Telenor Reports Single Digit Growth in Revenues, Lower ARPU During Q3 2013

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> Telenor Pakistan has posted PKR 69.725 billion in revenues for first nine months of on-going fiscal year, up from PKR 66.645 billion during same duration last year.<br /> Currency depreciation, however, resulted into 4 percent Y-o-Y fall in revenues in Norwegian Kroner that stood at NOK 4065 million — for three quarters combined — as compared to NOK 4,232 million during same period last year.<br /> The Telenor Group reported its third quarter financial results during the weekend where it said that Telenor Pakistan, during the reported quarter, showed an operating profit of NOK 282 million, versus an operating loss of NOK 95 million in Q3 2012. <br /> Financial services contributed 2.5 percentage to the total revenue growth.<br /> The EBITDA margin improved by 2 percentage points following higher revenues, savings from energy initiatives and negative one-time effects last year. The impact of introduction of ICH contributed negatively with 3 percentage points. <br /> EBITDA in local currency increased by 12%.<br /> <div class="adsxpls" id="adsxpls1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"> </div> Capital expenditure decreased as the network modernisation was finalised during the quarter, also resulting in reduced accelerated depreciation and improved operating profit<br /> Company said that its ARPU in local currency decreased by 10%, mainly because of fierce on-net competition putting pressure on national interconnect revenues. <br /> ARPU for postpaid users was reported at PKR 686, compared to PKR 190 ARPU for prepaid users.<br /> ARPUs were also impacted by the fact that revenues from incoming international traffic through International Clearing House (ICH) are now accounted under non-mobile revenues and are not added into ARPU levels.<br /> Telenor said that its subscribers increased by 160,000 during the quarter including a downward adjustment of 542,000 subscriptions following data cleaning exercise.<br /> Telenor’s Average traffic minutes per user per month stood at 225.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jFGseVEsMbA/UnhUSWcVjOI/AAAAAAAAD9w/F8EhR0Ek47Y/s1600/Telenor-Q3-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jFGseVEsMbA/UnhUSWcVjOI/AAAAAAAAD9w/F8EhR0Ek47Y/s1600/Telenor-Q3-2013.jpg" /></a></div> </div>

Telenor Reports Single Digit Growth in Revenues, Lower ARPU During Q3 2013

Telenor Pakistan has posted PKR 69.725 billion in revenues for first nine months of on-going fiscal year, up from PKR 66.645 billion durin...

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Jelly Bean Crosses 50% Android Market-share for the First Time

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> Remember the time when Gingerbread got out and Android phones suddenly started to sell like hot cakes? That was the time when Gigantic Apple and Nokia had finally got a serious competitor but the side-effect was that the large number of dumb phones during that time, which couldn’t get updated to newer Android versions and hence, the Gingerbread marketshare soared.<br /> That has finally changed now. In October, for the first time ever, Jelly Bean crossed 50% marketshare of all Android devices out there. The 52.1% marketshare it holds is almost twice the share which Gingerbread is currently holding.<br /> The good news is that it has finally started to drop at a substantial pace, quite unlike its stubborn nature.<br /> Ice Cream Sandwich also dropped to just 19.8% now.<br /> <div class="adsxpls" id="adsxpls1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"> </div> <b>Start of another problem?</b><br /> With <a href="http://rexhacker.blogspot.com/2013/11/google-brings-features-and-visual.html" target="_blank">KitKat</a>, Google has finally decided that fragmentation needs to go away and that is why the latest version can run on phones with as low as 512 MB RAM but it won’t be going anywhere suddenly.<br /> Mind you, that Jelly Bean is itself outdated now and if Google’s partners still carry on with their habits of not updating the operating system of their devices, it might turn out to be an even bigger issue than Gingerbread, given the massive spread of the phones running it.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SMvduDaNwmQ/UnhTZ_5CRnI/AAAAAAAAD9k/DfvTfBK5F3o/s1600/Android-version-marketshare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SMvduDaNwmQ/UnhTZ_5CRnI/AAAAAAAAD9k/DfvTfBK5F3o/s1600/Android-version-marketshare.jpg" /></a></div> </div>

Jelly Bean Crosses 50% Android Market-share for the First Time

Remember the time when Gingerbread got out and Android phones suddenly started to sell like hot cakes? That was the time when Gigantic Ap...

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Google Brings Features and Visual Upgrades in Android 4.4 KitKat Update

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBYisOPfqRg/UnhS9H_hDcI/AAAAAAAAD9c/OSY_-LefI_c/s1600/KitKat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBYisOPfqRg/UnhS9H_hDcI/AAAAAAAAD9c/OSY_-LefI_c/s1600/KitKat.jpg" /></a></div> Every Android version announcement comes with new features, a few visual tweaks and lots and lots of hype. This time, though, things are a bit different as Google has made sure that everyone gets a taste of “KitKat”, rather than just the top 20%.<br /> As a result, you have an OS which runs just as well on 512 MB RAM, as it does on 3 GB. This is not all however.<br /> <br /> <h4> <span style="font-weight: bold;">A Great Feat Visually</span></h4> Android 4.4 KitKat tries to make the OS even more easier to swallow. It makes several visual improvements, including the departure of the black border at the bottom of the screen in favor of a translucent one. The launcher is also redesigned. <br /> The three buttons also remain hidden in apps, until you swipe them upwards. And performance? The OS is also more intelligent in that it registers touches faster and more accurately which means less errors. <br /> Chromium, the web engine behind Chrome now takes care of the web apps meaning that these apps should perform better than ever. Talking of Chrome, it now uses 16% less memory than before, just like other Google apps which are all optimized.<br /> <div class="adsxpls" id="adsxpls1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"> </div> <h4> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Software Changes</span></h4> But it doesn’t only perform and look good. No. It also comes with a lot of software changes, most important of them being the new Hangouts app. The new substitute for the conventional messaging app combines all of the conversation you’ve ever had with your acquaintances in one place, either it be SMS, MMS or Hangouts video-calls/chatting. <br /> The Call app is also tweaked. It automatically highlights those people with whom you’re in touch most. It will also search for businesses in the area around you now, meaning that if you’ll type the name of a restaurant in your area, the app will automatically search the map for its phone number. <br /> The same thing happens when you get a call from an unknown number, as it will try to display a name if the number is from any of the publicly available business in Maps. <br /> The lockscreen features an option to let you fly straight to the camera. It also displays a cover art or any other media highlight when your phone is playing something while being on the lockscreen. Also redesigned is the Downloads app which features even more sorting and viewing options now. <br /> And it isn’t limited to the lockscreen only. If you do a lot of homescreen modifications, you can save and switch between all of them in settings now, without having to sacrifice one in the favor of other.<br /> <br /> <h4> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Search and Google Now</span></h4> According to Google, it is 25% more accurate than before. You can go straightaway to search from the lockscreen now, just by saying ‘OK Google’ just like in the Moto X. <br /> Now also asks you questions back if your search query isn’t clear to it. One good thing which is added is the ability to search inside the phone or tablet’s built-in app. For instance, if you have a food or recipe app installed on your phone and you want to search the recipe for, like say, Pasta, Now won’t only display web results but also results from your app will be displayed. That would be really helpful. <br /> It also keeps care of your searching history and will redirect you to any of your favourite websites when you’ll call its name. It will also show even more cards of interest to you and can be used to do other tasks, such as playing music, using directions, etc.<br /> <br /> <h4> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Misc</span></h4> Android 4.4 KitKat comes with a screen recording feature which lets you record a video of the stuff being displayed on your phone, as you use it.<br /> A new feature called AirPrint will allow you to print stuff wirelessly now. This only works with printers with dedicated apps on the Play Store so only HP models will work as of today. <br /> If your phone comes with a dedicated audio processor, here’s the good news: your phone will use it now. What that does is that it boosts playback time, like for example, the Nexus 5 comes with one and it features 60 hours worth music playback, that too on a 2300 mAh battery! Now that, is something. <br /> The Gallery app now supports integration with cloud storage. Developers can now write apps for the IR Blaster while NFC payments are now supported for carriers worldwide.<br /> <br /> <h4> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Availability</span></h4> The update will begin rolling out in the coming few weeks. The new Nexus 5 will come with it pre-installed while the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (2014), Nexus 10 and the Google Play editions of Galaxy S4 and HTC One are on the waiting list. We’ll be adding screenshots of it as soon as it comes out. <br /> This update, with all its features and bells-and-whistles, marks the peak for Android. For us, however, it’s not the feature set which makes it so good, but rather its tight integration of everything which it does. That alone makes it worth an upgrade.</div>

Google Brings Features and Visual Upgrades in Android 4.4 KitKat Update

Every Android version announcement comes with new features, a few visual tweaks and lots and lots of hype. This time, though, things are...

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Intel Gives up its own Smartphone Processors, will make ARM Chips Now

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_hxSCQaFBRE/UnhSnXTkCaI/AAAAAAAAD9U/qAriC4ibJHo/s1600/arm_processor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_hxSCQaFBRE/UnhSnXTkCaI/AAAAAAAAD9U/qAriC4ibJHo/s1600/arm_processor.jpg" /></a></div> In the industry of smartphone processors, ARM sits atop them all in terms of market-share while others aren’t even close. ARM’s innovative and diverse processor designs have enabled the company to attain a huge market-share, around 95% of the smartphone industry, crushing everyone else.<br /> Intel has been trying to resist this for quite a time but so far hasn’t been successful. While Intel’s Atom processor has been used in several phones over the years, it has done nothing to stop the growth of its biggest rival. But now, Intel has finally decided to give up and in the future will be making its own 64-bit smartphone chips based on ARM’s designs. <br /> And so as the old proverb goes, “If you can’t best them, join them”, the company’s years of resistance in joining hands with ARM Architecture finally evaporates, leaving nothing but bad memories and multiple failed attempts. <br /> Still, it will be interesting to see what benefits their architecture will offer. Given Intel’s own incredible history and experience, you can’t reject their products as dumb. And of course, the new processors with Intel’s manufacturing intelligence. <br /> But there is little doubt that the customers will remain indifferent. One name which immediately comes to mind is Apple’s. While they’ve already had an extensive and popular partnership with Intel for their computers, their smartphone processors are still made by their nemesis, Samsung. <br /> But whatever the case, the fight between Intel and its rivals in a territory owned by the latter will certainly be worth watching. Also it will bring greater good for all the companies buying these chips and in turn, for the customers. <br /> For those who don’t know, ARM architectures — developed by British company ARM — require significantly fewer transistors, reduced costs, heat and power usage compared to more complex chip designs.</div>

Intel Gives up its own Smartphone Processors, will make ARM Chips Now

In the industry of smartphone processors, ARM sits atop them all in terms of market-share while others aren’t even close. ARM’s innovati...

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Huawei announces its second Windows Phone, the Ascend W2

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-deRRfMl90-g/UnhSMaQKhMI/AAAAAAAAD9M/IJRR13EUcvk/s1600/Huawei_Ascend_W2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-deRRfMl90-g/UnhSMaQKhMI/AAAAAAAAD9M/IJRR13EUcvk/s1600/Huawei_Ascend_W2.jpg" /></a></div> Huawei is a rather unknown Windows Phone partner of Microsoft. It announced its first phone of the line-up way back in January and that was it. But now, they think its about time for a new phone to be announced and they’ve done exactly so with the Ascend W2.<br /> The phone comes with a larger 4.3″ inch display with 800 x 480 resolution. It’s also Gorilla Glass-protected and comes with a Super Sensitive display. Design-wise, it is quite chubby, weighing in at 160 grams. Bezels are quite massive too. <br /> Under the bonnet, it comes with a 1.4Ghz dual-core processor with 512 GB RAM, Adreno 305 and 8 GB non-expandable storage. Towards the back is a 5 mp camera with 720p HD video recording. There’s no secondary camera on the front. <br /> Connectivity options include Bluetooth 3.0, microUSB 2.0, Wi-Fi and 3G. Battery capacity is set at 1700 mAh. <br /> Pricing is not known right now but we will know that when it will be released in the coming few weeks. Color options include Blue, Red, Yellow and Black. If the Ascend W2 is placed in the range of the Lumia 620, it has the potential to become a bestseller.</div>

Huawei announces its second Windows Phone, the Ascend W2

Huawei is a rather unknown Windows Phone partner of Microsoft. It announced its first phone of the line-up way back in January and that w...

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Ufone's M. Shabbir Iqbal Wins PM Golf Open 2013

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcUtUfVyw54/UnhRojYj__I/AAAAAAAAD9E/XQySR43Gh20/s1600/PM-Open-Golf-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcUtUfVyw54/UnhRojYj__I/AAAAAAAAD9E/XQySR43Gh20/s1600/PM-Open-Golf-2013.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="wp-caption-text"> <span style="color: blue;">Salman Wassay, Chief Commercial Officer, Ufone, handing over a congratulatory cheque to Pakistan No. 1, M. Shabbir Iqbal for winnering the Prime Minister Golf Open 2013</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Golfers from all over Pakistan flocked to Rawalpindi for the much anticipated Prime Minister Golf Open, each looking to win laurels and respect of their fellow golfers. Professionals were seen two days prior to the tournament practicing and taking in the feel of the course in their practice rounds. The tournament kicked off on the 22^nd of Oct and the fervor of each golfer participating was clearly evident. Day 1 ended with Pakistan No.1 M. Shabbir Iqbal leading the elite golfers closely followed by Pakistan No.2 & a member of the Ufone team Matloob Ahmed.</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The two fought it out over the three day tournament with Shabbir continuing to increase the gap between the 1^st and 2^nd position alas he ended the tournament 15 under par (-15) and Matloob who secured 2^nd position was 5 under par (-5).</div> <div class="adsxpls" id="adsxpls1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Speaking about his win Shabbir said “ I am fortunate to have held the No.1 position for a number of years and till date I feel the pressure from other professionals in each tournament we participate in. Winning the Prime Minister Open is indeed a moment of pride for me but at the same time I am extremely excited that Ufone too decided to give me Rs.100,000/- for this memorable win. Ufone has played an active part in golf over the last year and has encouraged each member of Team Ufone to bring out our best on the course”.</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> “Before the tournament, Ufone announced to us that they would be giving away a cash prize to each of those who secure the top 3 positions in the tournament which encouraged me to focus harder on my win, hence Matloob too will be given a cash prize for his great performance.”</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> “Ufone  is the only organization in Pakistan to take such a big leap in the sport of Golf, in July this year Ufone organized a children’s golf clinic at the Karachi Golf Club which I participated in as a coach and was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the children. We as golfers look forward to the development of the sport and an honored to be a part of such a positive initiative.”</div> </div> </div>

Ufone's M. Shabbir Iqbal Wins PM Golf Open 2013

Salman Wassay, Chief Commercial Officer, Ufone, handing over a congratulatory cheque to Pakistan No. 1, M. Shabbir Iqbal for winnerin...

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