- Week summary
- General wireless data market related news
- Carriers news
- Wireless data related middleware vendors news
- Terminal development for mobile data
- Vendors of software for client wireless devices news
- Mobile application related news
- Application outsourcing and hosting news
- News about financing for wireless data businesses
| * - Star sign marks especially important (from the editor's point of view) news items and is also a link to the next important news item. |
Week summary |
- Wireless broadband networks are being deployed in Lebanon and Russia. The one in Moscow is claimed to be the second biggest in the world.
- SK Telecom is to deploy UWB worldwide.
- Skype now works on Windows Mobile Smartphones.
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This section lists all breaking wireless data related news that do not belong to any particular section (or should belong to multiple) as well as to general reviews of interest.
| ABI Research: Spending on Contactless Payments Hardware and Software to Reach $800 Million by 2011 Original news source |
| With adoption driven by some of the world's largest card associations and banks, wireless operators and merchants, spending on contactless payments hardware and software will reach $870 million by 2011, up from just $260 million in 2006, amounting to a compound annual growth rate of 27%, according to a new study from ABI Research. Two key applications are now driving adoption: proprietary transportation ticketing, and open credit, debit, and e-purse payments tied to financial service networks. At present, transportation ticketing represents the majority of contactless payment adoption around the world, but that position will be overtaken by adoption of open systems payments within the next few years. |
| Parks Associates: Market for Wireless Multimedia Networking to Exceed 50 Million Units by 2010 Original news source |
| Industry adoption of next-generation specifications will provide a substantial boost to the market for wireless multimedia networking, prompting growth in excess of 50 million wireless network devices by 2010, according to The Wireless Multimedia LAN: Requirements and Outlook. This new report from Parks Associates predicts that annual sales and shipments of wireless multimedia-capable devices, including home networking gears, personal computers, and fixed and mobile consumer electronics, will grow from 2.5 million units in 2006 to nearly 52 million units by year-end 2010, due in large part to standardization in the market. |
| Worldwide Mobile Enterprise Application Market Will Experience Double-Digit Growth and Reach $3.5 Billion by 2010, IDC Reveals Original news source |
| The mobile employee is mandating more solutions to answer a broader set of needs, spurring the strong growth of the worldwide mobile enterprise application (MEA) market. According to a new IDC study, the mobile enterprise application market reached $1.2 billion in 2005 and IDC forecasts that this market will grow to $3.5 billion in 2010, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23%. This study also indicates that the entry into mobile enterprise applications is one that all enterprise applications vendors must consider and include in their applications portfolio to a greater or lesser extent. In order to be successful, IDC recommends that vendors realign their understanding of the user experience in the context of mobile enterprise applications. The value to
the user will be increased by what is not visible to them by virtue of the behind-the-scenes automation. |
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This section lists news about innovative and competitive usage of wireless data by network carriers.
| * Cedarcom Deploys MOBI, the First True Mobile Broadband Wireless Access Network in the Middle East Original news source |
| Cedarcom, the leading Lebanese telecommunications provider, and Kyocera Corporation, the Japanese high-tech manufacturer, announced that Cedarcom has deployed MOBITM, the first true mobile broadband wireless access network in Lebanon and the Middle East using Kyocera’s iBurst technology. Cedarcom has extensive fixed wireless experience and through this move will harness the personal mobile broadband market.
MOBITM in partnership with major ISPs in Lebanon offers users connectivity to a high-speed data communication network within a wireless broadband Internet environment. Its data downlink speed of up to 1 Mbps enables users to enjoy high-speed data communications including all IP-based applications, browsing, emails, streaming video, e-CRM, etc within the service areas. The MOBI service is available initially within Greater Beirut and Jounieh and all their surrounding mountains. MOBI service will reach our friends in Tripoli, Faqra and Faraya within two weeks. |
| Aeris Pioneers New Breed Of Mobile Network Operator Focusing On M2M And Telematics Original news source |
| Aeris.net, network operator for fixed and mobile wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) communication services, announced its position as the first Specialized Mobile Network Operator, an entirely new telecommunications category, with the introduction of enhanced wireless services to its product portfolio. Aeris has created a powerful new suite of network services customized for the M2M industry that enable customer applications in security, transportation, high-value asset tracking, automotive telematics, stolen vehicle recovery and other mission critical applications. Partnering with more than 30 wireless carriers in North America, Aeris boasts unparalleled coverage in both CDMA and GSM technologies, making it a continent-wide, multi-layered wireless
network second to none. |
| BlackBerry Now Available on Hutch Network in India Original news source |
| Hutch, one of India’s leading telecom service providers, and Research In Motion (RIM) announced the availability of BlackBerry for Hutch’s mobile customers in India. With the launch of BlackBerry, Hutch’s corporate customers will now be able to enjoy the trusted and popular BlackBerry solution that supports wireless access to email, phone, text messaging, browser, organizer and other mobile data applications. The introduction of BlackBerry further reinforces Hutch’s strong presence in the enterprise mobility segment. |
| * Golden Telecom Launches WiFi Network in Test Mode Original news source |
| Golden Telecom, Inc., a leading facilities-based provider of integrated telecommunications and Internet services in major population centers throughout Russia and other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (“CIS”), announces the launch of its Moscow WiFi network in beta-test mode.
In line with its strategy to develop broadband services on the mass market, Golden Telecom has entered the beta testing phase of the Golden WiFi network roll-out − the last stage before the official commercial launch. The Company expects its WiFi network to become fully operational in the first quarter of 2007. Golden WiFi is the largest WiFi network in Europe and the second largest in the world. Golden WiFi currently boasts approximately six thousand access nodes and that number is constantly on the rise as the Company expands its coverage throughout Moscow. Based on the number of access nodes alone, Golden Telecom has surpassed the world’s largest WiFi networks in cities like San Francisco, Philadelphia and London. |
| NTT DoCoMo and Hutch form Strategic Partnership for i-mode in India Original news source |
| NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and Hutchison Essar (Hutch), one of India's leading mobile operators, announced an agreement under which Hutchison Essar will launch the i-mode mobile Internet service in India within 2007.
DoCoMo will license the patented technologies and know-how needed for Hutch to offer i-mode on GSM, GPRS and W-CDMA networks. Subscribers will enjoy access to rich content, e-mail, games and a variety of useful and entertaining Internet services through their mobile handsets. |
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This section lists breaking news from companies which provide middleware used by carriers and software developers to offer access to diversified corporate data.
| OZ to power the Telenor group’s mobile messaging operations Original news source |
| OZ, consumer mobile messaging solution provider, announced that Telenor Group, one of the world’s largest operators, with ownership interests in 13 mobile operators across Europe and Asia, has selected the OZ Mobile IM Solution to power its end-to-end mobile messaging services. This co-operative agreement solidifies OZ’s status as a strategic supplier of mobile messaging solutions to the Telenor Group, and will provide the companies within the Group with the ability to offer mobile messaging services in many local markets. |
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This section lists breaking news from companies which manufacture actual end user wireless devices (phones, pagers, PDAs etc.), as well as other information relevant to such companies.
| * SK Telecom Selects Staccato Communications as Partner to Deliver
Worldwide Deployment of Ultra Wideband WPAN Mobile Phone Services Original news source |
Staccato Communications and SK Telecom, the largest mobile phone and
broadband operator in Korea, unveiled plans for the global delivery of Ultra Wideband (UWB) wireless personal
area network (WPAN) mobile phone services. Services developed and launched by SK Telecom and Staccato will be standardized and offered worldwide to other
operators after initial launch in Korea. With this introduction of UWB WPAN mobile phone services, customers will have
expanded options and bandwidth for entertainment content delivery to their mobile devices. This means that users will
now experience mobile social networking by communicating directly with other mobile users or from kiosks at 480Mbps.
As a result, individuals will be able to connect based on one another’s proximity. This milestone marks the beginning
of a revolution in the mobile handset market by employing WiMedia ultra wideband technology for 480Mbps WPAN
connections.
With the choice of the WiMedia Common Radio Platform as the foundation for the project, SK Telecom and Staccato are
developing together applications using several protocols. This benefit is enabled by Staccato’s PIK MAC (Medium Access
Control) technology, which is a Protocol Independent Kernel, based on a custom implementation of hardware acceleration
and ARM9 software control. This technology enables the simultaneous operation of Certified Wireless
USB, WiNet, Bluetooth 3.0 and other potential protocols at speeds up to 480 Mbps. Products will initially launch with
WiMedia radios using spectrum below 6GHz (band group 1, band 3) and add above 6GHz operation when the WiMedia
Alliance completes the certification process for these bands. |
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This section lists breaking news from companies which provide client software that runs in end user wireless devices (phones, pagers, PDAs etc.).
| QUALCOMM Announces BREW Locate Signature Solution to Enable Differentiated Location-Based Services Original news source |
| QUALCOMM Incorporated announced the BREW Locate Signature Solution, a comprehensive, assisted-GPS (A-GPS) offering designed to provide wireless operators with a complete solution for the discovery and delivery of compelling location-based services to end users. The BREW Locate Signature Solution allows wireless operators to quickly offer premium location-based applications for mass market devices and includes a compelling catalog of applications from leading publishers and developers from around the world; a hosted content delivery service through the deliveryOne offering; and uiOne for a more dynamic user experience through the discovery of advanced mobile content. At the core of the BREW Locate Signature Solution is QUALCOMM's QPoint offering, which
works in conjunction with A-GPS-enabled devices, such as those powered by QUALCOMM's Mobile Station Modem (MSM) gpsOne technology. The combination of QPoint and gpsOne provides a rapid and accurate position determination solution for operators around the globe. |
| * Skype Now Supports Over 120 Windows Mobile Smartphones and Pocket PCs Original news source |
| Skype, the global Internet communications company, released the beta version of Skype 2.2 for Windows Mobile that supports smartphones and enhances support for Pocket PC devices.
Now available for smartphones powered by Windows Mobile software, as well as Pocket PCs, including those using lower-power processors, the latest incarnation of Skype software further extends Skype use beyond desktop or notebook computers. |
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This section lists news that describe innovative and competitive implementation of wireless data applications.
| Pilot is starting of next generation mobile phone with "tap & go" payment in New York city Original news source |
| Citigroup, MasterCard Worldwide, Cingular Wireless and Nokia announced a consumer technology trial of Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled mobile phones with MasterCard PayPass contactless payment capability in New York City. The goal of this trial is to evaluate the speed and convenience that "tap and go" payments made through mobile phones can provide to Citi credit cards and Cingular customers in the New York City area. The trial is expected to run three to six months.
Pre-selected Citi MasterCard cardholders with Cingular Wireless accounts are participating in the trial and will receive Nokia NFC-enabled mobile phones with MasterCard PayPass payment functionality. MasterCard PayPass is a "contactless" payment program that provides consumers with a fast and convenient way to pay. |
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This section lists news about outsourcing/hosting of mobile corporate/enterprise applications by e.g. software developers, network carriers, and consulting companies. News about mobile access to portals are also included here.
| Napster Mobile to make European debut Original news source |
| Napster, the digital music pioneer, announced that Napster Mobile will celebrate its first European launch later this month when it debuts on Telefonica's O2 mobile network in Ireland. Hosted by Ericsson and featuring Napster's massive catalog of over three million full-length songs, artist images and ring tones, Napster Mobile will be available to O2 Ireland's 1.6 million subscribers through NTT DoCoMo's i-Mode, a mobile internet service platform currently used by over 46 million mobile subscribers across Europe and Asia. |
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This section lists news about new financing opportunities for and in the wireless data industry.
| Trimble to Acquire @Road Original news source |
| Trimble announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire @Road, Inc. of Fremont, Calif. Under the terms of the transaction, Trimble will acquire all of the outstanding shares of @Road for $7.50 per share. @Road shareholders will receive $5.00 per share in cash and the remaining $2.50 per share in consideration will be a mixture of cash and/or Trimble stock to be determined at Trimble's sole discretion.
The transaction equity value is approximately $496 million. After subtracting @Road's net cash position of approximately $79 million, the transaction enterprise value is $417 million. The transaction will be accounted for as a purchase. |
| Worldscout Corporation Acquires Alltigo Original news source |
| Worldscout Corporation has announced it has acquired Toronto-based Alltigo Inc., a developer of micro- electronic GPS/GSM devices and embedded software applications.
The acquisition results in Alltigo's engineering team (GPS technology specialists, software developers and programmers) joining Worldscout's R&D team. In addition, Alltigo's patent pending, real time Personal Location Tracking Device which combines AA-GPS and GSM/GPRS technologies to locate, track and protect, people, vehicles and other mobile assets remotely, via the Internet, will be used to broaden the omniscout product line. |
| mVisible raises $2.7 million in first round of venture capital Original news source |
| mVisible Technologies, a Deerfield Beach-based developer of products designed to simplify the delivery of content to mobile devices, has raised $2.7 million in it first round of venture capital. The funding was led by Boca Raton-based Enterprise Development Corporation. mVisible’s technology is based around its Myxer Platform, which provides rendering, repurposing, downloading, streaming, commerce, billing, and support services for mobile content delivery. The platform is designed to enable the user to perform on-the-fly trans-coding and delivery of content from any internet and PC format to any mobile phone format. |
| Scanbuy Secures $9 Million Series B Funding Original news source |
| Scanbuy, Inc., a global provider of wireless commerce solutions, announced that it completed $9 million in Series B financing. Longworth Venture Partners, Masthead Venture Partners and Hudson Venture Partners led the round, with participation from existing angel investors. The funds will escalate growth of Scanbuy's go-to-market efforts, extend its standard 1D and 2D bar code technology leadership in mobile marketing, and expand its operational capabilities to support growing worldwide adoption of the company's solutions designed to provide a range of information and services to consumers via their mobile devices. |
| mFormation Announces Strategic Mobile Payments Alliance with Visa Original news source |
| mFormation Technologies Inc., global provider of complete mobile device management (MDM) solutions, announced a strategic alliance with Visa International to advance over-the-air (OTA) solutions for mobile payments. The relationship includes a strategic investment in mFormation by Visa.
mFormation provides solutions that enable mobile operators to manage wireless handsets and mobile services remotely. Applications and software updates are efficiently delivered over-the-air, eliminating the need for labor-intensive, in-person support. For the payments industry, this ability offers the potential for banks and operators to securely and remotely provision mobile devices with payment applications, and ultimately bring mobile payments programs to commercial scale. mFormation and Visa will work together, bringing expertise in their respective mobile and financial industries, to develop over-the-air delivery and management solutions for mobile payment applications. With growing interest for mobile payments, pilot trials of these new functionalities are expected as early as 2007.
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| SEVEN raised additional $42M in capital Original news source |
| SEVEN announced that it has raised an additional $42M in capital to accelerate its growth worldwide. In 2006, SEVEN grew its customer base from 76 to 108 mobile operators in more than 60 countries. In 2007, SEVEN will continue to focus on winning new customers, but, more importantly, expects to invest aggressively in ensuring that its customers are successful in reaching their mobile email subscriber targets. New capital market investors joined SEVEN's current investors in an oversubscribed financing round. |
| Magyar Telekom enhances multimedia and content competencies Original news source |
| Magyar Telekom has signed agreements to acquire MobilPress and MFactory, two service providers in the mobile multimedia and content market for HUF 1 bn. The transaction will enable the Magyar Telekom Group to enhance its presence in the mobile content business and develop a multi-channel multimedia service centre to capture opportunities in this growing segment. |
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A recommended introductory reading that may be helpful in understanding the scope of this publication is the Wireless Data Forum's Wireless Data Primer.
A glossary of wireless industry terms and acronyms can be found at the Wireless Week site.
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