Celcom and Nokia Solutions to roll out 4G LTE networks in Klang Valley

If you are speed hungry, Klang Valley is the place to be. Several telcos have already unveiled their plans to roll out 4G LTE services and solutions in this area, starting this year.

More recently, Celcom signed a 3-year contract with mobile broadband systems firm Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN) to roll out LTE services in Klang Valley, which includes Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas.

For the record, Celcom started trial runs of its 4G LTE networks in April this year by making available USB dongles to its customers for RM199 with three months free access.


Collaboration between Celcom and NSN

Under the 3-year contract, NSN will be transforming Celcom’s entire Klang Valley network to a Single RAN (Single Radio Access Network) system based on its compact, high-capacity Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station for GSM, 3G and LTE.

The base station enables an easy and cost-effective site upgrade to LTE using NSN’s NetAct network management system, which provides consolidated management for Celcom’s network. The deal also includes intelligent Self Organizing Network (iSON) functionality to improve LTE network quality with self-healing, self-optimization and self-configuration across the radio network.

NSN will provide Celcom with refarming services for the 1800 MHz GSM band, desktop planning, pre-optimization services, and operational services for process alignment, support and engineering.

To date, NSN has 92 commercial references for the delivery of LTE with leading customers in advanced mobile broadband markets such as Northern Europe, Japan, South Korea and the United States.


TheGreenMechanics' Two cents: 

4G or what not, we are still struggling to fully utilise the capability of the 3G network. There is little point in deploying the faster network - the 4G LTE - when the infrastructure for even the slower 3G network is not in place.

Improve on the service quality  - less dropped calls, less 3G services outages, better coverage, etc - and we, the consumers will appreciate it, rather than blowing the trumpets on who has the fastest broadband speed!


More details of the deal here.

World’s largest 4G ultra-broadband mobile network launched by China Mobile

World largest mobile communication operator, China Mobile Ltd had awarded 4G contracts worth around 20 billion yuan ($3.2 billion), with Chinese firms securing more than half of it - particularly China’s biggest telecoms equipment makers, Huawei and ZTE - and foreign firms winning about a third.


China Mobile has more than 750 million subscribers, or 60% of the total mobile subscription in China.


Major foreign players include Ericsson, Nokia, and Alcatel-Lucent with the use of the latter's innovative lightRadio 4G TD-LTE overlay for the nationwide roll-out of the world's largest high-speed mobile broadband network.

Alcatel-Lucent has been awarded 11% of China Mobile's deployment of Phase I of its 4G network. This involves deployment of more than 207,000 mobile base stations in China by the end of 2013.

China Mobile has been actively carrying out large-scale TD-LTE live network trials in China for more than 3 years and is now scaling the deployments. Alcatel-Lucent has been closely involved with China Mobile in developing TD-LTE from the inception of the technology.


China Mobile preparing for iPhone 5S and 5C rollout?

China Mobile will launch 4G services early next year. Apple’s latest iPhones are compatible with the TD-LTE spectrum used by China Mobile, which has led to expectations of a future sales deal to sell the devices.

TheGreenMechanics: It'd be great to see the full scale roll-out of the speedier 4G LTE network in Malaysia. Also, I'd love to see collaboration between the main telcos - Celcom, Maxis, DiGi - to provide consumers with better quality mobile broadband.


Source: Financial Times

4G service now available on Mount Everest

No jungle's to deep and no mountain's too high.

That's what two of the global telecommunication giants from China  -  Huawei and China Mobile - did last month. They successfully deployed 4G coverage on Mount Everest, some 5,200 metres above sea level and demonstrated this by streaming live HD video from a Mount Everest base camp to the event venue.

This is pretty impressive, considering the engineering challenges the IT companies faced at 5,200 metres high (17,000 feet). Our own Mount Kinabalu is 4,095 metres (13,435 ft) in height.

Mount Everest is 8,848-metre high and the 4G facility is constructed at 5,200-metre high. Photo by Luca Galuzzi

This is not the first attempt at bringing high-speed broadband to the world's tallest mountain as in 2007, the two companies worked together to provide GSM services ahead of the 2008 Olympics Games torch relay. But it's a first for super-fast connectivity, the 4G LTE.


Concerns on spying?

Huawei has delivered 4G solutions to other parts of the region including EPC (Evolved Packet Core), integrated equipment rooms, BTS (Base Transceiver Station), microwave transmission and 4G devices.

However, Computerworld reported that  the company is still struggling to win approval in the UK and the US, due to its close ties with the Chinese government. Huawei's founder, Ren Zhengfei, is a former Red Army officer, but the company denies receiving any financial support from the government.

Huawei has been banned from doing business in the US and blacklisted from Australia's critical national infrastructure.


TheGreenMechanics:
Our telcos are still far behind in terms of deploying 4G LTE connectivity in this country. Instead of collaborating, they make life difficult for themselves by refusing to share the burden of putting up the network infrastructure.

Well, they shares some communication towers, but that is all.


Source: Computerworld Malaysia

Nokia Lumia 625 is an affordable 4.7", 4G LTE smartphone

Nokia has unveiled its latest addition to its smartphone line-up - the Lumia 625.

Its screen size of 4.7" and dual core 1.2GHz processor reminded me of my newly acquired Samsung Galaxy Win (Grand Quattro), I purchased for RM999 (£204). It is the largest Lumia to date.

Nokia Lumia 625, 4.7" Screen, LTE connectivity

Lumia 625 is targetted for the lower end of the market and looking at the specifications, you will quickly realise that you cannot expect too much from this device. For a low-priced 4G LTE eqipped smartphone, you can expect better specs on Samsung's Galaxy Express which is priced at RM999 currently.

Nokia's Lumia 625 is expected to be retailed at £204 (approx. RM999).

You can choose 5 colours for the back plate

Specifications of the Nokia Lumia 625

BODY        Dimension: 133.25 x 72.25 x 9.15mm
                 Weight: 159g

DISPLAY   Type: LCD touchscreen, Gorilla Glass 2
                 Size: 4.7", WVGA 480 x 800 pixels (201 ppi

MEMORY   Internal storage 8GB, 512MB of RAM
                 Card slot: micro SD

COMMUNICATION
                 HSPA+ and 4G LTE connectivity
                 With Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 + LE
                 GPS + GLONASS for positioning

CAMERA   Primary 5MP
                 Secondary (front-facing - VGA)
                 1080p video

OPERATING SYSTEM
                 Operating System: Windows Phone 8
                 CPU: 1.2GHz, dual-core Snapdragon S4 chip

BATTERY - 2000mAh

Release date: September 2013
Nokia's Lumia 625 will be available starting the third quarter of this year in China, Europe, Asia Pacific, India, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. There is no launch date yet for North America.


TheGreenMechanics:
Both Lumia 625 and Samsung Galaxy Express are equipped with 4G LTE connectivity and use 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 chip. However, Galaxy Express has a better display ( super AMOLED), bigger RAM (1 GB), lighter, and better front-facing camera (1.3 MP).

You have to see and feel the slab to tell if the Lumia 625 is comparable. I've seen and fiddled with the Galaxy Express and I think specs-wise it beats the Lumia 625 all the way. Let's see.

YES world's first Samsung 4G Chromebook launched in Malaysia

This laptop for Malaysian consumers is special. Samsung's Exynos 5-based Chromebook which was made available since last October, now comes equipped with WiMAX radio with 4G chipset pre-installed in it.

Yes launches world's first Samsung 4G Chromebook in Malaysia

Yes on Wednesday, launched the world's first Samsung 4G Chromebook. Developed by Google and Samsung, the 4G Chromebook enables everyone to live, learn, work and play in a simpler, smarter and lighter way.

"The Samsung 4G Chromebook will be the first device for many people. It is affordable, secure and always connected to the Internet. No one will be left out of the Internet age," said YTL Communications Chief Executive Officer Wing K. Lee.

"I am particularly excited at the pace at which 4G connectivity is being rolled out throughout the country. What's happening in Malaysia can be a role model for many other countries around the world."
- Sundar Pichai, Senior Vice President for Android, Chrome and Google Apps

The Samsung 4G Chromebook comes with a built-in 4G chipset that enables seamless and always-on Internet. It is designed from the ground up to work with Yes IDs, providing high-speed mobile Internet connectivity of up to 20Mbps on the Yes 4G network.

The Samsung 4G Chromebook boots in seconds and comes with popular Google apps like YouTube, Gmail and Drive so users can work and play right out of the box. The Samsung 4G Chromebook also comes with 100GB of Google Drive storage that is free for two years. Unlike other computers, it keeps getting faster over time with seamless updates and built-in virus protection.

Perfect for those on-the-go, the Samsung 4G Chromebook is one the lightest laptops on the market weighing in at just 1.1 Kg and a 17.5 mm thin profile with a 7-hour battery life.


Data plan and pricing

The Samsung 4G Chromebook retails at RM988 with a 24-month RM88 postpaid plan which comes with a monthly data quota of 3.5GB. The device alone retails at RM1299. It is now available at Yes Stores nationwide and its online store shop.yes.my. The device is also available to 1BestariNet Yes ID holders through the FrogStore at frogstore.my and at Bestari roadshows nationwide for RM988 with 24-month RM69 plan which comes with a monthly data quota of 3.5GB.


Source: Mylaunchpad

Celcom's 4G LTE services offer wider coverage

Towards the end of last year, Maxis announced that it will develop long-term evolution (LTE) or 4G sites in Sabah and Sarawak in 2013, beginning with key towns. A normal progression to its existing 4G LTE services in selected areas in West Malaysia.

Welcome on board, Celcom.

This week Celcom rolled out its 4G LTE network and started trial runs with customers. For now the network is only available via USB dongle for RM199 with three months free access, which can be purchased at Blue Cube stores in Sunway Pyramid, KL Pavilion and Menara Celcom.

Speed comparison between 3G and 4G LTE

Celcom is targeting to cover between two million and three million people this year. Currently the company's 4G LTE can be found at selected hotspots nationwide within the Klang Valley, Penang, Malacca, Kota Baru, Johor Baru, Ipoh, Alor Star, Langkawi, Kuantan, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu and Kuching.

Maxis current 4G LTE coverage is pretty limited to Klang Valley area and its surrounding. Celcom came in later but offer wider coverage - areas in Selangor, Federal Territories, Johor, Malacca, Penang and Perak.

TheGreenMechanics: The coverage is enough incentive to migrate to Celcom eventually. But for now, I'm happy with Maxis 3G.


Read more about Celcom's 4G LTE investment story at The Star

Maxis first to activate 4G LTE for Apple devices - iPad 4, iPad mini, iPhone 5

In another first for Maxis, owners of Apple devices (at least the latest ones) will get to experience super-fast mobile connectivity now.

In short,

• Customers using the iPhone 5, iPad mini and iPad 4 (iPad with retina display), can now enjoy 4G LTE speeds in selected areas
• By the third quarter of 2013 more areas in Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Baru will be covered

Are you currently using one of these?

I suppose this is one of the key areas the telecommunications service provider is campaigning on, which is good.

In February 2013, Maxis launched two 4G LTE smartphones - the Nokia Lumia 920 and HTC One XL, -  the first two smartphones to be activated on Maxis' 4G LTE network


Maxis activates 4G LTE for Apple devices

MAXIS Berhad has announced that customers using the iPhone 5, iPad mini and iPad 4 can now enjoy the speed of its 4G LTE (Fourth Generation Long-Term Evolution) network.

In 2009, Maxis was the first to introduce the iPhone to Malaysia, said its joint chief operating officer (COO) Suren J. Amarasekera. It is now announcing that customers using the Apple iPhone 5, fourth generation iPad with Retina display and iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular model can use its 4G LTE network.

With 4G LTE, customers using iPhone 5, iPad mini and iPad 4 can experience download speeds five to 10 times faster than 3G, enabling them to upload pictures and video 10 times faster, Maxis claimed. Following the 4G LTE activation for these Apple devices, customers on Maxis iValue plans as well as data plans of 1G and above will receive an SMS requesting them to update the settings on their devices.

Once they do so, they will automatically be able to experience 4G LTE speeds in Maxis 4G LTE coverage areas. In areas where 4G LTE services are not available, the device will automatically and seamlessly fall back onto Maxis’ 3G network.


Areas covered by Maxis 4G LTE service:

• Bangsar, Mont Kiara, Desa Park, Damansara Heights
• Cyberjaya
• Damansara Utama
• Kota Damansara, Sunway Damansara
• Puchong (Wawasan Puchong, Bandar Kinrara 1, Bandar Kinrara 3, Bandar Kinrara 4, Bandar Puteri)
• Seapark, Dataran Prima, Tropicana
• Petaling Jaya Section 13, 14, 17, 19, SS2
• Sunway, Kampung Tunku, SS2, SS3
• Taman Desa, Pantai Dalam, Old Klang Road
• Taman Gembira, Desa Petaling
• Taman Kinrara 2, Taman Kinrara 3, Taman Kinrara 4
• Taman Megah (SS23, SS24, SS26), Kelana Jaya
• Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), Bandar Utama, Mutiara Damansara
• USJ3, USJ4, USJ5, USJ9, USJ11, USJ12, USJ13.

TheGreenMechanics: Let's hope the cost of data subscription will become cheaper, as increase of speed means more traffic in data exchange which translates to more revenue for the competing telco companies.

For more details, refer to www.maxis.com.my/4GLTE.

Maxis unveils its first 4G LTE smartphones

The big names in broadband-enabled smartphones such as iPhone 5, Galaxy S3, Note II, etc, all come equipped with 4G LTE.

But none of these are compatible or supported by the local cellular networks. So, in yet another first for Maxis, the leading communications service provider came up with its first 4G phones.

Look tempting!

On Friday, Feb 8, Maxis launched two 4G long-term evolution (LTE) smartphones - the Nokia Lumia 920 and HTC One XL. These will be the first two smartphones to be activated on Maxis' 4G LTE network.

"Available at Maxis centres in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and Taman Tun Dr Ismail, customers can purchase the Nokia Lumia 920 from only RM1,099 with surfmore 75 plan or talkmore78 with 3GB mobile Internet and HTC One XL from RM1,199 with surfmore 75 or talkmore78 plan with 3GB mobile Internet.

"We look forward to launching more smartphones and tablets this year on Maxis' 4G LTE network, so customers can enjoy the most superior on-the-go experience," said Maxis Joint Chief Operating Officer Suren J Amarasekera.


What? My favourite smartphones are not in the list?

Disappointed that your iPhone or Galaxy S3 are not activated on Maxis' 4G network?

Maxis said, "Through our strong partnership with leading device manufacturers and content players, Maxis is indeed well-placed to provide customers with a richer, on-the-go Internet experience."

So, yes, maybe in the near future your gadget will also be listed. But then Maxis is not the only player  that can offer 4G LTE connectivity. DiGi, P1, Unifi and Celcom are almost sure to come up with their own list of devices and plans soon.

It's just that Maxis was the first to take the plunge testing the water.

Reference: Maxis press release

Maxis to develop 4G sites in Sabah, Sarawak in 2013

Maxis subscribers on this part of the nation would get to enjoy 4G services as early as on the first-half of 2013. Earlier this month, this website posted an article about an announcement by The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) pertaining to the issuance of the revised SRSP for 4G services in 2600 MHz spectrum.

In less than one week, Maxis announced its plan to develop LTE (Long-Term Evolution) in Sabah and Sarawak next year. LTE is better marketed as 4G technology.

The announcement by MCMC has been long-awaited, so, the Radio System Plan (SKMM SRSP-523) issuance will pave the way for potential service providers to launch 4G mobile services.

According to malaysianwireless.com, 9 service providers have been named for the LTE spectrum pending a green light for commercial roll-out from the MCMC. They are:

1. Puncak Semangat Sdn Bhd             (30MHz)
2. Celcom Axiata Bhd                          (20Mhz)
3. Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd               (20Mhz)
4. DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd   (20Mhz)
5. U Mobile                                         (20Mhz)
6. Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd  (20Mhz)
7. REDTone Marketing Sdn Bhd           (20Mhz)
8. YTL Communications Sdn Bhd         (20Mhz)
9. Asiaspace Sdn Bhd                        (10Mhz).

20Mhz seem to be a small band for heavy data transfer but I believe Maxis will sort things out by venturing into smart-partnership with one or two other service providers.

Anxiously anticipating.


Maxis to provide 4G services in Sabah, Sarawak next year
via Daily Express, Nov 6, 2012

KOTA KINABALU: Maxis Bhd will be developing long-term evolution (LTE) or 4G sites in Sabah and Sarawak next year, beginning with key towns.

Joint chief operating officer Mark Dioguardi said Maxis was currently awaiting the appropriate licences to be formalised and could not ascertain when the High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) service would be made available next year.

“But definitely not towards the end of next year. That's for sure,” he said at a media luncheon here yesterday.

“We have been conducting extensive LTE-DC (dual carrier) HSPA interworking tests and optimisation in a live network environment using commercial devices to ensure that customers can enjoy seamless broadband experience wherever they are located,” he said.

Dioguardi noted that there were 664 2G sites and 280 3G sites in Sabah with a population coverage of 81% and 44%, respectively. In Sarawak, he said there were 624 2G sites (76% population coverage) and 346 3G sites (54% population coverage).

According to him, Maxis has committed a further RM122mil over the next six months to enhance its network coverage in Sabah and Sarawak.

This includes a deployment of 355 nano and femto sites, which is a technology that provides improved in-house and in-office coverage, 352 enhanced 3G sites and 100 wireless villages or Kampung Tanpa Wayar WiFi sites in both states.

Earlier, Maxis organised a special event in conjunction with Christmas celebration with 50 residents of the Jireh Home for neglected and underprivileged children, the Tolumis Care Centre for the disabled and the Montfort Boys Home. - Bernama

MCMC issues revised SRSP for 4G services in 2600 MHz spectrum

When I posted about Super Wi-Fi poised for growth a few months back, I was talking about the long range and use of the broadcast spectrum that would allow wireless signals to travel farther than Wi-Fi. Couple that with 4G technology and you get almost unlimited possibility of things at your disposal; live streaming at premium video quality for instance.

What MCMC did was timely and it should put Malaysia "on par with other developed countries in the delivery of 4G services."


MCMC issues revised SRSP for 4G services
Nov 30, 2012

Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has released a revised Standard Radio System Plan (SKMM SRSP-523) to pave the way for potential service providers to launch 4th Generation (4G) mobile services.

The 23-page document details the requirements for a globally harmonised spectrum band plan to implement the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems (or 4G) operating in the 2600 MHz spectrum band to ensure efficient use of this scarce spectrum resource and to minimise interference among spectrum users within the country as well as with its neighbours.

Malaysians will get to enjoy 4G technology which could offer mobile broadband speeds of more than 100 Mbps and a plethora of new services such as high definition video upload and streaming, improved user experience on real-time applications and better connectivity for mobile and consumer electronic devices.

This band has been harmonised globally to facilitate international roaming by allowing the consumer to make use of the same device when travelling across different countries.

In a statement Thursday, MCMC Chairman, Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi said: "This is a paradigm shift in the mobile broadband era; whereas before, with 3G, users can expect typical mobile broadband speeds of between three and 10 Mbps, with 4G, speeds in excess of 100 Mbps will be possible.

"With the introduction of the 2600 MHz spectrum band for 4G mobile broadband as defined in the Standard Radio System Plan, it is envisaged that Malaysia will be on par with other developed countries in the delivery of 4G services."

The SKMM SRSP-523 document is available for download from the MCMC website. - Bernama