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Sunday, January 15, 2012

Last week at The Fonecast: 16th January 2012

Mark Bridge writes:

So that’s CES week over. This year’s show seemed particularly US-centric, given the amount of 4G LTE mobile technology kicking about. Not that the UK isn’t making its own 4G plans; far from it. But let’s start at the beginning...

CES 2012 saw opening announcements from Microsoft and Nokia that celebrated Windows Phone and the forthcoming Lumia 900. Intel’s move into mobile took a real leap forward with news that its Intel Atom processor was going to end up in Lenovo and Motorola devices. And new handsets were forthcoming from Sony Ericsson (or was it Sony?) with the Sony Xperia S - and Huawei with the super-thin Ascend P1 S smartphone.

Here in the UK, Ofcom announced a number of revised proposals for making 4G mobile spectrum available. It’s come up with new ideas to ensure 4G coverage is available to at least 98% of the population. Is everyone happy?  Let’s just say it looks like more people are happier than with the previous scheme.

Other UK news came from film and TV streaming service Netflix, whose launch here and in Ireland has raised the question of whether mobile networks can handle that kind of data traffic (and whether consumers will even try). Meanwhile, Three and giffgaff have both been talking about data usage and the results of having an ‘unlimited’ usage policy.

The world of patents saw Microsoft doing an Android-related licensing deal with LG, Nokia licensing its own patents from Sisvel International and the US International Trade Commission ruling that Motorola hadn’t infringed three Apple patents.

Finally, to the surprise of the week. Well, for me, anyway. A Forbes.com report says Samsung is working on merging its bada mobile operating system with the Tizen OS. Apple, Android, RIM and Windows Phone could well have a tough new contender this year.

Start your week with a reminder of the latest headlines. Simply register at TheFonecast.com by clicking the link at the top right-hand corner of our home page and we’ll send you this weekly news summary by email.
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Opinion Articles

Last week at The Fonecast: 15th October 2012

US government grumbles, O2 UK stumbles

Mark Bridge writes:

Can you trust a Chinese company to build a telecoms network?  Apparently not, according to the US House of Representatives. The “Investigative Report on the U.S. National Security Issues Posed by Chinese Telecommunications Companies Huawei and ZTE” wasn’t at all impressed with the two companies, although most of the complaints appeared to be about a lack of cooperation rather than hard evidence. I wonder if any mysterious agents are planning to visit the new Huawei UK HQ before next year’s official opening?

Author: The Fonecast
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Article rating: 5.0

Mobile phones used to track malaria transmission patterns

Jessica Berman of voanews.com writes:

Scientists are studying the use of mobile phones to track patterns of malaria transmission in endemic nations. The research is part of an effort by many countries to control or eliminate the mosquito-borne disease.

Author: The Fonecast
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Article rating: 4.0

Congressional warning on Chinese telecoms could prompt retaliation

William Gallo of voanews.com writes:

Analysts say this week's U.S. congressional report that called two Chinese telecoms a threat to national security is likely to prompt China to retaliate against U.S. businesses.

The House Intelligence Committee report warned U.S. companies against doing business with China's largest phone equipment companies, Huawei and ZTE.

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Kenya to pull plug on counterfeit mobile phones

Gabe Joselow of voanews.com writes:

Mobile phone subscribers in Kenya may wake up Monday morning to find their phones no longer work, as the nation's telecom companies enact a nation-wide switch-off of all counterfeit devices. Retailers and customers have mixed reactions to the plan, which could affect up to three million mobile phones.

Author: The Fonecast
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Last week at The Fonecast: 1st October 2012

A high for RIM, a low for Apple

Mark Bridge writes:

Apple started last week in the glow of a CoolBrands survey that had named it the UK's coolest brand – but it ended the week with its head bowed in embarrassment. Not only did Tim Cook apologise for the quality of the company’s iOS 6 Maps application, he recommended that customers use competing services until it gets better.

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