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8 July, 2007
You ain't seen nothing yet: Vodafone
3rd January, 2005
If mobile phone customers thought the past decade was exciting, the New Year's message from Vodafone is they ain't seen nothing yet.
Vodafone Fiji customers should prepare themselves for a series of mobile adventures as the company gets set to release an avalanche of new products and services over the next few years.
Chief executive Aslam Khan says while the last 10 years were challenging and exciting, they "were nothing like what will be experienced in the next three to five years".
"We're going to be moving from 2G technology to 2.5G before moving to 3G (generation) technology in 18 months time," Khan said.
"It will be like going from a normal plane to a supersonic jet and then to a space rocket."
3G technology will allow high speed wireless data access to the Internet and corporate applications such as video telephony through mobile phones.
"This will see Fiji customers be on par with Australia and New Zealand and enjoy cutting edge mobile technology solutions.
But the first step is the introduction of GPRS or 2.5G technology later this year.
This will enable customers, among other things, to receive and send emails through a device called a Blackberry. This will allow seamless connectivity and greater mobility for corporate clients domestically and overseas via roaming.
The recently launched PXT service will also migrate to GPRS, enabling a wider range of compatible phones to send and receive PXT.
The Vodafone Data Solutions team is also working on bringing polyphonic ring tones, coloured wallpaper and java games to Fiji. Testing has already commenced for this.
Another new service for TXT customers is chat which will allow a group of users, with common interest, to broadcast text messages and interact within that friend, family or business group.
Vodafone is also spending up to $35 million, upgrading its exchange and base stations.
The upgrade will enable the company to install state of the art radio base stations which will give 120 km coverage instead of the current 35km. This will boost coverage in rural areas, remote islands and tourism areas.
Extending coverage to areas in and around Bau Island, the Rewa delta, the Savusavu coastal region, around Rakiraki and Vunisea in Kadavu will be the major focus of the network roll out plan for 2005. Coverage in the Yasawa Group near Tavewa will boost communications for 14 indigenous backpacker operations and in surrounding villages.
Khan says Vodafone has been working to support the tourism industry by working with developers in providing communications to support their initiatives. "The Wananavu and Natadola projects are two developments we have been closely associated with."
"With the above in place, tourists will be able to enjoy some of the roaming services that we are expecting to roll out in 2005 and beyond.
"With Prepay Roaming in the pipeline, overseas prepay users can use their phones here. Hopefully, with all the systems and technology in place, Vodafone Fiji Prepay users will also be able to roam overseas soon."
The Vodafone CEO, who has been with the company since inception, says he was pleased that over the last 10 years Vodafone has become a recognised brand in the Fiji market.
3rd January, 2005
If mobile phone customers thought the past decade was exciting, the New Year's message from Vodafone is they ain't seen nothing yet.
Vodafone Fiji customers should prepare themselves for a series of mobile adventures as the company gets set to release an avalanche of new products and services over the next few years.
Chief executive Aslam Khan says while the last 10 years were challenging and exciting, they "were nothing like what will be experienced in the next three to five years".
"We're going to be moving from 2G technology to 2.5G before moving to 3G (generation) technology in 18 months time," Khan said.
"It will be like going from a normal plane to a supersonic jet and then to a space rocket."
3G technology will allow high speed wireless data access to the Internet and corporate applications such as video telephony through mobile phones.
"This will see Fiji customers be on par with Australia and New Zealand and enjoy cutting edge mobile technology solutions.
But the first step is the introduction of GPRS or 2.5G technology later this year.
This will enable customers, among other things, to receive and send emails through a device called a Blackberry. This will allow seamless connectivity and greater mobility for corporate clients domestically and overseas via roaming.
The recently launched PXT service will also migrate to GPRS, enabling a wider range of compatible phones to send and receive PXT.
The Vodafone Data Solutions team is also working on bringing polyphonic ring tones, coloured wallpaper and java games to Fiji. Testing has already commenced for this.
Another new service for TXT customers is chat which will allow a group of users, with common interest, to broadcast text messages and interact within that friend, family or business group.
Vodafone is also spending up to $35 million, upgrading its exchange and base stations.
The upgrade will enable the company to install state of the art radio base stations which will give 120 km coverage instead of the current 35km. This will boost coverage in rural areas, remote islands and tourism areas.
Extending coverage to areas in and around Bau Island, the Rewa delta, the Savusavu coastal region, around Rakiraki and Vunisea in Kadavu will be the major focus of the network roll out plan for 2005. Coverage in the Yasawa Group near Tavewa will boost communications for 14 indigenous backpacker operations and in surrounding villages.
Khan says Vodafone has been working to support the tourism industry by working with developers in providing communications to support their initiatives. "The Wananavu and Natadola projects are two developments we have been closely associated with."
"With the above in place, tourists will be able to enjoy some of the roaming services that we are expecting to roll out in 2005 and beyond.
"With Prepay Roaming in the pipeline, overseas prepay users can use their phones here. Hopefully, with all the systems and technology in place, Vodafone Fiji Prepay users will also be able to roam overseas soon."
The Vodafone CEO, who has been with the company since inception, says he was pleased that over the last 10 years Vodafone has become a recognised brand in the Fiji market.