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

Sol lines 'amigos' pockets

12 October, 2007

Shareholders may be incredulous to learn that Telstra is paying Miami-based Brightstar as much as three times the industry rate to provide handsets to its branded and third-party retailers and has already paid over $6 million for an "implementation plan". The Australian newspaper reports that Brightstar approached Telstra consumer chief David Moffatt in December 2004, only to be rebuffed, and it was not until Mr Trujillo arrived that serious discussions were resumed.

Court denies Telstra access to government documents

11 October, 2007

In a setback to the legal proceedings that Telstra has initiated against the federal government, the Federal court has dismissed its application to access government documents that Telstra believes would give it grounds to sue the government over its decision to award the $938 million Broadband Connect tender to the OPEL consortium.

Backing the backers

9 October, 2007

Unwired's chairman Mike Burgess told shareholders that Seven's bid, worth up to $127 million plus $42 million in convertible note debt is the best way to fund construction of its planned wireless broadband network during an uncertain future.

O'Sullivan up for Optus challenge

8 October, 2007

As head of Australia's second-largest wireless operator, Paul O'Sullivan remains upbeat about the challenges of a competitive market despite the company having had to issue a profit warning and dealing with an aggressive Telstra.

Opinion divided about Telstra the "bully"

6 October, 2007

Notwithstanding the recent propensity for Telstra to make enemies under the helm of Sol Trujilio and his management 'amigos', there are some industry peers that congratulate them for for waging a public and often heated campaign against federal government regulation.

New Zealand

Mobile charges not child's play

11 October, 2007

A mother is left to rue mobile bills that amount to $2296 for text messages sent by her 14-year-old daughter overseas and demand more form network operators to regulate or educate on such abuses of accounts.

Vodafone embarrassed about 111 rebuke

11 October, 2007

Vodafone has apologized to a woman who called the network's 111 emergency number in response to a genuine concern for mistaking it the calls as a user fault and sending the following message; Pls take steps 2 ensure this stops, such as using ur keypad lock at all times. Thank u.

Orcon acquisition lifts Kordia profit

10 October, 2007

The recent acquisition of Orcon Internet has enabled Kordia to to invest in and deliver access technologies including Wi-Fi and WiMax and improve net profit after tax by 21 per cent to $11.9 million.

Mobiles providing medical assistance

10 October, 2007

Doctors are using PXT- capable mobile phones to take CT and X-ray images of patient injuries and send them to specialist consultants to save lives.

Number portability catches unsuspecting user

9 October, 2007

A Vodafone customer is angry the telco didn't notify her that a friend had ported to Telecom and she incurred an unsuspecting bill for $49.71 for calling the same 021 number but now registered on a different network under the number portability plan.

Calling Vodafone's bluff

8 October, 2007

The Commerce Commission has brushed aside threats by Vodafone that it would halt network investment if new entrant NZ Communications was given too much assistance saying the telco's own competitive urges would prevent it from doing so.

Telecom distances itself from Alcatel-Lucent concerns

6 October, 2007

Telecom remains upbeat about its own immediate future despite dire reports about the financial viability of deeply-entrenched technology partner Alcatel-Lucent and rumours that it might pull out of the wireless network business.

What's new on our site?

TeleResources has teamed with Terrapinn and are offering our readers an exlcusive to receive 15% off registration prices to attend Wimax Summit or IPTV Australasia

These two events are fast approaching don't miss your chance to attend and take advantage of this deal.

This offer is being run in conjunction with TeleResources MD speaking at WiMax Summit and will be presenting on "WiMax here and now from myth to market reality"

See the links below for registration details
Password: TELERE15

NetEyes™, Cellint's groundbreaking RF optimisation solution was deployed nationwide by Cellcom Israel

Cellint's NetEyes (www.cellint.com) has announced today that Cellcom Israel Ltd. (www.cellcom.co.il), the largest cellular operator in Israel, has deployed the latest release of NetEyes over its entire GSM network in Israel, following significant contribution of NetEyes in solving persistent dropped calls problems.

Baruch Bar, Cellcom Israel's RF Dept Manager commented: "NetEyes" analyses and findings were highly useful and provided a significant data required to pinpoint and fix problems. With the standard optimiser and drive tests, it might take months to collect such critical and accurate data. NetEyes delivers great value in network management and enhances significantly the quality of service".

CLICK HERE for more information

Upcoming Events

WiMax Summit Australia 2007

22-25 October 2007
Sydney

WiMax Summit Australia 2007 is the first in the region that will bring together international and domestic service providers to evaluate best practice, assess business models and discuss the projected impact of WiMAX on the Australasian broadband market.

CLICK HERE for more information and be sure to quote TELERE15 for your 15% registration discount

IPTV Australasia 2007

22-24 October 2007
Sydney, Australia

IPTV Australasia is the leading destination for the converging ecosystems of broadband and entertainment. Covering IPTV, video on demand and webTV, this event delivers the most comprehensive examination of the convergence of communications and entertainment and its impact on service providers.

For more information and to register please visit: www.terrapinn.com be sure to quote TELERE15 for your 15% registration discount

IIR’s Billing & Revenue Management Asia Pacific

22-26 October 2007
Hong Kong

IIR's forthcoming Billing & Revenue Management (RM) event will provide you with the unique opportunity to hear exclusive Pan-Asian and European telecom operator case studies. Leading operator speakers will be sharing their valuable and hard won experiences on optimising Billing and RM processes for meeting the requirements of next generation services and capturing maximum revenues.

For more information and to register please visit: www.iir-events.com

Australasian Media & Broadcasting Congress 2007

28-30 November 2007
Sydney

The conference will draw on key industry leaders that can share their vision and practical strategies for the development of the media sector.

The focus of the conference will be a strategic examination of the new media structure, business models and paradigms. It will be all about opportunity - to make money and change the media landscape.

For more information and to register please visit: www.terrapinn.com be sure to quote TELERE15 for your 15% registration discount

Mobile Entertainment Markets (MEM) Asia

6-7 December 2007
Singapore

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.

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.
3 days, 6 events, unrivalled networking and a multitude of opportunities to do business!

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