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

Betting opens on iPhone winner in Australia

6 July, 2007

While AT&T won the right to offer iPhone in the US and O2 has the same opportunity in the UK, speculation is already rife about which network operator will get the rights to distribute the much-hyped handset in Australia next year.

CommodiTel almost acquires Sonnet

5 July, 2007

Perth-based telephone service provider Commoditel has received approval from 90.8 per cent of Sonnet shareholders for its friendly takeover bid that will realise AAPT's post-paid subscriber base and at least $10 million annually.

New HTC smartphone has iPhone 'touch' about it

4 July, 2007

Taiwan-based High Tech Computing (HTC) has launched the HTC Touch branded smartphone in Australia and the name refers to a combination of hardware and software that provides a shortcut to tools, contacts and media by swiping a finger across the display.

Vodafone limits HSDPA to metropolitan areas

3 July, 2007

For the foreseeable future regional subscribers on Vodafone's wireless network will be without access to the higher speeds enjoyed by their metro cousins due to the telco's decision to limit the roll out of HSDPA technology to cities, including the greater metropolitan Sydney area, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Adelaide and Perth. New South Wales's Central Coast is scheduled for September this year.

900MHz band wagon

3 July, 2007

Following on from Vodafone NZ's decision to roll out a new mobile network in the 900MHz spectrum band, Vodafone and Optus are also looking at the perceived cost savings from pushing their 3G joint venture in the same direction.

Telstra launches NextG ad campaign with star power

2 July, 2007

At $10 million, stars like Dustin Hoffman, Sir Bob Geldof and John McEnroe don't come cheap but Telstra is hoping their star status will help the telco convince the Australian market about the benefits of NextG, branded as the "world's fastest national mobile network".

Vodafone crazy about John

2 July, 2007

Vodafone is expecting that its recent surge in revenue is set to continue with the announcement that Australia's third largest wireless operator has signed a landmark retail deal with the 105-store Crazy John soon after its acrimonious split with Telstra.

New Zealand

TelstraClear close to Telecom deal

4 July, 2007

In a move designed to maintain its control over 30,000 subscribers and prevent them from migrating to Vodafone, TelstraClear is reportedly close to a deal with Telecom that will see them managed on the 027 network instead of the now defunct 029 arrangement.

Telecom extends 027 coverage

4 July, 2007

Telecom has installed a new mobile site at Pohuehue which will provide mobile services for subscribers travelling between Warkworth and Puhoi, including access to a range of T3G mobile services including Video Messaging, Video Clips, 3 Way Calls and Yahoo!Xtra Info Alerts.

Invercargill under Vodafone coverage

3 July, 2007

Vodafone has announced that subscribers in the South Island area of Invercargill can now access all 3G services.

TelstraClear maintains hold on customers

2 July, 2007

Despite Vodafone claiming it was going to assume responsibility, TelstraClear reports that the company is still acting as the first point of contact for the 30,000 customers it had under an MVNO deal with Vodafone. Spokesman Matthew Bolland also reports that TelstraClear is now looking to secure a similar deal with Telecom.

Telstra decision may extend CDMA roaming for Telecom

2 July, 2007

In light of threats by the communications minister to delay the closure of Telstra's CDMA network should a technology audit prove that its NextG network does not provide equivalent coverage, Telecom is happy to extend its roaming capabilities in Australia past January until such time it builds a UMTS network to replace its own CDMA network late next year.

What's new on our site?

TeleResources' MD Maurie Dobbin speaks to Comms Day at CommunicAsia

At the recent CommunicAsia event held in Singapore, TeleResources Managing Director, Maurie Dobbin, was invited by CommsDay to share his views about the latest changes in the Australian telecoms market, particularly in relation to the wireless aspects of the Broadband Connect project.

Click HERE to view the video

Zandan's Test Builder: 30-Day Free Trial & 50% off yearly subscription

Zandan Test Builder is a Windows application used for mobile device testing (test & troubleshoot a service handset by handset) and test case recording for scheduling on different handsets and locations. Zandan Test Builder also allows for advanced analysis of unit test executions and error troubleshooting. With its huge testing coverage and unique technology simulating hundreds of devices, Zandan Test Builder helps development and QA teams to quickly deliver better Mobile Services optimised for today’s diverse mobile environment.

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Upcoming Events

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

In-Building Solutions Asia Pacific 2007

20th-23rd August 2007
Singapore

IIR's In-Building Solutions Asia Pacific Summit is the only event of its kind to address the specific technical challenges of Indoor Radio Network Planners. Don’t miss this opportunity to develop and consolidate your knowledge and contacts in this field.

The nature of the event will allow you to discuss strategy for the development of systems considering GSM, WCDMA, HSPA, CDMA, 1xEV-DO, WiFi, WiMAX and multiband solutions, while hearing real-life implementation case studies. Singapore, 20-23 August 2007!

To register email: Registration

Next Generation Low Cost Handsets (LCH) Asia 2007

4th-6th September 2007
New Delhi, India

Low Cost Handsets Asia will once again bring together leading operators, handset and contract manufacturers, technology and content providers and application developers to address commercial and technical strategies to Harness Ultra Low Cost, Entry Level, and Low Cost 3G Solutions to Penetrate Emerging Markets.

It will also assess challenges faced by and provide solutions to operators in their need to maintain profitability and ARPU maximization in the highly competitive emerging markets.

For more information and to register please visit: www.informatm.com