USA: Hidalgo Communications, a technology and telecommunications consulting firm that architects, delivers and supports purpose-built IT solutions and services, has signed an agreement to be a channel agent partner of United Networks Services, Inc. (UNSi) , a next generation carrier and provider of efficient, intelligent and flexible Internet and managed services.
Hidalgo Communications recently signed a Channel Agent agreement with UNSi and will benefit greatly from their emerging channel partner program by leveraging UNSi’s wide range of Carrier and Managed Services, particularly the most complete and cost-effective MPLS solution for enterprises operating out of multiple locations.
Hidalgo Communications has already exemplified a proven ability to drive wholesale business wins for UNSi, forging business partnerships with leading carriers, service providers and managed network operators.
A facilities-based carrier, UNSi has 18 core Points of Presence (PoPs) and interconnections to over 150 carriers in the U.S. alone. UNSi’s partners are able to leverage the relationships with these carriers, paired with the cost savings and convenience of working with a single partner, under one invoice.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Ericsson to acquire Microsoft Mediaroom
SWEDEN: Ericsson has reached an agreement with Microsoft to acquire its TV solution Mediaroom business. This will make Ericsson the leading provider of IPTV and multi-screen solutions with a market share of over 25 percent. Closing expected during the second half of 2013.
Mediaroom is situated in Mountain View, California and employs more than 400 people worldwide.
Per Borgklint, senior VP and head of Business Unit Support Solutions at Ericsson said: "Ericsson's vision of the Networked Society foresees 50 billion devices to be connected via broadband, mobility and cloud. Future video distribution will have a similar impact on consumer behavior and consumption as mobile voice has had.
"This acquisition contributes to a leading position for Ericsson with more than 40 customers, serving over 11 million subscriber households. In addition, Ericsson will be powered with senior competence and some of the most talented people within the field of IPTV distribution."
The global IPTV market is estimated to reach 76 million subscribers in 2013 with revenues of $32 billion growing to 105 million subscribers and $45 billion in 2015.
"Mediaroom is the leading platform for video distribution deployed with the world's largest IPTV operators. This strategic acquisition positions Ericsson as an industry leader thanks to the skills and experiences of the talented people of Mediaroom combined with Ericsson's end to end service capabilities" Borgklint concluded.
The total media solution portfolio of Ericsson in the TV and video space combined with a further increased focus on consumer needs will be the foundation for providing services to end users. The importance of video distribution capabilities for the customers and their consumers will be increasing as more and more LTE networks are deployed and filled with smartphone users.
"We are proud of the number one IPTV market position that we have achieved with Mediaroom. Ericsson's complementary portfolio of TV and networking services will help drive the future growth and development of Mediaroom," said Tom Gibbons, corporate VP of Microsoft. "Ericsson is positioned to be a valuable strategic partner for operators and TV service providers around the world as the IPTV market evolves."
Microsoft Mediaroom is the TV technology behind many of the world's leading television service providers like AT&T U-verse, Entertain of Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, TELUS Optik TV and Swisscom.
Mediaroom-powered TV services are offered on more than 22 million set top boxes deployed throughout the Americas, EMEA and APAC.
Ericsson already sees that the ever-changing behaviors of TV consumers are evolving faster than ever. Speed of innovation and intelligent solutions drive consumer propositions in TV anywhere.
This development will continue to fuel the industry as convergence becomes reality. The development requires content owners, broadcasters, TV service providers and operators to re-think their propositions.
This move builds on Ericsson's triple Emmy award-winning leadership in the media industry, providing its customers with a truly unique experience in TV anywhere spanning the entire media value chain from camera to consumer.
The agreement is subject to customary regulatory approvals and other conditions. Mediaroom will be incorporated into Business Unit Support Solutions.
Mediaroom is situated in Mountain View, California and employs more than 400 people worldwide.
Per Borgklint, senior VP and head of Business Unit Support Solutions at Ericsson said: "Ericsson's vision of the Networked Society foresees 50 billion devices to be connected via broadband, mobility and cloud. Future video distribution will have a similar impact on consumer behavior and consumption as mobile voice has had.
"This acquisition contributes to a leading position for Ericsson with more than 40 customers, serving over 11 million subscriber households. In addition, Ericsson will be powered with senior competence and some of the most talented people within the field of IPTV distribution."
The global IPTV market is estimated to reach 76 million subscribers in 2013 with revenues of $32 billion growing to 105 million subscribers and $45 billion in 2015.
"Mediaroom is the leading platform for video distribution deployed with the world's largest IPTV operators. This strategic acquisition positions Ericsson as an industry leader thanks to the skills and experiences of the talented people of Mediaroom combined with Ericsson's end to end service capabilities" Borgklint concluded.
The total media solution portfolio of Ericsson in the TV and video space combined with a further increased focus on consumer needs will be the foundation for providing services to end users. The importance of video distribution capabilities for the customers and their consumers will be increasing as more and more LTE networks are deployed and filled with smartphone users.
"We are proud of the number one IPTV market position that we have achieved with Mediaroom. Ericsson's complementary portfolio of TV and networking services will help drive the future growth and development of Mediaroom," said Tom Gibbons, corporate VP of Microsoft. "Ericsson is positioned to be a valuable strategic partner for operators and TV service providers around the world as the IPTV market evolves."
Microsoft Mediaroom is the TV technology behind many of the world's leading television service providers like AT&T U-verse, Entertain of Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, TELUS Optik TV and Swisscom.
Mediaroom-powered TV services are offered on more than 22 million set top boxes deployed throughout the Americas, EMEA and APAC.
Ericsson already sees that the ever-changing behaviors of TV consumers are evolving faster than ever. Speed of innovation and intelligent solutions drive consumer propositions in TV anywhere.
This development will continue to fuel the industry as convergence becomes reality. The development requires content owners, broadcasters, TV service providers and operators to re-think their propositions.
This move builds on Ericsson's triple Emmy award-winning leadership in the media industry, providing its customers with a truly unique experience in TV anywhere spanning the entire media value chain from camera to consumer.
The agreement is subject to customary regulatory approvals and other conditions. Mediaroom will be incorporated into Business Unit Support Solutions.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Interplanet launches fiber business services with Calix E7-2
ITALY: Calix Inc. has announced that North Italian communications service provider Interplanet has chosen the Calix E7-2 Ethernet Service Access Platform (ESAP) for the successful implementation of a scalable, high-speed network.
Based in Montecchio Maggiore (Vicenza), Interplanet provides advanced business and residential services to a rapidly growing customer base across Northern Italy. Leveraging the E7-2 and its support of VDSL2, GPON, and point-to-point gigabit Ethernet technologies, Interplanet is now empowering businesses with advanced broadband services including value-added IP telephony services, integrated voice and data communications, email services, and network security.
Interplanet continues to transform its network to provide greater bandwidth and service reliability as its base of business customers grows. Interplanet utilizes the E7-2 to deliver symmetrical speeds from 10-up to 50 megabits per second (Mbps) over both GPON and point-to-point gigabit Ethernet for services that include voice and data, as well as videoconferencing and cloud applications for businesses in the Verona region.
The flexibility of the E7-2 also allows each customer to upgrade to gigabit services as their service requirements change. Interplanet plans to expand into Padua near Venice later in the year and add residential services to its service portfolio in the future.
The modular, flexible nature of the E7-2 allowed Interplanet to begin with a trial deployment and introductory service and expand now as demand has increased. This pay-as-you-grow approach has proven beneficial to Interplanet, which has utilized a number of different E7-2 configurations for fiber access deployment, as well as 10 GE transport, within its small 1 rack unit (RU) modular chassis.
Based in Montecchio Maggiore (Vicenza), Interplanet provides advanced business and residential services to a rapidly growing customer base across Northern Italy. Leveraging the E7-2 and its support of VDSL2, GPON, and point-to-point gigabit Ethernet technologies, Interplanet is now empowering businesses with advanced broadband services including value-added IP telephony services, integrated voice and data communications, email services, and network security.
Interplanet continues to transform its network to provide greater bandwidth and service reliability as its base of business customers grows. Interplanet utilizes the E7-2 to deliver symmetrical speeds from 10-up to 50 megabits per second (Mbps) over both GPON and point-to-point gigabit Ethernet for services that include voice and data, as well as videoconferencing and cloud applications for businesses in the Verona region.
The flexibility of the E7-2 also allows each customer to upgrade to gigabit services as their service requirements change. Interplanet plans to expand into Padua near Venice later in the year and add residential services to its service portfolio in the future.
The modular, flexible nature of the E7-2 allowed Interplanet to begin with a trial deployment and introductory service and expand now as demand has increased. This pay-as-you-grow approach has proven beneficial to Interplanet, which has utilized a number of different E7-2 configurations for fiber access deployment, as well as 10 GE transport, within its small 1 rack unit (RU) modular chassis.
ZTE’s strength in smartphones delivers increased profitability and brand value
CHINA: ZTE Corp. has exceeded the company’s target by more than doubling shipments of smartphones in 2012, delivering improved profitability for the terminals division.
The growth in smartphone sales helped ZTE post a gross profit margin of 16.8 percent in its terminals division in 2012, an improvement of 1.6 percentage points compared to a year earlier.
In the United States, ZTE’s smartphone shipments greatly increased, a reward for the company’s strategy to focus on high-end markets. In emerging markets including India, Indonesia, Mexico, Argentina and Russia, ZTE also achieved fast growth. In 2012, the distributors channel contributed 10 percent of ZTE’s terminal revenue for the first time.
The strong smartphone sales performance helped ZTE record RMB 1.87 billion of operating cash flow in 2012. ZTE also posted positive free cash flow and operating cash flow for the first time in three years.
“ZTE aspires to be the global leader in 4G, and shape the future of smart devices,” said ZTE EVP and Head of the Mobile Devices Division, He Shiyou. “For ZTE’s terminals business, 2012 was a year of transition that brought increased scale, profitability, and a higher profile. The shift to higher value will continue in 2013.”
The strong growth in ZTE’s smartphone business elevated the company to be the world’s No. 4 manufacturer during 2012, and helped offset decreasing sales of feature phone products.
Last year, ZTE unveiled its Grand series to strengthen the company’s positioning at the high-end of the market. ZTE generated 15 percent of its smartphone revenue in 2012 from sales of mid to high-end devices in 2012, and He aims to grow the proportion to 25-30 percent this year.
After a breakthrough year for ZTE smartphones in 2012, the company will redouble efforts to offer the best devices in 2013, focusing on 4G products that bring superior intelligence and user experience. ZTE will transition from a B2B business model to B2C and increase spending on branding and marketing to connect with end-users more closely, embracing the exciting opportunity presented by the 4G era.
The company will collaborate with operators to focus on high-end products, LTE broadband devices, intelligent integrated services, and product innovation, as well as integrate its e-commerce platforms to offer better and faster services for end-users. In Grand S and Grand Memo, ZTE has two of the strongest LTE devices debuted in the industry this year.
The Grand S is the new generation flagship smartphone and was the winner of the IF2013 design award. The Grand Memo is one of the highest-specification phablets on the market. ZTE’s U8910 LTE smartphone is among the first devices selected by China Mobile in its expanded 4G trial this year.
In the space of two years, ZTE has achieved meteoric growth in its smartphone business, while maintaining solid profitability. The company is firmly established among the world’s top-4 handset vendors. ZTE expects to achieve 30 percent growth in its smartphone revenue in 2013.
He said, “4G is key to ZTE’s future, and our capabilities in LTE give us a lot of confidence.”
The growth in smartphone sales helped ZTE post a gross profit margin of 16.8 percent in its terminals division in 2012, an improvement of 1.6 percentage points compared to a year earlier.
In the United States, ZTE’s smartphone shipments greatly increased, a reward for the company’s strategy to focus on high-end markets. In emerging markets including India, Indonesia, Mexico, Argentina and Russia, ZTE also achieved fast growth. In 2012, the distributors channel contributed 10 percent of ZTE’s terminal revenue for the first time.
The strong smartphone sales performance helped ZTE record RMB 1.87 billion of operating cash flow in 2012. ZTE also posted positive free cash flow and operating cash flow for the first time in three years.
“ZTE aspires to be the global leader in 4G, and shape the future of smart devices,” said ZTE EVP and Head of the Mobile Devices Division, He Shiyou. “For ZTE’s terminals business, 2012 was a year of transition that brought increased scale, profitability, and a higher profile. The shift to higher value will continue in 2013.”
The strong growth in ZTE’s smartphone business elevated the company to be the world’s No. 4 manufacturer during 2012, and helped offset decreasing sales of feature phone products.
Last year, ZTE unveiled its Grand series to strengthen the company’s positioning at the high-end of the market. ZTE generated 15 percent of its smartphone revenue in 2012 from sales of mid to high-end devices in 2012, and He aims to grow the proportion to 25-30 percent this year.
After a breakthrough year for ZTE smartphones in 2012, the company will redouble efforts to offer the best devices in 2013, focusing on 4G products that bring superior intelligence and user experience. ZTE will transition from a B2B business model to B2C and increase spending on branding and marketing to connect with end-users more closely, embracing the exciting opportunity presented by the 4G era.
The company will collaborate with operators to focus on high-end products, LTE broadband devices, intelligent integrated services, and product innovation, as well as integrate its e-commerce platforms to offer better and faster services for end-users. In Grand S and Grand Memo, ZTE has two of the strongest LTE devices debuted in the industry this year.
The Grand S is the new generation flagship smartphone and was the winner of the IF2013 design award. The Grand Memo is one of the highest-specification phablets on the market. ZTE’s U8910 LTE smartphone is among the first devices selected by China Mobile in its expanded 4G trial this year.
In the space of two years, ZTE has achieved meteoric growth in its smartphone business, while maintaining solid profitability. The company is firmly established among the world’s top-4 handset vendors. ZTE expects to achieve 30 percent growth in its smartphone revenue in 2013.
He said, “4G is key to ZTE’s future, and our capabilities in LTE give us a lot of confidence.”
NETGEAR 802.11ac WiFi router speeds up home network for mobile devices and video streaming
USA: NETGEAR Inc. is expanding its market-leading family of next-generation 802.11ac wireless products with the R6250 Smart WiFi Router.
The industry's newest router to support the upcoming 802.11ac wireless standard, the R6250 is designed for customers who want the best possible 802.11ac WiFi performance but don't feel the need to have the fastest 802.11n WiFi performance in the 2.4 Ghz band.
The router includes Gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB 3.0 port so that you can make the most of the outstanding performance it delivers with 802.11ac WiFi. The NETGEAR R6250 is ideal for HD streaming to multiple devices, including the latest smartphones with 802.11ac, such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One.
With a powerful dual-core 800 MHz engine to enable combined WiFi connections at Gigabit speeds up to 1600 Mbps (300 Mbps @ 2.4 Ghz 802.11n + 1300 Mbps @ 5 Ghz 802.11ac), the R6250 Smart WiFi Router offers optimal wireless coverage for large homes. It also has a new SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port, capable of transferring data from your hard drive up to 10 times faster than a USB 2.0 interface.
These features make the R6250 ideal for enabling your increasingly connected digital lifestyle. The R6250 is particularly useful as the network hub for families with eight or more WiFi devices, and works especially well with dual-band WiFi devices such as the Apple iPad and iPhone 5.
The upcoming 802.11ac wireless standard is the world's fastest WiFi, providing Gigabit WiFi speeds so you can download web content faster and synchronize large video or music files more quickly. The increased speed of 802.11ac technology is ideal for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets by providing three times the performance for a similar amount of battery consumption of devices using the current 802.11n WiFi standard.
As a result, many companies, such as Samsung and HTC, are now releasing smartphones with 802.11ac WiFi, with additional 802.11ac-enabled smartphones, tablets and TVs from other leading manufacturers anticipated to debut in the coming year.
The industry's newest router to support the upcoming 802.11ac wireless standard, the R6250 is designed for customers who want the best possible 802.11ac WiFi performance but don't feel the need to have the fastest 802.11n WiFi performance in the 2.4 Ghz band.
The router includes Gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB 3.0 port so that you can make the most of the outstanding performance it delivers with 802.11ac WiFi. The NETGEAR R6250 is ideal for HD streaming to multiple devices, including the latest smartphones with 802.11ac, such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One.
With a powerful dual-core 800 MHz engine to enable combined WiFi connections at Gigabit speeds up to 1600 Mbps (300 Mbps @ 2.4 Ghz 802.11n + 1300 Mbps @ 5 Ghz 802.11ac), the R6250 Smart WiFi Router offers optimal wireless coverage for large homes. It also has a new SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port, capable of transferring data from your hard drive up to 10 times faster than a USB 2.0 interface.
These features make the R6250 ideal for enabling your increasingly connected digital lifestyle. The R6250 is particularly useful as the network hub for families with eight or more WiFi devices, and works especially well with dual-band WiFi devices such as the Apple iPad and iPhone 5.
The upcoming 802.11ac wireless standard is the world's fastest WiFi, providing Gigabit WiFi speeds so you can download web content faster and synchronize large video or music files more quickly. The increased speed of 802.11ac technology is ideal for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets by providing three times the performance for a similar amount of battery consumption of devices using the current 802.11n WiFi standard.
As a result, many companies, such as Samsung and HTC, are now releasing smartphones with 802.11ac WiFi, with additional 802.11ac-enabled smartphones, tablets and TVs from other leading manufacturers anticipated to debut in the coming year.
LatteScreen launches pioneering in Japanese mobile advertising lock screen market
JAPAN: On April 8, a leading player in reward-based mobile advertising industry, AppDisco, expressed its ambition to become a pioneering figure in the Japanese market through its recent release of the official version of LatteScreen.
Following the launch of beta service version last March, the updated version of LatteScreen introduces mobile screen lock reward system on Android, offering rewards for unlocking devices’ lock screens. Users can view advertisements on their lock screen simply by sliding to the left or right and receive up to 2,160 JPY ($23) every month.
Yoo Bumryung, the co-founder of AppDisco as well as the Head of Global Business stated: "LatteScreen is the very first case of a reward-based mobile advertising platform that utilizes lock screens on smartphone devices. As AdLatte Japan is the first incentivizing mobile advertising platform in the country, we are proud to be recognized as the pioneers of the market."
The Japanese version of LatteScreen is identical with that of Korean which retains the sensible yet simple image advertisement thereby enhancing smartphone displays. It also designs and implements animated characters in the slide bar, adding cheerful and dynamic elements as part of the Japanese localization process. Moreover, as in AdLatte Korea, Japanese version offers integrated service with LatteScreen, helping users to maximize their redemption and use both apps with ease.
LatteScreen has reached 150,000 downloads within the first month of its release in Japan, reflecting the positive outcome previously seen with AdLatte. At present, Qoo10, COM2US JAPAN, and LIFECARD are advertising via LatteScreen and there are many others in line seeking to utilize this advertising channel.
Jeong Soohwan, AppDisco’s CEO, stated: “As Japan was the first nation to adopt point-reward system, LatteScreen is expected to be the ultimate advertising platform that reflects the people’s interest and demand. As advertisers already are seeing our application as an effective means to reinforce brand image, we will strive to consolidate our position as the leader in the market through active localization.”
Following the launch of beta service version last March, the updated version of LatteScreen introduces mobile screen lock reward system on Android, offering rewards for unlocking devices’ lock screens. Users can view advertisements on their lock screen simply by sliding to the left or right and receive up to 2,160 JPY ($23) every month.
Yoo Bumryung, the co-founder of AppDisco as well as the Head of Global Business stated: "LatteScreen is the very first case of a reward-based mobile advertising platform that utilizes lock screens on smartphone devices. As AdLatte Japan is the first incentivizing mobile advertising platform in the country, we are proud to be recognized as the pioneers of the market."
The Japanese version of LatteScreen is identical with that of Korean which retains the sensible yet simple image advertisement thereby enhancing smartphone displays. It also designs and implements animated characters in the slide bar, adding cheerful and dynamic elements as part of the Japanese localization process. Moreover, as in AdLatte Korea, Japanese version offers integrated service with LatteScreen, helping users to maximize their redemption and use both apps with ease.
LatteScreen has reached 150,000 downloads within the first month of its release in Japan, reflecting the positive outcome previously seen with AdLatte. At present, Qoo10, COM2US JAPAN, and LIFECARD are advertising via LatteScreen and there are many others in line seeking to utilize this advertising channel.
Jeong Soohwan, AppDisco’s CEO, stated: “As Japan was the first nation to adopt point-reward system, LatteScreen is expected to be the ultimate advertising platform that reflects the people’s interest and demand. As advertisers already are seeing our application as an effective means to reinforce brand image, we will strive to consolidate our position as the leader in the market through active localization.”
LG unveils next gen Optimus L-Series II smartphones in India
INDIA: LG Electronics has launched Optimus L-series II smartphones - LG L7 II Dual and L3 II dual, its next generation of Optimus L series devices.
The widely successful L Series has evolved to include contemporary design aesthetics and innovations that improve on the original. With more than 10 million Optimus L Series phones sold in the first 10 months, L Series II looks to continue this momentum with its sophisticated style and differentiated features.
LG’s L Series II smartphones are designed around LG’s L-Style philosophy, which seamlessly blends an ultra- contemporary design with a timeless layout. Optimus L Series II embodies the beauty of the first L Series but with a more refined touch.
These new smartphones add four new design elements to LG’s design philosophy--Seamless Layout with minimalistic contours and graceful edges, Laser Cut Contour for elite craftsmanship with elite laser-etched details, Radiant Rear Design with pebble-like accents and Smart LED Lighting on the home button.
These new smartphones add four new design elements to LG’s design philosophy--Seamless Layout with minimalistic contours and graceful edges, Laser Cut Contour for elite craftsmanship with elite laser-etched details, Radiant Rear Design with pebble-like accents and Smart LED Lighting on the home button.
The newly launched mid-range smartphones are the latest addition to LG’s Optimus family line-up. Both the gadgets sport a brilliant True IPS display, support dual SIM and run on the latest Android Jelly Bean. While the 4.3 inch L7 II Dual has a 1 GHz Dual Core processor, the 3.2 inch L3 II Dual runs on a speedy 1 GHz processor. L Series II also offers an expanded set of user-convenient features including those unique to LG smartphones such as QuickMemo and Safety Care.
LG Optimus L7 II Dual
The LG Optimus L7 II Dual (see image) is a top of the range smartphone, which features a 1 GHz dual- core processor, 4 GB internal memory, 2,460 mAh battery and a 4.3 inch IPS display with 400 x 800 pixel resolution. The 8MP camera comes with LED Flash and is capable of taking pictures via Voice Commands with CheeseShutter. Since the phone supports dual SIM, its Quick Switch Hot Key makes switching between both the SIMs effortless also Smart Forwarding function helps you to manage calls between both the SIMs.
The L7 II smartphone comes with some very useful apps that are typical of LG phones, like the QuickTranslator, which can recognize a foreign language and translate it into a language of your choice, the QSlide, which promotes multi-tasking by allowing you run two functions simultaneously and Live LG Mobile TV which allow you to watch 50+ live channels on the go.
LG Optimus L3 II Dual
Optimus L3II Dual advances the styling and convenience of the original Optimus L3 smartphone with a new flair that complements its user experience. The LG Optimus L3 II Dual sports a 3.2 inch IPS display and functions on a single-core 1 GHz processor. It packs a 1,540 mAH battery and runs the latest Android Jelly Bean.
The dual SIM device also brings on board a 3MP rear camera and 4GB of internal storage. The smartphone comes loaded with features like- Smart Forwarding, which helps manage calls between both the SIMs, Safety Care feature which can make quick contact to selected persons in urgent situation through Emergency Call Forwarding and My Location Notice, and LG’s QuickMemo app for an easy way to jot down notes.
The smartphone trend is on a continuous rise as industry reports suggest that Smartphone sales are expected to extend their strong growth trend in 2013 with some 918 million units worldwide, led by gains in big emerging markets China, Brazil and India.
IDC said 2013 will be the first year smartphones will outsell the more basic feature phones in the mobile market, and will account for 50.1 percent of all mobile phones. Further India is expected to become the number three market for smartphones by 2017, and Brazil will be fourth, as they overtake mature markets like Japan and Britain.
Keeping the current market trends in mind, and anticipating the future growth , LG’s latest Optimus L7 II Dual and L3 II Dual smartphones have been launched to help fulfill a consumer’s basic tech needs and advanced inspirations in mid tier.
The LG Optimus L7 II Dual is available at MRP of Rs 18,650 , while the LG Optimus L3 II Dual is priced at MRP of Rs 8,800.
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