Globe launches online leadership quiz

Are you an Abraham Lincoln, a Napoleon Bonaparte, a Cleopatra or a Jose Rizal to your employees? Globe Business recently launched the online test, “Globe Business Leader Quiz” to help entrepreneurs identify what kind of leader they are—and give suggestions on how to harness their unique qualities to run their business even better. By logging on to http://business.globe.com.ph/leader and answering the seven-item quiz, business owners can identify their leadership style. The online test will give an assessment if the respondent is authoritarian, intolerant of incompetence, or an intimidating or inspirational leader. “There are no right or wrong answers to the Globe Business Leader Quiz. The results merely show what particular qualities a business leader has. There are, of course, pros and cons to these qualities when running a business,” shares Manny Aligada, head of Corporate and SME Segments, Globe Business. “The quiz results then suggest how the business leader should tone down certain qualities and nurture others in order to maximize his leadership abilities. Best of all,” Aligada adds, “it’s a fun and entertaining way to learn.” Globe Business offers a range of customized products and services that may be mixed and matched to suit a specific leadership style. “Globe Business products and services are flexible and comprehensive enough to allow customization—they may be tailored to be the right fit not only to the needs, requirements and budget of a particular business, but also to fit the preferred leadership style of the entrepreneur,” informs Aligada. An example, Aligada says, would be an entrepreneur who functions best when mobile and conducting business away from the office, but might feel cranky when boxed inside office premises. He or she may best benefit from running the office through a mobile phone, online video conferencing, chat or e-mail. “Or it could be an entrepreneur who might have tons of charisma that leaves employees spellbound,” he says, “but he or she might not be used to communicating ideas and instructions. So maybe that entrepreneur can start practicing communication skills by using an unlimited voice call subscription or chat.” Before viewing the results of the quiz, a entertaining video is shown to illustrate in a fun way the various types of leaders and how Globe Business can work for them. Helping achieve work-life balance Globe Business offers services that help simplify business operations, manage communication costs, and serve clients efficiently. If entrepreneurs are able to run their business smoothly, then they would enjoy more things in life and be the leader they have always wanted to be. The online quiz likewise features business solutions that Globe Business offers. Business Plus allows entrepreneurs to save up to 50 percent on texts and 30 percent on calls. Companies could also control their communication expenditure with AutoloadMAX Corporate Edition, which helps manage employees’ prepaid cellphone accounts. Sending e-mails and performing daily Internet requirements could be fuss-free as well with Globe Business’ reliable DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Internet. Globe Business Leader Quiz also gives respondents the chance to win Blackberry Bold 9900 or a prepaid phone kit. All they have to do is register and follow the promo mechanics. Globe Business is the corporate arm of Globe Telecom, the leading mobile telecommunications company in the Philippines. Globe Business provides wireless and wireline solutions for a diverse set of industries, businesses and commercial enterprises. It assures SMEs of affordable, reliable and dependable services for all communication needs, both wireless and wireline solutions, to generate the highest possible profit at the lowest possible cost. Visit http://business.globe.com.ph/leader to take the Globe Business Leader Quiz and determine your leadership style.

Fast Internet service spotty in rural areas

When she moved to Stoughton, less than 30 minutes from the state Capitol, Marsha Borling says she never imagined it would be difficult to get a usable Internet connection. Fast, reliable access was as common as telephone service where she previously lived in the Chicago suburbs, according to Borling, a health care consultant who works from home. "This is like being in the Bermuda Triangle," she said about not having cable or wired broadband service in her neighborhood along the Yahara River. Borling and her neighbors use wireless devices for Internet access. But she says the wireless signal is unreliable and much slower than cable or wired service. "My husband and I have a cabin in northern Wisconsin that's literally in the middle of nowhere, and it has a much faster connection," Borling said. Increasingly, more people want fast Internet service so they can work from home or enjoy Web entertainment such as video streaming. Yet Wisconsin ranks 45th among states where residents have access to download speeds of at least 3 megabits, according to the University of Wisconsin Extension. Another report ranks the state much higher and says efforts to fill broadband coverage gaps have greatly advanced this year. Still, there are gaps - especially in rural areas. In general, broadband is a high-speed Internet connection capable of handling large amounts of data through fiber-optic cable and other means. Many rural residents still have dial-up service, a slow-speed connection through telephone wires that's unsuitable for many Web applications. Stimulus moving slowly Few, if, any of the broadband projects funded by federal stimulus money will be completed this year. TDS Telecom Corp., of Madison, received $33 million in stimulus funds to extend broadband service in rural communities. Thirteen of the company's projects will bring broadband to about 8,000 more people by the end of 2012, according to the company. "It's unfortunate that it has taken as long as it has, but the good news is help is on the way," said TDS spokesman Drew Petersen. Telecom providers that accepted stimulus money have until the end of 2013 to complete their broadband projects or risk losing the federal loans and grants. TDS says it spent much of 2011 overcoming engineering hurdles that included making sure its projects won't harm environmentally sensitive areas or historical landmarks. "I would say 2011 was the year of administrative review, and 2012 will be the year of construction and deployment of broadband," Petersen said. "I think it was a bigger undertaking than (the government) first contemplated," he added. Johnson Creek, Monroe, Lancaster, Medford, Sherwood and Burlington are some communities where TDS is expanding its broadband service. Installation expensive But not Stoughton, where Borling says about 40 homes in her neighborhood are within a half-mile of broadband access from Charter Communications and AT&T - yet those companies won't extend the service. "We have contacted every possible provider," Borling said. Charter serves more than 500 communities in the state, including Stoughton, but says it's sometimes too expensive to bring broadband to certain neighborhoods. The company says it might have overlooked Borling's neighborhood when it laid out broadband service in Stoughton. But it also might have skipped the area because the cost of installing fiber-optic cable under the Yahara River was too high. Normally it costs about $30,000 per mile to extend service, according to Charter. It could cost more than $1 million to install cable under a river, said Tim Vowell, Charter's vice president of government relations. AT&T doesn't offer U-verse broadband service in Borland's neighborhood, although it has U-verse coverage in other parts of the city and offers wireless broadband. U-verse is delivered into homes over the same copper wires that carry AT&T's telephone service. Sometimes it's available on one side of the street but not the other, said AT&T spokesman Jim Greer. Other communities, not on a river, have been frustrated in their efforts to get broadband. There are large coverage gaps in rural areas where broadband providers say it's not profitable to extend service, according to the UW Extension. An economic tool UW Extension is using stimulus money to bring broadband to libraries and other community facilities in northern counties. But even where broadband is available, residents often get mediocre speeds, said Andy Larsen, a UW Extension community and economic development manager. For example, Chattanooga, Tenn., is building a broadband system with speeds up to 1 gigabit per second, much faster than speeds of 3 megabits or less often found in Wisconsin. The higher speeds are especially important to businesses that stream large amounts of data. Thus, broadband becomes an economic development tool. Three Lakes, in Oneida County, has ramped up its broadband service without using stimulus money. Officials in the town of 2,254 courted five broadband providers, helping them round up customers through a technology trade fair. At the fair, several hundred people lined up for service - much to the surprise of broadband providers who didn't have high expectations, said Town Chairman Don Sidlowski. Three Lakes now has high-speed Internet available to nearly 90% of its residents, including about 8,000 people who are only in the area for summer vacations. Three years ago, only 31% of the residents had access to one or two Internet providers, according to town officials. People have moved to Three Lakes because now they can work from home or set up a business, according to Sidlowski, who runs a marketing business from his home. "We decided the best strategy to boost our economy was to use broadband to turn home offices into global operations," he said. The town's population includes many business executives with summer homes, or who come to Three Lakes in the winter for snowmobiling and skiing. That helped recruit broadband customers, Sidlowski said, since wealthy people want to be connected to the Web no matter where they are. "We also went after broadband providers who understood the North Woods mentality," he said. "They understood that folks in this area want seasonal subscriptions." Three Lakes was one of 14 communities nationwide chosen by Verizon Wireless for a broadband project that greatly increased access speeds. The town also offered broadband providers access to public property for wireless towers, and a loan fund was established to encourage infrastructure. It took a combination of technologies to boost the service in Three Lakes. That's going to be the case in many communities, and sparsely populated rural areas, where it's too expensive to install miles of fiber-optic cable for a limited number of customers. "We just did all of this with good old-fashioned business savvy and elbow grease," Sidlowski said.

Spotty connection raises questions about Wireless@SG

A STOMP reader has questioned why he has been having trouble connecting to Wireless@SG, a free wireless broadband programme developed by the Infocomm Development Authority in Singapore. The service allows users broadband access, both indoors and outdoors, with speeds of up to 1 Mbps at public areas. However, the reader, Joepele, wrote in to the citizen journalism website to say that he could not access the Internet in many parts of Singapore, with the most recent location being Changi Airport's Terminal 3. He said: "Have they stopped providing the free wireless service? "Why not shut the routers down then?" Other users have also cited intermittent connection problems and slow log-in times when attempting to use the service. According to the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), a user just needs a WiFi-enabled device, such as a laptop computer or a smartphone, a web browser, and a registered Wireless@SG account. The programme is run by three local wireless operators - iCELL Network, M1 and SingTel. Its website also states that the service will be provided free until Mar 31, 2013.

How 4G Will Change the Way We Drive

The "4G" term is everywhere now, but although smartphone manufacturers and wireless carriers are using the new technology, we've heard little about it from the automotive industry. The potential is intriguing, however, because in the past decade, car companies have made huge progress in integrating high-speed connected communications and entertainment systems with automobiles. For an industry that not long ago pushed car phones and trunk-mounted CD changers as the pinnacle of in-vehicle technology, practical services such as GM's pioneering OnStar and high-tech infotainment options like the Mercedes-Benz COMAND system have been significant advances, adding tremendous value and unrivaled convenience for today's drivers. Most of those services have run on 2G and 3G connections. But 4G is coming to the automobile, and some of the chatter coming from automakers suggests that the 4G-connected car will perform a whole new set of tricks. In the past year or so, broadband concept cars such as the NG Connect Toyota Prius and the Verizon OnStar 4G Buick LaCrosse have given enthusiasts a glimpse into the near future of automotive connectivity. Utilizing the Verizon 4G LTE network, the LaCrosse's wild features included a custom in-dash display portal that offered online access stored in remote servers, a driver-facing camera in the rearview mirror for video Skype chats, a home-control system, and Internet-based, voice-controlled entertainment. With such tantalizing inventions at hand, we interviewed several car-company experts, asking them to discuss the broadband technology of tomorrow, and what it will mean for drivers. Ford's Sync Service Ford's Venkatesh Prasad has big ideas. "Ford won't speak officially about a 4G production time," he says, "but we're closely evaluating it, and seriously considering the best ways to implement it." As the senior technical leader for vehicle design and infotronics in the Ford Research and Innovation group (or Ford's "What's Next" guy, for short), Prasad has greatly influenced the development of Ford's Sync system. Sync leverages the data connections of smartphones to deliver apps, entertainment offerings, and navigation services to the vehicle. Because it allows Bluetooth pairing with smartphones, using it with 4G phones results in faster, "smartphone 4G" data speeds. And since the high-end Sync with MyFord Touch package can use a USB modem or a smartphone as an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot, it's poised to take advantage of tomorrow's fatter data pipes. "Sync would benefit from a large-pipe connection because it is based on what's built in, brought in, or beamed in," Prasad says. "Bandwidth-heavy video and entertainment would be possible, and rear-seat passengers wouldn't have to stay at home to finish a movie or a Skype conversation. And current services like navigation could be enhanced--instead of having a box in the vehicle, turn-by-turn nav with augmented graphics could be piped in directly from the cloud." Ford's Evos Concept Prasad is a big proponent of the cloud; he spent a year working on the connectivity aspects of the groundbreaking 2011 Evos concept car. "The Evos is an example of a vehicle platform that's fully capable of embracing new technology," Prasad says, beaming. And once you realize what Evos can do, you understand his enthusiasm: It's a fascinating look into a world where the driver's personal information and schedule combine with cloud-based info such as the current traffic and weather conditions, resulting in a seamless, customized experience that goes far beyond just driving. Evos will reset your alarm clock if a meeting is canceled, preheat or precool your cabin based on your estimated departure time, and sync your home or office music to the car. It can even offer adaptive vehicle technologies to combine your driving skill with the road and weather conditions, and adjust the suspension and other components for a spirited but safe drive. Next page: Audi, Cadillac, and Kia systems Audi's Connect System Audi recently partnered with Alcatel-Lucent to show off the potential of a prototype broadband LTE version of the Audi Connect infotainment system; the A8 test vehicle boasted impressive data-transfer rates of up to 100 megabits per second. Audi's production Connect system is capable of 7.2-mbps in-vehicle speeds, and 2012 models with Connect are considered the first production Web-connected vehicles. Through a partnership with T-Mobile, this SIM-card-activated service-plan system features navigation and weather/news/gas-price travel services that stay up-to-date with a built-in cellular data connection, and its integrated Wi-Fi can connect up to eight devices. But Audi is not resting on its laurels: Anu Pom Malhotra, Audi's connected vehicle strategist, has big ideas for the future. "We recognize that our customers want an enriched experience, and our technology could [eventually] enhance the Connect system up to hundreds of mbps," Malhotra says. "I see the future consumption of data through methods more along the lines of streaming, as opposed to bit-by-bit. Info could be exchanged by devices in the vehicle, between the cloud, and even between the infrastructure and other vehicles--that info exchange between traffic would improve the ability to manage travel time." Cadillac's CUE System CUE, which stands for Cadillac User Experience, is a combined infotainment, navigation, and communication system that's easy to use. It enables users to connect up to ten Bluetooth mobile devices--its Bluetooth Audio Streaming AVRCP 1.4 supports wireless browsing of media players--and it features two USB ports and an SD Card slot, too. CUE dazzles with a four-button design, a display offering haptic feedback and proximity sensing, and OnStar integration. And CUE's smartphone connectivity is a good example of how manufacturers are bridging the gap between today's "smartphone 4G" and tomorrow's true mobile broadband. "We are leveraging smartphones, but if you look at that 4G space, some of the phones that are on market are data-only solutions right now," says Tim Nixon, executive director and global functional leader of GM's Infotainment and OnStar groups. "What we want to do is an all-inclusive platform with voice and data. Once you start talking 20-plus mbps, some very interesting discussions about cloud-based services happen. Sometime down the road--not too far away--we want to grow and expand this platform," Nixon says. Speaking of expanding the platform, Nixon and his team are already sitting on an information gold mine. "We have found an unbelievable amount of richness in OnStar data that we see as an opportunity to enhance the driving experience," he states. "This data mining could lead to vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure interaction. For instance, if drivers at mile marker XXX had their wipers on, that info could be passed to vehicles approaching that point. Or if numerous stability-control activations happened at a certain point in the road, those vehicles could signal to other vehicles that there is black ice ahead. I don't see things like full-motion video road signs being out of the realm of possibility." And taking it a step further would only enhance the driving experience, says Ford's Prasad. "I can see augmented reality making driving more convenient," Prasad notes. "For example, on-demand selective real-time transparency would give you a better sense of your surroundings. You could be coming down an avenue in NYC and looking for a parking spot. If you could make that city bus transparent, you could see a spot you didn't even know was there! These are the kinds of features that we'll be working towards." Kia's UVO System Dreaming big and reaching for a Minority Report-like future is one way to approach mobile broadband. However, other people believe that 4G connectivity will be the only available option in the future. "We're headed down the 4G path for a couple of reasons," states Henry Bzeih, Kia's head of infotainment and connectivity. Kia's voice-activated UVO system, like Ford's Sync, is the impressive result of a partnership with Microsoft. It features Bluetooth smartphone connections, a color touchscreen, an integrated rearview camera, and a 700MB in-dash music hard drive. While Bzeih hints towards UVO being Kia's global infotainment and telematics brand platform going forward, he can't help but wonder if, down the road, we'll have only one generation of wireless technology to power it. "Current technology may not be supported in the long term--according to some carriers, 3G will be going away by 2020. If you embed 3G technology into a vehicle, it's possible that this type of content won't be available throughout a ten-year vehicle life," Bzeih says. "Also, future features won't be available with 3G. Things like personal assistants, or proactive safety services using V-to-V and V-to-I technology, need bandwidth beyond 3G. So it's safe to bet that, based on carriers and technology, going to 4G isn't going to be a choice." So while today's car companies flirt with 4G speeds and employ the latest smart devices for their state-of-the-art infotainment systems, many broadband obstacles still remain. But it's only a matter of time before carriers, engineers, and bean counters shift to production-based mobile broadband, and turn 3G and its "smartphone 4G" successor into the CD changers of our hard-drive-oriented world.

Alcatel-Lucent helps Taiwan’s Asia Pacific Telecom bring new high-speed mobile broadband services to subscribers

APT keeps pace with growing ownership of smartphones and tablet devices by offering 3G mobile services for consumers on the move, at home or at work Paris - Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is to enable the Asia Pacific Telecom Co., Ltd (APT), a leading fixed, mobile and Internet service provider in Taiwan, to expand its delivery of high-speed 3G services and meet customers’ growing demand for video, Internet and data services on-the-move. As demand in Taiwan for mobile Internet access continues to grow as a result of increasing ownership of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices, APT will, in the second half of 2012, extend its existing comprehensive list of fixed and mobile services to deliver seamless data services - including the latest multimedia applications - to business and residential customers. This will provide a new experience for customers, enabling them to switch from text to voice to video on the communications most convenient at the time and wherever they are – in the home, office or on the move. Alcatel-Lucent’s support of APT’s service expansion marks the first wireless network the company has supplied to the operator. Over the course of the supply agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will replace equipment previously supplied to APT by other vendors. Additionally, as it continues to evolve its network to offer even higher speeds and a greater variety of services, APT will be able to utilise Alcatel-Lucent’s breakthrough lightRadio™ portfolio to further expand and differentiate its service offers. Sophia Chiu, Chairman of the Asia Pacific Telecom Co., Ltd said: “APT is committed to ‘Making Better Changes’ for our customers and working with Alcatel-Lucent we will be able to do this, offering our customers seamless fixed and mobile broadband services to enrich their business and social lives.” Rajeev Singh-Molares, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s Asia-Pacific region, said: “Our long history of working with Asia Pacific Telecom means we understand the company’s needs and those of its customers. We are excited now to be able to help transform its wireless offer, leveraging our leading 3G CDMA and LTE solutions and our IMS portfolio. This will allow APT to satisfy customers’ needs today while evolving the company’s network to provide even more enhanced mobile data services and choices for its customers in the future. APT will also be able to leverage our innovative lightRadio™ portfolio in the future, allowing them to further grow their network and market position" Under this agreement, Alcatel-Lucent is delivering its market-leading 3G mobile broadband solution, which is based on CDMA EV-DO technology and its proprietary IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) technology. Alcatel-Lucent will also deploy its full services expertise in the delivery and integration of third party equipment.

ERF Wireless Inc. (ERFB) Provides 2012 Update & Guidance

Texas based ERF Wireless Inc. (OTCBB: ERFB), offering wireless and broadband product and service solutions to enterprise, commercial, and residential clients in the U.S. and internationally through its various division and subsidiary operations, today provided an update on the company’s goals and financial guidance for the 2012 calendar year. ERF CEO, Dr. H. Dean Cubley, summarized the outlook: “Our market leadership position as the largest terrestrial wireless provider to the oil and gas industry in North America — coupled with an expected increase in demand for secure, high-speed, high-capacity, reliable wireless broadband circuits that replace slower, high-latency VSAT circuits at drilling rig sites by operators and producers — gives us confidence we can continue strong growth in calendar 2012. For calendar 2012, we are targeting consolidated revenues of $12-14 million with blended gross margins of 65-70%. If our backlog continues to grow in 2012 as it has in 2011, we are also targeting consolidated revenues in the range of $20-22 million for calendar 2013.” Specific objectives and expectations include the following: • Grow High Margin Revenue and Improve Overall Financial Posture ERF Wireless plans to continue moving toward profitability by growing high-margin oil and gas revenue, while reducing corporate expenses and expanding their WISP, banking, education, and other vertical revenue. ERF has a substantial business backlog relating to new network coverage for the oil industry, as well as banking, educational, and hospital networks. Funding for part of the expansions is based upon already secured $3 million in debt financing. • Maintain and Strengthen Company Position as the Largest Terrestrial Wireless Provider to the Oil & Gas Industry in North America ERF Wireless currently owns and operates the biggest oil and gas based terrestrial wireless broadband network in North America, covering Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, in addition to Arkansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Alberta, Canada. The company is also completing a new network in North Dakota. In addition, there are plans for at least one acquisition to support the growing oil and gas broadband demand. • Enhance Equity Structure and Grow Shareholder Value ERF Wireless expects to leverage its growth in the oil and gas industry by taking its wholly owned subsidiary, Energy Broadband, public as a majority owned public subsidiary in the 2012-2013 period. In addition, debt will continue to be removed from the ERF Wireless balance sheet, and the company will continue its efforts to secure a listing on a national market stock exchange. ERF Wireless Inc. is the parent company of Energy Broadband, Inc., ERF Enterprise Network Services, ERF Wireless Bundled Services, ERF Wireless Messaging Services, and ERF Network Operations.

Get your own hotspot with IT&E MiFi

IT&E introduces the first island-wide mobile WiFi hotspot solution, IT&E MiFi. Using the MiFi 2200 device users can create a personal, portable WiFi hotspot that let them share IT&E's mobile broadband 3G EVDO high-speed network connectivity with up to five WiFi-capable devices, anywhere on Guam and the CNMI. How cool is that? It makes the perfect holiday gift for anyone who is always on the go and uses WiFi capable devices on a daily basis. MiFi works the same way as IT&E's USB modem mobile broadband service. The only major difference is that it allows users to share IT&E's network with others, at the same time. The USB modem is limited to laptop computers that have a USB port available. Also, it will only allow users to connect one laptop at a time to the Internet. The MiFi 2200 device will allow up to 5 laptop computers to connect to the Internet at the same time. Also, it isn't limited to just laptop computers. It is capable of connecting a variety of devices to the Internet, just as long as the devices are WiFi capable. For more information about MiFi, stop by any of the island's IT&E locations!

Buffet-style 3G pricing may go off the table

The telcos' crusade against virtually unlimited mobile data usage might soon be upon 3G shores. StarHub and SingTel are taking a good look at revising their 3G price plans, the two telcos told BT yesterday. StarHub said that it may 'review current (3G) pricing plans and consider introducing usage-based data pricing', in response to BT's queries. This, it said, was 'to ensure optimal network quality for our customers'. Currently, StarHub has three mobile broadband modem plans that offer unlimited data allowances. It also caps the local data usage bill at $30 a month for its mobile phone subscribers. When it launches its own Long Term Evolution (LTE) - or 4G - network next year, it will not offer an unlimited data option, it said. SingTel will be reviewing its 3G price plans, which include its mobile broadband plans that carry a data usage allowance of 50 gigabytes (GB). This comes two days after it moved to start weaning high data-usage consumers off generous 3G data caps with a new 4G pricing structure. By 2013, when 95 per cent of its users have access to the 4G network, new 4G data subscribers will have to make do with a 10GB cap on data, paying for the additional data that they use. SingTel also revealed that 11 per cent of its 3G subscribers on dongles and tablets account for a staggering 60 per cent of data traffic. 'It's unsustainable and when you grow it, it becomes a challenge,' said Yuen Kuan Moon, SingTel executive vice-president, digital consumer group. StarHub and M1 did not reveal their own data figures, but industry observers believe the usage patterns are similar to SingTel's. M1 is staying tight- lipped on both its existing 3G price plans and approach to pricing LTE usage next year. 'We regularly review all our service offerings to ensure they are compelling and competitive,' its spokesman told BT. It has the same narrow view of unlimited data usage, however. 'Mobile network resources are limited, and the experience of the majority of customers should not be adversely affected by a minority of customers who regularly consume large amounts of data.' While SingTel's new 4G service currently applies only to dongle modems, StarHub's review of its 3G price plan could apply across several devices - dongles, smartphones and tablets. Analysts have pointed out for a while that the real battle for average revenue per user will be fought not over the dongle platform, but on smartphones and tablets, where increasing data usage is cannibalising lucrative voice calls and SMSes.

Three WiFi Hub ZTE MF10 Review

With mobile data speeds matching – and in some case exceeding – traditional wired broadband connections, it’s no surprise that data sticks have taken off in the past few years. Until now, the two most common options are a USB dongle, for getting a single device online, or a mobile hotspot, sharing a 3G/4G connection with a number of WiFi-tethered clients. Now UK carrier Three has launched the Three WiFi Hub (aka ZTE MF10), a compact, semi-portable way to share a USB modem’s connection with multiple wireless and wired devices. Must-have addition to your gear bag or just a glossy paperweight; the full SlashGear review waits beyond the cut. Hardware This isn’t your regular router: at 93 x 70 x 25 mm it’s a palm-sized glossy black plastic box sitting on four grippy rubber feet. Bigger than a regular mobile hotspot, but the upshot is connectivity: as well as sharing out your USB modem’s connection with up to five WiFi devices, it has a pair of 10/100 ethernet ports on the back for wired devices too. That’s useful if you’re trying to share your connection in a WiFi-saturated environment, where wireless links can often become unstable. On top is a rotating USB port for your modem, as well as four indicator LEDs for power, WLAN, PPP and WPS status. The back offers two buttons – WPS for easy connections with Windows-based computers, along with power – the two ethernet ports, each with activity LEDs, and a DC power input. Unfortunately there’s no internal battery for true portable use, so you’ll have to find space in your bag for the included AC adapter. That’s frustratingly bulkier than the Hub itself; ZTE really needs to learn a lesson from the ultra-compact wall warts supplied with recent handsets from Nokia, HTC and Apple. Software Unlike USB modems, which generally require an app be installed on your laptop, it’s possible to use the WiFi Hub without any software bother whatsoever. Once your modem is in place and the connection has stabilized, it’s a simple matter of searching for the preset SSID on your tablet/laptop/phone/console and punching in the PIN, both of which are printed on the bottom of the Hub itself. Wired connections are even easier: just plug in your ethernet cable. ZTE ships the Hub preconfigured to use WEP security, the weakest option but the one with the broadest compatibility. Most users will want to step up to WPA or, preferably, WPA2, (though a fully open WiFi connection is also possible) and that requires logging into the browser-based settings page. That’s found at 192.168.1.1 and logging in with the default username and password (which can be easily changed). There’s actually a fair range of options available, if you’re of the tinkering mindset. The basics – SSID and security – can be altered, as well as the APN settings for the USB modem, DHCP settings for automatically assigning IP addresses, MAC and IP filtering, URL filtering to limit which sites can be connected to, and port forwarding. There’s also a firewall, with optional DMZ bypass. Obviously it’s up to the user how deeply they dig through the settings; it’s possible to treat the WiFi Hub as plug-and-play, or get pretty granular with your control. Performance We saw no difference in download speeds from Three’s normal performance when using the WiFi Hub, though being able to position the modem near a window meant we could hunt down the best signal at any one time. WiFi range proved sufficient to cover our (admittedly bijou) London flat, with two solid wood doors in-between, with maximum strength showing in OS X. Unfortunately, our attempts to get the WiFi Hub working with USB modems from other providers than Three failed, even when the modem was unlocked. The settings page refused to recognize that a modem was plugged in, and no connection was automatically made. Three tells us that other operators’ modems should work, but obviously won’t help you out if – like us – you can’t get the Hub to recognize them. It would also be useful if you could plug a wired WAN connection, such as in a hotel room, into one of the ethernet ports, and share it with the Hub. Wrap-Up There’s no denying the Three WiFi Hub works, nor that it’s useful. The wireless connection is solid, and the two ethernet ports are a particular bonus over regular mobile hotspots. Ease of use – with a Three USB modem – is another strength, though we wish ZTE had opted for better security with WPA2 by default. Unfortunately the absence of a battery – even to just power wireless use – significantly limits the usefulness of the WiFi Hub when on the move. Forget dropping it onto the table at your nearest coffee shop or in an airport lounge and getting online in seconds: you need to make sure there’s a power point nearby. For hotel rooms or spur-of-the-moment meeting room connections that shouldn’t be too great a drawback, however. That power limitation, compounded by the unnecessarily chunky AC adapter, are our main criticisms of the Three WiFi Hub. Those with modems from other providers should also be wary, as compatibility isn’t assured and you’re on your own to figure out any problems. Still, at £39.99, if you’re a Three data modem user who blanches at hotel and conference wireless fees and has enough bag space for the power adapter, the WiFi Hub makes an inexpensive way to get multiple people online.

Filipinos among the ‘most engaged’ with Facebook, Twitter

THE PHILIPPINES has been tagged as the sixth market globally “most engaged with social networking sites,” a report published yesterday by US-based Internet marketing research firm comScore showed. “[T]he typical Filipino spent a significantly higher than average 8.7 hours on social networks during the month [of October],” based on the report, which put the average hours spent on social networks globally at only 5.7 hours. The report, entitled “It’s a Social World: Top 10 Need-to-Knows About Social Networking and Where It’s Headed,” was conducted in October 2011, and covered two million Internet users from 171 countries. The report said there were 5.5 million Filipinos who visited social networking sites during the month, or 96% of the total 5.7 million Internet users. “In October, social networking accounted for an astounding 43% of total time spent online by Filipinos,” the report read. The top five social networks visited by Filipinos were Facebook (with 5.4 million unique visitors during the month), Twitter (1.2 million unique visitors), Multiply (863,000 unique visitors), Tumblr (677,000 unique visitors), and Yahoo! Pulse (588,000 unique visitors), based on the report. The report also showed the average minutes spent by Filipinos on said social networks: Facebook (500.9 minutes), Twitter (27.6 minutes), Multiply (8.1 minutes), Tumblr (7.6 minutes), and Yahoo! Pulse (2.6 minutes). The top five countries that surpassed the Philippines on the list with the highest average hours per visitor spent on social networks are as follows: Israel (11.1 hours); Argentina (10.7 hours); Russia (10.4 hours); Turkey (10.2 hours); and Chile (9.8 hours). “While some of this is driven by infrastructure [access to broadband, for example], it is also interesting to examine these differences vis-a-vis cultural norms,” the report read. Already, social networking has been found as the most popular activity online, the report showed. “Social networking sites now reach 82% of the world’s online population, representing 1.2 billion users around the world,” the report read. ”The social networking adoption trend largely mirrored the global Internet adoption curve, and grew proportionately, showing that as people began to get connected, they immediately began connecting with one another,” the report read. It is interesting to note that the report excluded Internet access from public computers such as Internet caf’s and Internet access from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. The report noted however, that mobile devices will further grow addiction to social networking sites in the future. “From a technology standpoint, mobile devices represent the future of social networking as they provide the means for users to connect on-the-go, facilitating real-time interaction,” the report read. Specifically, according to the report, the popularity of smartphones will continue to increase social networking use. However, Internet users who use mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) to access social networks still remains “a fraction” of those who use the classic Web interface or through desktops, laptops, netbooks, etc., the report read. comScore is an Internet marketing research company providing marketing data and services to many of the Internet’s largest businesses. comScore tracks all Internet data on its surveyed computers in order to study online behavior.

Fourth-generation wireless technology: All about speed

THE trailblazing speed by which developments occur in the telecommunications industry has always been mind-boggling. Not so long ago, third-generation or 3G technology in mobile-phone communications was considered to be the latest technological innovation as well as the benchmark. With the advent of the fourth generation of cellular wireless technology, or 4G, local telecommunications companies and consumers alike can expect and look forward to significantly faster data transfer. This year alone, several telecommunications companies in our country were already been heard uttering the word 4G. A quick glance at mobile-phone technology development would show just how far we’ve arrived. First-generation or 1G technology referred to analog telecommunications and was prominent back in the 1980s. This was eventually replaced in the 1990s by the second-generation or 2G technology, which is based on digital signals. 2G technology was not merely limited to voice communications; it also introduced data services for mobile phones, such as the ubiquitous text-messaging service. It was during the proliferation of 2G technology here that the Philippines became known as the “texting capital of the world.” 2G technology eventually evolved and developed variants such as 2.5G and 2.75G, which resulted in better transmission rates as well as the availability of other data services, such as multimedia messaging service or MMS, e-mailing and web surfing. 2G technology was eventually replaced by 3G which provided previous technologies with enhancements, such as higher transmission speed and advanced multimedia access. With 3G technology, mobile-phone users are able to connect their phones to the Internet or other IP networks in order to make voice and video calls or to simply access the Web. Until recently, however, 3G was considered the best available technology for mobile phones and mobile-telecommunication services. Now, we are on the verge of yet another significant advancement in cellular wireless technology: 4G. The International Telecommunication Union or ITU, which is the United Nations-specialized agency for information and communication technologies, issued the requirements for what is now marketed as 4G mobile phone and Internet access service. These requirements are known as International Mobile Telecommunications-Advanced, or IMT-Advanced, the characteristics of which have been specified by the ITU as follows: (1) a high degree of commonality of functionality worldwide while retaining the flexibility to support a wide range of services and applications in a cost- efficient manner; (2) compatibility of services within IMT and with fixed networks; (3) capability of interworking with other radio access systems; (4) high-quality mobile services; (5) user equipment suitable for worldwide use; (6) user-friendly applications, services and equipment; (7) worldwide roaming capability and (8) enhanced peak data rates to support advanced services and applications. As further specified by the ITU, the peak speed requirements for 4G service are 100 Mbit/s for high-mobility communication (such as moving vehicles) and 1 Gbit/s for low-mobility communication or for stationary users. This is a far cry from the standards set for 3G, which is about 200 Kbit/s or 0.2 Mbit/s. The increased speeds will definitely be good news for consumers. Once 4G is fully rolled out, consumers will enjoy services previously unheard of, such as watching high-definition movies via handheld device without the bothersome “buffering” or simply enjoying high-quality and seamless video conferencing without any “lag time.” Currently, there are two kinds of technology associated with 4G. These are Long-Term Evolution or LTE and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, which is commonly referred to as WiMAX. LTE is a 4G wireless technology developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a collaboration that brings together a number of telecommunications standards bodies. Its architecture is based on Internet Protocol (IP). LTE is specified to provide a downlink (which is defined as the transmission path from a base transceiver station or cell site to the mobile station or cell-phone) peak rates of 300 Mbit/s, uplink (the transmission path from the mobile station or cell phone to a base station or cell site) peak rates of 75 Mbit/s. LTE is said to have the ability to manage fast-moving mobiles as well as support for multi-cast and broadcast streams. On the other hand, WiMAX, as described in its own web site—www.wimax.com—is an IP based, wireless broadband access technology that provides performance similar to 802.11/Wi-Fi networks with the coverage and QOS (quality of service) of cellular networks. WiMAX is said to deliver high-speed Internet service to large geographical areas and is capable of long distance transmission up to 50 kilometers or 30 miles. WiMAX is designed to provide 30 to 40 Mbit/s data rates. As observed in the transmission rates of the current offerings of LTE and WiMAX, however, they do not fully comply with the requirements set by the ITU for a 4G network, which is again 1 Gbit/s for low-mobility communication and 100 Mbit/s for high-mobility communication. In this regard, versions of LTE and WiMAX, which are said to be compliant with 4G standards, are being developed and are touted as “LTE Advanced” and “WirelessMAN-Advanced,” respectively. However, even technologies which actually do not meet the speed requirements of 4G can nevertheless earn the right to hoist the “4G” brand as according to the ITU, the term “4G” “may also be applied to the forerunners of these technologies, LTE and WiMAX, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed.” In the Philippines, telecommunications service providers are still in a tussle over 3G as they continue to build and operate their networks based on that technology. However, despite the fact that the National Telecommunications Commission, the country’s regulatory body for fixed and mobile-phone communications, has yet to issue rules and regulations with respect to 4G, mobile-phone companies are already jumping the “4G bandwagon” and announcing their intent to embrace and actually have invested in 4G technology. On April 18, 2011, Globe Telecommunications Inc. (Globe) announced the launch of its own “4G mobile technology” with the release of its Globe HSPA+ network. HSPA+ reportedly has a download speed of about 84 Mbit/s. Globe mentioned that its 4G services are already available in over 1,500 sites in nearly 60 provinces across the Philippines, covering major cities such as Manila, Caloocan, Cebu, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro. In May 2011, Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) followed suit and announced the deployment of its own 4G network based on LTE technology. Smart said that it plans to deploy its network to major urban centers, cities and municipalities nationwide. Smart further mentioned that it plans to increase the throughput of LTE to 100 Mbit/s as soon as the same is justified by market demand. Wi-Tribe Telecoms Inc. (Wi-Tribe), which is a joint-venture company between San Miguel Corp. and Qatar Telecoms, has likewise invested in the installation of its 4G infrastructure which uses WiMAX technology. Currently, Wi-Tribe’s business is focused on mobile broadband. Lastly, in September 2011, Bayan Telecommunications Inc. (“Bayantel”) announced its own plans to roll out 4G services using its assigned frequencies in the 1800 Mhz band. According to Bayantel, it will utilize LTE technology for its 4G infrastructure. The technological developments brought about by 4G, as well as the competitive nature of our telecommunications industry, translate to better products and services for us consumers. On this score alone, the future of mobile-phone communications looks bright.

PLDT taps Wi-Fi technology for broadband rollout

Dominant mobile network Smart Communications is taking a second look at wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology, often seen only in malls or coffee shops, as a way to connect more households across the country to the Internet. Smart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), announced on Tuesday the launch of its “carrier-grade” Wi-Fi service that would allow mobile device users to log on to the web using indoor and outdoor hotspots via prepaid or postpaid accounts. Unlike regular public Wi-Fi hotspots found in malls, shops, and schools, carrier-grade Wi-Fi can be set up even in local neighborhoods. “We will make this possible by installing access points in our base stations, thus allowing users to connect to our Wi-Fi even in their own homes,” PLDT Technology group head Rolando G. Pena said. “All they need to do is sign in with a username and password which they can purchase online or in retail stores. In the near future, we would make automatic authentication through the use of the subscriber’s SIM card,” he added. The rollout of a broadband network using Wi-Fi technology is seen to compliment Smart’s current efforts to expand the reach of its third- and fourth-generation (3G and 4G) wireless broadband technologies. “We want to emphasize that this is carrier grade. This means we’re putting more bandwidth behind this service. This will really give customers a different experience as far as broadband is concerned,” PLDT spokesman Ramon Isberto said in an interview. The new service makes broadband connections more accessible to users that already have Wi-Fi-capable devices, Isberto said. All they need to do is set up a postpaid account or purchase prepaid minutes to access the service. Users may connect to the Wi-Fi signal, wherever this is available, and log in using the account names and passwords that are assigned to them. As the service uses standard Wi-Fi technology found in most portable devices, the carrier-grade Wi-Fi service can be used by all mobile users regardless of their carrier networks. This makes Smart’s improved network accessible to all Filipinos who are looking for a more stable and more reliable wireless connection. The new service is part of PLDT’s comprehensive network upgrade worth P67 billion that aims to improve wireless services to millions of the company’s subscribers.

1Gb wireless broadband 'could launch in 2012'

Wi-Fi technology capable of delivering broadband speeds of almost 1Gb is set to launch next year, it has been reported. Semiconductor manufacturer Broadcom says the next generation of wireless networking technology - 802.11ac - should feature in commercial products by the end of 2012. The new standard will use 40/80MHz channels, as opposed to the 20/40MHz channels used by 802.11n wireless broadband kit, reports ISPreview.co.uk. With an increasing number of consumers and businesses using fibre broadband, more capable Wi-Fi routers are also needed, the news provider said. ISPreview.co.uk Chief Editor Mark Jackson explained that some broadband providers have already had to deal with unfair complaints from customers "who buy a super-fast broadband connection but fail to understand when the speed via their slower Wi-Fi link doesn't match". Last month, The Cloud claimed businesses can attract more customers if they offer free Wi-Fi services in-store or on-site.

Huge rise in UK firms using mobile internet services in 2011

Over half of all UK businesses now use mobile broadband connections to access the web, according to new figures released by the European Commission. The report, compiled by the EC's Eurostat statistical office, revealed that firms in the UK using connections such as a 3G dongle or modem in the office or, more likely, on the move, rose from 36 to 52 per cent between 2010 and 2011. This trend was mirrored throughout Europe, rising by 20 per cent to 47 per cent of all companies as constant connectivity becomes increasingly important. Pauline Trotter, principal analyst in Ovum's enterprise telecoms strategy division, told V3 that the increased use of 3G services is not a huge surprise and is being driven, in part, by the reduced costs of mobile phone contracts. "The demand for mobile internet access reflects changes in working practices as organisations let staff work remotely or on-the-go. Staff are also increasingly confident working in this way due to the ongoing consumerisation of IT," she said. "What's more, mobile data tariffs offering internet access are decreasing all the time and, particularly for small businesses that are very cost sensitive, this helps increase the uptake of these services." Meanwhile, fixed line access also grew, rising from 84 to 87 per cent across Europe and reaching as high as 92 per cent the firms surveyed in the UK, as businesses of all sizes realise the importance of being online. This was also seen by the report's findings that there is a strong awareness by businesses to use the internet to host information on a web site and offer online shopping facilities to customers too. In the UK, 79 per cent of firms now have a web site, up from 76 per cent in 2010, of which some 22 per cent offer the ability to order goods and book services online, which Trotter said represents the relative maturity of the internet. "So many businesses now have a web site that the number of new firms coming online is only going to be minor. Those not online are likely to be very small, localised firms without the need for an online presence," she added. The e-government services that allow companies to interact and submit documents are also of increasing benefit, and 85 per cent of UK firms surveyed said they use government sites to submit documents online. The EC has committed as part of the Digital Agenda to ensuring all citizens and businesses in Europe can access broadband services of at least 30Mbit/s by 2015 and that half can access services of 100Mbit/s by 2020. The EC recently put forward a proposal to request funding of €9.2bn designed to help meet this goal.

PLDT expects lower 2011 profit

Telecom giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) is expected to post lower profits at end of this year compared with last year’s level, chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said. PLDT recorded a core net profit of P42 billion and P40.2-billion net income in 2010. It had revised its target core profit for 2011 to P39 billion from P40.5 billion. The anticipated decline in profits is on account of incremental depreciation and interest expense. Pangilinan said the PLDT group is confident it would meet the target core income of P39 billion. “We are sticking to the P39-billion core profit but reported income will be down. We suspect we might have to do some provisioning regarding the books of Digitel [Digital Telecommunications Philippines Inc.]. These are exceptional one-time, non-cash accounting charges,” said Pangilinan. PLDT acquired Digitel, the third-ranked phone firm in the country with over 16 million subscribers. He said the conduct of due diligence on Digitel’s books is ongoing. “We are still waiting for the final outcome of the due diligence on Digitel. Our sense is that we probably have to make provisions to protect the balance sheet. I hope the public understands,” said Pangilinan. PLDT’s acquisition of Digitel gives the former 70 percent of the domestic mobile market, leaving Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. with the remaining 30 percent. “I think competition is still there. Globe is competing very well. They’ve announced a significant investment in network so they will be a viable competitor in the future,” said the official. Despite cornering a large chunk of the market, PLDT sees a “tough year ahead” but expects to return to its growth path in profitability starting 2013 and onwards. “On the cellular side it will be tough. I think the outsourcing or call center via SPI[Global Holdings] will be better next year. It’s already doing better this year compared [with] 2010; and I think 2012 will be better than 2011. There might be a modest growth for fixed line as we see a continued deceleration of our [national direct dialing] and [international direct dialing] businesses,” he said. PLDT hopes that Digitel, which is strong in some areas where PLDT is not present, could help uplift its fixed-line business. “There are areas where we are not present but Digitel is. Like in Bicol, Digitel is there. But since there are areas wherein we are connecting them to our network then they can offer broadband service there,” Pangilinan said. The PLDT chief explained that the group is undergoing a transformation process in which revenues from the legacy business of voice and text are now yielding to revenues from data and broadband services. “This transformation process will take some time before a 1-for-1 revenue substitution process can be achieved, and mean higher margins being replaced by lower ones, at least in the short-term,” he said.  PLDT wireless subscribers stood at 47.7 million at end September. The country’s cellular penetration rate currently stands at over 90 percent. The remaining 10 percent translates to about 11 million Filipinos that do not own cellular phones yet. “There is room left for subscriber numbers to be tapped in the next year or two. But in terms of extracting juice out from it, that is where it gets difficult. That is why there should be multi-deployment of applications amid popularity of bucket-pricing schemes,” added Pangilinan.

Malaysia's LTE spectrum distribution draws criticism

The Malaysian government has awarded long term evolution (LTE) licenses to nine telco companies, albeit under specific conditions. However, the move has prompted an industry analyst to question whether the market will be able to support that many players, while a market player also questions the validity of some of the spectrum allocations. According to the Star Online, all nine telco players were allocated blocks of 2.6GHz spectrum but in smaller blocks than originally announced. They comprise four cellular players--Celcom Axiata, DiGi.Com, Maxis and U Mobile--and three WiMax players--Packet One, REDtone International and YTL Communications--which will each get 20MHz, comprising two blocks of 10Mhz FD-LTE, spectrum for their LTE deployments. Asiaspace, which has yet to offer any commercial WiMax, got the nod for a 10MHz block, the Star Online noted. New market entrant Puncak Semangat, which is owned by local billionaire Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, surprisingly landed the lion's share of the spectrum having been allocated 30MHz (TD-LTE) of spectrum. Cellular players need paired TD-LTE spectrum to operate while WiMax players only require unpaired TD-LTE spectrum. Business newspaper Edge Financial Daily quoted an unnamed source to say: "That the decision was made to bring in new entrants and allow room for market forces, and in that light, the spectrum allocations are equitable, though, not entirely equal." All nine operators are awarded the spectrum based on the condition that they re-submit their respective detailed business plans to, and be approved by, local industry regulator, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), by Dec. 15. Each licensee will have to pay 5 million ringgit (US$1.6 million) irrevocable guarantee for every 10MHz of spectrum, said Edge Financial, adding that the conditional spectrum assignments will only be granted if their respective business plans meet MCMC's criteria. Too many players for local market An industry analyst ZDNet Asia spoke to noted that nine mobile broadband players were simply too many in a market with a population of just over 28 million. Nicole McCormick, Ovum senior analyst, said this will make it hard for operators to achieve profitability and past mobile consolidation in Malaysia shows this. "Heavy discounting by operators will likely emerge as nine mobile broadband players contend for market share," McCormick said. "[But] on the consumer side [there will be] cheap prices and plenty of choice." Asked if awarding 30MHz of LTE spectrum to a nascent player such as Puncak Semangat was a good idea, the Ovum analyst said such practices went against global trends. She noted that in several Asian markets such as Vietnam, India, Indonesia and the Philippines, the trend was moving toward consolidation, rather than the licensing of new players. McCormick added that she expects consolidation to happen in the next few years as four of the cellular players may become three. "On the WiMax side, it will be difficult for even two nationwide players--as Malaysia has the most aggressive WiMax play in Asia--to compete alongside three to four TD-LTE players," she said. Quizzed on whether 20MHz blocks of spectrum were enough for most of the players, McCormick noted that to get more than 100Mbps over-the-air and make full use of LTE's capabilities, cellular operators would require two blocks of 20MHz of contiguous spectrum. Question over validity of some licensees A senior executive employed at one of the nine operators which received the license, told ZDNet Asia that the telco was prepared for the spectrum result. "We've already planned for what we've been allocated," he said on the condition of anonymity. "Having more spectrum is always good, but we are prepared to go with what we have." The executive, however, was critical over the validity of some licensees which were awarded the spectrum. "The question is how many of these players are going to re-sell their spectrum allocation [at a later date] should they not be able to roll out LTE, given that some of them haven't been successful [with their WiMax rollout] in the first place. "And what are the mechanisms by which MCMC will use to monitor their business plans this time?" he questioned. "At the end of the day, the allocation of government resources should not be used as a get-quick rich program." He added that spectrum is a national resource that should only be given to those which has a proven track record and can deliver value to the country. MCMC first called for the LTE business plans to be submitted in January this year but had stalled the decision process, causing industry observers to criticize the Malaysian government for the delay.

Bayan Tel Quits Wireless Business

Opting to bow out of the cellular phone battlefield and focus on its wired business instead, Bayan Telecommunications Inc. (Bayan) sold off its wireless CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) business to Multi-Media Telephony, Inc. (MTI). The sale will have a positive impact on Bayan’s financial standing and allow the company to focus its resources on sustaining the growth of its wired business, particularly Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), Corporate Data and Carrier Data, explained Bayan COO Rafael T. Aguado. Due to the private nature of the transaction, amount was not disclosed. It was also a strategic decision on the part of Bayan to exit the CDMA business while readying itself for sustainable growth in other technologies, Aguado said. The deal between Bayan and MTI involves the sale, assignment and transfer of all Bayan’s rights and interests used in its WLL service from, licenses, permits, and other authorities. Under the terms of the sale, selected assets related to Bayan’s wireless CDMA business will be transferred to MTI, a duly enfranchised wireless voice and broadband company, as part of its plan to expand its wireless voice and data service offering. Already, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) approved the transfer of Bayan’s Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) service to MTI “including any and all rights, and interests and participants, as well as all liabilities and obligations of Bayan in connection with or in relation to, otherwise arising from the WLL (wireless local loop) service and to install, construct, maintain and operate the same.” MTI of Jose Perez de Venecia does business as Broadband Philippines, a company originally engaged in paging network and call center operations in 1993 until it acquired a nationwide broadband license from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). MTI sold its paging business to Easycall in 1999 and exited from its call center business in 2000 to concentrate on offering local exchange carrier, cellular mobile telephone, and broadband services nationwide. A few years ago, in 2009, Bayan and MTI forged a co-branding agreement, sharing facilities and revenues. Bayan used MTI’s base stations and frequencies to expand the coverage of its wireless landline loop and increase its subscriber base.

LightSquared Teams With Skype Co-Founder To Offer 'Free' Wireless Broadband

LightSquared, a wireless broadband company building a nationwide LTE and satellite network, struck a wholesale deal with FreedomPop, a startup backed by Skype and Joost co-founder Niklas Zennström that is claiming it will offer free broadband and voice services "to all Americans." FreedomPop is funded by Zennström's venture capital firm Atomico. The company will launch in 2012 with its "ultimate objective to ensure that every American has access to fast, free and convenient communication services," according to a joint press release issued Thursday by LightSquared and FreedomPop. In an email, FreedomPop chief operating officer Matt Ingrid compared the company's business model to that of Dropbox, the online storage service. Dropbox offers up to 2 Gigabytes for free, and sells access to additional storage for a monthly fee in different tiers. "We're building a new kind of company we call a 'Webco' (vs. telco), i.e. economics of a Web company (no network, no high cost base, 100% online only)," he wrote. FreedomPop said it will initially target "underserved markets" with services running on LightSquared's 4G LTE network, which is slated to come online starting in the second half of 2012. "The Internet is a right, not a privilege," Ingrid said in a statement. "With the economic efficiencies delivered by LightSquared's wholesale business model, we can achieve our objective to deliver flexible high-speed wireless access to anyone at a fraction of the cost and inconvenience seen in today's market." LightSquared has come under fire from lawmakers because its network has been shown to interfere with GPS service. On Wednesday, LightSquared said that independent testing shows that it is "well on its way" to resolving the issue of interference to sensitive GPS receivers from in-band transmissions. The company has already modified its proposal to the Federal Communications Commission, with plans to put more spectrum space between it and the GPS band at launch, to cut power and to invest in a technological fix to the interference issue. LightSquared is building out a nationwide, wholesale-only 4G LTE network integrated with satellite coverage. The company has received more than $14 billion of private investment for its eight-year buildout plan. Reston, Va.-based LightSquared is owned by private-equity firm Harbinger Capital Management, which is headed by Philip Falcone. In June, Sprint Nextel entered into a 15-year agreement with LightSquared for spectrum hosting and network services under which LightSquared will pay Sprint $9 billion and provide $4.5 billion in usage credits over the first 11 years. Zennström, along with Janus Friis, founded Internet-phone service Skype. Skype was acquired by eBay, then spun off before being acquired by Microsoft this year for $8.5 billion. The duo also were the founders of Joost, the Internet TV venture that flamed out after raising more than $45 million from Viacom, CBS and others.

Broadband Forum Announces Specifications for MPLS in Mobile Backhaul in 4G/LTE Networks

Announced today at the LTE/EPC and Converged Mobile Backhaul conference in London, the Broadband Forum has published its new "Technical Specification for MPLS in Mobile Backhaul Networks" (TR-221), which is set to become a key enabler for mobile operators as they migrate from traditional TDM networks to packet-based transport technologies and from 2G/3G to 4G and LTE services. TR-221 provides a key resource to the industry as it gears up for explosive growth in IP traffic driven by new and enhanced devices on the mobile market, from tablets and smartphones to multifunction gaming consoles. Based on recent mobile traffic forecasts put out by both Cisco(1) and Ericsson(2), growth in global IP traffic continues to rise exponentially and by 2015 is expected to reach around 81 exabytes (10 to the 18th power) per month: the equivalent of 20 billion DVDs, 19 trillion MP3s or 500 quadrillion text messages. Estimates also show around 15 billion fixed and mobile networked devices and machine-to-machine connections by that time. Mobile video is likely to make up around two-thirds of mobile data traffic, an increase of 35-fold from 2010 to 2015. For service providers this presents a significant challenge in ensuring that their networks are flexible and can handle such large volumes of data while delivering the necessary service performance and quality of experience to their customers. Many operators are responding by migrating their mobile networks to next generation 4G/LTE and require a comprehensive and optimized solution for their backhaul. MPLS provides the unique capability allowing service providers to converge their disparate networks by combining TDM, Frame Relay, ATM, Ethernet and IP services into a single multi-service environment, merging their disparate 2G, 2.5G, 3G and 4G/LTE mobile networks into a single converged architecture. "TR-221 is a significant step forward for the industry," commented Ihab Tarazi, vice president of global IP and transport planning and technology for Verizon. "In the face of growing demand for bandwidth and quality of service from our users, we have been a keen participant in the development of the Broadband Forum's new technical specifications. We hope to closely engage with members and partners regarding TR-221 to achieve a scalable, easy-to-manage and cost-effective mobile backhaul architecture that delivers services rapidly, economically and with quality to our mobile customers." TR-221 focuses on the applications of MPLS technology in a range of services that may be used to transport wireless traffic in the access and aggregation networks, including IP, TDM, ATM and Ethernet. It defines the global requirements of MPLS technology in these networks in respect of encapsulation, signalling and routing, QoS, OAM, resiliency, security and synchronization. It also covers expected services over the backhaul network that include voice, multimedia services, data traffic, and multicast traffic such as multimedia broadcast and multicast services (MBMS). Adherence to these requirements will create global standards for MPLS oriented equipment, establishing more network interoperability, speeding deployments and lowering the overall costs of the backhaul network. Defining a range of reference architectures for MPLS based Mobile Backhaul networks; TR-221 includes specifications for the various transport scenarios applicable to all mobile networks (e.g. 2G, 3G and LTE). It also specifies the equipment requirements for the control, user and management planes to provide unified and consistent end-to-end transport services for mobile backhaul.

Collaborate to woo telecoms investments, Asean urged

Asean countries have been urged to collaborate to attract investments in Internet infrastructure so as to expedite the setting up of the Asean Broadband Corridor and Asean Internet Exchange. In making the call, Asean Telecommunications and Information Technology Senior Official Meeting (Telsom) outgoing chairman Datuk Seri Kamaruddin Siaraf said the investments would be for the regional grouping’s own benefit and enable it to remain competitive with other regions. “We have all come to realise that the longer we tarry with the provision of broadband access, the more difficult it will be for us to catch up with other connected nations and regions,” he said in his opening remarks at the 12th Telsom meeting at the Myanmar International Convention Centre here yesterday. Ten senior officials, one each from the Asean countries Cambodia, Brunei, Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam attended the opening ceremony. In January, at the 10th Asean Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting (Telmin) in Kuala Lumpur, Asean telecommunications ministers launched the Asean ICT Masterplan 2015 (AIM 2015), a strategic document to bring the Asean ICT sector to a higher level and to reinforce the role of ICT for Asean integration. They also agreed to work together in creating Asean’s own Internet exchange and domain by 2015 that would enable the region to enjoy better Internet connectivity at an affordable cost. An Internet exchange primarily functions as a point for networks to interconnect directly rather than through a third-party network. With an Internet exchange, the cost to the consumer would be reduced and bandwidth speed increased. Kamaruddin, who is also the secretary-general of the Malaysian Information, Communications and Culture Ministry, said the Asean dialogue partners namely Japan, Korea, China, India, the European Union (EU) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), would be the logical partners in the venture, as they have more experience, technology and expertise compared to the Asean countries. — Bernama Telsom met at least once a year to share information and experiences in developing policies and management efficiency among its members. This year’s meeting with the theme ‘ICT: Engine for Growth in Asean’ was held at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar’s new administrative capital. At the meeting, Myanmar was elected as the 12th Telsom chairman, with the Philippines as the vice chairman. The meeting would among others discuss the implementation progress of approved projects under AIM 2015 for 2010-2011, and other recommendations to further advance Asean ICT cooperation and integration based on the outcomes of Telsom project implementation since 2007. It would also discuss and provide inputs to the Nay Pyi Taw statement draft for consideration and adoption by the 11th Telmin on Thursday.

Wireless N 150 ADSL2+4- Port Ethernet Router

Mercantile Office System — the authorised distributor of the Taiwan based D-Link (High Speed ADSL Broadband) Company in Nepal — has brought Wireless N 150 ADSL2+4- Port Ethernet Router, a versatile and High-Performance Wireless router for people who desire to make full use of the broadband connectivity by connecting to 802.11n wireless devices at up to150 Mbps. "With Integrated ADSL2/2+ supporting download speeds up to 24 Mbps and 1Mbps upstream, a total security with stateful packet inspection to enhance the firewall, hacker attack logging to protect one's network against denial of service (DoS) attacks, fast internet connection, and four ethernet switch ports to connect to ethernet enabled PCs, printers, servers and other devices, this provides all the functions that a home or small office needs to establish a server and high-speed link to the internet, the company said, adding that it supports WPA/WPA2 and WEP for flexible user access security and data encryption methods along with a built in WPS button.. The router supports priority queues to smooth one's network access so one doesnot have to worry about traffic congestion anymore. It has backward compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g wireless equipment and assures compatibility with a wide range of wireless devices.

Mobile subscribers finding plenty of reasons to smile these days

Only a few weeks more and we all will be saying hello to the year’s most important holiday. Remember when we were kids, and our parents told us we better be good and nice so that we would receive those shiny gifts from Santa Claus? Remember also how our elders pleaded with us to never even think of being naughty, or else we would end up with nothing on Christmas morning? This year, we should thank the spirit of Christmas for the blessings we, mobile subscribers and consumers, are receiving and are about to receive. Talk is Cheap, SMS is Cheaper Maybe somebody should check local telecommunications executives’ temperatures, and determine whether they are suffering from life-threatening or mental-state-altering fever or other conditions. How else can we account for this sudden turn of our fortunes for the better? Imagine, they have agreed to allow consumers to use their mobile networks to send text messages at cheaper rates. Never mind that they are doing this not for some humanitarian reasons, or they have suddenly discovered a deep love for humanity. Early in November, Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, and Sun Cellular signed a memorandum of agreement to lower their interconnection charges on SMS by 20 centavos. This move is in compliance with the NTC Memorandum Circular Number 02-10-2011, issued on October 24. Telecom companies were given 20 days from the effectivity date of the memorandum to adjust their SMS fees downward as required by the policy. So, there is one more reason to help make this Christmas merry for SMS-loving Pinoy consumers. Smart LTE Smart Communications has begun beta testing its Long-Term Evolution (LTE) broadband services. Otherwise known as fourth-generation (4G) mobile technology, LTE is reportedly capable of delivering up to 42Mbps in Internet speed. Aside from offering mobile subscribers much faster download and upload speeds, LTE can help upgrade the country’s average Internet speeds, which currently stand at levels we cannot be particularly proud of. Pinoy Terror Hackers American telecom company AT&T’s network was recently attacked by hackers later on identified as members of an Al Qaeda-linked terrorist cell in the Philippines. FBI and Philippine National Police officers arrested four suspects who were accused of breaching the corporate PBX of AT&T customers and stealing about $2 million over the span of two years. The suspects allegedly used these numbers to make expensive calls overseas and redirected revenues to bank accounts held by Saudi-based terror group Jemaah Islamiyah. This incident, aside from highlighting how much networked the world has become, puts Pinoys’ tech skills at center stage once more. We only wish that it involved a less dreadful occasion. That’s all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.

10 ways to simplify your business and save on costs

Simplifying business operations increases productivity, reduces costs and heightens efficiency. This allows entrepreneurs to free up and manage their time better, so they can pursue their hobbies and other passions. “Whether you have a big enterprise or a small and medium business, Globe Business has solutions for you. Our services simplify a company’s processes and operations to give entrepreneurs more time to focus on their business’ prime objective and their personal pursuits,” said Manny Aligada, head of corporate and SME segments of Globe Business. Here are 10 ways to simplify business operations using products and services from Globe Business: • Monitor your business anytime, anywhere. Thanks to Globe Business’ WebEye, an online video surveillance system, activities in one’s business premises may be monitored, at any time, through the Internet. The surveillance video is viewable by the business owner or top management on any Internet device: a desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone or tablet. Any business that needs to secure its premises — hotels, restaurants, bars or resorts; factories; warehouses; retail outlets; government and law enforcement agencies; financial institutions from banks to lending businesses; moneychangers or pawnshops, etc.; hospitals and clinics; and schools — will reap tremendous benefits from this service. • Stay connected. The Internet plays a crucial role in businesses development as it helps companies increase their visibility as well as make their production and promotion more efficient at lower costs. Globe Business offers Direct Internet that provides high-speed Internet access for SMEs. This reliable broadband connection provides up to 10Mbps to help businesses accept product orders, communicate with their employees and customers, send reports in no time, and address their marketing and website needs. Direct Internet also provides a 24/7 support system to ensure that the Internet connection is reliable. This service is usually availed of by businesses with provincial or international offices and those which are into business process outsourcing and financial services and professional services. Globe Tattoo Broadband, meanwhile, gives an entrepreneur and his employees access to the Internet anytime, anywhere. Wherever they are in the country, they can check their e-mail, teleconference with their business partners and clients, and do their business online with this fast, “on-the-go” wireless broadband. They can get a Tattoo Plan for as low as P499 per month. • Access your secured network anytime. Two Globe Business products, Virtual Private Network (VPN) Express and the Multi Protocol Label Switch (MPLS), allow business owners (or authorized personnel) to remotely access business data and connect a company’s branches and company sites. VPN lets one read company e-mails, upload and download files, check reports, and do other business tasks — even outside the office. This business solution ensures private, secure communication between two or more multi-site companies. It provides real-time connectivity and access to a company’s secured network. Business owners may access business data and assist colleagues, all in real time live from home or anywhere with Internet access. VPN Express provides highly secured and efficient networking. It is useful to financing institutions and government agencies and practically any business where the head office needs to connect with company sites. The MPLS allows interconnection of systems and applications among business branches within a scalable and reliable network. It’s most useful to franchised food or retail outlets, and any businesses whose branches need to coordinate with one another to ensure quality service to customers. A sporting goods chain, for example, may network its branches so customers are able to find a particular athletic, exercise or gym product that may be available in some branches but out of stock in others. The MPLS has three levels of quality of service — Standard, Business, and Premium — to manage network traffic in a cost-effective manner. • Manage your phone call expenses. Globe Business offers postpaid plans that allow businesses to choose the mobile services that best address their needs. With the packaged unlimited talk and/or texting features, subscribers can save as much as 70 percent per month on their mobile phone bills. These plans include: Globe Business Plus, which offers unlimited talk and texting features for as low as P499 per month; Globe Business Company Capped Plans, which sets a flexible cost ceiling for a business’ mobile lines; and AutoloadMAX Corporate Edition, which helps manage, schedule, and automatically reload prepaid credits directly to employees’ cellphones and includes the option to reload employees’ lines individually or in bulk; it may even track down the mobile phone spending of a department or individual employees. • Make text messaging easier and cost-efficient. If a business involves high-volume text campaigns, TxtConnect can help it send SMS blasts to its employees and customers in just one send. This service is Web-based so it’s easier to send SMS than regular text messaging or phone calls. TxtConnect is also cost-efficient as it charges lower text message fees with a plan that starts at P1,500 per month. Subscribing to TxtConnect results in as much as 35 percent in saved cost compared to the regular text messaging service charges. • Secure your business data. Organizing and securing a business’ vital data and ICT resources is now possible with Globe Business’ Data Center — a technologically advanced, highly secured facility built for data storage. The Data Center offers a wide range of services, including co-location, dedicated service hosting, LAN-based Internet, media storage, disaster recovery seats, recovery services, and e-mail hosting. Any business that relies on and processes huge amounts of data — especially confidential information — like financial institutions, government agencies, hospitals, schools, hotels, resorts, restaurant chains and the like will surely benefit from this service. Losing data in this day and age, whether due to a computer virus, deliberate hacking, spying or data theft, or computer hardware/system failure, is disastrous for business. Globe Business’ Data Center prevents such a catastrophic loss of the confidence and trust of clients and investors. • Install a trunkline that needs no operator. Globe Business’ Integrated Services Digital Network-Primary Rate Interface (ISDN PRI) is an innovative solution for business voice. It provides fast, accurate data transmission over existing copper telephone wiring. The ISDN PRI is composed of 30 channels with corresponding subscriber numbers capable of both outgoing and incoming calls, providing direct connection without the need to pass through an operator. The ISDN PRI provides clear, digital transmission for voice and data communications. This service is ideal for businesses that need constant communication between personnel in various departments and their customers, including hotels, hospitals, insurance companies, shipping offices, government agencies, financial institutions, call centers, mass media offices, franchised retail or food outlets and the like. • Keep track of your supplies. The Fleet Management service offered by Globe Business is a real-time tracking system that ensures the delivery and security of products and supplies. It uses a Global Positioning System (GPS) to monitor the precise location of assets like trucks, cargo and products and determine if these arrived at their destination/delivery point on time. Fleet Management is easy to use and accessible through any computer with Internet connection. This tracking system increases the efficiency of deliveries, helping reduce fuel and vehicle maintenance expenses when used to determine faster routes. Manufacturing, retail, distribution and other businesses that rely on the transport of goods will benefit from this service. Fleet Management is one of three products under Globe Business’ M2M (machine-to-machine) Solutions — a high-tech system that allows computers, machines, equipment and assets to remotely communicate and share information with other machines, people and computers. M2M Solutions are connected to the computerized Globe Business M2M Management System. • Manage your fixed assets remotely. Globe Business’ Fixed Asset Management service allows one to monitor the functioning, operation and maintenance and security of a company’s fixed assets — i.e., freezers, vendo machines, factory machinery, ATMs, computer servers, etc. This way, the productivity of such assets may be determined through their status; output projections may also be made based on the data collected from these assets. Fixed Asset Management enables one to monitor the condition of fixed assets — whether these are working normally or showing signs of malfunction. One can also track if there are attempts to tamper, sabotage or steal these fixed assets. Alarms and alerts may also be integrated with the monitoring system. Through Fixed Asset Management, companies minimize machine downtime by undertaking preventive maintenance based on the collected data on the machine’s status. Operating costs due to frequent on-site inspections are reduced — the state of the machine may already be determined through the data obtained remotely. There is also increased protection of off-site machines. This service is ideal for restaurants and fast food chains, vendo operators, banks, factories and other businesses engaged in manufacturing. • Pro-active security. Globe Business has a Security and Surveillance service that gives owners greater control over securing company sites. Security and Surveillance installs security devices (such as motion and door sensors, panic buttons) that are linked to the Globe M2M Management System. When an intruder breaks in to the secured site, for example, the M2M security devices send out alerts through the computer network. This signals the system to deploy an emergency response team to deal with the threat. The M2M Security and Surveillance system is pro-active and preventive; the security devices are always ready to activate alarms and trigger an emergency response. All in all, Globe Business’ M2M Solutions optimize the functionality and productivity of a company’s machines/assets. They make business operations less costly yet more efficient. They also provide greater security and control over a company’s mobile and fixed assets. M2M Solutions are ideal for a wide range of businesses, including the food and/or service industries (restaurants, resorts, hotels, etc.), financial enterprises (banks, pawnshops, etc.), manufacturing, distribution, practically any business that benefits from machine-to-machine networking and pro-active security. To learn more about what Globe Business can do for businesses, visit http://business.globe.com.ph/ or call (02) 730-1288.

Cisco Linksys X3000 review

Cicso's Linksys X3000 router is designed to be as easy as possible to set up, whether you have an ADSL or cable connection. The router comes with a setup CD which walks you through the process of getting online. You select whether you're going to use a separate modem (for cable connections) or use the router as both a modem and router (if you're on ADSL). Unlike most router setup programs, the X3000's assumes you're going to connect wirelessly, even during setup. It searches for the router, prompts you to enter your broadband username and password, checks the broadband connection is active and then takes you through setting up a wireless password. We managed to get up and running with an encrypted wireless broadband connection within minutes, and the whole process was far easier than on most routers we’ve seen. The setup CD also installs the Cisco Connect software, which is a friendly interface for some of the router's basic functions, including setting up a separate wireless guest network for up to ten people, so they can access the internet but not the files on your network, and parental controls to restrict time spent online and access to websites. Cisco Connect can also create a USB key containing the software to run on other PCs - the key will connect the other computers to the network automatically without you having to enter a wireless password. Cisco Connect is simple to use but rather limited While Cisco Connect is easy to use, we feel it's rather limited; we would have liked an easy way to set up port forwarding or shared storage with the router's USB port. To set up these functions you need to go into the router's web interface. This is well-designed, fast and simple to use, so setting up more advanced features such as port forwarding and QoS is easy. We managed to share a USB flash drive full of media files over the network as a standard network drive and also in UPnP media server mode, where the router appeared as a media server in Windows Media Player and let us browse our music. There was one problem with the web interface; it insisted on searching for devices to connect to using Wi-Fi Protected Setup at regular intervals, during which time we couldn’t use the web interface. It's nannying and incredibly annoying. The router managed fast speeds during our file transfer tests; with a Centrino 2 laptop we saw 43.4Mbit/s at 1m range and 30Mbit/s at 10m, which is above average. At 25m we saw 2.82Mbit/s, which isn’t anywhere near other routers in this price range. Things were slower with Cisco's own Linksys AE1000 USB adaptor; 38.3Mbit/s at 1m is reasonable, but 10Mbit/s at 10m range is poor. Turning on channel-bonding made no difference in our tests. We're fans of Cisco's web interface, but it does bug you about WPS all the time Cisco's Linksys X3000 is admirably easy to set up and its web interface, WPS nagging aside, is fast and easy to use. It's a hugely expensive router, though, and we'd have liked to see more features in the Cisco Connect software.

Fitch affirms PLDT credit rating

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Philippine Long Distance Telephone's (PLDT) Long-Term Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'BBB-' and 'A-' respectively. The Outlook is Stable. Fitch said the ratings reflect PLDT's improved market position post its successful acquisition of a 51.55% ownership interest in the third-largest telco – Digital Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (Digitel) in an all-equity deal. As of end-September 2011, PLDT boasted dominant market positions across the wireless (revenue market share: 64%), fixed-line (subscriber market share: 56%) and nascent broadband (subscriber market share: 56%) segments. Fitch expects that PLDT's leverage will deteriorate marginally in 2012 as average revenue per user (ARPU) continues to fall as a result of increasing popularity of bucket or "all you can eat' tariff plans and a change in its revenue mix towards lower-margin data services. However, the agency does not expect PLDT's leverage to breach 2.0x, the threshold for negative rating action on its Long-Term Local Currency IDR. Fitch also expects PLDT's free cash flow to turn negative in 2012 due to higher capex requirements for data services and limited flexibility to cut dividends which have historically remained at 100% of prior year net income.