Advanced Wireless Services to accelerate 3G growth in the Americas

6 July 2009

The GSMA Mobile Business Briefing reports:

A new GSMA-backed study has made the case for new Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum as a key driver of mobile broadband growth in the Americas. The study by US-based research firm Global View Partners said the spectrum – as a core 3G band in the Americas – will accelerate the launch of new services in the region and put it on a par with Asia and Europe in terms of 3G reach. “Regulators should move quickly and not delay in making this valuable and viable spectrum available to meet the rapidly growing broadband needs of consumers and businesses across the Americas,” said Ricardo Tavares, senior vice-president at the GSMA. The spectrum – 90MHz in the 1.7-2.1GHz range – has already been auctioned-off to operators in the US (in 2006) and Canada (in 2008), and the study notes that the prices paid for AWS spectrum in these countries “revealed high market demand,” as well as adding significant mobile broadband capacity and coverage. Many Latin America markets are planning to license the spectrum this year.

According to the study, additional licensing of the AWS spectrum across the region should bring total subscribers with AWS-enabled devices from an estimated 12.4 million at the end of 2009 to an estimated 177.8 million at the end of 2013, a growth rate of 94 percent each year. As the subscriber base increases, the research suggests that device sales will also grow from an estimated 10.9 million in 2009 to an estimated 114.5 million in 2013, representing a growth rate of 80 percent each year. The research also highlighted operator plans. For example, T-Mobile USA plans to continue to drive AWS device and subscriber penetration over the next several years. Global View Partners’ market forecast predicts approximately one half of the operator’s subscriber base are expected to be using HSPA-enabled devices capable of operating in the AWS band within two years, with more than 90 percent within five years.

Radio Netherlands Worldwide wins international radio prizes

6 July 2009

Two Radio Netherlands Worldwide programmes have won prizes in the prestigious New York Festivals Radio Broadcasting Awards. The documentary, A prison within a prison, about depression in the Gaza Strip won a gold medal in the keenly contested category, Human Relations. The jury also voted a series of interviews and reports on Zimbabwe as one of the certificated finalists in the category, National/International Affairs.

The Zimbabwe series was produced as part of RNW’s English-language programme, The State We’re In. Both prize winning broadcasts were made by RNW journalist Eric Beauchemin. The Head of RNW’s English department, Andy Clark, believes in the importance of this international recognition: “These awards underline RNW’s strong international reputation, especially in the challenging field of accurately reporting about human rights issues.” he says. The programmes can still be heard on demand via the website www.radionetherlands.nl or downloaded as a podcast.

NYF Radio Broadcasting Awards
The NYF Radio Broadcasting Awards, also known as the ‘Radio Oscars’, are given to distinguished radio productions from all over the world. Each year, hundreds of programmes are considered by various juries made up of international experts, with criteria including production, presentation, originality and creativity.

How to enter the 2009 AIBs

6 July 2009

Enter the 2009 AIBs today – download the entry information href=”https://aib.org.uk/files/AIBs_2009_130509.pdf”
target=_blank>here

Use our online payment system to pay for your entries –
click

here to pay online.

ABC-Australia launches digital radio stations

3 July 2009

Three new music channels were launched by ABC-Australia today as its radio services went digital in the state capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

ABC Radio director Kate Dundas said the new channels – ABC Dig Music, ABC Jazz and ABC Country – were being added to the ABC’s current line-up of five radio channels.

The existing channels would continue to be broadcast in analogue as well as on the new digital platform.

“The thing that’s important to remember is that all our current services stay on analogue, so no one needs to go out and have a complete switch-over like television will be in a few years,” she said in a statement directed to the ABC’s listeners, but adding that they would need to buy a digital radio to receive the digital services.

Ms Dundas said the ABC had plans to extend the new services to other capital cities and regional areas.

China state media to expand in Europe

3 July 2009

As reported on the ABU web site:

According to AFP, China’s official news agency said today it will begin broadcasting in Europe this week, in the country’s latest bid to project its “soft power” through an overseas media blitz.

The state-run Xinhua news agency’s English-language television service will launch in Europe starting on Wednesday, Xinhua’s deputy editor Wu Jincai said. “The service will be on screens in supermarkets, and in Chinese embassies in Europe too,” he said.

He gave no further details but state media this year launched a global expansion, apparently aimed at shaping the communist-ruled country’s image.

The chief of the Communist Party’s overseas propaganda bureau, Wang Chen, said in January that expanding the global reach of China’s media was an important way to engineer a better image for the country and its government.

“We must… increase our capacity to broadcast, to positively influence international public opinion and establish a good image of our nation,” Xinhua quoted Mr Wang saying at the time.

After setting up French and Spanish channels ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China Central Television (CCTV) has also announced plans for Russian and Arabic channels this year.

NXVision raises follow-on investment

3 July 2009

As reported by Tornado Insider:

NXVision, a UK-based provider of place-shifting technology, has secured a follow-on investment. Investors in the €300,000 funding round included Braveheart, Scottish Enterprise, LINC Scotland and the company’s management. The funds will help the company boost sales.

NXVision (previously known as Inxstor) has developed technology for the place-shifting market. Place shifting allows users to watch TV in any location on devices other than TV sets. They can access audio and video content from a mobile device by processing images and sound from home video equipment into digital signals and transmitting them to the new viewing location over the home internet connection.

NXVision’s first is product is embedded into set top boxes incorporating media processors (STi7109 or equivalent) and runs alongside existing content protection and middleware. It has been evaluated by a number of operators and allowed them to access Freeview and satellite set-top boxes remotely from personal computers, laptops and mobile phones over Internet Protocol through 3G or WiFi networks. The company’s technology currently works with Apple iPhone/ iPod Touch, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, LG, Google Android, RIM and Windows Mobile handsets.

Late last year, the company introduced a ‘side-loading’ product (push TV) which allows programs to be tagged for mobile recording through the electronic program guide. Once recorded the program is transferred either via WiFi or 3G to a selected mobile device for viewing.