Qatar CRA Updates Camel-Racing Kit Licensing

   The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) of Qatar has issued an updated version of the Class License for camel-racing equipment, streamlining the approval process for its installation, operation and use ahead of the racing season in Qatar. Under this Class License, there are no license or spectrum fees. The Class License allows anyone to possess, install and operate camel-racing equipment without having to apply for a license, provided they comply with the terms and conditions of the Class License, operate the device within the authorized frequency bands and ensure that the equipment is type-approved by the CRA. Type approval is restricted to handheld devices with low power transmission used by the camel owners and to earpieces installed on the camels enabling one-way communication to control the speed movement of the animal during various stages of the race.

We have commented from time to time on the huge proliferation of M2M communications around the world and on the wide range of functionalities and industries in which it is being applied. It is not widely known, we believe, outside the Gulf States, that human jockeys have largely been removed from camel-racing for humanitarian reasons (most of them were children) and have been replaced by robotic jockeys and other mechanical solutions, which are all remotely controlled by M2M. The Qatari regulator’s decision to streamline and open up the approval process for camel-racing mobile technology will help strengthen this arrangement and make sure that the human-rights abuses of the old system do not return. Whether mobile operators can get a piece of this racing action is, at this point, not clear, but perhaps the remote control process could go through mobile phones rather than through dedicated handhelds. 

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Telenor Norway to End 3G Service Ahead of 2G Service

In a recent statement, Bjørn Amundsen, Telenor Norway’s director of coverage, said that within five years the operator’s 4G/LTE network will match its 2G network in terms of coverage. Telenor Norway has already deployed 4G/LTE service in 42 of 87 municipalities in the country’s key northern territories and is on target to cover all municipalities in northern Norway by the end of 2016. Currently, subscribers can only access data on Telenor’s 4G/LTE network, but the operator plans to launch VoLTE before the end of the year. Amundsen also said that the MNO will phase out its 2G network within a decade and will end 3G service sooner than that. It will maintain its 2G network longer than its 3G network due to device compatibility issues and the growing number of M2M services.

Telenor Norway’s prediction that it will end 3G service ahead of 2G service comes as no surprise, as we have seen other operators, such as those in the U.K., state the same thing. In New York, U.S. mobile operator Verizon Wireless has shut off 20 MHz of spectrum that was once allocated for 3G service and is running 4G in its place. The operator is doing the same on its network in Cleveland, OH. Lastly, as we have previously reported, in India, where adoption of 3G networks has been slow, some operators may go directly to 4G from 2G networks, bypassing 3G service altogether. Requiring operators to maintain three networks is very expensive, so it is critical that they choose how to repurpose spectrum based on return of their investment. For most operators, 2G networks are still an important source of revenue, particularly in rural areas, where the return on investment for 4G infrastructure upgrades will not be enough to make it very profitable. In addition, 2G service uses a low frequency, which results in reduced operating costs for MNOs. On the other hand, 3G competes more closely with 4G in that it is data-focused, and with 4G service, operators may be able to upsell users to larger data packages due to the faster speeds it offers. As Telenor Norway begins to refarm its spectrum, 3G service may well be the first to go, mainly to ensure that there will not be any loss of coverage in hard-to-serve areas and to ensure that users with older handsets still receive service. Once its 4G/LTE network can support VoLTE across the country and more users have 4G-enabled smartphones, we may still not see the total elimination of 2G service, because 2G is particularly useful for M2M connectivity, which is in growing demand.

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. Contact Tarifica for a subscription to the Tarifica Alert. 
Tarifica is the leader in monitoring and analyzing telecom pricing, covering hundreds of operators in every region of the globe. Tarifica’s databases of mobile and fixed line data and voice tariffs are among the largest and most in-depth in the world. Tarifica is also a leading publisher of benchmark and other pricing reports, and its analysts are recognized authorities in the telecom industry, relied upon by operators and businesses worldwide for pricing insight and guidance. Click here to contact a Tarifica Analyst.

Personal and Jasper Launch Scalable Worldwide M2M Solutions

Argentinian mobile operator Personal has partnered with Jasper, a global provider of cloud-based platforms for the Internet of Things (IoT), to offer M2M connectivity to the operator’s business customers. The partnership offers Personal’s business subscribers a scalable solution that enables them to manage their M2M services around the world. Personal will offer the services in several vertical markets.

As we have written previously, IoT connections are predicted to total 26 billion worldwide by 2020. According to reports, the value of the M2M market in Latin America is expected to grow from US $4.6 billion in 2014 to US $8.2 billion by the end of 2019. While Argentina is not in the same league as the region’s leaders, Mexico and Brazil, in terms of service and speed—the country has yet to launch 4G service—current reports estimate that its internet service will be well within range of the region’s average by 2018. As M2M connectivity continues to increase in Argentina, the country’s mobile operators need to create services that will provide their business customers not only connectivity for M2M applications but also value-added services through M2M solutions. These can be created by partnering with M2M platform vendors such as Jasper. In terms of subscriber numbers, there is very little disparity in market share among Argentina’s three main mobile operators, and Personal’s partnership with Jasper is not an innovative one, as both Claro and Movistar already have partnerships with M2M solution vendors. So while Personal’s collaboration with Jasper may not result in any new subscribers, the deal should keep the MNO in line with its competitors.

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 or to speak with the research team: http://www.tarifica.com/contactus.aspx

Sigfox in €50 Million Fundraising Drive

Sigfox, the French Internet of Things (IoT) company, reportedly plans to raise €50 million (US $63 million) to help fund its cellular network using unlicensed spectrum. In March 2014, Sigfox raised €15 million (US $20.6 million) to accelerate its network deployment in several European countries. Currently, its network is present in France, Spain, the Netherlands, Russia and the U.K., with a smaller network in place around the U.S. city of San Francisco. The company uses ultra-narrowband technology to connect devices using unlicensed spectrum.

Mobile operators have been investigating a diverse range of access technologies for M2M and IoT connectivity. Current obstacles include the lack of a single standard, requirements for energy consumption and channel spacing, security, and regulations on unlicensed bandwidth. Availability is another issue, as certain bands may only be available in certain regions. Incumbent mobile operators could leverage their extensive infrastructure and combine wide-area technology for accessing hubs and short-range technology for local access. The question is, will incumbent operators partner with companies like Sigfox—as Albertis Telecom did in Spain by deploying a dedicated 0G network (Sigfox’s term for its narrowband network)—or use their existing networks and complement them with narrowband technology?

Sigfox claims it can reach half the world in the next two to three years using its 0G network. So the debate continues—does the IoT need a new, tailor-made network with low energy consumption and simplicity of use, or can operators find a way to leverage their current networks in tandem with low-profile antennas and other narrowband equipment to address the congestion issues plaguing the industry today?

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