Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Nokia Issues 2010 Predictions on Mobile Devices and Infrastructure

Nokia is predicting that industry mobile device volumes will be up approximately 10% in 2010, compared to 2009. For its part, Nokia expects its mobile device volume market share to be flat in 2010, compared to 2009. At its annual Capital Markets Day event in Helsinki, Nokia also predicted lower average selling price (ASP) erosion of its mobile devices in 2010, compared to recent years. To combat these trends, Nokia is pushing ahead with new valued-added services, including its ovi store for mobile applications, as well as initiatives such as mobile banking aimed at developing markets.


For the mobile and fixed infrastructure market, Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks expect a flat market in euro terms for the mobile and fixed infrastructure and related services market in 2010, compared to 2009. Nokia Siemens Networks is expecting to grow faster than the market in 2010. The company is targeting non- IFRS operating margin of breakeven to 2% in 2010.


"In 2010, we will drive user experience improvements, and the progress we make will take the Symbian user interface to a new level. As an operating system, Symbian has reach and flexibility like no other platform, and we have measures in place to push smartphones down to new price points globally, while growing margins. I see great opportunity for Nokia to capture new growth in our industry, by creating what we expect to be the world's biggest platform for services on the mobile," stated Nokia CEO, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo.


Some additional notes:


  • For 2009, Nokia retained the title of the world's fifth most valuable brand


  • Some 1.1 billion users now carry a Nokia in their pocket every day


  • Nokia devices are being sold at 650,000 points-of-sale across the world


  • The company's intellectual property portfolio now extends to over 11,000 inventions


  • NSN's driver's for growth are 1) Mobile broadband 2) Managed services 3) Subscriber-centric services
http://www.nokia.com

Kazakhtelecom Deploys Cisco IP NGN

Kazakhtelecom has deployed a Cisco Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) based on Cisco optical networking and routing technologies. Kazakhtelecom's IP/MPLS core infrastructure in Almaty runs on the Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing System platform. The next-generation optical transport network is based on DWDM infrastructure, equipped with the Cisco ONS 15454 Multiservice Transport Platform. Project design and implementation was carried out by the specialists of AMT Group, a Cisco Gold Certified Partner, based in Moscow. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.cisco.com

Stephane Richard Names as CEO Delegate of France Telecom

Didier Lombard, France Telecom's Chairman and CEO, has submitted a proposal to the Board of Directors concerning the appointment of Stephane Richard as Chief Executive Officer Delegate. This proposition was approved by the company's Board of Directors and the appointment will apply from January 1, 2010.


Stéphane Richard, 48, graduated from Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales and Ecole Nationale d'Administration (ENA). In January 2003, Stéphane Richard was appointed as Executive Vice President of Veolia Environnement and Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Transport. From May 2007 to June 2009, Stéphane Richard was Chief of Staff for the French Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment. Until 2007, he was a board member at France Télécom SA, UGC SA and Nexity SA.
http://www.francetelecom.com

Verizon Kicks Offs Cloud Computing Program

Verizon Business launched a new Cloud Computing Program - a set of IT consulting and managed services that offer enterprises a holistic approach to transitioning to the cloud, while addressing specific security, privacy, performance and governance requirements. The Verizon Cloud Computing Program also helps enterprises manage, monitor and maintain their clouds, whether applications are delivered from an enterprise's own data center, or one operated by Verizon or a third party.


This lifecycle-centric program offers enterprises a flexible, vendor-neutral approach to understanding the cloud environment, using a five-tiered process: assess, design, migrate, manage and secure. Verizon Business said its experts in data center virtualization, application management and security can help enterprise customers to create a secure, cloud computing environment, while giving them the level of support desired, no matter where they are in their cloud computing deployment.


"It is now clear that cloud computing is part of the future of IT," said Joe Crawford, executive director - IT solutions and hosting product management, Verizon. "While many businesses recognize the many benefits associated with cloud computing, concerns still persist over security, performance and governance. With our market-leading IT capabilities and experience from building and deploying our flagship cloud offering, Computing as a Service, Verizon Business is well-positioned to advise enterprises on their cloud computing strategy."http://www.verizon.com

Greenpacket Releases New WiMAX Modems

Malaysia-based Green Packet release new Wave 2 compliant WiMAX modems, including a tower model offering Wi-Fi and VoIP functionality. The Tower features high-gain omni directional antennas and is aimed at both home and SOHO users.


Greenpacket also launched a WiMAX USB High Gain Modem (UH). Known as the "Shuttle", the high gain USB modem supports both fixed and nomadic WiMAX. Its 5dBi omni antenna radiates and receives signals from any direction and automatically selects the best antenna to improve signal strength for better uplink performance. With 25dBm transmission power, Shuttle delivers exceptional quality both indoors and outdoors. For optimum indoor performance, Shuttle is fitted with a suction cup to fix the modem to a window or wall. An accompanying 5meter USB cable gives users the flexibility of sitting away from the window yet enjoying a strong WiMAX signal.
http://www.greenpacket.com

Dell'Oro: Steep Declines in 3G Spending in China

Mobile infrastructure market revenues declined 10 percent in the third quarter of this year to $9 billion, due in large part to fewer 3G deployments in China during the quarter, according to a recently published report from Dell'Oro Group. The report indicates that the vast majority of 3G deployments in China were completed in the first half of 2009, which resulted in WCDMA and CDMA base station shipments in the third quarter experiencing double-digit declines over the record-setting second quarter of this year.


While 3G spending in China is expected to stay depressed for the remainder of this year, the report indicates that heavy spending by China Unicom and China Telecom is expected to resume in 2010, and will be a prime contributor to both the WCDMA and CDMA markets.


"The lack of 3G spending by China Unicom and China Telecom in the third quarter had two major consequences on the market," stated Scott Siegler, Senior Analyst of Mobile Infrastructure research at Dell'Oro Group. "First, each of the top five vendors experienced steep declines in base station shipments during the third quarter due to their slower sales to China. Second, the average selling price of wireless infrastructure equipment rose in the third quarter, because a greater percentage of equipment was sold in more developed countries, where prices are generally higher than in China," continued Siegler.
http://www.delloro.com

HipLogic Secures $7 Million for Mobile Application Platform

HipLogic, a start-up based in Fremont, California, secured $7 million in Series B funding to further develop and deploy its mobile application platform.


The HipLogic platform improves content and application discoverability, provides a consistent user experience across all handset models, and optimizes data traffic on cellular networks. It is available for select smartphones as well as feature phones running closed real-time operating systems. It is currently being deployed through a partnership with The Carphone Warehouse, Europe's leading independent mobile retailer.


The Series B round includes existing investors Benchmark Capital and Stage 1 Ventures as well as new investors Bay Partners, who led the round, and Accrue Sports and Entertainment Ventures.
http://www.hiplogic.com

ASSIA Expands Executive Team

ASSIA added three key executives to its management team.: Joe Grady as vice president of worldwide sales and leads, Raymond Ostby as vice president of finance and administration and chief financial officer, and Steve Timmerman as senior vice president of marketing.


Grady previously was executive vice president of sales at Excess Bandwidth and Amati Communications. Earlier, he held sales management positions with Newbridge Networks, Racal Data Communications, Octel Communications, and AT&T Paradyne.


Prior to joining ASSIA, Ostby served as CFO of several companies, including NextG Networks, ArrayComm, KBC Pharma, Quickturn Design Systems, Force Computers, and Atmel.


Timmerman most recently served as vice president of marketing for ShoreTel. Previously, he was vice president of marketing for Proxim.
http://www.assia-inc.com

Sulpizio Appointed CEO of Qualcomm Enterprise Services

Rich Sulpizio was appointed as president and CEO of Qualcomm Enterprise Services (QES), replacing Bob Walton, who has decided to look for other opportunities. Sulpizio most recently served as president of MediaFLO USA, Inc. (now FLO TV Incorporated), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm, overseeing the development and deployment of MediaFLO technology, and previously as interim president of Qualcomm China. From 1998 to 2001, he led the Company as president and COO. During his 10 years with Qualcomm, he also served as president of Qualcomm Wireless Business Solutions (now QES).
http://www.qualcomm.com

Zayo Bandwidth Commits $65M to 2010 Network Expansion

Zayo Bandwidth has committed $65 million in its capital expenditure program for FY 2010. This compares with the $45 million that the company will have spent this year on network expansion. In 2009, Zayo added over 400 buildings across its dense fiber footprint. 75% of that capital expense was deployed in direct support of customer bandwidth requirements.


Allocated funds for 2010 will be used for the expansion of Zayo's fiber networks and service capabilities in support of customer driven solutions.


"While many bandwidth and infrastructure providers are cutting spending, we feel fortunate to have investor commitment to continue our rapid organic growth while at the same time supporting our customers' growing bandwidth requirements," stated Christopher Morley, CFO for Zayo Bandwidth.
http://www.zayo.com

TerreStar, EB and Flextronics Partner on Satellite-Terrestrial Smartphone

Elektrobit (EB) and mobile communications provider TerreStar have expanded their relationship to include EB's provision of turnkey product delivery services to TerreStar for the TerreStar GENUS Smartphone, an EB design. EB has sub-contracted with Flextronics for manufacturing and logistics.


The TerreStar GENUS Smartphone combines 3G terrestrial wireless capability with satellite voice and data services - all in a standard smartphone size and form factor. It uses the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system and features a touchscreen, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and a QWERTY keyboard.
http://www.terrestar.com
http://www.elektrobit.com