Verizon tests 4G network

Cellphone carrier Verizon Wireless has made its first successful test in Boston of a new service that will deliver data to cellphone users at much greater speeds than existing cellular networks, reports Boston Globe.

Verizon Wireless officials said the new “4G'' network, based on a technology called long-term evolution, will make it more practical for users to download high-quality video and audio content to handheld devices.

But the company also plans to let users place voice calls over the data network, a policy that could lead to sharply lower prices for cellular calling.

ABI Research forecasts that by 2014, 39% of cellular towers will be found in Asia-Pacific, driven by the massive, rapid increase in mobile subscribers in China and India, according to EE Times.

The total addressable market worth of the towers in 2014 is estimated at nearly Rs.6.11 lakh crore (R1 trillion). "China Mobile reports that 50% of its new subscribers live in rural areas," says Nadine Manjaro, senior analyst at ABI.

"Extension of mobile services to rural regions requires many more cell towers and antennas than in urban areas, providing a growth engine for this segment."

Sources at the Antitrust Authority may order businessman Ilan Ben-Dov to sell Suny Electronics following his acquisition of the controlling interest in Partner Communications last week, states Globes.

Suny is the Israeli franchisee for Samsung Electronics cellular telephones, which are sold to all three of Israel's large cellular operators: Partner, Cellcom Israel and Pelephone Communications.

The Antitrust Authority is concerned about a possible restraint on trade resulting from Ben-Dov's takeover of Partner through Suny subsidiary Scailex. For example, Suny could raise the prices of Samsung cellular telephones sold by Cellcom and Pelephone.