http://www.telecompaper.com/ Business information about the telecom industry, an extensive overview of telecom-related articles http://www.telecompaper.com/images/logos/logotph40w225.gif http://www.telecompaper.com/ http://www.telecompaper.com/news/google-to-change-android-mobile-os-strategy-report (Telecompaper) Google is changing its Android mobile operating system strategy as it looks to challenge rivals by creating a united approach with smartphone and tablet makers, reports the Wall Street Journal citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. In a bid to stop mobile carriers from controlling the devices, the company plans to give multiple device makers early access to new Android releases and to sell these devices directly to consumers. Previously, Google has partnered with one hardware maker to make 'lead devices' and then release the software to other manufacturers. The move into direct sales is designed to give Google more control over key features and apps running on Android devices, weakening the influence of mobile carriers over the devices. The sources said that Google would work with up to five manufacturers at the same time to develop a range of 'Nexus' lead devices including tablets and smartphones. These would be sold directly to consumers in the US, Asia and Europe through its website, and maybe through some retailers. The new devices will use the forthcoming version of Android called Jelly Bean, with Google hoping to have a full range of devices ready for sale in time for Thanksgiving. 873714 Wed, 16 May 2012 14:45:00 +0200 http://www.telecompaper.com/news/us-customs-review-delays-sale-of-new-htc-smartphones (Telecompaper) Shipments of HTC smartphones to the US are being delayed by a customs review, reports The Financial Times. This comes after HTC lost a lawsuit against Apple in 2011. In a statement, HTCF said the review was 'standard' and 'required'. The ITC banned the import of some HTC smartphones in 2011 following claims that they violated Apple patents. The review by US customs authorities will delay sales of the HTC One X and Evo 4G LTE smartphones in country, its biggest market. 873711 Wed, 16 May 2012 14:19:00 +0200 http://www.telecompaper.com/news/mtn-nigeria-denies-impropriety-alleged-by-ex-nitel-gm (Telecompaper) MTN Nigeria has described as 'patently untrue' allegations of impropriety made against the company in two new affidavits filed in support of a suit by the Ekiti and Osun State chapters of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). The operator said it is not at liberty to comment on the details of the case as it is sub judice. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was joined as a defendant in the suit. MTN's corporate services executive, Wale Goodluck, said the allegations, in an affidavit by Nitel's former GM Solomon Ogundele, were odious and reprehensible. Goodluck urged MTN's customers and the general public to disregard the frivolous and mischievous allegations, stressing that the company remained committed to upholding the sanctity of the law of the land and would never infringe them under any circumstances. 873519 Wed, 16 May 2012 12:21:00 +0200 http://www.telecompaper.com/news/court-rejects-dete-shareholders-claim-about-2000-prospectus (Telecompaper) The higher regional court in Frankfurt has rejected the claim of around 17,000 Deutsche Telekom shareholders that accused the operator of providing false information in the prospectus for the third public offering of Telekom shares in 2000, according to German press agency Dpa. The lawsuit was launched in 2001 and has been under review at the higher state court since 2008. The court found on 16 May of this year that no large mistakes were made in the prospectus leaving the shareholders without success. It is certain that the suit will be brought to the Federal Court for revision. 873645 Wed, 16 May 2012 11:24:00 +0200 http://www.telecompaper.com/news/samsung-launches-voice-gesture-recognition-tv-in-brazil (Telecompaper) Samsung has announced the launch of the ES7000 range of TV sets on 17 May in Brazil, bringing the technology of voice and human gesture recognition, making it unnecessary to use remote controls. To change channels or make any adjustments, viewers just need to speak or nod toward the device. Besides this feature, the devices have an LED screen, digital converter and 3D technology. The product will be sold exclusively at retail chain Fnac and the retailers expectation is that the impact will be similar to that generated by 3D technology. The official launch will also take place on 18 May at the Samsung shop located in the Shopping Morumbi in Sao Paulo. 873572 Wed, 16 May 2012 11:11:00 +0200 http://www.telecompaper.com/news/bharti-airtel-investigated-for-alleged-money-laundering (Telecompaper) Indian mobile operator Bharti Airtel is being investigated for alleged money laundering, writes The Economic Times. Minister of State for Finance SS Palanimanickam said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was investigating cases against Airtel under the money laundering prevention provisions as well as rules governing foreign exchange usage. He added that it may not be in the interest of the ongoing investigations to provide any further details. Airtel, controlled by Sunil Mittal, said that it has complied with all regulatory norms and that it is cooperating with investigators. 873606 Wed, 16 May 2012 10:35:00 +0200 http://www.telecompaper.com/news/irans-national-data-network-to-be-launched-in-3-months (Telecompaper) Iran's National Data Network will be launched within three months, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Reza Taqipour told the Fars News Agency. The infrastructure for the National Data Network has almost been completed, he said. According to Iranian officials, the National Data Network has been developed to increase the speed of access to the net and enhance the security of computer networks. 873510 Wed, 16 May 2012 10:26:00 +0200 http://www.telecompaper.com/news/t-systems-union-agree-on-65-wage-increase-until-2014 (Telecompaper) Deutsche Telekom and German service workers union Verdi have agreed upon a general wage agreement for the employees of Telekom's corporate customers' division T-Systems in Germany. Under the agreement, which runs for 27 months until 31 March 2014, the employees will receive a wage increase of up to 6.5 percent in three phases: 2.3 percent per 1 May of this year, 2.1 percent per 1 January 2013 and 2.1 percent per 1 September 2013. The agreement also includes a new variable wage structure for employees not working in the sales department, which will only be based on the corporate goals of T-Systems. The third element of the agreement is the extension of job security until 31 December 2013, making T-Systems the only IT company in Germany to offer such security according to Verdi. The general wage agreement still has to be approved by the large wage commission of the union. 873574 Wed, 16 May 2012 09:34:00 +0200 http://www.telecompaper.com/news/eircom-to-provide-managed-communications-services-for-aib (Telecompaper) Irish operator Eircom has signed a five-year agreement with Allied Irish Banks (AIB) to become the bank's sole provider of communications services. Eircom will completely upgrade and replace AIB's data networks and voice services systems across its operations in Ireland and the UK. Over the course of the contract Eircom will deliver a portfolio of services to AIB including a 300-site Next Generation Network for delivery of data, voice and video systems across the three locations by providing a next-generation telecommunication network to provide a foundation for the 'OneAIB' transformation programme. Work has already begun on this upgrade which will increase capacity in AIB systems across the branch network in Eire, Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The upgrade is planned to be completed by October. 873342 Tue, 15 May 2012 21:54:00 +0200 http://www.telecompaper.com/news/orascom-suspends-mena-cable-project (Telecompaper) Work on the USD 400 million MENA Cable, an Orascom Telecom project that seeks to link Europe, the Arabian Gulf, North Africa and Asia, has been suspended, CEO Khaled Bichara told Zawya. Khaled said this is because of the non-availability of certain government permits. Another person close to the project alleged that Orascom 'does not have enough enthusiasm' to complete the project 'after a corporate restructuring'. MENA Cable is a joint venture between Orascom with 94 percent of shareholding, Link Egypt with 4 percent, and In Touch and Mobiserve with 1 percent each. The project was launched more than four years ago and was expected to lay about 9,000 kilometers of cable capable of delivering speeds of up to 5.76 terabits per second. 873195 Tue, 15 May 2012 11:23:00 +0200