Editor’s Note: Wireless operators are a busy bunch, and as such RCR Wireless News will attempt to gather some of the important announcements that may slip through the cracks from the world’s largest carriers in a weekly wrap-up. Enjoy!
–The Australian Communications and Media Authority concluded a spectrum auction of so-called “dividend” licenses in the 700 MHz and 2.5 GHz spectrum bands that raised nearly $2 billion.
Winning bidders included Telstra, which picked up 40 megahertz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band and 80 megahertz of spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band for $1.3 billion. Optus Mobile picked up 20 megahertz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band and 40 megahertz in the 2.5 GHz band for $650 million. TPG Internet was the high bidder for 20 megahertz of spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band for $13.5 million. A single bidder was not allowed to acquire more than 50 megahertz in total in the 700 MHz band and more than 80 megahertz in total in the 2.5 GHz band.
ACMA noted that 30 megahertz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band did not sell. Networks using the 700 MHz band, which use spectrum from the transition to digital television services, are expected to be online in early 2015, while networks using the 2.5 GHz band are scheduled to be launched in late 2014.
—Leap Wireless named Julie Dexter Berg its new chief marketing officer where she will be responsible for the company’s marketing activities, including brand strategy, consumer messaging, product and device strategy and management, merchandising and advertising.
Berg previously was at Brandmaking, a brand and consumer strategy management consulting firm that she founded and where she served as managing partner. Prior to Brandmaking, Berg was chief marketing officer of Supervalu where she was tasked with developing a comprehensive consumer and brand strategy.
—Zain Kuwait deployed Nokia Siemens Networks’ Customer Experience Management platform that is designed to help the carrier better target the marketing of services to its customers. The operator serves more than 44 million customers across Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, South Sudan and Lebanon.
–A handful of domestic operators announced plans to begin offering Samsung’s Galaxy S4 smartphone, tapping into growing consumer demand for powerful devices from the handset maker.
Verizon Wireless said it will begin offering the device on May 23, making it the last of the nationwide operators to begin offering the Galaxy S4. The carrier said it will offer the smartphone for $200 with a two-year contract. AT&T Mobility and U.S. Cellular were the first two operators to begin taking orders for the device last month.
Cellcom, which operates in parts of Wisconsin and Michigan, said it plans to offer the device “late this summer;” while Kentucky-based Bluegrass Cellular also provided a similar window for offering the device.
–Speaking of new devices, BlackBerry scored some commitments to begin carrying its latest Q10 device in the coming months. Verizon Wireless said the device will be available through its sales channels next month, while Sprint Nextel gave the device a “summer availability.”
—Vodafone Group unveiled its Carrier Services business that was created following its $1.7 billion acquisition of Cable & Wireless last year.
Vodafone said the new operation will offer voice and data services to communication service provider, and already has more than 1,000 customers and partners worldwide.
–Japan’s NTT DoCoMo said it plans to launch 11 new devices this summer, including nine smartphones, one tablet and one entry-level “Raku-Raku” smartphone. The smartphones include versions of Samsung’s Galaxy S4, the Sony Xperia A, the LG Optimus it and a Disney-branded device. The tablet is the Sharp Aquos Pad.
The Raku-Raku device, which means “easy-easy” in Japanese, will launch with a special flat-rate, introductory plan of $29 per month.
Additional carrier news can be found on the RCR Wireless News “Carriers” page.
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