Vodafone Report: How are Kiwis using 4G…?

Vodafone has released the first 4G Network Report, Leading the 4G Revolution, providing a snapshot of how Kiwis are using New Zealand’s 4G network.

Offering an insight into how faster mobile internet speeds are changing our lives, the research combines a survey of Vodafone’s 4G customers and detailed network analysis to offer a glimpse into the way Kiwis are using the world’s best commercially available mobile technology.

Vodafone Consumer Director, Matt Williams says the way Kiwis are using their mobile and tablets has evolved since Vodafone brought 4G to New Zealand more than eight months ago.

“Vodafone’s introduction of 4G gives Kiwis more flexibility and independence – allowing them to stream more, share more and spend more while they’re on the move,” Williams says.

“Access to 4G brings with it the potential to work and play in ways that make our lives even more enjoyable, more productive and more convenient.

“A large proportion of activity on our 3G network is web browsing. But on 4G, customers enjoy traditionally fixed line activities – like shopping and streaming music and video.

“Users are intuitively taking advantage of the increased speeds – and enjoying it.”

According to the report, 24% of Kiwis use their 4G device to check social media apps at least 20 times a day, while New Zealanders on 4G shop online nearly twice as much as those on 3G.

Unsurprisingly Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are the most popular social media apps over 4G, with people keen to share photos at major events – with uploads exceeding downloads.

Other key findings from Vodafone’s Leading the 4G Revolution report:

· 62% of Kiwis use video streaming websites more since upgrading from 3G

· Kiwis are more than twice as likely to stream music from free services (like Spotify) on 4G

· 44% of 4G users use their mobiles as portable hotspots so they can access the internet on their tablets or laptops

· 4G use peaks at lunchtime, with smaller spikes as kids finish school and commuters make their way home on public transport

Vodafone’s 4G network is now well-established, with national coverage available to over 1.3 million New Zealanders across twelve towns and cities: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wanaka, Lake Brunner, Taupo, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Hamilton, Arrowtown and the Coromandel.

Vodafone: Leading the 4G Revolution is the first report to examine the impact of the country’s only 4G network on social trends and behaviour.

source: http://techday.com/telco-review/news/vodafone-report-how-are-kiwis-using-4g/173205/

RIL poised for big bang cellphone debut

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-run RIL's telecom arm, Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJI) has asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to release four crore new series of phone numbers for all 22 telecom circles as it plans for an aggressive pan-India launch of mobile phone services on 4G (Fourth-Generation) spectrum sometime soon.

The ambitious move is expected to generate fierce competition in the telecom sector and comes at a time when the debt- ridden telcos had started firming up call rates to shore up their bottomlines.

RJI has submitted an application to the telecommunication ministry stating that the company immediately needs 40 lakh phone numbers for each metro city, 20 lakh for A and B telecom circles and 10 lakh for category C circles, which comprises small towns and rural areas of the country.

DoT secretary M. F. Farooqui told Mail Today on Friday that the department has received a letter from RJI for the new series of phone numbers as they plan to launch their telecom services. "I don't recall the quantum of phone numbers they have asked for but we have received their application in this regard," said Farooqui.

"RJI has asked for the same series of numbers for its nationwide operations like the ones given to BSNL. We have to work it out if it is feasible or not. As the quantum of numbers to be released is very high, it could take about 2- 3 weeks for us to clear it. Our team will soon start working on it," said another DoT official.

RJI has already completed trial runs for Voice over LTE (Long Term Evolution also called VoLTE) technology that would enable it to provide voice call services on its wireless broadband network. RIL plans to offer 4G broadband data services with voice.

It is the only telecom operator to have a pan-India license for 4G broadband services and has ambitious plans that could erode the market share of large players like Bharti Airtel and Vodafone.

Cash-rich RIL also plans to sell tablets at a much cheaper price of less than Rs  3,000 with much- much cheaper voice rates which could spell trouble for its competitors.

Although Bharti Airtel is already providing 4G data services in Bangalore, Pune, Kolkata and Chandigarh, it has not been able to attract many subscribers ow- ing to the high tariffs.

Some other 4G operators like Tikona are also planning to launch highspeed Internet services at much lower rates which would make the data market much more competitive.

Videocon Mobile Services has also expressed its interest to launch 4G services at rates that are less than the present 2G and 3G data tariffs, indicating that the 4G race will heat up in the coming months.

RJI has aggressively been pursuing its pre-launch strategy. It has asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to fix the reserve price of the 4G spectrum at 7 to 8 times higher than that for 3G radio waves, which has rattled its rivals. Bharti Airtel and Vodafone want the reserve price at a much lower level. While Bharti Airtel has 4G spectrum in 8 circles, Vodafone does not have 4G airwaves. A senior official with a leading telecom company said RJI has excess of 4G airwaves, which offers data transmission almost four times the speed of 3G and 16 times the speed of 2G.

source: http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/ril-mukesh-ambani-poised-for-big-bang-cellphone-debut/1/200437.html

Vector wades in on 4G spectrum, opposes letting telcos buy more

Vector opposes antitrust approval being given to dominant mobile phone operators Telecom and Vodafone New Zealand to buy more radio spectrum set aside for fourth-generation mobile technology, saying it would lock out other potential users in the future.

The Auckland-based electricity, gas and telecommunications lines company says the Commerce Commission should extend its brief in deciding whether to clear Vodafone and Telecom to buy a fourth lot of the 700 megahertz spectrum.

The regulator needs to consider a broader range of users in markets beyond simply telecommunications, Vector says, citing convergence between telecommunications and sectors such as broadcasting, energy, agriculture, finance, retail, health and emergency service applications.

If the regulator doesn't look beyond cellular operators, it could effectively lock-in the spectrum for almost two decades, Vector regulatory affairs manager Bruce Girdword said in the company's submission on the clearance applications.

"Imposing limits on the further concentration of spectrum holdings will help ensure that parties who wish to deploy similar or other services would not be prevented from doing so at a future date, or when it makes sense for them to do so operationally, due to the unavailability or prohibitive price of spectrum," Girdword said.

The regulator is considering applications by the two telecommunications operators to buy a fourth lot of the spectrum if it became available. Both Telecom and Vodafone bought three lots in the government's auction, while Two Degrees Mobile bought two lots. The government is mulling whether to re-tender the remaining spectrum, or shelve for allocation at a later date.

The spectrum became available when the government decided to switch-off analogue television services, freeing up the radio waves for use on 4G mobile networks.

The Electricity Networks Association, a lobby group for electricity distribution companies, said in a separate submission that the regulator should view the wider value of the spectrum to other infrastructure providers, to ensure communications channels in the event of a civil emergency, and to reserve space for smart network development.

The Radio Network, whose stable of stations include NewstalkZB, ZM and Radio Hauraki, said it wanted the regulator to be aware of potential interference on its broadcast transmitters if best engineering practices aren't adhered to.

source:http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/vector-wades-4g-spectrum-opposes-letting-telcos-buy-more-bd-148520

Maori disappointed over 4G spectrum snub

A push to secure the final chunk of the 4G spectrum for Maori interests has been snubbed by the government.

Telecom, Vodafone and 2degrees have already bought shares of the spectrum, which offers faster mobile broadband.

One block remains, and will be auctioned to one of the companies.

The decision is disappointing for Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples.

"All along I've been leading the fight to try and get the Government, if not to recognise it as a taonga, to recognise it under the treaty relationship and Te Reo Maori, which is the main reason we want it.

"It's appropriate to give something to Maori."

Mr Sharples says it's a poor decision from the Government.

"So many Maori organisations have been fighting this fight. To us it's a taonga, just like water, and foreshore, and stuff like this.

"This government, or the last government, both don't believe it's a taonga, only on the grounds that we didn't realise this technology existed."

source: http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbpol/1848756778-maori-disappointed-over-4g-spectrum-snub

Govt plans to auction off remaining 4G spectrum

The Government plans to auction off the remaining block of radio spectrum to be used by mobile companies to carry faster 4G internet traffic, despite protests from 2degrees.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams announced today that the Government intends to auction the remaining 2x5 MHz block of 700 MHz radio spectrum.

Last month Telecom and Vodafone each successfully bid for three lots of this spectrum for $66 million, while 2degrees bid for two lots for $44 million, - leaving one block unsold.

This spectrum, freed up from the switchover of television broadcasting from analogue to digital, will be used to carry much faster 4G mobile internet services.

The Government raised $176 million from the original auction.

Adams said the Government intends to auction off this remaining block of spectrum with a reserve price of $22 million later this month and that Telecom, Vodafone and 2degrees are eligible to participate.

This follows 2degrees' call last month to leave the unallocated spectrum on the shelf, rather than "damage long term competition by selling the unsold spectrum to Telecom or Vodafone."

"Spectrum is the motorway for mobile operators, and in the next few years that motorway will be built on 1800MHz spectrum, which all mobile operators already own. There are no mobile devices or networks using 700MHz that can be deployed in New Zealand right now, so there's no pressing consumer need to sell the remaining portion of that band," 2degrees chief executive Stewart Sherriff said at the time

Telecommunications User Association chief executive Paul Brislen also said the remaining blocks should not be sold:

"It should be left on the shelf for now, there's no real benefit but a lot of downside," Brislen said this afternoon.

"The downsides are that Vodafone and Telecom now are going to enter a bidding war for this chunk of spectrum, it will ratchet up the overall price and this is money that is better spent on the network itself rather than on a piece of paper which says 'congratulations you have permission to build a network'. That's the first problem, the second is that it leaves 2degrees in a very difficult position because they don't have enough spectrum to be able to compete on a level playing field if you like with the other two," Brislen said.

2degrees founder Tex Edwards told the Herald the Government was repeating mistakes of the 1990s "ensuring an operator can maintain dominance perpetually".
"It's a disgrace. Kiwi consumers deserve better policy," he said.

Telecom and Vodafone have both applied to the Commerce Commission for permission to purchase four lots rather than three lots of the spectrum and Adams said today that final settlement of the auction would not be completed until the regulator gives the go ahead.

If they are successful they will be required to meet extra conditions:

"Under the auction terms, bidders who acquire three lots of radio spectrum must build at least five new cell sites each year, for five years. However, for any bidders who win four lots, the requirement increases to ten new cell sites each year for five years. The auction conditions are designed to ensure that at least 90 per cent of New Zealanders have access to a 4G network and faster mobile broadband coverage within five years," Adams said today

source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11159564

Regulator urged to block 4G spectrum sale to Vodafone, Telecom in 2degrees sponsored report

The Commerce Commission has been urged not to sign off on the country's dominant mobile phone operators buying the remaining 700 megahertz radio spectrum for fear of undermining burgeoning competition in the market.

A Covec report, commissioned by new entrant Two Degrees Mobile, claims competition among mobile carriers would be "substantially enhanced" if the antitrust regulator declines clearance for Vodafone New Zealand and Telecom Corp to buy the unsold pair of 5MHz spectrum blocks. The spectrum became available when the government decided to switch-off analogue television services, freeing up the radio waves for use on 4G mobile networks.

If the dominant mobile carriers are cleared to buy the spectrum, the Covec report warns 2degrees will face higher capital costs of the long-run, reducing its incentive to compete aggressively for retail and wholesale customers, particularly for those clients generating high data volumes.

"The retail market concern is the most pronounced in the on-account market segments, which have not yet been fully disrupted, where data traffic is relatively more important, and where 700 MHz spectrum is therefore of greater value," the report said.

Approval would also crowd out 2degrees' ability to offer the same quality of service as Vodafone and Telecom, and hinder incentives for effective spectrum-sharing and national roaming services.

"Each of these is a serious issue in a market, and a group of affected markets is jointly important for mobile sector competition," the report said. "Collectively, they seem likely to pose a material risk to the intensity of competition, especially since the sector is currently transitioning out of a duopoly structure, but we do not yet have three similar-strength networks."

The submission, published on the regulator's website, comes ahead of the Dec. 6 due date for the commission's decision, and as Vodafone and Telecom bid for the remaining blocks at auction. In the first round of the auction last month, Telecom and Vodafone each bought three blocks each (2x15 MHz) and 2degrees two blocks (2x10MHz).

The Covec report said the opportunity cost of leaving the unsold spectrum unallocated is very low as it won't be needed in the foreseeable future. That means declining clearance now doesn't extinguish the prospect of allocating the spectrum to Vodafone or Telecom at a later date.

source: http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/regulator-urged-block-4g-spectrum-sale-vodafone-telecom-2degrees-sponsored-report-bd-149516

Vodafone Ireland gains 27,300 customers in third quarter

Vodafone Ireland gained over 27,300 customers in the third quarter of this year and increased its contract base by 10.6 per cent on the same period in 2012.

The company has retained its position as Ireland’s biggest telecommunications provider, with a total customer base of 2.4 million at the end of September, which includes 2.1 million mobile customers.

The Vodafone group announced an additional £1 billion (€1.19 billion) investment in its global networks today following the recent $84 billion (€62.8 billion) sale of VerizonWireless in the US, one of the biggest corporate deals in history.

The mobile phone giant had previously pledged to spend £6 billion under Project Spring, which included plans to roll-out its 4G networks to ensure 90 per cent coverage in its five main European markets, including Ireland, by 2017.

The company announced today that the investment would be increased to £7 billion by March 2016.

The company’s interim management statement also revealed the impact of difficult trading conditions in Europe, as service revenues fell 4.9 per cent in the six months to the end of September.

Vodafone has been squeezed by increasing price competition in its major European markets of Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, where service revenues decreased by 4.4 per cent.

Adjusted operating profits for the group were 8.3 per cent lower at £5.7 billion but Vodafone said it remained on track to meet its full-year forecasts.

Chief executive Vittorio Colao described trading conditions in Europe as “very tough” but said he was encouraged by signs of economic recovery and potential regulatory support for greater industry investment and consolidation.

source: http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/retail-and-services/vodafone-ireland-gains-27-300-customers-in-third-quarter-1.1592130

Vodafone reports H1 earnings of stg£6.6bn, Irish customer base reaches 2.4m

Vodafone Group’s financial results for the first half of this year are in line with the company’s expectations, while figures from Ireland position the brand as the mobile market leader.

Vodafone Group plc’s half-year results for the period ended 30 September 2013 report EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) on a management basis down 4.1pc to stg£6.6bn.

Adjusted operating profit on a management basis rose 0.5pc to stg£5.7bn, while free cash flow on a management basis reached stg£2bn.

Vodafone’s full-year guidance forecasts adjusted operating profit of around stg£5bn and free cash flow between stg£4.5bn and stg£5bn.

An interim dividend per share of 3.53 pence represents an increase of 8pc year-on-year, and the company announced its intention to pay full-year dividends per share of 11 pence.

Group revenue on a statutory basis increased by 2.5pc year-on-year, driven by the acquisition of CWW and TelstraClear in the prior year, to stg£19.1bn, with service revenue of stg£17.5bn (a decline of 2.3pc on an organic basis). On a management basis, group service revenue was stg£20.0bn, a decline of 4.2pc on an organic basis.

Profit for the financial period from continuing operations on a statutory basis increased by stg£20bn to stg£15.7bn.

Mature market challenges

“Our emerging markets businesses are performing very well, driven by rapidly increasing smartphone penetration and data usage,” said group chief executive Vittorio Colao.

“In mature markets, our performance reflects more challenging conditions, which we continue to mitigate through ongoing actions to improve our operating model and cost efficiency. This rigorous approach, plus our substantial investments in Vodafone Red, 4G and unified communications services – including our recent acquisition of Kabel Deutschland – are laying strong foundations for the future,” he added.

In terms of consumers, Vodafone now has 7.5m Vodafone Red customers and expects this to grow to 11m-12m by March 2014. Smartphone penetration in Europe is now at 39pc and and data usage continues to grow, with average usage per device now at 400MB per month.

Vodafone has also launched 4G services in 14 markets, with Ireland recently joining that line-up.

Vodafone Ireland

With a total customer base of 2.4m, Vodafone Ireland is the mobile market leader in Ireland, with 2.1m mobile customers.

The number of customers using smartphones on the Vodafone network in Ireland increased by 4.3pc compared to the previous quarter, and almost 70pc of all Vodafone Ireland customers are now using mobile data services.

As well as starting its 4G roll out, Vodafone Ireland completed a network enhancement programme in the south-east in this quarter, and this nationwide programme will eventually see all areas where there are currently voice services receive data, too. The programme also includes voice enhancements to cater for High Definition Voice and advanced coverage.

source:http://www.siliconrepublic.com/business/item/34809-vodafone-reports-h1-earning

Kirusa Captures the Imagination of Ghanaians With Celeb Connect Service

Kirusa, the leader in voice and social media solutions for mobile users in emerging markets, announced a partnership with Makeba Creates, a leading celebrity agency in Ghana. This partnership enables top celebrities like John Dumelo, Efya, Mzbel, Reggie Rockstone, amongst others, to more personally engage with their fans in their own voice.

Using Celeb Connect, celebrities can share their daily lives, thoughts, and emotions in their own voice with their fans. Participating stars can call or use smartphones to leave messages. These messages are then delivered immediately to fans, who can listen to what is happening in their most cherished celebrities' lives, in the celebrities' own voice, which creates a "Voice Twitter"-like experience. Ghanaian subscribers can see messages, call, and listen to what's happening over the phone, or on the web at vobolo.com, and can share with their friends on Facebook and Twitter. Further, the fans get an opportunity to speak and engage with the celebrities on-line and off-line.

The Celeb Connect service, powered by Kirusa's Vobolo™ social media platform, is currently available to mobile subscribers of Airtel, Tigo, and Vodafone in Ghana. Airtel and Vodafone users can dial 2510 and Tigo users can dial 1001 from their mobile and subscribe to the service.
There is a huge interest amongst Ghanaian people to listen to the daily happenings in the lives of their stars, with a whopping 860,000 people following John Dumelo, Efya, Mzbel, and Reggie Rockstone in the first few months. To share a perspective, these stars have 240,000+ followers on Twitter and 700,000+ on Facebook.

Makeba Boateng, CEO, Makeba Creates Ltd., states, "Kirusa's Vobolo platform is unrivaled in its state-of-the-art technology and innovative solutions. Our proficiency in our respective fields delivers a privileged service to the fans. Connecting celebrities to consumers is an inevitable development of the digital age. It has been happening online for many years now and using mobile voice is an added dimension."

Mrinal Roy, COO & Executive Director, Airtel Ghana, adds, "We have seen a tremendous response to the Celeb Connect service on Kirusa's Vobolo platform. Our subscribers all over the country are excited at this new offering where they get an opportunity to hear their favorite stars; and also an opportunity to speak with them."

Inderpal Singh Mumick, Founder and CEO of Kirusa, shared his views on the collaboration and its overwhelming success. "Bringing together our respective expertise, we, along with Makeba, aimed at bringing people closer to the celebrities they admire, and to empower them to speak to the role models they idolize on screen. The response from celebrities and from Ghanaian people has been excellent. We are in talks with religious, sports and political celebrities to present them on the Vobolo platform, and also intend to take the Vobolo platform to other African countries."

"The Celeb Connect service is not only a dream come true for the fans, but also for us celebrities to connect with their fans. By providing a "Voice-Twitter"-like experience, Vobolo has brought us one more step closer to our fans, in a way not possible with any of the other social media platforms. It is interesting to know how one's daily routine, feelings and emotions affect one's fans. They are a focal point of our celebrity existence. It is important for us to know their expectations from us. Kirusa has brought in an exquisite experience to the lives of Ghanaians, and Vobolo is a fantastic platform to stay connected with them," added actor John Dumelo.

About Airtel in Africa
Airtel is driven by the vision of providing affordable and innovative mobile services to all. Airtel has 17 operations in Africa: Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Airtel International is a Bharti Airtel company. For more information, please visit www.airtel.com, or 'like' the Airtel Ghana Facebook page via www.facebook.com/airtelgh or follow us on Twitter via the handle@airtelghana
About Bharti Airtel
Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading integrated telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top 5 mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. In India, the company's product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G services, fixed line, high speed broadband through DSL, IPTV, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G, 3G mobile services. Bharti Airtel had over 275 million customers across its operations at the end of July 2013. To know more please visit, www.airtel.com
About Makeba Creates
Makeba Creates is a Ghana based celebrity agent. Established in 2001, Makeba Creates PR (MCPR) is a Public Relations Consultancy brand based in Accra/Ghana. MCPR focuses on its own self products as well as customized strategic campaigns in the areas of Business, Management, Fashion, Entertainment, Special Events and the Arts. For more information visit: www.makebacreates.com 
About John Dumelo
John Dumelo is a leading African movie actor and entrepreneur. He has acted in over 80 movies with elites like Ramsey Noah, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Ini Edo, Jackie Appiah, Majid Michel and Nadia Buari. John recently won 2013 Nollywood Entertainment Awards Pan African Actor of the Year in USA, Africa's Most Outstanding Actor 2011 at the Afro Australian Movies and Music Awards in Dec 2011 in Australia. He also won the Best African Actor Award at the African Entertainment Awards in April 2012 in Malaysia amongst several awards. In 2011, he did a Hollywood movie with Hollywood star Kimberly Ellis in Ghana and recently this year starred in a movie titled One night in Vegas alongside Hollywood actor Jimmy Jean Louis. As an entrepreneur Dumelo owns several businesses including a film school, a hotel and a real estate company. He has also positively affected over 1500 school children with educational materials across West Africa through his charity, the John Dumelo foundation.
About Kirusa
Kirusa is the leader in voice and social media solutions for emerging markets that enable mobile subscribers to "Have A Voice!" and share their stories with their family and friends across the globe. Kirusa's solutions include the hugely successful Kirusa Voice SMS service, the world's most intelligent voice SMS solution, used monthly by over 80 million mobile users in four continents. Kirusa has integrated its Voice SMS platforms deployed at carriers around the world into an Exchange Service to provide interoperability, which when combined with its cloud-based Vobolo social media platform, culminates in the extraordinary InstaVoice app for voicing. Kirusa is pioneering a suite of smartphone and social media applications that facilitate mobile subscribers in every corner of the world to connect with each other, as well as their favorite celebrities, and participate in TV polls and brand campaigns using the power of voice. Kirusa's platform provides open APIs to enable third parties to offer mobile applications. Kirusa solutions are built on its patented technology, and its highly reliable and scalable open multimodal platform, which processes over one billion events a month. Kirusa has been recognized as one of top 100 technology companies by Silicon India, and one of top 25 emerging technology companies by Smart Techie magazine. Headquartered in New Jersey and led by an experienced team of wireless telecom executives and technologists, Kirusa has offices in four continents. 'Kirusa Voice SMS', Vobolo, and InstaVoice are registered trademarks of Kirusa, Inc. For more information visit: www.kirusa.com.