VoIP

iPhone to soon get VOIP

Sue Marek — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:17:55 -0400

Apple iPhone users may soon be able to make calls without using cell phone minutes. Global IP Solutions announced yesterday that it has a software developer's kit that enables VOIP on the iPhone 3G. Article

Singapore's WiFi initiative thrives

Sue Marek — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:13:05 -0400

Perhaps struggling municipal WiFi networks in the U.S. should take a lesson from Singapore. Thanks to an initiative by the government's InfoComm Development Authority in conjunction with operators iCell, QMax and the incumbent SingTel, the country has blanketed its population with 7,200 hotspots. The initiative, called Wireless@SG, was developed in 2006 and now has about 850,000 users who access the network for at least three hours per month to surf the net, send and receive email and access social networking sites.

Of course, key to Wireless@SG is that the operators provide the service (which is interoperable among all three carriers) to consumers for free for three years. The goal is to build usage and interest. After the three-year period, the operators may charge a minimal fee for the service or generate revenue from value-added applications.

But the Wireless@SG network isn't just being used by consumers. Enterprises and small businesses are also using the network for advanced applications such as wireless surveillance and wireless point of sale.

At the CommunicAsia 2008 conference in Singapore this week I spoke with iCell CEO Ken Chua about the program. Chua says that his firm is generating some revenue from advertising but it's not a core to the business strategy. Instead, after the three-year period is up, he may start charging consumers a very minimal fee for the service (in the range of $1.50 per month). But the real value will come from applications such as mobile VOIP. iCell just inked a deal with white-label mobile VOIP provider Challenger Mobile. The two firms plan to deliver end-to-end mobile VOIP solutions throughout Asia-Pacific.

Chua says that his firm is working on a mobile device in conjunction with Nokia and Microsoft that will provide mobile VOIP service and he plans to charge customers $3.60 per month for unlimited mobile VOIP calling. "We hope to get a sizable percentage of the market," Chua says. And perhaps give the incumbent cellular operators a run for their money.

Meanwhile, QMax, which is also a landline ISP, is bundling its WiFi service with its landline Internet. The company makes money by charging more for priority access and for higher bandwidth than the basic 512 Kbps. For example, for 1 Mbps of speed, customers are charged about $7.20 per month.

The IDA is pleased with its Wireless@SG initiative and is currently working on guidelines for the next-generation of the project. Whether that will be WiMAX or another technology remains to be seen. -Sue

Clearwire clears 400K subscriber mark

Brian Dolan — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:35:24 -0400

Clearwire posted a first quarter loss that was nearly double its year-ago loss because of increasing network buildout costs. The $176.4 million loss is close to twice last year's $92.6 million figure. Clearwire's total revenue rose 76 percent to $51.5 million, up from $29.3 million last year.

Subscribers: Clearwire added 48,000 net new subscribers during the quarter. The carrier ended the quarter with about 443,000 total subscribers.

ARPU: Clearwire reported a slight increase in average revenue per user (ARPU): $36.86, up from $35.80 last year. The carrier pointed to increased sales of VoIP and PC cards as well as an improvement in international sales as reasons for the ARPU uptick.

Churn: Clearwire posted domestic churn of 2 percent for the first quarter of the year and 2.2 percent consolidated churn, which includes its international markets.

For more:
- read this Clearwire's Q1 press release

Sound Off - Industry players discuss the Sprint/Clearwire WiMAX deal

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:49:32 -0400

On May 7 Sprint and Clearwire announced plans to combine their WiMax businesses and create a new company (called Clearwire) with a $3.2 billion investment from Intel, Google, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and others. Here's what members of the wireless industry are saying about the deal. If you would like to weigh in on this deal, answer our poll question here.

"The biggest challenge is getting all these companies that are important participants to agree on the essential value proposition, both from a marketing and distribution standpoint. How will this relate to Sprint, if Sprint remains a standalone wireless company? If Sprint continues to be standalone wireless company as it is today, how do they promote the value proposition of the new WiMAX entity vis-a-vis their own cellular network? What is the value proposition for Sprint if there is Clearwire? That's a key issue. Another issue is defining the essential value proposition of this network, which will essentially be a 4G network built form scratch. If its value proposition is data, this is the first time in the history of the U.S. since Metricom, that we will have a network that is solely for data. Will it be sustainable as a data-only network? I presume you will be able to run VOIP but what does that mean to the Sprint's cellular network? What does that mean for the cable companies that are already offering essentially VOIP service? --Mark Lowenstein, managing director, Mobile Ecosystem.
"This is a big day for WiMAX, and it lends a lot of credibility for us to build our business model. We have always talked about the business model first. We are talking about broadening the chipset system, getting WiMAX into consumer electronics, eliminating subsidies and instituting at-home provisioning so customers don't have to stand in line. Those are all part in parcel to really change the mobile broadband experience in a way it ought to be." --Atish Gude, senior vice president of mobile broadband operations with Xohm.
"The new Clearwire will have a substantial time-to-market advantage over others who just acquired spectrum. Clearwire will have a solid foundation for next-generation products and services. It's the largest spectrum position held by a company in America. It will provide high-capacity services at a low cost." --Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint, during a conference call about the new venture.
"This will dramatically advance WiMAX. Our expanded relationship with Intel and Google will help fulfill the vision of an open network. We will resell wireless through wholesale arrangements and bring in new wholesale revenue streams." --Ben Wolff, CEO of Clearwire, during a conference call about the new venture.
"The New Clearwire announcement is a much-needed good news story for the WiMAX industry after months of delays, uncertainty and speculation. This is important news not only in the U.S., but internationally. Many greenfield and 2G operators worldwide are closely watching the development (or lack of development) of WiMAX in the U.S. as an indication of the real prospects for 802.16e. Although I don't believe the new Clearwire deployment will reach 100 million POPs as quickly as 2010 (as stated by Clearwire), it will provide the much-needed volumes to the emerging device and application ecosystem upon which WiMAX hopes to distance itself from LTE. It remains to be seen how these diverse players will learn to work together and what will happen to Sprint's 3G + network." --Adlane Fellah, CEO & Founder, MARAVEDIS Inc.
"TBR believes Sprint and Clearwire's May 7 announcement--that the two companies will combine their WiMAX businesses into a single entity--has the potential to establish a significant competitor to the traditional U.S. wireless operators, one with a time-to-market advantage for 4G services. Moreover, the affiliation with cable operators, particularly the nations' two largest cable operators Comcast and Time Warner Cable, helps address questions regarding the business model supporting WiMAX deployment. From an equipment perspective, the announcement provides a vehicle for a number of firms seeking a presence in the next-generation mobile business, firms that had to take a back seat to larger, more established incumbents in 3G deployments. "The deal will provide efficiencies--and funding--to expedite the rollout of the network, providing the new company with a time-to-market advantage by launching a 4G network well before Verizon Wireless' and AT&T's planned LTE launches between 2010 and 2012. TBR expects the combined WiMAX assets of Sprint and Clearwire to produce significant synergies, allowing the companies to provide a nationwide network at a lower cost." --Kate Price, analyst, Technology Business Research.

Report: T-Mobile rolling out 3G in NYC in May

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:59:58 -0400

According to a report from TmoNews.com, which claims it received a leaked memo from T-Mobile USA, the carrier is launching its 3G network in New York City tomorrow. The memo promises T-Mobile subscribers great call quality and more network availability but makes no mention of advanced features, applications or services. The carrier aims to roll 3G out in at least 20 markets by the end of the year. Some of the cities include: Los Angeles, Detroit, San Diego, Austin, Las Vegas, Minneapolis and Miami.

A T-Mobile USA spokesperson would not comment on the rumored report but did disclose that the carrier would be announcing its 3G plans within a week. He also reminded us that the carrier would be announcing its quarterly earnings next Thursday. Hint, hint.

For more on T-Mobile USA's 3G plans:
- check out this report over at Engadget

Rinne opens Fierce 4G event

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 07:59:57 -0400

At yesterday's "Path to 4G" event presented by FierceMarkets and held at CTIA Wireless 2008, AT&T Senior Vice President, Architecture & Planning Kris Rinne told the audience of more than 200 wireless executives that there is still a lot of room to grow in 3G and the company is planning to upgrade its HSDPA network to HSUPA before it moves to LTE, which offers speeds of 100 Mbps and beyond. She expects the LTE deployment to occur in 2010.

Although the ITU has not yet defined a 4G standard, Rinne said that she anticipates that LTE will meet the future definition. She also said that migrating to LTE is not just about speed but also about better support for services such as VOIP.

Rinne says that AT&T is continuing to invest in its 3G network and by year-end, she expects that 75 percent of the company's wireless handsets sold at retail will be 3G. -Sue

Google gives more color on Android vision

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:59:54 -0500

Google developer Dan Morrill shared some insight yesterday at the ETech conference on the company's vision for its newly released Android platform. Morrill said that Google does not view making money off of Android as a "high priority," because Android is about getting an open platform into the wild. Morrill also noted that Google does not consider the SDK for the OS as in Beta or even Alpha release. Morrill also addressed fears that Android would expose users to more malware and phishing programs than traditional mobile devices do because Android aims to create a more web-like experience and web-like risk level is sure to follow.

For more on Morrill's comments:
- read the post at GigaOM

Related Articles:
Google debuts updated Android SDK Article
Has Android forgotten VoIP? Article
A La Mobile demos Android Article

Garmin's Nuvifone faces trademark violations

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:59:55 -0500

Internet telephone provider Nuvio has filed a trademark violation lawsuit against Garmin for its recently unveiled GPS-powered Nuvifone. Nuvio claims that its customers typically refer to its service as "Nuvifone" so it has filed a cease-and-desist letter to Garmin. Nuvio also wants payments for past infringement since Garmin has used the Nuvi name since 2006 in North America and earlier in Europe.

For more on Nuvifone vs. Nuvio:
- read this post from Engadget

T-Mobile USA offers landline over Hotspot@Home

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:59:55 -0500

While T-Mobile is part of a group of operators embarking on a price war on the mobile voice side, the operator also upped the ante on its HotSpot@Home offering, rolling out Talk Forever Home Service in Seattle and Dallas for $10 per line per month for unlimited domestic calls. The router costs $49 and the service requires a broadband connection.

The new service runs on top of T-Mobile's existing HotSpot@Home offering, which enables converged WiFi and mobile-phone calling using one of four handset models that T-Mobile offers. Pricing was recently lowered for this service to $10 per month for unlimited domestic calling for up to four cell phones. Both HotSpot@Home and Talk Forever Home require a minimum $40 per month voice calling plan.

In an interview with Wi-Fi Net News, Joe Sims, vice president and general manager of T-Mobile's broadband products, said T-Mobile is looking to "address the remaining reasons people were reluctant to cut the cord."

To find out more about T-Mobile's new Talk Forever Home Service plan:
- read this piece from Wi-Fi Net News
- see these images of the Talk Forever router and phone

Related articles:
T-Mobile may extend VoIP with Hotspot@Home Report
T-Mobile introduces unlimited calling over Wi-Fi Report

Skype: Where are all the WiMAX devices?

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:59:58 -0500

For Gareth O'Loughlin, Skype's general manager of mobile and hardware devices, this year's Mobile World Congress show has looked to meet the challenge of bringing the Internet experience to the mobile handset. While this tired premise has garnered little fanfare, the solutions for porting the Internet experience to the mobile phone have not yet fully coalesced. The prevailing mindset of most carriers, however, has shifted in favor of a more open wireless network that discriminates less when it comes to handsets and applications. That said, O'Loughlin lamented the lack of WiMAX devices at the show.

Late last year Skype launched a Skypephone with Hutchison Whampoa's 3G carrier 3, which led to similar launches across Hutchison's carriers worldwide. "What we have shown with 3 is that Skype can partner effectively with an operator," O'Loughlin said. There is no need to maintain the mindset that Skype is a threat to mobile carriers, he added.

O'Loughlin said he is "very optimistic" about the promises of open access that major carriers in the U.S. have pledged in recent months, but he noted that no two carriers are the same.Ã‚Â -Brian

Sprint sues over VoIP patents

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:59:57 -0500

Following up on its $80 million settlement from its Vonage lawsuit last year, Sprint is milking its 115 VoIP patents by suing NuVox Communications, Broadvox Holdings, Big River Telephone and Paetec Communications. The carrier claims the four companies are violating six of its patents and is seeking both damages and an injunction. Reportedly, Sprint did not try to negotiate a licensing agreement with any of the companies before filing the lawsuit. GigaOM quipped that Sprint may see patent litigation as an easier means to cashflow than its much needed corporate turnaround.

For more on the suits:
- read this report from GigaOM

SPOTLIGHT: Skype ever working the mobile angle

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 06:59:52 -0500

Peer-to-peer VoIP service provider Skype is now focusing its attention on the mobile market. Article

Orange sells unlocked iPhones for $964 apiece

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 06:59:57 -0500

France's Orange announced that it will sell unlocked iPhones for about $964, much less than the $1500 that T-Mobile Germany is charging for the unlocked devices. iPhone buyers that also sign up for a one-year contract with Orange can get the handset for about $590. Orange offers four different pricing plans, which all include free access to the iPhone's visual voicemail service, "unlimited" access to email and the Internet. PC World, however, noted that the pricing plans forbid reading newsgroups, making VoIP (voice over IP) calls, sharing files over peer-to-peer services or using the iPhone as a modem with a notebook PC.

For more on the unlocked iPhone in France:
- read this article from PC World

Danaher scoops up Tektronix for $2.85B

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:59:54 -0400

Washington, D.C.-based company Danaher said it is buying long-time telecom test firm Tektronix, which is based in Beaverton, Ore., for about $2.85 billion. The deal price amounts to about $38 per share, 34 percent over the closing price for Tektronix last Friday.

Danaher owns several different companies addressing diagnostics, industrial control and other applications across a variety of industries. The acquisition of Tektronix will allow the company to expand its presence in the telecom testing arena (Danaher calls it "electronics test"), in which it already operates Fluke Networks. Tektronix brings key strengths in VoIP, mobile and video testing.

For more:
- see this story in The New York Times

Metric: 435M SIP phone users by 2012

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 06:59:56 -0400

According to a recent report from Informa Telecoms & Media, there will be 435 million users of SIP-enabled phones by 2012. Sales of handsets with active SIP functionality will reach 275 million units this year, but the inflection point for sales will land sometime in either 2010 or 2011, the report predicts. The figures take into account both IETF SIP and IMS SIP. Informa's Malik Saadi said that "growth will be mainly driven by the strong will of device vendors to get involved in the content space but also by the increasing number of new entrants among VoIP and Internet content providers who are determined to challenge the mobile operator walled-garden service offering."

For more on the SIP report:
- read this article from TMC

NextWave, Huawei trial mobile WiMAX

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:59:55 -0400

NextWave Broadband, the manufacturer subsidiary of NextWave Wireless, joined forces with Huawei Technologies to conduct interoperability testing of NextWave's mobile WiMAX chipsets and Huawei's WiMAX infrastructure gear.

In addition, the two firms are also evaluating Huawei's commercial WiMAX equipment over NextWave's trial network in Henderson, Nev. Key features being tested include handover, mobility and enhanced services such as VOIP and video streaming.

For more on the trial:
- see this press release

Related articles:
- NextWave to acquire IPWireless. Article
- Huawei to deploy WiMAX commercial network for Saudi Telecom. Article

Motorola showcases mobile WiMAX handoffs

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 06:59:58 -0400

Motorola teamed with Sprint yesterday to showcase the operator's Xohm WiMAX service in Chicago. During a cruise along the Chicago River, a group of media and analysts were able to experience live handoffs of WiMAX applications such as VOIP calls, video streaming and MobiTV. Later, the group saw a similar demo while driving at speeds beyond 50 miles per hour.

Barry West, Sprint CTO and president of the Xohm Business Unit, said that the company is on schedule to begin Xohm pre-commercial service in Chicago by year-end with commercial service in that city and other markets beginning in April 2008.

The media event was held in conjunction with WiMAX World USA conference, which is taking place in Chicago this week. FierceTelecom editor-in-chief Dan O'Shea is at the conference and will be providing live coverage from the show. Look for more stories from WiMAX World in tomorrow's issue and in our sister publications FierceBroadbandWireless and FierceTelecom.

For more:
- see this press release

See these related stories:
-Sprint outlines "Xohm" WiMAX plans. Article
-Xohm Steals the Spotlight. Editorial
-Sprint details WiMAX, PTT and femtocell plans. Article

ALSO NOTED: Sprint wins patent suit against Vonage; 42 percent of small businesses depend on wireless; and more...

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 06:59:50 -0400

> Sprint Nextel won a patent lawsuit against VOIP provider Vonage. A jury in Kansas City ruled that the Internet phone company infringed six patents owned by Sprint. Vonage has been ordered to pay $69.5 million in damages, plus a 5 percent royalty on future revenue. Article

> A small business survey conducted by AT&T indicates that 42 percent of business owners could not survive without their wireless technologies. Fifty-five percent said they expect to depend even more on these type of technologies two years from now. Article

And finally... Contact this woman if you want your cell phone coated in gold. Article

ALSO NOTED: Samsung America's new CMO; Moto switch milestone; and much more...

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 06:59:50 -0400

> Google now mulling 3G for gPhone, report claims. Article

> Samsung Telecommunications America names Bill Ogle CMO. Release

> Motorola has sold 100,000 wireless switches. Release

> Phone companies look to add mobile phone inspired features to landlines phones. Article (WSJ sub. req.)

> Ten VoIP phones featured at FierceVoIP. Images

And Finally... CNET reports that the Copyright Office Chief does not own a computer and is a self-proclaimed Luddite. Article

The first "truly global" phone?

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 06:59:55 -0400

Yesterday at the TechCrunch40 conference, Irish startup Cubic Telecom showed off what it claimed was the first "truly global" mobile handset, the Cubic Mobile(image). The handset is a dual-band GSM/WiFi device that makes use of the MAXroam SIM card. The SIM claims to be "universal" and includes favorable country-to-country phone rates anywhere in the world. Cubic said the SIM is the product of years of negotiations with GSM carriers. The phone also boasts full PBX functionality, which allows the user to create up to 50 permanent local phone numbers.

"We are living in a world where more and more people need to make phone calls across borders and while traveling. Our mantra is 'all global calls should be local calls', and we have built a product that can do that," said Cubic CEO and co-founder Pat Phelan.

For more on Cubic's phone:
- read this press release