DOCOMO to Establish Smart-life Business Units

NTT DOCOMO will establish several new business units on July 1 as an initiative to restructure its business and organizational structure aimed at generating new revenue streams.

The new units are the Smart-life Business Department and the M2M Business Department.  Within the Smar-life unit, DOCOMO will focus on opportunities including Mobile Retail, Content, Solutions (education, healthcare, ecology), Financial (credit payment services and personal insurance), and Planning (common platforms and services).

DOCOMO said it hopes the restructuring will help customers to realize smarter lives through innovative mobile technologies.

http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/info/media_center/pr/2013/0426_00.html

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Singtel Invested S$150 Million in 4G Rollout

Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) invested $150 million over the past year to launch its 4G network across Singapore. SingTel is now providing street-level coverage across the island, as well as indoor coverage in more than 550 buildings, including shopping malls, hotels and other commercial properties.

Singtel said that it is progressively deploying Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology in commercial buildings to boost maximum user download speeds from 75Mbps to 150Mbps.  SingTel has so far deployed MIMO in busy locations such as Nex, Jurong Point, Changi Airport and Tampines Mall.

SingTel said it expects the next generation of 4G devices capable of supporting speeds of up to 150Mbps to be available from the second half of this year.

http://www.singtel.com/4G

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UK Plans White Space Trial

Ofcom, the official telecoms regulatory authority for the U.K.,  announced plans for a pilot of white space technology.  The study will test the inter-operation of white spaces devices, white space databases and the processes to mitigate against causing any undue interference to current spectrum users.

Specifically, Ofcom is inviting industry to take part in the pilot, which is intended to take place in the autumn. The locations for the trial will be chosen once trial participants have been identified.

Ofcom anticipates that the white space technology could be commercially rolled out during 2014, pending a successful trial this year.

Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive, said: “Ofcom is preparing for a future where consumers’ demand for data services will experience huge growth. This will be fuelled by smartphones, tablets and other new wireless applications. White space technology is one creative way that this demand can be met. We are aiming to facilitate this important innovation by working closely with industry.”

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/whitespaces/summary

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