MobilenniuM Express
3G Industry news from the UMTS Forum
08 May 2009

Re-allocation of Mobile Radio Frequencies in Switzerland
Switzerland’s Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) has opened a public consultation on the planned spectrum re-allocation of mobile radio frequencies that will become available when the existing GSM and UMTS licences expire in 2013 and 2016 respectively. It also refers to spectrum in the 790-862 MHz band which will be released as part of the digital dividend from 2015 at the latest. The consultation, which will last until 26 June 2009, covers technological development, market development, allocation procedures, frequency configuration and the environment.

Orange Sets Mobile Internet Access Free in France
Orange France has added three new mobile broadband Internet prepaid packages targeted at occasional users, as well as two new subscription plans aimed at frequent users. The operator has also unveiled a 3G+ MF636 dongle with 4 GB of memory and two new netbooks, the Samsung NC10 and the Asus Eee PC 1000HGO 3G+, available at EUR399 each. Orange offers the new mobile broadband packages over its EDGE and HSPA networks, which cover 75% and 99% of the population respectively.

Telstra Revolutionises Access to Mobile Broadband Services
Australian mobile operator Telstra has unveiled a new mobile broadband user interface, branded TelstraOne Experience, giving customers one-click access to popular applications and services on their mobile device. TelstraOne Experience will initially be available on two HSDPA-enabled mobile handsets, the MOTOSURF A3100 and the Sony Ericsson W705, with further releases planned in coming months.

Telus Investing More Than $300 Million in Ontario
Canadian CDMA operator Telus has announced plans to invest CAD300 million (US$257 million) in advanced mobile and fixed broadband infrastructure in Ontario during 2009. Its investment in the next-generation wireless broadband infrastructure is focused on the nationwide rollout of its HSPA network. Telus, which has a CDMA/HSPA network sharing agreement with Canada’s remaining CDMA operator Bell, aims to launch HSPA services in Ontario and nationally in 2010.

Huawei to Deploy Telekom Srpske's 3G Network
Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei has been selected by Telecom Serbia-owned Telekom Srpske to deploy its UMTS/HSPA network and packet switch core network in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The new 3G network will enable Telekom Srpske to offer mobile broadband services, such as mobile internet access and other advanced multimedia services, in Bosnia-Herzegovina's autonomous part, Republika Srpska, where it is a dominant telecoms group.