Information Policy

HTML5 begins to reshape digital and mobile world

The growth of HTML5, which allows the development of applications that work across a range of devices, is beginning to shake up the digital world. Among the first to take advantage was the Financial Times, which developed an app with HTML5 that allows it to avoid Apple's App Store and its 30% cut

http://blogs.wsj.com/tech-europe/2011/07/28/html5-poses-threat-to-flash-and-the-app-store/

Android captured 39% of mobile market in the second quarter

The Android operating system retained its lead in the second quarter, with a 39% share of the market, according to Nielsen data. Apple's iOS, meanwhile, had 28% -- matching its leading vendor share -- while RIM captured 20%, and Windows Mobile and Phone accounted for 9%.

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=154896

Succeeding in China’s online video market

More than 700 million people in China will be watching online video content in four years, new McKinsey research shows (exhibit).1 The successful stock market debut of Youku, one of China’s leading online video sites, reflects what many feel is the industry’s dazzling future. Youku, whose shares rose 2.6 times on the first day of trading in the United States, in 2010, already has more than 200 million monthly users. Its closest rival, Tudou, has 180 million.

Despite that potential, many observers remain cautious about the industry’s outlook. They note that although the market is growing at a furious pace, few companies are making money. Our research suggests that profits will indeed materialize, but only players with the deepest pockets will survive to enjoy them. Successful online video sites will need capital on three fronts: to expand their bandwidth; to attract experienced online advertising salespeople, who are in short supply; and, most important, to buy the content that will win the biggest audiences and the most advertising. The best-funded sites are therefore likely to pull steadily ahead, in what could be a winner-takes-all phase of the market.

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Media_Entertainment/Radio_TV/Succeeding_in_Chinas_online_video_market_2840

Bite Q2 service revenue slips 1.3%

Lithuanian telecoms group Bite, which provides mobile services in Latvia as well as its domestic market, has announced it generated service revenue of EUR38.4 million (USD15.9 million) in the three months ended 30 June 2011, down 1.3% from EUR38.9 million in the year-ago period. Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased 8% year-on-year from EUR11.0 million in 2Q10 to EUR11.9 million twelve months later, while EBITDA margin grew from 28% to 31% over the same period. In Lithuania, Bite generated service revenue of EUR29.3 million in the three months to end-June 2011, down 6% compared to EUR31.1 million in the year-ago period due to interconnect rate reductions and pricing pressure in the market, while EBITDA in its domestic market decreased 4% year-on-year to EUR11.6 million from EUR12.1 million. Bite Latvia’s EBITDA grew by EUR900,000 from –EUR500,000 in the second quarter of 2010 to EUR400,000 twelve months later. Service revenue in Latvia increased 16% to EUR9.4 million in 2Q11 from EUR8.1 million a year earlier. Commenting on the results, Bite’s CEO Fred Hrenchuk said: ‘Bite Latvia was EBITDA positive for the quarter and on a year to date basis. This positive result validates our customer focus strategy and the hard work, dedication of the entire Bite team, and the loyalty our customers have shown to the Bite brand.’

http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2011/07/29/bite-q2-service-revenue-slips-1-3/

Slovak Telekom claims success with 42Mbps HSPA+ single-carrier mode

Slovak Telekom has claimed a ‘world first’ by successfully testing HSPA+ 42Mbps mobile broadband technology in single-carrier mode rather than the widely utilised dual-carrier (DC) configuration. Results in single-carrier mode were ‘comparable’ with DC-HSPA+, with a peak data download speed reported at 38Mbps in tests conducted in partnership with parent group Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson and Qualcomm. Slovak Telekom, which uses the T-Mobile cellular brand, also announced that its 3G coverage will reach 60% of the populaiton by the end of this year, whilst it is also preparing for the full commercial launch of DC-HSPA+.

http://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2011/07/29/slovak-telekom-claims-success-with-42mbps-hspa-single-carrier-mode/