The GSMA announced that mobile operators around the world will invest up to $72 billion in Mobile Broadband* technologies in 2010. The new operator CAPEX investment data, compiled by global investment firm Deutsche Bank, reflects the continued consumer and enterprise demand for Mobile Broadband services and the need for underlying infrastructure, and comes as global HSPA connections reach the 200 million milestone. Asia Pacific will see the greatest investment in Mobile Broadband with predicted capital expenditure of up to $34 billion. North America follows with up to $19 billion, with Europe expected to invest up to $14 billion. Mobile Broadband is set to account for 52 per cent of all operator investment in mobile infrastructure globally. Of all the regions, North America will spend the greatest percentage — 80 per cent — of its total mobile CAPEX investment on Mobile Broadband.
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Globalstar, Inc announce that it has signed a joint venture agreement with Arion Communication Co., Ltd., a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data products and services to maritime customers in Korea. The new joint venture company known as Globalstar Asia Pacific will operate the Globalstar gateway ground station in Korea and provide Simplex and duplex mobile satellite voice and data services including SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ products and services to customers in Korea and the surrounding maritime region.
One-time parent company Motorola, which spun out Iridium in 1998, is suing the company for “at least $24.68m”, related to old loan agreements between the two companies. More worryingly, Motorola could terminate crucial intellectual property licences for Iridium, which would make it impossible for the company to operate its satellite system. Without usable IP, there will not be much point in building or launching the satellites, even if the money can be raised. Iridium says it is still in talks with Motorola to resolve the issue, but the case could well end up in court.
AT&T says it has picked Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson to supply the equipment for its next wireless network, which will provide faster data speeds starting next year. The vendors will supply cell-tower equipment for a technology called LTE, or Long Term Evolution. It will provide speeds that are at least ten times faster than today’s wireless broadband.
A constellation of satellites that gaze down on Earth will be the centrepiece of Britain’s space mission if plans being put before ministers today are adopted. The proposals from the government-appointed “Space Innovation and Growth Team” lay out a 20-year strategy that aims to expand Britain’s space industry sixfold into a £40bn a year business and create 100,000 new jobs by 2030. It urges the government to double its spending on space projects to £550m a year by 2020, a move that would lift Britain into the top 10 space-funding nations in the world. Today, the UK ranks 21st globally in terms of government support for space missions.
Fiat is introducing a fleet version of eco:Drive, its data-collection and transmission system designed to gather vehicle efficiency data and analyze car performance and driver style. Eco:Drive receives parameters related to fuel consumption from the engine control unit through Microsoft’s Blue&Me. The data recorded can be transferred onto PCs via a USB key, and processed by the appropriate software, in order to analyze motorists’ behavior and to help them to optimise fuel consumption and emissions.
Google Inc. launched a new service to bring social updates such as photos and Web links into Gmail and some Google mobile products, in a challenge to Facebook Inc. and other social media sites where people go to check up on their friends. Dubbed Google Buzz, the service allows users to post and browse content from people they regularly communicate with over Gmail in a new stream-like interface. Beginning soon, they will also be able to post and view updates from Google’s mobile Web site or Buzz mobile software application.
Micron Technology Inc., the biggest U.S. producer of computer memory, agreed to buy Numonyx Holdings BV for about $1.27 billion, bolstering its flash-chip business. Micron will issue 140 million shares to Numonyx’s investors — Intel Corp., STMicroelectronics NV and Francisco Partners — according to a statement today. Boise, Idaho-based Micron also will pay as many as 10 million additional shares to Numonyx shareholders depending on its stock price. The deal gives Micron access to Numonyx’s Nor-type flash chips, which go into mobile phones.
Prospective clients need to experience the value of telematics. Hard data can help prove the viability of a solution to those with vision; but many customers lack vision. Imagine the reaction a client will have when an attractive usable interface is placed in their hands. They can click, navigate and discover first-hand how telematics can improve their life. But unintuitive and unattractive user interface limits the effectiveness of this sales strategy.
U.S. physicians are using telemedicine to improve public health in Haiti after last month’s earthquake, the New York Times reports. Soon, the University of Miami’s 240-bed tent hospital near the airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, will use telemedicine technology to let doctors consult via satellite with specialists at the University of Miami and other medical centers, according to Scott Simmons, director of telehealth at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Expert review of architecture and design during the early development phase of a telematics device can save a company substantial time and money while maximizing market potential. The former CTO of Quake Global and lead architect of their market dominating satellite modem — Mark Jones — has formed Sancomm Inc. to provide precisely this service.
AEMP’s Telematics Data Standard is essentially complete, pending ratification by the participating manufacturers and telematics providers. Volunteer developers from McFadyen & Associates, Caterpillar, John Deere Construction & Forestry, Volvo Construction Equipment, Komatsu Americas, and the Caterpillar/Trimble joint venture, Virtual Site Solutions, anticipate an Oct. 1, 2010, launch date for support of the data transfer standard.