Alcatel-Lucent has signed an agreement with Telekom Polska and fibre infrastructure company Hawe SA to develop broadband infrastructure solutions in Poland. According to local reports, Poland is struggling to meet its part in the European Digital Agenda target to provide all EU citizens with access to broadband internet by 2013. The country has been granted approximately €1.5 billion for the development of broadband infrastructure from 2007-2013 by the EU, including up to €300 million for the relatively underserved eastern region of the country, but is still largely underdeveloped in the ICT sector. For information on this story click here.
According to reports, telecoms tower operator Helios Towers Africa has become the first company to be granted a licence by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority to independently operate a network of telecoms towers across the country. Using the licence, the company hopes to provide higher quality service coverage across Tanzania, particularly in rural areas.
Verizon Wireless is planning to invest $850,000 on upgrading 450 antennas on all of its cell sites in Michigan, US. The company reports the new antenna equipment has resulted in incremental network coverage gains of up to one mile, improving overall reliability for customers.
Turkcell has acquired the telecoms data operator Global Iletisim for approximately $9.8 million. The move is part of the Turkish mobile operator’s goal to improve its cloud computing capabilities and data centre services. The company plans to integrate Global Iletisim’s three data centres in Anakara and Istanbul with its subsidiary Turkcell Superonline, which has also invested in a 2,000m2 data centre in Gebze that is due to open next year. For information on this story click here.
Malaysian integrated communications provider Maxis has reportedly launched a fully managed cloud service. Customers will be able to access the company’s new cloud service via its 100 Gbps optical backbone network and Telekom Malaysia's HSBB network. The service is also said to feature a self-service portal that provides real-time statistics, a single repository of billing information, and simplified remote management in addition to a secure connection.
The Australian internet provider Eftel has acquired wholesale telecommunications service provider Platform Networks. Platform Networks became one of the first telcos to sign up to resell NBN Co services as a wholesaler. Eftel CEO Scott Stavretis said: "Platform Networks has had consistent monthly revenue growth due to a strong demand for their services from a multitude of providers. The business brings a current run rate of over $6 million in annual revenue. Combining this business with the strong supply relationships that Eftel has procured will ensure we can add positive EBITDA straight to the bottom line."
Lithuanian fixed operator CSC Telecom has reportedly completed the acquisition of competing fixed operator Eurocom SIP. Following the takeover, CSC Telecom is expected to become the second largest Lithuanian fixed operator.
Tata Communications will reportedly launch a next-generation Ethernet network in India as it looks to integrate its Indian infrastructure into its Next Generation Ethernet (NGE) network architecture. The company has announced the integration is taking place across 11 Indian cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Gurgaon, Pune, Hyderabad, Kochi, Noida, Ahmedabad and Kolkata.
Russian fibre network operator TTK has started to offer MVNO services in the Nizhny-Novgorod region of the country, leveraging the cellular network of local operator NSS. Leading Russian cellco MTS is also part of the deal, offering TTK’s MVNO subscribers in the region its 3G services. For more information click here.
