Softbank speeds up eAccess takeover deal

The Japanese telco Softbank has revealed that it intends to complete its takeover of smaller rival eAccess by 1 January 2013, bringing forward the completion date from the end of February as was originally announced. The delisting of eAccess from the Tokyo Stock Exchange is now expected to take place on 26 December this year rather than 25 February 2013 as forecast in the original takeover schedule. Softbank first announced the all-stock deal at the start of October; eAccess is valued at around JPY180 billion (USD2.3 billion)

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OVETEL Softbank speeds up eAccess takeover deal

PowerTel launches new short-term wireless broadband offerings

The Zimbabwean CDMA fixed-wireless operator PowerTel has launched two new time-based mobile broadband offerings aimed at short-term users such as holidaymakers and business travellers. It is now offering unlimited wireless internet via USB dongle for one week at a cost of USD15, while a two-week connection costs USD30. This compares to the USD50 currently charged for a month-to-month subscription

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OVETEL PowerTel launches new short-term wireless broadband offerings

Belgacom introduces commercial 4G services

Belgium’s largest mobile network operator by subscribers, Belgacom, has announced that it has inaugurated commercial Long Term Evolution (LTE) services in eight locations, those being: Hasselt, Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven, Liege, Namur, Mons, Waver and the Haasrode Industrial Park. In terms of connectivity, Belgacom has confirmed that it will offer access to the new infrastructure via both dongles and handsets, with a range of tariffs on offer with a view to catering to a wide range of would-be customers. For residential customers with a smartphone a pre-paid option, ‘Generation Connect’, costing EUR20 (USD25.6) per month, will offer a 2G data usage allowance, 2,000 SMS and up to 80 minutes of calls, while a monthly post-paid tariff, ‘Smart 75’, provides unlimited calls and SMS, plus a 5GB data usage cap for EUR75.

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OVETEL Belgacom introduces commercial 4G services

3 pips TIM with small-scale LTE launch in Acuto

According to local press reports, 3 Italia – the mobile operator controlled by Hong Kong’s Hutchison Whampoa – has inaugurated its Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in the village of Acuto, in the province of Frosinone, which previously lacked broadband connectivity. The launch event was attended by 3 Italia CEO Vincenzo Novari, along with the mayor of Acuto, Augusto Agostini, and famous astronaut Umberto Guidoni, who was born locally. Explaining the unusual launch location, Novari commented: ‘Our choice was to start from a small town – the first of a series of forty municipalities the digital divide – that will connect together large urban areas by 2013’

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OVETEL 3 pips TIM with small-scale LTE launch in Acuto

The Grass is always Bluer on the other side: rural LTE launched in Kentucky

Bluegrass Cellular, a participant in the Verizon Wireless ‘Long Term Evolution (LTE) in Rural America’ programme, has confirmed that it has inaugurated its commercial 4G network in a number of Kentucky cities including Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Glasgow, Radcliff and Bardstown. Ron Smith, president of Bluegrass Cellular, commented: ‘This initial launch covers a population area of over 348,000 people in our largest markets and includes the I-65 corridor providing continuous 4G LTE coverage between Louisville and Nashville ...

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OVETEL The Grass is always Bluer on the other side: rural LTE launched in Kentucky

French competition authority to look at Free Mobile roaming deal

The French government has called on the country’s independent competition watchdog Autorite de la Concurrence to examine if Iliad group’s Free Mobile operation should be allowed to expand its existing cellular roaming deal with Orange France. The authority will consider whether an expansion of the 2G and 3G wholesale agreement will give a ‘lasting advantage’ to Free Mobile, whose customers are able to roam on the Orange network while Free builds out its own infrastructure. Competitors have complained that Free is being given an unfair advantage as they were not able to benefit from similar deals while they were in the early stages of deploying their own networks

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OVETEL French competition authority to look at Free Mobile roaming deal

TDC announces new strategy for 2013-2015

The Danish telco TDC has unveiled a new strategy for the 2013-2015 period. Under the headline ‘We Connect You To The Future’, TDC says it will be concentrating on five key areas: to focus on customer value management; to develop and sell integrated solutions; to leverage its brand portfolio; to invest in customer service and network/IT; and to continue its focus on cost savings. During the strategy period TDC will invest approximately DKK300 million (USD51.5 million) more than under previous plans, with a view to enhancing end-user experience and customer satisfaction.

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OVETEL TDC announces new strategy for 2013-2015