Mobile Royale - An Asian Perspective on Mobile Industry

The details of a new Nokia 3G device for the US appeared on the FCC website recently. There are no pics available, but the web site says that they will be available in 45 days. The device seems to be a flip phone with a 1500 mAh battery. Read for yourself at the official FCC websiteon this link. My money is on an Nokia 6650 NAM from AT&T.

Airtel Lanka was said to be launching early this year, but so far we haven't got any news on them. If Airtel was launched soon, with their rumored rates of Rs.2 per min, we could have seen a good reduction of rates from Dialog too, as their anniversary is coming close too. I see some new half-painted mobile network towers these days, but I think these are of Mobitel, which seems to have completed their target 85% 3G coverage on it's network. Mobitel's 3G coverage range in 3G base stations are impressive, as I've already mentioned. But they still lack one thing to be a perfect network - Free Missed Call Alerts. But all in all, I feel that now Mobitel is in a competitive level with Dialog, technological wisely.

Mobitel's Mobile TV has only four local channels, but they have reduced the tariff to Rs.3 per minute. Dialog silently launched their own Video Call portal - VideoBOX - having the same number, 555, that Mobitel has. Mobitel has a nice and fast expanding 3G coverage, which has a wider coverage than Dialog. (I mean wider. Eg: Town A - Dialog 3G covers only the city limits
-Mobitel 3G covers nearly 3/4 kms) I've not been into blogging lately because of some personal problems, which are available at my life blog - www.miserylife.tk. Wish if I could die.

Yes, you read it right. This tiny little device is an exact replica of the 6120 Classic, except for Symbian OS and HSDPA. It has a 2MP cam and 3G, all inside a tiny little 85g weighing package. It is expected to make shipments in 2008 Q2, with an estimate price of €150 before subsidies and taxes. Read more here at GSMArena.

I wonder whether some mobile networks OR EVEN THE SLT ITSELF uses LankaCom infrastructure. Something that must be found out about. However, btw, Dialog 3G coverage is being expanded at a rapid rate, but unfortunately at some cities, they have enabled it only to the sub tower in the city centre thus making 3G usable only at the city area and not 3/4kms away. I've been an unlucky victim of this situation as the Dialog 3G coverage ends at around 1/2km prior reaching my house. But I hope they'll further expand it. It seems Mobitel is failing to complete it's 3G coverage target of 85% by December end and if they still tell that they've covered 85%, it must be the "Vanniya" as even some major cities in Western province still doesn't have 3G coverage. But it must be appreciated that they have the lowest charges and covered most of major cities with 3G faster than Dialog did. Keep it up Mobitel!
Weekly summary
*Dialog introduced KIT Double and 3G coverage was expanded.
*Mobitel reduced video call rates from 2LKR to 50 cents and introduced SMART IDD 250 rechargeable card.
*Hutch reduced Hutch to Hutch voice rates to 2LKR
*Tigo didn't make much sound and so is about Airtel's launch.

Mobitel has reduced Mobitel to Mobitel video call rates to 50 cents per minute. Previously the charge was 2LKR per minute. The new rate is an introductory rate and will be valid for 2 months. Voice call rates will remain same (2LKR per minute).

Mobitel has reduced Mobitel to Mobitel video call rates to 50 cents per minute. Previously the charge was 2LKR per minute. The new rate is an introductory rate and will be valid for 2 months. Voice call rates will remain same (2LKR per minute).

M3, Mobitel's 3G service is available in many areas of the country, but currently, no list of covered areas is available. M3 is enabled for all Mobitel users and the normal SIM cards have a 500kbps+ speed and if you obtain a USIM card, you'll experience much higher speeds. It is possible to take video calls using the normal SIM and the rates are lower than those of Dialog. However, my personal opinion is that their advertising is not powerful enough and many people even don't know what M3 offers. So it's no wonder that almost nobody knows about "mTunes", their ring back tone service, which is popular as "ringin-tone" in Sri Lanka. However, the lower charges should be appreciated.

M3, Mobitel's 3G service is available in many areas of the country, but currently, no list of covered areas is available. M3 is enabled for all Mobitel users and the normal SIM cards have a 500kbps+ speed and if you obtain a USIM card, you'll experience much higher speeds. It is possible to take video calls using the normal SIM and the rates are lower than those of Dialog. However, my personal opinion is that their advertising is not powerful enough and many people even don't know what M3 offers. So it's no wonder that almost nobody knows about "mTunes", their ring back tone service, which is popular as "ringin-tone" in Sri Lanka. However, the lower charges should be appreciated.

Two Sri Lankan mobile operators are now providing 3G services. Mobitel and Dialog Telekom. Dialog recently enabled 3G service to all its customers (previously they offered 3G service only for postpaid connections) and is utilizing its 3G services over the UMTS platform, which enables a maximum downlink data rate of 384kbps. However, personally, I wonder whether they have higher speeds. Mobitel has a HSPA platform and offers a maximum speed of 7.2Mbps. Mobitel provides video calls at voice call rates and has covered many parts of the island with 3G and plans to cover 85% of the country by December.