4G Global Update - June 22, 2011

 

SingTel Targets Singapore 4G Launch by Year-End

TeleGeography

Singapore Telecommunications plans to launch a 4G LTE mobile network in the country before the end of 2011 initially deploying 200 base transceiver stations, as it looks to ramp up its multimedia services capabilities. Reuters quotes SingTel CEO Allen Lew as saying that his firm is looking to drive the contribution of multimedia and ICT revenues to "closer to 50%" of the total over the next three to five years, up from the current 25%. More

 

Telekom Deutschland Brings LTE to More Rural Areas

TeleGeography

Telekom Deutschland, the domestic fixed and mobile division of German telecoms company Deutsche Telekom, has expanded its rural LTE network to more "white spots," areas where no broadband access of any kind is available. Telecompaper reports that the 4G technology has been activated in Forst, Dorsheim and Lonnig (all in the federal state of Rhineland Pfalz), Haina (Hessen), Selk, Hennstedt (Schleswig Holstein) and Freisdorf and Stubben (Lower Saxony). More

 

Vibo in Talks to Sell WiMAX Operations in Taiwan

Taipei Times

Vibo Telecom is in talks with two potential buyers to sell its stake in WiMAX operations, backed by Intel, to refocus on turning around its 3G business, a company executive said yesterday. Far EasTone and Japan’s UQ Communications have both expressed an interest in becoming shareholders in Vmax Telecom, of which Vibo currently holds a 34% share. The deal would help Far EasTone expand its WiMAX coverage to the northern part of the nation. Far EasTone won a license to deploy a WiMAX network in southern Taiwan, while Vmax won a license to provide 4G services in the north. Vibo currently has 1.9 million users, making it one of the nation’s smallest wireless telecom operators. More

 

Ghana to Launch LTE Technology for Mobile

GhanaWeb

Ghana is said to be on course to become the first country in Africa where LTE technology for mobile telecommunications will be launched. Alcatel Lucent has hinted that it is in talks with mobile operators in the country to introduce the technology. “We are currently working on LTE in Ghana,” company’s Vice President for North, West & Central Africa, Frederic Sallet told ghanabusinessnews.com. “We are in a lot of discussions on that subject for the Ghanaian market. And giving the lead that we have on this market and the strong success that we have in the US and that we are starting to have with some operators in Europe, Middle East and Africa, I think Ghana could be a good place to start LTE.” More

 

Verizon News: More & Expanded 4G LTE Markets and End of Unlimited Data Plans in July

Wireless And Mobile News

Verizon Wireless will change its new data plans as well as its 4G LTE footprint in U.S., adding and expanding markets in July. Verizon confirmed that it will end its unlimited data plans for new customers in July after the web was awash with rumors. Verizon Spokeswoman Brenda Raney told the media that the new plans would launch in July. Verizon also announced 21 new 4G LTE markets starting July 21. More

 

'4G' Wireless Data Must Be Spelled Out Under Bill

San Francisco Chronicle

With the meaning of "4G" seemingly different for every wireless carrier, a U.S. congresswoman will introduce a bill to force companies to disclose the speeds of their next-generation networks in stores and on customer bills. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, plans to introduce the Next Generation Wireless Disclosure Act today. It would require carriers to inform consumers of minimum data speeds, network reliability and coverage, and the technology used to provide "4G" service. "Consumers deserve to know exactly what they're getting for their money when they sign up for a 4G data plan," Eshoo said in a statement. "My legislation is simple - it will establish guidelines for understanding what 4G speed really is, and ensure that consumers have all the information they need to make an informed decision." More

 

New LightSquared Plan Faces Attack, Uncertainty

PCWorld/IDG News

The coast is not yet clear for LightSquared's hybrid satellite-LTE network in the U.S. despite the company's announcement on Monday that it has found a solution to interference with GPS. The startup's new proposal, in which it would step away from the frequencies that it said cause the most interference with GPS, still needs regulatory approval and hasn't even been presented to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission yet. Meanwhile, one of the company's harshest critics slammed the plan as "bizarre." More

 

ZTE May Launch 4G Tablets in Asia-Pacific in 2012

Total Telecom

Chinese telecommunications hardware and mobile device maker ZTE may launch tablet computers running on 4G network technology in some Asia-Pacific countries next year if market conditions become conducive, a company executive said. More