Nokia, Japanese firms tie up on industrial-use 5G network services

TOKYO - Nokia Corp. said Wednesday that it has tied up with five Japanese companies in offering next-generation 5G network services to corporate customers.

The Finnish telecommunications giant will build the ultrafast communications networks with Japanese partners, including computer systems company NS Solutions Corp. and telecommunication equipment maker Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc., mainly for manufacturers.

The tie-up, which also involves trading house Marubeni Corp., communications firm Internet Initiative Japan Inc. and data center operator Equinix Inc., comes as the Japanese government will start taking applications from companies for private 5G licenses later this month.

Demand for 5G networks, which can deliver data transmission speeds around 100 times faster than the current 4G networks, is expected to grow as manufacturers aim to connect devices at factories through 5G networks to boost productivity amid a labor shortage.

Nokia said it has already offered private wireless networks to over 120 corporate customers around the world.

"With spectrum availability now opening up in Japan, Nokia is bringing forth a unique combination of technology, services and partnerships," John Harrington, head of Nokia Japan, said in a press release.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Trump wants Apple to be involved in 5G infrastructure building in US

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had asked Apple Inc Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook to look into helping develop telecommunications infrastructure for 5G wireless networks in the United States.

"They have it all - Money, Technology, Vision & Cook!" Trump tweeted.

Trump met with Cook on Wednesday during his visit to Apple's upcoming campus in Texas, in the latest sign of a close relationship between two of America's most powerful men.

5G networks will offer data speeds up to 50 or 100 times faster than the current 4G networks, and serve as critical infrastructure for a range of industries.

Among US firms, Qualcomm Inc is the dominant player in radio chips that help mobiles connect to networks and Cisco Systems Inc which makes networking gear.

Mobile operators have to upgrade their networks with 5G gear made by the likes of China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and ZTE Corp, Sweden's Ericsson and Finland's Nokia Oyj.

Trump has earlier said that United States intended to deploy 5G services rapidly and plans to cooperate with "like-minded nations" to promote security in next-generation 5G networks.

The United States has been pressing nations not to grant Huawei access to future 5G networks and alleged Huawei's equipment could be used by Beijing for spying, which the Chinese company has repeatedly denied.

The US Congress has been considering legislation to authorize up to $1 billion for small and rural wireless providers to replace network equipment from companies, including Huawei and ZTE, that lawmakers say pose a national security risk.

Some of Apple's rivals in the smartphone market — notably Samsung Electronics Co Ltd — have already released 5G devices, pressuring Apple to match the feature. Many carriers that are investing heavily to build 5G networks are also likely to put their marketing efforts behind 5G phones.

(Reporting by Lisa Lambert in Washington and Munsif Vengattil in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Chopra and Shounak Dasgupta)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

5G game integration in spotlight at Tokyo Game Show

CHIBA, Japan - The Tokyo Game Show opened on Thursday with enthusiasts testing how ultra-high-speed 5G mobile data networks will impact the gaming experience ahead of the technology's commercial rollout in Japan in 2020.

Game makers, related network developers, and esports promoters cite their sector as one which will benefit from next-generation wireless networks that are expected to allow players of increasingly popular online games to utilize faster downloads and smoother connections.

"5G technology featuring large capacity, high speed, low latency and allowance for simultaneous connection by multiple users will innovate the world of gaming," Hiroyuki Yoshida, director of major mobile phone carrier NTT Docomo Inc.'s consumer business department, told a crowd gathered at its booth at the annual extravaganza in Chiba Prefecture east of Tokyo.

Docomo is allowing visitors to experience augmented reality game "Street Fighter V Arcade Edition," where users can watch battles between three-dimensional characters that are superimposed on their current physical location via their smartphone screens.

The carrier, which will start commercial 5G services in 2020 along with rivals KDDI Corp., SoftBank Corp. and Rakuten Inc., will also organize tournaments where up to 100 players can be simultaneously connected at the Makuhari Messe convention center.

The next-generation services can send and receive data around 100 times faster than current 4G technology. Smartphone users, for example, will be able to download a two-hour movie in just three seconds.

The technology is also expected to contribute to the expansion of cloud-based gaming on computers and smartphone connected to the internet that do not require users to purchase dedicated game consoles, such as Sony Corp. PlayStation or Nintendo Co.'s Switch devices.

Google LLC said in March it will launch its own cloud gaming service in 2019, while Apple Inc. is set to roll out new game subscription services, posing a major challenge to traditional game console makers.

Continuing the trend of recent years, the Tokyo Game Show also featured esports competitions on two big special stages each with 500-seat stadia for spectators. Organizers are hoping to entice more domestic players into the fast-growing competitive gaming market.

Esports is already popular in South Korea, the United States and Europe, but not so much in Japan where online competitive gaming is still at a relatively early stage.

The four-day game show is expected to draw over 250,000 visitors to see the 655 exhibitors, including 305 from some 40 countries, showcasing their latest products, according to organizers Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association and Nikkei Business Publications Inc.

The event is open to the media and industry officials for the first two days and to the public for the remainder.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Globe to launch 5G broadband for homes

MANILA -- Globe Telecom will launch a 5G broadband service in Pasig City this week, becoming the first Filipino carrier to make the next generation connectivity standard available commercially.

The services can offer speeds of between 50 to 100 Mbps, Globe Telecom Director for Technology Strategy Gerhard Tan told ABS-CBN News.

Independent internet speed-testing firm Ookla earlier pegged Globe's current average download speed at 11.36 Mbps and upload speed at 4.94 Mbps.

"For now, scattered pa lang 'yung pag-oofferan namin ng 5G because we are still in the process of integrating it in selected cities," he said.

(For now, our 5G offering is scattered because we are still in the process of integrating it in selected cities.)

It will take some time before the entire country can enjoy 5G, which requires putting up base towers and small cells that are closer to each other, Tan said.

"There are some challenges in terms of laying down fiber especially in areas where they won't allow us," he said. "The capability of technology as of now is to deliver at home broadband."

"Even across the globe, part of the capability of offering 5G is to start with delivering higher speed for at home broadband," he said.

Devices should also be 5G-capable for these to fully enjoy the benefits of the next generation connectivity, Tan said.

"The key thing there is your phone should operate on a 5G capability. Otherwise, your phone would not experience the benefit of the technology," he said.

Globe has yet to announce pricing for the 5G broadband service.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Telstra, TeleTech open new PH contact center

MANILA, Philippines -- Australian telecommunications company Telstra and TeleTech opened a new contact center in the Philippines.

The facility, located at the Five E-Com building in Pasay City, consists of three floors which will host Telstra and TeleTech employees and a recruitment center.

Telstra has been in the Philippines since 2007, when the company began operating with local industry partners. It launched its first Telstra-operated call center in Manila in 2013, and a second one in Cebu in 2014.

"Our investment in this fantastic center is an expression of how important customer service is to us with great collaboration with our wonderful partners... This is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility that will take customer service to new level. It will operate as one high performing team with customers at the center," Telstra CEO David Thodey said.

Telstra currently services 16.4 million mobile customers, 6.1 million retail fixed voice customers, and 3 million retail fixed broadband customers.

The contact center is said to be the largest operated by TeleTech, and will house 3,500 employees when fully operational.

"Telstra has been one of our long-time, strategic partners in the Philippines and we are excited to work with them at the new contact center," TeleTech chairman and CEO Ken Tuchman said.

Telstra Philippines Country Manager Tom Beach said the company is introducing new ways of operating contact centers through partnerships with industry partners, such as TeleTech.

"In the Philippines, Telstra offers contact center employees more quality-of-life options with its mainly dayshift hours, training, rewards, and career progression. We are committed to providing an environment that makes Telstra a great place to work," Beach said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Video-on-demand service HOOQ now available in PH

MANILA, Philippines - Asia's newest video on-demand service HOOQ will soon be available in the Philippines, as it announced a partnership with Globe Telecom.

HOOQ is a start-up joint venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros. Entertainment which was launched last week.

Under the partnership, Globe subscribers can avail of unlimited online streaming access and an offline viewing option to more than 10,000 movies and TV shows.

Customers can watch Hollywood films from partners Sony and Warner Bros., such as Harry Potter, Spider-Man and Inception and TV series such as Gossip Girl, Friends and Smallville.

Filipino film and TV shows will be available through partnerships with
ABS-CBN, Viva Communications and Regal Entertainment.



"Across the emerging economies, people have amazing stories and love stories. However, a few billion people have no quality way of seeing the best stories from Hollywood or their local market. HOOQ will change that. HOOQ will change the way people in emerging markets consume and enjoy entertainment," said HOOQ Chief Executive Officer Peter G. Bithos, who was previously Globe's chief operating advisor.

"The Philippines is a natural first market for us. Filipinos’ dual love of local and Hollywood content combined with their digital savviness makes the Philippines a perfect place for us to start," he added.

HOOQ's first partnership is with Globe Telecom.

"Our partnership with Globe Telecom, the leader in digital partnerships in the Philippines, helps us bring Philippine customers a premium video service and new form of entertainment that combines the best of Hollywood, Asian and Philippine video content across all devices," Bithos said.

A Nielsen report in 2014 showed more Filipinos were viewing online video content, with 85% watching at least weekly, the second highest in the region.

"To meet their needs, we see the video-on-demand services offered by HOOQ as a critical offering representing the future of the industry. Now that consumers have access to a variety of international and local content, entertainment will now be more personal, and with Globe, this means experiencing it with the highest quality," Ernest Cu, President and CEO of Globe Telecom, said.

Globe Telecom will provide its customers with the ability to download HOOQ, which will soon be available to customers on a plan-based service for P199 per month. It will also be offered as a bundled service with the telco’s GoSURF and Tattoo broadband services.

After the Philippine launch, HOOQ will be rolled out across Asia soon.

The service will also be accessible to all customers in the Philippines through its website – http://HOOQ.tv. Through HOOQ.tv, customers can watch videos of their choice and pay for the subscription by credit card.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Google super-fast US Internet service spreads

SAN FRANCISCO - Google's super-fast Internet service -- up to 100 times quicker than basic broadband -- is heading for four more US metropolitan areas as the technology titan ramps up pressure on cable service giants.

A Google Fiber program launched nearly five years ago will expand to 18 cities in the Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville and Raleigh-Durham areas.

"We can't wait to see what people and businesses across the southeast US do with gigabit speeds," Google Fiber vice president Dennis Kish said in a blog post announcing the expansion Tuesday.

Google Fiber is live in Kansas City, Provo and Austin.

Google is meanwhile working on a new generation of applications designed to capitalize on Internet speeds available using Fiber, but did not disclose details.

"Today, we aren't the only ones talking about gigabit broadband," Kish said.

"From the White House to main street, a chorus of new voices is standing up for speed."

Some US telecommunications firms stepped up with higher-speed Internet plans of their own after Google started weaving Fiber into cities.

Expansion of the Fiber program comes amid media reports that Google is getting ready to sell wireless telephone services directly to US consumers after reaching deals with carriers T-Mobile and Sprint.

The move would have a big impact on the US wireless industry, potentially resulting in price cuts and improved speeds.

Google is already in a powerful position in the wireless world, with its Android operating system running on more than 80 percent of the world's mobile phones.

US cellphone service is currently dominated by Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Sun Cellular expands broadband coverage

MANILA, Philippines - Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc. said it has more than doubled Sun Cellular's mobile broadband coverage.

Charles Lim, Sun Cellular executive vice president and head of wireless consumer business group, said Sun Broadband provides fast and reliable Internet connection to more Pinoys.

"With our expanded broadband coverage across the country, more Filipinos can count on Sun Broadband to deliver reliable services wherever they are in the Philippines," Lim said.

Sun Broadband's coverage was expanded to Ilocos Norte in the North and Tawi-tawi in the South. Now, Sun Broadband covers majority of the provinces in the Philippines, as it benefitted from increased infrastructure coordination with sister company Smart Communications Inc.

Most of the expanded coverage areas are in Mindanao. New provinces added to Sun Broadband's service areas include Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sarangani and North Cotabato.

Sun Broadband has expanded to areas such as Guimaras, Samar Islands, Masbate, and Siquijor in the Visayas, as well as Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Mindoro Islands, Romblon, and Sorsogon in Southern Luzon.

In Luzon, Sun Broadband's expanded coverage now includes Abra, Apayao, Aurora, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Mountain Province and Nueva Vizcaya, among others.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Globe offers Tattoo tablet for only P7,800

 MANILA, Philippines - Globe Telecom is offering its own tablet for only P7,800 when you subscribe to a Tattoo personalized plan for P999 a month.

"The Tattoo Mediapad is one of the hottest tablets right now. It boasts of an outstanding display and is a perfect handy gadget for games and entertainment," Dong Ronquillo, head of Tattoo Nomadic Broadband, said.

The Tatoo Mediapad can be paid in 3 monthly installments at 0% interest. It was originally offered at P10,990 bundled with a P999 plan. 

Running on Android 4.0 ICS with 1.2 GHZ Dual Core Processor, the 7-inch Tattoo Mediapad has a 1.3 megapixels front camera and a 5 megapixels rear camera, with 8 GB internal storage that has built-in support for micro SD expansion. It also has the highest PPI among 7-inch tablets in the market today.

"The Tattoo Mediapad also has a hotspot feature that allows users to share their wireless Internet connection with up to five other WiFi devices," Ronquillo said.

Tattoo is the first broadband service provider in the country to offer its own tablet.

source: abs-cbnnews.com