AT&T has announced plans to launch home automation and professionally monitored security services across the US through the AT&T Digital Life brand. The service will wirelessly enable devices in the home to connect to the IP-based Digital Life platform. It will also enable users to remotely monitor these devices through web-based access. Applications for the automation services will include cameras, window and door sensors, smoke sensors, door locks, thermostats, moisture detection and appliance control, with trials due to begin in Atlanta and Dallas in the summer.
US operator Clearwire has reportedly sold its Belgian operations to TechMax. Both Clearwire Belgium and its unit Mac Telecom will be acquired by TechMax including around 15,000 broadband customers, licences, infrastructure and approximately 30 staff, according to Datanews. No financial details of the acquisition were disclosed.
Azerbaijan’s three mobile operators have agreed to introduce 4G services. Frequencies for the services will be coordinated directly by the operators, with licences not required for the introduction of the necessary network infrastructure. Operators were given a timeframe of within three months to introduce services, according to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Communications.
Ciena has upgraded Cable&Wireless Worldwide’s (CWW) 2,800km London to Monaco route to 100Gbps. The route, which also has drop off points in Milan, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Amsterdam, is now claimed to be the longest 100Gbps link in Europe deployed to date. One of the main reasons for the deployment was to cater to increased capacity requirements brought on by the Europe India Gateway (EIG), which is part owned by CWW and lands in Monaco.
T-Mobile USA has chosen Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks as suppliers for its LTE network. The agreements will support T-Mobile’s $4 billion network evolution plan, which will include network modernisation and deployment of LTE service in 2013. Equipment will be deployed by both suppliers at 37,000 sites across the T-Mobile network. T-Mobile is also planning to launch HSPA+ services in the 1900MHz band in several markets by the end of 2012.
Cellcom Telecommunications Group’s Liberian mobile subsidiary is planning to deploy a HSPA+ mobile network in the country. Cellcom is claiming that the HSPA+ deployment will be the first in the country, and will offer customers an improved web browsing experience. The network will provide peak download speeds of 21Mbps.
Swedish mobile operator Hi3G has signed $74 million deal with ZTE to expand its 4G and 3G mobile infrastructure. Under the agreement ZTE will deploy several thousand UMTS/LTE TD LTE/FD LTE base stations as well as microwave and data transmission equipment over the next three years. Hi3G launched LTE services commercially in December 2011 as part of a previous agreement with ZTE
Zimbabwe’s state owned operator TelOne has reportedly expanded the reach of its ADSL broadband networks to the cities of Mutare, Marondera and Gweru. Further expansions are also planned to the cities of Norton, Chegutu, Kadoma, Kwekwe and Victoria Falls. Before the latest expansion the TelOne network covered the areas of Harare and Bulawayo.
The management of the WASACE cable venture has reportedly said that it expects the proposed 40Tbps submarine project, connecting South America to Angola, Nigeria and South Africa, to be ready for service in early 2014. Techcentral quotes WASACE as saying that it has begun the procurement process to select a cable supplier and hopes to select a winner by July 2012. The two sections of the project linking North America and South America and South America to Africa are expected to be completed in early 2014, followed by a section from the US to Spain.
Liberia’s link to the ACE cable is due to become operational in October following the opening of the country’s connection terminal in Monrovia. The Africa Cost to Europe cable system, will connect 23 countries between France and South Africa over 17,000km of cable.
