Orange France to roll out hotspot 2.0 in early 2012

Orange France will follow rival SFR in launching 'hotspot 2.0' technology throughout the country in early 2012, Les Echos reports. Under the auspices of Wireless Broadband Alliance, operators are testing hotspot 2.0, intended to offer users the same experience regardless of where they connect, China, the US or elsewhere, somewhat like the 3G mobile standard, according to WBA vice president and France Telecom-Orange executive Cedric Gonin. The technology enables seamless transition from 3G to Wi-Fi. SFR, Orange and Bouygues have expanded their Wi-Fi networks by allowing customers to open their home WLANs to community members who have done the same. Orange did so in the Paris area in November 2011 and other parts of the country will be added soon. Mobile operators see Wi-Fi as a priority to regain the upper hand in the face of parallel networks operated by internet giants such as Microsoft's Skype and to nip network agnostic Wi-Fi dongle start-ups. Worldwide public hotspots are forecast to reach 5.8 million in 2015, 4.5 million in 2014, 3.3 million in 2013 and 2.1 million this year, compared to 1.3 million in 2011, according to Informa. Laptops account for some 48 percent of hotspot connections at present, ahead of smartphones with 36 percent, tablets with 10 percent and other devices with 6 percent. An Informa suvey found that 47 percent of mobile operators believe hotspots are now crucial to meet customer expectations, to relieve traffic on the mobile network and to diversify revenue streams.

Ericsson: First taste of 4G likely in 2012

Thailand is set to experience a full pace of 3G network expansion, along with a few planned 4G pilot projects, in 2012, says the Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson. Tablet-based enterprise mobility solutions and cloud-based services are likely to become new lucrative business models for mobile operators, giving them a new revenue stream in the mobile broadband era. Bunyati Kirdniyom, head for communications and regulatory affairs of Ericsson Thailand, said major mobile operators were likely to focus on 3G infrastructure expansion next year to serve increasing demand for mobile internet, driven mainly by the proliferation of smartphones and tablets. Thailand is likely to experience the initial long-term evolution (LTE) technology, known as 4G, next year, he said. Operators running on LTE networks could provide voice over LTE service for smartphone users, enabling high-quality IP-based voice services. Ericsson predicts that local mobile operators need to explore new business models to increase profitability. Mr Bunyati said Ericsson expects embedded mobile broadband (EMB) to become a common feature in notebooks in 2012 after the country adopts it as an optional feature for two years. EMB enables a device to make broadband connection without being limited to areas within ranges of wireless hot spots. Arun Bansal, Ericsson's head responsible for Southeast Asia and Oceania, said conventional business models relying on prices, speeds and sales volumes would become less effective. "In 2012, mobile operators are expected to adopt an innovative business approach common in the financial and airline sectors. The strategies will involve loyalty, user preferences, service customisation and tailor-made applications for enterprise," he said. Mr Bansal also said operators are expected to provide greater cloud service varieties to differentiate themselves from rivals. Mobile payment via Near Field Communications technology would play a key role next year. Collaboration between operators outside the telecom industry are likely to be seen in convergence services. On-demand and over-the-top TV solutions would continue growing.

Smart implements charge cap to block customers’ ‘bill shock’

SMART Communications, Inc. (Smart) is putting an end to unexpected mobile Internet charges as it introduces its new anti-bill shock feature. Unlike in the past, when charges continue to pile up because of unknown or unintentional use of data connectivity (e.g. via automatic app updates, location-based services, etc.), the new feature automatically kicks in to prevent overcharging. Starting today, Smart Data Lite Plans 500, 800 and 1,000 and iPhone Plans 999 and 2499 will enjoy the worry-free data charge cap without the need to enrol or sign up for a separate package. IPhone Plan 999 subscribers, for example, are allocated 250MB of data every month. Once the data allocation has been consumed, the regular charge of P10 for every 30 minutes of mobile Internet use will be billed above the monthly service fee (MSF). Charging cycle Regular data charging will continue until accumulated Internet charges reach P1,200, at which point, the plan will work like an unlimited data connection until the next billing cycle. “Not everyone is able to keep track of their data usage, which is why Smart subscribers need not register to the new anti-bill shock feature,” said Smart Mobile Marketing Head Guido Zaballero. “Now, both new and existing subscribers can enjoy the power of mobile Internet minus the hassle,” he said. “Smart makes available only the best connectivity to the best devices. It is the only telco in the Philippines with a dual band 4G HSPA+ network which gives smartphones and other mobile devices better signal reception, faster connection speeds, and better battery life,” the company said in a press statement. Increase in usage Last year, Smart reported that it detected a six-fold increase in mobile broadband use in its network. “We have recorded a tremendous increase in data consumption as evidenced by the spikes in usage,” said Smart Chief Wireless Advisor Orlando B. Vea. “If there are still doubts about where the industry is headed, this should put an end to all speculation,” he said.