Notable Regional Developments In The Telecommunication Industry

Asia/Pacific

Singaporean mobile operator StarHub will launch the StarHub Silver app, aimed at the country’s senior citizens, on 15 September. The app, which is available for Android tablets at no cost, will allow senior users to access video content. According to the operator, it addresses the needs of its target audience by featuring a simple user interface, pictorial presentations, a soothing color scheme and large fonts to aid with reading and to enable easy navigation.

Europe

Slovenian mobile operator Si.mobile has introduced a package called Startup aimed at young entrepreneurs and startup businesses. The plan’s monthly cost is €19.99 (US $26.38) and it includes unlimited all-net calls and SMS, 2 GB of data for a mobile phone and 3 GB of data for a tablet or computer, as well as Microsoft Office 365 Small Business plus consultation. Small businesses can have up to five employees and are able to use the package for two years.

Latin America

Mexican operator Telmex has partnered with UN Habitat, a United Nations program that promotes socially and environmentally sustainable urban planning and design, to launch “+XMiCiudad” (more for my city). The app will aid citizens and authorities in creating urban development solutions related to water, waste, the environment, mobility, public space, safety, animals, buildings and noise.

Middle East/Africa

Tanzanian mobile operators Airtel and Tigo have introduced a money-transfer service, which will allow the operators’ mobile money customers to send and receive money between the two MNOs in Tanzania. This announcement follows last month’s agreement by the operators to adopt interoperability to help alleviate the challenges that were associated with financial transactions.

North America

U.S. mobile operator Verizon Wireless has partnered with JCDecaux, the leading global outdoor advertising company, to deploy digital mobile charging stations, a service that has been in demand, at the four largest international airports in the U.S.—John F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty, Miami and Los Angeles International Airports. The rollout includes 169 charging stations that will be equipped with USB ports, AC outlets and wireless recharge devices, as well as two 32-inch HD screens, on which Verizon will display commercial and content messages.

 The above item appeared in a recent issue of The Tarifica Alert, a weekly resource that analyzes noteworthy developments in the telecoms industry from around the world. To access all of the latest articles and issues:  http://www.tarifica.com/TarificaAlert.aspx