ZTE says that it has won a contract to upgrade Polish operator Polkomtel's national CDMA network. ZTE will supply equipment for the network in the 450MHz (L band), upgrading existing infrastructure to improve coverage and enable data and Push-to-Talk services.
ZTE will supply all equipment for the network including base stations and controllers, switching nodes, service platforms, and a GoTa digital trunking system. ZTE's GoTa Push-to-Talk system was the world's first CDMA-based trunking technology when it was launched in 2004.
"There is a growing demand in Poland for data services and high-bandwidth applications. Our subscriber base wants to be connected and make use of social networking. ZTE's CDMA technology enables Polkomtel to stay ahead of the competition and offer consumers the quality of services and innovative applications they are looking for," said Jaros?aw Bauc, President of the Board at Polkomtel.
Financial and timeline details were not disclosed.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
WLAN Sales Up by Over a Quarter Year-on-Year
Sales of WLAN rose by 26.4% during the second quarter year-on-year, reports International Data Corporation (IDC). The report also found a more modest 2.4% growth over a strong first quarter, for enterprise wireless local area networks (WLANs). The market enjoyed a strong performance across all regions and key product segments, especially for 802.11n technology.
"The continued strength in the WLAN market in the second quarter was very encouraging with all regions and both the enterprise and retail-class market segments making a contribution," said Rohit Mehra, director, Enterprise Communications Infrastructure at IDC. "Specifically, growth in 802.11n deployments continues to accelerate in 2010, with 65.9% of all access point revenue being "n" based, up from 56.1% in 1Q10, and up from 45.6% in 2Q09."
Ratification of the 802.11n standard in September last year continues to boost enterprise WLAN deployments, attracting new and existing customers who were hesitant earlier to move forward with upgrades, extensions, and replacements of their wireless infrastructure. The continued adoption of PoE (Power over Ethernet) and gigabit ethernet on the wired network is also ensuring that the wired and wireless networks are growing in tandem to ensure that enterprises have the best of both worlds.
Surprisingly, the retail-class WLAN market in 2Q10 bucked the trend from its eight consecutive quarterly declines and saw a 2.3% quarterly increase and 8% year-over-year increase, again largely due to increased traction for 802.11n.
From a vendor perspective, Cisco's enterprise WLAN market share fell slightly to 54.2%, although all major enterprise WLAN vendors - Cisco, Aruba, Meru, HP, and Motorola - all had double-digit gains from the second quarter of 2009. In the Retail-class WLAN segment, Cisco's consumer division, Linksys, rebounded after several quarters of declines with a strong quarter, while Netgear and D-Link maintained their positions to round off the top 3 vendors in that segment.
"The continued strength in the WLAN market in the second quarter was very encouraging with all regions and both the enterprise and retail-class market segments making a contribution," said Rohit Mehra, director, Enterprise Communications Infrastructure at IDC. "Specifically, growth in 802.11n deployments continues to accelerate in 2010, with 65.9% of all access point revenue being "n" based, up from 56.1% in 1Q10, and up from 45.6% in 2Q09."
Ratification of the 802.11n standard in September last year continues to boost enterprise WLAN deployments, attracting new and existing customers who were hesitant earlier to move forward with upgrades, extensions, and replacements of their wireless infrastructure. The continued adoption of PoE (Power over Ethernet) and gigabit ethernet on the wired network is also ensuring that the wired and wireless networks are growing in tandem to ensure that enterprises have the best of both worlds.
Surprisingly, the retail-class WLAN market in 2Q10 bucked the trend from its eight consecutive quarterly declines and saw a 2.3% quarterly increase and 8% year-over-year increase, again largely due to increased traction for 802.11n.
From a vendor perspective, Cisco's enterprise WLAN market share fell slightly to 54.2%, although all major enterprise WLAN vendors - Cisco, Aruba, Meru, HP, and Motorola - all had double-digit gains from the second quarter of 2009. In the Retail-class WLAN segment, Cisco's consumer division, Linksys, rebounded after several quarters of declines with a strong quarter, while Netgear and D-Link maintained their positions to round off the top 3 vendors in that segment.
Nokia Chairman May Step Down in 2012
Nokia's Chairman Jorma Ollila has confirmed that he will stay with the company until 2012, but declined to comment on any extension beyond that date. Nokia spokeswoman Arja Suominen said that Ollila has said he would be "at the disposal of the company" until the annual general meeting of the company in spring 2012.
The announcement is being seen as a way of quashing speculation about any further shakeups at the company following the sudden appointment of former Microsoft executive, Stephen Elop as its new CEO. Earlier this week, the head of the company's mobile phone division, Jansii Vanjoki announced that he would leave the company next March.
Prior to joining Nokia in 1985 Jorma Ollila worked eight years in corporate banking at Citibank's London and Helsinki offices, and when he joined Nokia his tasks involved international investment deals. A year later, in 1986, Ollila found himself as head of Finance during Nokia's renewal under then CEO Kari Kairamo.
His career at Nokia continued as he was appointed as chief of the mobile phones section in 1990, and CEO two years later in 1992.
During his tenure as CEO, he was widely credited with focusing the company on mobile phones and building it into the industry's dominant company.
He remained CEO until 2006, and was appointed as its Chairman in 1999.
The announcement is being seen as a way of quashing speculation about any further shakeups at the company following the sudden appointment of former Microsoft executive, Stephen Elop as its new CEO. Earlier this week, the head of the company's mobile phone division, Jansii Vanjoki announced that he would leave the company next March.
Prior to joining Nokia in 1985 Jorma Ollila worked eight years in corporate banking at Citibank's London and Helsinki offices, and when he joined Nokia his tasks involved international investment deals. A year later, in 1986, Ollila found himself as head of Finance during Nokia's renewal under then CEO Kari Kairamo.
His career at Nokia continued as he was appointed as chief of the mobile phones section in 1990, and CEO two years later in 1992.
During his tenure as CEO, he was widely credited with focusing the company on mobile phones and building it into the industry's dominant company.
He remained CEO until 2006, and was appointed as its Chairman in 1999.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Mobile Communications Market Expanding Successfully
Over the first six months of the current year, sales of mobile phones, in particular, increased considerably in emerging and developing countries, while products relating to mobile internet were the growth drivers in western industrialized nations, reports GfK Retail and Technology. Total sales of mobile phones and smartphones climbed by 6% in Europe.
In emerging and developing countries, mobile phones (voice centric) play the greatest role. Sales are rapidly recovering following the downturn as a result of the economic and financial crisis. Growth of 28% has been experienced in the Latin American countries of Brazil, Argentina and Chile, 27% in sub-Saharan African countries and 19% in South-East Asia. Demand for mobile phones has risen by 12% in India, while China (including Taiwan and Hong Kong) has experienced a rise of 11%.
These are important sales markets for manufacturers intending to increase their global market share. In contrast, sales of mobile phones in Europe and the Middle East/North African region stand at minus 2% and so remain below the previous year's level, which was already comparatively low.
However, as a result of good infrastructure, the main focus in western industrialized nations is on products with open operating systems (smartphones) for mobile data transmission (data centric). Smartphones are now a standard feature of the business world. However, private users are also becoming more interested in the multitude of flexible applications ("apps") and mobile access to social networking sites and are therefore increasingly choosing smartphones.
In Europe, for example, sales of smartphones are booming with an increase of 52%. At 20%, smartphones have a higher share here than in any other region; however, the share of smartphones in the Middle East/North African region and South East Asia also already amounts to 19% and 14% respectively. There is major potential for growth in China (including Taiwan and Hong Kong), where sales of smartphones currently total 14%, sub-Saharan African countries (8%) and India (4%). Regional and international network operators will invest in expanding the infrastructure in these countries over the coming years and consequently drive sales forward.
The trend on the mobile communications market is moving towards open operating systems. Android can now be found on more and more smartphones, both in the USA and elsewhere. New software such as Bada, Brew and MeeGo will be joining established systems including the iPhone OS, Windows Mobile, Blackberry OS, Symbian and Palm WEBOS. In addition, several manufacturers have announced the release of new versions for the second half of the year. It is to be expected that open operating systems will also expand to other product categories such as webpads and e-readers.
Positive trend in Germany
Following a decline of 13% last year, the German market for mobile phones has been able to recover by 5% in the first half of 2010. This growth is attributable to sales of both contract and SIM-free mobile phones. SIM-free refers to sales where the customer independently combines a SIM card with a separate mobile phone. Customers frequently opt for discount tariffs and network operators respond by also offering discount lines. In contrast, sales of pay as you go packages are in decline.
The trend towards mobile internet is evident in several product categories in Germany. The sales increase for smartphones in Germany currently stands at 59%. In June, one in four mobile phones sold was a smartphone. USB sticks for mobile data communication are also recording rapid growth. Around 1.1 million sticks linked to providers were sold over the first six months of the year, with approximately half being pay as you go or contract models. The products on offer increasingly include unlimited downloads.
In emerging and developing countries, mobile phones (voice centric) play the greatest role. Sales are rapidly recovering following the downturn as a result of the economic and financial crisis. Growth of 28% has been experienced in the Latin American countries of Brazil, Argentina and Chile, 27% in sub-Saharan African countries and 19% in South-East Asia. Demand for mobile phones has risen by 12% in India, while China (including Taiwan and Hong Kong) has experienced a rise of 11%.
These are important sales markets for manufacturers intending to increase their global market share. In contrast, sales of mobile phones in Europe and the Middle East/North African region stand at minus 2% and so remain below the previous year's level, which was already comparatively low.
However, as a result of good infrastructure, the main focus in western industrialized nations is on products with open operating systems (smartphones) for mobile data transmission (data centric). Smartphones are now a standard feature of the business world. However, private users are also becoming more interested in the multitude of flexible applications ("apps") and mobile access to social networking sites and are therefore increasingly choosing smartphones.
In Europe, for example, sales of smartphones are booming with an increase of 52%. At 20%, smartphones have a higher share here than in any other region; however, the share of smartphones in the Middle East/North African region and South East Asia also already amounts to 19% and 14% respectively. There is major potential for growth in China (including Taiwan and Hong Kong), where sales of smartphones currently total 14%, sub-Saharan African countries (8%) and India (4%). Regional and international network operators will invest in expanding the infrastructure in these countries over the coming years and consequently drive sales forward.
The trend on the mobile communications market is moving towards open operating systems. Android can now be found on more and more smartphones, both in the USA and elsewhere. New software such as Bada, Brew and MeeGo will be joining established systems including the iPhone OS, Windows Mobile, Blackberry OS, Symbian and Palm WEBOS. In addition, several manufacturers have announced the release of new versions for the second half of the year. It is to be expected that open operating systems will also expand to other product categories such as webpads and e-readers.
Positive trend in Germany
Following a decline of 13% last year, the German market for mobile phones has been able to recover by 5% in the first half of 2010. This growth is attributable to sales of both contract and SIM-free mobile phones. SIM-free refers to sales where the customer independently combines a SIM card with a separate mobile phone. Customers frequently opt for discount tariffs and network operators respond by also offering discount lines. In contrast, sales of pay as you go packages are in decline.
The trend towards mobile internet is evident in several product categories in Germany. The sales increase for smartphones in Germany currently stands at 59%. In June, one in four mobile phones sold was a smartphone. USB sticks for mobile data communication are also recording rapid growth. Around 1.1 million sticks linked to providers were sold over the first six months of the year, with approximately half being pay as you go or contract models. The products on offer increasingly include unlimited downloads.
Dubai police chief calls BlackBerry a spy tool
Dubai police chief says planned Blackberry curbs linked to spy worries
BRIAN MURPHY
AP News
Sep 03, 2010 09:43 EDT
Worries about spying by the U.S. and Israel spurred plans to sharply limit BlackBerry services in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai's police chief said in comments that suggest a tough line in talks with the smart phone maker.
The UAE says it will block BlackBerry e-mail, messaging and Web services Oct. 11 unless authorities can gain access to the encrypted data traffic — a demand by other countries warning of possible bans including India.
The proposed UAE action threatens BlackBerry service for an estimated 500,000 local subscribers and could tarnish the country's reputation as the Gulf's business and tourism hub with potentially millions of visitors left without key BlackBerry services.
Dubai's police chief, Lt. Gen. Dahi Khalfan Tamim, said that fears of espionage and information sharing by foe Israel — as well as UAE allies United States and Britain — helped prompt the possible limits on the popular BlackBerry.
Tamim told a conference on information technology that the proposed BlackBerry curbs are also "meant to control false rumors and defamation of public figures due to the absence of surveillance," according to a story posted Friday on the website of the UAE newspaper Al-Khaleej.
Tamim, whose remarks are often considered to reflect the views of Dubai's leadership, did not elaborate on the spying accusations in the article. He did not respond to calls by The Associated Press for further comment.
The police chief gained international attention as the pointman in the probe into the January slaying of a Hamas commander in Dubai, which Emirati officials have blamed on Israel's Mossad spy agency.
UAE officials reportedly are still in talks with BlackBerry maker, Canada-based Research in Motion Ltd. Tamim's comments, however, point to a hard line by Emirates security chiefs who demand access to BlackBerry data.
Blackberry traffic is encrypted and routed through servers operated by RIM. The company has said it would not disclose details of discussions with regulators in any of the more than 175 countries where it operates.
This week, India gave RIM a 60-day window to offer ways for authorities to monitor BlackBerry traffic. Saudi Arabia last month allowed BlackBerry services to continue, citing "positive developments" after talks with the company. It's unclear whether the Saudi reprieve is permanent.
Other countries such as Indonesia and Lebanon have also noted security worries about BlackBerry services.
Source: AP News
BRIAN MURPHY
AP News
Sep 03, 2010 09:43 EDT
Worries about spying by the U.S. and Israel spurred plans to sharply limit BlackBerry services in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai's police chief said in comments that suggest a tough line in talks with the smart phone maker.
The UAE says it will block BlackBerry e-mail, messaging and Web services Oct. 11 unless authorities can gain access to the encrypted data traffic — a demand by other countries warning of possible bans including India.
The proposed UAE action threatens BlackBerry service for an estimated 500,000 local subscribers and could tarnish the country's reputation as the Gulf's business and tourism hub with potentially millions of visitors left without key BlackBerry services.
Dubai's police chief, Lt. Gen. Dahi Khalfan Tamim, said that fears of espionage and information sharing by foe Israel — as well as UAE allies United States and Britain — helped prompt the possible limits on the popular BlackBerry.
Tamim told a conference on information technology that the proposed BlackBerry curbs are also "meant to control false rumors and defamation of public figures due to the absence of surveillance," according to a story posted Friday on the website of the UAE newspaper Al-Khaleej.
Tamim, whose remarks are often considered to reflect the views of Dubai's leadership, did not elaborate on the spying accusations in the article. He did not respond to calls by The Associated Press for further comment.
The police chief gained international attention as the pointman in the probe into the January slaying of a Hamas commander in Dubai, which Emirati officials have blamed on Israel's Mossad spy agency.
UAE officials reportedly are still in talks with BlackBerry maker, Canada-based Research in Motion Ltd. Tamim's comments, however, point to a hard line by Emirates security chiefs who demand access to BlackBerry data.
Blackberry traffic is encrypted and routed through servers operated by RIM. The company has said it would not disclose details of discussions with regulators in any of the more than 175 countries where it operates.
This week, India gave RIM a 60-day window to offer ways for authorities to monitor BlackBerry traffic. Saudi Arabia last month allowed BlackBerry services to continue, citing "positive developments" after talks with the company. It's unclear whether the Saudi reprieve is permanent.
Other countries such as Indonesia and Lebanon have also noted security worries about BlackBerry services.
Source: AP News
Samsung and Thales to Develop TETRA Based WiMAX and LTE Devices
Samsung Electronics and the defense contractor, Thales are to jointly develop and market a 4G based PMR (Public Mobile Radio) plaform for use by public safety and security organisations. Through their partnership, Thales and Samsung Electronics are creating the first offer supporting both mobile WiMAX and LTE as well as the TETRA European public security standard.
The solution offers a full compatibility with existing PMR networks. In order to provide that ability, Thales is using its TeMax system, a high speed PMR radio solution, to which Samsung's radio technology has now been added.
Thales's customers in public sector are expected to be able to improve communications by using various services such as video surveillance, multimedia data transmission while reducing the cost for network deployment and operation.
"This unique and innovative integration of 4G technologies and TETRA will make more advanced and efficient communications under guaranteed security. Also, it will be a significant step further to expand addressable markets." said Mr. Woonsub Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of the Telecommunication Systems Business at Samsung. "Based on the numerous experiences in communication market, Samsung will create the best-fit solution for specific client."
The solution offers a full compatibility with existing PMR networks. In order to provide that ability, Thales is using its TeMax system, a high speed PMR radio solution, to which Samsung's radio technology has now been added.
Thales's customers in public sector are expected to be able to improve communications by using various services such as video surveillance, multimedia data transmission while reducing the cost for network deployment and operation.
"This unique and innovative integration of 4G technologies and TETRA will make more advanced and efficient communications under guaranteed security. Also, it will be a significant step further to expand addressable markets." said Mr. Woonsub Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of the Telecommunication Systems Business at Samsung. "Based on the numerous experiences in communication market, Samsung will create the best-fit solution for specific client."
IPhone 4 Drives Adoption of BSI Image Sensors in Smart Phones
Backside Illumination (BSI) sensors - the sort used in the mobile camera of Apple's iPhone 4 - are leading the charge in a newly resurgent market for image sensors in general, and other handset manufacturers are likely to follow Apple's bold move to boost image-capture possibilities in smart phones, according to market research firm iSuppli Corp.
Shipments of BSI sensors for mid- to high-end smart handsets are projected to reach 33.4 million units in 2010, up from virtually nil last year. The market will continue to post sizable increases during the next four years and rise almost tenfold to over 300 million units by 2014, consumer electronics research from iSuppli indicates.
The startling growth of BSI sensors is completely in line with the robust, double-digit expansion projected this year for the overall area image sensor market as it recovers from the economic downturn and also penetrate new applications. Area image sensor shipments in 2010 will hit 1.7 billion units, up 20 percent from 1.4 billion units in 2009, with revenue during the same period climbing to $6.9 billion, up from $5.9 billion.
In the case of Apple's iPhone 4, which arrived in June, a 5-megapixel BSI image sensor from OmniVision Technologies is credited with enhancing image quality taken with the smart phone's camera, said Pamela Tufegdzic, analyst for consumer electronics at iSuppli.
The BSI architecture in the iPhone 4 employs a 1.75-micron-pixel sensor that improves light absorption, resulting in better image quality in low-light conditions. The bigger pixel size, compared to traditional Frontside Illumination (FSI) sensors, is also ideal for high-definition video recording.
"With Apple tending to shape trends, handset OEMS are likely to follow suit and incorporate enhanced cameras with BSI image sensors," Tufegdzic noted. "BSI sensors will first see utilization in high-end mobile handsets, and then gradually make their way into the camera phones of lower-cost feature handsets as the price of BSI sensors comes down."
By 2014, approximately 75 percent of mid- to higher-end smart phones will include BSI sensors - a huge leap from the 14 percent projected for the end of this year, she noted.
CMOS or CCD?
Within the image sensor market, sensors employing Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology - such as the BSI type - are on the ascent, trumping their rival Charge Coupled Device (CCD) counterparts.
Already the mainstream image sensor technology in mobile handsets and digital SLR cameras, CMOS is making its way into lower-end, point-and-shoot cameras. Furthermore, the sensors are used in an increasing number of computers for webcam video, as well as in various automotive applications such as blind-spot detection, parking assist and infrared night vision.
In comparison, the fortunes of CCD sensors - which cost more to produce - continue to decline, iSuppli's consumer electronics research shows. By 2014, CCD sensor shipments will be off by nearly half of their levels in 2008, with the market inexorably heading in the direction of CMOS image sensors.
Shipments of BSI sensors for mid- to high-end smart handsets are projected to reach 33.4 million units in 2010, up from virtually nil last year. The market will continue to post sizable increases during the next four years and rise almost tenfold to over 300 million units by 2014, consumer electronics research from iSuppli indicates.
The startling growth of BSI sensors is completely in line with the robust, double-digit expansion projected this year for the overall area image sensor market as it recovers from the economic downturn and also penetrate new applications. Area image sensor shipments in 2010 will hit 1.7 billion units, up 20 percent from 1.4 billion units in 2009, with revenue during the same period climbing to $6.9 billion, up from $5.9 billion.
In the case of Apple's iPhone 4, which arrived in June, a 5-megapixel BSI image sensor from OmniVision Technologies is credited with enhancing image quality taken with the smart phone's camera, said Pamela Tufegdzic, analyst for consumer electronics at iSuppli.
The BSI architecture in the iPhone 4 employs a 1.75-micron-pixel sensor that improves light absorption, resulting in better image quality in low-light conditions. The bigger pixel size, compared to traditional Frontside Illumination (FSI) sensors, is also ideal for high-definition video recording.
"With Apple tending to shape trends, handset OEMS are likely to follow suit and incorporate enhanced cameras with BSI image sensors," Tufegdzic noted. "BSI sensors will first see utilization in high-end mobile handsets, and then gradually make their way into the camera phones of lower-cost feature handsets as the price of BSI sensors comes down."
By 2014, approximately 75 percent of mid- to higher-end smart phones will include BSI sensors - a huge leap from the 14 percent projected for the end of this year, she noted.
CMOS or CCD?
Within the image sensor market, sensors employing Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology - such as the BSI type - are on the ascent, trumping their rival Charge Coupled Device (CCD) counterparts.
Already the mainstream image sensor technology in mobile handsets and digital SLR cameras, CMOS is making its way into lower-end, point-and-shoot cameras. Furthermore, the sensors are used in an increasing number of computers for webcam video, as well as in various automotive applications such as blind-spot detection, parking assist and infrared night vision.
In comparison, the fortunes of CCD sensors - which cost more to produce - continue to decline, iSuppli's consumer electronics research shows. By 2014, CCD sensor shipments will be off by nearly half of their levels in 2008, with the market inexorably heading in the direction of CMOS image sensors.
Hayat Wins Iraqi Deployment Contract from Nokia Siemens Networks
Kuwait based Hayat Communications is reported to have secured a contract to deploy base stations in the Basra region of southern Iraq. The contract was awarded by Nokia Siemens Networks and was for an unnamed network operator.
The project will be completed in an eight month timeframe, according to a report in the Kuwait-based Al Qabas newspaper. The contract is reported to be worth US$16.5 million.
Hayat Communications is a telecommunication infrastructure provider operating in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
On the web: Al Qabas
The project will be completed in an eight month timeframe, according to a report in the Kuwait-based Al Qabas newspaper. The contract is reported to be worth US$16.5 million.
Hayat Communications is a telecommunication infrastructure provider operating in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
On the web: Al Qabas
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