Major news on Wi-Max in ITALY - Competitive tender for licenses allocation

On 26^th September 2007, the Broadband Business Forum and Von Italy took place in Rome. During the session, dedicated to the new BWA technologies, the Minister of Communications, Mr Gentiloni, officially stated that the competitive tender for the WiMax license allocation is to be held in the next few days. Later, in the section dedicated to Questions and Answers, Mr Vimercati, Communications deputy Minister, assured that the possibility to choose between the standard 802.16d (the 2004) and version 802.16e will be granted to the winners of the tender. Having been asked on the same subject, Mr Decina, Professor of Telecommunications Faculty at Politecnico of Milan and President of Ugo Bordoni Foundation, confirmed that the option to choose freely between the two standards will be left to the winners.

WiMax Italy - Guidelines are now officially released

As previously stated, during the Broadband Access Forum Meeting held in Naples, on 16th January 2007, AGCOM (the Communications Regulatory Authority - Agcom - is an independent Italian authority, established by Law n. 249 of 31 July 1997) declared their intention to define during June the guidelines for the allocation of rights for users of broadband wireless frequencies operating at 3.5 Mhz.

It actually happened and had its maximum expression in the drawing up of Resolution n. 209/07/CONS. This resolution plays a key role and the way that led to it’s drawing up has been long and tortuous: first of all, some frequencies that previously belonged to the Defense Ministry had to be set free, then AGCOM had to analyze the approximately 70 inquiries sent by Operators belonging to that field. In Italy, Wi-Max aroused a growing interest because it is expected to solve the hoary issue of digital divide, and also because a relevant number of operators had already declared an interest to enter this market, which looks like a great opportunity, at least on all appearances.

In a context like the Italian one, where the telecommunication market competition is strictly controlled by regulations, a call for bids to allocate the rights of users is unavoidable, or at least advisable: “The number of interest displays”, quotes the Resolution, ”widely exceeds the band availability “.

From a technical point of view, the Ministry of Telecommunications, in the 27 March 2007 note, reported to the Authority that, thanks to the agreement signed up with Ministry of Defense, a band of total amplitude of 150 MHz, situated inside the 3,4-3,6 GHz band, can be split in two blocks of MHz 75 since the beginning of the procedures of selection. This band can be free enough from interferences to be destined to civil use, provided that in some geographical areas this band of 150 MHz can be set progressively free from interferences deriving from the last Ministerial usage. In addition, the Ministry makes available 2×75 MHz of 3.5 GHz. Band for public services.

To define the number of rights for users that can be granted according to availability, the Authority, in the first place, asserts that a right of a user of at least 2×21 MHz is the essential requirement to provide high quality services. Public calls for bids should have begun in July 2007, but it seems to have been delayed once again. As it already happened for other calls for frequencies allocation, the possession time will be determined in 15 years in order to allow Operators an adequate return on the investment. The call criterion will be based on the best economic offer. One of the risks of a similar procedure, as already underlined, is the fact that existing operators can buy up all available frequencies and delay the realization of alternatives broadband networks. For this reason, the Authority suggests “to reserve a preferential treatment to the operators that do not have other spectral resources to offer broadband services comparable to BWA. The aim is to develop new networks of access to broadband and to improve the number of operators deeply- routed on the territory, maybe on a regional base, so that they can offer a variety of services more aimed at the citizens’ local requirements”.

In the past months, one of the most discussed topics was the settlement of geographical areas. The hypothesis of “creating small homogenous geographical areas or provincial allotments” was rejected because “in some areas of the country the call could have failed due to a reduced business interest and therefore force the Administration to repeat the allocation procedures”. The final decision is to proceed on a macro-regional base “by putting together only regions that are territorially adjacent and by stating a minimum number of two and maximum number of four regions that can be grouped together. The Italian islands are not bound to this aggregation rule”.

To sum up, a report that underlines the Authority’s farsightedness establishes that “if after 30 months from the release of the rights for users, the assignee (or person to whom the frequency has been adjudged) does not demonstrate concrete possibilities of direct or indirect use of the frequencies to provide services of broadband wireless access, than every reasonable demand for access to the same frequencies in different areas from those indicated in the initial cover plans will be satisfied on the basis of business negotiation and fair non-discriminating terms. Such restriction can be justified by the necessity to guarantee an efficient use of the frequencies for the aims they were intended for, in case of shortage of accesses to broadband networks”.

Italian ICT Market Q1 2007 - Information Technology Italy

Italian ICT Market Q1 2007 - Information Technology Italy.

The Market Data for Q1 2007 have been published by Sirmi Spa the leading Italian Market Reasearch Company focused to ICT trade channels: IT market growing by 4% compared to Q1 2006, TLC stable, Consumer Electronics growing by 8%.

To see more details click here: Italian ICT Market Q1 2007 or send an email to info@trendeurope.com.

Nino Patane’ launches Buffalo Technology in Italy. Agreement signed with Esprinet.

Nino Patané launches Buffalo Technology in Italy. Agreement signed with Esprinet.

After six months from the startup of the operations in Italy, 650+ Italian resellers have already traded Buffalo’s products. On 6th June 2007 the Japanese Company Buffalo Technology (www.buffalotech.com) has signed a distribution agreement with the leading Italian distributor Esprinet SpA (www.esprinet.com). 

Esprinet (Italian Stock Exchange: PRT) is a major European player

in the wholesale distribution of IT and consumer electronics. Esprinet is the number one distribution company in Italy and Spain (40.000 resellers served, 500+ brands).
With a consolidated sales of €2.22 billion in 2006, using its unique internet-based business model, Esprinet is mainly addressing the small-medium-enterprises market (SME).Esprinet sales rank as the distribution company No.1 in Italy and Spain, the No. 4 in Europe and No. 9 worldwide.

According to the Strategic plan 2007-2009 the Key Strategic Goals of Esprinet are:

• In the next decade aim at becoming the European leader in Technology Distribution via both reinforcing the leadership in South Europe and entering at least one other Western European Market within the next three year

• Financial Targets for the next three years:
  • Consolidated sales growing up to:
  • € 2.62-2.71 billion in 2007
  • € 2.87-3.00 billion in 2008
  • € 3.10-3.24 billion in 2009
  • CAGR ’07-09: +9%
• EBIT expected in a range of
  • € 89-97 million in 2007 (3.5% on sales)
  • 102-111 million in 2008 (3.6% on sales)
  • € 113-123 million in 2009 (3.7% on sales)
  • CAGR ’07-09: +13%
• Net profit estimated up to
  • € 47-52 million in 2007
  • 58-64 million in 2008
  • € 68-75 million in 2009
  • CAGR ’07-09: +20%
• 3-year cumulated net cash flow2 in excess of € ~220 million - Esprinet considers compatible with the expected available financial resources cquisitions up to € 2.0 - 2.5 billion of sales in Western Europe with no need of a share capital increase

Buffalo Technology is a global manufacturer of innovative wireless networking, storage and multimedia solutions for the home and small business environments. The company is recognised as the Number 1 total PC peripheral manufacturer in Japan, and was the worldwide consumer NAS market leader in 2005 and 2006 (In-Stat).

For more information write to: info@trendeurope.com

PRESS RELEASE

Buffalo Technology Signs Distribution Contract with Esprinet S.p.A.
06/06/2007

Milan, 6th June - Buffalo Technology, leading global provider of innovative wireless networking, storage, multimedia and memory solutions, and Esprinet S.p.A., leading distributor of consumer IT products in Italy and Spain, announce today their commercial partnership aimed at the immediate distribution of the whole product portfolio of Buffalo Technology in Italy.

“Buffalo’s worldwide leadership is already consolidated (being the rising star of worldwide Distribution, wireless technology leader and Number One of the consumer Network Attached Storage (NAS) market), but the company’s activities in Italy started just recently. The great results achieved in the first 6 months of activity with our partners (650+ resellers) allow us to share an optimistic view about the development of our presence in this market” said Nino Patané, responsible for Italian Market Development for Buffalo Technology. “Esprinet S.p.A. fills a key position for the development of Buffalo’s channel in Italy: this distribution contract will boost our presence in this market to a new dimension.”. Buffalo Technology put their trust in Esprinet for their excellent logistics, the efficient IT infrastructure and their outstanding capability to address and support the channel through a winning mix of a highly appreciated online platform and a wide portfolio of reseller services.

“We are very proud that Buffalo selected Esprinet to support them in this strong expansion phase of their brand on the Italian market. Our interest towards Buffalo arises from the requests of our customers, asking for new, not devalued, high quality solutions with competitive pricing. Our partnership with Buffalo Technology allows us to strengthen our offer, targeting both the SME and the digital living application markets” comments Matteo Restelli, Country Manager Esprinet Italy.

Buffalo’s product portfolio includes its award-winning AirStation™ line of easy-to-use, high-performance wireless networking products for SME/SoHo and home users. With industry leading AOSS™ (AirStation One-Touch Secure System™) technology, users can simply build a secure wireless network at home or in the office at the push of a button.

The Award wining line of Storage solutions include the Network Attached Storage (NAS) - TeraStation for SME/SOHO and LnkStation for Home users ; external storage offer DriveStation for desktop solution and MiniStastion for portable solution. Also for the digital home environment, Buffalo offer LinkTheater a multimedia player.
Products on the Buffalo line can combine to offer a unique integrated WLAN, Storage and multimedia solution.
About Buffalo TechnologyBuffalo is a global manufacturer of innovative wireless networking, storage and multimedia solutions for the home and small business environments. The company is recognised as the Number 1 total PC peripheral manufacturer in Japan, and was the worldwide consumer NAS market leader in 2005 and 2006 (In-Stat).

Buffalo’s product portfolio includes its award-winning AirStation™ line of easy-to-use, high-performance wireless networking products for SME/SoHo and home users. With industry-leading AOSS™ (AirStation One-Touch Secure System) technology, users can simply build a secure wireless network at home or in the office at the push of a button.

The company’s storage solutions are addressing the needs of both the individual and the business, providing a versatile line of USB flash drives, portable and desktop hard drives and cost-effective network attached storage (NAS) solutions. Including its multimedia players, Buffalo is unique in offering integrated WLAN, storage and multimedia solutions for the digital home environment.

Buffalo’s strong international industry alliances with companies such as Intel, Broadcom™, Nintendo and Microsoft have allowed it to lead the industry in the development of the latest technologies into practical tools for the business and the home.

Italian ICT Market Q4 and Full Year 2006 - Information Technology Italy

Italian ICT Market Q4 and Full Year 2006 - Information Technology Italy

In February 2006 the Market Data for Q4 2006 have been published. To see more details click here: Italy ICT Market 2006 Full Year (pdf, 294K) (suource Sirmi) or send an email to info@trendeurope.com

WiMax update for Italy

Some public examinations announced by the Ministry of Communications - involving trade associations like Assoprovider (AIIP), manufacturing industries, fix, mobile and WLL operators, and consumers’ associations and preliminary to the technological experimentation phase took place in October 2004.

From these examinations a strong interest towards the fixed WiMax technology became clear: the entirety of the sector’s operators expectations were addressed to the use of WiMax in the frequency band of 3,4-3,6 GHz rather than in the shared band used in the rest of Europe. We have to underline that, when the public examinations took place, the so called “WiFi decree” dated 4th October 2005 had not been issued and the concept of “WiFi range ” had to be read as the overcoming of the restriction of the laws in use.

During the WiFi Forum the use of 2,3-2,7 GHz (licensed band) and 5,725-5,85 GHz (not-licensed band) in addition to the already mentioned 3,4-3,6 GHz band and its extensions 3,3-3,4 GHz e 3,6-3,8 GHz had been proposed. Basically the destination use for these frequencies bands in Italy, as established by the National Plan of frequencies distribution approved by the Ministry of Communications, followed the expectations.

In particular, in picture we see that the band 2,5-2,690 GHz (destined, according to the WiMax Forum indications, to the mobile WiMax) has to be destined, from January 2008, to the IMT2000/UMTS services (see notes 163A, 163B and 164 from the National Plan of frequencies distribution, dated 5^th July 2005). It shows that the frequencies which will be proposed to the fixed WiMax, are, at the moment, used by radiolocation services and are now managed by the Ministry of Defence. This Ministry, in the already mentioned technological experimentation, allowed, in some areas of Italy, the use of some parts of the frequency band 3,4-3,6 GHz.

The activities carried out induced the Authority for the Communication Warranties (”Garante delle Telcomunicazioni”) to call a 60 days public consultation, in November 2006, aiming “to obtain information and documentation elements” useful to regulation purposes and to evaluate the interest towards the above mentioned band in order to justify “ its limits at the services and networks characteristics”.

After that, in December 2006, the Ministry of Defence issued a press release announcing the start of a table of negatition with the Ministry of Communications to the progressive transfer in frequency of their 3,5 GHz band radar and telecommunication services, requested for the development of the services supported by the WiMax technology in the territory”.

Thanks to these negotiations, 35+35 MHz in the 3.4÷3.6 GHz band - divisible even in more than one national macro areas - will be available from June 2007.

As heard in the last Broadband Access Forum meeting held in Naples, in 16th January 2007, the Italian Ministry of Communications will make a public tender of the frequencies for WiMax next June 2007. It will be interesting to see if incumbents will create speculations, buying licenses they will never use, as happened with WLL in 2002!!

For more information on WiMax in Italy, please feel free to contact Nino Patane’: info@trendeurope.com

Wi-Fi, Breaking news: Draft IEEE 802.11n is now approved!

It’s done: 100 votes in favor, 0 negative votes, 5 abstentions. Wi-Fi specs draft IEEE 802.11n are now approved! Only 75% of postive votes would have been enough, 100% represents a big achievement  and a sign of commitment. The new draft will be numbered 2.0 (Draft 2.0 IEEE 802.11n). Most of the available devices could require a firmware upgrade. The direction toward 802.11n is very strong so we can expect a gradual replacement of 11g devices into 11n devices. A new run of PTT approval processes will be necessary for all manuifacturers.  We are experts in supporting international companies in fulfilling PTT regulations and approval processes. If you need to know more, please feel fre to contact us: info@trendeurope.com

PTT approvals - Requirements for Datacom Italy and Europe

The European Community went through a strong deregulation process in 1999 for all Telecommunications devices subject to regulatory requirements. As a result of that, the local PTTs offices stopped to requesting compliances to country’s specific PTT regulations and related local process of getting approvals, and moved to 1999/05/EC (R&TTE) directive. In those European Countries, EC compliance is now fulfilled in the following way: the manufacturer of the datacom product submits the device to only one of the Official Notified bodies for a conformity check. The Notified Body will perform a test cycle on the product and once the test is passed, it will keep the complete test report and release an Approval Conformity Certification to the manufacturer. A copy of the certification is usually translated and shipped together with the product (e.g. printed in the user guide) and is valid across all the European Countries.

In Italy as well as a few other Countries, the Ministry of Communication has transposed/adopted the European 1999/05/EC (R&TTE) directive into national laws, and there is a national specific procedure to fulfil. For Telecommunication and Datacomm manufacturers, there is an important difference to consider in order to understand what kind of approval procedure the product is subject to. If the device is intended to be used by the end user, in their home, and is a product such as a phone or a modem, it will not need any extra approval action to be taken into Italy. The European Certification released by the Certified Body be valid in Italy with no need further to engage other local PTT Approvals. If the Telecommunication or Datacomm device is intended to be installed in the Telecom exchange or in any other place rather than the end user’s home, it has to be locally approved according the law (law “D.P.R. nr. 507, 9th December 1998). If this is the case, the device is seen as a “network terminal“. As a consequence of that, the Manufacturer that is willing to perform an Italian PTT approval, should prepare all the necessary documentation (electrical schematics, bom list, application form) and two test units to submit to the PTT Lab’s test. If the entire test is passed, the Certificate of Approval will be issue in around one month. The Manufacturers of products subjected to PTT approvals that are not submitted for the test procedure, will be considered as shipping an illegal product and prosecuted by law. Regarding the, a specific Italian PPT approval process must be followed. Products category such as Wi-Fi devices, Hyperlan2, MiMo, WiMAX, still need to be certified according to the art. 6.4 Directive 99/5/CE and DLgs 1.8.2003 n. 259 art.104 and D.M 28/5/03. This process is called “Immissione sul mercato” (translation: “entry in the market” or “release in the market”). There are no real hw tests performed on the device but the paperwork is generated by the Italian Ministry of Communication who certify the test report released by the European Body. Also in this case, the “Immissione sul mercato” certificate will be available in a month or so after the testing. The “Immissione sul mercato” is mandatory and products without that Certificate could be removed from the shelves of the shops by the Postal Police. For more information on PTT approvals, regulations, conformity certifications, lab tests, CE marking, ROHS, WEEE, RAEEE, etc. - please feel free to contact me info@trendeurope.com

Cebit 2007 - What’s the point in visiting the exhibition?

What’s the point in visiting CeBIT? CeBIT is the world’s largest ICT fair for digital ICT solutions designed for home and professional environments. The yearly spring visit to the “Hannover Messe” always gave both to businesses of any size and technically acquainted users the opportunity to gather first-hand information on new international ICT trends and solutions. It’s a matter of fact, that the information flood we experience daily through all web-based communication means definitely makes a mere informative visit to the CeBIT superfluous, although all exhibitors (6,262 in 2006!) still showcase their latest solution highlights and new products at CeBIT. So what’s the point in visiting CeBIT 2007? CeBIT has developed from the world’s biggest ICT exhibition to the world’s largest international ICT business platform. With an attendance of roughly 430,000 visitors in 2006 coming from the industry, the retail sector, banks, service providers, government agencies etc., the CeBIT is still the most interesting ICT expo being the biggest market place and barometer for the ICT industry. At CeBIT, hold every year in Hanover (Germany) you have the unique opportunity to join your peers, executives and managers, international business partners and potential customers. Personal contact is the only thing the newest information means cannot provide. This is the point in attending to CeBIT 2007, paying a visit to the major European exhibithon! The CeBIT 2007, organized by Deutsche Messe AG, will be held from Thursday, March 15^th to Wednesday, March 21^st 2007 at Hannover Exhibition Fairground (Messegelände), 30521 Hannover, Germany. Opening hours for visitors: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The CeBIT, History and curiosities. With the opening of the new hall 1 of the Hanover Messegelände 1970 coincided the launch of an exhibition for information technologies. The initially planned name for this trade show was “CeBOT” (German acronym for “Centrum für Büro und Organisationstechnik” - “Center for Office and Organization”) but short before start the Exhibitors’ Committee decided in favour of “CeBIT” from “Centrum für Büro und Informationstechnik” (Center for Office and Information Technology). The apparent hint of the second syllable to the smallest unit processed by computers (“bit”) was not planned at all, but turned out to be a very fortunate coincidence, especially in the light of the ICT technologies up-wind during the last 30 years. Due to the constantly increasing numbers of PC manufacturers and IT companies wishing to show their products and solutions at CeBIT, at the end of the 1970s Deutsche Messe AG dedicated also halls 2 and 18 to CeBIT. At the beginning of the 1980s CeBIT expanded further into Hall 3. 1986 Deutsche Messe AG took over the organization of CeBIT in Hannover each spring. Nowadays CeBIT covers almost all Hannover Messegelände for a whole week and has developed to the “World Center for Office, Information and Communications Technology”. According to CEBIT organizers more than 6000 exhibitors from around the world (70 countries) and more than 430000 visitors from all over the world attended the last edition of CeBIT, i.e. CEBIT 2006 edition

I will be at Cebit 2007 from 16th March until 2oth March 2007 and will be happy to meet companies looking to expand their business in Italy and Europe, looking for sales and marketing services or virtual subsidiary services or sales representatives / sales agency, or developing a sales channel and partners network or auditing and widening / improving their existing network of channel partners. 

2007 International CES - Consumer Electronics Show- January 8-11 Las Vegas

CES stand for “Consumer Electronic Show“: the World’s largest technology trade show being hold every year, in January, in Las Vegas (USA). The first edition of the CES Exhibition was held in New York in 1967. This year CES was celebrating its 40th anniversary. Other tradeshows that are important for consumer electronics market are: CEBIT (Hannover, Germany), COMPUTEX (Taipei, Taiwan), IFA (Berlin, Germany) and SIMO TCI (Madrid, Spain). The 2007 edition of CES exceeded the expectations: 1.8 million net square feet of space, more than 140,000 attendees from all around the world, 2700 exhibitors. The most successful technology - in terms of visitor’s attention - were the followings: IPTV, Home Servers, HSDPA / EV-DO, Location-based servers and GPS, Blu-ray Disc / HD-DVD, Follow-me TV, Full HD, HDMI, Slingbox, Wimax. Also the last development on Audio, Digital Entertainment, Digital Imaging, Home Networking, Home Theater, Mobile Electronics, Wireless and Emerging Technologies.

Italian PC Market Q3 2006 - Information Technology Italy

Italian PC Market Q3 2006. At the end of October 2006 the quarterly figures regarding the PC Market in Italy have been released. The Italian PC  market continues to see a two digit growth. In units the growth accounts for +12.2% compared to the same quarter of 2005; in value the growth  is +6.1%. Major growth for notebooks: of which 25% overall, 28.4% consumer and 21.7% business configurations. Outlook for full year 2006 - expected number of PC shipped in 2006: 4.7 million (+12.5% vs 2005).

Source: Sirmi