[Analysys Mason]: How will Operators Handle OTT / Voice and SMS Revenues Decline?

A new research by Stephen Sale (pictured), Principal Analyst, Analysys Mason ".. analyses the key factors that are driving the voice and messaging markets in Western Europe, and provides forecasts for traditional operator-provided services, next-generation operator services and OTT services".
 
 

• Several mobile operators have launched their own VoIP apps, typically offering low-cost or free calling via Wi-Fi. They aim to address arbitrage opportunities targeted by alternative apps. Examples include T-Mobile’s Clever Connect, Tele2’s +46 and Telefónica’s forthcoming TU Go.
   
• VoLTE offers an opportunity to improve the mobile voice feature set, notably by integrating it into other IP services. However, a clear vision for how voice services should evolve has yet to be articulated and discussions of its potential benefits are focused almost entirely on cost reduction. VoLTE plans are currently being decided by spectrum strategies. Most operators do not have a meaningful voice strategy.

Source: Analysys Mason, 2012

See "Operator and OTT voice and messaging services in western Europe: forecasts and analysis 2012–2017" - here.

Optimization Deployments[171] Tele2 [Russia] Selected Citrix/Bytemobile

Citrix announced that "Tele2 Russia .. has selected its ByteMobile integrated traffic management platform (Bytemobile's Unison platform) for mobile video and web optimization".
 

"This deployment will enable Tele2 Russia to deliver faster internet and multimedia services and improve subscriber quality of experience for mobile web surfing .. Reksoft, a leading provider of systems integration services for the telecommunications industry, is the reseller partner for this deployment and will provide deployment and local support services".

See also "DPI Deployments (65): Tele2 Expands the Use of Procera to its LTE Network" - here.

The following slides are taken from Tele2 Q2 2012 investors’ presentation.

See "Tele2 Russia to Enhance Mobile Data Experience with Citrix ByteMobile" - here.

Netherlands Mobile Operators Abuse Privacy with DPI?

 

The story of DPI use in Netherlands by mobile operators is not over. No wonder why operators deploying DPI still want to stay anonymous.

What started as the intention of KPN to surcharge the use of certain data applications (here) using a DPI based system, and quickly turned the Netherlands to be the first European country adopting a Net Neutrality law (here), has taken a new angle.

OPTA, the local communications regulator, says that (I hope I am translating correctly)  "In Mid-2011 it was told that some mobile network providers employ techniques for deep analysis of data packets over their mobile network. These techniques, which are usually referred to as Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), could infringe on the privacy of users of these networks". 

"OPTA has decided to do a "quick scan" among the four largest mobile network operators: KPN, Vodafone, T-Mobile and Tele2  .. OPTA found no evidence that the investigated operators read their subscribers emails, photos or contributions to social networks .. However, OPTA found that the four operators are aware of more information than the information intended for handling of traffic. .. It is possible the confidentiality of communications is at stake"

See "Voorlopige bevindingen OPTA over gebruik Deep Packet Inspection" - here.

Tele2 [Netherlands] Moves from FUP to UBB

 

Dutch mobile operators are very busy these days in trying to optimize their revenues. While KPN is said to be the first operator that will charge subscribers by application (here), Vodafone and T-Mobile maybe following (here), Tele2 decided to just join the industry mainstream and move to usage based billing.

The Wireless Federation site reports that "Tele2 Netherlands has renewed its mobile internet bundles, replacing the fair use policy with a price per MB. The bundles [see below] can be applied to any type of smartphone, although the operator has a separate rate for BlackBerry devices". Without a bundle, the cost is 1 Euro/MB, while a MB above quota is 5 Euro cents (for most plans).

See "Tele2 NL brings price per MB in place of mobile fair use policy" - here.
 
On March 31, 2011 Tele2 had 334K mobile subscribers in the Netherlands, a YoY decrease of 13%.

DPI Deployments (65): Tele2 Expands the Use of Procera to its LTE Network

   

Procera continues  to do well (see previous news here) in its home market - Procera's DPI origins and R&D center are in Varberg, Sweden.

The company announced today that "mobile operator Tele2 is deploying Procera’s PacketLogic in its 4G LTE network. This expanded installation is a combination between Procera’s flagship PacketLogic PL10000 series and its recently introduced PL8820 product (here)"

Tele2 has 31 million subscribers in 11 countries (see map) and was one of the first operators in the world to launch a commercial LTE service late last year (here).

See "Tele2 Deploys Procera in its LTE Network" - here.

Telenor Sweden VP: "Unlimited LTE Generates a Lot of Subscribers" [BUT for the long term ...]

   

Michelle Donegan writes to Lightreading about the newest LTE providers in Sweden - Tele2 and Telenor ASA (see "Swedish LTE Challengers Wield Unlimited Offers" - here) who both offer [for now, apparently] unlimited data service.

TeliaSonera, who offers LTE for sometime now in Sweden does have limits - see "TeliaSonera's LTE Comes with Traffic Management" - here.  

The article provides some candid statements from Carl-Erik Lagercrantz, chairman of Net4Mobility and VP of Telenor Sweden, who said at the Boradband Traffic Management event last week:

"[For 4G] we have unlimited subscriptions with fair usage and no caps on usage..that's not a long-term viable solution for an operator but it surely generates a lot of subscribers in the marketplace .. operators will need to manage the bandwidth on their 4G networks, [but] such tactics needed to be implemented intelligently so that users are not blocked from doing what they really want to do. .. Attempts to limit users' use of the network -- I find that in the longer term a little bit hazardous .. If you talk about traffic management in the network, you have to maximize what users want, not minimize what they want"