mobile-tech

2006-09-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

Music, Browsing and Video Will Be Key Drivers of the Mobile Entertainment Market

Music, browsing and video services will be the key drivers behind the growth of the Western European mobile entertainment market, according to a new report from Analysys. Music in particular is expected to experience tremendous growth, with revenues rising by more than 75% per year to reach EUR3.4 billion by 2011.
"The mobile platform has rapidly acquired a significant share of the digital-download music market," says report author Dr Windsor Holden. "As handset storage capacity increases, as 3G adoption accelerates and as more cross-platform solutions are deployed, we will see this share increase still further."
"An increase in 3G adoption would also result in a sharp rise in the usage of streamed video services, with content such as sports and adult entertainment likely to generate the highest revenues," Holden adds.
However, the report cautions that while revenues for mobile broadcast TV services will be considerable in the longer term, operators will struggle to recoup their initial infrastructure and spectrum costs.
"Until TV reception chips are embedded in the majority of handsets, there will be virtually no revenue from casual viewers. At the outset, content will only be accessible to that small core of users who are prepared to purchase specialised devices and pay a significant premium for them."
Key findings include:
1. Total mobile content revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 29.2%, from EUR4.9 billion in 2005 to EUR23.4 billion in 2011.
2. Complex pricing and billing structures have deterred potential repeat purchasers, and operators must implement a range of transparent pricing options while devising a variety of attractively priced content bundles.
3. The mobile value chain has become increasingly elaborate and confused, with operators, owners of content rights and vendors seeking to become aggregators.
4. Other key growth factors and challenges such as consumer awareness of services, ease of use, pricing and billing, device features, standardisation, digital rights management, and regulation, are also covered.

2006-09-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

Could Ericsson Fall to a Private Equity Takeover?

Ericsson could be subjected to a takeover bid by Private Equity firms if its share price does not correct itself in the near future, says a new report from Per Lindberg, an analyst with Dresdner Kleinwort. He writes that "If the stock market does not realign its valuation with that of fundamentals, then Ericsson may become subject to private equity firms' increasingly audacious forays."

Their analysis shows that no more than SEK50 (US$7) billion of principal capital would be required to launch a staggering SEK400 billion takeover. Re-gearing of the balance sheet would free up some SEK150 billion; disposal of the 50% stake in Sony-Ericsson would release around SEK50 billion; borrowed funds from "yield-hungry/risk-seeking" banks would contribute SEK140-150 billion.

"On the basis of our forecasts, principal capital, capped at SEK50 billion, could jump by one order of magnitude (10x) over a period of 24 months." writes Per Lindberg.

An SEK400 billion takeover would be a small premium on the current valuation of the company at SEK395 billion - or some US$54 billion, and based on the potential returns - equity firms could probably afford to pay a decent premium to secure a swift victory in the takeover battle.

Based on Dresdner Kleinwort's forecasts, a re-modeled Ericsson would be able to capture an exit value of around SEK770 (US$106) billion by end of 2008. After repayment of loans and interest and adjustments for free cash flow in 2007 and 2008 (estimated at SEK65 billion), the private equity firms would be left with net proceeds of SEK580-590 billion - about US$80 billion.

Per Lindberg concludes, saying that "Our study shows that even in the most conservative of outcomes, represented by consensus' current view, private equity groups would be handsomely attracted to the 'Ericsson investment case'. Should our forecast scenario prove correct, then the promised returns, exceeding one order of magnitude, could become irresistible."

2006-09-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

Push E-Mail on Java Enabled Phones

Seven has announced the availability of its push e-mail software on Java-based mobile devices. The first Java devices to support Seven's Always-On push email are the popular Sony Ericsson K510 Megapixel camera phone, and the Walkman phones W550 and W810. Further device support for other vendors will follow.
Seven has developed its Always-On products to ensure that users with mass-market Java-enabled phones now can enjoy the same level of user experience, previously available only on high-end business devices, so called smart phones. Emails are pushed directly to the device as soon as they arrive to the email server. All actions are simultaneously mirrored on the mobile device and on the email server. This represents a significant improvement over the previous generation of email solutions on Java-enabled phones - being faster, more reliable and more intuitive.
Henrik Voigt, Director and Head of Enterprise Solutions at Sony Ericsson, said "There is increasing demand for access to mobile email on every level of mobile phone; and Sony Ericsson is committed to delivering the service to suit any user. Our partnership with Seven will ensure we continue to provide our customers with an unrivalled mobile email experience."
"The mobile email market is moving to the mass market phase, which enables consumers to enjoy the benefits of always-on connectivity to their email inboxes," said Paul Hedman, Chief Operating Officer, Seven. "Furthermore, by making our mobile email solution compatible with popular Java-based devices, mobile operators can add new services and increase their data revenues. I believe this helps our 100 strong operator base to bring push email solution available to mass markets - ensuring Seven remains the mobile email provider of choice."

2006-09-16T09:23:00.000-07:00

World's Smallest CDMA Transmitter Module

Fujitsu Media Devices (FMD) says that it has developed the world's smallest high-performance transmitter module for CDMA (Cell band) mobile phones. Fujitsu Media Devices will start to supply samples this October. Fujitsu Media Devices lines up for W-CDMA and dual bands (Cell/PCS) in the future.
Fujitsu Media Devices is developing a number of electronics devices for mobile phones (SAW filters, SAW duplexers, VCOs, etc.) as one of the leading suppliers in the world, with 20-25% of the global market share. Fujitsu Media Devices is growing technologies -- including its miniaturization and unique high frequency circuit design by developing these devices. The module is small and high performance fully using the technologies.
"FMD's new module, the T0212AZ0836, has successfully achieved greater density in response to requests from our customers. By optimizing the design of FMD's SAW filters for the T0212AZ0836, we have realized the high-quality finished module," said Kimiaki Iyori, Director VCO/RF integration Devices Design & Development Dept., Communication Devices Division at Fujitsu Media Devices.

2006-09-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

T-Mobile Near MVNO Deal With Telefonica - Source

Deutsche Telekom is close to reaching a deal with Telefonica to become a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, in Spain, a person close to the situation said Tuesday.
Deutsche Telekom's mobile division is T-Mobile.
Confirming an earlier report in Spanish daily Expansion, the person said that DT has met with all three mobile operators in Spain - including Vodafone Group and France Telecom - but negotiations are at an advanced stage only in the case of Telefonica.
Expansion added that a deal could be reached in coming weeks.
An MVNO leases all, or most, of its capacity from other operators and then sells it on to customers, saving the cost of building and maintaining a network.
A spokesman for Telefonica said that the company is in talk with several parties interested in MVNO launches, but declined to confirm whether DT is one of them.
Telefonica is the largest telecommunications operator in Spain, by number of customers. DT, Germany's leading operator, already has fixed-line operations in Spain, where it provides voice and Internet access services through its local unit Ya.com.
Several companies, including Spanish regional operator Euskaltel, UK's The Phone House, Sweden's Tele 2 and Madrid-based Jazztel have already confirmed plans to launch MVNO over the next few months.
Company Web site: http://www.telefonica.es

2006-09-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

BT And China's ZTE To Develop 3G Mobile TV Phone

BT Group, Wednesday said it was working with Chinese telecommunications and networking firm ZTE Corp to develop a 3G mobile phone handset capable of running multiple mobile TV formats.
Last week, BT announced that Virgin Mobile, a unit of NTL, would be the first mobile phone company to use its BT Movio digital mobile TV service, which allows UK consumers to view several live TV channels over their mobile phone.
BT said by developing the 3G ZTE phone it hopes to strike wholesale deals with 3G mobile operators, which want to offer customers both broadcast mobile TV and DAB digital radio services, in addition to video-on-demand services and "niche channels" currently offered over 3G networks.
BT's Movio digital TV platform operates over the Digital Audio Broadcasting, or DAB, spectrum in the U.K., the only chunk of broadcast spectrum currently available to mobile operators.
The former UK telecom monopoly added in its press release Wednesday that by developing a phone that offers both DAB and 3G streaming TV formats, consumers wouldn't be forced to decide between competing technologies when choosing a handset.
BT said the handset would be released in 2007 in the U.K. market, but declined to outline how much investment it would be making in the phone's design or manufacture.
BT Movio Managing Director Emma Lloyd said in the statement: "With the introduction of the first 3G mobile device capable of supporting DAB-IP, we will be in a strong position to extend the BT Movio wholesale proposition to 3G mobile operators in the U.K."
A number of U.K. mobile operators are now offering TV services, including Orange, a unit of France Telecom, Vodafone, which has a tie-up with British Sky Broadcasting Group, and 3, UK mobile phone division of Hutchison Whompoa. All of these services use 3G stream programs to handsets.
Company Web site: http://www.btplc.com

2006-09-16T09:08:00.000-07:00

Folding Chocolate from LG

LG Mobile has launched a folder version of its best-selling LG Chocolate phone. The KG810, which boasts the same unique touch-sensitive technology and chic styling as its cousin, the LG Chocolate phone, widens the appeal of the handset, adding a new twist to a classic handset.
"This is the best looking folding handset on the market," says John Barton, Sales & Marketing Director, LG Mobile. "It's thin enough to slip into a pair of jeans, yet feels solid and luxurious when in use. The unique touch sensitive keys on the top let you know that it's a Chocolate phone and the new form factor adds even more individuality to an already iconic handset."
The KG810 has the same technical specifications as the classic LG Chocolate handset - a fully featured MP3/AAC music player including A2DP Bluetooth for wireless music, 128 meg of on-board memory, a 1.3 mega-pixel camera and video camera - with the addition of an FM radio for live entertainment on the move. It is also 'drag and drop' USB compatible, making music transfer quick and hassle free.
Adds Barton: "The LG Chocolate phone has sold well over three million handsets worldwide and the KG810's addition to the range is sure to continue this phenomenal success. Chocolate is instantly recognisable and utterly desirable, we expect the KG810 to create a new band of Chocolate devotees."

2006-09-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

Vodafone: NGMN Initiative Takes Tech Beyond HSPA,EVDO

LONDON -(Dow Jones)- Vodafone Group said Thursday that it has joined forces with leading mobile operators including China Mobile, KPN, NTT DoCoMo, Orange, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile to develop a common vision for mobile networks and technology that will take the industry beyond the HSPA & EVDO roadmaps.

The Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) initiative, which has this week become a limited UK company, has created a set of requirements for a future wide area mobile broadband network that is designed to offer enhanced customer benefits by delivering competitive broadband performance alongside high levels of interoperability.

The initiative, which will work alongside existing standards bodies, will seek to shape the development and standardisation of the next generation of mobile technologies. With a strong emphasis on practicality, the group has specified that the evolutionary path should focus on existing infrastructure and spectrum allocation, in order to develop a platform for creating new and innovative services.

Under its recommendations, the NGMN initiative has outlined a series of features that will help to guide mobile networks beyond current HSPA & EVDO technologies while delivering competitive services in line with customer demand. The guiding principles include but are not limited to:
* High levels of data throughput alongside low levels of latency
* Low operation and maintenance costs
* Compatibility with legacy networks
* Support of high levels of authentication and security, and differentiated quality of service
* Improved terminal certification schemes