Amp'd Mobile Suspends Operations

Amp'd Mobile, an MVNO that uses that Verizon Wireless network, is suspending U.S. operations as of 23-July-2007. Amp'd, which targets the youth market, said it is currently in discussions with other carriers, but that customers should port their numbers to other service providers. Early termination fees no longer apply.



Past investors in Amp'd Mobile include Tudor Investments, Intel Capital, Rho Ventures, Quilvest Ventures, Polygon Investment Partners, Heights Capital Management, QUALCOMM, MTV, Universal Music Group, Highland Capital Partners, Columbia Capital and Redpoint Ventures.

http://get.ampd.com/

• In June 2007, Amp'd Mobile filed for protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy seeking to restructure the business.

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SingTel Launches its MioTV IPTV Service

Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) launched its "mio TV" IPTV service, featuring content partnerships with major Hollywood movie studios including Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox and Disney.



SingTel has inked a deal with Sony Pictures Television International that includes Sony's upcoming slate of feature films at the same time as the DVD release and before they are seen anywhere else on TV. The deal also includes key titles from Sony's extensive catalogue of feature films.



For HD content, SingTel is partnering with Mega Media, one of Asia's largest HD companies. Partnering with VOOM HD Networks, the channels will include an exciting line-up of HD programming selected from VOOM's 15 HD channels and the first made-in-Singapore HD channel - Sling HD.



mio TV offers a la carte price plans. An on-demand channel line-up allows viewers to choose from up to 25 selected movies for unlimited viewing for only S$12 per month.

http://www.singtel.com

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CTIA Blasts Google Proposal

CTIA, the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, blasted Google's proposal for the upcoming auction of wireless spectrum in the 700 MHz band.



In a statement, CTIA President Steve Largent said "Google's letter to the FCC this morning highlights the Internet giant's scheme to have the 700 MHz auction rigged with special conditions in its favor. If Google is willing to commit almost $5 billion dollars for spectrum that it wants encumbered with various requirements, then let it win that spectrum in a competitive auction and choose that business model. Google and its allies, with their collective market capitalization approaching half a trillion dollars, don't need a government handout at taxpayers' expense. The competitive wireless industry welcomes all new entrants, but no company should be able to buy a custom-fit government regulation that suits their particular business plan. Consumers should decide if they're right, not the federal government."http://www.ctia.org

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Ericsson's Sales Rise 8% in Q2

Ericsson reported Q2 net sales of SEK 47.6 billion, an increase of 8% driven by organic growth and acquired sales. Organic growth amounted to 6%. Ericsson said that because the US dollar has continued to weaken, sales growth has been affected negatively.



"We continue to outpace the market," said Carl-Henric Svanberg, President and CEO of Ericsson. "Sales showed an encouraging year-over-year increase this quarter, primarily driven by Asia Pacific. Europe, Middle East and Africa were softer while we see improving trends in the Americas. Margins were stable with improved cash generation."



On another note, Ericsson said the total number of mobile subscriptions worldwide has now reached three billion, a milestone for our industry.

http://www.ericsson.com

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Google Sets Conditions for Bidding on 700MHz Spectrum, Plans $4.6 Billion Bid

Google declared its intention to bid in the upcoming auction for 700 MHz spectrum if the FCC adopts a framework requiring greater competition and consumer choice. Google outlined four criteria that it believes should be cornerstones of FCC policy regardless of who wins the spectrum at auction. Specifically, Google encouraged the FCC to require the adoption of four types of "open" platforms as part of the license conditions:

• Open applications: Consumers should be able to download and utilize any software applications, content, or services they desire;



• Open devices: Consumers should be able to utilize a handheld communications device with whatever wireless network they prefer;



• Open services: Third parties (resellers) should be able to acquire wireless services from a 700 MHz licensee on a wholesale basis, based on reasonably nondiscriminatory commercial terms; and



• Open networks: Third parties (like internet service providers) should be able to interconnect at any technically feasible point in a 700 MHz licensee's wireless network.

Google also publicly stated that should the FCC adopt all four license conditions requested above, Google intends to commit a minimum of $4.6 billion to bidding in the upcoming 700 MHz auction. http://www.google.com

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France CitéVision selects Alcatel-Lucent's GPON

France CitéVision to deploy an advanced fiber access solution for the residential market within the framework of its FTTU (Fiber-to-the-user) network deployment in Amiens, France (located 150km north of Paris). France CitéVision is deploying the Alcatel-Lucent 7342 ISAM FTTU, including the new optical network terminal in the home. The carrier is also deploying the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router in its backbone. Initial deployments will begin in the third quarter 2007. Financial terms were not disclosed.

http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

http://www.france-citevision.fr/

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Ubiquisys Raises $25 Million for Femtocell CPE, Google Joins Round

Ubiquisys, a start-up based in Swindon, England, raised US$25 million in Series B funding. The company's first round investors, including Accel Partners, Atlas Venture and Advent Venture Partners, were joined by Google.



The Ubiquisys ZoneGate femtocell offers mobile users high-quality mobile coverage in the home using their usual 3G cell phones. The device plugs into an existing home broadband gateway or is built into a gateway product that includes WiFi, DSL, Ethernet, phone ports and USB.

http://www.ubiquisys.com

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