ALGERIA
Chinese vendor ZTE Corp. said it will supply CDMA gear for a network covering the three provinces of Tizi Ouzou, Bouira and Bejaia in northern Algeria. The contract value was not disclosed, but ZTE said the new network will include switching systems; base-station systems; a packet data serving node; an operation and maintenance center; and repair, training and software support centers. The gear will serve more than 100,000 subscribers.
BRAZIL
Vivo, the largest wireless carrier in Brazil, has selected Motorola Inc.’s Push-to-Talk over Cellular product following a three-month trial. Vivo has offered PoC service on its nationwide CDMA2000 1x network since September. Motorola, which recently announced another push-to-talk deal with Turkcell, said that including the Vivo contract, it has won PoC contracts with 23 customers operating in 27 countries and territories, 13 of which are in Latin America and the Caribbean.
CHINA
E-commerce company SmartPay Jieyin Ltd. said it will acquire Intrinsic Technology Ltd., a mobile software developer that provides billing and service management solutions to Chinese wireless carriers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. SmartPay, which plans to launch direct-to-consumer and peer-to-peer payment services later this year, said it will use the acquisition to enhance its 2.5-generation service offerings. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions.
GERMANY
German firm ConVisual said it has acquired international licenses to offer movie scenes on UMTS mobile phones. Movies for which the company has obtained licenses include “Back to the Future,” “Terminator 2” and “American Pie.” Customers will be able to load key scenes from the movies as video clips to their mobile phones. The company also offers wallpaper, screensavers, ringback tones and real sounds excerpted from the movie clips.
