Reality Check: Enterprise mobility reaching maturity

The onward march of mobile devices and apps is a strong indicator of the increasing maturity of the mobile market. But with that maturity comes an ever greater need for better management and security of devices and systems. A new report from IDC forecasts that this year, smartphone shipments will exceed one billion worldwide for the first time, a 40% rise compared to 2012 and double the half-billion units shipped just two years ago. Many of those smartphones will likely be used in the workplace as part of the bring-your-own-device trend that has helped turn mobility into a core component of enterprise IT infrastructure.
The fact that enterprise mobility is reaching maturity is reflected by the expectation from employees and customers that they can use mobile devices as transparently and readily as they would any strategic enterprise client-server desktop application.
“Enterprise mobile is fast maturing from a niche tool to become a core business platform,” said Kevin Noonan, public sector technology research director at Ovum, in a new release. “As organizations become increasingly mobile, there is a growing need for secure business systems.”
At the heart of the enterprise, however, there are considerable challenges as IT departments strive to put in place mobile software applications that go far beyond support for email. One such challenge is how to adapt existing enterprise applications to work seamlessly and securely with a wide range of different and evolving mobile operating systems, platforms and devices—something that many software and service companies are working to address. By 2016, for example, Gartner expects many collaboration applications will be equally available on desktops, mobile phones, tablets and browsers.
Mobility is an easily adaptable personal productivity tool that enables employees and customers to manage workflow, human interactions and data access in ways, and at times, that suit them. In that respect it is a double-edged sword: Employees can adapt consumer applications to improve productivity at work, but they are just as likely to use their mobile devices interchangeably for work and personal applications with little regard for security. Indeed, there is no guarantee that they will follow, and comply with, company policies and procedures.
As a result, enterprises need to be flexible. They need to act now to put in place a coherent, end-to-end mobile device management and security strategy. And they need to implement the application and content management skills that will enable them to adapt swiftly and securely to change in IT usage, as enterprise mobility approaches maturity.

source: http://www.rcrwireless.com/article/20130924/opinion/reality-check-the-enterprise-mobility-reaching-maturity/

NSN provides network infrastructure for 4G, refarming services for the 1800 MHz GSM band for Celcom

Celcom Axiata Berhad (Celcom), Malaysia’s wholly-owned subsidiary of the Axiata Group Berhad, has partnered with Nokia Solutions and Networks for its LTE solutions and services in Klang Valley, which comprises Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding suburbs. The operator has awarded NSN a contract to supply the network infrastructure for the 2600 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands for LTE services, and refarming services for its 1800 MHz GSM band to enhance user experience by providing higher throughput and better performance in the multi-technology environment.

With 4G network data speeds up to ten times faster than 3G networks, Celcom users can enjoy a superior mobile data experience while using bandwidth-intensive applications such as video streaming and online applications in real time.
“Celcom’s Klang Valley network upgrades underline our commitment to delivering a superior service experience to our subscribers who will increasingly enjoy the results of our extensive LTE investments and rollouts throughout Malaysia,” said Dato’ Sri Shazalli Ramly, Chief Executive Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad. “NSN’s consistency in providing quality infrastructure and services support was a key fit in our network blueprint for superior coverage across spectrums and the best end-user experience.”

“This project is another important milestone in our long-standing and well-established relationship with Celcom in Malaysia,” said Paul Tyler, Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific at NSN. “We will continue to support Celcom in its endeavor to create a future-ready communications infrastructure in Malaysia.”

Under the three-year contract, NSN will be transforming Celcom’s entire Klang Valley network to a Single RAN (Single Radio Access Network) system based on its award-winning, compact, high-capacity Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station for GSM, 3G and LTE. The base station enables an easy and cost-effective site upgrade to LTE using NSN’sNetAct network management system, which provides consolidated management for Celcom’s network. The deal also includes intelligent Self Organizing Network (iSON) functionality to improve LTE network quality with self-healing, self-optimization and self-configuration across the radio network.
With its comprehensive services portfolio, NSN enables the highest possible network quality as operators move toward LTE. NSN will provide Celcom with refarming services for the 1800 MHz GSM band, desktop planning, pre-optimization services, and operational services for process alignment, support and engineering.

As of today, NSN has 92 commercial references for the delivery of LTE with leading customers in advanced mobile broadband markets such as Northern Europe, Japan, South Korea and the United States.

Source:  http://4g-portal.com/nsn-provides-network-infrastructure-for-4g-refarming-services-for-the-1800-mhz-gsm-band

Aquisição da dona da TIM pela Telefônica é danosa para o consumidor, diz Anatel

Uma possível consolidação das duas maiores empresas de telecomunicações no Brasil --Vivo e TIM-- pode ser danosa para os consumidores, avaliou o conselheiro da Anatel (Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações) Marcelo Bechara nesta quarta-feira (25). A fala se refere ao anúncio da Telefônica de aumentar sua participação na Telecom Italia.
"A operação não foi submetida ainda e temos que analisar, mas acho danoso para o consumidor que as duas maiores empresas do mercado se consolidem", disse Bechara, durante seminário de telecomunicações organizado pela Telecomp.
Bechara também reafirmou o que ministro das Comunicações, Paulo Bernardo, já havia dito ontem, de que a Telefônica não poderá controlar a Vivo e a TIM ao mesmo tempo.
ACORDO
Ontem na Europa, a Telefônica, dona da Vivo, anunciou um aumento de participação na Teleco, controladora da Telecom Italia. Com isso, a participação do grupo espanhol na Telecom Italia passará de 46% para 66%. A transação envolve apenas ações preferenciais, sem direito a voto. No entanto, o acordo prevê que, a partir de janeiro de 2014, que a Telefônica assuma o controle.
"Isso pode implicar na venda da TIM", disse Bechara.
As declarações do conselheiro da Anatel coincidem com as do ministro das Comunicações que ontem afirmou que a concentração do mercado nas mãos de um único grupo é "muito negativa".
Segundo dados de julho da Anatel, a Vivo detém 28,6% do mercado e a TIM, 27,2%. A Claro tem 24,9% e a Oi, 18,6%. O restante é dividido entre empresas de pequeno porte.