Welcome to your personal issue of This Week, Australia's only easy to read FREE weekly summary of the the top news stories on wireless communications in Australia and New Zealand. Don't forget if you can't wait for the latest information you can always visit our web site where This Week is updated daily. You can also visit our archive where you can see stories posted since mid-2003. Our search engine is an easy way to locate a specific topic. For those that want to know more, click through hyperlinks are embedded in each story enabling you to view the source information. Note some of these links may require you to subscribe to the publication that provides the source material.

Australia

NSW Health goes VoIP

28 March, 2007

NSC Enterprise Solutions has been awarded the job by NSW Health to install internet telephones throughout a network of urban and regional offices of the computer services unit HealthTechnolog.

Mobile phone preference a personality trait

28 March, 2007

Nielsen Media Research reckons they can tell a lot about a person by their choice of mobile phone and are able to assist the operators in winning more market share than previously understood.

Mobile data plans for the masses

28 March, 2007

Compared to Telstra pricey $179 monthly for a 2GB mobile data plan, Hutchison is really taking the 3G market fight to the incumbent by introducing a new 3 service, called X-Series, which has three levels of flat-rate pricing starting at $20 monthly for 500MB of data, followed by a $30 monthly 1GB plan and finishing with a 2GB plan for $40 monthly.

Kidnap victim put in more danger for $500

27 March, 2007

After reporting the successful use of wireless networks to track an alleged kidnapper, it has since been learnt that police authorities first balked at paying Telstra the $500 fee to put a trace on the victim's phone.

New Zealand

Vodafone seeks new image maker

29 March, 2007

Vodafone has recently dumped long-term advertising agency, Lowe, in a move that reflects a desired shift in the telco's marketing strategy from promoting the overall brand to promoting specific products and deals.

Telecom finds its Ojo!!

29 March, 2007

Despite chewing up significant data capacity, Telecom's new videoconferencing service on mobile phones is surprisingly good.

New entrant waits at mobile gate

27 March, 2007

NZ Communications, previously Econet Wireless New Zealand, has reportedly signed a major contract with Chinese telecommunications supplier Huawei to build New Zealand's third national wireless network and now intends to spend the next 18 months co-locating services as it builds new infrastructure.

Yellow Pages proceeds may go to mobile upgrade

26 March, 2007

There is industry speculation that Telecom could use some of the expected $2.24 billion from the sale of its Yellow Pages Group to upgrade its CDMA mobile phone network in New Zealand to allow its customers to easily roam on Australia's 3G network.

What's new on our site?

EDX Signal Radio Design Suite: New Release v6.2/9.2

EDX Wireless, together with regional partner TeleResources, today announced the release of the EDX Signal suite of radio design tools, version 6.2/9.2. This release represents a significant advance in quality and features, with numerous fixes, additions and improvements to the EDX family of products- allowing us to continue providing the highest-quality radio planning software available.

In particular, a host of new features strengthen EDX SignalPro's position as the premier WiMax and Wi-Fi Mesh Network Design Tool. These include:

• Added WiMAX Studies
• Superior WiMAX Capacity Analysis
• More MIMO Features
• Advanced Technology Support

And please visit the EDX Section of our website for more information, including downloadable Version Release Notes and the v6.2 New Features Brochure.

Postcard from 3GSM 2007 World Congress, Barcelona

This February we were attending the world's largest GSM conference in Barcelona, Spain. A must see event for industry practitioners. For a link to our report on the show and its associated conference please CLICK HERE.

Upcoming Events

WiMAX Strategies Asia

24-25 April 2007
Bangkok, Thailand

The premier WiMAX Strategies Asia Conference is devoted to exploring the major business, service and technology provider opportunities ahead with the rapid evolution of the global WiMAX ecosystem.

A comprehensive range of Conference keynotes and in-depth special interest sessions will explore innovative business models, technology strategies, network infrastructure, systems and wireless devices, as well as the latest developments towards a new generation of WiMAX-enabled services and applications.

Researched specifically to meet the needs of fixed, broadband, mobile and green-field operators, as well as key end-users from business and government, the program will examine specific business cases, evaluate technology benefits and identify key deployment considerations and timelines.

For more details and to register for the event, please visit www.wimaxstrategy.com

Mobile Vietnam

9-10 May 2007
Hanoi, Vietnam

From the producers of The GSM > 3G World Series, Mobile Vietnam 2007, in it’s 4th year running, is positioned as the leading telecommunications event for the Vietnamese market and offers an excellent platform for local and international participants to meet and network in the exchange of dialogue on expertise and experiences pertaining to the latest business trends and technological developments applicable to the region.

The mobile market in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam continues to grow strongly, evidence that the government’s limited competition model which was put in is in fact working. The government has also started to open the market up to new players whilst promoting the continued growth of mobile networks and encouraging the extension of coverage to rural provinces.

Endorsed by Ministry of Posts & Telematics and co-hosted with VNPT, Mobile Vietnam 2007 is the definitive meeting place for high-level networking with key decision makers from the Vietnamese mobile market.

For more details and to register for the event, please visit www.informatm.com/mobile-vietnam

WiMax Asia 2007

15-17 May 2007
Singapore

WiMAX Asia 06 was a SELL OUT event attracting over 200 high level attendees from leading operators and industry players from across the region. It was clear to see from the buzz at this event that WiMAX is a need to know topic for the Asia Pacific region and the industry is poised to see what the future holds!

WiMAX Asia 07, organised by Informa Telecoms & Media, is officially endorsed by WiMAX Forum. The conference is with an expanded 3-day programme agenda, 3 interactive workshops and 2-day exhibition. It will once again be the annual gathering for all WiMAX industry players across the eco-system from telecom operators – fixed, mobile, cable, ISPs, WiMAX vendors and suppliers, venture capitalists, system integrators, handsets, device manufacturers and many others to network, share, hear and learn on how to shape the future growth in the broadband world with fixed WiMAX, mobile WiMAX and WiBRO.

For more details and to register for the event, please visit www.wimax-vision.com

Fleet Mobile Integrated Comms

28-30 May 2007
Sydney, Australia

In it's 16th year, Fleet Mobile Integrated Comms covers the integration of different mobile communications technologies used for public safety, security and critical infrastructure.

2 Day Programme & 2 Workshops - Featuring 12 Case Studies, Keynotes and Panel Sessions

Fleet Mobile Integrated Comms features 12 tailored case studies plus other presentations focusing on mobile communication strategies from the perspectives of the industry’s leading experts, including:

• Incident Management & Preparedness
• Technologies: Mobile Mesh; Digital Radio; GIS; Underground Comms; Mobile Data
• Integrated & Converged Comms Strategies
• Operational Effectiveness, CIP, Public Safety & Security
• Digital Network Implementation
• Spectrum Review, Management & Planning

China Mobility International Summit 2007

11-12 July 2007
Beijing, China

The China Mobility International Summit is a direct descendant of the China 3G Mobile International Summit, the largest international mobile and wireless business gathering in China. Co-organised with the China Institute of Communications, this annual Summit has top level government and industry support, being endorsed by the Ministry of Information Industry and supported by all of China’s mobile and fixed operators.

The Summit agenda and speakers reflect in-depth research and face-to-face discussions with China’s operators and industry experts, assuring strongly focused coverage on wireless broadband technologies, systems and services of greatest interest for industry development in China.

For more details and to register for the event, please visit www.china-mobility.com