Phones

Nexus Two to arrive at Carphone Warehouse

Apparently Google is working on a new own-brand Android phone  and might be available this year, exclusively at The Carphone Warehouse.

While the Google Nexus One is currently available exclusively through a Vodafone, its successor will be released through one single retailer. An “industry source” said that, after experiencing issues with selling the Nexus One through its website, it wants to put the Nexus Two in an actual bricks and mortar shop.

Terrific news for the UK given the heavy import duty that was demanded when initially purchasing the Nexus One on release however in the hands of The Carphone Warehouse there is still a chance they might demand a kidney in exchange for the device.

It’s as yet unclear which manufacturer has been enlisted to built the Google Nexus Two, although Samsung seems to have been discounted for some reason. Little too is known about the phone’s specs and features, although Android Gingerbread seems the likely operating system.

Posted by: Gareth

Mount Everest has 3G

Ncell, Nepal’s mobile operator, now has coverage up the famous mountain. The carrier has announced its first 3G base station on the the world’s tallest mountain, allowing users to make calls and connect to the internets from GSM enabled phones.

Up until now, mountaineers have had to resort to expensive satellite phones to make calls. Ncell is a joint venture between private investors and Sweden’s Telia Sonera, and currently cover one-third of Nepal. Ncell tested their latest base station by placing the world’s highest video call at 17,388 feet.

Telia Sonera’s CEO had the following to say: “This achievement is as mighty as the altitude, as 3G high speed internet will bring faster, more affordable telecommunication services to the people living in the Khumbu Valley, trekkers, and climbers alike.”

Posted by: Gareth

BlackBerry Torch 9800 offer from Expansys

This doesn’t sound a bad offer if you are looking to get the BlackBerry Torch 9800 sim free.

Exclusive offer for Tracy & Matt readers: Get the new BlackBerry 9800 Torch with a free 16GB microSD memory card and screen protector.

Head on over to expansys where you can order this great deal for only £499.99 including V.A.T

If you need a reminder of the Torch you can see our full review here.

Posted by: James

HTC event Live Blog

I’m sure that most of you will know that HTC are holding a press conference and event today. We’ll be there with some old friends and shall be live blogging as things unfold.

We’re expecting to see the HTC Desire HD and Desire Z at the event and hope to have plenty of video/photos for ya.

Below you’ll find the live feed to the event where you can, hopefully, see what’s going on. You’ll also be able to join in the discussion and ask questions. We should be starting coverage when we arrive at the event around 11am.

Vodafone taking pre-orders on the Blackberry Torch

Vodafone has just announced that it will be accepting pre-order or the Blackberry Torch from today. Seemingly it is going to be free on £40 a month contracts however a £20 a month contract will see you shelling out a whopping £400 and being roped into a 24 month contract. The Data bundles included only manage to hit 500mbs which is a paltry amount for a phone that relies so heavily on the internet.

Phones 4u in sale speculation

Phones 4u could be sold after its private equity owner received a number of takeover offers.

The Sunday Times reports that ‘several suitors’ have made offers to Providence Equity. A source close to the company is quoted as saying: ‘There have been several unsolicited approaches and Providence is considering those. Discussions are at an early stage.’

The independent phone retailer was bought from founder John Caudwell in 2006. The business is estimated to be worth between £700m and £800m.

Mobile phone operators and DSGi are tipped as possible suitors.

Phones 4u already has a deal to put concessions in DSGI’s Curry stores and some PC World outlets.

[Source]

Ericsson activates the 10,000th shared site in the MBNL consolidated network

T-Mobile UK and 3 reached a milestone last Friday (9 September) when Ericsson activated the 10,000th shared site for Mobile Broadband Network Ltd (MBNL) – the two operators’ network consolidation company.

When the consolidation is complete, the MBNL network will consist of around 12,500 sites integrating the former T-Mobile UK and 3 networks, which previously numbered more than 18,000 2G and 3G sites in total.

Ericsson has a five year managed services contract announced last year for network design, deployment, the acquisition and building of sites, capacity management, equipment swaps and upgrades to transmission facilities.  Services activities commenced February 2009 and are scheduled to complete by 10 October 2010 resulting in close to 12,500 active consolidated sites.

T-Mobile and 3 say the consolidation gives MBNL one of the most advanced, high quality mobile networks, providing very high capacity mobile broadband and voice services across Britain. The consolidation will improve the environmental footprint of the network while at the same time reduced operating expenses due to less power consumption, fewer sites and smaller footprint on the sites.

Mobile revealed on 3 September that Orange sites will also be consolidated into MBNL, a process that is expected to take up to five years to complete.

Graham Payne, MD of MBNL, said: ‘When we decided to merge the T-Mobile and 3 networks we had clear targets as to efficiency gains, cost achievements, quality enhancement and extended coverage of mobile data services. This network consolidation and the benefits it brings make a real difference to mobile consumers, many of whom for the first time now get access to the internet.’ 

Anders Runevad, president of Ericsson Region Western and Central Europe, added: ‘The success of this unprecedented consolidation process proves that new business models create win-win situations for all partners in our industry.’

[Source]