3G/mobile broadband industry news from the UMTS Forum
09 April 2010
Nokia brings its Comes With Music platform to China in cooperation with local firm Huadong Feitian. Branded locally as 'Yue Sui Xiang,' the DRM-free music service will be available to customers across China on Nokia’s eight low- and mid-range 3G WCDMA/HSDPA smartphones: the Nokia X6, 5230, 5330, 5800w, 6700s, E52 and E72i, with entry prices starting at EUR140 (US$187). The Comes With Music service features catalogues from the four major labels: Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI Music, as well as local independent labels (Huayi Brothers Media Group and Taihe Rye).
Taiwanese manufacturer HTC has unveiled the HTC Smart. Targeted at the mass market, the compact, easy-to-use smartphone features the HTC Sense interface and uses Qualcomm’s Brew MP mobile OS. The HSDPA-enabled HTC Smart will be available this spring across Europe and Asia at a suggested retail price of SG$358 (US$257).
AT&T invested nearly US$40 million to boost its 3G WCDMA/HSPA network capacity in the Chicago area between 2008 and 2009, deploying 3G voice and data services in additional spectrum in the 850 MHz band. As part of the upgrade, more than 700 cell towers across the Chicagoland have been enhanced, with the addition of new layers of frequency, resulting in a more efficient management of available spectrum and increase in 3G capacity at local cell sites.
Vodafone Romania has expanded the reach of its HSPA+ network beyond Bucharest, with the addition of 15 new localities. Peak downlink speeds of 21 Mbps enabled by HSPA+ technology are available to Vodafone customers with the Internet Nelimitat Profesional package, which includes 16 GB of initial traffic, at EUR26.99 (US$36) per month. The expansion of mobile broadband coverage continues to be a priority for the operator.
Vodafone UK is offering its Vodafone 360 Samsung M1 entry-level smartphone to pre-paid customers for GBP80 (US$122), with the first 30 days of web browsing and GBP50 worth of calls and texts included. The HSDPA-enabled device features 3.2-inch, 16million colour, TFT (transparent film transistor) touchscreen display and 3.2-megapixel camera with 8 x digital zoom. The Vodafone 360 interface collates contacts from the user’s phone, Facebook, Windows Live Messenger and Google Talk, both on the handset and PC.
Canada’s Telus plans to invest CA$650 million (US$649 million) in British Columbia during 2010. The investment covers advanced wireline and wireless broadband services as part of its integrated service offering. The operator will continue to expand its mobile broadband network coverage HSPA+ technology across the province, enabling peak downlink speeds of up to 21 Mbps. Since 2000, Telus has invested more than CA$22 billion in technology and operations in British Columbia.
TELUS is investing $650 million in British Columbia in 2010 as it continues extending the reach and speed of its advanced wireline and wireless broadband services to more British Columbians.
Orange UK has launched four new mobile broadband data plans that give business customers greater flexibility. Business Everywhere 9-5 offers unlimited data between 9am-5pm on weekdays for GBP10 per month. Ideal for start-ups and entrepreneurs, Business Everywhere 5-9 gives unlimited data for customers who want to work outside office hours for GBP10 per month. With up to 1GB of data access anytime for just GBP7.50 per month, Business Everywhere Lite is aimed at low-usage customers. Business Everywhere Unlimited delivers unlimited data usage at any time for GBP15 per month.
Apple has reported sales of more than 300,000 iPads since its official launch in the US. At 0.5 inches thick and weighing 1.5 pounds, the WiFi-enabled device costs US$499 for a 16GB model, US$599 for 32GB and US$699 for 64GB. 3G-enabled models, which will support 7.2 Mbps downlink speeds on HSPA networks, will be available in late April for a retail price of US$629 for 16GB, US$729 for 32GB and US$829 for 64GB. With a 9.7-inch display, the iPad features Multi-Touch user interface, enabling users browse the web, read and send email, view and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games and read ebooks.
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