Polish mobile operator Aero2 has partnered with ICT provider Huawei to launch what it claims is the world's first LTE TDD/FDD converged commercial telecommunications network. Using Huawei’s SingleRAN LTE solution, the network is expected to become the fastest mobile network in Poland, offering high-speed mobile internet access with downlink data speeds of 134Mbps and uplink speeds of 124.8Mbps. "We are thrilled to partner with Huawei on a further breakthrough in network deployment by launching the world's first LTE TDD/FDD network, which will enhance user experience with improved data speeds and create a more compact and efficient network infrastructure," said Adam Kurianski, president of Aero2.
Saudi Arabian mobile network operators Saudi Telecom Company (STC) and Mobily, a subsidiary of UAE incumbent Etisalat, have launched LTE network services almost simultaneously - the first 4G offering in the Middle East region. The two operators between them account for over 80% of the Saudi mobile services market, running the other licensee, Zain Saudi, a distant third. To read more about this story click here.
Trinidad and Tobago is reportedly looking for a third wireless operator to launch services in the country before the end of the year. The government hopes its ICT sector will encourage economic and social growth and as a result is amending existing legislative framework. Digicel and BMobile are presently the only two mobile operators in the country.
Canadian telco TELUS has upgraded its wireless network to HSPA+ dual cell in the Atlantic Canada region enabling faster wireless internet speeds in Moncton, New Brunswick; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Halifax, Nova Scotia and St John's; Newfoundland. The network is capable of internet download speeds of up to 42Mbps with an expected average of 7-14Mbps. During 2011, TELUS has so far invested approximately $1.8 billion in enhancing and extending its broadband network, including 4G wireless services, across Canada.
Verizon has extended its 4G LTE network coverage across the Cleveland metro area to include Elyria, Sheffield Lake, North Ridgeville and Mentor. The network was originally launched in Cleveland in 2010 and has since been extended to the Cleveland-Hopkins international airport, as well as the communities of Aurora, Barberton, Brunswick, Chagrin Falls, Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Kent, North Olmsted and Parma.
China Unicom has signed a contract with ZTE to provide more than 70% of its transmission equipment in 15 provinces across China. The contract includes projects in Shandong, Guangdong, and Henan and will leverage several infrastructure technologies such as OTN, WDM and MSTP/SDH. ZTE reportedly competed for the project with several overseas and domestic mainstream vendors.
NTT Communications has announced a plan to build its first financial data centre in Hong Kong, through its NTT Com Asia subsidiary. The TKO data centre is expected to provide the company with the critical infrastructure required to position the company as a global financial centre and secure a position in the ICT space. The new data hub will ultimately be designed to provide low latency routes for financial institutions that use electronic trading tools. To read more about this story click here.
The founders of Tower Vision India are reportedly looking to sell their entire stake in the telecoms tower operator. The company, which has approximately 5,500 mobile towers and is planning to build a further 2,500, is rumoured to be valued at more than $750 million.
VoIP provider VoX Communications has become the 14th company to sign a partner agreement with LightSquared. VoX plans to use LightSquared’s forthcoming US network to add mobile functionality to its existing IP network platform. The company also plans to offer high-speed data and satellite services to its existing and new customers. "We've been closely following the rapid increase in mobile VoIP users, and determining how our company could take advantage of this new reality," said Mark Richards, president and CIO of VoX.
