Tag Archives: Mobile

Harnessing the LATAM Mobile Data Traffic Explosion

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The increasing coverage of 3G, 3.5G, and 4G networks and greater penetration of low-cost smart devices has significantly increased the revenue generation opportunities of mobile broadband service providers in Latin America. Mobile broadband is emerging as a likely substitute for fixed broadband in metropolitan areas, both in the residential and corporate segments. By the end of 2011, handsets already accounted for 80.5 percent of all mobile broadband connections.

In a new report, Frost & Sullivan finds that the Latam market generated revenues of $6.74 billion in 2011 and estimates this to reach $34.41 billion in 2017, driven by increasing demand for mobility, penetration of smart devices, and convergent services and bundles.

Changing Consumer Behaviors

“Consumer behavior has changed in recent years, resulting in higher demand for mobile Internet to access social network applications, instant messaging, mobile voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), and many other value-added services and applications,” said Frost & Sullivan Telecommunications Team Leader Renato Pasquini.

Although the market has vast potential, it is pegged back by regulatory delays on spectrum auctions, low spectrum caps, and lack of competition in distant regions and rural areas. In addition, users’ inadequate knowledge regarding smart devices restrains its adoption in several areas.

Data Traffic Explosion

These challenges are compelling mobile operators to formulate innovative strategies and service plans to deal with the data traffic explosion and obtain returns on investment. Further, national broadband plans implemented by Governments in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia are stimulating mobile broadband coverage.

Mobile operators also need to work on network upgrades, planning and monitoring as well as building WiFi hotspots for traffic upload, as it can minimize the impact of regulatory delays and mandates regarding tower installations.

“The mobile broadband service requires huge investments in backbone, backhaul, and other network elements,” noted Pasquini. “Mobile operators need to maintain reasonable service quality and generate free cash flow, without excessively affecting network usage.”

Chile's VTR reaches 100,000 mobile subscribers milestone

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Chilean operator VTR has reached 100,000 mobile customers. Of these, nearly 45 percent are postpaid subscribers according to VTR Gneral Manager, Guillermo Ponce.

VTR launched mobile services in Chile in May. VTR also provides cable TV and broadband internet services on the local market. Of the overall 100,000 mobile customers, around 70 percent were already VTR fixed services subscribers, Ponce added.

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Latin America Poised for MVNO Growth

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Latin America is poised to witness the introduction and adoption of more MVNOs as mobile subscription penetration grows and regulators look for ways to stimulate competition, according to a new report from Pyramid Research.

“Pyramid Research believes that MVNO subscriptions in the Latin American market will expand, although they will continue to account for a small percentage of the subscription base,” says Eulalia Marin-Sorribes, Research Analyst at Pyramid Research.

Read the full article on Cellular News here: Latin America Poised for MVNO Growth

 

Argentina cancels 3G spectrum auction in favor of state-owned company Arsat

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The Argentinean government has canceled an auction for the 25 percent of Argentina’s 3G spectrum still controlled by the government, and will now go into business itself through state-owned satellite company Arsat. The government says people are tired of monopolies and deserve more competition when using smartphones and other devices to access the internet, Associated Press reports.

Arsat is building three new satellites to provide the service, and with the government’s help, small companies and cooperatives are expected to find it much easier to become internet providers in parts of the country where consumers now have little or no choice when accessing the web or using mobile phones.

According to de Vido, there were five bidders, but Claro was the only company with the necessary resources to manage part of the spectrum, and letting Claro win ‘‘would have led to more concentration.’’

The government is also studying other ways of reducing monopoly control in the telecommunications business, de Vido said, citing the dominant positions of Telefonica and Telecom as a setback for consumers. “This is not a state takeover”, de Vido said, but an effort to bring consumer prices down through more competition. De Vido said the move also should give consumers more choices as 4G devices roll out

LCC to Perform Network Tuning for Mexican Operator

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LCC International says that it has been awarded a large 3G initial tuning project for an unnamed wireless operator in Mexico.

Under the contract, LCC Mexico will be providing 20 teams for six months to verify 1700+ network sites through site audits, site analysis, drive test and optimization activities to meet key performance indicators (KPI’s) requirements and ensure the network’s best initial performance before the 3G’s commercial network launches in the market.

LCC added that has been in operation in Mexico for more than 4 years.

Brazil has more than 250 million mobile subscribers in March 2012

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Brazil ended March 2012 with more than 250.8 million active mobile subscribers, of which 52 million were 3G, representing growth of 10.11 percent from 47.2 million 3G handsets in February 2012.

The mobile phone penetration rate rose to 128 percent. Of the total mobile phones in the country, 205.2 million were prepaid (81.83%) and 45.6 million postpaid (18.17%). The absolute number of new additions (3.2 million) is the largest recorded for the month of March in the last thirteen years and represents an increase of 1.30 percent compared with February 2012, according to statement from the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel).
Maranhao remains the only Brazilian state with less than one mobile phone per capita density (84.4).

Vivo is still the market leader with 74.78 million subscribers (29.81% market share), followed by TIM with 67.2 million subscribers (26.80%), and Claro in third position with 61.59 million subscribers (24.56%). Oi appears in fourth place with 46.69 million active subscribers (18.53%) and was the only one to see its market share shrink in comparison with the previous month. In percentage terms, Claro was the operator with the highest growth.

Argentina to launch number portability system in March

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Argentina will launch the mobile number portability system in March this year. Mobile operator Personal has already launched an informative campaign on its website instructing users how to use the new service. Argentina approved the introduction of the number portability system in August 2010, but the system launch has been delayed until now.

The number portability service will be available for individual and business customers across Argentina, using either postpaid or prepay mobile services. Customers will be able to port their number free of charge for the first time. Further number portings will be charged, Infobae reports. Customers who port their number will be required to remain in the recipient operator’s network for a minimum of 60 days.

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