The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) has released a set of update reports confirming the rapid development of mobile broadband and its evolution.

The path to mobile broadband began with 3G/WCDMA, which is now commercially available on 357 networks in 148 countries. Its first evolution, High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), boosts capacity and user data speeds, and reduces latency to improve the user experience. This upgrade has now been implemented by approaching 99% of all WCDMA operators. GSA says it confirms that HSPA has now been commercially launched on 353 networks in 147 countries and, when this figure is added to other networks currently in deployment or planned, it takes the number of operators committed to HSPA network investments to 401 in 154 countries.

The majority of networks, currently 58%, support a peak data rate of 7.2 Mbps or higher on the downlink. Almost 1 in 5 networks have deployed HSPA Evolution (HSPA+) technology. Sixty-three HSPA+ networks are launched in 35 countries:

* 53 commercial HSPA+ networks support a peak downlink data speed of 21 Mbps
* 7 commercial HSPA+ networks support a peak downlink data speed of 28 Mbps
* 3 commercial HSPA+ networks support a peak downlink data speed of 42 Mbps

GSA says it anticipates that 95-100 HSPA+ systems will be commercially launched by end 2010.

Several operators have confirmed plans for further network evolution steps to support 42 Mbps and 84 Mbps peak on the downlink.

Uplink speeds are also increasing. The GSA reports confirm more than one third of HSPA operators have commercially introduced HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access). A total of 118 operators have launched HSUPA in 60 countries, with a further eight networks currently deploying the technology in an additional four markets. Forty-one HSUPA systems support a peak uplink data rate of 5.8 Mbps, and two networks have confirmed the capability to support 11.5 Mbps peak.

Alan Hadden, President of GSA said: “The rapid shift to HSPA+ which is occurring will ensure its position as a mainstream technology this year, enabling operators all over the world to deliver higher data capacities and a compelling mobile broadband experience in fast expanding and highly competitive markets.”

While HSPA+ is the current trend, LTE is the main direction for the industry. GSA recently confirmed that 110 operators in 48 countries are investing in LTE, comprising 80 firm network deployment commitments and 30 additional pre-commitments technology trials and study programs. GSA anticipates that up to 22 LTE networks will be in service by end 2010, and at least 45 are expected to be in service by end 2012.

PUMA, the sports brand, and Sagem Wireless today announced operator and retail partners in eleven European markets as part of the first wave of PUMA Phone launches.  The first mobile operators and retailers including the PUMA Phone in their portfolio today will see the device on sale in Germany, UK, Italy, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, Romania, Macedonia and Slovenia.

In addition, a first distribution agreement has been inked in the UAE.  Reflecting PUMA’s long standing commitment to sport in Africa, the PUMA Phone will also be carried by operators in Uganda, Madagascar, Kenya, Mauritius, Cameroon, Botswana, Tunisia and Senegal in a first wave of launches.

First unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2010 and now launching this month into key EMEA markets, the PUMA Phone combines on-board sportslifestyle features and technology with a ‘unique’ user interface and connected services to create a complete PUMA experience.  Targeting 18-30 year old subscribers who lead an active lifestyle, the PUMA Phone is said to be custom designed to reflect the DNA of the PUMA brand.

“Whether it is the Unity Kit at FIFA World Cup 2010 or the groundbreaking yacht design for the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA is unlike any other sportlifestyle company.  The PUMA Phone is consistent with everything PUMA stands for – joy, environmental responsibility and individuality,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO of PUMA.
“Using the device to directly connect with the PUMA community through services such as live sports feeds and m-commerce, the PUMA Phone delivers not only a rich PUMA experience, but uses sustainable technology such as integrated solar that is completely consistent with our mission to become the most desirable and sustainable sportlifestyle company.”

The PUMA Phone is an active smartphone combining Internet, messaging, and GPS localisation capabilities with solar charging, video calling and Bluetooth photo sharing to create a wearable fashion accessory for the active lifestyle.  The PUMA WORLD portal aggregates rich media content services from PUMA into a single intuitive and entertaining mobile user experience where users can interact with multimedia content from puma.com, download PUMA applications, and access PUMA products through m-commerce services.

Thierry Buffenoir, CEO, Sagem Wireless, said: “This step into connected lifestyle devices and services is a strategic move for both PUMA and Sagem Wireless, which is reflected in the quality of our operator partners who are joining with us to deliver the PUMA Phone.  The connected services and m-commerce opportunities will enable mobile operators to create and access new channels for reaching niche communities with highly customised products and services that drive data usage.”

The PUMA Phone will be available through mobile network operators, select mobile phone retailers and on PUMA online store from June 2010, with additional European and international markets following.  The PUMA Phone is available SIM-free for Estimated Retail Price (ERP) of €399, or subsidised by local operators as part of a contract bundle.

The official integration of T-Mobile UK and Orange UK has been announced, with all employees now working for Everything Everywhere Limited.

Following the creation of the company’s Vice President tier in May, three new appointments have been made: Neil Macgeorge, VP of Products; Simon Frumkin, VP of Procurement and Supply Chain; and Stephen Harris will take the role of Chief of Staff to CEO Tom Alexander. In addition, a new team of Directors has been appointed. There are no other role or structural changes for the company’s 16,500 staff.

A number of changes will also be taking place for employees today, including new Everything Everywhere branding for key headquarter buildings, Everything Everywhere staff email addresses, new business cards and more.

Tom Alexander, Chief Executive of Everything Everywhere Limited said: “The formal integration of our new company, Everything Everywhere Limited, is another major milestone and reflects the rapid progress we have made over the past nine months.

“Today we have created the country’s biggest communications company, and as the new leader in the industry, it is our aspiration to give our customers instant access to the world around them, to everything everywhere, through both of our brands, Orange and T-Mobile.”

The number of mobile VoIP minutes carried annually on 3G and 4G networks will rise from 15 billion minutes in 2010 to 470.6 billion by 2015, according to a new report from Juniper Research.

Mobile VoIP traffic will see steady rises in all regions over the forecast period, but particularly in developed markets, due to the increasing ubiquity of 3G networks, says Juniper. The US will account for 135 billion mVoIP minutes in 2015, it says.

“There are several flavours of mobile VoIP,” says Anthony Cox, Senior Analyst at Juniper Research, noting that operators fear losing traffic to WiFi networks most: “WiFi mobile VoIP is potentially the most damaging of all VoIP traffic as it bypasses the mobile networks altogether,” he says. “We forecast that mobile VoIP over WiFi will cost operators $5 billion globally by 2015,” says Cox.

Other options for mobile VoIP carriage are via carrier alliances with mobile VoIP providers, or though an app downloaded to the handset or smartphone.

Further findings from the report include:

• Competitive and regulatory pressure will mean that traditional operators in developed markets will increasingly “bury the hatchet” and forge partnerships with VoIP providers.
• Operator revenues from circuit switched voice will continue to diminish over the next five years, though the rate of decline will not accelerate.
• The market opportunity for high definition voice and advertising-based mobile voice services will be limited for the foreseeable future.

That Mobile VoIP is reaching the top of the agenda for mobile operators is borne out by the recent launch of Skype over 3G networks and its deal earlier this year with US operator Verizon, says Juniper. Operator sentiment varies however: “Even though a major operator, 3UK, touts the benefits of mobile VoIP, it will take some time for many operators, particularly in emerging markets, to accept it, since it represents loss of control over their own networks,” says Cox.