Operators Worldwide Adopting EDGE
BELLEVUE, Wash. – More than 100 wireless carriers in 63 countries from all regions of the world are in various stages of readiness for EDGE high-speed wireless data technology to provide customers with an array of next-generation services and applications, according to 3G Americas. Combined, the 108 operators represent hundreds of millions of customers in their current subscriber base.
"Operators' commitments to EDGE have steadily grown over the past 18 months and today there are 28 operators with live commercial mobile broadband networks including nationwide launches in the United States, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands and Bahrain," said Chris Pearson, president of trade association 3G Americas.
In addition to the 28 operators offering commercial 3G EDGE services to customers, there are 32 operators who are actively deploying EDGE, 33 planned EDGE deployments, 8 operators with EDGE-capable networks, and seven other operators with EDGE networks reported in the trial phase.
Pearson added, "EDGE has achieved critical mass based on world geographic coverage, [points of presence], number of subscribers within these operators' networks, as well as the scope of devices and infrastructure. Considering the compatibility of EDGE devices with UMTS and GPRS, EDGE has immeasurable advantages building on the foundation of more than one billion-plus customers in the GSM technology family."
In North America, AT&T Wireless was the first GSM operator to announce plans for EDGE deployment in November 2001. Today, it also has commercial EDGE networks in Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and Puerto Rico. Cingular Wireless was first to commercially launch an EDGE network in June 2002 and plans for a nationwide U.S. EDGE rollout by September 2004. T-Mobile USA is the third nationwide operator in the U.S. planning to deploy EDGE. Rogers Wireless has launched EDGE in Canada.
EDGE networks offering commercial services in key markets of Latin America include CTI Movil (Argentina), Claro (Brazil), Telefonica Moviles (Chile and Mexico), and TIM Brazil. Throughout the western hemisphere, there are 46 operators in 26 countries who are in various stages of readiness to deploy EDGE.
As evidence that EDGE is not merely an Americas technology, EDGE has been launched commercially in four Asian countries, 10 countries in Europe and the Middle East, and even Algeria, Africa. TIM Italy was the first European operator to announce a complementary deployment strategy with EDGE and UMTS (WCDMA) and in May 2004 announced the commercial availability of its combined EDGE-UMTS network. TIM Italy cites the increased capacity derived by deploying EDGE as critical to its business plan. Globally, 15 EDGE- and UMTS-complementary deployments have been announced to date, including AT&T Wireless and Cingular.
With EDGE technology, multinational companies and business travelers can use a single device offering tri-band service while traveling internationally and receive either EDGE service where available or GPRS service for their data connections. EDGE customers can expect to receive average data speeds between 110-130 kbps, with bursts to 200 kbps when using an EDGE modem card in a laptop, and several EDGE handsets are available that also can be used as modems for wireless connections.
Seven Essential Wireless M2M Markets
ST. LOUIS – The number of machines connected to wireless networks will increase more than tenfold over the next four years. But to cash in on wireless machine-to-machine market growth, vendors must target the right vertical segments, learn what makes them tick, and deliver solutions addressing verified opportunities and obstacles. That is one of the conclusions of the new 112-page report, "Wireless Machine-to-Machine: An In-depth Study of Applications and Vertical Markets," released July 14 by Datacomm Research Company.
"For example, one of the most promising M2M segments is remote device management," said Ira Brodsky, president of Datacomm Research and the report's author. "Needed are better wireless solutions for accessing machines indoors, more powerful algorithms for predicting when machines need servicing, and greater collaboration with machine vendors to promote remote diagnostics and usage monitoring," he added.
"Wireless Machine-to-Machine: An In-depth Study of Applications and Vertical Markets" provides similar analysis and specific recommendations for six other key markets. The report is based on more than 30 interviews with leading manufacturers, operators, application service providers, and systems integrators. It contains sections on The Current Market, Technologies, Standards & Regulations, Business Models, and Future Considerations. More than 80 select vendors are profiled.
Additional conclusions found in the report include:
The growth of the wireless M2M market is driven by increasingly ubiquitous mobile phone services, the availability of low-cost radio modems, wireless service rate plans scaled to bandwidth consumption, and the emergence of powerful Internet-based tools.
The current wireless M2M market is modest in size and highly fragmented. There were approximately 7 million RF modules and wireless telemetry terminals sold during 2003. These were primarily digital cellular devices but also included analog cellular, wireless LAN, paging, and satellite units.
There are two major uses for wireless in M2M applications: a.) Wireless links between sensors and data collection points and b.) Wireless links between data collection points and control centers. Today, most wireless M2M links connect data collection points to control centers. Over time, the number of wireless sensors could increase dramatically.
Significant development effort is being focused on self-organizing, wireless sensor networks -- also known as "smart dust." These are tiny wireless sensors that automatically find each other and form highly- flexible, self-routing, mesh networks. This embryonic technology could revolutionize the M2M industry by making sensors less expensive, less obtrusive, and easier to deploy. However, the market for smart dust may require a longer gestation period than its pioneers would like.
Iusacell First to Deploy 3G Services in Mexico
MEXICO CITY – Grupo Iusacell, S.A de C.V. informs that as of this month, Iusacell will integrate Qualcomm's BREW solution into its system, thus allowing subscribers to surf and download a variety of applications such as e-mail, ring tones, screen savers, games, and photo transmission through its mobile telephones. The devices also soon will feature video transmission.
Iusacell is the first cell phone company in Mexico to offer full-coverage third generation technology, 3G CDMA, thus providing users with the "3-G Iusacell" service, which offers a wide range of multimedia applications, so that customers have the possibility to use cell phones as a communication tool that complements their lifestyles.
Third Generation is the state-of-the-art technology within the cell phone industry that features the highest quality and speed in voice and data transmission.
"The growth potential of the Mexican wireless data market is enormous," said Flavio Mansi, business development vice president for Qualcomm Inc. Mexico and Central America. "The election of the BREW solution by Iusacell places the company as the Mexican wireless market leader and consolidates the solution as the best option for carriers, due to its flexibility, easy implementation, and wide support from an international developer community."
"3-G Iusacell" provides customers with e-mail, personalized ring tones, games, images, photo albums, news center, and videos.
Disposable Cell Phone Now Available on Web
IRVINE, Calif. – The world's first disposable, recyclable, and contract-free cell phone now is available online as well as at selected retailers. Hop-on.com, Inc. announced July 14 that in conjunction with the recent shipment of its Model 1806 GSM tri-band handset and OEM accessories to distributors and retailers across the United States, it also is making the products available directly to consumers at www.hop-on.com/hop1806.
Hop-on CEO Dan Gannon commented, "We have been receiving numerous inquiries from consumers interested in buying one of our phones, so we have decided to add the ability to directly purchase our Model 1806 GSM phones and accessories on our Website. We are not competing with our distributors or retailers since these products will most likely be available at lower prices through them. Instead, our Web-enabled purchases will be a service for our consumers that are not conveniently located near one of our retailers' storefronts."
Cell Phone Battery Dead? 'Jump' it with Cellboost
CANOGA PARK, Calif. – Can't risk being caught with a dead cell phone when you're on the road or waiting for a business call? Forget to charge your phone and don't have time to do it before dashing out the door? Need to be sure your family can reach you?
A new device called Cellboost provides "insurance" against battery fatigue. Cellboost is a disposable battery and charger for cell phones from Compact Power Systems Inc. It instantly restores power to a handset without requiring access to an electrical outlet, allowing users to continue talking while simultaneously charging the phone.
Roughly the size of a match book, weighing less than an ounce, and selling for an average of $7, Cellboost plugs directly into the cell phone's charging port (no cords or adapters are needed) and delivers an average of 60 minutes of talk time or 60 hours of standby time. When it's out of juice, simply throw it away.
The product is particularly useful for cell phones that are carried by overseas travelers, because it eliminates the need to find an adapter than accepts foreign electric current.
Cellboost is available for popular phone brands including Nokia, LG, Motorola, Sanyo, Samsung, Siemens, and Sony Ericsson. It can be purchased at leading retail outlets including Radio Shack, Office Depot, Staples, Circuit City, 7-Eleven, Fry's Electronics, Cingular Wireless, AutoZone, and AT&T Wireless, or online at Buy.com.
Charge Your Groceries to Your Cell Phone
NEWTON, Mass. – MobileLime, a Service of Vayusa Inc., has announced that its software solution has fully integrated with StoreNext's latest ISS45 Version 8 point-of-sale (POS) system. Shoppers now have the convenience of paying for groceries using their mobile phones, while grocers can build customer loyalty and a stronger bottom line.
StoreNext is a supplier of technology to independent grocers and regional chains and is one of the only major IT companies focused exclusively on meeting the needs of this crucial marketplace.
"With MobileLime's full integration with ISS45, independents can leverage the expanding voice and data properties of cell phones to offer real-time marketing, card-less loyalty programs, faster checkout, prepaid gift programs, and a comprehensive management system," said Ray Carlin, president and CEO of Plano, Texas-based StoreNext.
MobileLime's patented technology provides reward programs and promotional coupons at a fraction of the price of traditional paper- and card-based solutions. Merchants are able to build sales and increase customer loyalty, while MobileLime's seamless POS integration simplifies usage and training for the grocer.
The ISS45 V8 launch with MobileLime integration gives shoppers convenience and ease of use. MobileLime customers now will have the ability to pay and save using their MobileLime account as they would any other payment transaction since any register is able to process the transaction and print a MobileLime receipt.
MobileLime will be exhibiting with StoreNext at the Upcoming Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) EXPOtech July 20-21 at The Mirage in Las Vegas.
