Smartfren to launch Indonesia's first VoLTE service
Indonesia's Smartfren is set to become the nation's first operator to deploy VoLTE services. The operator has contracted Mitel to deploy its voice and video over LTE platform over Smartfren's 4G network. Smartfren plans to rapidly roll out VoLTE services. The service will initially only be available via two new Andromax LTE devices being offered by the operator, but will subsequently be expanded to more devices. Smartfren revealed it has now secured contracts to deliver its VoLTE platform to five geographies, also including the US and the UK.
Construction of Thai NBN to commence in March
Construction of Thailand's national broadband network is due to commence next month. As part of the project, the Thai government plans to provide Wi-Fi connections to all 30,000 villages currently lacking one by mid-2017, the Bangkok Post said. The service will offer minimum speeds of 20Mbps. State-owned operators CAT and TOT will initially offer free wireless broadband services in public areas within the footprint, and later charge rates lower than those provided by private operators for comparable services. But the exact rates have et to be settled on.
Indosat Ooredoo to cover 16 more cities with LTE in 2016
Indonesia's Indosat Ooredoo has revealed plans to extend its LTE network to cover 16 more cities across the country in 2016 to address growing demand for high speed data services, the Jakarta Postreported. The operator's 4G network currently reaches 27 cities. The operator has entered a partnership with Indonesia's XL Axiata to share 4G infrastructure in four cities, and plans to pursue more infrastructure sharing agreements. But infrastructure sharing agreements are contingent on the government setting regulations covering the practice.
Global mobile payment user base to hit 4.77b in 2019
The global user base for mobile payments will surge from 689.9 million users in 2014 to 4.77 billion in 2019, Ovum predicts. The total value transaction of the m-commerce market is meanwhile expected to grow from $50.92 billion I 2014 to $693.4 billion by 2019. China is the rising star of the m-commerce segment, and is anticipated to have 370.3 million m-commerce users by 2019, making it the largest m-commerce user base in the world. Transaction values will meanwhile rise to $79.39 billion, Ovum forecasts, making it the second largest market behind the US.
Comba Telecom to deploy wireless network for Alfamart
Comba Telecom Systems has secured a contract to deploy a wireless broadband network for retailer Alfamart. The deal will involve the design and supply of a turnkey wireless broadband network connecting Alfamart's chain of 10,300 stores to a private central network, replacing the existing leased network. Comba Telecom will provide a series of 5GHz Wi-Fi base stations, customer premise equipment and wireless backhaul.