Virtualization technologies have become a hot topic among telecom operators. Eyeing the benefits of network functions virtualization, Telefónica signed a memorandum of understanding with Alcatel-Lucent to test NFV technologies as part of the operator’s strategy to evolve its networking infrastructure. According to the companies, the work will focus on enhancing network performance and efficiencies to support the ever-growing demand for flexible connectivity.
It’s not the first agreement between the companies. The new MoU renews and expands the February 2014 agreement, which included the application of Alcatel-Lucent’s CloudBand platform to advance NFV implementation. Also, Telefónica has tested Alcatel-Lucent’s virtualized service router in its NFV Reference Lab using the OpenMANO NFV orchestration stack.
Wi-Fi perspectives
As more enterprises embrace Wi-Fi to offer Internet access to their customers, many are looking for more robust equipment to handle the increased load. Rob Mustarde, VP at Ruckus Wireless and GM for its Xclaim product line, recently spoke with RCR Wireless News on how businesses are using Wi-Fi hot spots to increase customer satisfaction. Mustarde also explained the important role Wi-Fi is playing, along with 3G and 4G, in supporting the “Internet of Things.”
New Twitter office
Twitter opened an office in Mexico, which it said was No. 35 for the company globally. During the announcement, executives said Mexico is among the 10 most important markets for Twitter. Currently, the country’s Twitter users post 32 million tweets per day; 66% of Mexicans visit Twitter every day; 52% keep up to date with news via Twitter; 51% of Mexicans tweet about music, which is the most in LatAm; and 74% of active users in Mexico are mobile users. Guilherme Ribenboim, Twitter Brazil’s GM, noted that 66% of Twitter users in Mexico tweet while watching TV. He also said the company is starting to move forward on a mobile-only strategy as 80% of active subscribers use mobile as their primary platform.
More Latin American news:
Colombia – Fourth-generation mobile technology is gaining ground among consumers of mobile Internet, with a reported 1 million new 4G connections during the past year. In its quarterly report, Colombia’s Ministry of Communications said that during the first quarter there were 84,570 new mobile users, pushing the country’s overall count to more than 55.4 million. That total includes nearly 20% on postpaid plans, with the rest on prepaid accounts.
Costa Rica – Telecom revenue increased 34% last year, reaching $1.3 billion according to the latest data from government regulator Sutel. Mobile revenue increased 38% last year, with the country counting 7.1 million total wireless customers.
Brazil – Algar Telecom signed a 10-year contract with Highline signing over the running and use of up to 125 telecom towers. Under the agreement, Algar will receive $19.8 million (R$64 million).
Chile – The country’s cumulative number portability requests hit nearly 4.1 million in June, including both fixed and mobile numbers. As of June, Entel lost the most connections with 374,243 numbers leaving the operator. Claro has been the biggest winner, having attracted 329,975 mobile numbers, while Virgin Mobile attracted 238,637 mobile numbers.
Brazil – Smartphone sales dropped 16% in May compared to the same period last year, with 3.89 million units sold, according to IDC. The firm expects sales to decrease about 12% in the second half of the year due to less favorable economic conditions.
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