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

CDMA may stay

27 July, 2007

Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vail has given the clearest indication that Telstra will be forced to keep the regional arm of its CDMA network operating in tandem with the Next G network if it doesn't meet standards set by the technology audit now being conducted on the two wireless networks.

Nokia handset gives NextG more credential

26 July, 2007

The debut of Nokia's 6120 Classic model handset on Telstra's NextG network will give the telco a big-name brand to market, especially to CDMA subscribers who have been unimpressed with offerings from LG and China's ZTE.

Unwired moves on

26 July, 2007

Having missing out to the OPEL consortium for the WiMAX component of the Broadband Connect project and dealing with the recent resignation of chairman and founder Steve Crosser, wireless ISP Unwired must be pleased to have good news to report to the ASX for the June quarter.

Virgin tries mobile broadband for the first time

25 July, 2007

MVNO Virgin Mobile has become the first company to provide voice and internet access in a single price package delivered over a 3G network through its wholesale agreement with Optus. Known for innovation in the marketplace, Virgin will offer a variety of plans to attract customers away from fixed-line broadband at home.

Privacy concerns about Virgin advertising campaign

25 July, 2007

The Cyberspace Law and Policy Centre has lambasted Virgin Mobile for using personal photographs from the Yahoo-owned Flickr website in its 'Are You with Us or What?' advertising campaign without authorisation from the individuals involved.

Surfing at 30,000 ft.

24 July, 2007

Internet access and laptop power sockets in every seat is one of the main new features becoming standard in Qantas' new fleet of Airbus A380 planes.

Wireless server comes with instructions

24 July, 2007

Telstra is packaging a DIY wireless network solution for an office of between four and seven users so that SME's can avoid the expense of hiring technicians to do the job. The telco then charges from $54.95 per month for a 512/128Kbps plan with a 500MB data allowance and up to $310 per month for an unshaped, unrestricted plan.

Spam net catches mobile marketer

24 July, 2007

Communications watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a fine of almost AU$150,000 to a mobile marketing company DC Marketing Europe for using methods banned under the Spam Act.

Pre-paid SIMS under the spotlight

23 July, 2007

With the support of ant-terrorism and law enforcement agencies the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) is preparing a standard method for retailers to capture names, addresses and other data at the point of sale of prepaid SIM cards as well forcing retailers to check customers' ID documents.

Hands off that CDMA switch

23 July, 2007

On the basis of ongoing anecdotal evidence that the new Next G wireless network was still disappointing rural users Communications Minister Helen Coonan has warned that the government may force Telstra to keep its regional CDMA mobile phone network open beyond the planned January shutdown.

Crazy John's backers pave the way for MVNO

23 July, 2007

A Smorgon family and Selpam Group-LED CONSORTIUM has PURCHASED a 16.6 per cent stake in mobile phone business, Crazy John's, which gives the company the financial backing to establish a virtual mobile phone network to provide mobile phone services to Crazy John's customers throughout Australia

New Zealand

NZ Communications regains Maori support

26 July, 2007

New Zealand's potential third wireless network operator has received strategic financial backing from the company's Maori investor, Hautaki Trust, which is a pan-Maori trust holding 3G spectrum given to it by the Government.

New Zealand youth discover their place in mobile world

25 July, 2007

A recent global survey has gathered some interesting facts about the use of mobile phones and other technology from respondents in a number of countries from around the world and compared them with New Zealand teens.

Vodafone talk-time fails to translate into ARPU

24 July, 2007

While Vodafone customers are talking 33 per cent more than they did a year ago, the telco's total monthly average revenue per mobile user (ARPU) only rose 1 per cent for the year to June 2007 partly due to Vodafone reducing mobile termination charges to customers during the last quarter according to company spokesman Paul Brislen.

Aussie MVNO makes move across the Tasman

24 July, 2007

ASX-listed M2 Telecommunications is currently using Optus' 3G network to offer cellphone services to its Australian customers but is expected to make an announcement in the next few days about a similar wholesale deal with Vodafone in New Zealand.

Mobile start-up sweats on roaming agreement

23 July, 2007

NZ Communications remains hamstrung with its plans to become New Zealand's third mobile network operator while it continues to negotiate a roaming agreement with Vodafone.

Telecom WorldMode mobile phone launches despite voicemail glitch

23 July, 2007

Despite not being able to leave or receive voicemail while the mobile phone is active for the next three months, Telecom has announced that the 30,000 customers who have bought the Samsung W531 WorldMode phones can now roam overseas on both GSM and CDMA networks while retaining a single phone number and voicemail box.

Vodafone leads campaign to recycle old mobile handsets

22 July, 2007

Vodaone's efforts to date to recycle well over 100,000 mobile phones is just the tip of the iceberg according to the network operator's corporate responsibility manager, Tom Newitt, who believes that there are more than a million unused mobile phones in New Zealand.

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Upcoming Events

In-Building Solutions Asia Pacific 2007

20-23 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

Mobile Payments Asia 2007

2-4 September 2007
Bangkok, Thailand

Informa’s Mobile Payments Asia 2007 is back and promises to be bigger and even more focused this year with a comprehensive 3 day programme that will look at all the key issues pertaining to market adoption and technology advancement. Mobile Payments Asia 2007 is a uniquely valuable opportunity for participants to put across their vision of how to meet challenges and maximise opportunities faced by players and stakeholders eyeing the rich potential of the Asian mobile payments market! Join professionals from the region who will be gathering to do business and learn from leading experts and practitioners.

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

Next Generation Low Cost Handsets (LCH) Asia 2007

4-6 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

Mobile Entertainment Markets (MEM) Asia

6-7 December 2007
Singapore

Co-Located with IPTV World Forum Asia

The mobile and entertainment industries are increasingly merging, so why not have an event which brings together the leaders of both industries. Creating ONE Market-Place for both the mobile and media spheres.
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The longest standing and most established event in the global mobile content industry. With market-leading speakers representing: mobile music, games, social networking and advertising, it will be an event not to be missed.
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For more information and to register please visit: www.memasia.com