4G Global Update - June 17, 2011

 

Vodafone Focuses on LTE, Scales Back Fixed-Line Marketing

TelecomPaper

Vodafone Germany plans to focus on investing in LTE and other mobile technologies instead of its fixed network, according to CEO Friedrich Joussen talking to journalists cited by Dow Jones Newswires. He said that if the operator has a euro to spare, the preferred investment is in mobile communications instead of fixed-line. The main reasons for the move are unattractive regulation and better prospects for the next-generation mobile communications standard LTE. More

MP Calls for UK Government to Intervene in 4G Auction Process

TechEye.net

The 4G auctioning fiasco rumbles on as threats of a costly delay go unheeded in the wake of O2's spectrum outburst. Following a vitriolic statement from O2 recently about regulator Ofcom's stance on the auctioning process for the new generation of mobile broadband, tech-savvy Labor MP Tom Watson asked in a Commons Debate whether the government would ensure that the process did not run over. More

 

 

Smart Hints at LTE Launch Before the End of 2011 in Philippines

TeleGeography

Filipino mobile operator Smart Communications, 100% owned by Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, is reportedly planning to roll out a high speed mobile broadband service based on LTE technology later this year. Unconfirmed reports in local newspaper the Sun Star quote Smart product manager Anne Binuya as saying that the launch will take place in Davao in Mindanao, the National Capital Region and Cebu in the Visayas. More

 

T-Mobile USA Doubles Speed of 4G Network in 41 Markets

eWeek

Mobile operator T-Mobile USA announced it is doubling the speed of its 4G network in 41 additional markets, including Albuquerque, N.M.; Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Sacramento and San Diego, Calif.; Salt Lake City, Utah and San Antonio, Texas. Now, customers in 96 markets across the U.S. have access to T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 42 network, enabling faster speeds, as well as increased network capacity and reliability. T-Mobile’s network (HSPA+ 21) already reaches more than 200 million Americans in 184 markets. More

 

 

New Plans to Use 1.4GHz Could Solve EU's Spectrum Crunch

CIO.com /IDG News Service

The use of the 1.4GHz band for a supplemental mobile downlink could solve Europe's spectrum-crunch problem, according to a new report. "It is increasingly important that we find a solution to ease the spectrum crunch, as around three-quarters of mobile broadband traffic last year was estimated to be multimedia -- and this will only grow. The 1.4GHz band is the ideal solution, not just to help address the spectrum crunch, but as an important step forward in achieving the E.U.'s Digital Agenda target of providing 30Mbps access to all European citizens by 2020," said Phillipa Marks, director at Plum Consulting. More