Will design and provide branded handsets for UK MVNO

Emblaze Mobile, the handset design and manufacturing house and member of the Emblaze Group, today announced that it will be the exclusive provider of unique and specifically branded handsets for the newly announced ROK Mobile MVNO, part of the mobile entertainment company ROK Entertainment Group.

Emblaze Mobile will be working with ROK to define the exact handsets that they will distribute, which will be bundled with content preloaded onto memory cards and then sold on through distribution channels in the UK. The first branded handsets are expected to come to the market before the end of August this year. ROK is aiming for an estimated 250,000 subscriptions within 12 months and one million within three years.

 “Emblaze Mobile is all about a bold, fresh and provocative approach to the market and we are excited to be working with such a forward thinking and energetic company as ROK,” said Laurence Alexander, CEO Emblaze Mobile. “We work with our customers to develop devices to appeal to a defined market with applications, content and customised user experiences that will actually make people want to use the phone for more than just calls and SMS.”

Alexander continued, “ROK is a pioneer in content development and provision and has partnerships with a portfolio of leading international brands; this is the beginning of a close working relationship and together we will be enabling customers with the technology they need for their lifestyles and completely redefining and reshaping market focus.”

“Everything that we are building for ROK MVNO is based upon true innovations,” added Jonathan Kendrick, chairman and CEO ROK. “With our handset supply partner Emblaze we have found a truly original, attractive and highly capable range of mobile phones.”

SiGe Semiconductor, today announced the industry’s first completely integrated WLAN RF front-end modules optimised for cellular handsets. Featuring industry-leading performance, integration and low current consumption, the RangeCharger SE2551A and SE2557A ensure that cellular handset manufacturers can support WLAN capability without impacting handset form factor, cellular performance, or battery life.

The SE2551A and SE2557A are based on SiGe Semiconductors proven, highly integrated 2.4GHz RF front-end architecture, with each device incorporating a linear three-stage power amplifier, power detector, digital enable circuitry, transmit and receive filtering and a receive balun in a small form factor 6mm x 5mm x 1.4mm chip-scale package. The two variants provide flexibility in meeting individual transceiver requirements, providing designers with a choice of a differential receive output with the SE2551A, or a single-ended receive output with the SE2557A.

The new RF front-end modules are designed specifically for high performance and low power consumption. Featuring high power output as well as excellent rejection and isolation, the SE2551A and SE2557A each allow simultaneous transmission and reception of WLAN and cellular signals. Operating in 802.11g mode, the devices consume just 120mA, ensuring that WLAN capability can be added to cellular phones with minimal impact to battery life.

Our new modules are the industrys only truly integrated WLAN front-end solutions for cellular handsets, said Andrew Parolin, director of wireless data products at SiGe Semiconductor, Inc. With these devices, we are addressing the fast growing market opportunity created by the widespread adoption of WLAN, and consumer desire for increased cellular feature integration. By offering a unique and proven combination of performance, integration and power efficiency, we are ensuring our customers can minimise the impact of placing WLAN in cellular phones.

RF front-ends enable co-existence of WLAN and cellular applications

The SE2551A and SE2557A solve the primary challenge faced by cellular handset manufacturers looking to support WLAN capability: ensuring a positive user experience while simultaneously transmitting and receiving cellular and WLAN signals. Unlike competitive solutions, the new RF front-ends feature excellent rejection of typically 35dB in all 4 GSM bands, in both transmit and receive mode. This dramatically reduces interference, thereby enhancing signal integrity and improving overall system performance.

The SE2551A and SE2557A are highly linear devices, capable of +15dBm output power with an error vector magnitude (EVM) of less than three percent while operating in 802.11g mode, or +17dBm in 802.11b mode while meeting all ACPR requirements. The high linearity improves packet error rates for optimal data throughput and transmission range. This ensures that Wi-Fi products can maintain reliable, high-performance connections over longer distances. Also integrated on chip is an integrated power detector that further improves performance by minimising mismatch to only 1.5 dB of variation over a 2:1 antenna mismatch.

The SE2551A and SE2557A are sampling now, and production is scheduled for Q3 2005.

OEMs targeted for simultaneous 2G and 3G backhaul access

Agere Systems today unveiled its TrueAdvantage Wireless Access Solutions enabling a single network to offer simultaneous support for 2G and 3G wireless systems. The solutions will enable wireless service providers worldwide to save up to $300 million per year in T1/E1, SONET/SDH, and Ethernet leased line backhaul costs, Agere says. It has also been announced today that NEC has selected Agere’s TrueAdvantage solution, including the company’s Advanced PayloadPlus (APP) network processor chips, for use in its wireless access equipment.

Focused specifically on the mobile wireless space, TrueAdvantage wireless consists of a broad family of feature-rich networking chips such as APP network processors, LLP (Link Layer Processor), TADM, Ultramapper”, and Hypermapper framing and mapping devices. The solution includes turn-key software packages, references designs, and hardware development systems that allow telecom equipment manufacturers to quickly and efficiently build lower-cost, higher performance wireless access network equipment.

Agere offers all the functionality needed to support 2G/3G converged equipment. In a single solution legacy 2/2.5G protocols such as Transcoder Rate Adapter Unit (TRAU), Frame Relay and AAL1 Circuit Emulation, are integrated along with the flexible protocol processing needed for more complex 3G ATM and IP networks.

Advantages to the Network

Traditionally, the cost of simultaneously supporting 2/2.5G and 3G networks forced wireless service providers to consume precious real estate with separate equipment for each wireless network.  Ageres integrated approach allows wireless carriers to converge these networks onto a single platform, reducing equipment cost and operational expenses, improving scalability, and ultimately providing the ability to lower the cost of consumer services.

Accelerating wireless network convergence allows carriers to cut costs by reducing the number of T1/E1, SONET/SDH, and Ethernet backhaul links they must deploy.  Additional backhaul savings can be achieved by improving the efficiency of T1/E1 backhaul links with the flexible protocol processing of the TrueAdvantage Wireless Solutions. By handling a mix of traffic types and providing support for header compression and multiplexing protocols such as PPP mux (Point-to-Point multiplexing) and cUDP (compress User Datagram Protocol), backhaul efficiency is improved by as much as 35%. This offers wireless carriers a potential global savings of $300M per year as fewer T1/E1 leased lines will be required to cover a service area.

All these capabilities are delivered to wireless equipment manufacturers in conjunction with the new production-ready TrueAdvantage Wireless Access Functional Programming Interface (FPI) software that runs on Ageres APP300 and APP500 network processor product families.  The FPI can be used as a black box, which can easily integrate into targeted wireless applications such as Node B, BTS, RNC and BSC wireless equipment.  In addition, equipment manufacturers can easily modify the source code to incorporate proprietary features and create differentiated systems.  As with all solutions built on the TrueAdvantage platform and Ageres network processors, the data plane software requires up to 30 times fewer lines of code for a given function than competing processors.

Advantages to the Systems Designer

These development alternatives combined translate to reduced product development costs and defects and improved reliability and scalability. Using the FPI software, manufacturers can avoid several time-consuming tasks such as learning device-specific details, programming the data plane code, and developing several hundred thousand lines of control plane code. The FPI Software solution is estimated to save more than 8 to 10 staff years or development.  These savings are critical as 70 to 80% of the lifetime cost of a programmable system is in software development.

Agere announced today that NEC, a leading 3G wireless equipment maker, selected the APP500 network processor for use in its wireless access equipment. Equipment makers, such as NEC, carefully consider the network processor selection as it represents a critical element within wireless equipment.  The complete Agere wireless solution supports the broad diversity of wireless protocols and interworking required. The solution architecture offers a high level of hardware and software flexibility, as well as scalability, which in turn offers Ageres customers substantial development savings.

Converging and saving costs of backhaul wireless links are major and related industry trends, said Allen Nogee, analyst with In-Stat. Ageres TrueAdvantage Wireless Access Solution, with its unprecedented integration of 2G and 3G systems onto a single network, economical software for use with network processors, and scalability for use in a wide range of wireless equipment and multiple protocols and standards, amount to key catalysts for driving this market growth.

Ageres Wireless Access FPI is targeted for use in several types of equipment, including Node Bs, BTS, BSCs and RNCs.  The FPI combined as part of the complete TrueAdvantage Wireless offering enables a common platform design with:

* Configurable and scalable hardware and software platforms

* Field software upgradeable feature sets

* High platform availability and reliability

* Multistandard (e.g. WiMax, GSM, UMTS, CDMA, GERAN) & Multiservice (e.g. TDM, ATM, IP) support

* Capability to simultaneously handle a diverse traffic mix and protocol interworking

* Various backhaul types (e.g. T1/E1, OC3/STM-1, 10/100/1000 Ethernet)

* Various mechanisms to substantially improve transport backhaul efficiency

A rounder shape, we know that feels

Sanyo has given a facelift to its first 3G phone for the European market. The new S750i is a redesign of the S750, which was launched at the end of 2004. Today the lighter S750i boasts a sophisticated silver and black casing retaining the slide-up opening and presenting a rounder, more ergonomic shape, which is in tune with consumers’ fast-paced lifestyle. 

The features of the phone which have made the S750 a standout seller have been retained. This includes one of the largest screens on the market  a 2.4 inch high resolution QVGA which has 262,144 colours to guarantee extra sharp viewing quality. The high-quality integrated digital/video camera also remains a key element of the handset, as the popularity of video calling and photo messaging amongst consumers continues to grow across the UK. The S750i also retains its four times zoom dual camera functionality  1.3 Mpix CMOS (with integrated flash) and 310K pixels CCD. 

Besides the design makeover, the S750i includes a 32MB SD card, providing more memory for customers to store high resolution pictures, long recorded videos, mp3 music files and other data. A USB cable allows data transfer, synchronisation or modem functionality between the S750i and a PC. In combination with a Pictbridge printer the USB cable also makes direct print outs of photos possible.

Our entry into the UK 3G market has been a tremendous success, with a great response from the consumers, said Masatsugu Yamano, president of SANYO Fisher Sales (Europe) GmbH and also responsible for SANYOs European mobile phone business. However we cant afford to rest on our laurels. SANYOs achievements in the past have been because of our refusal to be complacent. Were always looking at how we can make things better for our customers and the S750i is no exception.

The revamped handset continues to support UMTS, GSM, GPRS, Bluetooth and Infrared. Other features include 72 polyphonic tones for almost real tunes, Java Game and WAP Browsing.

In the UK the SANYO S750i will continue to be available directly from Orange. 

External Links

Sanyo

Signs $265 million framework contract with Siemens

The largest mobile provider in Russia and the CIS, Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), has signed a framework contract with Siemens to supply a total of 265 million US dollars worth of network technology. Under the terms of the contract, Siemens Communications will expand the capacities of the MTS GSM/GPRS mobile net-works in Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine in the course of the year.

The strong increase in demand that MTS has been enjoying in Russia and the countries of the CIS is necessitating further expansion of its networks. The framework contract with Siemens provides for increasing the capacity of the provider’s radio and switch networks and integrating a platform for Intelligent Network services. To do that,
Siemens Communications will be installing additional transmission and receiving sys-tems (base stations) and upgrading the switches with new hardware and software.

“This new contract will enable us to further consolidate our leading position as a supplier of mobile communication infrastructure in this strategic market for us,” stated Christoph Caselitz, President of Mobile Networks at Siemens Communications. Russia and the CIS are considered to be one of the largest growth markets in mobile communication; the mobile subscriber base in Russia, for example, grew by more than 100 per cent in 2004.

MTS is the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS. Together with its subsidiaries, MTS services about 39 million subscribers. The regions of Russia, as well as Belarus, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, in which MTS and its subsidiaries are licensed to provide GSM services, have a total population of approximately 226 million. Since June 2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange with the ticker symbol MBT.

O2 Airwave, the communications service for national public safety users, has launched the world’s first TETRA-enabled Tablet PC, the Airwave Data Companion. This unique device provides portable access to a range of applications and data solutions that are designed to meet the needs of the front line emergency services.

The Airwave Data Companion will for the first time allow users requiring portable data services to exploit the key benefits of the existing Airwave TETRA network such as high security, widespread national geographical coverage and resilient service. 

Developed in conjunction with Outside Edge, the Airwave Data Companion is a robust Tablet PC with all the features, reliability and power of Microsoft’s Windows® XP operating system. The Airwave Data Companion has an integrated TETRA radio enabling secure data communications over the Airwave network and is intuitive to use and forms part of an end-to-end data solution from O2 Airwave.

The rollout of the Airwave network to all UK police forces is now complete. Over 100,000 users are benefiting from secure nationwide coverage.

Benefits of end-to-end Data Solutions from O2 Airwave: 

–          The public, politicians and police are becoming increasingly aware of the burden that red tape and paperwork places on today’s police officers. End-to-end Data solutions from O2 Airwave can help to dramatically reduce this burden and help to get officers out of the station and back into their communities. Increased visibility of police patrols greatly helps in reassuring the public.

O2 Airwave front line data solutions can provide:

–          Access to the Police National Computer (PNC/SCRO) for person and vehicle checks with results in seconds.

–          On the spot Identity verification of suspects using the Airwave Validate application

–          The ability to receive briefings and tasks from supervisors whilst police officers are on patrol. 

–          Access to local force intelligence databases

–          The ability to complete reports, take statements and update activity logs using electronic forms.

–          Access to ‘missing persons’ databases

These solutions allow police officers to accurately capture and rapidly share vital information. This helps to reduce bureaucracy and allows police forces to respond more effectively. Saving just one hour a day of each police officers time would add the equivalent of 1000’s of officers to their communities.

John Rogers, Head of Mobile Data at Airwave, comments,  “We envisage the Airwave Data Companion will eventually replace the clipboards and vast amounts of paperwork currently carried by mobile patrol officers, whilst also reducing the need to handwrite reports into police notebooks. With pre loaded e-forms the Airwave Data Companion will streamline officer administration by enabling information to be entered directly into databases, which reduces the potential for human error, and means officers can spend more time in the community and less at the police station.”

London-based Infinite Solutions Ltd (ISL) has today launched MobileSafe, a total data back-up solution for Sync-ML compliant mobile phones and PDAs.  The new service is able to back-up the contents of the mobile device and thus removes any issues that are presented when a mobile phone or PDA is lost, stolen or upgraded.

MobileSafe allows users to cost-effectively manage and retrieve data from a user interface accessible via the mobile device or via a web portal.  In addition it allows synchronisation with essential applications such as MS Outlook and Lotus Notes.

MobileSafe can be completely scaleable according to the number of users and has the ability to be completely branded by the operator or corporate user.  The service backs up the calendar, address book, tasks, SMS, MMS, Ringtones, Photos, Video and MP3s with the ability to back-up the remaining content and support ‘Push email’ by the end of 2005.

Many mobile users are put off changing their handset as they believe their data may be lost in the process, or it will simply be too complicated to transfer to a new device.  MobileSafe removes these concerns as transferring data between devices is hassle free.

ISL’s Chief Operating Officer, Duncan Ward comments: “With nearly three quarters of a million mobile devices being lost or stolen each year in the UK, the cost to businesses in terms of lost data and productivity is immeasurable.  Unlike other mobile data back-up solutions MobileSafe also offers invaluable business tools such as the portal delegation function, which allows, for example, an office-based sales administrator to update the diaries of an entire remote sales force.  Now businesses and individual users alike no longer need to worry about losing their data as it’s instantly retrievable at the touch of a button.”

External Links

ISL