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July 10, 2020
18:16
Google hails Android 10 uptake
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Google announced its latest fully released operating system, Android 10, was adopted at a faster rate than any other previous version of the mobile software, accrediting the uptake to more efficient delivery of updates. In a post on its Developers platform, the company noted Android 10 was operating on 100 million devices five months after the launch of the system [1] in September 2019. Its adoption surpassed uptake of Android Pie, Google’s ninth OS version, by 28 per cent. Google explained the milestone was achieved after the introduction of new capabilities to bring updates “more uniformly, quickly, and efficiently” in the past few years. A chart from the company showed a total of 400 million users running the software on their mobile devices 300 days after its release. The pile represents 16 per cent of of the 2.5 billion Android devices in use at end-May 2019, The Verge reported. As a comparison, Apple’s iOS 13 had been deployed on 92 per cent of iPhones and iPads released over the past four years as of 17 June, data from Apple showed. Google released [2] the beta version of Android 11 in June after a delay, stating new updates were centered around increased privacy. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
17:08
Au Royaume-Uni, le démontage hâtif du matériel Huawei inquiète les opérateurs
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Dans le cadre d’une séance du comité parlementaire britannique sur les sciences et les technologies, le directeur des réseaux de Vodafone UK, Andrea Dona, et le directeur des technologies du groupe BT, Howard Watson, ont averti le gouvernement que le démontage du matériel Huawei, apparemment envisagé pour 2023, serait irréaliste et perturberait le service aux consommateurs et aux entreprises. La position du Royaume-Uni dans le dossier Huawei est en cours de discussion à Londres, sous la pression américaine et dans la foulée d’un rapport sur l’impact des sanctions infligées à la chaîne d’approvisionnement de l’équipementier chinois. Pour Andrea Dona, les règles limitant le rôle d’Huawei et autres fournisseurs publiées en avril « ont trouvé le bon équilibre entre la sécurisation des réseaux de télécoms et la stabilité dont nous avons besoin pour continuer à investir dans le réseau », alors que des mesures plus strictes auraient des implications de coût et ralentiraient le déploiement de la 5G. Selon Vodafone, expurger totalement les réseaux de tout équipement Huawei pourrait coûter plusieurs milliards et prendrait au moins cinq ans. Andrea Dona a ajouté que la date limite de 2023 impliquerait des ruptures de service allant jusqu’à deux jours d’affilée. « Il est logistiquement impossible de descendre à zéro sur une période de trois ans, a confirmé Howard Watson. Cela signifierait littéralement des coupures totales pour les clients. » M.Watson a ajouté qu’appliquer les décisions déjà prises était difficile, mais « réalisable au final » avec des perturbations minimales, tout en reconnaissant l’importance du travail gouvernemental en cours. Plus tôt lors de la même séance, Victor Zhang, VP d’Huawei, a réitéré le message déjà adressé aux médias, expliquant que les restrictions américaines n’avaient pas d’impact à court terme sur la capacité de fournir des équipements pour les réseaux britanniques, fibre ou 5G. M.Zhang a ajouté qu’il travaillait avec des partenaires à évaluer les conséquences à long terme, étude qui pourrait prendre des mois.
13:12
Digicel chief executive quits
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Caribbean-based Digicel Group announced Jean-Yves Charlier (pictured) was stepping down as CEO citing personal reasons, with the head of its Pacific operation Oliver Coughlan lined up as his replacement. Charlier assumed the role [1] in January 2019 and will remain as a non-executive director, the operator said in a statement. Coughlan will assume the top spot in Digicel's Caribbean and Central America operations, suggesting a replacement for the Pacific unit will be sought. Denis O’Brien, Digicel chairman and founder, said Coughlan "excelled" in Pacific operations and was a "natural choice" for the role. Coughlan brings more than 20 years senior management experience, including at the Pacific unit where he oversaw operations in Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. He joined Digicel from Malaysian telecoms infrastructure company Edotco Group, where he was COO. The company also announced "successful completion" of its debt cutting process announced in June [2]. Digicel Group is headquartered in Jamaica and operates in 31 markets across the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
12:23
Telecom Italia snubs Huawei at home and abroad
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Telecom Italia reportedly excluded Huawei from participating in its tender to supply 5G equipment for its core network in Italy and Brazil, as the Chinese vendor’s issues continue to mount. Reuters reported, citing two sources, the operator had invited Cisco, Ericsson, Nokia, Mavenir and Affirmed Networks to bid, with Huawei a notable omission. Huawei was not previously involved in building Telecom Italia’s existing core in Italy, so the move does not come as a surprise. However, it does represent a loss in Brazil, where the Chinese vendor supplied 4G equipment in the core for Telecom Italia’s Brazilian subsidiary TIM Brasil. Huawei has also been actively involved in 5G trials with all of Brazil’s operators, however doubts surfaced last month about its involvement after the US government offered operators in the country incentives to shun the Chinese vendor. The head of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, Rodrigo Maia, reportedly attempted to diffuse the situation, [1] stating the country’s 5G policies should not be swayed by ideology. In Italy, the country is still weighing whether to impose a ban on Huawei’s participation in 5G network construction, Reuters added. Huawei is potentially also facing a 5G ban [2] in the UK. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
12:19
TikTok owner mulls restructure to shrink from China
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ByteDance, the owner of social media app TikTok, reportedly began examining options to amend the corporate structure of the service, in an effort to alleviate concerns over alleged links [1] to the Chinese government. The Wall Street Journal reported ByteDance was considering the possibility of establishing a headquarters for TikTok outside of China, as well as building a new management board. TikTok has offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul and Tokyo. ByteDance’s move was later confirmed by a company representative who told Fortune the company would take steps according to “the best interest” of its users, employees, artists, creators, partners and policy makers. The app, which offers short-form videos, was banned from India in June as part of a crackdown against Chinese apps [2] due to data privacy and state sovereignty concerns. TikTok operations were halted in Hong Kong today (10 July), BBC News reported, a move the company previously warned it would take after the imposition of a wide-ranging national security law [3] by Chinese authorities. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:]
12:12
Verizon progresses towards 5G SA core switch
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Verizon continued preparations to move traffic to a standalone (SA) 5G core later this year, announcing the completion of its first successful end-to-end data session using the infrastructure. In a statement, the US operator noted the new core would provide advanced 5G capabilities including higher bandwidth and lower latency, and open a range of use cases in the IoT space, consumer handsets and through AR, VR and mixed reality applications, among others. Next generation use cases will be enabled by technologies such as dynamic allocation of resources through network slicing. Verizon expects to start moving traffic onto the new core by the end of this year with "full commercialisation" in 2021. Verizon VP for planning Bill Stone said the core would be “critical for unleashing the most advanced benefits of 5G technology including remarkable levels of programmability to manage the advanced solutions and exponential traffic" the technology will bring. It announced the start of a trial of its SA 5G core with Ericsson [1] in July 2019. Verizon is one of a number of operators across the world progressing towards providing full SA 5G [2] including market rivals AT&T and T-Mobile US. The technology is widely expected to provide the infrastructure to deliver many of the advanced use cases promised by the new network technology. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
July 09, 2020
19:15
BT, Vodafone UK warn on Huawei removal disruption
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Network chiefs from Vodafone UK and BT Group warned authorities must offer realistic timescales if they enforce a complete ban on Huawei equipment in the country, with at least five-to-seven years needed to avoid network disruption. At a UK Parliament Science and Technology Committee session, Vodafone UK head of networks Andrea Dona and BT Group CTIO Howard Watson warned a Huawei removal deadline of 2023, rumoured to be under consideration, was unrealistic and would be disruptive to consumers and businesses. The UK’s stance on Huawei is currently being questioned in the wake of US pressure and a report on the impact of sanctions [1] being placed on the company's supply chain. Dona said a rule limiting the role of Huawei [2], and others, released in April “strikes the right balance between securing the telecoms networks and giving us stability to keep investing in the network,” while the imposition of tighter restrictions would have cost implications and slow 5G rollout. Vodafone estimates it would take “single figure billions” to strip out Huawei RAN equipment totally, and would take a minimum of five years. Dona added meeting a deadline of 2023 could cause consumer outages for up to two days at a time. Watson agreed: “It is logistically impossible to get to zero in a three year period. That would literally mean blackouts for customers." He added meeting current policies were challenging but “ultimately manageable” with minimal disruption, though acknowledged the importance of the ongoing government review. Earlier in the session, Huawei VP Victor Zhang reiterated comments released to the media in advance, stating US restrictions were not causing any short-term impact on its ability to supply equipment for the UK's fibre and 5G networks. He added it was still working with partners to assess the long-term impact, a process he noted would take months [3]. Samsung During the hearing Samsung EVP and head of global sales for networks Woojune Kim also appeared, to discuss its position in the UK and offer examples of network deployments elsewhere in the world. When asked if Samsung would be in a position to enter the UK network market outside of kit already supplied to 3 UK, Kim cited a lack of legacy 2G and 3G technology supplied by his company as an issue. However, he added new RAN architectures such as open RAN and other ways to allow operators to mix vendors provided a potential opportunity. Kim noted although Samsung was always open to commercial opportunity, “I know there is a lot of discussion on political winds, but political winds can shift and things can happen, so we do not base our strategy on those aspects”. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:]
18:05
Quibi fires back at Sensor Tower figures
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Mobile-first short-form video streaming start-up Quibi refuted Sensor Tower figures claiming the app was ditched by the vast majority of early adopters after a 90-day free trial ended. The Sensor Tower figures showed the app was downloaded 910,000 times in the three days after its launch on 6 April, but only 72,000 stayed on for a paid subscription after the trial period, which equates to a conversion rate of 8 per cent. A Quibi representative told Mobile World Live the number of paid subscribers were “incorrect by an order of magnitude”. The company stated 5.6 million people downloaded the Quibi app, conversions from download to trial were above mobile app benchmarks, and the app is “seeing excellent conversion to paid subscribers” from those on the initial 90-day trial period along with others who signed up for subsequent offers made between May and June. In May, founder and chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg said the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic impacted download numbers [1], when the company revealed new features to boost adoption. [1] [https:]
17:59
TikTok sheds light on government requests for data
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TikTok revealed for the first time the number of government requests for accessing user information in 2019, while also throwing light on its progress on taking down videos due to policy violations. In a transparency report published today (9 July), the company said it received 298 legal requests for information from 28 countries in the first half of 2019, with a further 500 from 26 countries in the second half. The Indian government filed a total of 409 requests for account information in 2019, with 302 entered in the second half of the year alone. Requests from US authorities came second, with a total of 179 for the period. India was also the country which filed the most requests for content removal, with a total of 41 appeals over the year. For the first time in its history, TikTok provided data on the number of videos removed from the platform due to violations. In H2 2019 it took down less than 1 per cent of all videos, amounting to 49.2 million videos globally. Of those, more than 16 million were from India, followed by 4.5 million in the US and 3.7 million in Pakistan. Notably, the lists of government requests for account information and content restriction do not include China, as the company stated it had not received any legal requests from there. The offering for short-form videos is under scrutiny by some US officials over security concerns [1] about an alleged link to the Chinese government, a claim it frequently denied. TikTok, which analytics company Sensor Tower dubbed as one of the most popular apps in India in Q1, was one of 59 apps banned [2] by the Indian government last month, due to rising data privacy and state sovereignty concerns. Reuters this week reported the app is set to withdraw [3] from Hong Kong due to the imposition of a national security law by China. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:]
17:05
Loon décolle enfin au Kenya
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Après deux ans de délais causés par des problèmes de régulation, Loon, filiale du groupe Alphabet, et l’opérateur kényan Telkom Kenya ont enfin lancé un service 4G appuyé sur un réseau de ballons déployés à haute altitude. Dans un post, Alastair Westgarth, pdg de Loon, explique que ce lancement est le premier de son genre à grande échelle hors des situations d’urgence, et le « premier d’une longue liste de déploiements commerciaux tout autour du monde ». Dans un communiqué, Mugo Kibati, pdg Telkom Kenya, a pour sa part présenté le lancement comme « une borne excitante pour la fourniture de services Internet en Afrique et dans le monde ». Loon disposait à l’origine de 8 ballons dans l’espace aérien kényan, auxquels 5 autres ont été ajoutés en avril. Au total, le réseau devrait s’appuyer sur une flotte de 35 ballons couvrant 50 000 km² de territoire. Selon Telkom Kenya, le service va fonctionner entre 6 heures du matin et 9 heures du soir, les ballons étant alimentés à l’énergie solaire. D’après les enseignements du pilote mené en juin dernier, le service permet d’obtenir des vitesses montantes de 4,74 Mb/s et descendantes de 18,9 Mb/s, avec une latence de 19 millisecondes. Ces chiffres sont basés sur des tests sur portant sur des échantillons d’applications en ligne populaires et impliquant environ 35 000 clients de Telkom Kenya. Le projet avait été annoncé en 2018 pour un démarrage prévu en 2019, mais il a été retardé, le gouvernement distillant tardivement ses autorisations. Depuis, Loon a signé un 2e accord commercial avec Vodacom Group pour couvrir le Mozambique.
13:46
Facetune creator pictures broader editing role
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Lightricks, the developer of selfie editing service Facetune, looked to cash in on increasing demand for creativity tools driven by Covid-19 (coronavirus) lockdowns with the launch of a photo filtering app. In a statement, Lightricks said the Quickart app blended “sophisticated AI tools with highly-curated content” and was suitable for users with no previous editing skills. The app was “born from user demand for easy-to-use creative resources during Covid-19”, it explained. The offering enables users to add to existing images through a suite of photo filters and advanced effects including double exposure and fragmenting dispersion. AI is employed to analyse photos and apply various enhancement techniques or manipulations for highly-contextual effects. “During the global shelter-in-place, we saw an increased demand for creative artistic-expression tools in our apps that were geared towards the casual photo-editor”, Lightricks CEO Zeev Farbman said. A survey by the company found usage of its creativity apps including Photofox, Pixaloop, Videoleap and Quickshot in the US was up 90 per cent month-on-month in April, with Spain registering a 228 per cent rise. Lightricks launched Quickart yesterday (8 July) for iOS devices. The field for mobile photo and video editing services became increasingly competitive even before the global hit of the pandemic, with Byte, a successor to defunct video service Vine, launched in January [1], and the entry of RTRO [2] in February. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
12:47
Google scraps closed-border cloud project
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Google abandoned work on its Isolated Region cloud computing platform, a service being designed for use in countries and areas with strict data control regulations, Bloomberg reported. Citing employees who had worked on the now abandoned project, the news website said the initiative had been initially targeted at China and dumped partly in response to geopolitical tensions. It also noted the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic as a factor in the decision. In comments later reported by Reuters, Google denied the project was closed due to either political issues or as a result of the pandemic, and was instead due to it finding “other approaches” to meeting conditions such as data governance. It also clarified it does, and has not offered cloud services in China. Isolated Region would have allowed companies and governments to use Google to set up specific, closed cloud services separated from the global tech giant's other operations and under complete control of its customer. It was apparently being designed for use in areas with strict data sovereignty rules, including China and the European Union.
12:42
Qualcomm targets gamers with latest processor
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Qualcomm unveiled an upgrade to its Snapdragon 865 processor, pitching a boost to performance and capabilities as it targets the mobile gaming market. In a statement, Qualcomm explained the Snapdragon 865 Plus offers enhancements over its predecessor unveiled in December 2019 [1] including a 10 per cent increase in graphics rendering speed using the Adreno 650 GPU; a 10 per cent improvement in clock speed using the Kryo 585 CPU Prime operating at 3.1GHz; and Wi-Fi speeds up to 3.6Gb/s through the FastConnect 6900 mobile connectivity system. Alongside plans to push 5G to lower-tier smartphones [2], SVP and general manager, mobile Alex Katouzian said the company continued to “push the envelope” in processor power and efficiency with its latest silicon to “deliver enhanced performance for the next wave of flagship smartphones.” Qualcomm highlighted the Snapdragon X55 5G Modem-RF System for its ability to enable “truly global 5G, world-class gaming, and the fifth generation Qualcomm AI Engine for seamless camera, audio, and gaming experiences. Other premium features suited for gaming offered by Snapdragon 865 Plus include updatable GPU drivers, display output of 144fps through 5G connections, and 10-bit HDR. ASUS was announced as one of the first vendors planning to use the processor: Smartphone Business Unit general manager Bryan Chang said it would feature in its ROG Phone 3, which will be detailed “in the coming weeks”. Qualcomm predicted other commercial devices featuring Snapdragon 855 Plus will be announced over the remainder of H2. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
12:24
Huawei urges UK not to be hasty
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Huawei VP Victor Zhang insisted tightened US sanctions have no immediate impact on its ability to deliver equipment for 5G networks in the UK, as he urged the government not to rush a decision on the Chinese vendor’s future in the country. Zhang told media it would be “months” before the company could fully assess the impact of restrictions imposed by the US in mid-May, which reduced the vendor’s access to components featuring US made software and technology. The sanctions prompted a fresh review [1] by the UK government into Huawei’s position in the country, of which the results came to light earlier this week. The Sunday Times reported the review had uncovered [2] “severe security issues”, with the government set to begin a process of removing Huawei from networks in the country and ban operators from purchasing new equipment. An official decision is expected later this month. Zhang, however argued “it was not the right time” for the UK to make a call on the situation, with the “crucial decision” likely to have a significant impact to the rollout of 5G and fibre broadband. “It is too early to assess the long-term impact of the US restrictions,” he said. He added that in the short term, Huawei would have “no issue to continue to work with our customers like BT and Vodafone”. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
12:18
Telstra hits carbon goal
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Australian operator Telstra achieved a sustainability target of a net zero carbon footprint across its operations, part of its broader plan [1] to halve its absolute emissions by 2030. In a statement, Telstra general counsel Lyndall Stoyles noted its operations were the second telecommunications business in the country to be certified as carbon neutral by the Climate Active organisation, after certification was granted to its Belong brand in December 2019. Stoyles said the target was hit “well ahead of our initial plan” by purchasing 2.3 million carbon offset credits from projects which prevented, reduced or removed greenhouse gas emissions. However, she explained the operator had to buy credits not only from projects based in its domestic market but also in India, as it was “extremely difficult to purchase carbon offsets from projects located in Australia”. Stoyles urged the issue to be addressed as it showed “there are not enough projects contributing to a reduction in greenhouse emissions”. [1] [https:]
12:02
ZTE drives end-to-end 5G security with open approach
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PARTNER INTERVIEW: ZTE chief security officer Zhong Hong (pictured) outlines the company’s open and collaborative approach to mitigating cybersecurity risks for 5G networks and stresses the importance of stakeholders taking an impartial and neutral stance at all levels. Mobile World Live: Why has cybersecurity become even more critical as operators move to 5G and other complex, next-generation networks? Zhong Hong: Cybersecurity is always a fundamental factor in the telecoms industry. It has now become even more critical because the deployment of 5G is seeing an increase in the potential attack surfaces and threat landscape with the introduction of new technologies, techniques and capabilities. The ability of 5G to support massive IoT connectivity introduces many times more devices connected to the network, presenting a wide reaching and increased attack surface. The move towards virtualisation of network functions through software defined networks and network functions virtualisation technologies brings about potentially new attack surfaces within the software itself and the virtualisation infrastructure that supports the software. Other 5G technologies such as network slicing and multi-service edge computing also impose new cybersecurity concerns. 5G from the outset has been developed with security features and functions built in as standardised. 3GPP defined the 5G security architecture and developed a wide range of security specifications based on various scenarios. These include, for example, the user-plane integrity protection mechanism and the specification against false base stations. The organisation is still updating the specifications with more security features. As a major player in the industry, ZTE has been keenly aware of cybersecurity issues from the very beginning and continues to enhance its internal security governance by implementing security by design and security by default. We follow network security specifications and make external contributions to standardisation efforts. Are governments around the world justified in raising security questions about particular network equipment suppliers? The security of telecoms networks and all critical infrastructure has always been considered an important issue for the security of each country, and each is justified in raising questions about all aspects of security. But we believe it is important to take an impartial and neutral point of view on every issue, and treat everyone concerned in an equal way. Security is a common goal, which should be achieved by joint efforts of governments, operators, standardisation and industry organisations, equipment suppliers and even users, rather than challenging particular network equipment suppliers. Equipment suppliers are just one part of the industry chain to achieve this common goal. We hope that governments apply common rules, duties and responsibilities to all suppliers, and select equipment suppliers based on a technical and evidence-based approach. What steps is ZTE taking to give customers confidence about end-to-end security? Through openness and transparency, we try to give our customers confidence by letting them see what we do and how we provide end-to-end security. Internally, we have a holistic internal security governance process to address security assurance. We embed security across all business units, including supply chain, R&D, delivery, maintenance and incident response. We adopt the Three Lines of Defence organisational structure and make continuous improvements in technology and management according to industry standards and best practices. We welcome independent assessments and audits in our cybersecurity labs, including source code review, document review and penetration testing to verify our products, services and processes. Our lab in Brussels is capable of building a 5G environment for testing. We actively engage in global organisations and seek collaboration with regulators, well-known security firms and labs, and other stakeholders for security assessment, certification and capability building. We also keep open-minded during the transparency process and consider suggestions and findings from customers and third parties to continuously make improvement, thus making networks more secure. How is ZTE investing to ensure its network gear and the supporting systems meet global security standards? One of our top priorities is to comply with technical standards and industry best practices on cybersecurity when developing network gear and supporting systems. Keeping security by design and security by default in mind, ZTE is an active contributor in global security standards development. Since 2003, a professional security standard team has been built to meet standard requirements from each business unit. So far, ZTE has been deeply involved in security works in standards development organisations (SDOs) such as 3GPP, ITU-T, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). ZTE proposed more than 500 contributions on 5G network and virtualisation security, and acts as one of the rapporteurs of the 3GPP Security Assurance Specification series. A ZTE expert also served as vice chairman for the ITU-T Study Group 17 on security for two consecutive terms (2012 to 2016 and 2017 to 2020). ZTE actively engages in activities of industry associations. Last year, GSMA developed the industry-recognised Network Equipment Security Assurance Scheme (NESAS). ZTE is a member of GSMA and actively engages in NESAS. By following industry best practices, ZTE obtained international certifications, including ISO 27001 information security management, which is updated annually, ISO 28000 supply-chain security management, ISO 22301 business continuity management, and ISO/IEC 27701: 2019 privacy information management, which covers R&D and maintenance for 5G New Radio and Unified Management Expert. We also expect uniform cybersecurity standards and certification schemes to achieve the objective of secure networks. How important is collaboration and how are you engaging with global organisations to mitigate cybersecurity risks? We see collaboration as a critical approach to mitigate cybersecurity risks with all stakeholders, including regulators, telecoms operators, service providers, equipment suppliers, standards development organisations (SDOs), associations, security companies, academic institutions, the media and users. Telecoms operators, with the help of equipment suppliers like us, build secure and trustworthy networks to provide reliable network services to end-users. Our sub-suppliers such as IT suppliers provide secure components, and specialised third-party companies offer advanced security tools and security assessment and verification services. Through collaboration, all players involved make joint efforts to achieve the goal of security. Among all stakeholders, global organisations play a vital role in standards development, coordination and information sharing. On one hand, our engagement with SDOs and industry associations aims to enhance cybersecurity from the outset for the architecture and design. We are contributors for 3GPP, ETSI and ITU, and also play an active role with GSMA. On the other hand, we coordinate with global communities in threat awareness and incident handling. We are a full member of Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) and CVE Numbering Authorities (CVD), and we follow the GSMA CVD programme to mitigate and fix vulnerabilities to protect our customers’ networks. How flexible are your systems – do customers using your network gear have the ability to prioritise security and privacy parameters? We believe customers should have choice to enable appropriate security for their networks and users. To this end, we implement security in our technological solutions and follow the principles of security by design and security by default to give customers access to the deployments according to their specific needs. An example is one of our recent solutions designed for 5G vertical industry applications, which supports customised network slicing transmission through end-to-end encryption, and the operator can flexibly deploy the security features for its network and service to protect user data.
10:35
TSMC steps-up sustainability targets
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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chip manufacturer, outlined plans to expand its use of renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions, as it targets adoption of more green manufacturing practices. The company set the target of increasing the use of renewable energy at its fabrication sites to 25 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent for its other facilities. It lined up purchasing agreements for renewable energy totalling 1.2 gigawatts in July, noting the deals are expected to eliminate 2.189 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions per year. The announcement comes a day after it signed a 20-year deal to buy the full power produced by a third offshore wind farm in Taiwan planned by energy company Orsted. The Denmark-based company said the agreement is the largest-ever renewable energy contract. Following power liberalisation in 2017, TSMC said it started expanding its use of renewable energy and in May participated in Taiwan’s first group of renewable energy purchases with 12 other companies. TSMC SVP of IT, materials management and risk management J.K. Lin said the company was a driver of green manufacturing, committed to sustainable development. “We hope to drive the industry towards low-carbon, environmentally friendly action, while supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to do our utmost to develop a sustainable semiconductor supply chain.”
10:25
Vodafone Idea partners alarmed by subs losses
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Vodafone Idea subscriber losses raised concerns among its joint venture partners of a need to invest more to fuel a turnaround in its fortunes, The Economic Times (ET) reported. In the year to end-March, its subscriber base dropped [1] 43 million to 291 million, though it expanded the proportion of LTE users by 25 million to 105.6 million. ET cited an Axis Capital prediction the Indian operator had shed another 15 million subscribers in Q2, which would potentially result in Vodafone Idea falling to third place behind Bharti Airtel in terms of total users. Airtel ended March with 284 million subscribers, up 3.5 million on end-March 2019, and Reliance Jio had 388 million after adding 57 million, data from GSMA Intelligence showed. A Vodafone Idea source told ET possible relief from the Supreme Court regarding spreading adjusted gross revenue payments over 20 years was a separate issue and unconnected with the “dim business prospects we face. The business is hanging by a thread”. Analysts said Vodafone Idea had underinvested in its network, meaning it will need additional capital to compete with its rivals, the newspaper reported. Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read and CFO Margherita Della Valle have both gone on record numerous times to assure shareholders no further funds [2] would be spent on the joint venture, and Aditya Birla Group in April denied reports [3] it was planning to tip an additional $125 million to $150 million into the operator. In the fiscal year ending 31 March, Vodafone Idea recorded a net loss of INR116.3 billion ($1.6 billion) compared with an INR48.8 billion loss the prior year, with service revenue flat at INR117.3 billion despite a rebound in mobile prices. The wider loss was a result of a INR68.5 billion payment [4] for a contested AGR fee. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:] [4] [https:]
July 08, 2020
18:21
Samsung stands by Galaxy launch schedule
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Samsung pushed ahead with plans to launch its next range of Galaxy devices, apparently shrugging off expectations of Covid-19 (coronavirus)-related supply-chain problems which reportedly could cause delays in launches by key rivals. In a statement, the Korean vendor said it will hold its annual Unpacked event on 5 August, albeit as a virtual programme rather than its usual glitzy in-person launch. The Korea Herald tipped the vendor to be lining up its next flagship Galaxy Note; a 5G-enabled Galaxy Z Flip; Galaxy Watch 3; and Galaxy Buds Live. A second iteration of the Galaxy Fold was also tipped, however the newspaper previously reported the foldable was going to be launched earlier this year [1], when Samsung instead unveiled its Galaxy Z Flip [2]. In March, the manufacturer and rival LG Electronics, were forced to shut factories [3] due to the spread of Covid-19 in South Korea. Samsung's plan to press ahead with its event comes after Broadcom, a major Apple semiconductor supplier, added fuel to speculation the iPhone maker could delay the launch [4] of its next new models. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:] [4] [https:]
17:39
Tinder matches with video chats in global test
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Dating app Tinder introduced a trial video chat within the service in several global markets, as it looks to expand its offerings following the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. In a statement, the company said its Face to Face feature is being rolled out from today (8 July) to some members in select US states; Brazil; Australia; Spain; Italy; France; Vietnam; Indonesia; South Korea; Taiwan; Thailand; Peru; and Chile. Tinder said the feature was developed with safety in mind and video chats won’t be possible before both users opt in. They will also be able to disable it at any moment. The company explained it launched the feature after half of around 5,000 users surveyed in the US said they had been on video dates. It also found a tendency from younger users to use the medium to decide whether to meet in person. Sensor Tower estimated Tinder's in-app purchases revenue dropped 19 per cent year-on-year in H1 to $433 million, suggesting Covid-19 played a part by shifting spending behaviour. It also noted the company made its premium Passport feature free in April.
14:06
Loon finally takes off in Kenya
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Alphabet subsidiary Loon and operator partner Telkom Kenya ended a two year wait to launch commercial 4G services on the balloon-based connectivity set-up, with the deployment dogged by regulatory delays. In a blog post, Loon CEO Alastair Westgarth said the launch was the first in a non-emergency scenario [1] on a large-scale basis, and the “first of what will be many commercial deployments around the world”. In a statement, Telkom Kenya CEO Mugo Kibati hailed the launch as “an exciting milestone for internet service provision in Africa and the world”. Loon initially had eight balloons in Kenyan airspace with an additional five dispatched in April [2]. It ultimately aims to have a fleet of 35 balloons, covering 50,000 square kilometres of Kenya. Telkom Kenya said internet service is limited to between 6am and 9pm, because the balloons are solar powered. An early network pilot in June delivered uplink speed of 4.74Mb/s, downlink speed of 18.9Mb/s, and latency of 19 milliseconds in tests spanning a range of popular online applications involving around 35,000 Telkom Kenya customers. The project was announced in 2018 [3] with the original aim to launch in 2019, but was delayed by slow government approvals. Loon since signed a second commercial deal [4] with Vodacom Group covering Mozambique. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:] [4] [https:]
14:04
Arm to transfer IoT arm to parent SoftBank
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Chip designer Arm unveiled plans to offload its IoT operations to parent company SoftBank Group, in a strategy overhaul to prioritise efforts on its core semiconductor IP business. In a statement, Arm said its move would see its IoT Platform and Treasure Data businesses being transferred to newly created entities, owned and controlled by SoftBank Group and its affiliates. Arm CEO Simon Segars noted there were “great opportunities in the symbiotic growth of data and compute” and the company would be “in a stronger position to innovate in our core IP roadmap”. He added SoftBank Group's experience would enable the IoT operations to maximise their value “in capturing the data opportunity”. The organisational change is expected to be finalised by the end of September, subject to review from the company’s board and customary closing conditions.
13:45
Ucom moves to block Veon Armenia sale
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Armenian operator Ucom threatened legal action against a takeover bid for Veon's Beeline business, claiming the move breached confidentiality agreements. In a statement, Ucom said it was responding to an approach by the country’s State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition (SCPEC RA) regarding an acquisition application received from Team: Telecom Armenia and Veon Armenia on 8 June. Veon last month stated it had entered discussions with Team “regarding a potential transaction”, without providing further details. Ucom argued the proposed tie-up was “subject to rejection on several grounds”, accusing Team of “unfair and unscrupulous" actions by using Ucom's "confidential information” during its negotiations with Veon. The company also argued the timeline for negotiations on similar deals generally lasted for months, but noted Team had reached an agreement “within just a month”. Ucom said it instructed its lawyers to “undertake all possible legal measures and to advise in civil and criminal matters against party causing damage”. ARKA News Agency reported Team was registered on 20 April and has received a telecom licence from the Armenian Public Services Regulatory Commission. Veon was in talks regarding a potential sale [1] of its Armenian unit to Ucom in January, but pulled back from the discussions four months later [2]. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
13:18
Blog: MWL prepares to dive deep with Themed Weeks
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It’s been almost a decade since web browser pioneer and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen penned his famous Why Software Is Eating the World essay in The Wall Street Journal [1]. At the time (August 2011) he noted Hewlett-Packard was considering jettisoning its struggling PC business in favour of investing more heavily in software. Google was planning to buy mobile phone handset maker Motorola Mobility. Meanwhile, Andreessen still regarded today’s tech giants including Facebook and Twitter as “new internet companies”. Today Andreessen's idea “every company needs to become a software company” is considered cliche. But he was spot on when he predicted “over the next ten years, I expect many more industries to be disrupted by software, with new world-beating Silicon Valley companies doing the disruption in more cases than not”. Uber and Airbnb are two classic examples of start-ups which turned traditional industries on their head. In 2020 software innovation looks set to have a huge impact on the whole supply chain. Legacy hardware-based networks are tipped to become a thing of the past, as operators embrace the idea of virtualisation and open RAN technologies using software-based infrastructure. At the same time, traditional markets including the SIM world are being revamped by the concept of eSIM. And yet for all the noise, the move from hardware to software is still relatively nascent and a difficult path to march for many operators. Which is why Mobile World Live is kicking off its new Themed Week [2] programme next week, with the first focusing on Moving to a Future Software World. [3] The aim of our Themed Weeks is to provide readers with a rich variety of content dedicated to a specific topic. Next week we’ll be diving into the worlds of open RAN, eSIM, cloud and more to determine what impact these markets are having across the ecosystem. We have a dedicated microsite [4] housing all our content, and are bringing you coverage of the biggest and hottest players in the sector. In partnership with GSMA Intelligence, we’ll be producing more than 30 exclusive pieces of content in an array of formats: webinars, video interviews and features, analyst Q&As, whitepapers, surveys and more. Our sponsors Cisco (Platinum), Volta Networks (Gold) and ARM (Silver) will be offering their insight and expertise into the challenges and opportunities ahead, while the analyst and editorial teams of GSMA Intelligence and Mobile World Live will be offering their own unique take. Here’s a preview of just some of the content to expect next week: • Live video webinar: Open for Debate – the open RAN Market in 2020, hosted by GSMA Intelligence with guests Altiostar, Mavenir, Nokia and Parallel Wireless. Register here. [5] • Live webinar: Moving to a Future Software World, with guests Cisco and GSMA Intelligence. Register here. [6] • Live webinar: How we learned to stop worrying and love the eSIM, with guests Nexign, Rostelecom and GSMA. Register here. [7] • Video panel discussion: What’s driving network transformation? Featuring Cisco and GSMA Intelligence. • Video interviews with: Vodafone’s head of Group Network Architecture and TIP chair, Santiago Tenorio; Parallel Wireless CEO Steve Papa; Rakuten Americas GM Azita Arvani; GSMA head of SIM Technology Jean-Christophe Tisseuil; SK Telecom VP & Head of 5GX Cloud Labs, Kang-Won Lee; AT&T VP of technology and automation, Mazin Gilbert; Philip Skipper, head of business development M2M at ‎Vodafone Global Enterprise; Tommi Uitto, president of Mobile Network at Nokia, and more • Video feature snapshots, showcasing developments in open RAN, eSIM, and cloud markets Looking ahead, our August Themed Week (commencing 3 August) [8] will focus on Unlocking the Operator Service Opportunity, as we explore how operators can move beyond just connectivity. Other weeks will hone in on Smart Manufacturing, How to Build the Perfect 5G Network, and How to Connect the Next Four Billion. We’ll even be attempting to offer a clearer understanding of how the next generation of mobile technology – yes, 6G – could develop. Companies we are already working with on these future Themed Weeks include Ericsson, Alphabet's Loon, Intel, Intelsat and Oracle. The support we’ve received so far has been great and we can’t wait to get started. Keep an eye on our microsite [4] as we kickstart our new Themed Weeks! [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:] [4] [https:] [5] [https:] [6] [https:] [7] [https:] [8] [https:] [9] [https:]
12:32
Deutsche Telekom denies deeper Huawei partnership
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Deutsche Telekom dismissed a report stating it had deepened a 5G network supplier partnership with Huawei, insisting it had actually reduced its business with the Chinese vendor over the past three years. In a blog post, Deutsche Telekom reiterated its “multi-vendor strategy”, which outlined its approach of buying equipment from a large number of manufacturers so it is not dependent on individual companies. Deutsche Telekom’s statement was in reaction to an article by German newspaper Handelsblatt, which claimed the operator had ignored security warnings and moved to increase dependency on Huawei as a supplier for its 5G network, broadband, cloud services and television offering. Citing confidential documents, Handelsblatt added Deutsche Telekom had agreed to rely on US-free network components for the 5G network, in line with recent tightened restrictions [1] on Huawei. However, Deutsche Telekom denied the report, pointing out it had actually cut down its business with Huawei since 2017. “Deutsche Telekom has said on several occasions that we are moving out Chinese vendors in the mobile communications core network. Fact is that the sales of Deutsche Telekom with Huawei have been declining in the last three years,” it explained. It added 30 per cent of its technology purchases are made with US manufacturers, 25 per cent from European and Chinese manufacturers, and the remainder from Asia and small local providers. Germany has so far resisted pressure [2] from the US to issue a ban on Huawei, or any overseas vendors. However, Reuters reported the government plans to finalise component rules for 5G networks in September. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
12:25
Nokia dampens rumours of Verizon 5G loss
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Nokia played-down reports it was set to lose a 5G RAN contract with Verizon, after US media speculation the operator was lining up a deal with Samsung. In a statement, a Nokia representative said although it did not comment on customers’ vendor strategies it was “proud to serve Verizon, and we are committed to continuing to help them build the best, most reliable and highest-performing network". “Nokia and Verizon have a long-standing strategic partnership in key technologies across their network with our end-to-end solutions portfolio. We play a critical role in enabling Verizon’s 3G and 4G networks and continue to work with them to accelerate innovation around 5G technology.” The vendor's comments follow a report from Rosenblatt financial analyst Ryan Koontz, cited on several investor websites including Seeking Alpha, claiming Verizon was set to replace Nokia with Samsung for its ongoing 5G RAN rollout. Verizon also uses equipment from Ericsson, with the analyst claiming the Swedish vendor would maintain its 50 per cent share of the 5G contract. Koontz added the Samsung deal would span between five years and seven years, with a value of around $1.5 billion per year. Rumours of an impending big contract win came hours after Samsung talked-up its progress in the RAN space, announcing forthcoming availability of virtualised 5G network equipment [1] and highlighting its progress in supplying equipment to operators in the US, Japan and South Korea. Nokia executives have also been adamant it is progressing well in securing 5G deals [2] despite losing out on two lucrative contracts in China [3]. It has since won a slice of China Unicom’s 5G core network tender [4]. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:] [4] [https:]
12:04
Intelligence Brief: Does 5G promise brighter future for South Africa?
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Earlier this year, we kicked off a series of blog posts to discuss how suited various markets were to launching 5G. As part of the series, we want to look at South Africa this month with its recent 5G launch. South Africa is among the most diverse nations in the world, with people of many cultures and religions. The telecom landscape, on the other hand, is characterised by a duopoly where Vodacom and MTN command about 70 per cent of the market share by connections, with Cell C and Telkom maintaining approximately 14 per cent each. At the end of Q2, market penetration of mobile connections stood at more than 165 per cent, smartphone penetration at 60 per cent of total connections and 4G population coverage at 95 per cent. And yet, eight years after initial launches, 4G only accounts for 30 per cent of total mobile connections. Got you thinking into what is holding the 4G uptake in a country which boasts of 165 per cent of population having access to mobile services? It got us thinking too. So, let’s try to understand the reasons. Factors impacting 4G penetration In general, low 4G penetration in any country can be driven by various factors: consumer affordability, high taxes, non-availability of devices, higher tariffs, low digital literacy et cetera. What’s at play in South Africa? High data connectivity costs: As of Q2, data connections in South Africa accounted for only 50 per cent of the total. At a cost per gigabyte of $6.81 as of Q4 2019, Research ICT Africa’s Retail African Mobile Pricing (RAMP) Index ranked South Africa 33 out of 46 (one being the lowest in data tariff) African countries. Relatively high data tariffs, in turn result in consumers purchasing either short term or limited data bundles, resulting in low 4G uptake. Lower digital literacy rates: A big chunk of the South African population is digitally illiterate, having limited or no understanding of basic aspects of digital such as connectivity, devices and skills. Some industry sources estimate the number at 80 per cent. Lower digital literacy rates further discourages the uptake of LTE services. Inadequate spectrum: Lack of adequate spectrum in the market is argued to be the contributor to high data tariffs. In the absence of adequate spectrum, operators have to invest more in existing bands to densify and increase the coverage. The additional investment is then translated into higher data tariffs. Example: operators in South Africa are still eyeing 700MHz as the key band for 4G. Now, as the market is still ramping up 4G uptake, we see 5G getting rolled out in the country with some operators even ahead of schedule. So, what’s behind the 5G launches? The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic (accompanied by lockdowns and remote working) resulted in surging in data traffic globally. For its part, South African operators like Vodacom experienced 40 per cent growth in data traffic, while MTN experienced 56 per cent growth from February to April. To ease congestion and create capacity for new data traffic requirements, the South African telecoms regulator ICASA announced a temporary allocation of spectrum in various bands (700MHz, 800MHz, 2300MHz, 2.6GHz, and 3.5GHz) until November. Vodacom leveraged the opportunity to launch its 5G services on the 3.5GHz spectrum in several cities. MTN followed the move and launched on the last day of the quarter adopting a dynamic spectrum sharing model in various frequencies (700MHz, 2100MHz, 3.5GHz and 28GHz). Launching a new generation of technology in temporary spectrum allocations might seem risky or, at the very least a bold move. But the operators have it covered. A roaming and managed services agreement between Vodacom and Liquid Telecom gives Vodacom the access to a wholesale 5G network Liquid Telecom is building using its stock of 3.5GHz spectrum. Liquid Telecom offers wholesale network services in the country on the various spectrum bands assigned to it. This explains why Vodacom jumped on the opportunity to launch 5G services on temporary 3.5GHz spectrum. For MTN, the dynamic spectrum sharing model used to launch 5G allows it to continue with services even after the expiry of temporary spectrum rights in some of the bands. Not to forget, the deal between Vodacom and Liquid Telecom is nonexclusive, opening doors for other players (MTN) to strike similar agreements and access the 3.5GHz spectrum held by Liquid Telecom. Operators in the country are also optimistic of the 5G auction being held by the end of this year, which will also allow them a smooth transition to auctioned spectrum in these bands with minimum disruption for customers. Is now the right time for 5G launches? From the 4G experience in market and the underlying challenges on data costs and digital literacy which still needs to be addressed, we expect consumer 5G uptake to be slow and estimate the technology to account for only 8 per cent of the total mobile connections by 2025 (see chart, below, click to enlarge). [1] Based on this, one might argue operators have jumped the gun by launching 5G services in a market not yet prepared to fully reap the benefits. But, it’s the angle of looking at things that matters. There are benefits we can already see from the launches: Alternate and last mile connectivity: In recent years, South Africa has invested in its fibre footprint and now has fibre available in more areas than ever before. Fibre paired with 5G, however can be used to offer affordable internet access to users through FWA solutions. This brings us to another important argument: connections might not always be the best evaluation criteria to define the success of a technology, particularly in the 5G era where larger economic benefits are expected with digital transformation in enterprises. Enterprise 5G: Speaking of digital transformation, the full potential of 5G is expected to be realised with the help of use cases in the enterprise sector. In South Africa, tourism can act as a catalyst in 5G uptake. The use of technologies like AR/VR can bring new opportunities in tourism. Mining is another sector which stands to gain from 5G in the country. Early mover advantage: Barring a few exceptional markets, 5G will co-exist with other generations of technologies until 2025. The full stream of benefits will start to come with the deployment of standalone networks. Timely launches, though give operators the opportunity to explore and experiment with use cases, allows early partnerships to form and provides learning experiences to help in fully tapping the potential of 5G. South Africa stands to benefit from the timely launch of 5G services. Considering the 4G experience and challenges with data costs, 5G might not appear to be the right choice at this time for South Africa. Yet, the success and potential of 5G should not be measured by connections alone, particularly given the wider economic gains 5G will bring by enabling digital transformation. Moreover, with South Africa’s Competition Commission imposing a mandatory reduction of data tariffs, steps are already taken in the right direction to promote uptake of 4G or 5G. The launch of 5G services is timely in South Africa and, with the right ecosystem partnerships, operators stand to gain by unlocking the numerous opportunities in the enterprise sector. All they need to do is act quick and learn on the way. Radhika Gupta – head of Data Acquisition; Gaurav Thareja – research analyst, GSMA Intelligence The editorial views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and will not necessarily reflect the views of the GSMA, its Members or Associate Members. [1] [https:]
11:23
KT throws weight behind Korea Covid recovery plan
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South Korean operator KT established a taskforce to lead its backing for a KRW100 trillion ($83.6 billion) government project to revitalise the economy following the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic by creating new jobs and accelerating industrial digitalisation. In a statement, the operator said more than 200 employees will develop plans on how its AI, 5G, cloud, networking and R&D units will support the New Deal scheme, which aims to create 550,000 jobs this year. KT said the number of staff assigned to the project will gradually increase as work progresses. The operator plans to maintain the same level of investment in 5G and its Giga Internet project this year as in 2019 to support the initiative, as it invests to achieve nationwide coverage, commercialise standalone [1] architecture by year-end and launch service on the 28GHz band. Park Yoon-young, head of the taskforce and president of KT's corporate division, said: “We are all struggling with Covid-19, but we believe that the Korean version of the New Deal will be a chance to take advantage of the crisis”, adding the operator will "make the most of our capabilities" to help the project succeed and also deliver "innovation in other industries". [1] [https:]
11:07
LG braced for Covid hit on Q2 figures
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LG Electronics forecast sharply lower operating profit and revenue for Q2 due to factory closures and weakened demand for home appliances and TVs stemming from Covid-19 (coronavirus) lockdown measures. In a preliminary earnings statement, the South Korean vendor estimated operating profit dropped 24.4 per cent year-on-year to KRW493 billion ($412.3 million) and consolidated revenue fell 17.9 per cent to KRW12.8 trillion. The company did not break out results by division, with detailed earnings due later this month. But The Korea Times reported the Mobile Communications business is expected to have performed better, with analysts tipping the launch of the Velvet 5G smartphone [1] to deliver a revenue boost, with operating loss set to be lowered due to reductions in marketing costs. During Q1, sales at the mobile unit fell 33 per cent to KRW998.6 billion, though a stronger performance from other divisions resulted in it overturning a net loss [2] in the comparable 2019 period. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
10:40
Korean operators hit with record fine for 5G subsidies
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South Korea levied a record KRW51.2 billion ($42.8 million) fine on operators for continued subsidy regulation breaches, this time relating to building their 5G user base, Yonhap News Agency reported. The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) imposed the largest penalty of KRW22.3 billion on market leader SK Telecom, with KT fined KRW15.4 billion and LG Uplus KRW13.5 billion, the news agency stated. It reportedly took action following an investigation on handset subsidies offered to 5G subscribers between April 2019 and August 2019. In early 2018, the operators were fined a combined KRW50.6 billion [1] for illegal handset subsidies. They were also penalised multiple times between 2014 and 2016 for ignoring a KRW330,000 handset subsidy cap. Last month the Ministry of Science ICT and Future Planning began assessing [2] the quality of 5G services available following complaints and contract cancellations. The operators launched non-standalone 5G service [3] in early April 2019 and had a combined 5.89 million subscribers by end-March. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:]
July 07, 2020
17:56
Samsung readies vRAN move
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Samsung Electronics became the latest network vendor to announce plans to launch 5G virtualised RAN kit, hailing a system due this quarter as providing operators with new open architecture options. In a statement, the company said the software-based infrastructure matched the performance of its hardware-based systems while simplifying 5G network management. It combines a virtualised central unit, available from the company since 2019, and a virtualised distributed unit which is currently the subject of field tests in North America. Samsung noted “by replacing the dedicated baseband hardware used in a traditional RAN architecture with software elements on a general-purpose computing platform, mobile operators can scale 5G capacity and performance more easily, add new features quickly, and have flexibility to support multiple architectures.” The vendor added it was already supporting commercial 5G with existing network equipment in South Korea, Japan and the US. It aims to rapidly expand its global footprint citing Europe, Canada and New Zealand as targets. Samsung's announcement comes hours after rival Nokia pledged to increase its support [1] for open RAN architecture. Nokia revealed a full suite of open interfaces would be supported in existing products in 2021. It announced a forthcoming cloud RAN platform last month [2]. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
17:33
Poco prepares to expand India smartphone lineup
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Xiaomi spin-off brand Poco unveiled its latest mid-tier model for India, the Poco M2 Pro, pitching the device on its camera and battery credentials along with a sub-$200 starting price. In a livestream, the vendor announced Poco M2 Pro would go on sale on 14 July priced at INR13,999 ($187.14) for a basic model offering 4GB of memory and 64GB storage. Versions offering 6GB of memory and 64GB or 128GB of storage are priced at INR14,999 and INR16,999 respectively. The device features a 5000mAh battery, with Poco highlighting a 33W charger as uncommon for a smartphone in this price-tier. A quad-camera set up offers 48MP wide, 8MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro and 2MP depth sensors. A 16MP lens on the front is capable of 1080p video recording. It runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor, which the vendor touted as a gaming chipset, coupled with the Adreno 618 GPU. The display is 6.67-inches and 1080x2400 pixels, with brightness of 450 nits and HDR quality. Other features include a side mounted fingerprint sensor and triple layered Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Colour options are blue, green and black.
17:17
Microsoft EVP Johnson to lead Magic Leap
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Mixed reality (MR) headset maker Magic Leap appointed Microsoft executive Peggy Johnson as CEO, part of a move to reposition its focus to the enterprise market. In a statement, the company said Johnson will take on the role on 1 August, tasked with accelerating its growth and bringing transformative business products to market. A note on her biography on Microsoft's site noted today (7 July) is her last day with the company, where she served as EVP of business development for more than five years. Commenting on her new role, Johnson said she looked forward to "building enduring relationships that connect Magic Leap’s game-changing technology and pipeline to the wide-ranging digital needs of enterprises”. She explained the company had the potential “to shape the future of XR and computing”. The move comes nearly two months after Magic Leap’s founder Rony Abovitz announced he was stepping down [1] to make way for a new chief to aid its transition from the consumer to enterprise sector. Earlier this year, the company made wide ranging job cuts [2] following the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and reportedly explored a potential sale [3] of the business. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:]
16:54
LTE Summit: 4G underpins future connectivity growth
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PARTNER FEATURE – GSMA THRIVE 2020: Industry experts highlighted 4G as a critical foundation for operators’ 5G efforts during an LTE Summit, noting the technology provides key revenue streams and network benefits which will strengthen next generation deployments. While much attention is given to 5G, speakers at the event pointed out 4G will continue to be the driving force behind global connectivity for the next several years. Emmanuel Coelho Alves, CTO of Huawei’s wireless product line, noted 4G coverage is currently available to more than 80 per cent of the global population and more than half of all mobile data connections are carried on 4G. More than that, though, he said the technology is a key revenue driver for operators, with three-quarters of their income expected to come from 4G connectivity in 2020 as well as in 2021 and 2022. Peter Jarich, head of GSMA Intelligence, said 5G adoption is growing fast, with the technology forecast to account for around 50 per cent of connections in developed markets including North America, China and other parts of Asia by 2025. But he added “between now and then, and even when we get to 2025, LTE will be doing the heavy lifting…It will still remain the most important connectivity technology when we’re looking forward five years from now”. 5G head start In addition to offering benefits on its own, the speakers noted 4G will provide a critical foundation for 5G, both in terms of network coverage and capacity and use cases which can easily be transitioned to next generation services. Coelho Alves explained 4G can be used to boost the 5G experience, in combining both 4G and 5G New Radio speeds together based on a standardized 3GPP E-UTRAN New Radio Dual Connectivity solution, with legacy spectrum leveraged to help provide faster next generation speeds using technologies such as dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) and E-UTRAN New Radio-Dual Connectivity (EN-DC). He provided an example from the UK, noting operator BT was able to secure a lead position as a 5G network provider in the country during 2019 despite having less next-generation spectrum than its competitors because it was able to tap its large reserve of 4G spectrum holdings using EN-DC. This allowed it to offer average downlink speeds of 185Mb/s, he added. The Huawei executive said technologies which currently help deliver widespread 4G coverage can also be turned into a 5G advantage: “We do see today that 4G has extremely powerful capabilities already in place. For example, 4T4R has already been deployed in the past few years on 4G, which is an extremely good asset when you go later to 5G.” Michael Martin, director of radio, transport and network operations for Switzerland’s Sunrise Communications, warned it is important for operators to take the time to lay the right 4G layer before abandoning the technology in favour of 5G deployments. “If you do not have the proper 4G network with very good coverage and very good quality in all available frequencies then you should better not start building 5G on top of it because if you have a lousy 4G network then you will ultimately have a lousy 5G network.” Growing 4G The summit highlighted two operators that are hard at work building strong 4G networks: India’s Bharti Airtel and China Telecom. Sandeep Gupta, EVP at Bharti Airtel, detailed the company’s effort to sunset its 3G network in order to allocate more of its spectrum assets to 4G, explaining the transition was driven by a rapid increase in 4G handset penetration and data consumption in recent years. He said 3G devices accounted for 85 per cent of phones on its network four years ago, but by the end of 2019 that figure dropped to approximately 5 per cent. As more users obtained 4G devices, Gupta said data consumption on its fledgling 4G network skyrocketed, with a cumulative annual growth rate of between 70 per cent and 90 per cent over the past four years. “Obviously that’s challenging in a way because we need to find ways to solve this 4G data subscriber consumption on the 4G network while we’re seeing that the 3G consumption was going down.” One major obstacle was that before Bharti Airtel launched Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) in 2017, the majority of its voice traffic was carried over its 3G network. So it had to work quickly to get 4G handsets into subscribers’ hands and transition that flow over to LTE in order to recycle its 3G spectrum. With both of those objectives achieved, he said Bharti Airtel was able to shut down its 3G network last year, allowing it to use 25 per cent more spectrum and 33 per cent more cell sites for 4G. Shaoai Shen, an adviser for China Telecom Group, noted it is also pursuing a strategy focused on reusing 2G and 3G spectrum for VoLTE, with the goal of hitting 200 million VoLTE subscribers by the end of 2020. She said a key focus there has been working with industry partners to make compatible feature phones available to subscribers at a very low cost, in some cases as little as CNY100 (approximately $14), including the support of VoLTE functionality. Putting 4G to work Coelho Alves and Martin both pointed to fixed wireless access (FWA) as an example of a use case that can help operators drive revenue from their 4G networks and easily be adapted to 5G. The Huawei executive provided examples of three global operators already using 4G to deliver FWA services, including Globe in the Philippines; Telkom South Africa; and Dialog in Sri Lanka. He noted Globe turned to 4G FWA as a way to gain competitive price positioning and time to market advantages as it sought to rapidly grow its home broadband business in the country, adding the broadband segment currently accounts for a significant percentage of the operator’s income. Dialog Sri Lanka similarly used 4G FWA to expand its home broadband market share and benefit from higher ARPU levels. In Switzerland, Martin said the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic recently acted as a catalyst for FWA uptake, as subscribers previously hesitant to adopt the technology decided to try it in order to meet a need for better home broadband. “We’ve been able to prove that our 4G mobile network, as well as the 5G of course, is able to deliver at least the same quality [as cable broadband], in most cases even better quality.” 4G for good Sean Doral, ITU programme officer for digital inclusion, also highlighted the important role of widespread connectivity from 4G and other technologies in closing the digital divide. He declared broadband “vital” to achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, noting it can be used to help improve education, gender equality, agriculture, healthcare and the economy. While connecting the 3.9 billion people across the globe who remain offline is critical, he argued “digital inclusion is not just about connecting people”. “We need to continuously train people to use ICT in a more meaningful way…The digital economy is expected to be creating a lot of job opportunities, tens of millions, and we need people with advanced digital skills to be able to support it at the end of the day.”
June 25, 2020
22:17
Verizon completes Pivotal 5G kit trial
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Verizon completed a trial of new repeater technology with Pivotal Commware meant to help it more rapidly expand its mmWave 5G footprint, while also revealing an upgraded home broadband service in Houston. An operator representative told Mobile World Live trials recently conducted in Michigan tested “outdoor repeaters that will amplify the signal between a cell site (macro or small cell) and a customer's home". The testing appears to be part of a partnership first formally unveiled in May [1]. In a statement, Verizon explained network repeaters retransmit signals from nearby cell sites to extend coverage to previously underserved areas. It noted the technology offers a lower cost and quicker way to boost coverage compared with traditional cell sites since repeaters are smaller, use less power and do not require a fibre connection. Pivotal Commware said the equipment it trialled with Verizon used holographic beamforming technology. Kevin Smith, Verizon VP of network planning, explained: “As we’ve known since our very early trials, high band spectrum provides more limited coverage from macro cells” but added the use of repeaters will improve its reach. 5G Home The operator also announced improvements to its fixed wireless access 5G Home service in Houston, updating it from a proprietary technology used for an initial launch there in September 2018 [2] to 3GPP’s 5G new radio standard. Verizon’s representative said the move will allow it to offer 1.5-times the coverage and twice the download speeds as before. It upgraded Indianapolis and Los Angeles, and added Detroit as its sixth city served with the NR tech earlier this month, as part of a goal to cover ten cities by the year end. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
14:05
Web Summit suffers setback
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Organisers of technology conference Web Summit delayed the event by one month to early December in light of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, with plans to offer both an in-person and online formats, Reuters reported. Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave (pictured) reportedly told media a decision will be made in early October, when tickets are due to go on sale. Earlier this month, Cosgrave vowed to stick to an in-person format [1] for the event, but Reuters noted a ban on gatherings of more than ten people in Portugal could scupper this plan. The event was due to run from 2 November to 5 November, but Cosgrave now moots 2 December to 4 December. Health guidelines are reportedly set to be reviewed weekly. Covid-19 caused chaos with key events cancelled or switched to virtual formats, though some are determined to press ahead with physical meets. [1] [https:]
13:50
Axiata scores more backing for digital finance moves
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Singapore-based insurance company Great Eastern invested $70 million in the digital services arm of Axiata Group, funds which will be used to expand the unit's fintech play. The insurance company acquired a 21.9 per cent stake in Boost Holdings, the holding company for the operator's digital financial services play, with its Axiata Digital Services unit retaining the remaining stake. Together they will oversee a portfolio comprising e-wallet app Boost, which counts more than 7.5 million users and 170,000 merchants on its books with a further 544,000 retailers on an Indonesian variant; Aspirasi, a micro-finance and insurance set-up which already dispensed more than $20 million in loans; and a joint venture with a bank in Bangladesh. The partners will also explore options to extend digital financial services to other Axiata Group markets, with a focus on growing merchant and customer numbers, upgrading Aspirasi's credit scoring technology, and a potential banking move. Earlier this year, Axiata Digital said it was interested in the digital banking licences to be offered by Malaysia's central bank and started work preparing [1] an application. Great Eastern CEO Khor Hock Seng said Axiata's focus "on providing financial services for the underserved, unbanked and under-insured customer segment" was a good fit for its strategy. Axitata Digital CEO Khairil Abdullah added emerging technologies would enable it to develop services which "narrow the financial inclusion and protection gap". The funding is the third strategic investment secured by Axiata Digital, following a $20 million move by Sumitomo in 2018, and a $50 million injection from Mitsui Group in 2019. [1] [https:]
13:02
NGMN taps former Vodafone exec as CEO
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Industry group the Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance appointed Vodafone Group veteran Anita Dohler (pictured) as CEO and board director, taking over from long-term boss Peter Meissner who will retire on 30 June. In a statement, Orange executive and NGMN chair Emmanuel Lugagne Delpon hailed Meissner’s efforts with partners on initiatives which “substantially impacted the developments in standardisation" of the telecoms industry. Meissner served as chief executive and founding director since 2006: he will remain as a senior adviser to the NGMN board. Dohler will take over on 1 July. Under his leadership the body grew its membership to more than 100 operators, vendors and research institutions incluging Vodafone Group; Qualcomm; and The John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Delpon said Dohler “is a long-term telecoms industry executive” with “outstanding” qualifications. She spent more than 15 years with Vodafone at group level and with its Spanish unit. Dohler noted the recent Covid-19 (coronavirus) crisis had highlighted the important place the telecoms industry now occupies, and welcomed the opportunity to work on areas including vertical integration.
12:48
Telenor updates Cisco pact, begins vRAN trial
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Telenor Group and Cisco signed a third collaboration agreement, as the two press-on with joint projects focused on developments in Open vRAN, B2B services, security, 5G and distributed cloud. As part of their combined work, the two are conducting a trial of vRAN technology at Telenor’s headquarters in Norway to assess the impact of open, virtual RAN technology on operator costs and pace of service rollout. The updated deal builds on an existing joint purpose agreement unveiled at Mobile World Congress in 2018, with the scope of the project expanded in an updated pact announced at the 2019 edition of the Barcelona-based event. In addition to inking an updated deal, the two announced fresh financing of their WorkingGroup2 (WG2) joint venture, which develops and supplies operator-focused cloud platforms [1]. Additional funds being pumped into WG2 will be used to extend its 5G, IoT and private network features, and push the service to operators in Europe, North America and Asia. The new cash was sourced from investment company Digital Alpha, the sum was not disclosed. [1] [https:]
12:28
Vodafone UK teams with Ford on private 5G play
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Vodafone UK partnered with Ford Motor Company to deploy a private 5G network at the car maker’s electric vehicle facility in the country, a move showcasing the technology’s potential in the manufacturing sector. In a statement, Vodafone UK explained it would use 5G to help Ford overcome many issues surrounding wireless connectivity in an industrial setting, promising “reduced delays, wider bandwidth, improved security and reliability and faster deployment time”. The move forms part of a UK government initiative to invest £65 million in nine consortia to harness the potential of 5G. It committed £2 million specifically for the Vodafone, Ford project and has now approved final deployment. Installation is set to be completed in September, connecting a Ford site in Dunton, Essex to a site in Cambridge run by research specialist The Welding Institute (TWI). The connected equipment will offer real-time control, analysis and remote expert support, “ensuring new manufacturing processes are shop floor-ready”. Ford added it will focus on the connectivity of the welding machines in the manufacture of electric vehicles. For a single electric vehicle product, half a million pieces of data could be generated every minute, it explained. Automotive first The move gives a boost to Vodafone’s 5G enterprise offering, with private next-generation networks touted as a major use case. Financial Times reported the facility in Essex will be one of the first automotive centres in the UK to be upgraded to 5G, replacing Wi-Fi, which struggles to process the amount of data generated. Vinod Kumar, CEO of Vodafone Business said added 5G private networks “act as a springboard for organisations, allowing them to rethink the way they do business”.
11:43
Telecom Italia seals €1.6B tower unit sale
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Telecom Italia struck deals to offload its 33.2 per cent stake in tower unit Inwit for €1.6 billion, in a move designed to cut its debt load. In a statement, Telecom Italia said a consortium led by French investment group Ardian will take a 30.2 per cent stake of the unit, which will be transferred into a new holding company. The two groups opened talks [1] about the deal in May. Upon completion of the deal, the Ardian consortium will hold a 49 per cent stake in the holding company. However, Telecom Italia will continue to control and manage Inwit, together with Vodafone Group. Telecom Italia added it will sell its remaining 3 per cent stake directly to an investment vehicle managed by Canson Capital Partners. Debt reduction Telecom Italia and Vodafone completed a tower merger in March to form Inwit, which left them with a 37.5 per cent stake apiece in the unit. They then sold 4 per cent [2] of their respective holdings for a total of €800 million. Telecom Italia’s latest move will see it use the proceeds cut its debt, which stood at €21.7 billion at the end of March. The operator added completion of the deal is subject to a number of conditions being met by 30 September 2020. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
11:29
En Afrique, des opérateurs s’unissent avec l’ONU contre le Covid-19
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MTN, Vodacom, Airtel Africa et Orange soutiennent collectivement la plate-forme de l’ONU mise en place en Afrique pour transmettre les informations concernant la pandémie de Covid-19 (coronavirus) entre les autorités et plus de 600 millions d’utilisateurs de mobiles. La Plate-forme africaine d’information sur les communications pour la santé et l’action économique (en Anglais : Africa Communication and Information Platform (Acip) for Health and Economic Action) est une initiative lancée par la Commission économique des Nations Unies pour l’Afrique (Uneca) et doit démarrer dans 36 pays du continent, la liste étant destinée à s’allonger par la suite au rythme des signatures gouvernementales. Lors du lancement du service, l’Uneca a expliqué qu’il était destiné à établir une liaison dans les deux sens entre les citoyens et les autorités de santé. Selon l’Uneca, l’Acip devrait pouvoir toucher 80 % des utilisateurs de mobiles en Afrique, entièrement gratuitement. Rob Shuter, pdg du groupe MTN, a indiqué que les opérateurs s’étaient mis d’accord pour renoncer à tarifer les liaisons liées au service, « vu que bien des gens qui luttent contre la pandémie dans certaines régions rurales ont de grandes chances de se trouver dépourvus de crédits. » Il a ajouté que MTN et ses concurrents s’entendaient pour faire de l’initiative une affaire de « collaboration et de coopération ». L’un des principaux objectifs de la plate-forme est de collecter des informations de santé envoyées par les individus permettant aux autorités d’identifier des foyers possibles de contagion. L’Acip doit également fournir conseil et soutien à ceux qui sont affectés. Houlin Zhao, secrétaire général de l’Union internationale des télécommunications (UIT), a encouragé les régulateurs africains à soutenir la plate-forme, notant que l’intelligence artificielle et la big data se trouvent au cœur de l’initiative. Parmi les autres sociétés et organisations impliquées dans l’Acip figurent Safaricom, Smart Africa, l’Union Africaine (UA), la Banque Mondiale et l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS).
11:28
Singapore favours Ericsson, Nokia 5G kit
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Singtel and a joint venture between StarHub and M1 received 3.5GHz and mmWave spectrum and named their primary RAN suppliers to build two nationwide 5G networks in Singapore, with Huawei missing out on another high-profile next-generation deployment. Market leader Singtel selected Ericsson to provide its standalone (SA) 5G RAN, core and mmWave networks, while the StarHub and M1 venture chose Nokia as its RAN partner. Both groups said final contracts are being worked out. StarHub said Nokia is also the preferred supplier for core and mmWave networks. The operator noted it is exploring other network elements with Huawei and ZTE. Regulator the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) awarded the operators licences [1] to build two nationwide (SA) 5G networks in April. In a statement, IMDA explained the spectrum was issued after the companies completed the required regulatory processes, including the selection of their preferred frequencies, vendors and other technical and legal matters. Newcomer TPG Telecom, which missed out on a nationwide licence, will deploy localised networks [2] using mmWave: Huawei is one of its main equipment suppliers. Beyond access Singtel group CEO Chua Sock Koong said it intends to "move beyond access and connectivity to create new enterprise use-cases, and innovative platforms, applications and services to reposition ourselves for growth in the converging ecosystems of tech and telecoms”. From late July, consumers will be able to trial 5G applications including cloud gaming and immersive entertainment, while viewing compatible devices at a pop-up store. In a statement, StarHub said it believes the technology "will be a key enabler for the development and management of a Smart Nation strategy, as many future essential services in Singapore will be interconnected to 5G networks from millions of devices and sensors". [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
10:55
SoftBank chief resigns from Alibaba board
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Masayoshi Son, CEO and founder of SoftBank Group (pictured), was reported to have stepped down from the board of Alibaba today (25 June), the same day the Chinese e-commerce giant’s co-founder Jack Ma departed SoftBank’s board. Son said the parting of ways was smooth and “perfectly amicable”, Bloomberg reported. Ma's intention to resign was announced in May [1]. The moves came during SoftBank's AGM, during which three new directors were confirmed at SoftBank's AGM: CFO Yoshimoto Goto; Tan Lip-Bu, CEO of chip design software company Cadence Design Systems; and Yuko Kawamoto, a professor at Waseda Business School. Bloomberg reported Son invested $20 million in Alibaba in 2002 when it was a start-up and joined the board in 2005: the value of the stake grew to more than $150 billion. Ma became a SoftBank director in 2007. SoftBank is on a mission to sell JPY4.5 trillion ($42 billion) in assets [2] to reduce debt and buy-back JPY2 trillion worth of shares, after recording a JPY961.6 billion loss in the year to end-March. The company reduced its stake [3] in Alibaba from 32.2 per cent to 28 per cent in June 2016. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:]
10:29
NTT takes stake in NEC to push network tech R&D
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NTT and NEC established an alliance to jointly research and develop next-generation network technologies, with the operator investing to take nearly a 5 per cent stake in the equipment supplier. In a joint statement issued today (25 June), the companies said the initiative will focus on optical and wireless technologies with the aim of “enhancing industrial competitiveness of Japan and further ensuring safe and reliable communication infrastructure". NTT will acquire a litte more than 13 million shares of NEC common stock, representing 4.8 per cent of its outstanding shares after a third-party allotment. Nikkei Asian Review valued the stake at JPY60 billion ($560 million). The companies stated the alliance will promote architectures including open RAN and push NTT’s Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) programme. NTT is the parent company of NTT Docomo, one of the largest mobile operators in Japan. NEC’s fortunes in 5G have improved since Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s fourth full MNO, selected it as an equipment supplier [1] in June 2019. Last month, the newcomer also named NEC as the supplier of its 5G mobile core, with the companies agreeing to develop a standalone (SA) network platform which the operator plans to sell to third-parties [2]. NTT’s investment aims to reduce reliance on non-domestic equipment at a time of rising trade friction between the US and China, which is complicating global supply chains. Marc Einstein, chief analyst at Japan-based research company ITR, told Mobile World Live the move its hugely positive for NEC, as it will ensure business from NTT Docomo for some time and provide the vendor with a leg up on early 6G R&D efforts. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
June 24, 2020
21:40
Apple boosts enterprise play with Fleetsmith buy
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Apple took aim at the enterprise market, acquiring mobile device management company Fleetsmith for an undisclosed sum to strengthen its corporate services abilities. Founded in 2016, Fleetsmith offers a platform enabling enterprises to remotely set-up, track and secure corporate fleets of Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad and Mac. In a blog, Fleetsmith co-founders Zack Blum, Jesse Endahl and Kenneth Kouot said the deal will help the company meet its goal of delivering its services “to businesses and institutions of all sizes, around the world”. The move comes as Apple responds to changing demands in the enterprise space, which CEO Tim Cook (pictured) in recent years repeatedly highlighted as a key segment for the company. On its fiscal Q2 2020 earnings call (the period ending 28 March), Cook noted Apple began to offer long-distance support for corporate customers as the Covid-19 (coronavirus) forced a sudden, widespread shift to remote working, citing “countless examples of new projects of remote deployments implemented in just a few hours”. For example, he said fitness company Peloton worked with Apple to “deploy an entire fleet of Macs overnight, so their team could work remotely”.
18:37
Masmovil shareholder demands takeover probe
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UK-based investment company Polygon became the latest Masmovil stakeholder to slate a €2.96 billion takeover bid for the Spanish operator, requesting Spain's National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) examine the move. In a letter to CNMV, Polygon demanded a complete analysis of the bid made by a consortium of private investors, claiming they failed to “provide an independent expert report on the methods and criteria applied to determine the offered price”. The minority stakeholder labelled the price of €22.50 per share as not equitable given the current climate, with the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic affecting the Spanish economy, and claimed the offer was designed to “discourage competing bids" to the "detriment of the best interests of minority shareholders of Masmovil". Earlier this month fellow minority stakeholder Alliance Bernstein expressed concerns over the bid [1] from Lorca Telecom BidCo, Cinven Capital Management and KKR Associates Europe. Masmovil's board is keen to accept [2] the offer. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
17:44
Samsung unveils UK mobile payments upgrade
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Samsung signed a deal with financial technology company Curve to widen the scope of its mobile wallet offer in the UK, which includes the launch of a Samsung Pay-branded digital card. Details of the upgraded service are limited, though it will include tools to allow greater management of finances and systems compatible with a range of payment providers and loyalty cards. The Samsung Pay Card is being issued in collaboration with Mastercard and aggregates other payment cards and loyalty services registered with user accounts. Should the digital card work in the same way as a standard account provided by Curve, consumers will be able to use their Samsung Pay Card to initially pay for goods and then decide which registered debit, credit or prepaid card is subsequently used to ultimately settle the transaction. Samsung expects the service to launch later this year and describes it as a European first for the company. The announcement follows the unveiling of a similar tie-up for the US market [1] with local digital financial services provider sofi last month. That deal relates to the inclusion of cash management features to its app and launch of a branded debit card. [1] [https:]
16:44
Verizon, AT&T sweeten prepaid plans
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Verizon followed AT&T in refreshing its prepaid tariffs, as the operators look to add more value at a time when consumers across the US re-evaluate financial priorities in light of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Though the prepaid segment typically has higher churn than post-paid, updates unveiled by both operators appear designed to minimise risk and incentivise customers to stick around for the long haul. Verizon’s trio of new plans include unlimited voice and text, and range from $40 per month for 5GB of data to $65 per month unlimited. It lined up $5 price reductions after three and nine months, with the same sum subtracted if customers choose automatic payments. Earlier this month, AT&T began offering a discount for prepaid customers who pay upfront for three months of service on its 8GB tariff, supplementing a 12-month option launched in August 2019. These options reduce the $50 pay monthly price to $33 and $25 respectively. Analysts recently tipped the economic impact of Covid-19 to spark a resurgence in the prepaid segment [1]. Research by Strategy Analytics in May found a quarter of consumers said they were likely to churn to a less expensive tariff over the next three months. [1] [https:]
16:06
Intelsat debunks satellite connectivity myths with cellular backhaul offering
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PARTNER FEATURE: The Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic shone a spotlight on the critical role of connectivity in keeping people in touch with one another and delivering access to crucial information. But with billions of people still unable to access even basic mobile services around the world, the crisis also highlighted the importance of swiftly bridging the remaining digital divide. Connecting remote and rural areas has long presented a simple economic problem in terms of the payback on the cost of deploying the infrastructure. While deploying the base stations themselves may appear to be the key barrier in this regard, an often-overlooked challenge is the backhaul element. Fibre is great when the terrain is accessible or the population high, but what do you do in more remote and rugged areas? Satellite service provider Intelsat recently offered an answer with the launch of its cellular backhaul offering, a service employing its fleet of geostationary (GEO) birds. [1]Jean-Philippe Gillet, SVP sales and GM of the company’s networks business (pictured, right), explained the system differs from previous satellite-based communications set-ups by removing the need for specialised end-user devices. At its simplest level, Intelsat’s CellBackhaul service extends network coverage, delivering “connectivity to a tower, which is then using 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G” base stations to connect to end-users. Already available in Peru and recently launched in the US through regional operators, Intelsat is now eyeing expansion into sub-Saharan Africa. Gillet explained the initial launches demonstrate simplicity of the system: “it’s about ease to deploy, the speed to deploy, how do we make it easy”. The system is tailored to customer’s requirements, with the US deployment covering installation and maintenance of the equipment on the remote site, “so it’s a lot more than just the connectivity”. Tower companies or MNOs still handle operation of the base station, “but we really want to provide connectivity to the tower”, Gillet said. Highlighting the adaptability, Gillet explained the US deployment of CellBackhaul centred on expanding 4G, and eventually 5G, coverage, while in Africa operators are looking for solutions spanning 2G and 3G. The key is it is the “exact same logic and same principal as a way to expand” availability. The flexibility of Intelsat’s approach extends beyond the specific technology. In Peru, for example, Gillet noted it partnered with local service provider Andesat to access its infrastructure, as part of a government-backed initiative to deliver connectivity to thousands of citizens either lacking any connection or able to access only 2G. “The government has identified a number of sites that either are 2G that need to be upgraded to 3G, or that today are not covered. What they’re doing is establishing a mechanism to provide the licence to one of the rural operators. And that’s what Andesat is doing.” In Peru, it made more sense to partner with a provider that already had the required infrastructure in place, Gillet explained. Combining Intelsat’s connectivity with Andesat’s hub and uplink antenna was an “opportunity”, he added, highlighting the underlying technology is the same, but is flexible enough to be adapted to local requirements. Economics Gillet believes the approach taken by Peruvian authorities is “very innovative”, with regulation developed to “find a mechanism to create the demand, but also the right economic environment”. Intelsat’s work in the US also benefitted from a push by the Federal Communications Commission, all of which Gillet explained helps to overcome perceptions that satellite connectivity remains a pricey option compared with terrestrial or other aerospace-based alternatives. He noted much has changed in the satellite industry to make it a more cost-effective option. “There is change in the market, there is change in the technology, and above all, there are changes in the economics.” Part of this relates to the equipment, with a new generation of high frequency satellites enabling “a lot of throughput” to be beamed to specific areas which, when combined with a reduction in the size of the equipment deployed on site, delivers benefits around ease of installation and lowering power consumption. “When you combine all of that together, that means that [when] you transmit you use less throughput, [which] means that your total cost on the usage of the satellite is decreasing.” Gillet noted a broader push toward open RAN equipment also contributed to cost-reductions, making the business case for covering “areas that are smaller” more palatable. The open RAN movement also brings in “big players like Parallel Wireless” and others, which “also changes the economics”. There is also a growing ecosystem of connectivity options, with options based in the earth’s stratosphere adding to the list of satellite options. Gillet highlighted these as an opportunity rather than a challenge: in 5G, for example “it’s clear that there is not one technology which is going to be able to serve all of the requirements”. As a result, satellite operators like Intelsat have led an effort “to have non-terrestrial solutions included into Release 17” of 3GPP specifications. Mass-market As noted, Covid-19 has also focused attention on the importance of connectivity: “You usually have these discrete components that are completely changing the way we see satellite connectivity today”, Gillet noted. Due to these various factors, Intelsat’s experience so far with cellular backhaul has highlighted that “you don’t need thousands of sites to be profitable”, Gillet explained. Where deployments number in the several thousands, established business cases around economies of scale apply, while in cases where “the regulator has requested that you deploy few” sites, the government backing makes the case. Gillet highlighted these extremes, explaining it is executing a contract with Africa Mobile Networks spanning 1,000 sites across seven countries covering 3.8 million people, “mainly” on 2G with future upgrades to 3G in the works. In contrast, a deal with “one of the large MNOs in Japan” is fully 4G and involves 3,000 sites. Gillet said this mix of use cases is the best way to “prove the financial or economic attractiveness of these deployments, and why things have changed so much now that this is a lot easier to deploy”. “I think what’s key in the way that we are approaching it, is satellite connectivity for extension of mobile networks is really now not only a reliable, but also a profitable way of deploying a network,” he added. [1] [https:]
13:34
Rivals throw support behind UN Africa Covid-19 tracker
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Operator groups MTN, Vodacom, Airtel Africa and Orange backed a United Nations (UN) digital health platform designed to transmit information related to Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreaks between authorities and more than 600 million mobile users. The Africa Communication and Information Platform for Health and Economic Action was launched by the UN’s Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and will be initially available across 36 countries, with plans to extend further as other authorities sign-up. Launching the service, the ECA said it provided two-way communication between citizens and health authorities, and had the potential to reach 80 per cent of Africa’s mobile users at no cost to the individual. MTN Group CEO Rob Shuter said operators had agreed to waive charges for the USSD-based service as “chances are that many people battling the pandemic in some rural areas may not have airtime”, adding the company and its competitors could “agree that this was an area for collaboration and cooperation”. One of the platform's primary use cases is to collect health information from individuals, allowing authorities to identify local outbreaks and virus hotspots. It also provides advice and support to those affected. International Telcommunication Union secretary general Houlin Zhao urged regulators across Africa to back the platform, noting use of AI and big data were “at the heart” of it. Other parties involved in the project include Safaricom, Smart Africa, The African Union, The World Bank, and The World Health Organisation.
13:07
Brazil suspends WhatsApp payments
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Brazil’s central bank told Visa and Mastercard to stop supporting mobile payments through WhatsApp after only one full week of operation, the latest blow to parent Facebook’s lofty financial services ambitions. As all of WhatsApp's partner banks provide the service through cards issued by either Visa or Mastercard, the order effectively suspends the service completely. In a translated statement, Banco Central do Brasil said its move would give it time to assess the risks to the country’s financial settlement system SPB and compliance with various related laws. It noted it made the move “to preserve an adequate competitive environment, which ensures the functioning of an interoperable, fast, secure, transparent, open and inexpensive payment system”. The bank went on to cite concerns related to competition, efficiency and data privacy. WhatsApp launched payments [1] in Brazil last week to much fanfare, with Facebook planning to extend availability of the service to users around the globe. Its ambitions to provide payments over the app and its other brands have been regularly talked-up by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. In May 2019, the executive said provision of mobile payments was part of his vision for the company, noting it was “one of the most important things we can do”. Regulatory battles Brazil was the first market with WhatApp payments available nationwide despite the service being trialled in India since early 2018, where it faced a number of hurdles. India’s central bank finally cleared the service [2] earlier this year with conditions, though a full launch is yet to be announced. Since the central bank gave its blessing reports emerged the country’s competition commission [3] was assessing claims the service would fall foul of its rules. Outside of mobile payments, Facebook has also faced criticism for its cryptocurrency plans [4]. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:] [4] [https:]
12:51
Next Nokia boss to arrive early
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Incoming Nokia president and CEO Pekka Lundmark will take over from Rajeev Suri a month earlier than planned on 1 August, after his current employer completed its search for a replacement. Due to the acceleration, 25-year Nokia veteran Suri will now step down from his post on 31 July instead of 1 September, though he will remain in a board advisory role until 1 January 2021. Earlier this month, Nokia appointed Wartsila Energy president Marco Wiren as its next CFO [1], replacing Kristian Pullola on 1 September. Sari Baldauf took over as company chair [2] in late May. The leadership shuffle comes at a turbulent time for the Finnish manufacturer, which this week revealed plans to cut 1,233 jobs [3] at subsidiary Alcatel-Lucent International due to market cost pressures. In April, it missed out on lucrative 5G RAN contracts in China [4], though subsequently scored a minor win by securing a portion of a core contract with China Unicom [5]. Earlier in April, Reuters and The New York Times each reported Nokia had hired Citi Bank to fend off a rumoured hostile takeover bid [6]. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:] [4] [https:] [5] [https:] [6] [https:]
12:34
T-Mobile challenges California merger terms
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T-Mobile US issued a request for California’s Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to ease three major conditions it set the operator when agreeing to approve its merger with Sprint, including the removal of a requirement to add 1,000 new employees. In a notice sent to the regulator, T-Mobile argued “the imposition of a specific hiring mandate is inconsistent with regulatory authority”, while also highlighting the economic disruption caused by the Covid-19 (coronavirus) crisis. The operator said the condition to add 1,000 employees should be modified because of the major consequences the ongoing pandemic “has had on the economy and the long-term effects it may have on companies like T-Mobile over the next several years”. In addition, T-Mobile asked for its 5G speed target and coverage requirements across the state and in rural areas to be moved from end-2023 to the close of 2026. It added the requirement to deliver download speeds of at least 100Mb/s by end-2023 and increase these to 300Mb/s for at least 93 per cent of the population by end-2024 would require a speed jump three-fold in one year, which it indicted may not even be “feasible”. Finally, it said it is already subject to two independent testing programmes for its 5G buildout and it wants a requirement to be subject to a third removed, arguing it would be “burdensome”. California was one of T-Mobile’s biggest challengers when pushing through its merger with Sprint. Indeed, even after announcing the completion [1] of the deal in April this year, approval from CPUC was still outstanding. Once the regulator’s review was complete, the operator did not confirm [2] or deny plans to challenge the terms. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
12:14
TPG shareholders approve VHA merger
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TPG Telecom shareholders approved a long-planned merger with Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) at an extraordinary general meeting, with the tie-up expected to be finalised on 13 July. VHA CEO Inaki Berroeta said the vote is one of the last steps towards implementation: “Today is a significant milestone in the merger process and subject to final court approval, we will be bringing VHA and TPG together in two-and-a-half weeks.” Berroeta said the AUD15 billion ($10.4 billion) merger will create a full-service telecoms provider which will “be well-positioned to drive stronger competition in the market and deliver benefits to customers and shareholders”. Final court approval is expected on 26 June and VHA is scheduled to change its name to TPG Telecom on 29 June. TPG Telecom shares will stop being traded on the Australian stock exchange the same day, before recommencing the following day under the new code of TPG. In mid-February, the Federal Court of Australia approved the proposed tie-up [1], rejecting concerns of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissionm which opposed the proposed merger [2] on the grounds it would likely substantially reduce competition. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
11:24
Telenor divests Wave Money stake
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Telenor Group announced plans to sell its full stake in Myanmar mobile payments joint venture Wave Money to Yoma Strategic Holdings for $76.5 million. The operator owns a 34.2 per cent stake in Wave Money and its move comes after Alipay-parent Ant Financial outlined plans to pump $73.5 million into the joint venture [1], to help develop a range of new services. Ant Financial and Telenor's moves are subject to regulatory approval. Telenor, First Myanmar Investment and Yoma Group launched Wave Money in November 2016. Lars Erik Tellmann, head of financial services at Telenor, said the time was right for the operator to offload its holding. "Both Yoma Group and Ant Group’s core operation is financial services and technology, and they are therefore the strongest owners to take Wave Money forward.” He added Wave Money had "built a leading position in money transfer and will continue to be a strategic distribution channel for Telenor Myanmar". The operator noted revenue and transaction numbers tripled in 2019, and the unit became EBITDA positive in September 2018. [1] [https:]
11:06
Korea operators push digital ID with driving licence
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South Korean operators promoted the cause of virtual ID, launching a driving licence on a mutually available mobile app which they claimed is the first officially-recognised form of digital identification in the nation. The licence is integrated to the Pass authentication app launched by SK Telecom (SKT), KT and LG Uplus in July 2018. In a statement, SKT explained the digital ID was a joint effort by the operators, the Korean National Police Agency and the Road Traffic Authority (KoRoad). It can initially be used in the stores of two convenience chains in Korea, providing real-time verification via a QR or bar-code, the users picture and blockchain technology connected to the police authority’s database. SKT said it could be used when purchasing age-restricted goods: a representative explained the service will be rapidly expanded to other areas and widely used for financial transactions. The operators announced they were working with the National Police Agency and the Korea Highway Traffic Authority to link the service to the country's licence authentication system in early October 2019. To date, the Pass authentication app garnered more than 30 million users across the country.
10:38
Foxconn plots fresh India investment
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Taiwan-headquartered Foxconn reportedly detailed a plan to accelerate investment in India to diversify its manufacturing base due to a long-running trade war between the US and China. At its AGM, chairman Liu Young (pictured, centre) said despite having to shut Indian operations due to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, the country is a bright spot for development, Reuters reported. The executive stated Foxconn is pushing ahead with next steps in India and will share details in the coming months. The company, the world's largest contract electronics manufacturer with 16 production sites globally, invested heavily in India and Vietnam over the last two years though China still accounts for about 70 per cent of its sales. It is Apple’s main manufacturing partner and analysts estimate the US vendor accounts for more than half of Foxconn's revenue: the company currently produces some iPhone and Xiaomi handsets in India. Nikkei Asian Review reported Liu as stating its production capacity in Vietnam is bigger than India, but noted Foxconn had invested a total of TWD11 billion ($373.2 million) in India during 2018 and 2019 compared with TWD6 billion in Vietnam. Foxconn is also increasing investment in Taiwan, with a focus on electric vehicles, robotics and smart medical devices. During an online forum earlier this month, Liu said he expects manufacturers to decentralise output following disruption to global supply chains caused by the pandemic, Taipei Times reported.
10:00
Intelligence Brief: Is 5G a smartphone lifeline?
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As countries around the world ease pandemic-related restrictions on consumers and businesses, it is abundantly clear operators and smartphone vendors now inhabit a fundamentally changed economic landscape. Covid-19 (coronavirus) sent shockwaves through every sector of the economy, and while it has been better insulated than some, the telecom industry will inevitably feel the effects of the 3 per cent global GDP contraction the IMF predicts for this year. Operators and smartphone vendors are now facing the ominous dual prospects of a severe global recession and a prolonged slump for traditional in-store retail, where most phones were sold before the pandemic. Through the economic gloom, there is nevertheless some good news for smartphone manufacturers. At a basic level, lockdowns have, if anything, further demonstrated the critical importance of mobile devices for enabling everything from remote business transactions to staying connected to friends and family to prevent social isolation. Beyond this, there are at least two more positive notes which should help the industry this year: Despite some delays, many countries have forged ahead with planned 5G rollouts this year. The rollout of the new networks should be a boon for smartphone vendors, as it is during this time that operators are the most likely to engage new manufacturers and make changes to their roster of suppliers. Although brick-and-mortar smartphone retailers face enormous challenges as a result of the pandemic, operators and vendors have spent years developing robust online sales channels which can fill the gaps left by traditional retail. So we expect that, like most consumer categories, smartphones will be in for a bumpy ride, but ongoing 5G rollouts and a new emphasis on digital retail channels offers hope and should form a lifeline for the industry which will help it ride out the economic turbulence ahead. New launches, new opportunities Even as the pandemic raged, operators were still making moves to prepare for the 5G era: in May, with lockdowns still implemented across much of Europe, Oppo and Vodafone, for example, announced a deal to bring Oppo 5G handsets to customers across the continent. These kind of moves are by no means limited to Europe: in a recent survey [1], 81 per cent of operators globally indicated they planned to make changes to their smartphone vendor roster in 2020. [2]And the most important factor they consider when adding a new vendor? 5G compatibility (see chart, right, click to enlarge). The Oppo/Vodafone deal is a perfect example of what many operators will look to do as 5G becomes more prevalent: add a vendor which can bring a full complement of 5G handsets available at a variety of budget-friendly price points. And the price point of the handsets should start to matter now more than before the pandemic, when our survey was in field. With millions unemployed and countries facing a dire economic outlook, it is safe to assume an annual or bi-annual device upgrade, often with only minor improvements over the last model, will for some consumers be put on hold for the foreseeable future. Instead of incremental upgrades, the operators we surveyed are betting support for 5G network technology is what will drive consumers to invest in a new smartphone. Obviously, operators will therefore prefer manufacturers which have an array of affordable 5G handsets available, which poses a significant problem for those who do not. Of the top three smartphone vendors in the world, only Samsung is currently well positioned to succeed in this emerging landscape where operators emphasise 5G compatibility above all else. The others have significant challenges to overcome: Apple has not yet released a 5G iPhone, and there is a great deal of uncertainty as to whether it will do so this year. Because of the US-led sanctions, Huawei phones lack a full complement of Google applications, putting them at a significant competitive disadvantage. As we discuss in a new report [3], this creates room for smaller players to manoeuvre, potentially enticing operators into new distribution deals if these manufacturers can differentiate on 5G capability or on the (increasingly important) price factor. A seismic shift in retail strategy While operators and vendors are betting big on 5G phones to withstand the forecasted economic downturn, they must simultaneously adapt to a threat to their largest channel of smartphone sales: the high street retailer. The worsening economy and the emergence of post-lockdown social distancing measures pose an existential threat to brick-and-mortar shops. Before lockdowns, operators reported a majority (52 per cent) of their smartphones were sold in-store, but also said they expected stronger growth in online sales over the next two years. As we have seen elsewhere [4], the pandemic condensed multiple years’ worth of predicted industry trends into a few short months, and with high street retailers facing massive obstacles, we expect online sales to overtake in-store in short order. In fact, AT&T in the US and Virgin Media in the UK have already announced they will be closing some or all of their retail outlets as a result of the pandemic. For a device segment often thought to be reliant on “hand feel” to guide purchases, the rapid shift to online as the dominant sales channel could further complicate an already challenging situation for smartphone manufacturers. Vendors with strong and established direct-to-consumer online sales channels are obviously best positioned to succeed in this new landscape, and we may see the arrival of new marketing strategies as vendors look to reorganise around online channels in the medium- and long-term. But for the short term at least, because operators seem prepared to rely on their speedy new 5G networks to drive interest in new handsets, it is here that smartphone manufacturers must also focus their attention to stay aligned with operators and maximise their opportunities to forge new alliances. The way forward for vendors Vendors must adapt to operators’ laser-focus on their 5G networks and the reduced importance of brick-and-mortar retail in order to thrive in the post-lockdown world. But how can smartphone manufacturers best navigate these challenges? An important step for vendors is to understand operator plans for driving 5G uptake and tailoring their messaging to build on this theme. One way to do this is to emphasise the importance of new phones in influencing 5G upgrade intent among consumers: our research [5] shows that across seven markets which have or will launch 5G in 2020, a brand new 5G handset can boost upgrade intent by about 10 per cent. Knowing where their customers stand on 5G is one of the keys for vendors to unlock new strategic partnerships with operators that will help both thrive in the new economic landscape. Vendors can also ensure they are supporting the move to online sales by shifting the co-marketing resources given to operators to market their devices to online and social channels. This can help to smooth the transition and avoid a precipitous decline in device sales. These strategies will allow manufacturers to adapt to the challenges that the pandemic has ushered in. They will also have long-term benefits for both operators and vendors, as the current state of affairs is likely to be more than temporary. Preparing for the new normal is important and necessary for the industry to withstand the turbulent times ahead, and move with confidence into the next phase of the 5G era. - Jason Reed - lead analyst, Digital Consumer, GSMA Intelligence The editorial views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and will not necessarily reflect the views of the GSMA, its Members or Associate Members. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:] [4] [https:] [5] [https:]
June 23, 2020
22:42
Oculus lays out Go obsolescence plan
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Facebook VR subsidiary Oculus halted shipments of its Go headset and announced plans to phase out updates for related apps by early-December, as it shifted focus to improving its more expensive Quest and Rift devices. In a blog, Oculus explained while Go “pioneered the all-in-one category” when released in May 2018 [1], the subsequent debut of Quest “redefined the category” by offering users greater degrees of freedom (DOF). It added users’ “overwhelmingly positive” response to the Quest made it clear “that 6DOF feels like the future of VR. That’s why we’re going all-in, and we won’t be shipping any more 3DOF VR products”. Fleshing out plans revealed late last week, Oculus explained it will not release any more new features for Go and stop accepting or updating apps for the headset in its store on 4 December, with additions to the marketplace planned to end on 18 December. However, it pledged to provide users with bug fixes and security patches until 2022. In the same post, Oculus outlined plans to expand distribution of apps for its Quest device in early 2021, enabling developers to share their apps with any user without having to be accepted to the Oculus Store. Last month, Bloomberg reported Oculus might be forced to put off an expected Quest update [2] until 2021 in light of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
19:49
Mavenir connects Telefonica, Vodafone, DT to RCS
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Mavenir provided a substantial boost for rich communication services (RCS) in Europe and beyond after connecting the networks of Telefonica, Vodafone Group and Deutsche Telekom, a move spanning 13 countries. The company noted the peer-to-peer RCS interconnection covers an estimated 158 million subscribers including Deutsche Telekom users in Germany; Telefonica customers in Germany, Spain and the UK; and Vodafone subscribers across Albania, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Turkey and the UK. Mavenir stated the deployment is one of the largest RCS operator interconnections achieved to date: SVP of business mobility Guillaume Le Mener explained the launch “required a significant amount of expertise and effort by all parties”, but noted the work “paves the way for accelerated and simplified future MNO on-boarding and participation”. A company representative told Mobile World Live Mavenir is currently working to interconnect two additional European operators, whose subscribers will be able to trade RCS messages with Telefonica, Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom users once complete. The move comes as operators around the globe press ahead with efforts to make interoperable RCS widely available, following a slow start. In May, T-Mobile US announced a deal to allow cross-network RCS exchanges [1] between its customers and users of Google’s Messages app, while the big-three operators in China have committed to ensuring all handsets sold in the country include RCS capabilities [2]. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
17:40
Apple caves to App Store critics
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Apple ceded ground to App Store developers, plotting to give them more power to challenge guidelines following a high-profile spat with third-party email app developer Basecamp. While developers already have the option to appeal Apple’s decisions about whether a service violates its marketplace guidelines, the company said it will soon provide a new mechanism for them to challenge whether those rules should stand. Additionally, it said it will no longer delay bug fixes for apps already in the App Store when there is a dispute over violations, except when there are “legal issues” involved. Instead, it said developers will be permitted to address the issue in their next update. Both changes will be implemented in the coming months. Apple was recently widely criticised for halting updates to Basecamp's Hey email app after claiming the company breached App Store rules by not offering an in-app purchase option. Basecamp argued such a move would force it to share 30 per cent of subscription revenue with Apple. Apple subsequently approved Hey’s bug fixes after Basecamp agreed to offer a sign-up option for a new free tier of service within the app. The European Commission earlier this month launched a probe [1] to determine whether Apple's rules mandating the use of its in-app purchase system disadvantaged competitors. [1] [https:]
17:24
L’État italien veut devenir premier actionnaire de Telecom Italia
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Le Premier ministre Giuseppe Conte vient de signifier l’intention de l’État italien de porter à 25 % ses parts dans Telecom Italia afin d’accélérer le déploiement des liaisons large bande à haute performances, rapporte Reuters. Actuellement, la banque d’État Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) est le 2e actionnaire de l’opérateur avec 9,9 % de parts, derrière le groupe français Vivendi qui se verrait ainsi supplanté pour la première place. Les explications de Giuseppe Conte font suite à un débat au long cours sur la façon d’accroître le rythme de déploiement de la fibre en Italie, où un groupe influent de politiciens souhaite combiner les actifs d’Open Fiber et de Telecom Italia pour créer un fournisseur de service unique. L’amélioration des infrastructures large bande est actuellement une priorité en Italie.
June 12, 2020
12:43
France revives 5G auction plan
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French telecoms regulator Arcep moved to get a 5G spectrum auction delayed by Covid-19 (coronavirus) back on track, setting out a schedule to begin the process in September. In a statement, the regulator said it plans to run a sale of spectrum in the 3.4GHz to 3.8GHz bands between 20 September and the end of the month. This will be followed by a positioning auction in October to determine bidder positions in the bands, with licences due to be issued later that month or November. The auction was originally scheduled for April, but Arcep postponed [1] the process due to Covid-19 containment measures. Due to the delay Arcep, lifted obligations for operators to launch 5G services in a minimum of two cities by the year-end. In February, Bouygues Telecom, Free Mobile, Orange and SFR took up a fixed-price offer [2] covering 50MHz of compatible spectrum priced at €350 million. They are all due to participate in the rescheduled auction, with Arcep aiming to raise €2.2 billion from 11x10MHz blocks. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
12:43
France revives 5G auction plan
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French telecoms regulator Arcep moved to get a 5G spectrum auction delayed by Covid-19 (coronavirus) back on track, setting out a schedule to begin the process in September. In a statement, the regulator said it plans to run a sale of spectrum in the 3.4GHz to 3.8GHz bands between 20 September and the end of the month. This will be followed by a positioning auction in October to determine bidder positions in the bands, with licences due to be issued later that month or November. The auction was originally scheduled for April, but Arcep postponed [1] the process due to Covid-19 containment measures. Due to the delay Arcep, lifted obligations for operators to launch 5G services in a minimum of two cities by the year-end. In February, Bouygues Telecom, Free Mobile, Orange and SFR took up a fixed-price offer [2] covering 50MHz of compatible spectrum priced at €350 million. They are all due to participate in the rescheduled auction, with Arcep aiming to raise €2.2 billion from 11x10MHz blocks. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
12:29
Google countersues speaker maker Sonos
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Google hit back in an escalating row with Sonos, filing a countersuit against the audio company for infringing on five patents and accusing it of making false claims about their partnership. In a complaint filed with a US court, Google said Sonos was using “substantial volumes” of its technology without permission, including patented innovations in search, software, networking, audio processing, and digital media management and streaming, across hardware and software. “Sonos is actively infringing Google’s intellectual property. Sonos has no licence to use Google’s patents. Because Sonos refuses to cease its infringement, and is unwilling to recognise the value of Google’s technology through a licence, Google has filed this suit to protect its intellectual property,” it asserted in the filing. Google’s retort comes after Sonos launched legal action [1] in Janaury accusing the search giant of stealing its technology and infringing five patents. The company subsequently sought a ban on the sale of Google’s speakers, smartphones and laptops in the US. A month later, the US International Trade Commission weighed into the row [2], launching an investigation into speakers made by Google. False claims The companies partnered in 2013 to integrate Google’s Play Music platform into Sonos speakers, with the technology allowing users to play the same or other songs on different speakers throughout their homes. Over the years, the partnership evolved: Sonos integrated AI voice platform Google Assistant into its products in 2019. In its filing, Google continued to state Sonos had made “false claims about the companies’ shared work and Google’s technology”. “While Google rarely sues other companies for patent infringement, it must asserts its intellectual property rights here,” it added. In response, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence stated Google had used its “size and breadth to try find areas in which they can retaliate, rather than pay what it owes”. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
12:29
Google countersues speaker maker Sonos
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Google hit back in an escalating row with Sonos, filing a countersuit against the audio company for infringing on five patents and accusing it of making false claims about their partnership. In a complaint filed with a US court, Google said Sonos was using “substantial volumes” of its technology without permission, including patented innovations in search, software, networking, audio processing, and digital media management and streaming, across hardware and software. “Sonos is actively infringing Google’s intellectual property. Sonos has no licence to use Google’s patents. Because Sonos refuses to cease its infringement, and is unwilling to recognise the value of Google’s technology through a licence, Google has filed this suit to protect its intellectual property,” it asserted in the filing. Google’s retort comes after Sonos launched legal action [1] in Janaury accusing the search giant of stealing its technology and infringing five patents. The company subsequently sought a ban on the sale of Google’s speakers, smartphones and laptops in the US. A month later, the US International Trade Commission weighed into the row [2], launching an investigation into speakers made by Google. False claims The companies partnered in 2013 to integrate Google’s Play Music platform into Sonos speakers, with the technology allowing users to play the same or other songs on different speakers throughout their homes. Over the years, the partnership evolved: Sonos integrated AI voice platform Google Assistant into its products in 2019. In its filing, Google continued to state Sonos had made “false claims about the companies’ shared work and Google’s technology”. “While Google rarely sues other companies for patent infringement, it must asserts its intellectual property rights here,” it added. In response, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence stated Google had used its “size and breadth to try find areas in which they can retaliate, rather than pay what it owes”. [1] [https:] [2] [https:]
12:09
Helios Towers plans Africa expansion with fresh funds
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Africa-focused Helios Towers outlined plans to expand its operation further across the continent using part of $450 million in new funds raised earlier this week, Bloomberg reported citing Ethiopia as one of its target markets. In an interview with the business publication Helios Towers CFO Tom Greenwood said the company was already in talks with potential partners over a move in Ethiopia, where the government is preparing to sell a stake in incumbent Ethio Telecom [1] and issue licences to two new players. Though the opening of the mobile industry in Ethiopia has been delayed by Covid-19 (coronavirus)-related issues, authorities have reportedly restarted preparations. Greenwood noted the country offers a "very large opportunity" with an estimated 10,000 new towers expected to be needed over the next five years to support market growth. Other countries it is reportedly assessing include Morocco, Egypt and Madagascar. Helios Towers raised a total of $750 million earlier this week by issuing new debt: part of this was allocated to paying off some of its existing liabilities and fund expansion plans. The business currently has assets in Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Ghana and South Africa, with almost 7,000 sites owned and operated by Helios Towers across these markets. [1] [https:]
12:09
Helios Towers plans Africa expansion with fresh funds
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Africa-focused Helios Towers outlined plans to expand its operation further across the continent using part of $450 million in new funds raised earlier this week, Bloomberg reported citing Ethiopia as one of its target markets. In an interview with the business publication Helios Towers CFO Tom Greenwood said the company was already in talks with potential partners over a move in Ethiopia, where the government is preparing to sell a stake in incumbent Ethio Telecom [1] and issue licences to two new players. Though the opening of the mobile industry in Ethiopia has been delayed by Covid-19 (coronavirus)-related issues, authorities have reportedly restarted preparations. Greenwood noted the country offers a "very large opportunity" with an estimated 10,000 new towers expected to be needed over the next five years to support market growth. Other countries it is reportedly assessing include Morocco, Egypt and Madagascar. Helios Towers raised a total of $750 million earlier this week by issuing new debt: part of this was allocated to paying off some of its existing liabilities and fund expansion plans. The business currently has assets in Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Ghana and South Africa, with almost 7,000 sites owned and operated by Helios Towers across these markets. [1] [https:]
11:25
Bell Canada shakes off Covid-19 with 5G launch
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Bell Canada deployed a commercial 5G service in five of the country’s largest cities a little more than a month after putting the move on hold due to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Coverage is available in Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and the greater Toronto area, with free access being offered until end-March 2021, after which it will be available as a $10 per month add-on to any post-paid tariff. Bell Mobility president Claire Gillies claimed the operator had “once again raised the bar in Canadian wireless”, with the footprint of its network “six-times greater than the next largest network”, an apparent swipe at rival Rogers Communication which launched its 5G service in four cities in March. Telus, the third major operator in the country, is yet to launch 5G. In May, Bell Canada CEO Mirko Bibic said the timing for a launch [1] was not right due to the pandemic, despite the network being ready. Bell Canada separately announced it would invest $2.7 million to open a new 5G research centre with Western University, employing AR/VR, edge computing and AI to develop new applications for healthcare, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing and other verticals. [1] [https:]
11:25
Bell Canada shakes off Covid-19 with 5G launch
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Bell Canada deployed a commercial 5G service in five of the country’s largest cities a little more than a month after putting the move on hold due to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Coverage is available in Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and the greater Toronto area, with free access being offered until end-March 2021, after which it will be available as a $10 per month add-on to any post-paid tariff. Bell Mobility president Claire Gillies claimed the operator had “once again raised the bar in Canadian wireless”, with the footprint of its network “six-times greater than the next largest network”, an apparent swipe at rival Rogers Communication which launched its 5G service in four cities in March. Telus, the third major operator in the country, is yet to launch 5G. In May, Bell Canada CEO Mirko Bibic said the timing for a launch [1] was not right due to the pandemic, despite the network being ready. Bell Canada separately announced it would invest $2.7 million to open a new 5G research centre with Western University, employing AR/VR, edge computing and AI to develop new applications for healthcare, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing and other verticals. [1] [https:]
11:07
India court offers operators AGR hope
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India’s Supreme Court asked operators to provide payment schedules on clearing adjusted gross revenue (AGR) taxes, raising expectations Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel may have more time to pay massive outstanding fees, The Economic Times (ET) reported. In addition to detailing the time needed to pay outstanding sums, operators must explain what securities they can offer as guarantees before the court’s next hearing on 18 June, the newspaper wrote. The court will then rule on what is a reasonable timeframe for payments. India’s solicitor general Tushar Mehta warned attempts to recover the taxes too quickly would imperil the telecoms sector and could force some operators into liquidation. The government previously suggested extending the timeline for outstanding fees by up to 20 years. In October 2019, the high court ruling [1] broadened the definition of AGR, placing INR933 billion ($12.3 billion) in additional licence and spectrum usage fees on operators. First round Vodafone Idea has pushed the government for more time [2] to pay, arguing it needs financial relief to stay in business. The operator said it owed INR215 billion [3] based on a self-assessment of its liabilities, compared with the INR530 billion the DoT ordered it to pay. In March the operator claimed to have paid the full principal [4] amount owed. Rival Bharti Airtel pegged the amount owed at INR130 billion [5], which it paid along with an “extra” payment of INR50 billion. The DoT estimates its liability at INR356 billion. Both operators are considering using their spectrum, other assets and tax refunds as guarantees, ET said. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:] [4] [https:] [5] [https:]
11:07
India court offers operators AGR hope
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India’s Supreme Court asked operators to provide payment schedules on clearing adjusted gross revenue (AGR) taxes, raising expectations Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel may have more time to pay massive outstanding fees, The Economic Times (ET) reported. In addition to detailing the time needed to pay outstanding sums, operators must explain what securities they can offer as guarantees before the court’s next hearing on 18 June, the newspaper wrote. The court will then rule on what is a reasonable timeframe for payments. India’s solicitor general Tushar Mehta warned attempts to recover the taxes too quickly would imperil the telecoms sector and could force some operators into liquidation. The government previously suggested extending the timeline for outstanding fees by up to 20 years. In October 2019, the high court ruling [1] broadened the definition of AGR, placing INR933 billion ($12.3 billion) in additional licence and spectrum usage fees on operators. First round Vodafone Idea has pushed the government for more time [2] to pay, arguing it needs financial relief to stay in business. The operator said it owed INR215 billion [3] based on a self-assessment of its liabilities, compared with the INR530 billion the DoT ordered it to pay. In March the operator claimed to have paid the full principal [4] amount owed. Rival Bharti Airtel pegged the amount owed at INR130 billion [5], which it paid along with an “extra” payment of INR50 billion. The DoT estimates its liability at INR356 billion. Both operators are considering using their spectrum, other assets and tax refunds as guarantees, ET said. [1] [https:] [2] [https:] [3] [https:] [4] [https:] [5] [https:]
10:39
SK Telecom gets nod to shut 2G service
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South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT cleared SK Telecom (SKT) to phase out its 2G service, ending 23 years of service due to dwindling user numbers and high running costs, Yonhap News Agency reported. The agency stated SKT had 384,000 2G subscribers at 1 June, a fraction of its 27.8 million total. Network operating costs are growing because equipment is outdated and handsets are no longer available, the news service explained. Lee Tai-hee, deputy minister at the science and ICT department, approved a phased closure by region to limit disruption, with SKT also agreeing to provide some handsets for free to 2G users and 70 per cent discounts on tariffs for two years, Yonhap News Agency wrote. Rival KT closed its 2G service in 2011, while LG Uplus is yet to announce any plans, the news service said. SKT ended Q1 with 1.1 million 3G connections, 24.1 million 4G connections and 2.65 million 5G connections, GSMA Intelligence data showed. Recent Strategy Analytics research found 2G and 3G networks accounted for 46 per cent of subscribers but just 27 per cent of revenue globally at the start of the year: it tipped revenue to drop to 10 per cent by 2023.
10:39
SK Telecom gets nod to shut 2G service
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South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT cleared SK Telecom (SKT) to phase out its 2G service, ending 23 years of service due to dwindling user numbers and high running costs, Yonhap News Agency reported. The agency stated SKT had 384,000 2G subscribers at 1 June, a fraction of its 27.8 million total. Network operating costs are growing because equipment is outdated and handsets are no longer available, the news service explained. Lee Tai-hee, deputy minister at the science and ICT department, approved a phased closure by region to limit disruption, with SKT also agreeing to provide some handsets for free to 2G users and 70 per cent discounts on tariffs for two years, Yonhap News Agency wrote. Rival KT closed its 2G service in 2011, while LG Uplus is yet to announce any plans, the news service said. SKT ended Q1 with 1.1 million 3G connections, 24.1 million 4G connections and 2.65 million 5G connections, GSMA Intelligence data showed. Recent Strategy Analytics research found 2G and 3G networks accounted for 46 per cent of subscribers but just 27 per cent of revenue globally at the start of the year: it tipped revenue to drop to 10 per cent by 2023.

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