Device Arena

Celcom today became the first operator in Malaysia to establish a single core network platform for both GSM and WCDMA technology with the deployment of Mobile Softswitch solution from Ericsson in its network.

The move is in line with Celcom’s continuous focus to modernize its network to deliver classic telephony services over a more modern and cost efficient network while creating a common foundation for new services. The deployment of Ericsson Mobile Softswitch also marks the first crucial step for Celcom in migrating its core network to an all-IP architecture.

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VARBusiness, a CMP publication, has awarded Nokia its highest accolade, the prestigious Gold 5-Star Overall Winner for 2008, in recognition of the benefits to partners of the Nokia for Business Channel Program.

VARBusinesses’ 2008 Partner Program Guide (PPG) is a guide that acknowledges the commitment and strength of a vendor’s partner programs for its Channel resellers, IT integrators and technology consultants in North America.

The Nokia for Business Channel Program is designed to accelerate the widespread adoption of business mobility. The integrated program aims to create the industry’s most complete channel ecosystem for the design, deployment, sale and support of security and open mobility solutions worldwide. This year, Nokia adds operators and independent software vendors (ISVs) to the existing ecosystem of IT solution providers, opening up new opportunities for its growing community of partners to work together to deliver mobility solutions to businesses. Nokia also recently introduced new incentive programs designed to encourage collaboration between partners and to support their investments in broadening their technology expertise and expanding their customer base.

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Nokia announced that SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA(TM), a leading vertically integrated magazine publisher with more than 75 titles, has joined the global Nokia Media Network, a mobile advertising network comprised of blue-chip publishers, Tier 1 mobile operators and Nokia media properties. The Nokia Media Network’s wide reach of a global mobile audience is yielding click-through rates averaging 10 percent in certain channels

The collaboration will incorporate SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA’s(TM) mobile Web properties, including MOTOR TREND® and AUTOMOBILE® Magazine, into the Nokia Media Network, which allows advertisers to place ads on high-quality publisher and operator mobile Web pages, as well as Nokia properties, representing a reach of more than 100 million mobile consumers around the globe. SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA’s(TM) magazine publications reach more than 80 million readers each month.

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AT&T announced a new approach to early termination fees (ETFs) that provides greater flexibility for wireless customers.

Beginning on May 25, the company’s new and renewing wireless customers who enter into one- or two-year service agreements will no longer be required to pay a single, flat early termination fee. Instead, that fee, which is $175, will be progressively lowered by $5 during each month, every month, for the term of the contract. (The single, flat ETF will continue to apply to new and renewing customers who enter into one- or two-year service agreements prior to May 25.)

The company noted that it continues to offer options for those customers who do not want term commitments or ETFs, including:

AT&T

AT&T announced that Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) has selected AT&T to be its global provider of advanced communications services. The five year agreement, estimated to be worth $1.6 billion, calls for AT&T to provide, manage and maintain Shell’s worldwide communications infrastructure while also managing the company’s global mobility needs. It is one of the largest commercial contracts ever signed by AT&T, and it’s the largest agreement signed with a company that is headquartered in Europe. The agreement is one of three outsourcing contracts signed by Shell with key suppliers for networking and IT services.

This agreement with Shell follows a series of other large and strategic wins AT&T has secured in the past year, including deals with Starbucks, General Motors, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and IBM. All of these wins underscore AT&T’s position as the leading global telecommunications service provider within the industry. The agreements with GM and the Department of the Treasury are each worth up to $1 billion; the IBM agreement is worth up to $5 billion.

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Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, and Motorola announced that Motorola’s leading smartphone will be available in two color options, MOTO QTM 9c in licorice and MOTO QTM 9c lime, expected this summer. MOTO Q 9c and MOTO Q 9c lime provide on-the-go consumers with the tools and applications needed to keep up with their fast-paced professional and personal lives.

“MOTO Q 9c and MOTO Q 9c lime are great additions to Alltel’s portfolio of handsets,” said Brian Ullem, vice president of device strategy for Alltel Wireless. “This new generation Motorola smartphone provides customers with a powerful platform and a large suite of applications allowing convenience and productivity.”

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U.S. Cellular® and Motorola announced that starting this summer, U.S. Cellular customers will be able to stay cool with their choice of MOTO QTM 9c in licorice or MOTO QTM 9c lime. Whichever style they choose, both devices will help U.S. Cellular’s customers to keep up with their busy personal and professional lives.

“As consumer demand for smartphones increases, we are providing our customers with options to best suit their needs,” said Alan Ferber, vice president of sales operations and chief marketing officer for U.S. Cellular. “With both MOTO Q 9c and Q 9c lime, our customers can select a smartphone in the color that fits their personality, while staying connected to the tools and applications they need on-the-go.”

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Motorola announced the signing of a commercial contract with Shanghai Branch Company of China Unicom Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Unicom), for building the first comprehensive Value-Added Service Platform (VASP) for Shanghai Unicom using Motorola’s GAMA (Global Applications Management Architecture) Service Delivery Platform (SDP). This cooperation, which marks Motorola’s entrance into the region’s service provider data applications management market, aims to strengthen the telecommunications service provider’s service creation, delivery and management capabilities for mobile data applications.

GAMA is a major element of Motorola’s comprehensive set of offerings for the service delivery solutions space. With Motorola’s GAMA service enabling solution, Shanghai Unicom’s VASP will simplify the current integration and future delivery of data applications through combination services, automated governance, value chain management and consistent user identity. End-user experience will be enhanced through single sign-on across all data services, and with the fast roll out of a wide range of value-added services and applications by leveraging existing service capabilities (messaging, location, browsing and push services, etc.).

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Ahead of CTIA WIRELESS 2008, Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A. announced the enV(2)™ by LG will be available in April, online at www.verizonwireless.com and at more than 2,400 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the nation, including those at Circuit City. The successor to the popular enV by LG, the new enV(2) gets a makeover with a new slim redesign and sophisticated black or maroon finish.

The enV(2) supports a number of features and services that customers have come to expect in wireless phones from LG and Verizon Wireless, including V CAST Music and Video, VZ Navigator(SM), Bluetooth® capabilities, dual speakers and a 2.0 megapixel camera. The phone’s spacious QWERTY keypad with large sized external keys makes messaging easy, while its 2.4-inch internal screen offers crisp, crystal-clear videos and images.

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Ahead of CTIA WIRELESS 2008, Verizon Wireless, the owner and operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung) announced the Alias™ by Samsung will be available in mid-April. The successor to the popular Samsung SCH-u740, the Alias will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com or in any of the 2,400 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, including those in Circuit City.

The Alias sports the familiar dual-hinge design of the SCH-u740 but is packaged in a cool silver finish and features an updated easy-to-read full-QWERTY keyboard, making the phone ideal for sending text messages and e-mails. When customers open the Alias vertically, the phone is a sleek and stylish clamshell phone.

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