MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Malaysia’s aggressive WiMAX operators – P1 4G and Yes – are shaking up Malaysia’s broadband market. These operators offer valuable insights for the rest of Asia about how WiMAX operators can be strong broadband competitors, according to a new report* from research firm Ovum.
“Incumbent TM's slow ADSL service is under pressure from P1 4G's cheap, high-speed WiMAX service and from Yes' new pay-per-use and postpaid WiMAX tariffs,” says Senior Analyst Nicole McCormick, the report’s author.
In contrast, mobile operators don't yet see the WiMAX operators as threats.
“However, P1 4G and Yes have rolled out extensive networks and if these operators fulfill their growth projections they could emerge as serious high-speed broadband players,” says McCormick.
“We wonder how long the mobile broadband players will allow WiMAX operators to capture low to middle end subscribers who might have otherwise have purchased a big-screen mobile broadband service. The answer ultimately depends on how successful the WiMAX players are.”
Meanwhile, TM and mobile operator Maxis are the first to enter the market for the critical first-phase 1.3 million homes that will be connected to the fiber-based HSBB network by the end of 2012.
“Whoever wins the lion's share of these key lucrative homes will have a major advantage over their fiber rivals,” says McCormick.
She expects Maxis and sister firm DTH operator Astro to eventually come together and offer a compelling HSBB content play. “If that happens, TM could come off second best to a Maxis-Astro combine,” adds McCormick.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Telecom GPS announces car and motorcycle satellite tracking device with monitoring service
DARIEN, USA: Telecom GPS recently launched an easy-to-install car and motorcycle satellite tracking device, allowing vehicle owners the ability to locate, track and control their vehicles remotely.
Telecom devices are ideal for family and company vehicles as they offer an increased ability to control and monitor vehicles regardless of location. With the ability to locate a car or truck on demand, monitor routes and remotely start or stop an engine, business owners can ensure their employees are on schedule and en-route to their next destination.
Telecom technology aids in protecting company property from theft as each device is equipped with the ability to shut down the vehicle from any location.
Subscribers can utilize the devices adjustable settings to fit their personal needs with customizable options, which can even allow an owner to program specific times the vehicles are functional. In addition, reports are retrieved regarding the vehicle's use and delivered to the owner at the click of a button from their computer or mobile device.
When selected, alerts can be sent to notify the owner when the vehicle ignition is activated, moved from its present location, if the device records a speed higher than a designated speed limit and if the vehicle is outside of a specified area.
Every feature is adjustable and can be reported as frequently or infrequently to comply with anyone's schedule.
Telecom devices are ideal for family and company vehicles as they offer an increased ability to control and monitor vehicles regardless of location. With the ability to locate a car or truck on demand, monitor routes and remotely start or stop an engine, business owners can ensure their employees are on schedule and en-route to their next destination.
Telecom technology aids in protecting company property from theft as each device is equipped with the ability to shut down the vehicle from any location.
Subscribers can utilize the devices adjustable settings to fit their personal needs with customizable options, which can even allow an owner to program specific times the vehicles are functional. In addition, reports are retrieved regarding the vehicle's use and delivered to the owner at the click of a button from their computer or mobile device.
When selected, alerts can be sent to notify the owner when the vehicle ignition is activated, moved from its present location, if the device records a speed higher than a designated speed limit and if the vehicle is outside of a specified area.
Every feature is adjustable and can be reported as frequently or infrequently to comply with anyone's schedule.
comScore reports March 2011 US mobile subscriber market share
RESTON, USA: comScore Inc., a leader in measuring the digital world, released data from the comScore MobiLens service, reporting key trends in the US mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending March 2011.
The study surveyed more than 30,000 US mobile subscribers and found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 24.5 percent market share. Google Android led among smartphone platforms with 34.7 percent market share.
OEM market share
For the three month average period ending in March, 234 million Americans ages 13 and older used mobile devices. Device manufacturer Samsung ranked as the top OEM with 24.5 percent of US mobile subscribers. LG ranked second with 20.9 percent share, followed by Motorola (15.8 percent) and RIM (8.4 percent). Apple continued to gain share following the launch of the Verizon iPhone, up 1.1 percentage points to reach 7.9 percent of subscribers.
Source: comScore, USA.
Smartphone platform market share
72.5 million people in the US owned smartphones during the three months ending in March 2011, up 15 percent from the preceding three-month period. Google Android grew 6.0 percentage points to 34.7 percent market share, while RIM ranked second with 27.1 percent. Apple grew 0.5 points to 25.5 percent share, followed by Microsoft (7.5 percent) and Palm (2.8 percent).
Source: comScore, USA.
Mobile content usage
In March, 68.6 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers used text messaging on their mobile device. Browsers were used by 38.6 percent of subscribers (up 2.2 percentage points), while downloaded applications were used by 37.3 percent (up 2.9 percentage points).
Accessing of social networking sites or blogs increased 2.6 percentage points, representing 27.3 percent of mobile subscribers. Playing games comprised 25.7 percent of the mobile audience, while listening to music represented 17.9 percent.
Source: comScore, USA.
The study surveyed more than 30,000 US mobile subscribers and found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 24.5 percent market share. Google Android led among smartphone platforms with 34.7 percent market share.
OEM market share
For the three month average period ending in March, 234 million Americans ages 13 and older used mobile devices. Device manufacturer Samsung ranked as the top OEM with 24.5 percent of US mobile subscribers. LG ranked second with 20.9 percent share, followed by Motorola (15.8 percent) and RIM (8.4 percent). Apple continued to gain share following the launch of the Verizon iPhone, up 1.1 percentage points to reach 7.9 percent of subscribers.
Source: comScore, USA.Smartphone platform market share
72.5 million people in the US owned smartphones during the three months ending in March 2011, up 15 percent from the preceding three-month period. Google Android grew 6.0 percentage points to 34.7 percent market share, while RIM ranked second with 27.1 percent. Apple grew 0.5 points to 25.5 percent share, followed by Microsoft (7.5 percent) and Palm (2.8 percent).
Source: comScore, USA.Mobile content usage
In March, 68.6 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers used text messaging on their mobile device. Browsers were used by 38.6 percent of subscribers (up 2.2 percentage points), while downloaded applications were used by 37.3 percent (up 2.9 percentage points).
Accessing of social networking sites or blogs increased 2.6 percentage points, representing 27.3 percent of mobile subscribers. Playing games comprised 25.7 percent of the mobile audience, while listening to music represented 17.9 percent.
Source: comScore, USA.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Comcast launches personal 4G/3G mobile hotspot with Xfinity Internet 2go
PHILADELPHIA, USA: Comcast Corp. announced the launch of its personal 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot, also known as the MiFi 4082 by Novatel Wireless Inc., that allows users to simultaneously connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the Internet while on-the-go.
Sleek and compact in design, the pocket-sized device is a Wi-Fi router that uses Xfinity Internet 2go service to create a portable Wi-Fi hotspot and provide superfast Internet speeds within a 4G coverage area.
“This new product gives customers the flexibility to instantly create their own secure hotspot everywhere they go,” said Tom Nagel, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Wireless Services for Comcast. “Consumers want mobile Internet access for Wi-Fi-enabled devices like iPads, laptops and smartphones, and with this offering they can share their connection with family, friends or colleagues and can even watch TV and movies on-the-go.”
Comcast’s 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot offers a reliable Internet connection and fast download speeds of up to 6 Mbps with 4G service and up to 1.4 Mbps with 3G service. Within the 4G network, which reaches 119 million Americans, the 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot provides superfast 4G speed. Outside of 4G coverage, the device connects to the nationwide 3G network.
A rechargeable battery provides hours of Internet access when power outlets are not available. In addition, the device supports industry-standard Wi-Fi security, providing safety for customers since users are prompted to enter their password before being able to connect to a Mobile Hotspot.
The personal 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot is available in Xfinity Internet 2go markets with 4G service, which includes many of the major markets across the US. New Xfinity Internet 2go customers can get the hotspot for a $25 one-time fee with a qualifying Xfinity Internet 2go service plan.
Sleek and compact in design, the pocket-sized device is a Wi-Fi router that uses Xfinity Internet 2go service to create a portable Wi-Fi hotspot and provide superfast Internet speeds within a 4G coverage area.
“This new product gives customers the flexibility to instantly create their own secure hotspot everywhere they go,” said Tom Nagel, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Wireless Services for Comcast. “Consumers want mobile Internet access for Wi-Fi-enabled devices like iPads, laptops and smartphones, and with this offering they can share their connection with family, friends or colleagues and can even watch TV and movies on-the-go.”
Comcast’s 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot offers a reliable Internet connection and fast download speeds of up to 6 Mbps with 4G service and up to 1.4 Mbps with 3G service. Within the 4G network, which reaches 119 million Americans, the 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot provides superfast 4G speed. Outside of 4G coverage, the device connects to the nationwide 3G network.
A rechargeable battery provides hours of Internet access when power outlets are not available. In addition, the device supports industry-standard Wi-Fi security, providing safety for customers since users are prompted to enter their password before being able to connect to a Mobile Hotspot.
The personal 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot is available in Xfinity Internet 2go markets with 4G service, which includes many of the major markets across the US. New Xfinity Internet 2go customers can get the hotspot for a $25 one-time fee with a qualifying Xfinity Internet 2go service plan.
CSR’s SiRFstarIV GPS powers location awareness in Samsung GALAXY S II smartphone
BANGALORE, INDIA: CSR announced that its SiRFstarIV GPS architecture is powering location awareness in the newest version of Samsung’s flagship smartphone, the GALAXY S II. Samsung chose the SiRFstarIV because its unique technologies enable the GALAXY S II to achieve superior GPS performance while operating in the electrically noisy environment found in today’s feature-packed smartphones.
“We are delighted that Samsung Electronics has chosen SiRFstarIV over competing solutions to provide superior location awareness for this exciting new flagship product, deepening and broadening our supplier relationship with a leader in the global consumer electronics market. For CSR, this win is another great example of the increasing adoption of the SiRFstarIV and an important validation of our vision that high-quality location will be part of every mobile device,” said Ahmet Alpdemir, senior VP of CSR’s Handset Business Unit.
“When we designed the SiRFstarIV architecture, we anticipated that GPS devices would be operating in very close proximity to a variety of other smartphone components generating various amounts of radio frequency interference which can easily swamp the meager GPS satellite signals we need to work with to achieve accurate positioning,” added Dave Huntingford, director of Product Management for CSR's Handset Business Unit.
Along with its low power location awareness capabilities, the SiRFstarIV includes CSR’s active jammer removal technology that can dynamically detect, track and actively block up to eight separate sources of interference in the GPS frequency band that would otherwise inhibit GPS performance, allowing it to easily coexist in close quarters with other noisy components without any extra effort. Features such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 3G mobile radios, as well as the large LCD screens employed in smartphones are often sources of this kind of interference.
SiRFstarIV GSD4t
The SiRFstarIV GSD4t at the heart of the Samsung GALAXY S II is a host-based GPS receiver optimized for smartphones and other mobile consumer devices that contain their own powerful application processors. The essence of the SiRFstarIV breakthrough is its ability to continually maintain “better-than-hot-start” conditions in the GPS receiver for fast location fixes without having to be kept fully turned on all the time and draining precious battery power. Because of its SiRFstarIV architecture, the GSD4t is able to deliver superior performance with low-power efficiency in a compact design.
High Performance: The GSD4t receiver provides high performance, with navigation to -160 dBm, tracking to -163 dBm and excellent pass margins for E911 and 3GPP. It can maintain its full rated -160 dBm acquisition sensitivity without network assistance.
Low Power: The GSD4t receiver requires only 8 mW in 1-Hz TricklePower mode — two and a half times less energy than the SiRFstarIII architecture.
Cost Effective: Available in a 42-ball, 0.4-mm pitch wafer-level chip scale package (WLCSP), the GSD4t offers low integration and BOM costs and fast time-to-market, combining RF receiver, baseband, switcher and low-current LDOs on a single chip, and requiring only six to eight external passive components and a single SAW to provide a complete solution that occupies less than 20 square millimeters, including switcher parts.
SiRFstarIV GSD4t features such as active jammer removal, single-SAW design, an on-chip LNA, fail-safe I/O, integrated switchers, single supply voltage, simple RF matching and small size and packaging make it easier for designers to use and integrate into their products.
“We are delighted that Samsung Electronics has chosen SiRFstarIV over competing solutions to provide superior location awareness for this exciting new flagship product, deepening and broadening our supplier relationship with a leader in the global consumer electronics market. For CSR, this win is another great example of the increasing adoption of the SiRFstarIV and an important validation of our vision that high-quality location will be part of every mobile device,” said Ahmet Alpdemir, senior VP of CSR’s Handset Business Unit.
“When we designed the SiRFstarIV architecture, we anticipated that GPS devices would be operating in very close proximity to a variety of other smartphone components generating various amounts of radio frequency interference which can easily swamp the meager GPS satellite signals we need to work with to achieve accurate positioning,” added Dave Huntingford, director of Product Management for CSR's Handset Business Unit.
Along with its low power location awareness capabilities, the SiRFstarIV includes CSR’s active jammer removal technology that can dynamically detect, track and actively block up to eight separate sources of interference in the GPS frequency band that would otherwise inhibit GPS performance, allowing it to easily coexist in close quarters with other noisy components without any extra effort. Features such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 3G mobile radios, as well as the large LCD screens employed in smartphones are often sources of this kind of interference.
SiRFstarIV GSD4t
The SiRFstarIV GSD4t at the heart of the Samsung GALAXY S II is a host-based GPS receiver optimized for smartphones and other mobile consumer devices that contain their own powerful application processors. The essence of the SiRFstarIV breakthrough is its ability to continually maintain “better-than-hot-start” conditions in the GPS receiver for fast location fixes without having to be kept fully turned on all the time and draining precious battery power. Because of its SiRFstarIV architecture, the GSD4t is able to deliver superior performance with low-power efficiency in a compact design.
High Performance: The GSD4t receiver provides high performance, with navigation to -160 dBm, tracking to -163 dBm and excellent pass margins for E911 and 3GPP. It can maintain its full rated -160 dBm acquisition sensitivity without network assistance.
Low Power: The GSD4t receiver requires only 8 mW in 1-Hz TricklePower mode — two and a half times less energy than the SiRFstarIII architecture.
Cost Effective: Available in a 42-ball, 0.4-mm pitch wafer-level chip scale package (WLCSP), the GSD4t offers low integration and BOM costs and fast time-to-market, combining RF receiver, baseband, switcher and low-current LDOs on a single chip, and requiring only six to eight external passive components and a single SAW to provide a complete solution that occupies less than 20 square millimeters, including switcher parts.
SiRFstarIV GSD4t features such as active jammer removal, single-SAW design, an on-chip LNA, fail-safe I/O, integrated switchers, single supply voltage, simple RF matching and small size and packaging make it easier for designers to use and integrate into their products.
Wireless Innovation Forum announces White Space Communications summit
WASHINGTON, USA: The Wireless Innovation Forum (SDR Forum version 2.0), a non-profit organization dedicated to driving the future of radio communications and systems worldwide, announced that it will host a White Space Communications Summit: Driving Growth Through White Space Innovations, on June 7 in Washington, DC.
Convened by industry stakeholders to discuss the current state of the emerging market for TV Band and other White Space Devices, this Summit will highlight market demand, industry interest, and progress towards deployment. The event presents multiple industry perspectives and provides discussion on outstanding issues together with plans for how to move forward.
“The WInn Forum is very pleased to be hosting its fifth summit on this important topic in wireless communications,” said Bruce Oberlies, Sr. Director of Advanced Technology in the CTO Office of Motorola Solutions and Chair of the Forum.
“We believe that this provides the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in the broader TVWS community to have conversations about what the 'white space' ecosystem looks like now, how it is evolving, when 'white spaces' will roll out, when the technologies will be ready, when products will be deployed, what progress has been made in trials and deployments, and how we can measure commercial success.”
Convened by industry stakeholders to discuss the current state of the emerging market for TV Band and other White Space Devices, this Summit will highlight market demand, industry interest, and progress towards deployment. The event presents multiple industry perspectives and provides discussion on outstanding issues together with plans for how to move forward.
“The WInn Forum is very pleased to be hosting its fifth summit on this important topic in wireless communications,” said Bruce Oberlies, Sr. Director of Advanced Technology in the CTO Office of Motorola Solutions and Chair of the Forum.
“We believe that this provides the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in the broader TVWS community to have conversations about what the 'white space' ecosystem looks like now, how it is evolving, when 'white spaces' will roll out, when the technologies will be ready, when products will be deployed, what progress has been made in trials and deployments, and how we can measure commercial success.”
Research Fleets choose mini-VSAT broadband for onboard Internet and data connections
MIDDLETOWN, USA: Crews aboard maritime research support vessels have a difficult job – providing security and mission management services to their fleets in waters around the globe. To make that job a little easier, and help crew members stay in touch with family and friends, companies like Storm Offshore AS are deploying the TracPhone V7 satellite communications solution from KVH Industries Inc..
Storm Offshore crew members use the reliable, affordable mini-VSAT BroadbandSM service to communicate with the home office, file required paperwork in international ports, and stay in touch with loved ones back home.
"The vessels send daily reports to the client (the charterer) as an electronic log, including details about the vessel's activities, information about the itinerary, and speed, as well as mandatory, monthly Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) reports to the Storm Offshore office, supporting our dedication to outstanding QHSE monitoring and consistent results," says Karstein Rasmussen, general manager of Storm Offshore.
"There are operational benefits to the airtime structure, as well. We can now send large files without trying to calculate how many megabytes they will use. For example, we can now send a manual that is 10 MB, which would not have been feasible with the old system because it would have cost a fortune."
Storm Offshore is not alone in seeing the value of affordable, reliable satellite communications for maritime research fleets. Stephen Kemp, resource manager for Tesla Offshore, LLC, sees a whole range of benefits for Tesla vessels using mini-VSAT Broadband. "We have found our TracPhone V7 system to be very useful and effective as a communications tool on our research vessel M/V Nikola. We use it to send out data packs (job instructions) to the field and to send sample data to the office for quality control. Naturally, we use it for all of our routine voice and e-mail communication needs, as well," he explains.
"KVH's global mini-VSAT Broadband network is ideal for research vessels and fleets that travel the world investigating ocean conditions and sea life," remarks Brent C. Bruun, KVH's senior vice president for global sales and business development. "We recognize that every vessel has a unique set of communications needs, and we are committed to the continued development of our mini-VSAT Broadband-compatible antenna family, along with value-added options like the CommBox™ Ship/Shore Network Manager. Our solution makes it possible for commercial operators to build a system that meets their needs and their budgets."
Some of the most critical vessel needs come from companies like Stabbert Maritime in Seattle, WA. "SATCOM is vital, especially when our vessels are working in exploratory research areas like the Beaufort Sea, and our KVH solution makes the entire business side of being a seaman much easier," says Neal Forde, vice president of commercial operations for Stabbert Maritime.
"Every port is a little different, so reliable SATCOM is key for managing port entry and customs paperwork, provisioning, and logistics. The scientists working aboard Stabbert vessels rely on the real-time connection to their offices on shore to report vital hydrographic and CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth) data and analyze anomalies. We provide unlimited access to the system for crew morale purposes as well – this is a valuable benefit that was cost-prohibitive with our old system."
Storm Offshore crew members use the reliable, affordable mini-VSAT BroadbandSM service to communicate with the home office, file required paperwork in international ports, and stay in touch with loved ones back home.
"The vessels send daily reports to the client (the charterer) as an electronic log, including details about the vessel's activities, information about the itinerary, and speed, as well as mandatory, monthly Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) reports to the Storm Offshore office, supporting our dedication to outstanding QHSE monitoring and consistent results," says Karstein Rasmussen, general manager of Storm Offshore.
"There are operational benefits to the airtime structure, as well. We can now send large files without trying to calculate how many megabytes they will use. For example, we can now send a manual that is 10 MB, which would not have been feasible with the old system because it would have cost a fortune."
Storm Offshore is not alone in seeing the value of affordable, reliable satellite communications for maritime research fleets. Stephen Kemp, resource manager for Tesla Offshore, LLC, sees a whole range of benefits for Tesla vessels using mini-VSAT Broadband. "We have found our TracPhone V7 system to be very useful and effective as a communications tool on our research vessel M/V Nikola. We use it to send out data packs (job instructions) to the field and to send sample data to the office for quality control. Naturally, we use it for all of our routine voice and e-mail communication needs, as well," he explains.
"KVH's global mini-VSAT Broadband network is ideal for research vessels and fleets that travel the world investigating ocean conditions and sea life," remarks Brent C. Bruun, KVH's senior vice president for global sales and business development. "We recognize that every vessel has a unique set of communications needs, and we are committed to the continued development of our mini-VSAT Broadband-compatible antenna family, along with value-added options like the CommBox™ Ship/Shore Network Manager. Our solution makes it possible for commercial operators to build a system that meets their needs and their budgets."
Some of the most critical vessel needs come from companies like Stabbert Maritime in Seattle, WA. "SATCOM is vital, especially when our vessels are working in exploratory research areas like the Beaufort Sea, and our KVH solution makes the entire business side of being a seaman much easier," says Neal Forde, vice president of commercial operations for Stabbert Maritime.
"Every port is a little different, so reliable SATCOM is key for managing port entry and customs paperwork, provisioning, and logistics. The scientists working aboard Stabbert vessels rely on the real-time connection to their offices on shore to report vital hydrographic and CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth) data and analyze anomalies. We provide unlimited access to the system for crew morale purposes as well – this is a valuable benefit that was cost-prohibitive with our old system."
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