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

Wireless technology can reduce election pledge costs

23 November, 2007

Sydney-based BigAir believes that Labor's plan to spend $100 million connecting more than 2500 Australian schools with high-speed internet access could be done more cheaply using wireless technology.

Coonan pushes mobile WiMax door ajar

22 November, 2007

While OPEL is expected to roll out a fixed WiMax 802.16d network at 5.8GHz, Communications Minister Helen Coonan has said the consortium should nevertheless be open to move to the mobile variant of WiMax in the future.

Barcodes broaden mobile commerce

22 November, 2007

In collaboration with Melbourne-based QMCodes, Telstra is trialling software technology that enables its Next G customers to download tickets, vouchers and other information as well as go directly to websites or view streaming video by scanning special barcodes on mobile handsets.

Political differences

20 November, 2007

Australian Labor Party communications spokesperson Stephen Conroy has stated that he will seek a fresh start with all telcos in an announcement that was directed at the acrimonious relationship between Telstra and Senator Coonan.

Christmas (Island) gift

20 November, 2007

From an investigation into the controversial use of the Regional Partnerships Program by the Howard government, the Auditor General has discovered that Telstra received a $2.5 million government handout six months ahead of the 2004 federal election under the Strategic Opportunities Notional Allocation (SONA) program and used it to to replace Christmas Island's mobile phone service without any costing or approval process whatsoever.

Coonan raises CDMA concerns

19 November, 2007

During a recent interview federal Communications Minister Helen Coonan still foresees a delay to complete migration to the NextG network despite Telstra's pledges that it already provides equal or better coverage than CDMA.

Blackberry garnering mass appeal

18 November, 2007

Once the tool of management-level employees, the Blackberry smartphone is reaching a much broader wireless customer and is experiencing phenomenal growth Down Under with sales expected to double next year on both sides of the Tasman.

New Zealand

Vodafone NZ fails to leverage global experience

22 November, 2007

According to one local analyst Vodafone NZ has compromised the effectiveness of its Vodafone At Home service by not replicating the Zuhause 'Talk & Web' features it launched in Germany in 2005.

CallPlus founders to meet in court

21 November, 2007

CallPlus founders Annette Presley and Malcolm Dick will contest a trial in the High Court in Auckland over over claims that he breached a fiduciary duty by using CallPlus resources and employees to establish a VoIP business in competition.

Rev A upgrade completed

21 November, 2007

Telecom has finished its "Rev A" upgrade to its CDMA EV-DO 3G mobile network, which allows peak download speeds of up to 1.8 megabits per second.

New smartphone prices to please

21 November, 2007

With a move to the mainstream consumer market now underway, prices for the range of smartphones currently available are reducing in time for xmas.

Crystal balling

20 November, 2007

Some inside analysis of the the planned entry by New Zealand Communications into the mobile market next year alongside Telecom and Vodafone.

Too close for comfort

20 November, 2007

A new text phenomenon called "Buddy" relies on powerful software to scan Internet search engines such as Google and Yahoo, phone directories and social networks like Bebo and Facebook to provide personal information about subscribers to the service or others that is so close to the truth it is 'frightening'.

Kiwis finally win a world title

18 November, 2007

17 year-old Elliot Nicholls has done what the All Blacks and Silver Ferns failed to do - and that is win a world title with the Guinness Book of World Records for being the fastest person to write a 160 character text massage blindfolded on a mobile phone.

What's new on our site?

TeleResources is pleased to announce our latest partnership with Slice Wireless

The relationship between the founders of TeleResources and Slice Wireless dates back over twenty years. Maurie Dobbin and Brad Keeling (respectively) are two of the wireless industry's visionary's.

Slice is an international carrier independent, publisher of Mobile TV, multi-media services, branded content, and user generated content; creating new revenues and mobile marketing for content owners, advertisers and brands.

CLICK HERE for more information

The Slice Group delivers the ABC election news direct to you mobile phone

ABC Innovation's new application for mobile phones will provide even more coverage everywhere that counts, delivering the latest election news to mobiles leading up to and during the 2007 Australian Federal Election.

Co-founder of Slice, Rick Correll, commented that "The ABC application is a fine example of how the ABC or any other brand or provider can interact and provide valuable and timely information with its audience nationally and regardless of carrier, in this case ABC's election coverage."

The application can be downloaded to most mobile phones.

Text "vote" to 19977770 to receive the application

CLICK HERE for more information

TeleResources has expanded, realizing the trend towards mobile advertising, TR has put together a world class suite of mobile content solutions for our clients needs

“We believe that mobile advertising will be the most powerful medium the world has ever seen. The opportunities for targeting and direct response are
unprecedented” Geraldine Wilson VP Yahoo

The telecommunications industry has evolved, and now the phone is recognised as a legitimate way for brands to reach consumers. TR has for the past 12 months been identifying and partnering with world leading multimedia technology company's to allow Mobile Operators, Content Providers, Music Labels and Media Agency's in Asia-Pacific access to the most compelling and innovative technology's in the world and successfully take advantage of this medium.

CLICK HERE for more information

TeleResources has partnered with global mobile publishing firm Barefoot Software Inc.

TeleResources strategic partnership with Barefoot brings together TeleResources in depth knowledge of the local telecommunications market and Barefoot's world leading publishing applications.

Barefoot Software Inc. (“Barefoot”) is a mobile technology and application development company specialising in device independent, portable applications and content for mobile devices, such as (but not limited to) mobile phones, smartphones and PDAs, for publishers and New Media marketers.

Recent milestones include pre-installing Barefoot products on Nokia phones in China and Taiwan in partnership with leading publishers such as Vogue, GQ and China Financial Times and over 80 other publications. Other partnerships are in now place in key Asia Pacific countries including high growth emerging markets such as India with famous brands that include Disney, Virgin Comics and many others.

CLICK HERE for more information

Upcoming Events

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

OPEX & CAPEX Asia 2007-Strategies for Optimising Telecoms

28-29 November 2007
Bangkok, Thailand

OPEX & CAPEX Asia 2007 organised by Informa Telecoms & Media will address issues related to the outsourcing trend in Asia, it’s value to the operator and how business optimization can be realised through these services.

For more information, visit website : www.iir-events.com or contact Informa Telecoms & Media at Email: register@informa.com, Tel: (65) 6514-3180, Fax: (65) 6733-5087.

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, unrivaled networking and a multitude of opportunities to do business!

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