China Unicom Focus on 3G; 4G LTE in HotSpot Areas Only
China Unicom believes 3G growth will accelerate in 2013 given major improvements in handsets / smartphones, product offerings, network coverage and branding. The company expects 3G net adds in 2013 to be higher than 2012’s level. Management will focus on increasing mobile scale and quality of customers, and expects high-endContinue Reading
Will Windows Blue Help Microsoft Make Inroads in Sub 10″ Tablets ?
Microsoft completed the first milestone build (M1) of Windows Blue, the first full-fledged update to Windows 8, which marks the half-way point in the “Windows Blue” development schedule. Windows Blue should extend the capabilities of Windows 8 through additional application programming interfaces (API), most importantly Win8’s WinRT API which supportsContinue Reading
TRAI Recommendations on IMT Wireless Broadband in 700MHz – Impractical
TRAI has released its recommendations on advanced wireless broadband services in the 700MHz band. Key recommendations are, FDD to be used in 700Mhz. Spectrum available is 698-806Mhz. A 45x2MHz configuration recommended in the 700MHz band. This effectively implies that only one operator (new/old) can win the spectrum.Continue Reading
Why Mobile Operators Oppose Free Romaing / Uniform PAN India Pricing?
The current structure of Voice Calls in India is differently priced across all the 22 circles as affordability varies in each market. Further spectrum costs in each market are different and are a key criterion for setting their tariffs as well. Even though the headline rates are common across operatorsContinue Reading
Idea Reducing Promotional Offers, Positive on 3G, 4G LTE Only On Right Spectrum
Idea Cellular, third Largest Wireless Service Provider in India on the basis of Revenue Market share has some interesting insights to share. The company has a gap between current (34 paise) and headline (43 paise) voice RPM will continue to narrow as promotional offers keep declining at a faster clipContinue Reading
Airtel 4G LTE Reach 20K Subscribers – Challenges Galore – Sunil Mittal
There is a strong industry collaboration between operators, handset vendors and component makers to accelerate TD-LTE momentum. One must note that the focus is on multi-mode solutions, given the majority of operators will launch TD-LTE as an adjunct to another service. LG Electronics noted that it has worked closely withContinue Reading
Apple Expanding Cloud Subscriptions – Building 3rd Data Center
According to Apple Insider, Apple is building out data centres in new locations [Reno, Nevada] at an accelerating pace while building out existing ones to support cloud-computing services such as iCloud and iTunes. Data centres have also become focal points for environmental impact in terms of energy consumption and carbonContinue Reading
Idea, Airtel, Vodafone Lead GSM Subscribers Addition
Indian GSM subscriber numbers continued its upward trajectory after few months of decline amidst cleanup of inactive and low end consumers by the Telecom Companies. Top 3 GSM operators gained a total of 6.5mn subscribers (ex Uninor) in Feb-13 vs. a gain of 0.4mn in Jan-13. All of the netContinue Reading
Airtel & Idea Cellular Worst Pre-Paid Billing by Unauthorized Deductions
It comes to me as a Rude Shock that Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular have not stopped unauthorized deductions from Pre-Paid Customers by activating Value Added Services explicitly not authorized by the customer. I had reported this fraudulent practice by Airtel 3 years ago after having experienced it myself butContinue Reading