Device Arena

Mobile TeleSystems and Microsoft Corp today announced their co-operation to deliver new mobile communications services for MTS customers. The collaboration is aimed at extending the range of products in MTS’ market-leading portfolio of value-added services.

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If you’re on the big red and have been praying for another Windows Mobile device, and want something pocketable, the SMT5800 could be right up your alley. Sporting a number pad on the outside, and full QWERTY slide-out keyboard, the HTC Vox reincarnated will grace Verizon’s airwaves on January 7th. You like walking up to the cash register and bothering the crap out of the sales person? Then you’ll have to wait for it to hit stores on January 21st. 128MB ROM / 64MB RAM, microSD slot, EV-DO Rev. A upgradability, and Bluetooth 2.0 are all part of the SMT5800. What about pricing, you say? $314.99 with a 2 year, $344.99 with a 1 year, and $469.99 full retail. Couple more details after the jump like package contents, and a couple available accessories!

The Boy Genius Report

Motorola, today announced that the Montreal Transit Authority (AMT) selected a Motorola RFID solution to track its bus fleet and help increase the use of its transit system. Together with Motorola authorized reseller, Eminencia, AMT has deployed Motorola radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, tags and antennas, as well as wireless LAN (WLAN) access points and client bridges. This unique integration of RFID and WLAN serves to seamlessly deliver AMT’s bus riders with real-time arrival and departure information, reducing passenger confusion and making travel more convenient and comfortable even in inclement weather.

AMT has been charged with encouraging the public to use buses rather than private vehicles to promote an environmentally-friendly lifestyle that results in less traffic congestion and vehicle pollution. The organization determined that it needed to better manage its system of buses in order to handle its current roster of 750,000 passengers and to encourage additional riders. As a result, AMT built a solution that provides terminal managers with detailed cumulative reports to improve the management of routes and personnel.

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The mobile operator Telenor is upgrading its existing WCDMA 3G network in Norway with High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) technology from Nokia Siemens Networks. With HSDPA, data can be transmitted through the mobile network at speeds up to 14 megabits per second. The initial upgrade at Telenor is supporting up to 3.6 megabits per second.

The HSDPA solution from Nokia Siemens Networks will help Telenor significantly in reducing costs per megabit delivered over its 3G network, while providing true speed for mobile broadband and a solid technology base for future enhancements of HSDPA. The deal contains upgrade of the mobile network in Norway and is part of a pan-Nordic HSDPA contract, between Telenor Nordic and Nokia Siemens Networks, covering Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

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Vertu have released a new version of their Signature phone made of white gold and black and white diamonds. Vertu already have a several diamond versions of their Signature as well as a pink diamon version. The Vertu Signature Black & White Diamonds phone features six hundred and forty four brilliant cut white diamonds and four hundred and twenty eight brilliant cut black diamonds encrusted into the case and keys of the phone.

AT&T announced a new international plan that gives iPhone users 50 MB of data per month to browse the Web, check e-mail and access other information in more than 29 countries, including Canada, China, Mexico and in areas throughout Europe and Asia.

The new Data Global Plan is available to iPhone customers for $59.99 a month, which is in addition to the domestic voice and data iPhone plan they purchase during iPhone activation. The Data Global Plan enables international voice and data roaming, as well as international long distance dialing from the United States at standard rates.

The plan requires customers to first purchase a domestic voice and data plan for the iPhone and is not available as a stand-alone offer. Normal eligibility requirements for international plans apply. Should customers exceed the 50MB bucket in the 29 countries where the plan applies, they will pay $.005/KB. Outside those countries, consumers will simply pay for their data usage by the kilobyte, at rates starting as low as $.010/KB.

AT&T also offers a 20MB Data Global Plan for iPhone customers for $24.99 a month. The 20MB bucket applies to usage within the same 29 countries, with overage rated at $.005/KB. Outside the 29 designated countries, the data usage rate is $.0195/KB.

AT&T advises international travelers to remember to check their wireless options as a part of their pre-trip planning process.

Travelers can visit http://www.att.com/wirelessinternational to see whether service is available in the countries to which they are going. Travelers can go to http://www.att.com/travelguide to determine whether their wireless device has the frequency and wireless technology needed at their travel destination. Consumers can also visit http://www.att.com to learn more about AT&T international calling plans and services and purchase the revolutionary iPhone itself.

Verizon Wireless announced that it has expanded the national rollout of its high-speed wireless network across its Battle Creek coverage area. The advanced network covers approximately 285 square miles and includes all of Battle Creek, Albion, Lakeview and Marshall.

The company also rolled out its high-speed network to Jackson and Michigan Center. The expansion provides continuous coverage along Interstate 94 from Detroit to Battle Creek.

“The Battle Creek and Jackson areas are vital markets with dynamic, tech-savvy business people and consumers who want to stay connected,” said Greg Haller, president–Michigan/Indiana/ Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. “The expansion of our broadband network here provides our customers with access to the very latest wireless technology.”

With the company’s wireless broadband network now available across the Battle Creek and Jackson coverage areas, Verizon Wireless customers can enjoy two prime services:
BroadbandAccess, the enhanced high-speed wireless service that equips Verizon Wireless’ business customers with a truly untethered mobile office experience, enabling them to wirelessly access their calendars, the Internet, e-mail, and critical business information residing behind their companies’ firewalls; and
V CAST, a consumer-oriented multimedia service that gives customers access to the most comprehensive selection of downloadable music, high-quality videos, and the coolest 3D games found anywhere.

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Ericsson has been selected by Uruguay’s leading telecom operator, Administraci?n Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (ANTEL), to be the supplier for its dual 2G/3G core network modernization program.

Under the contract Ericsson will be the integrator and take full turnkey responsibility for the supply of equipment, deployment, integration, and live migration. Rollout has started while the complete installation and integration is expected to be finished during last quarter 2007.

Ericsson will provide a common 2G/3G core network including the Ericsson Mobile Softswitch Solution. This will enable ANTEL to cost-effectively improve network capacity and deliver a range of innovative multimedia services to its customers while taking the first step towards an all-IP network.

Jos? Luis Sald?as, CEO of ANTEL, says: “The decision to invest with Ericsson confirms our intent to offer best-in-class services to our customers. This turnkey agreement is significant in that it allows ANTEL to focus on our customers’ needs while Ericsson concentrates on upgrading and evolving our core switching infrastructure.”

Luis L?pez, President of Ericsson Uruguay, says: “We are delighted to further consolidate our long-standing partnership with ANTEL to transform and expand its network infrastructure by offering a proven migration of telephony services.”

Ericsson has worked with ANTEL since 1984 on numerous projects, including the launch of its mobile services in 1994 and its evolution to GSM in 2003.

Ericsson today announced the provision of the first Ericsson deliverables to the Millennium Village of Mayange, Rwanda.

Ericsson, together with pan-African telecom operator MTN, has kick-started its commitment with The Earth Institute at Columbia University to bring connectivity and telecom services to the Millennium Villages. The first village to receive these services is Mayange, Rwanda. In this initial stage, it is now receiving support in healthcare, education and small-business development to empower social and economic growth in the community. Additional services will be provided over the coming year.

The milestone follows the recent announcement of Ericsson’s partnership with The Earth Institute to provide connectivity to the Millennium Villages project. The initiative - to bring mobile communication and internet access to rural areas in Africa - will reach about 400,000 people living in extreme poverty in 10 African countries.

Jan Embro, President of Ericsson in sub-Saharan Africa, says: “The integration of information and communications technology plays a critical role in ending the cycle of poverty, helping people share information and giving them the tools to improve their own social and economic situations.”

The upgrade of MTN’s GSM network to EDGE will enable mobile broadband connectivity and equip community health workers with tools to allow them to better serve their communities and help save lives.

One initiative to improve health services is a new toll-free phone service that can be used in medical emergencies to connect patients with on-duty medical personnel. Other initiatives include a mobile learning tool to train community health workers and applications to collect and share basic household health information.

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Qualcomm Incorporated introduced Gobi™ global mobile Internet, an embedded solution for notebook computers. Notebooks featuring the multi-mode Gobi solution can take advantage of the high-speed mobile Internet services offered by leading network operators in virtually all parts of the world, as well as GPS. The Gobi solution is meeting the demand from leading notebook manufacturers for worldwide connectivity capabilities beyond Wi-Fi and is being certified to operate on CDMA2000® EV-DO and UMTS HSPA networks worldwide. The Gobi solution is available today, and enterprise and consumer notebooks powered by Gobi are expected to be commercially available in the second quarter of 2008.

“Gobi-enabled notebook computers with global mobile Internet unify the most important wireless carrier network technologies deployed around the world, providing comprehensive support for all 3GPP and 3GPP2 technologies,” said Dr. Sanjay K. Jha, chief operating officer of Qualcomm and president of Qualcomm CDMA Technologies. “We are leveraging Qualcomm’s expertise in multi-mode wireless chipsets to bring unparalleled connectivity to notebook users, who can now be confident they can instantly access the Internet without searching for a hotspot — today.”

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