Pete Bell

Pete Bell is a Senior Analyst for TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database and also contributes to the daily CommsUpdate newsletter. He has a particular interest in wireless broadband and was responsible for TeleGeography’s 4G Research Service until it was integrated into GlobalComms.

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Recent Posts
Oct 10, 2019

Termination Rates Continue Downward Trend

Mobile termination rates (MTRs) have been falling steadily over the past decade. That trajectory is set to continue through the next few years.

Under the Calling Party Pays (CPP) system, which applies to the bulk of mobile markets worldwide, incoming calls are free and the cost of the call is covered by the originating user. Termination rates are designed to allow cellcos at the receiving end of a call to recoup their costs in these markets.
Sep 16, 2019

Jio Prepares for Round Two

The stage is set for India’s second telecom battle in the space of three years.
Jul 16, 2019

Mislatel Ready to Shake Up Filipino Mobile Market

The Philippines has moved one step closer to breaking the cellular market duopoly of well-established operators PLDT/Smart and Globe Telecom.

Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company (Mislatel)–the new major player (NMP) that was licensed in November 2018–has formally been issued its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). This paves the way for a planned commercial launch next year.
May 14, 2019

Tower Power: Supporting the World’s Cellcos

Spain-based telecom infrastructure firm Cellnex announced a series of deals to acquire mobile towers in three European countries.

The $3 billion (EUR2.7 billion) transaction will see Cellnex buying network equipment from Iliad in France and Italy, as well as Salt in Switzerland.
Apr 16, 2019

MVNO Market Maintains Upward Trajectory

The market for MVNO services remains buoyant. Customers of resellers accounted for 4.6% of all mobile users worldwide at the end of 2018. This is up from 4.3% a year earlier and less than 2% in December 2011.
Mar 12, 2019

Rakuten Aims to Make a Splash in Japan

Japan has one of the most technologically advanced mobile markets in the world. Three well-established players–NTT DOCOMO, KDDI, and Softbank–dominate the sector. 

When combined, these three claimed over 170 million subscribers at the end of 2018.
Feb 21, 2019

Huawei: No Way or All the Way?

Chinese equipment manufacturer Huawei Technologies has found itself in the spotlight following accusations of espionage, fraud, by-passing Iranian trade sanctions, and threats to cyber-security.

The company is now facing a backlash from a growing number of governments and telcos around the world.
Jan 17, 2019

When is 5G not 5G?

U.S. telco AT&T has come under criticism from rivals for pushing its “5G Evolution” technology. But critics might want to take a long look in the mirror, as many have been guilty of similar marketing hyperbole.
Dec 13, 2018

LatAm Mobile Market Poised to Return to Growth

The wireless services sector in Latin America and the Caribbean has stagnated in recent years.

The region was home to 690.4 million wireless subscribers at the end of June 2018, up slightly from 687.4 million six months before, but well down from the recent peak of 714.1 million at end-2014.

As countries reach market saturation, operators are now concentrating their efforts on wringing more revenue from existing users.
Nov 8, 2018

Cable is Main Form of Broadband Access in North America

The market for fixed broadband services in North America is clearly divided along technological lines.

Cablecos are currently battling rivals with copper and, increasingly, fiber-based networks.

 

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