Business News Holding

Category: smartphone

  • Motorola Accelerates TD-LTE Commercialization with Success in Trials

    Motorola announced successful completion of its joint Over-the-Air (OTA) trial with operators as part of the collaborative Time Division Duplex Long-Term Evolution (TD-LTE) commercialization.

    According to Motorola, its key trial achievements include:
    • First company to complete download throughput up to 70 megabits per second (Mbps) in a 20 megahertz (MHz) bandwidth channel
    • Mobility and hand-over with live applications
    • Multi-User Equipment (UE) testing under one sector

    All trial results have been submitted to the LTE/System Architecture Evolution (SAE) Trial Initiative (LSTI).

    Motorola’s LTE solution is comprised of its OFDM broadband platform and a selection of radio options that include MIMO and smart antennas as well as its self-organizing network (SON) solution. The portfolio includes frame based-mounted radios, remote radio heads and tower top radios to support a variety of LTE deployment scenarios.

    In addition to the collaborative trials with operators, Motorola is also engaged with the TD-LTE trials initiated by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) as part of its efforts to develop a globally competitive TD-LTE industry.

    Motorola’s Wireless Broadband Access Solutions (WBAS) Hangzhou team and Wideband Base Transceiver Systems (WBTS) China team have been working with Chinese operators for many years to get TD-LTE closer to market reality in China.

    “Motorola is committed to broadband and 4G developments, and supports both TD-LTE and Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) LTE. We’ve made significant progress in TD-LTE commercialization as demonstrated by these trials," said Dr. Mohammad Akhtar, vice president and general manager of Motorola China.

    Equipment involved in these trials is based on Motorola’s second-generation OFDM products including Motorola’s Base Band Unit (BBU) that supports TD-LTE, FDD-LTE and WiMAX, and features a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) that supports 2×2 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO).

    “LTE is the next big technology in wireless networking and incorporates several key technologies such as smart antenna, all IP and OFDM to enable operators to deliver rich, high bandwidth, multimedia services,” said Sudhakar Ramakrishna, corporate vice president of Motorola.

    Earlier this year, Motorola deployed a live 700MHz LTE demonstration network in Las Vegas, replicating the successful 2.6GHz live LTE experience in Barcelona. During these two drive tours, visitors were driven around the streets to experience the performance of LTE in a real-life metropolitan RF environment.

  • West & Central African Com: Global Crisis Affects African Market

    VIDEO INTERVIEW: William Saad, Managing Director of IHS Nigeria, was interviewed at the recent West & Central African Com conference held in Abuja, Nigeria.

    He talks about the infrastructure sharing and explains how the operators can reach the rural areas in a cost-effective way.

  • TextMagic Releases New Bulk SMS Gateway API

    TextMagic, a provider of online text messaging solutions for businesses, developers and consumers, announced the release of its new Bulk SMS Gateway API.

    The company claims it will facilitate innovation by developers to integrate text messaging services into new and existing web and back-office custom applications, potentially reaching more than three billion active SMS text message service users.

    Developers can connect to TextMagic’s Bulk SMS Gateway using the HTTP API or Email to SMS service. To help developers new to TextMagic’s software and framework, the company has published a detailed, searchable online manual available here.

    “TextMagic’s SMS Gateway API now helps developers capitalize on the continually expanding text messaging market by allowing them to enhance existing applications or create new custom text messaging applications to cost-effectively send and receive SMS messages, check the delivery status of text messages previously sent and more,” said Priit Vaikmaa, marketing manager of TextMagic Ltd.

    Developers can also send large group text messages, build 2 Way SMS systems, communicate in any language and create sub-accounts to manage multiple API users, among other capabilities.

    In addition to the release of the new API, TextMagic is further facilitating the integration of text messaging into software applications with the release of open-source client libraries prepared for Java, Ruby, Python, Perl and PHP. The libraries take over the responsibility of communication with the API and serve as text messaging middleware which is both well documented and easy to install. Thee initiative will be soon extended to other popular programming languages.

    To begin using the TextMagic Bulk SMS Gateway API, developers can apply for a free trial, or buy SMS credits at https://www.textmagic.com/products/api.

  • Clearwire to Launch 4G Service in 10 New Markets in the U.S.

    Clearwire Communications announced the official launch day of CLEAR 4G service in 10 new markets across the U.S. on September 1, 2009.

    The company’s CLEAR WiMax wireless broadband services will occur in Boise, Idaho; Bellingham, Wash; and eight markets throughout Texas, including: Abilene, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, Killeen/Temple, Waco and Wichita Falls.

    Clearwire’s 4G network is now available in four markets, with the expected September 1st launches adding an additional 10 markets, and the company plans to bring CLEAR to 80 markets covering up to 120 million people by the end of 2010. In addition to the markets recently announced, consumers and businesses can purchase the company’s 4G services online and at various retail locations in Atlanta; Baltimore; Las Vegas and Portland, Oregon.

    Some of the additional markets planned to launch in 2009 include Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Honolulu, Philadelphia and Seattle. In 2010, Clearwire plans to launch 4G service in New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Houston and the San Francisco Bay Area among others.

    Clearwire’s 4G service, called CLEAR offers fast mobile Internet, similar, butt different, to that provided by Wi-Fi. CLEAR uses a 4G technology called WiMAX, that provides up to 3 Mbit/s broadband speed (although Clearwire claims that it can provide up to 4 MB/sec for downloads and 500 kilobits/sec for uploading).

    Clearwire currently provides 4G service, utilizing WiMAX technology, in four markets and provides pre-WiMAX communications services in 50 markets across the U.S. and Europe.

  • West & Central African Com: “Customer Relationship Management is at the heart of the operator’s activities"

    VIDEO INTERVIEW: Abdoulaye Sarre, Chairman and co founder of PCCI Group, was interviewed at the recent West & Central African Com conference held in Abuja, Nigeria.

    He talks about the importance of customer relationship management and he thinks that in the near future more and more operators will outsource their CRM operations.

  • Intel partner applies for WiMAX allocation in South Africa

    Broadband provider, iBurst, has applied to ICASA to extend its WiMAX allocation to 30MHz of frequency spectrum in the 2.6MHz and 3.5MHz ranges. This allocation will be used to support its plans to increase download speeds and to roll out nomadic WiMAX services.

    iBurst was one of the first providers in South Africa to launch a commercial WiMAX service. The iBurst WiMAX network went live in 2008 and has since grown to over 200 base stations in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town, making it the largest commercial WiMAX network in South Africa. iBurst plans to roll out additional WiMAX base stations over the next year.

    WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability Microwave Access) is a new generation technology that is a wireless alternative to leased line and ADSL services, and offers connectivity to small, medium and large businesses. iBurst’s current WiMAX solutions are perfect for businesses that want a wireless alternative to ADSL or Diginet at their premises.

    Although it is not a portable or mobile solution as it requires the installation of a fixed antenna, businesses are able to choose between a broadband (best effort) and a dedicated (assured) solution to accommodate for a range of applications and requirements. Nomadic WiMAX, by contrast, gives business’ and individuals more freedom to roam within WiMAX network coverage and still enjoy the same level of high-speed Internet access as they do at their office or home. Since it is faster to install at the customer’s premises and uses cheaper embedded equipment (for example, a chip in a notebook), nomadic WiMAX will help iBurst to roll these connectivity services out to more people countrywide. However, the additional 15MHz of spectrum is key in deploying nomadic services.

    "The fixed WiMAX offering from iBurst has seen widespread adoption in the parts of South Africa where it is available, giving users a high-speed alternative to fixed-line technologies," said iBurst CEO Jannie Van Zyl. "But provided we are able to secure additional frequency spectrum from ICASA, we will be able to make this technology even more accessible by activating the nomadic version of the WiMAX standard across our network. The network is ready, we are ready. Now we just need the spectrum."

    iBurst’s parent company, Wireless Business Solutions (WBS), recently signed a commercial agreement to jointly roll out WiMAX products with international technology giant, Intel. Intel has been a major driver of both Wi-Fi and WiMAX adoption. In terms of the agreement, Intel will embed WiMAX capability within a range of devices while iBurst will provide the connectivity between the devices and iBurst’s WiMAX network. Although the agreement has been signed, the network and WiMAX enabled laptops will only be available later in 2009. Recent compatibility tests conducted with Intel showed that these devices are now ready to be deployed if the spectrum allocation is increased to 30MHz.

    Van Zyl said "We believe that nomadic wireless products that bundle hardware and access technologies will help more South Africans to get online. In addition, it will help us to make internet connectivity available wherever and whenever our customers need it. Accessing the spectrum we need to roll out nomadic WiMAX is essential if we are to maximise the potential of this technology."

    iBurst was originally issued with 15MHz of WiMAX spectrum by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in July 2006. WiMax implementations across the globe have demonstrated that at least 30MHz of spectrum is required in order to provide end users with the speeds and quality of service which can be achieved on the WiMax technology. Accordingly, WBS is applying for additional spectrum to take it to the 30MHz level. WiMAX is a family of technologies based on the IEEE 802.16 wireless standards with the iBurst network implementing the later 802.16e standard. Most other WiMax networks in South Africa still deploy the older 802.16d standard.

  • HTC opens Android Market in South Africa


     

    Leaf International Communications, the sole distributor of HTC in South Africa launched three phones, Touch Pro2, Touch Diamond2 and the Snap for the local market.

    The Leaf team presented their new offerings to the media at Central Grill in Fourways. The company also confirmed the Android Market, Google’s mobile application directory, will be available to South African users from August 2009.

    “HTC was the first to launch Android-based handsets in South Africa during May 2009,” said Stephen Strachan, marketing director at Leaf. “At the time, the Android Market was unavailable to local users and, while we have developed a local application portal, it is great that consumer demand has resulted in Google allowing local users to access this popular global portal. Leaf, together with HTC is exceptionally proud to bring the Android market to the South African consumer”.

    For the first time, HTC Magic and HTC Dream handset owners have access to literally thousands of free applications. They can download a complete spectrum of apps, ranging from functional downloads to those designed purely for fun. The assortment is limitless and consumers can choose between a variety of gaming applications, business & social networking tools and a multitude of other exciting content for download direct to their HTC Android handsets.

    HTC Pro2

    The new HTC Pro2 runs off the windows Mobile 6.1 professional operating system and will be upgraded to Windows Mobile 6.5 when released. The phones features 3.6-inch touch-sensitive screen with ultra sharp WVGA resolution, an internal GPS antenna, Bluetooth 2.1 stereo that has enhanced data rate and a micro SD card slot which offers expandable storage. The PRO2 makes communication more natural thanks to HTC’s new Straight Talk technology.

    Touch Diamond2

    The slim 13.7mm handset features a 3.2-inch touch sensitive screen with ultra sharp WVGA resolution. The Touch diamond 2 also has an internal GPS antenna which is GPS and A-GPS ready, Bluetooth 2.0 with enhanced Data rate and micro SD card for storage. The Touch Diamond2 runs off Windows 6.1 which will like the PRO2 be upgraded to Windows 6.5 operating system once it’s released.

    HTC Snap

    The New Snap seamlessly integrates the familiar features of Microsoft windows and an exceptional mobile web experience. The HTC Snap operates the flexible Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 standard platform. The HTC Snap also includes an internal GPS antenna that is GPS and A-GPS ready, Bluetooth 2.0 with enhanced Data Rate, Wi-Fi and A2DP for wireless stereo headsets.

  • West & Central African Com: Opportunity Abounds as Nigeria Faces "Revolution" in Broadband Deployment


    VIDEO INTERVIEW: Lanre Ajayi, managing director of PINET Informatics and president of the Nigerian Internet Group, was interviewed at the recent West & Central African Com conference held in Abuja, Nigeria.

    He talks about the changes coming in broadband and the need for businesses to position themselves for the opportunities they will bring.

    Ajayi said these will include opportunities in terms of applications, e-business, e-commerce and e-government.

  • Mobile Tag Barcode Technology On Paris Bus Shelters


    Mobile Tag has announced that it has been selected by JCDecaux as the technological partner to deploy flashcodes (2D barcodes) on bus shelters within the Quartier Numérique (Digital Area) in Paris, France.

    The 2D mobile barcode specialist said the new flashcode service – called Mobilités – will offer both Parisians and tourists access to external content via mobile phones with Internet access.

    The 19 JCDecaux bus shelters in the Quartier Numérique give instant access to practical, historical, cultural and entertaining content using Mobile Tag’s technology.

    To obtain content, users simply shoot one of the flashcodes (2D barcodes) located on either side of the bus shelter with their mobile phone’s camera, which then gives instant access to the mobile portal via their Internet connection.

    Christian Francois Viala, marketing director for Mobile Tag, said it was an important moment for Mobile Tag and flashcode deployment.

    Mobile Tag also provides MEEPASS, a new mobile identification product that the company showcased at this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

    "The Mobilités service offers great visibility for 2D barcodes," he said.

    "We plan to develop this offer with additional services, giving Mobilités the chance to grow and become part of the day-to-day lives of Parisians."

  • West & Central African Com: MTN Nigeria Targets Customer Satisfaction to Expand Market Reach


    VIDEO INTERVIEW: Ahmad Farroukh, CEO of MTN Nigeria, was interviewed at the recent West & Central African Com conference held in Abuja, Nigeria.
    He talks about plans for increasing market share by targeting customer satisfaction. Farroukh also discusses infrastructure sharing and MTN’s Community Phone Service.