Mobility Phones - Mobile Phones

By the end of June, connecting to AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband service will be as speedy as logging onto the high speed Internet service that many consumers enjoy at home.AT&T Inc. announced that, in the next month, the company will deploy High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) technology in the six remaining markets across AT&T’s entire 3G (third-generation) wireless broadband network. When done, AT&T will have completed its deployment of HSUPA technology, which complements existing HSDPA technology (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), making AT&T the only U.S. carrier to have fully deployed HSPA technology in its 3G network.

Today the superfast AT&T 3G network is available in more than 275 markets. By year-end, the AT&T 3G network will be available in nearly 350 markets.

With the new addition of HSUPA technology, AT&T 3G users can enjoy uplink speeds between 500 and 800 Kbps. The technology is available in all but the few remaining AT&T 3G markets and will be included in all future deployments. The new upload speeds complement AT&T’s 3G download capabilities, which currently offer up to 1.4 Mbps across all markets for customers who have capable devices, such as AT&T’s LaptopConnect wireless modems.

“The ability to quickly upload large files from a laptop is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity,” said Kris Rinne, senior vice president of Architecture and Planning for AT&T’s wireless operations. “By fully deploying HSUPA across our 3G footprint, we not only meet the current needs of our customers but also lay the path for our continued evolution to even faster wireless broadband capabilities.”

Between 2005 and 2008, AT&T will have invested more than $20 billion in network improvements and upgrades — an average of $5 billion a year. AT&T recently turned down its older TDMA network, and that will allow the company to reuse valuable 850 MHz spectrum to expand and enhance 3G markets.

The company’s HSPA network is the best-positioned among American carriers to grow in line with customer demand, evolving to HSPA+ and providing next-generation speeds without costly investments. AT&T plans to adopt LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology to reach even higher speeds in the long term.

AT&T has the largest digital voice and data network in the U.S. In addition, only AT&T can offer 3G roaming in 60 countries, including Japan and South Korea, and voice calling in more than 200 countries.

Equally as important as the network is the device through which a customer experiences it. AT&T’s handset portfolio in company-owned stores is more than 75 percent 3G-capable — and will be even more enticing with the addition of more 3G-enabled smartphones in the summer and fall of 2008. Additionally, AT&T also has the most compelling set of 3G services, such as AT&T Video Share(SM), which allows users to share live video over wireless phones while on a voice call.

HTC Corp. today unveiled its new flagship phone, the HTC Touch Diamond. Delivering unmistakable style and meticulous craftsmanship, the HTC Touch Diamond is defined by its compact size, game-changing Internet and its new captivating 3D touch interface called TouchFLO 3D. The result is an uncompromising mobile phone that sets a new benchmark for phone sophistication and shapes consumer expectations for how a phone can be used.”Today we mark a new era in mobile phone evolution, an era where beauty and size integrate with uncompromising innovation at broadband speeds,” said Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corp. “The HTC Touch Diamond will make browsing the Web and using Web-enabled applications just as practical and easy to use as making calls.”

A New Dimension To Touch

HTC has taken a great leap forward in touch screen innovation with the introduction of its new 3D touch interface called TouchFLO 3D. TouchFLO 3D provides animated access to people, messaging, email, photos, music, weather and more. In addition, HTC is introducing a new innovative touch-sensitive control for interacting with Touch Diamond.

Making The Mobile Internet Fun

With the introduction of the Touch Diamond, HTC delivers an entirely new mobile Internet experience that utilizes broadband-like speeds with HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and HSUPA wireless connectivity. Committed to improving Web browsing, HTC provides a new customized mobile Web browser that enables easy viewing and effortless navigation of Websites in the way they were designed. As part of this browsing experience users can zoom and pan Websites with one-hand and automatically view optimized content that has been specially created to fit the display. Turning the device sideways automatically rotates the web page view from a portrait to landscape view.

In addition to Web browsing, the Touch Diamond includes a customized new, HTC-developed, YouTube application for watching a variety of user generated video content as well as utilizing Google Maps for mobile for mapping and traffic data.

Unmatched Style and Size

The Touch Diamond is crafted with precision to fit comfortably in a user’s hand without compromising on features or functionality. Blending contrasting design elements of metal and unique geometric facets, the Touch Diamond complements a user’s personal style.

Bursting with Innovation

The Touch Diamond delivers an unrivalled combination of features and functionality that set a new standard for integrating mobile phone innovation into a small package. The 2.8 inch display provides near-print quality viewing that enables beautiful Web browsing and viewing of photographs. The built-in camera includes an optical auto-focus lens that ensures the photos you take will be clear and consistent. Advanced wireless and auto sensor screen pivoting are just a few of the features that make the Touch Diamond experience a stand out.

Availability

Orange today announced the availability of the HTC Touch Diamond in its Signature devices range.

The HTC Touch Diamond will be available to customers across all major European carriers in June. It will be available later this quarter in Asia and the Middle East. The North American and Latin American versions of the Touch Diamond will be available in the second half of 2008.

HTC Touch Diamond Key Specifications

* Size: 102 x 51 x 11.33mm

* Weight: 110 g

* Connectivity: WCDMA / HSPA: 900/2100MHz. HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and HSUPA

* Operating system: Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional

* Display: 2.8-inch VGA touch screen

* Camera: 3.2MP, with video calling

* Internal memory: 4 GB Internal Storage, 256 MB flash, 192 MB RAM,

* Bluetooth: 2.0 with EDR

* Wireless: WiFi 802.11b/g

* GPS: GPS/AGPS

* Interface: HTC ExtUSB (mini-USB and audio jack in one; USB 2.0 High-Speed)

* Battery: 900 mAh

* Talk time: GSM: up to 4 hours

* Standby time: GSM: up to 300 hours/100 hours with push email

* Chipset: Qualcomm MSM 7201A 528MHz

Nokia Siemens Networks and Pirelli Broadband Solutions, a leading supplier of customer premise equipment (CPE), set-top boxes and remote management systems for the connected home and office, have signed an agreement for cooperation on 3G Femto Home Access solution.Pirelli’s femto-enabled CPEs coupled with the 3G Femto Home Access network solution from Nokia Siemens Networks will enable operators to introduce femtocell-based services to home and small office environments through a wide choice of CPE models developed by Pirelli in compliance with the Nokia Siemens Networks’ open architecture. Femtocells are a new way of improving 3G coverage in homes. In this concept, the CPE is installed at the subscriber’s home in the same way as xDSL/WiFi modem. The combined solution of the two leading companies means an opportunity for operators to extend their 3G coverage and introduce new attractive services for subscribers. Subscribers benefit from excellent voice and broadband user experience on any 3G device at the place where they spend most of their time: at home.

The Pirelli Multiplay CPE portfolio will offer 3G femtocell functionality integrated with diverse broadband access technologies (ADSL2+, VDSL2 and FTTH) and with Pirelli’s EpicentroTM CPE middleware and applications platform. EpicentroTM enables cooperative use cases between 3G phones and Pirelli’s access gateway, IPTV Set Top Box and 3G femtocell, and enhances the usage of mobile handset-based applications and services in the connected home in new ways.

“3G femtocells are part of Pirelli’s converged home proposition which provides operators with an open environment to create new applications and foster indoor usage of 3G services. We are therefore pleased to announce our collaboration with Nokia Siemens Networks, as the leading player in driving an open ecosystem for 3G femtocells” said Roberto Pellegrini, Marketing and Innovation, Pirelli Broadband Solutions.

“Our 3G Femto Home Access Solution enables telecommunications service providers to offer an advanced user experience to their customers. The innovative Femto CPE of Pirelli Broadband Solutions makes an excellent addition to the leading 3G Femto Home Access ecosystem enabled by the open architecture of Nokia Siemens Networks, and so expands the options our customers have” said Timo Hypp������l������, Indoor Radio Solutions Product Line, Nokia Siemens Networks.

Launched in July 2007, the Femto Home Access Solution from Nokia Siemens Networks introduces truly open interfaces that allow selected partners to make their Femto CPE compliant with NSN network solution, boosting the femtocell ecosystem and enabling operators to further enhance their 3G service offering and coverage.

T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced that the company has taken the first commercial step in the rollout of its third-generation (3G) wireless network by launching its UMTS/HSDPA network in New York City. T-Mobile plans to continue the rollout of its 3G network across major metropolitan markets through the year. By year’s end, T-Mobile expects its high-speed data network will be available in those cities where a majority of its subscribers currently use data services.”The launch of our 3G network comes at a time when 3G phones and services are more affordable, capable and appealing to our consumer marketplace than ever before,” said Cole Brodman, chief development officer, T-Mobile USA. “We benefit not only from the economic scale of 3G, but also from the extensive commercial experience of 3G in our European markets. Today, T-Mobile USA customers already have among the highest adoption of data and messaging services in the industry. Through our 3G network, we look forward to delivering a rich portfolio of new and meaningful services to enrich our customers’ lives.”

T-Mobile’s 3G network supports voice and data services consistent with available service and handset offerings. The company today offers multiple phones that are able to operate on the UMTS network. The phones are designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide the great call quality and rich communication services customers expect from T-Mobile.

Customers using a 3G-capable handset from T-Mobile will also experience faster data speeds when accessing the Web, or downloading content from the T-Mobile t-zones content portal, for example.

In the coming months, T-Mobile plans to offer its first HSDPA device, along with new and compelling data-centric, all-in-one devices that help make the most of T-Mobile’s high-speed data network.

The launch of the 3G network also enables T-Mobile to accommodate and serve more customers more efficiently through the use of its AWS spectrum, effectively doubling T-Mobile USA’s spectrum position, and laying the foundation for the company’s future growth. T-Mobile and the U.S. government, namely the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice, continue to work closely and effectively together to make available AWS spectrum that will give consumers access to the 3G network.

As the 3G service rolls out in targeted major markets, T-Mobile will continue to build upon its T-Mobile HotSpot Wi-Fi network — its wireless high-speed Internet offering that launched in 2003 — and its nationwide voice and data network, to empower customers to effortlessly stay connected using the best available network.

T-Mobile International is following a common technology path across all of its markets in Europe and the United States, from GSM/GPRS/EDGE to UMTS/HSDPA. T-Mobile USA greatly benefits from T-Mobile International’s 3G experiences in Europe, where adoption of non-messaging mobile data is growing dynamically; and with more than 120 million customers worldwide, T-Mobile International is able to generate significant global procurement synergies.

Sierra Wireless today announced that Alcatel-Lucent has selected Sierra Wireless to supply embedded modules for its ground-breaking wireless laptop security, management, and tracking system, the OmniAccess 3500 Nonstop Laptop Guardian (NLG). The NLG is currently available to enterprises through Sprint as the SprintSecure Laptop Guardian. Sierra Wireless is also working with Alcatel-Lucent on expansion and future generations of the NLG for 3G networks.The Sierra Wireless modules embedded in the NLG provide reliable high-speed access to mobile broadband networks. For enterprise users, this enables convenient access from their laptops to email and information on corporate servers while working remotely, without the hassle of searching for a Wi-Fi hotspot. Even presentations and other large files can be transferred in a few seconds, saving valuable time for mobile professionals rushing between meetings or coordinating projects with office-based colleagues.

What sets the Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess 3500 Nonstop Laptop Guardian wireless platform apart from other mobile broadband access solutions is that IT staff can now use the mobile broadband connection to address the “mobile blindspot,” by remotely protecting sensitive data on employees’ mobile laptops anytime, anywhere, even when the laptop is powered off, or in the event of a loss or theft. This enables organizations to extend the same level of robust security that is available for computers within the enterprise network to laptops distributed across a mobile workforce.

“Alcatel-Lucent recognizes security begins at the user level. Using Sierra Wireless embedded modules for access to laptops through the OmniAccess 3500 Nonstop Laptop Guardian, enables IT departments to better manage the expanding mobile workforce,” said Dor Skuler, general manager for Alcatel-Lucent’s enterprise mobile security solutions.

“As more employees become mobile, enterprises are understandably concerned with sensitive information carried on laptops, and the growing ubiquity of cellular data coverage makes it a practical tool to employ in addressing these concerns,” said Dan Schieler, senior vice president, Worldwide Sales for Sierra Wireless. “Sierra Wireless is pleased to collaborate with Alcatel-Lucent in delivering this innovative security solution to enterprise customers.”

About the Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess 3500 Nonstop Laptop Guardian

The OmniAccess 3500 Nonstop Laptop Guardian is a revolutionary laptop security and management system developed to secure, monitor, manage and locate a mobile computer, and to destroy its data if it is lost or stolen. It leverages broadband networks to let enterprises manage laptops anywhere, anytime, even when the computer is turned off. The OmniAccess 3500 Nonstop Laptop Guardian, invented by Bell Labs and incubated by Alcatel-Lucent Ventures, is delivered to enterprises bundled with 3G data services that enable always-on connection.

Ericsson today unveiled its M700 mobile platform, the world’s first commercially available LTE-capable platform, with peak data rates of up to 100Mbps in the downlink and up to 50Mbps in the uplink. These speeds match, or in some cases surpass, fixed-line data rates, enabling a superior user experience, supporting advanced real-time mobile services such as online games and video streaming.The M700 is optimized both in terms of size and power consumption and comparable to standard 3G platforms available today. The first products based on M700 will be data devices such as laptop modems, ExpressCards and USB modems for notebooks, as well as other small-form modems suitable for consumer electronic devices. A rich set of interfaces allows easy integration with other handset platforms to create multi-mode devices. Samples of ASICs will be available during 2008 and commercial release is set for 2009, with products based on the platform expected in 2010.

Supporting bandwidths between 1.4 and 20MHz, the M700 is compatible with networks around the world. It can support up to six bands, including the 700 MHz bands. Ericsson’s interoperability testing ensures manufacturers can rapidly bring highly advanced devices to the market while reducing risk and lowering development costs.

Robert Puskaric, Head of Ericsson Mobile Platforms, says: “This world-first launch marks a milestone in Ericsson’s technology leadership and reflects our commitment to developing LTE as an evolutionary path. It is set to boost operators’ service offering and provide consumers with a superior experience with full service broadband on any device, anywhere, at any time.”

The announcement follows another Ericsson first, the demonstration of an LTE-enabled end-to-end phone call employing handheld mobile devices at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February 2008.

Cisco announced that it will showcase at CTIA WIRELESS 2008 (April 1-3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center) mobility applications that promise to change the way people connect, collaborate and access entertainment on the move. These services represent a strategic opportunity for service providers to profitably address customer demand to access information and stay connected anytime, anywhere.”Never before has it been so important that all mobile content and data be delivered instantly to users globally and across technologies with the same quality we have come to expect from wireline access,” said Larry Lang, vice president and general manager of the Services and Mobility Business Unit at Cisco. “Our desire for on-the-move connectivity has seen a marked growth in the demand for streaming visual content and applications that enable us to collaborate more effectively on the move. Teaming with a number of industry players, we are enabling service providers to deliver compelling new services that allow people to live the Connected Life.”

As service providers evolve to become experience providers, mobile broadband forms the foundation for new mobile services. Mobility is no longer about a specific device, technology or service. It’s about people being able to move freely throughout the world while maintaining continuous connectivity to others using devices of their choice.

Cisco will feature numerous technology solutions and mobile applications. These solutions include mobile video, three-screen session shifting, Broadband Wireless Gateway, and WiMAX along with the vast Cisco product portfolio, including the Internet Protocol (IP) Radio Access Network (RAN), Service Exchange Framework (SEF) and IP Transfer Point (ITP). Cisco will also highlight innovative mobile applications, including fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) for voice and unified communications and for consumers and small office/home office.

Cisco is teaming with a number of companies to showcase the following applications and services:

– The Cisco Service Exchange Framework for Mobile (Mobile SEF) is a standards-based framework that links the RAN to IP networks and their value-added services while using the proven performance and carrier-class reliability of Cisco switch and router platforms at the network layer of the Cisco IP Next-Generation Network (NGN).

– A fully interactive, animated demonstration will be given of the two most popular Cisco in the Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions: Mobile Transport over Pseudowires (MToP) and IP RAN-Optimization (RAN-O).

– The Cisco Mobility Services iDemo highlights Cisco’s new Broadband Wireless Gateway for WiMAX, the enhanced GPRS Gateway Support Node (eGGSN), Wi-Fi Mesh Network services, Mobile IP Home Agent, and the Cisco BWX series of WiMAX base stations and antennas.

– The Cisco IP Transfer Point based on Cisco 7600 Series Routers coupled with Cisco’s database for telecommunications provide a complete carrier-grade core-signaling solution for next-generation networks.

– The Cisco fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) services portfolio, the broadest in industry, enables service providers to deliver the Connected Life with choice and simplicity to businesses.

– Cisco’s FMC solution, in partnership with service providers, delivers new capabilities. Cisco will showcase the Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router supports the T-Mobile Wi-Fi-enabled phone for calls and also provides up to two fixed phone lines to consumers in the small office/home office market.

– The Cisco WiMAX Radio display includes the Cisco BTX-MX8 WiMAX Base station, the Cisco RFS8 Antenna System and a selection of Cisco and third-party subscriber stations or customer premises equipment (CPE). The Cisco BTX-MX8 WiMAX Base station is the only commercially deployed and proven beamforming IEEE 802.16e or fourth-generation (4G) system on the market. This base station is software upgradeable and capable of beamforming plus multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) functionality.

– The Cisco 3G Wireless WAN High-Speed Interface Card (HWIC) solution on the Cisco Integrated Services Router offers a compelling alternative to traditional wireline backup solutions on Cisco 1841, 1861, 2800 Series, and 3800 Series integrated services routers. This solution is part of the IP NGN architecture and is enabling service providers to offer 3G wireless connectivity to enterprise branch office customers demanding the highest-availability access to business-critical applications across the WAN.

– Cisco visual networking technologies help enable content session shifting across television, computer, and mobile devices delivering anywhere, any device access to consumers’ own content.

“Apple is gearing up for a big bump in sales of the next generation iPhone, if new production plans are any guide.”

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announced that it has recorded a downlink transmission rate of 250Mbps over a high-speed wireless network in an outdoor test of an experimental Super 3G system for mobile communications.DoCoMo has been field-testing and refining its experimental Super 3G system using an actual wireless environment near its R&D labs in Yokosuka, just south of Tokyo, since February. The test involves four Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) antennas for base-station transmission and mobile-station reception in the 20MHz bandwidth, the maximum under new Super 3G standards.

DoCoMo is continuing to test connection handover from one base station to another, and the functionality of applications in indoor and outdoor environments.

Super 3G, which features low-latency data transmission and high spectrum efficiency, is an evolution beyond the High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) protocols of W-CDMA, an original technology for 3G packet transmissions. Super 3G, also known as Long Term Evolution (LTE), is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and core specifications have been approved already.

DoCoMo began accepting proposals from suppliers for Super 3G test equipment in July 2006. By 2009, the company expects to complete development of the technologies required for the eventual launch of a Super 3G network.

Detailed results of the test will be presented by DoCoMo during the CTIA Wireless 2008 tradeshow that will begin in the U.S. city of Las Vegas on April 1.

SouthWing, company whose core business is the development of intelligent wireless devices, applications and service platforms, announces the launch of the LiveEye wireless IP camera at CTIA Wireless 2008. This is the first IP camera to transmit data via cable/DSL, Wi-Fi, and 3GPP wireless networks directly to a 3G mobile phone, PDA, laptop, or PC anywhere in the world. The LiveEye also doubles as a 3G wireless broadband router giving the added benefit of going online during power outages or network failure.This reassurance device can give peace of mind by enabling users to keep an eye on their home, office, vacation home or yacht.

The LiveEye has motion and audio detection that can be toggled on and off via text messaging or through its internal online web interface; when motion or a loud noise is detected the LiveEye automatically sends alerts through a text message to the user’s 3G mobile phone or email with a link to view the feed and assess the situation. Infrared night vision also allows users to see in dark conditions.

SouthWing’s LiveEye is Plug and Play, it configures itself with no need for a dedicated PC to monitor the feed. Additional Wi-Fi cameras can also be linked to the LiveEye with an optional Wi-Fi module.

SouthWing’s LiveEye represents the future of wireless technology and gives consumers a great reason to invest in a 3G mobile phone and take advantage of the many benefits of the 3GPP network.

3G Americas, a wireless trade association, will host the HSPA Mobile Broadband Pavilion at CTIA, April 1-3, 2008, in the Las Vegas Convention Center with the participation of 19 other companies. Pavilion guests will see, feel and experience true mobile broadband services and applications on a broad variety of HSPA devices and learn about the evolution path to LTE. HSDPA is the leading mobile broadband technology commercially available today on 182 networks in 79 countries, with more than 400 devices available from 90 suppliers.The HSPA Mobile Broadband Pavilion will allow attendees to put themselves in real-life scenarios and interact with products and applications that are available today to revolutionize their lives — at work, at home, in the classroom and on the move. Guests will see many of the 400 different HSDPA devices currently available. Additionally, viewer-selected videos and presentations will be available for technology tutorials and real operator success stories worldwide. The future migration to LTE is exhibited as well as a roadmap to the numerous displays featuring live LTE demonstrations throughout CTIA.

Some of the demonstrations planned for the Pavilion include services that might be used “At Home” such as the “three-screen revolution,” using an HSPA femtocell to integrate the home IPTV experience with a mobile device and a PC. “On the Move” applications to be showcased include a file download and upload, laptop Internet browsing, streaming video, IP meetings and group calls. “In the Classroom” will feature an instant communications application, and “At Work” will showcase live video-sharing between a mobile device and a PC. Another application solution to be shown adapts video streams from off-deck broadband sites for delivery on HSPA devices.

“HSPA is a global reality. We invite you to visit the HPSA Mobile Broadband Pavilion at CTIA and experience the vibrant HSPA ecosystem here today,” said Chris Pearson, President of 3G Americas. “At the same time, there is another growing ecosystem for LTE evolving rapidly with its recent 3GPP standards specifications approval. This is an ecosystem of vendors as impressive as that of HSPA, with operators already announcing their future LTE deployments.”

Many members of 3G Americas will be present in the Pavilion to demonstrate or discuss HSPA and/or LTE technology. Members of the 3G Americas Board of Governors include: Alcatel-Lucent, AT&T, Cable & Wireless, Ericsson, Gemalto, HP, Motorola, Nortel Networks, Nokia, Openwave, Research in Motion (RIM), Rogers, T-Mobile USA, Telcel, Telefonica, and Texas Instruments.

The HSPA Mobile Broadband Pavilion is located in the Central Hall between the North Hall and South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at CTIA in the ‘Road to 4G’ zone. The Pavilion will be open Tuesday and Wednesday, 9am to 5pm and Thursday, 9am to 3pm (April 1-3). Media and analysts are encouraged to visit and contact 3G Americas for a private briefing and demonstrations.

HSPA, High Speed Packet Access, provides compelling advantages over competing technologies today, including the ability to support simultaneous voice and data services on the same radio spectrum, while also being backwards-compatible and enabling roaming across 220 countries worldwide. Some network operators report HSDPA users can expect average throughput rates of 600-1400 Kbps on the downlink. HSUPA users, on 31 commercial networks worldwide, can today experience peak achievable rates close to 1 Mbps in the uplink under favorable conditions. HSPA Evolution (HSPA+), with volume deployments scheduled for 2009, will more than double HSPA capacity as well as reduce latency below 25 milliseconds.

LTE, Long Term Evolution, an approved 3GPP standard specification, is a high data rate, low latency wireless technology based on OFDMA technology, and the next evolutionary step for GSM operators after HSPA+. It will match or exceed the capabilities of any other OFDMA mobile standard. For LTE, with advanced enhancements (MIMO), 3GPP reports peak theoretical network throughput rates of up to 326 Mbps and 86 Mbps respectively for the downlink and the uplink in 20 MHz of spectrum.

A new report from Juniper Research has found that the combination of greater 3G adoption and a marked increase in rich media, made-for-mobile content will drive mobile entertainment revenues to $47.5 billion by 2010.However, the Juniper report cautions that entertainment service adoption will be retarded unless improvements are made in areas such as the user interface, network coverage and the excessive cost of data services. It also notes that in some mobile areas — such as gambling, adult content and some social networking services — national and international legislation could either adversely impact on growth, or in some cases prevent any service deployment.

According to report author Dr Windsor Holden, “Traditionally, services such as ringtones and wallpapers accounted for the bulk of mobile entertainment services. However, usage patterns are changing rapidly with the increasing availability of more sophisticated and attractive content such as streamed and broadcast video, social networking services and multiplayer games, which have been designed specifically for the mobile environment.”

Additionally the Juniper report finds that the China and Far East region currently provides the largest market for Mobile Entertainment services and contributes around 41% of global revenues. Despite rapid growth in developing markets, the Asia Pacific region is forecast to retain its leadership through to 2012, when it will still contribute 33% of global revenues.

Juniper Research assesses the current and future status of mobile entertainment market based on interviews, case studies and analysis from representatives of some of the leading organisations in the growing mobile entertainment industry.

3G Americas today announced that by the end of 2008, there will be more than half a billion mobile wireless subscriptions to the GSM technology family including EDGE and UMTS/HSPA in the Americas, according to forecasts by Informa Telecoms & Media. Tremendous growth was posted in the year 2007, as the GSM family of technologies once again grew its market share as the number one mobile wireless technology in the Western Hemisphere, with a 64% regional share of market.GSM is the only technology deployed in every country in the Americas, and continues its upward course in the number of subscriptions and share of market. In 2007, there were 110 million additional subscriptions for the GSM technology family in the Western Hemisphere, totaling nearly 420 million GSM/UMTS subscriptions. It is forecast by Informa that GSM/UMTS subscriptions in the Western Hemisphere will substantially increase, reaching 636 million by the end of 2012, including 186 million subscriptions for UMTS/HSPA mobile broadband service.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, GSM continues to be the preferred technology, adding over 95 million subscriptions in the past twelve months alone. This brings the total to nearly 307 million subscriptions with a wireless market share of 80%, up 13 percentage points from 65% at the same time last year. Emerging markets in Venezuela and Peru exemplify this rapid uptake of GSM technology, with 168% and 112% annual growth, respectively.

Erasmo Rojas, Director of Latin America and the Caribbean for 3G Americas, emphasized, “3G HSDPA commercial networks are rapidly being deployed throughout the region, from Central America to the Caribbean, South America and the South Cone. As of February 2008, there were already 18 commercial HSDPA networks launched in 11 countries.” He continued, “These new HSDPA networks will enhance the customer’s wireless data experience by enabling robust value added services.”

There are more than 700 GSM operators in service across 220 countries. This includes over 265 EDGE deployments worldwide, demonstrating the winning combination of coverage, speed, devices, and low latency provided by the ever-growing GSM-based technology. 3G services provided by the GSM family’s roaming-capable, backwards-compatible UMTS/HSPA networks are being delivered across the world as well, with 211 UMTS commercial networks in service, up from 155 at the same time last year. The number of HSDPA networks worldwide has nearly doubled from last year, with 182 networks commercial, including 31 with HSUPA enhanced uplink capabilities. (3G Americas refers to these 31 networks as HSPA networks.)

Globally, GSM/UMTS gained over 622 million subscriptions in 2007, bringing the total number of subscriptions to more than 2.9 billion worldwide and capturing 87% of the global mobile wireless market. Informa Telecoms & Media predicts half a billion UMTS/HSPA subscriptions globally by the end of this year. By 2012, Informa forecasts that the 3G wireless market will include a total of 1.7 billion subscriptions, of which 1.3 billion will be UMTS/HSPA with a 78% share of market.

Chris Pearson, President of 3G Americas, commented, “Operators and customers around the world are benefiting from their move to 3G. As customers’ demand for anytime, anywhere access increases, operators can now provide more voice capacity and enhanced data throughput, while reaping the growing revenues that result from data services.”

AT&T’s (US) wireless data revenues increased nearly 67% in the past year, while Rogers in Canada experienced a wireless data revenue increase of more than 48% for the same time period. At end of year 2007, T-Mobile USA recorded data ARPU at nearly 16% of blended ARPU.

Pearson continued, “From these statistics, we can see that the transition to mobile broadband is making a huge positive impact on all players in the value chain.”

Nokia today announced the launch of the Nokia 6124 classic, exclusively available from Vodafone in Vodafone markets. The Nokia 6124 classic is a compact multimedia device offering Vodafone customers faster and easier access to all of Vodafone’s high speed Internet and entertainment services. Vodafone and Nokia will make it easier to access the Internet quickly at the click of a button on the Nokia 6124 classic. Customers will get the full suite of communications, content, Internet services and browsing, through seamlessly integrated Vodafone services on this Nokia device. Available exclusively for Vodafone customers world-wide, the Nokia 6124 classic features superior data rates with 3G broadband offering downloads up to 10 times faster than 3G networks. A large 2.0″ display with outstanding brightness and clarity adds more pleasure for internet browsing and video streaming. Taking pictures is convenient with the 2 megapixel camera, flash and panorama mode. The external memory card slot allows the user to expand the memory up to 8GB, which offers plenty of space for favourite images, videos and music. “With the Vodafone exclusive Nokia 6124 classic we continue the successful collaboration we started with the exclusive Nokia 6234,” says Jens Schulte-Bockum, Global Director Terminals at Vodafone “We are proud to offer the new Nokia 6124 classic which will allow our customers to access the complete suite of Vodafone communications, browsing, content and Internet services. In addition, the exclusive Nokia 6124 classic offers customers further improvement in their experience with many of Vodafone’s services already launched with leading Internet partners.” “The name says it all, as the Nokia 6124 classic represents the iconic design familiar to the Nokia brand, now made exclusively for Vodafone customers. It’s a great example of our collaboration and shows Nokia’s commitment to customers, says Markku Suomi, Vice President, Connect, Nokia. “3G broadband appeals to users who want convenient access to the latest information, as the device can even be used as a fast modem to access the internet from the PC.” Based on S60 and Symbian OS, the Nokia 6124 classic enables the user to download additional applications and content on the phone. It also allows the user to run several applications on the device at the same time - making it easy to browse the Web while listening to your favorite music or talking. The Nokia 6124 classic will start shipping in Vodafone markets in the second quarter.

3G network sharing is set to sweep through developed markets, and will have profound implications for mobile operators, vendors and regulators, according to a new report, 3G Infrastructure Sharing: the future for mobile networks, published by Analysys, the global advisers on telecoms, IT and media.”Despite a number of announcements made around the time of 3G licence awards, the mobile industry was not ready to adopt extensive network sharing,” said Dr Alastair Brydon, co-author of the report.

“Early interest in infrastructure sharing evaporated, and mobile operators chose to build and operate their own dedicated 3G networks. However, network sharing is back on the agenda. Mobile operators face major expenses in the coming years, including investments in femtocells, LTE, broadcasting networks and fixed broadband. As a result, most operators will not be able to invest sufficient amounts quickly enough on their own to exploit 3G’s full potential.”

Key findings from the new report include:

* Recent announcements of network sharing agreements between major network operators, such as T-Mobile and 3 in the UK (in December 2007), indicate a change in attitude towards network sharing.

* Network sharing can have considerable cost benefits. For example, a network operator that aims to extend its 3G network to 13 000 sites can save USD1 billion in capital expense (by reducing the need for new base station equipment and sites) and USD1 billion in operational expense (by sharing the cost of operating sites) over ten years by sharing 3G networks. 2G network sharing could provide even greater cost savings.

* Network sharing can take different forms. At one extreme, two mobile operators might share physical resources, such as sites and masts, but not network equipment. At the other extreme, all mobile operators in a country could share the same radio access and core networks. Different forms of network sharing will present different challenges. Sharing of radio access networks will be the most common approach.

“3G network coverage must be at least as good as 2G network coverage if mobile users are to be encouraged to migrate to 3G services, as operators’ experience in Japan has demonstrated. Most 3G networks are nowhere near this,” says Dr Mark Heath. “Network sharing provides mobile operators with the means to accelerate 3G coverage roll-out dramatically. It has taken the UK operator 3 about four years to increase its number of 3G base stations from about 5000 to 7500, but its network sharing agreement with T-Mobile will enable it to increase this number to 13 000 within two years.”

3G Infrastructure Sharing: the future for mobile networks reviews a range of network sharing arrangements, from site sharing through to complete network sharing. It evaluates the potential cost savings and assesses the other benefits.

“China’s government, carriers and vendors are set to spend more than 70 billion yuan on developing new wireless technology over the next dozen years.”

Alcatel-Lucent today announced an agreement for Alcatel-Lucent to support the expansion of AT&T’s UMTS/HSPA (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service/High Speed Packet Access) wireless network. The expansion includes the deployment of Alcatel-Lucent’s UMTS/HSDPA Distributed NodeB solution, which provides operators with the flexibility to deploy third-generation (3G) radio network elements in a wide array of locations including the sides of buildings, existing cell sites, remote locations and more, helping operators build out their networks more quickly and cost-effectively.This advanced mobile network project will enable AT&T to expand capacity while offering sophisticated next-generation services, including advanced multimedia, mobile broadband and converged services such as audio and video streaming, video sharing and high-speed mobile Internet access on 3G handsets. The technology also will help decrease AT&T’s operating expenditures due to the cost saving features of this compact, easy-to-deploy, low-power solution.

As part of the agreement - which builds on Alcatel-Lucent’s November 2004 UMTS/HSPA supply agreement with AT&T - Alcatel-Lucent has expanded the end-to-end, turnkey UMTS/HSPA solution, including messaging, voice switching and network applications and services. Alcatel-Lucent also has previously supplied AT&T with an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) service delivery solution - TDM, ATM and MPLS networking solutions, as well as ADSL/VDSL broadband access and optical advanced platforms.

“Alcatel-Lucent has had a longstanding relationship with AT&T,” said Cindy Christy, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s Americas business. “The introduction of our Distributed NodeB reinforces Alcatel-Lucent’s worldwide leadership in mobile broadband, highlights our strong footprint in the North America market and underscores our commitment to helping service providers transform their services, network and business to profitably increase voice and data penetration, and enable mass-market wireless broadband.”

As a global leader in the development and deployment of third-generation (3G) networks, Alcatel-Lucent has deployed commercial 3G (UMTS/HSPA and CDMA2000) systems for more than 70 operators worldwide.

NEC Corporation today announced that NEC Europe, a subsidiary of NEC Corporation, is working with mobile operator Telefonica O2 Europe to deliver the UK’s first live femtocell trial.O2 has begun an initial period of live testing in February. If successful, the trial will be rolled out in greater numbers across the UK in the summer, with the view to a commercial launch by early 2009. NEC is providing O2 with its Femtocell Solution, which includes 3G Femtocell Access Point for direct subscriber use, Femtocell Gateway and Access Point Management and Provisioning System.

The demand for 3G mobile voice and data services is accelerating and up to 70-80% of these services are used indoors, but there remain issues with 3G radio penetrating buildings. Femtocell provides a cost-effective alternative to the macro network to improve the 3G coverage and capacity indoors. A Femtocell is a 3G access point which has been developed as a consumer device for use in buildings. Femtocells provides a low-cost dedicated 3G coverage and capacity indoor, enabling a user with an existing mobile phone to access high quality voice and high-speed data services thus enabling a true ubiquitous high speed mobile broadband experience. The European femtocell market will represent the largest global market, with 16.6 million units per annum in 2012 out of a total shipment volume of 36 million units and a market valuation of US$4.2billion, according to ABI Research.

Richard Hanscott, VP Network Solutions Division, NEC Europe, commented: “This trial marks a watershed in the industry, as the benefits of femtocell technology for both operators and subscribers will be tested and proven for everyone to see. O2 is taking a leading approach to trial this solution which will help meet subscriber demands, and will reap the benefits when the service is launched commercially. NEC is leading the development of the femtocell market, demonstrated by the fact that we currently have several further trials underway globally. NEC is also heavily involved in the femtocell standardisation activities and is board member of the Femto Forum which sets the agenda for femtocell deployment worldwide.”

AuthenTec, the world’s leading provider of fingerprint sensors and solutions, announced that its fingerprint sensor has been integrated into the first fingerprint-enabled ‘global phones’ ever offered by Fujitsu, the world’s leading provider of fingerprint-enabled cell phones. AuthenTec’s award-winning fingerprint sensors protect sensitive corporate and personal information as well as mobile commerce (m-commerce) transactions for users of this phone, which is capable of operating in 155 countries and regions.Fujitsu’s new AuthenTec sensor-equipped global phone, the FOMA F905i, supports international roaming via 3G and GSM cellular networks. Fujitsu has offered 14 AuthenTec-enabled cell phone models with plans to launch additional AuthenTec equipped models in the future. Millions of mobile phones include an AuthenTec sensor to support m-commerce, online banking and for securing the device in the event of loss or theft.

“We are pleased to offer this new smart phone model, which can not only be used virtually anywhere in the world, but offers cell phone users convenient security via an AuthenTec fingerprint sensor,” said by Hideyuki Saso, president of Mobile Phone Group from Fujitsu Limited. “Many more AuthenTec-enabled models will be introduced in the future, offering peace of mind to our subscribers through convenient fingerprint security which protects the phone, its stored information, and its mobile payment capabilities.”

“Fujitsu built its wireless market leadership in Japan by offering outstanding quality, innovation and technical leadership in their mobile phone products, and their newest offering of fingerprint-enabled world phones is no exception,” said Art Stewart, AuthenTec’s vice president of Wireless Products. “Fujitsu has once again recognized the security and convenience that an AuthenTec fingerprint sensor can bring to the mobile phone user and the mobile payment experience, and we are pleased to support the rollout of their newest fingerprint-enabled models this year.”

The FOMA F905i global phone uses AuthenTec’s AES1710 fingerprint sensor for the wireless market. This small, low-cost, highly integrated sensor has a durable, ultra-hard finish that enables placement on the outside of the mobile device. The AES1710 is based on the company’s patented TruePrint technology, the only solution in production that reads below the surface of the skin to the live layer where the true fingerprint resides. This unique subsurface approach enables AuthenTec sensors to read virtually every fingerprint, every time.

AuthenTec sensors bring Power of Touch features to mobile phone users including security, convenience, personalization and device navigation. Fingerprint-enabled mobile phones have been particularly popular in Japan, where there were nearly 100 million wireless subscribers in 2007. In Japan, the phones are used to authenticate users and unlock mobile payment capabilities that support m-commerce. Hundreds of thousands of stores and restaurants in Japan support m-commerce, allowing cell phone users to swipe their finger across the cell phone sensor to unlock mobile payment capabilities and then tap the phone on a payment terminal to complete a transaction.

AuthenTec will be demonstrating several new mobile devices which integrate its award-winning fingerprint sensors at the Company’s booth (HS-20 in the 3GSM Gallery) at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona from February 11 - 14.

Pantech Wireless, Inc. - the U.S. subsidiary of Pantech Group, Koreas leading mobile phone manufacturer - today announced that the 3G Pantech duo smartphone, celebrated for its dual-slide, double-keyboard design, is now available in a striking shade of red in time for Valentine’s Day.The new Pantech duo incorporates a trendy variation in color to allow customers to express their personal styles as they transition between work and play. Sliding horizontally to reveal a brightly-lit colored QWERTY keyboard and vertically to expose a numeric keypad, the red Pantech duo is a UMTS/HSDPA-enabled smartphone that impressively houses both keypads and a large color screen in shell measuring only 4.02 inches tall, 1.97 inches wide and .83 inches thick.

The red Pantech duo speaks to the dual personalities in all customers by using a robust 240 x 320 pixel screen to showcase customized entertainment programming available through AT&T CV services. Whereas demands of the business day are met with Microsoft Windows Mobile 6, making it easy for professionals on the road to view PowerPoint presentations and edit and view Microsoft Word and Excel documents. Also incorporated are other widely-used features such Internet Explorer Mobile, Windows Media Player 10 Mobile and Stereo Bluetooth.

Red Pantech duo features include:

* Dual-slide form factor

* Red color casing

* Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Standard Edition

* 3G functionality (UMTS/HSDPA)

* Coverage in more than 190 countries for phone calls; over 130 countries for data.

* Stereo Bluetooth (1.1, 1.2)

* Microsoft Office Mobile and Outlook Mobile

* Push Personal and enterprise email services

* AT&T Mobile Music service, including XM Radio

* AT&T CV video service

* Windows Media Player 10 Mobile

* Multimedia messaging

* Mobile instant messaging

* QWERTY keyboard

* Standard phone keypad

The red Pantech duo is available now in the U.S. exclusively from AT&T for a special introductory price of $199.99 at AT&T retail stores nationwide, online at http://www.wireless.att.com, at select national retailers and through AT&T’s business-to-business sales organizations.