MobileTelesystems
Latest
Russian carriers that ditched the iPhone last year want it back
Last year, two Russian mobile phone operators, MTS and Vimpelcom (who owns Beeline), made headlines by deciding to drop the iPhone from their offerings. At the time, both carriers said that Apple's stringent contractual requirements were behind the decision to drop the most popular smartphone in the world. Now, however, it seems those carriers have had a major change of heart. According to Reuters, both carriers want the iPhone back. Vimpelcom has taken the most direct route and signed a contract with Apple. But MTS has decided to acquire its iPhones through a third-party distributor so it does not have to agree to Apple's contractual requirements. MTS said it will not, however, rule out signing a contract with Apple in the future.
Mobile Miscellany: week of May 14th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, Verizon Wireless brought its LTE service to 28 new markets and expanded its reach in 11 additional areas. We also saw Straight Talk introduce the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim, and it appears that Rogers will soon offer the HTC One S. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of May 14th, 2012.
iPhone's arrival in Russia confirmed
Earlier this week, Russian communications company VimpelCom announced their intention to bring the iPhone to Russia, the first company to do so. The particulars aren't available yet, but VimpelCom representatives said they hope to be selling the iPhone "...later this year."Earlier rumors were pointing to this announcement. Last week, Reuters reported on a rumor about a deal that would bring the iPhone to Russia, identifying Mobile TeleSystems as the carrier. That rumor suggested an October launch. Also, when Steve Jobs spoke with CNBC shortly after the launch of the 3G iPhone, he said that a deal with Russia would likely happen "...later this year."
Apple taps MTS to bring iPhone 3G to Russia
Reuters reports that a "market source" has confirmed that Apple has finally sealed a deal to bring the iPhone 3G to Russia in an official capacity, launching on Mobile TeleSystems "likely" in ??????????? (October, that is). Neither MTS nor Apple would agree to comment on the situation -- no surprise there -- but seeing how Russia is one of the remaining gargantuan markets where the iPhone has yet to materialize, it seems like a no-brainer deal for all parties involved.[Via mocoNews]
Microsoft teams with Russian firm to offer subscription-based PCs
It's not the first time it's dabbled in subscription-based PCs, but Microsoft looks to be taking things up another notch, with it now making a fairly big push into Russia. To that end, the company's teamed up with Russian cellphone operator Mobile TeleSystems OJSC, which will be offering the subscription-based PCs to all 85 million of its customers as part of Microsoft's Unlimited Potential program, although there's no word on exactly what the PC's will cost just yet. Details on the PCs themselves are also expectedly light, although they'll not surprisingly run Windows Vista, and will reportedly pack built-in mobile broadband access, which certainly makes sense given that it's a cellphone company offering them. According to The New York Times, the two companies are also working on some unspecified "mobile communications services" that'll be able to be accessed using the PCs, but it seems we'll have to wait for the June launch date before we know much more about that as well.[Via The Open Road]
