Telecom, Telephone, and Communications News

And even more cool multimedia stuff from Ericsson.

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERICY) and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) conduct the world's first live trial of interactive mobile TV. The trial demonstrates a new way of using mobile TV, which allows mobile phone users to vote, chat and communicate with a television presenter while watching their favorite show - all at the same time and all on their mobile.

Together, Ericsson and NRK launched a downloadable client for the existing interactive TV format, Svisj. For example, viewers can vote for which music video is to be played next by the touch of a button and may also chat with each other or the host of the program.

Read the full release:

Ericsson Press release: Ericsson and NRK launch world's first interactive mobile TV

Cool mobile television news from Ericsson:

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERICY) enables easy channel surfing for Mobile TV by introducing a client software that offers an attractive channel selector for mobile handsets. The new channel selector offers the quickest channel switching on the market and easy access to a list of available channels.

As Mobile TV is quickly becoming an important subscriber service, this facilitates operators to generate new revenues in addition to existing services. Mobile operators and media companies all over the world are today introducing Mobile TV services, in form of schedule based TV channels as well as on-demand TV programs.

Full release:

Ericsson Press release: Ericsson offers Mobile TV with easy channel selection

After an absence of 20 months AT&T is returning to the DOW 30 under the "T" symbol on the NYSE. I guess that should give the shareholders heart. I wonder what the trading action will be like? Below is an exerpt from the press release.

New AT&T To Begin Trading Under "T" Ticker Symbol

"T" Will Return to Dow 30 After 20-Month Absence

One of the most-recognized ticker symbols in the global investment community will return to the Dow 30 tomorrow as the new AT&T begins trading under the legendary "T" symbol on the New York Stock Exchange.

The decision to adopt the "T" ticker symbol reflects both the rich heritage of the combined enterprise as well as its commitment to lead the next major shift in communications technology — the transformation to integrated solutions based on Internet Protocol.

"Our stockholders can be confident that we will maximize the unique opportunities we have as a combined enterprise to deliver great value and lead the industry forward," said Edward E. Whitacre Jr., chairman and CEO of AT&T Inc.

Read the full article, New AT&T To Begin Trading Under "T" Ticker Symbol

Ericsson and MTN South Africa are first in demonstrating how 3G networks using WCDMA technology enable new mobile broadband services as well as a cost efficient fixed broadband alternative, when combining HSDPA and Fixed Wireless Terminals.

Fixed Wireless Terminals is a solution for providing voice and high-speed data services using widely deployed mobile networks such as WCDMA. HSDPA is new technology used on 3G networks enabling true broadband data rates. Combining Fixed Wireless Terminals with HSDPA makes it possible for MTN to offer the most cost efficient wireless alternative to ADSL for delivering broadband data services to the residential market.

Because the service can be offered not only in traditional ADSL areas, but everywhere in the mobile network coverage area, HSDPA technology will help bridge the digital divide in developing countries by enabling cost efficient access to productivity tools such as e-mail and Internet.

Read the full story: Ericsson and MTN demonstrate commercial HSDPA as an alternative to ADSL

Good stuff, seeing as MTN is such a big player in Africa I hope this technology spreads accross the continent, and they keep the pricing reasonable.