Recently in Wireless Category
In yesterday's pre-budget Throne Speech, the government announced that it will allow greater foreign investment into Canada's regulated telecom sector.
The Harper Government had already signaled its intentions when it allowed Globalive to launch its WIND wireless service despite the fact that most of the investment behind the product came from an Israeli company.
The move will likely increase competition and may result in mergers and acquisitions. Perhaps we'll even see another attempt to merge Telus and Bell.
Personally, I think its positive new for the industry and Canadian consumers.
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The Harper Government had already signaled its intentions when it allowed Globalive to launch its WIND wireless service despite the fact that most of the investment behind the product came from an Israeli company.
The move will likely increase competition and may result in mergers and acquisitions. Perhaps we'll even see another attempt to merge Telus and Bell.
Personally, I think its positive new for the industry and Canadian consumers.
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According to an article published by the Financial Post this morning, Bell and Telus are about to announce that they will be jointly upgrading their cellular networks to 3G.
The Post states that multiple telecom industry sources have said that Bell Canada and Telus intend to share the cost to upgrade to the next-generation wireless network and that the announcement will be made next week. It is estimated that the cost of the upgrade will be approximately $1 Billion and that it will take one year to complete.
If true, the Nokia Siemens Networks' provided upgrade will allow both companies to compete with Rogers by offering popular mobile devices such as Apple's iPhone 3G and Research In Motion's Black-Berry Bold.
When combined with the recent spectrum auction and the entry of new wireless competitors such as Quebecor, Shaw, DAVE Wireless and Globalive, the 3G announcement will contribute to significant change in the Canadian Wireless marketplace over the next couple of years.
Great news for Canadian consumers in my view.
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The Post states that multiple telecom industry sources have said that Bell Canada and Telus intend to share the cost to upgrade to the next-generation wireless network and that the announcement will be made next week. It is estimated that the cost of the upgrade will be approximately $1 Billion and that it will take one year to complete.
If true, the Nokia Siemens Networks' provided upgrade will allow both companies to compete with Rogers by offering popular mobile devices such as Apple's iPhone 3G and Research In Motion's Black-Berry Bold.
When combined with the recent spectrum auction and the entry of new wireless competitors such as Quebecor, Shaw, DAVE Wireless and Globalive, the 3G announcement will contribute to significant change in the Canadian Wireless marketplace over the next couple of years.
Great news for Canadian consumers in my view.
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Surpassing most expectations, bidding on Industry Canada's wireless spectrum auction now exceeds $4 billion. Here are the totals as of 4:00 pm today:
| 22.31% | Rogers Communications Inc. | $903,046,000 |
| 19.56% | TELUS Communications Company | $791,476,000 |
| 17.50% | Bell Mobility Inc. | $708,268,000 |
| 14.39% | 9193-2962 Québec Inc. | $582,575,000 |
| 10.68% | Globalive Wireless LP | $432,346,000 |
| 15.55% | Other | $629,520,920 |
| Total | $4,047,231,920 |
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In an interview with Light Reading, Ibrahim Gedeon Telus' CTO, has indicated that Telus will not be converting its CDMA network to GSM. In addition, the article suggests that Telus will skip an interim 4G step and move directly to LTE.
Ibrahim suggested that Telus won't begin the technology conversion until Verizon, by virtue of its purchasing power, steps up and makes the technology affordable "Telus alone is too small to define a market," he says.
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Ibrahim suggested that Telus won't begin the technology conversion until Verizon, by virtue of its purchasing power, steps up and makes the technology affordable "Telus alone is too small to define a market," he says.
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Michael Geist speaking this week at the Spectrum 20/20 conference on the subjects of competition in the Canadian wireless market and the upcoming Canadian copyright regulations.
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Rogers has announced that it will be offering a dual-mode phone for home use starting tomorrow. The Nokia 6086
dual-mode phone will allow Rogers wireless subscribers to make make calls on their cell phones over the Internet when they are within range of their home Wi-Fi network.
The service will be appealing to a segment of wireless subscribers who are interested in dropping their wired residential phone line in favour of a single wireless device. The fact that there is currently only one device (the 6086) to choose from, for use on the Rogers network, will likely limit adoption.
It's a modest example of the type of innovation that has been made practical through the advances in IP communications. It's also another example of technologies and services that will continue to nibble away at the traditional Telcos' residential subscriber base.
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dual-mode phone will allow Rogers wireless subscribers to make make calls on their cell phones over the Internet when they are within range of their home Wi-Fi network.The service will be appealing to a segment of wireless subscribers who are interested in dropping their wired residential phone line in favour of a single wireless device. The fact that there is currently only one device (the 6086) to choose from, for use on the Rogers network, will likely limit adoption.
It's a modest example of the type of innovation that has been made practical through the advances in IP communications. It's also another example of technologies and services that will continue to nibble away at the traditional Telcos' residential subscriber base.
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Rogers Wireless completed its role in the Inukshuk Wireless Broadband network on Monday with the announcement that portable internet was immediately available to customers in 55 communities.
The Inukshuk Wireless Broadband network project, announced in 2006, is a joint effort between Rogers and Bell Canada to build and manage a Canada-wide wireless broadband network, with coverage in rural and remote areas, licensed by Industry Canada. To access the network, portable internet subscribers need only a power outlet.
Rogers said Inukshuk is one of the largest IP wireless broadband networks of its kind in the world. The project serves customers in 152 communities across Canada.
"With the expansion in coverage of our Portable Internet service, now even more Canadians can experience the benefits of connecting to the internet quickly and conveniently, whether at home, school or on the road," said John Boyton, the company's senior vice president and chief marketing officer, in a release.
Service was expanded Monday to include six communities in British Columbia, nine in Alberta, 32 in Ontario, seven in Quebec and one in New Brunswick.
With the expansion, Rogers also fulfilled the federal government's requirement for spectrum licence.
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Yesterday, Verizon announced that it will be opening up its network to non-Verizon supplied devices. I believe the decision is of great significance and marks the beginning of a shift towards openness that will ultimately spread to all major wireless providers in North America.
“This is a transformation point in the 20-year history of mass market wireless devices – one which we believe will set the table for the next level of innovation and growth,” said Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless president and chief executive officer. “Verizon Wireless is not changing our successful retail model, but rather adding an additional retail option for customers looking for a different wireless experience.”
In my view, the trend towards toward openness is unstoppable. Verizon realizes that, if it does meet consumer demand, someone else will. As I mentioned in my TiVo post on Monday, consumer demand will prevail and defensive strategies are doomed to failure. The entrenched incumbents affected by the latest wave of technology-enabled innovation must embrace the change with new business models. Apparently, Verizon has seen the light. Hello MPAA and RIAA, are you paying attention?
Ultimately the move to open systems will lead to lower prices, innovative products and services, productivity improvements and improved competition for North American business in the global economy.
The next few years will be very interesting, bring it on!
Rick McCharles
Telecom Consultant, Toronto
RIC Services
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It appears that the battle has begun. Last week CrackBerry.com revealed some details on Rogers' new Personal E-mail on BlackBerry plan that includes unlimited BlackBerry email and BlackBerry messenger for $15.00 per month. The offer is restricted to BlackBerry Pearl customers.
Now, it is rumoured that Telus is about to up the anti by offering the same unlimited $15.00 per month rate but will also include unlimited web browsing. Unlike the Pearl-only restriction at Rogers, the plan will be available for the 8130.
Combine these events with last week's Bell announcement of the HTC Touch $7.00 per month unlimited data plan and it is clear that the downward trend has begun.
The next few months will be very interesting.
Rick McCharles
Telecom Consultant, Toronto
RIC Services
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By now, (well actually several months ago) most of us are sick of all the iPhone hype. And while I have no intention of getting an iPhone once it's introduced in Canada, I am convinced that's its influence will be of benefit to consumers.
Apple has raised the bar with respect to mobile phone design and has raised consumer expectations. As a result, we will benefit from the wave of innovation as manufacturer's compete for their share.
This week, many analysts have speculated on the recent downturn in Bell Canada, Rogers and Telus stocks. The declines have been attributed in part to a general market correction, the 2008 spectrum auction and increased competition.
I am of the opinion, that the iPhone, and its anticipated introduction in Canada by Rogers, is also a contributor to the recent valuation decline. The demand for the iPhone is likely to be robust and Bell and Telus will respond. Additionally, I expect that Rogers will be reducing their data rates since the current rates would likely inhibit iPhone sales.
Last week's announcement of the HTC Touch with a $7.00 flat-rate data plan by Bell Canada is likely just the beginning of a trend that will see lower data rates and more sophisticated mobile devices by all Canadian mobility providers.
Rick McCharles
Telecom Consultant, Toronto
RIC Services
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Apple has raised the bar with respect to mobile phone design and has raised consumer expectations. As a result, we will benefit from the wave of innovation as manufacturer's compete for their share.
This week, many analysts have speculated on the recent downturn in Bell Canada, Rogers and Telus stocks. The declines have been attributed in part to a general market correction, the 2008 spectrum auction and increased competition.
I am of the opinion, that the iPhone, and its anticipated introduction in Canada by Rogers, is also a contributor to the recent valuation decline. The demand for the iPhone is likely to be robust and Bell and Telus will respond. Additionally, I expect that Rogers will be reducing their data rates since the current rates would likely inhibit iPhone sales.
Last week's announcement of the HTC Touch with a $7.00 flat-rate data plan by Bell Canada is likely just the beginning of a trend that will see lower data rates and more sophisticated mobile devices by all Canadian mobility providers.
Rick McCharles
Telecom Consultant, Toronto
RIC Services
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