China Telecom ringing in the New Year with goals to release 100 contract-bundled 4G smartphone models
China Telecom and China Unicom have been rolling out LTE FDD/TD-LTE 4G networks in China, and both operators are planning an aggressive strategy for 2015. Digitimes reports that China Telecom has set a $2.58 billion budget aside, while China Unicom has budgeted $1 billion for contract-bundled 4G smartphone purchases in 2014.
China Telecom plans to roll out 100 models of 4G smartphones for contract-bundled sale. Both China Telecom and China Unicom have set goals to sell 100 million contract-bundled 4G smartphones in 2015.
China Mobile selects Ericsson for LTE FDD/TDD and Evolved Packet Core network
China Mobile has selected Ericsson to exclusively support its converged LTE FDD/TDD and Evolved Packet Core network. The network enhancement will include voice over LTE, Ericsson Charging System, Evolved IP network solution, and Proactive Support Services.
China Mobile said VoLTE will improve call quality and allow for faster data services during calls. The Ericsson Charging System will allow users to have greater control of their roaming expenditure and allow consumers to subscribe to personalized offers. Ericsson said the service will allow China Mobile an easier way to test new services and bundles.
MTN launches video-on-demand service
MTN South Africa has rolled out FrontRow Services, a video-on-demand platform that gives customers access to movies and television shows. The service will cost around $15 a month, but consumers must also pay for any data they use while watching videos. MTN is offering 10GB of data to bundle with the service for an additional price per month.
Telefonica gets go-ahead to buy pay-TV and Internet provider company
Brazil’s telecom authority, Anatel, has given the green light to Telefonica to buy Vivendi Group’s GVT, an Internet and TV service. Telefonica is buying GVT for $4.5 billion and will become the market’s third pay-TV service and second Internet provider. GVT currently has a fiber network through Brazil with more than 10 million subscribers.
