Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), a Russian mobile operator, has teamed up with Microsoft and Fujitsu Siemens Computers to launch the first integrated 3G notebook service in the country. The 3G-enabled Fujitsu Siemens notebook will run on the Microsoft Vista OS, with an embedded SIM card and a data tariff plan from MTS. The notebook features a 3G modem, compatible both with the HSDPA mobile communications technology with data speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps and the GPRS/EDGE data networks. The product is scheduled for commercial availability starting early August. Customers who purchase the notebook in August will receive 100Mb data packages free of charge on a monthly basis for the following four months. The notebook will initially be sold in Moscow, after which its availability will be extended to St. Petersburg, Kazan, Yekaterinburg and Sochi. The jointly developed product is part of MTS' mobile broadband strategy, which includes the development of portable devices with preinstalled software, as well as imbedded services for mobile broadband access via the MTS network.

Source:
www.telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?cid=627195

According to The Beijing Times, China Telecom Corp Ltd is expected to set up a company to procure CDMA handsets. The report said the new company will be responsible for customizing and purchasing CDMA handsets. China Telecom, formerly an all-fixed line company, has taken over China Unicom's CDMA business.

For further inquiry, contact: susan.wang@Xfn.com

Source: www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/07/02/afx5179747.html

Verizon Business announced that it would expand its unified communications and VoIP services to a number of additional European markets, in order to help "advance global collaboration."

Over the summer, Verizon will launch business VoIP services in Spain, Italy, Ireland, and Sweden, bringing the number of European countries with Verizon VoIP services to 10. The company will also expand its Integrated Communications Package (ICP) to all 10 European markets, including France, Germany, and the UK.

Verizon's VoIP offering allows enterprise users to manage their incoming and outgoing calls, send instant messages, and synchronize their address books and calendars, while the ICP includes features to manage conference call scheduling, and set up instant online conference calls using an interface similar to that of instant messaging.

In addition to expanding these services, Verizon says that it will add the latest version of Microsoft Office Live Meeting to all of its internet conferencing services by the end of September. This upgrade includes a redesigned interface, and allows for live video conferencing.

"These new capabilities will spur and enhance our users' ability to collaborate with their colleagues globally, either by impromptu or planned sessions, as well as leveraging net conferences and even web cams," commented Roberta Mackintosh, executive director of global voice services at Verizon Business.

Source:
www.teleclick.ca/2008/06/verizon-business-to-extend-unified-communications-voip-services-in-europe

Telenet's plan in Belgacom's Interkable has to be put on hold, and Telenet is not happy. The company sees no reason to modify its bid for the Belgium's company. This is because of the non-binding bid by Belgacom on the television activities of Interkabel. Currently, Telenet places a bid of 350 million Euros plus guarantees for Interkabel.

Telenet is of the opinion that it is a given that the Belgacom bid stands no chance due to competition regulations, and is nothing more than a delay tactic. Competition between ADSL technology and cable technology is the best guarantee for consumers. The European Commission is clearly of the same opinion. Competition would be fully undermined by a Belgacom bid. Consumers would ultimately have no choice other than Belgacom TV.

Besides, the so-called offer by Belgacom to share cable with Telenet is not even technically possible and highly implausible. It is also important to point out that the 350 million bid has already been deemed as fair and reasonable by both the intermunicipal companies’ own advisors as well as by independent experts.

Telenet will soon begin a procedure to bring Belgacom’s bid before the Competition Council in order to halt yet another in a long line of anti-competitive moves. Telenet will furthermore submit a significant damages claim with a regular court.

Source:
www.phonecardstop.com/telenet+willnot+raise+bid+for+interkabel.html

New technology has always pushed the older ones to the corner. American cable companies are positioned to capture a growing share of the residential telephone market, according to a recently updated forecast from SNL Kagan.

In the past two years, incumbent landline operators have seen their share of the residential telephone market drop from 90% to 74%, and SNL Kagan expects a further 23% drop over the next five years, as low-priced cable VoIP offerings capture the attention of customers.

Forecasters expect that 31.4 million American households will use a IP-based service as their primary residential phone line by 2012. Cable phone services are expected capture 26% of the home phone market within the same time frame, then stabilize with a market share of 27%, according to SNL Kagan’s ten-year outlook.

Analysts also expect wireless landline-replacements to gain momentum over the next few years, possibly constituting an even bigger threat to traditional telephone operators. About 12 million American households have already cut off their landlines in favour of all-wireless services, and this number is expected to hit 26 million by 2012, constituting a 22% market share.

“The maturing of the younger, more tech-savvy demographic combined with emerging technologies (such as femtocell) set to improve wireless coverage and reduce costs, will further promote the position of wireless services,” explained senior SNL Kagan analyst, Ian Olgeirson.

Source:
www.teleclick.ca/2008/05/cable-voip-and-wireless-threaten-traditional-us-telephone-carriers

Alcatel-Lucent announced that the company has won networking contract with Beijing Netcom. The Franco-American telecom equipment maker will supply next-generation telecom network in Beijing. Alcatel-Lucent will provide supplies for the new network, which will allow for video telephony services in the Chinese capital. Financial details of the contract were not disclosed. Beijing Netcom is  a subsidiary of China Netcom.

 

Source:
www.teleclick.ca/2008/05/alcatel-lucent-to-supply-next-generation-telecom-network-in-beijing

Good news to Oklahoman, telecom giant, AT&T, made its U-verse VoIP service available in Oklahoma City. The service will offer cheap, flat-rate digital telephone service to its fiber-optic customers in the area.

U-verse Voice Unlimited, which offers unlimited calling within the U.S. and Canada is now available at a cost of $40/month. The U-verse Voice 1000 plan, which includes 1,000 Call Anywhere minutes within the U.S., is being offered at a monthly rate of $30.

Both plans come with call screening, voicemail, and online management features. Customers with an AT&T cell phone get the added benefit of free wireless calls to any U-verse VoIP line.

 

Source:www.teleclick.ca/2008/06/att-brings-u-verse-voip-to-oklahoma-city

Cordia Communications (OTCBB: CORG), announced that its subsidiary, Cordia Prepaid Corp., has completed an asset purchase agreement of Florida based TSI Prepaid LLC. Details of the deal were not made available but Cordia hopes that this acquisition will lead them to being a major player in the retail telecommunications distribution business. Revenues of TSI Prepaid are said to have been in the area of $90,000,000 annually reaching over 7,000 retail outlets. TSI president Mohammed Markatia will join as the President and CEO of its new business unit, Cordia Prepaid Corp. and be joined by former PT1 founder and president Peter M. Vita who will head up the Cordia Advanced Product Services division.

Cordia Communications currently offers VOIP, international DIDs and wireline communications solutions through it's numerous subsidiaries here in the US and abroad. More info on Cordia Communications can be found on it's web site: cordiacorp.com and more on TSI Prepaid LLC can be found at: tsiprepaid.com.

TSI has been on prepaid industry for quite for a while.Being that this is more of an asset aquisition it leads me to think that this deal might be more related to poor finances on one of the companies part, with one company owing the other monies that it could in no way pay back... Kind of like the Telstar aquisition of Clifton Digital years back. I am hoping it is not because TSI Prepaid has been around a long time and has always been a market leader and a straight up operator. I wish them all the best of luck!

 

 

Good news to UK residents. T-Mobile announces the introduction of two new international calling packages, offering a wide range of low-cost options for all new and existing Flext customers. Available from 1st April, the International Pass and International Open Pass mean there’s no need to worry about calling cards or lengthy access codes anymore. Customers can make international calls from their mobiles at competitive prices. 

International Pass

The International Pass offers three options, each providing a bundle of minutes to a different region of the world. The three options available are:

1. USA & Canada Pass – £5 per month for 125 minutes (4p per minute to mobiles and landlines)
2. European & Australasia Pass – £5 per month for 50 minutes (10p per minute to mobiles and landlines)
3. Caribbean Pass – £7.50 per month for 50 minutes (15p per minute to mobiles and landlines)

International Open Pass

The International Open Pass offers the peace of mind of flat rate pricing to international landlines and mobiles for customers that call T-Mobile’s top selection of countries around the world. The Pass consists of two options:

1. International Open Pass Light – for £2.50 per month, international calls to both fixed lines and mobiles cost 20p per minute
2. International Open Pass Max – for £5.00 per month, international calls to landlines cost just 4p per minute, and calls to mobiles only 15p per minute

The new passes extend T-Mobile’s range of international calling options, which also includes the Eastern European Pass for Pay As You Go customers. Launched in December, the Eastern European Pass offers excellent call rates to nine countries: Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia and Slovakia. Calls to landlines within these countries are charged at 5p a minute, whilst calls to mobiles are fixed at just 15p a minute, with a minimum call charge of 10p. The service is open to all new and existing Pay As You Go customers free of charge. Customers wishing to take advantage of these special rates can opt-in by texting INT to 441.

"Whether you call the same country or a number of different ones, T-Mobile has an option to make international calling simple," says Vanessa Potts, head of post pay at T-Mobile UK. "The new passes are designed to bring our Flext customers closer to their friends and family – however far away – to share special moments without having to worry about calling costs or lengthy access codes. The passes include our customers'top calling destinations – countries that they call on a regular basis – ensuring they are as inclusive as possible."

More information about our international calling packages can be found at T-Mobile stores and onpments, and other risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission reports including, without limitations, its Form 10-KSB and Forms 10-QSB.

News from: www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=842567

Memorial Day is a day to remember heroes who have sacrificed their lives to protect the country. But, Memorial Day also can be used to remember those who are still in service. Especially for families and friends, they want to always keep in touch with their loved ones away from home. Some telecom companies, like AT&T, and several non-profit organization have been doing fund raising to donate prepaid calling cards for troops. I think it is a very nice gesture by telecom industry.