Telecommunications Insight RSS Feed

Digicel Plans HSPA+ Upgrade (Americas Telecommunications Insight)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

Pan-Caribbean giant Digicel has announced that its Bermudan mobile network will see an HSPA+ upgrade in early 2010. Although Caribbean markets have high penetration rates generally, there has been a somewhat tentative approach to 3G services in the region. This is surprising given the potential for roaming revenues from incoming tourists. While Digicel has not announced any further roll-outs of 3G platforms, BMI would expect the company to be keen to encourage growth of lucrative roaming revenues.

CANTV Plans Fibre Expansion (Americas Telecommunications Insight)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

Venezuela's incumbent telecoms operator, Compañía Anónima Nacional Teléfonos de Venezuela (CANTV), has acquired a new president, just months alter the previous president was replaced. Franco Silva is the president of both CANTV and its mobile unit, Movilnet, replacing Jacqueline Farías who replaced Socorro Hernández in May 2009. Silva already has ambitious plans for the company, intending to triple the reach of CANTV's fibre-optic network.

Caribbean Markets Respond Well To Internet Services (Americas Telecommunications Insight)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

A report from the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has highlighted the strong growth in internet services across several developing markets. Among the 20 most dynamic internet user markets are six Caribbean nations, eight in Central and Eastern Europe, two in South America and three from the Middle East and China. While emerging economies can be expected to show strong growth as they are starting from such a low level, Caribbean markets already have high internet penetration

Bell Looks To Wireless For Growth (Americas Telecommunications Insight)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

Canada's largest telecoms operator, Bell Canada Enterprises, has said its focus remains on reducing expenses and driving growth through its wireless services. Bell's CEO, George Cope, said the company had not yet seen signs of improvement even though the Canadian economy had not worsened. Its decision to focus on wireless products reflects the trend in the market to mobile services, both voice and data options.

TIM's Improved Results Show Promise (Americas Telecommunications Insight)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00 GMT

Third-ranked mobile operator TIM Brasil has reported profit in Q309, in contrast to the loss seen earlier in 2009. TIM has struggled against the might of Telefónica and Portugal Telecom's Vivo and América Móvil's Claro, seeing its market share decline and subscriber growth slow. While revenues had remained quite strong, the company has reported only two quarters of profit since the start of 2008.

CEE Mobile Content Continues To Grow (Emerging Europe Telecommunications Insight)

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00 GMT

The telecommunications markets in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries vary greatly in terms of maturity, with the most developed being Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, while Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus and Moldova fall among the least developed.

Telenor's Strong Results From Asia's Growth (Asia Pacific Telecommunications Insight)

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00 GMT

Norwegian incumbent Telenor has announced strong Q309 financial and operating results on the back of strong growth in its Asian operations. With the exception of Hungary, which reported a small decline in connections, all the operator's units grew. Telenor's international strategy has brought it stable revenue growth and strong operating profit increases, and with the launch of Indian operations expected in Q409, the company looks set to consolidate its position as a major mobile operator in Asia.

Murder On The Verizon? (Americas Telecommunications Insight)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00 GMT

Yet another new handset launch is being touted as the 'iPhone killer' - the handset that will finally provide a real challenge to the hugely popular model from Apple. The Droid, made by Motorola using Google's Android platform, will be exclusively available over Verizon's network in the US market in early November 2009. However, BMI believes that while the features of the handset are important, it will be the range of applications that makes or breaks any new iPhone challenger.

Belgacom Cleared To Take Control Of International Carrier Business (Western Europe Telecommunications Insight)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00 GMT

The EU has cleared Belgacom to fully takeover its already part-owned subsidiary Belgacom International Carrier Service (BICS). BICS is a joint venture between Belgacom and Swisscom, so the Belgian incumbent would be buying out its Swiss partner. Belgacom is also expected to acquire MTN's international carrier business to expand its presence in the sector.

Battle Over Interconnection Fees Continues (Middle East & Africa Telecommunications Insight)

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00 GMT

The battle over interconnection fees has now taken a new twist, as the government moves to perhaps force the larger mobile operators to reduce fees, deeming the regulator ICASA not up to the task, citing the fact that it has failed to deal with high communications prices thus far. The government has denied that its motivations are political. Public hearings are being held on the issue, and the government may decide to change the law in order to impose cuts on the operators.

Internet Still Too Expensive (Middle East & Africa Telecommunications Insight)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00 GMT

The issue of the cost of internet access in Lebanon, and broadband in particular, has surfaced again, at a Middle East Network Operators Group (MENOG) meeting in Beirut. The issue was raised by Cisco programme manager Salam Yamout, reported regional newspaper The Daily Star. Yamout criticised continuing high costs, which she said came as a direct result of the lack of competition in the market She added that the government had a lot more to do in the field of regulation.

Mobile Payment Services Available From Movistar (Americas Telecommunications Insight)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00 GMT

A mobile payment service has been launched by Visanet Perú, Visa Inc and Telefónica Movistar in the southern city of Trujillo. Debit and credit card users will be able to use their mobiles to make payments, with the vendor receiving a message confirming the payment has been made. However, the system, called Pago Móvil, relies on subscribers already having access to banking services, which limits the potential market for mobile payments.

Mobiles To be Used To Distribute Food Aid (Middle East & Africa Telecommunications Insight)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00 GMT

The World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a pilot project in Syria to provide electronic food vouchers to Iraqi refugees in Syria using mobile phones, reports cellular-news. The trial is reported to be the first of its kind - using mobiles for distributing food aid - and indicates the extent to which mobile services have penetrated all levels of society.

Malaysian WiMAX Operators To Appeal Against Fines (Asia Pacific Telecommunications Insight)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00 GMT

Three of the four companies awarded a WiMAX licence in March 2007 are to be fined by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), according to The Star Online.

Pay-TV Market Decline: Good Or Bad News? (Americas Telecommunications Insight)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00 GMT

The Colombian National Television Commission (CNTV) has released figures showing the number of pay-TV subscribers in the country has fallen throughout 2009. Major pay-TV operators such as Telmex Hogar, Cable Union and Telefónica have reported declines in their subscriber bases, leading to an overall decline in the market. As fixed-line operators are keen to expand their portfolios to include pay-TV using IPTV platforms, does this spell bad news for operators?