A new 3G network has been launched in Vietnam by the military-owned Viettel. At the moment, it covers 63 localities nationwide with about 8,000 base stations. The plan is to have 20,000 towers upgraded to 3G by the end of the year, and eventually reach 86% of the population with the 3G coverage. The end…
Comic of the day: iPhone is getting a big brother… actually twins!
Good folks of The Joy of Tech are out with another iPad comic. In this episode a mom explains her iPhone that he will be getting a big brother. iPhone is obviously jealous, but that’s until dad comes to picture saying it’s actually twins he’ll be getting. At that point, iPhone is super sad, crying…
Yahoo eyes mobile for growth
Yahoo is not going to win the desktop search battle against Google, but the company may have a fighting chance in the mobile space. In an interview with Mobile Marketer, a senior executive outlined the company’s mobile ambitions, as well as the role Microsoft will play in its search plays. Calling 2009 a “breakout year,”…
Videocon Group becomes India’s 13th mobile phone network
India’s Videocon Group has become the 13th mobile network in the country after launching the initial GSM service in Chennai. Over the next 100 days, the company expects to roll out coverage to 100 towns and cities and be classed as a pan-Indian operator. As part of the plan, the company wants to acquire 3G…
Qualcomm opens augmented reality R&D center in Vienna, Austria
Qualcomm has opened an R&D center in Vienna, Austria, which will be responsible for the design and development of augmented reality and related technologies. The new center will work in conjunction with Qualcomm’s existing center in San Diego and take advantage of intellectual property recently acquired from Imagination Computer Services. In that sense, Imagination’s team…
ReCellular launches mobile phone trade-in programs for consumers and retailers
Mobile phone recycler ReCellular is launching what they say are comprehensive trade-in programs for both consumers and phone retailers. Consumers can hop over to SecureTradeIn.com and follow instructions provided. ReCellular promises guaranteed data protection, ease of use and its support. Since its soft launch in early 2010, the service has been used by thousands of…
America Movil looking to acquire carriers in Brazil and Argentina
Latin America’s America Movil seems to be looking at making further acquisitions in Brazil and Argentina. In a filing with the U.S. SEC, the company said: “We may pursue further market consolidation in Brazil and Argentina depending on their terms and conditions.” However, the company added that it “can give no assurance as to the…
Bharti secures money for Zain Africa acquisition
Bharti Airtel has finalized funding for its proposed $10.7 billion acquisition of Zain Africa, excluding Morocco and Sudan – according to Dow Jones Newswires. The Indian company said it has secured $8.3 billion in bank loan to make the deal. Standard Chartered acted as the lead arranger and adviser for $7.5 billion in financing, with…
Prepaid operator PlatinumTel expands to Florida
Again we have a story involving a small mobile operator, which (like other smaller companies) we like supporting. It’s PlatinumTel, the 3G prepaid and pay as you go carrier, which has announced that it is expanding its service to Florida. More precisely, they are bringing their contract-free offering to Miami, Jacksonville and Orlando. Those unfamiliar,…
Telenor won’t participate in India’s 3G auction
Uninor, which is 67% owned by Norway’s Telenor, has apparently ruled itself out of bidding for 3G spectrum in India. In an emailed statement, the operator noted that its current focus is on strengthening the service in existing circles and launching additional circles this year. It added that it saw “other opportunities and routes to…