology may finally be over. Apple's September 2014 announcements introducing the Touch ID enabled iPhone 6, the Apple Pay mobile payment ecosystem, and Apple's new privacy policy, decisively position biometrics as a critical enabler of consumer-centric privacy in the world of mobile commerce.
According to Maxine Most, biometrics and identity market expert: "Taken together, the three components of Apple's latest portfolio – Apple Pay, Touch ID, and embedded device privacy – have done more to break open the mobile marketplace for consumer biometrics than biometric industry insiders, associations, and advocates have in more than a decade."
"With the Touch ID enabled iPhone 6, iOS 8 and Apple Pay, Apple is offering consumers biometrically secured devices and mobile phone transactions," says Most, a principal of Acuity Market Intelligence.
"At the same time, Apple has assured customers that the company will not have access to the data on their iPhones, will not track or store users' iPhone transaction footprint, nor will they have the ability to comply with government warrants or subpoenas for data on these mobile phones."
According to Maxine Most, biometrics and identity market expert: "Taken together, the three components of Apple's latest portfolio – Apple Pay, Touch ID, and embedded device privacy – have done more to break open the mobile marketplace for consumer biometrics than biometric industry insiders, associations, and advocates have in more than a decade."
"With the Touch ID enabled iPhone 6, iOS 8 and Apple Pay, Apple is offering consumers biometrically secured devices and mobile phone transactions," says Most, a principal of Acuity Market Intelligence.
"At the same time, Apple has assured customers that the company will not have access to the data on their iPhones, will not track or store users' iPhone transaction footprint, nor will they have the ability to comply with government warrants or subpoenas for data on these mobile phones."
Thursday, October 9, 2014
AT&T Wi-Fi hub to provide seamless and secure Wi-Fi access
SAN FRANCISCO, USA: At the Wireless Broadband Alliance’s (WBA) Wi-Fi Global Congress, AT&T, Accuris Networks and BSG Wireless announced an agreement to bring to market the new AT&T Wi-Fi Hub. This hub will make it possible for wireless operators to deliver turnkey Wi-Fi roaming services to their customers.
Expected to launch later this year, the AT&T Wi-Fi Hub addresses common issues that operators face in delivering Wi-Fi roaming services, such as the time-intensive process of identifying Wi-Fi providers, negotiation of terms and implementation of Wi-Fi services.
The AT&T Wi-Fi Hub is being developed using Accuris Networks’ AccuROAM platform, the only solution using SIM-based account credentials to enable smartphone and tablet users to automatically connect to Wi-Fi hotspots when roaming internationally.
The solution provides a secure authentication framework without the need to enter cumbersome usernames and passwords. It also fully supports Hotspot 2.0 and WBA’s Wireless Roaming Intermediary eXchange (WRIX) specifications. AccuROAM enables any Wi-Fi to work as a full extension of GSM or CDMA networks for billing, policy and authentication.
Expected to launch later this year, the AT&T Wi-Fi Hub addresses common issues that operators face in delivering Wi-Fi roaming services, such as the time-intensive process of identifying Wi-Fi providers, negotiation of terms and implementation of Wi-Fi services.
The AT&T Wi-Fi Hub is being developed using Accuris Networks’ AccuROAM platform, the only solution using SIM-based account credentials to enable smartphone and tablet users to automatically connect to Wi-Fi hotspots when roaming internationally.
The solution provides a secure authentication framework without the need to enter cumbersome usernames and passwords. It also fully supports Hotspot 2.0 and WBA’s Wireless Roaming Intermediary eXchange (WRIX) specifications. AccuROAM enables any Wi-Fi to work as a full extension of GSM or CDMA networks for billing, policy and authentication.
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