Telecompaper Africa/Asia articles from November 2007

Telecompaper Africa/Asia archives from November 2007

Africa - Multichoice claims 2 mln pay-TV subscribers in Africa.
November 29, 2007... Digital satellite pay-TV operator Multichoice South Africa has announced that its combined customer base for South Africa and the Africa business has reached 2 million, including just under 1.5 million subscribers in South Africa. The company...

Japan - Japanese govt convenes harmful web content study group.
November 29, 2007... Japan's Ministry of Communications has announced plans to convene a study group on countermeasures against illegal and harmful information on the internet. These measures include further promotion of the introduction of filtering for young...

Japan - Willcom upgrades PHS network to IP - president.
November 29, 2007... Japanese PHS service provider Willcom plans to upgrade its copper network with an IP network capable of supporting data transmission rates of 800 kbps, compared to a maximum 512 kbps currently, The Nikkei has learned. Company president Masaki...

India - DFJ, NEA invest in mobile advertisement service mGinger.
November 29, 2007... US-based venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson and NEA Indo-US ventures have jointly invested INR 80 million in India-based start-up mGinger, writes the Economic Times. MGinger runs a permission-based mobile advertisement service,...

Uzbekistan - Uzbektelecom signs internet agreement with Rostelecom.
November 29, 2007... Uzbektelecom has signed an additional agreement to its basic one with Russian long-distance operator Rostelecom. The new agreement covers the significant expansion of the capacity of existing channel to provide Uzbektelecom with access to the...

Africa - UN decries high cost of internet in Africa.
November 29, 2007... The United Nations has decried the high cost of accessing the internet in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa despite massive investment in the ICT sector. UNDP Resident Representative Elizabeth Lwanga said the quality of the available internet...

Georgia - Geocell unveils discounted tariff for Lai-Lai customers.
November 29, 2007... Georgian mobile operator Geocell has announced a New Year's tariff for Lai-Lai subscribers, allowing them to call Geocell and Lai-Lai customers for GEL 0.15 per minute. The discounted tariff must be activated by 31 January 2008, at a cost of...

China - TCL introduces Alcatel mobiles in China.
November 29, 2007... Chinese handset maker TCL Communication Technology has launched Alcatel mobile phones in the People's Republic of China. Alcatel mobile phones will carry a range of fashionably French to technologically focused handsets and will be aimed at...

New Zealand - New Zealand govt may fund broadband networks via Kordia.
November 29, 2007... The New Zealand government may fund future broadband networks via state-owned telecommunications and media firm Kordia, to bridge infrastructure gaps in New Zealand, reports National Business Review. According to Communications Minister David...

Thailand - CAT asks Attorney-General to decide Huawei fine amount.
November 29, 2007... Thai operator CAT Telecom will not make a ruling on the fine to be imposed on Huawei Technologies but will ask the Office of the Attorney-General to decide on the amount, writes the Bangkok Post. CAT Telecom chairman Montri Sangkasarp said...

China - OnStar, GM, SAIC announce China Telematics JV.
November 29, 2007... General Motors, Shanghai Automotive Industry and OnStar have established a telematics joint venture called Shanghai OnStar Telematics Company. The Shanghai-based joint venture will provide a range of OnStar's in-vehicle safety, security and...

Australia - Player X opens Australian office.
November 29, 2007... Mobile media company Player X has opened an Australian office in Sydney. The office will be responsible for running the company's publishing and distribution business in Australia and New Zealand as well as liaising with the Chinese office....

India - MTNL aims to add 50,000 broadband customers by March 2008.
November 29, 2007... State-owned Indian operator Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) targets adding about 50,000 broadband customers by March 2008, reports the Financial Express. MTNL is working hard towards increasing the broadband customers base by about...

India - Voxtel Telecom to invest USD 5 mln in India.
November 29, 2007... UK-based digital communication products maker Voxtel Telecom will invest USD 5 million in India by the end of 2008, reports the Economic Times. Voxtel Telecom, part of Binatone Electronics International, has also launched its GPS-based...

Bahrain - Bahrain must improve competition in internet market - study.
November 29, 2007... The Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Bahrain has published the recommendations of an independent study to improve competition in the internet market in Bahrain. In August, TRA had commissioned a consultancy firm to assess the case...

Japan - NTT partners with Apple, Nintendo.
November 29, 2007... Japanese operator NTT has unveiled partnerships with Apple and Nintendo to provide internet access to the device makers' customers. NTT will offer free access to around 700 hot spots in Japan to users of Apple's iPod music player, reports The...

Thailand - TrueMove signs up 12 millionth customer in Thailand.
November 29, 2007... Thai mobile operator TrueMove has reached 12 million subscribers. To celebrate this achievements, TrueMove is offering a bonus of 12 percent of free calls along with a special '12 Satangs per Minute' promotion. This promotional campaign runs...

Japan - IIJ Group opens data centre in Shinsaibashi.
November 29, 2007... Internet Initiative Japan and IIJ Group contact centre and network operation outsourcing company Net Care have opened the new Shinsaibashi Data Centre, which will begin operations in July 2008. The Shinsaibashi Data Center is IIJ's...

India - Vodafone expands network sharing JV plans in India.
November 29, 2007... Vodafone Group is looking to establish a JV in India to operate its networks there, writes the Wall Street Journal. The move is designed to lower the costs associated with building its cellular network backbone. Vodafone is expanding...

Japan - NTT Data to revise secondment programme.
November 29, 2007... Japanese ICT services provider NTT Data will revise its secondment programme for seconding its employees to the NTT Data Group companies. The programme will help to promote an efficient group management as part of the company's Medium-Term...

Pakistan - Telenor Pakistan to offer Nokia Intellisync wireless e-mail.
November 29, 2007... Mobile operator Telenor Pakistan will offer Nokia Intellisync Wireless Email to its consumer customers, small-meditum enterprises (SMEs), and large corporations. The service, branded as 'SmartMail', is currently available. Nokia Intellisync...

India - Bharti Airtel, Western Union to launch mobile money transfer.
November 29, 2007... Indian operator Bharti Airtel and provider of money transfer services Wester Union have partnered to develop and launch a Mobile Money Transfer service in India. This program will allow Indians living abroad to send remittances to their...

Azerbaijan - Azerbaijani govt looks to lower broadband tariffs.
November 29, 2007... The Communications Ministry of Azerbaijan plans to lower broadband internet tariffs in line with average global prices, reports the Trend Capital News Agency. Ministry official Rufat Gulmammadov said that government was concerned about high...

Malaysia - Celcom offers postpaid package to Malaysian party members.
November 29, 2007... Celcom Mobile, a subsidiary of Celcom Malaysia, has signed a deal with Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) in Malaysia to offer party members the Society Postpaid Package, reports Bernama. Celcom vice-president, Mohammed Farid Mohd Yunus, said...

Maldives - Unicef launches teacher resource centres in Maldives.
November 29, 2007... The United Nations Childrens Fund and the government of the Maldives have opened twenty broadband-enabled teacher resource centres to provide education to a population spread across 200 small islands. The teacher resource centres also...

China - China Netcom calls on Telefonica to up stake 'asap'.
November 29, 2007... China Netcom has called on Telefonica to increase its stake in the operator "as soon as possible", reports Cinco Dias. "We encourage Telefonica to increase its stake in our company as soon as is possible", said Zhang Chunjiang, chairman of...

China - China Fortune warns for FY loss.
November 29, 2007... China Fortune has warned that it expects to report a loss for the full year 2007. The poor result is due to "unsatisfactory" sales of certain mobile phone models and clearance of some obsolete stocks. The company expects to report annual...

Indonesia - Asia Mobile opposes govt order over Indosat.
November 29, 2007... Asia Mobile Holdings has issued a statement stating its opposition to a recent Indonesian government ruling ordering the company to sell its stake in local operator Indosat. Asia Mobile, which holds around 40 percent in Indosat, is 75-percent...

Australia - Optus unveils new wireless broadband products.
November 29, 2007... Optus has unveiled new pricing and an expanded product offering within the Optus Wireless Broadband (OWB) range for consumer, small and medium business (SMB) and Optus Business customers. Optus customers can access two products within the OWB...

New Zealand - Telecom Wholesale, WorldxChange unveil phone service project.
November 29, 2007... Telecom Wholesale and WorldxChange Communications have unveiled a joint project at the Digital Strategy Summit to offer phone and broadband services over fibre-optic cables connected directly to homes. The project will allow people moving...

Indonesia - Telkomsel launches mobile wallet facility in Indonesia.
November 29, 2007... Indonesian operator Telkomsel has launched the mobile wallet facility called T-Cash, the Jakarta Post writes. President director Kiskenda Suriahardja said that the facility could be used by T-Cash subscribers whether they were Telkomsel...

Tonga - Shoreline signs agreement with Digicel for sale of Tonfon.
November 29, 2007... The Shoreline group has signed an agreement with Digicel Pacific for the sale of the telecommunications business operated under the Tonfon name. The sale will include the Tonfon mobile phone network, internet service and Tonfon TV. Digicel...

Algeria - Nedjma sales up 24%, hits 4 mln subs mark.
November 29, 2007... Wataniya Telecom Algeria, which trades as Nedjma, said its revenues grew by 24 percent in the third quarter, writes Algiers newspaper La Tribune. Nedjma reached the 4 million-subscriber mark on 15 November. The operator said it was planning a...

Japan - Global Mobile to cooperate on WiMAX with Open Wireless.
November 29, 2007... Taiwanese WiMAX licence holder Global Mobile has signed a letter of intent with Japan-based Open Wireless Network for cooperation in roaming services, technology exchange, development of digital content and new application services, reports...

Saudi Arabia - Huawei builds IP bearer network for Mobily in Saudi Arabia.
November 29, 2007... Huawei Technologies has been selected by Saudi Arabian mobile operator Mobily to construct its nationwide IP bearer network for voice and data services. Mobily will deploy Huawei's core routers NetEngine 5000E (NE5000E) and NetEngine 40E...

Kenya - Intel in partnership to provide WiMAX to students in Kenya.
November 28, 2007... Intel is partnering with Microsoft, Kenya Data Networks, Cyber School Technology and two other entities to provide WiMAX services for students in Kenya. Intel Director for South and Sub-Saharan Africa Jacques Van Schalkwyk said the firm aims...

Uganda - Hits Telecom makes first call on Uganda network.
November 28, 2007... Hits Telecom, Uganda's fourth telecoms operator, has made the first call on its network. "The network is very clear," said President Yoweri Museveni who made the maiden call to Information Minister Ham Mulira. Hits CEO Samir Naessany said the...

Hong Kong - Alcatel-Lucent, HKBN to launch GPON in Hong Kong.
November 28, 2007... Alcatel-Lucent and Hong Kong Broadband Network have announced the deployment of GPON in Hong Kong. Alcatel-Lucent's FTTH platform will enable HKBN to deliver advanced triple-play services to its subscribers and enlarge its FTTH network...

Africa - Cisco seeks to expand services in East Africa.
November 28, 2007... Cisco has converted its Kenya office into a regional hub citing increased demand for its services in Eastern Africa. Cisco VP for Middle East and Africa Mark de Simone said the firm would use the Kenyan office to supply products to consumers...

India - VSNL adds two STPs in India.
November 28, 2007... Communications service provider VSNL has integrated two additional Signaling Transfer Points (STPs) in Mumbai and New Delhi on its global SS7/C7 network. The new STPs will enable Asian mobile operators to locally connect and utilise the VSNL...

South Africa - Alcatel wins EUR 34 mln deal for IT system in SA airport.
November 28, 2007... Alcatel-Lucent has been awarded a multi-year contract worth approximately EUR 34 million by South Africa's Ilembe Consortium. Alcatel-Lucent will design and deploy an integrated communication, security and IT system for the new King Shaka...

India - TRAI releases draft recommendation on IPTV services.
November 28, 2007... The Indian market regulator TRAI has recommended that UASL and CMTS telecommunications service providers having a licence to provide triple play services and ISPs with net worth more than INR 1 billion and having permission to provide IPTV...

Philippines - 3G yet to take off in Philippines.
November 28, 2007... Mobile phone penetration rate in the Philippines is expected to expand to 80 percent in 2009, with around 10 percent of subscribers using 3G. Joe Doering, head of the Asia South region for Nokia Siemens Networks said 3G service in the...

Indonesia - XL plans new USD 950 million loans.
November 28, 2007... Indonesian mobile operator Excelcomindo Pratama has approved a plan to borrow another USD 950 million. The proposed debt would be raised through a number of transactions in the form of a bilateral credit facility, syndicated credit facility,...

Algeria - Orascom picks Ditech voice quality assurance service.
November 28, 2007... Mobile operator Orascom Telecom Algeria is completing full deployment of Ditech Networks' products in its Djezzy GSM mobile services network in Algeria for improved voice quality. Orascom is completing deployment of Ditech's Voice Quality...

Singapore - LG Mobile introduces LG Viewty mobile phone in Singapore.
November 28, 2007... LG Electronics has unveiled the LG Viewty (LG-KU990) high technology handset in Singapore. The LG Viewty is a touch-screen mobile phone with a 5-megapixel digital camera with both automatic and manual focus functions. The LG Viewty includes...

China - China Netcom chair visits Telefonica's new Madrid HQ.
November 28, 2007... The chairman of China Netcom Zhang Chunjiang paid a visit to the new headquarters of Telefonica in Madrid, reports Cinco Dias. After the visit on 27 November, Telefonica and China Netcom said their partnership was long-term and strategic....

Japan - Softbank proposes mobile broadband tie-up with DoCoMo.
November 28, 2007... A consortium led by eAccess and Softbank is prepared to team with rival group led by NTT DoCoMo and Acca Networks to bid for next-generation mobile broadband licences, Softbank president Masayoshi Son has told The Nikkei newspaper. The...

Australia - Telstra launches CDMA Phone Toss offer.
November 28, 2007... Telstra has launched its CDMA Phone Toss offer in Australia. The offer gives Telstra CDMA consumer customers the chance to win a free Telstra Country Phone handset when they shift to the Next G network. The offer was launched by gold medal...

Japan - Yahoo! top online destination in Japan in October - study.
November 28, 2007... Almost 54 million Japanese accessed the internet in October, with Yahoo! sites remaining the most popular destinations, according to data from comScore. Yahoo! sites attracted 41.3 million visitors in Japan in October, followed by Google...

China - Qiao Xing Universal Telephone outlines business plan.
November 28, 2007... Chinese handset maker Qiao Xing Universal Telephone has outlined its medium and long-term business strategy, and plans to sell certain land use rights and construction-in-progress not being used by its operations. Chairman Wu Rui Lin said...

Australia - ACCC issues MTAS determination, rejects Optus undertaking.
November 28, 2007... The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued the mobile terminating access service (MTAS) pricing principles determination relevant for 01 July 2007 to 31 December 2008. The previous MTAS pricing principles determination...

Indonesia - Shin Satellite, FirstAsia in Ipstar deal in Indonesia.
November 28, 2007... Shin Satellite, Asian commercial satellite operator and operator of the Ipstar satellite broadband system, has signed an agreement with Indonesia's FirstAsia Group to provide Ipstar gateway operations and services. Under the agreement,...

Australia - Ipstar Australia, ETT in NSO deal for broadband satellite.
November 28, 2007... Ipstar Australia (IPA), wholly owned subsidiary of Thailand-based Shin Satellite, has entered into a 12-year definitive agreement with ETT as the exclusive national service operator (NSO) for Ipstar broadband satellite services in Australia....

China - Linktone revenues down 32%, moves to net loss in Q3.
November 28, 2007... Chinese mobile services developer Linktone reported third-quarter revenues of USD 13.3 million, down 32 percent from the year-ago quarter. The company reported advertising revenues of USD 1.9 million versus USD 1.6 million in the year-earlier...

Asia - NTT, NEC to offer SAP outsourcing services in Southeast Asia.
November 28, 2007... NTT Communications and NEC will collaborate on the launch of SAP outsourcing services in Southeast Asia. The two companies have begun marketing and joint sales of SAP services that combine NTT's global ICT infrastructure, such as Arcstar...

China - Chinese cable operators pick BigBand multimedia router.
November 28, 2007... BigBand Networks has announced that five additional Chinese cable operators are deploying its Broadband Multimedia-Service Router to process and deliver digital television services. The customers initiating these new deployments include Tibet...

Macau - CTM imposes cap on local mobile data usage charge.
November 28, 2007... Companhia de Telecomunicacoes de Macau has imposed a cap on local mobile data usage charge to enable customers to access online information through mobile networks easily. The charge cap is applied to both CTM 2G and 3G services. From 26...

China - Lunar, CDC to invest in Linktone.
November 28, 2007... Lunar Capital Management and CDC have presented a formal proposal for an investment in and restructuring of Linktone. The strategic investors have proposed to purchase either common shares or preferred shares convertible into a minimum of...

Japan - ContentGuard licenses global DRM patents to Sharp.
November 28, 2007... Digital rights management intellectual property developer ContentGuard has entered into a global patent licensing agreement with mobile device specialist Sharp in Japan. Under the agreement, Sharp can develop, manufacture and market mobile...

Angola - Voiceserve products, services to be available in Angola.
November 28, 2007... UK-based telecommunications operator Voiceserve has signed an agreement with Santana and Ennesto Telecomunicaciones of Angola. Under the terms of the agreement, Santana and Ennesto will market and distribute Voiceserve's services to the...

Kuwait - Saudi Telecom wins Kuwait's third mobile licence.
November 28, 2007... Saudi Telecom has won a bid for 26 percent of Kuwait's third mobile network licence. The Kuwait Investment Authority said STC made the highest bid of KWD 248.7 million (USD 907.6 million), beating out the eight other bidders. The Kuwait...

Bangladesh - Grameenphone helps relief effort in Bangladesh.
November 28, 2007... Bangladeshi mobile operator Grameenphone has completed the first phase of its relief activities in the cyclone-affected areas in Bangladesh. In coordination with local government agencies and its NGO partners, Grameenphone distributed relief...

Malaysia - I-Berhad posts drop in Q3 sales.
November 28, 2007... Malaysian digital services group I-Berhad reported third-quarter sales of MYR 2.436 million, down from MYR 15.530 million a year earlier, due mainly to the phasing out of its digital convergent business. Future revenues are expected to come...

Singapore - M1 goes ahead with capital reduction.
November 28, 2007... Singapore mobile operator M1 has received court approval for its planned capital reduction. Shareholders of record on 7 December will receive SGD 0.046 per share cash. Payment is expected in late December.

China - Broadcom, RaisingSun to supply digital TV product in China.
November 28, 2007... Broadcom, specialist in semiconductors for wired and mobile communications, has formed an alliance with China-based RaisingSun Digital Video Technology, to provide a complete digital TV (DTV) solution for China's TV market. Through the...

Malaysia - I-Office2 to work with Cisco on I-City project.
November 28, 2007... Malaysian electrical appliance maker I-Berhad's subsidiary, I-R & D has invested in the joint venture I-Office2. In early September the company bought 250,000 shares at MYR 3.50 each, equal to 35 percent in I-Office2. Office Squared Malaysia...

Asia - PacificNet reports net loss of USD 220,000 in Q3.
November 28, 2007... Chinese CRM, call centre and value-added service provider PacificNet reported Q3 revenues of USD 9.8 million, down 7 percent from USD 10.52 million in the year ago quarter. Quarterly gross profit was USD 2.37 million, up 115 percent as...

Thailand - Samart wins network contract from justice ministry.
November 28, 2007... Thailand-based telecommunication and network information technology services provider Samart Comtech has signed a contract with the ministry of justice for a high-speed communication network project with a total value of THB 158.95 million....

Taiwan - FET ends October with 6.164 million customers.
November 28, 2007... Taiwan-based mobile operator Far EasTone (FET) ended October with a total of 6.164 million customers, up from 5.861 million in October 2006 and 6.146 million in September this year. Churn in October stood at 2.2 percent, while ARPU rose to...

South Africa - Telkom abandons talks with Vodafone, MTN.
November 28, 2007... South Africa's Telkom has ended talks on a possible merger with rival MTN and sale of its holdings in mobile operator Vodacom to partner Vodafone. In September the company announced the talks, which centred on merging its fixed-line...

South Africa - Telkom launches ADSL quality assurance tool.
November 28, 2007... South African operator Telkom will be launching its Broadband Service Assurance Solution phase 1 in January 2008. The service will enable wholesale customers (ISP/VANS) to troubleshoot faults on their customer lines and isolate them. The...

Reunion - Eutelsat signs deal with Canal Satellite for pay-TV service.
November 28, 2007... Satellite operator Eutelsat Communications has signed a multi-year contract with Canal Satellite Reunion, subsidiary of Canal Overseas. The capacity on Eutelsat's W2 satellite will support the expansion of the Canal Satellite Reunion pay-TV...

Israel - Partner served lawsuit requesting class action certification.
November 28, 2007... Israeli mobile communications operator Partner Communications was served with a lawsuit requesting certification as a class action. The lawsuit was filed against Partner in the District Court of Central District by a plaintiff claiming to be...

Asia - RML Indonesia to deliver Emblaze video systems in Asia.
November 28, 2007... Conferencing services provider Emblaze-VCON has signed an agreement with videoconferencing systems distributor RML Indonesia to act as the exclusive distributor for Emblaze-VCON in the Asian market. RML Indonesia will market, distribute and...

India - Samsung launches CDMA mobile phone in India.
November 28, 2007... Samsung Electronics has launched its Samsung MAX handset in the CDMA segment in India. The slider phone is launched through the company's own distribution network and will be available to both Tata Indicom and Reliance Mobile subscribers. The...

Israel - 012 Smile.Communications sees Q3 revenues of ILS 280 mln.
November 28, 2007... 012 Smile.Communications reported third-quarter revenues of ILS 280.3 million, up 219 percent from the same period last year. Broadband revenues were ILS 122.2 million, up 175 percent as compared with ILS 44.3 million for the third quarter of...

Malaysia - Malaysian regulator reviews mobile content services rules.
November 28, 2007... The Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission has published a discussion paper reviewing guidelines on the provision of mobile content services issued by public cellular service providers. The regulator is proposing amendments to the...

Uganda - Motorola introduces Motorizr Z8 in Uganda.
November 28, 2007... Motorola is set to unveil a new range of phones with multimedia capabilities in the Ugandan market. The company will introduce the Motorizr Z8, with up to 4GB memory capacity, large display, multimedia features, Bluetooth and video services....

New Zealand - Yellow Pages signs directory assistance deal with TeleTech.
November 28, 2007... New Zealand directory publisher Yellow Pages Group has awarded its 018 and 0172 directory assistance services contract to business outsourcing services provider TeleTech in New Zealand. Under a multiyear contract, TeleTech will manage...

Australia - IINet sees Stephen Fewster resign as CFO.
November 28, 2007... Australian ISP IInet has seen Stephen Fewster resign as CFO. By mutual agreement and to facilitate the orderly transition of the roles, Fewster will work with the company through to 01 March 2008.

Nigeria - Sudatel to buy 70% in Nigeria's Intercellular - report.
November 28, 2007... Sudatel is to buy 70 percent in Intercellular, a privately owned telecoms firm in Nigeria. The Technology Times reports that Sudatel is hoping to inject capital for funding expansion, aggressive marketing and network upgrades to drive future...

Uganda - Warid Telecom allows environment assessment on masts.
November 28, 2007... Warid Telecom, Uganda's newest telecom operator has allowed the National Environment Management Authority to conduct an environmental impact assessment for each of its masts being set up across the country. Early this month, Nema stopped the...

Israel - Internet Gold revenues more than double in Q3.
November 28, 2007... Israeli internet services group Internet Gold Golden Lines reported third-quarter revenues of ILS 299 million, up 188 percent from the year-earlier quarter. Net income increased by 39 percent to ILS 9.7 million, versus ILS 7.0 million for the...