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

StarHub Bolsters Mobile TV Offering with Three New Channels
Singapore’s number-three mobile operator StarHub has added three new channels - Asian Food Channel, Bloomberg and JimJam - to its premium mobile TV offering. With the new channels StarHub TV on Mobile boasts 11 popular channels of "live" news, sports, food and entertainment programmes, which are available on any WCDMA/HSPA/HSPA+ mobile handset. StarHub 3G Mobile post-paid customers can view Animax, Bloomberg Television and CTI TV channels for free, while other channels are available for SG$1 per channel for 24-hour viewing.

World's First Commercial 4G/LTE Site Unveiled in Sweden by Ericsson and TeliaSonera
TeliaSonera has unveiled the world’s first LTE (Long Term Evolution) site in Stockholm, Sweden, in cooperation with Ericsson, its vendor partner for Sweden. The development is part of a commercial LTE network deployment scheduled to be completed in the Swedish capital in 2010. TeliaSonera is committed to further enhancing Sweden's fastest mobile broadband network.

M1 Modernizes 2G Network to Prepare for a High Speed Mobile Broadband Future
Singapore operator MobileOne (M1) has contracted Nokia Siemens Networks to upgrade its 2G network to an all-IP system. The move is an important step for M1 towards Long Term Evolution (LTE). As part of the deal, Nokia Siemens Networks will implement its award-winning Flexi Base Station, which will enable M1 to use and manage its energy and spectrum resources more efficiently. The modernisation is expected to be completed by 2011.

MTS Launches Indoor 3G Network in Moscow
Russia’s leading mobile operator MTS has launched the first indoor 3G network in Moscow using HSPA technology. The network was launched in the Expocentre exhibition area, enabling mobile data download speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps. The deployment is part of the first phase of its indoor 3G network in Moscow. In 2009 MTS plans to launch additional indoor 3G networks in 35 largest business and shopping centres in Moscow, including the Domodedovo International Airport.

Renewal of GSM Licences in Switzerland
Switzerland's Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) has renewed the existing mobile licences for the GSM spectrum held by Orange, Sunrise and Swisscom until the end of 2013. The licences were extended on the technology-neutral basis, which will allow all three mobile operators to use the 900 MHz spectrum for the UMTS services. To ensure that Orange, Sunrise and Swisscom have sufficient spectrum in the 900 MHz band, ComCom has ordered Sunrise and Swisscom to give additional 900 MHz frequencies to Orange in exchange for 1800 MHz frequency range.

AT&T to Deliver 3G Mobile Broadband Speed Boost
AT&T has announced plans in the US to upgrade its 3G network to HSPA technology in a move to deliver faster mobile broadband speeds. The upgrade, which will double the peak download speeds to 7.2 Mbps in nearly 350 major metropolitan areas, is scheduled to commence later in 2009 with the completion planned for 2011. The move will be backed by the launch of multiple HSPA 7.2-compatible laptop cards and smartphones later this year. AT&T has also pledged to begin LTE trials in 2010, with deployment beginning in 2011.

Auction of Radio Spectrum in the 1800 MHz Band for Expansion of Public Mobile Telecommunications Services in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) has confirmed the existing mobile operators, China Mobile, HKT and SmarTone, as three bidders in the auction of the radio spectrum in the 1800 MHz band. The Government will release 2x4.8 MHz of radio spectrum in the 1800 MHz band in an effort to boost the capacity of public mobile services. The internet-based auction will take place on 8 June.

Vodafone Australia Launches Visual Voicemail Exclusive to iPhone 3G Customers
Vodafone Australia has launched the country’s first visual voicemail service for its iPhone 3G customers. The service displays the time and identity of the caller, enabling customers to select which message they want to listen to, but it does not automatically transcribe any voicemails into text. All Vodafone iPhone 3G customers will have access to the Visual Voicemail application on 29 May 2009.