...with a 4G-connected video camera. Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Nokia Networks teams with German university on 5G; TDC takes Mediaroom to Norway, with AlcaLu's help; trouble at Mobily.
UK mobile operator EE is hoping it can exploit its lead in 4G with the launch of its 4GEE Action Cam, which EE claims is the world's first such "action camera" that can broadcast live footage over the 4G network of, for example, the user hurtling along on a mountain bike or doing a spot of snorkeling, to a pre-selected group of willing viewers. The live broadcast element of the camera, which could be seen as a rival to GoPro offerings, will be powered by Skeegle, a new personal broadcasting service. On an individual monthly postpaid plan the camera will cost ₤15 a month (2GB of data) or ₤20 a month (10GB). Olaf Swantee, EE CEO and noted movie-star lookalike, said in a statement that the camera would be first in a series of devices unveiled this year that will seek to further exploit the potential of EE's 4G network. (See Eurobites: EE Hits 7.7M on 4G.)
The 4GEE Action Cam includes an accompanying viewfinder watch which allows the user to frame photos and videos.
Barely a week goes by without a vendor getting into bed with a university on matters 5G. Today's coupling sees Nokia Networks sponsoring 5G research at the University of Kaiserslautern in Germany, with a particular focus on the Internet of Things and the development of 5G architectural components to address the IoT's needs.
IP video technology from Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) is helping Denmark's TDC A/S (Copenhagen: TDC) extend its Mediaroom IPTV platform into Norway, with NextGenTel, an Internet service provider. AlcaLu and TDC have done IPTV-related business together for almost a decade.
Swedish metro core specialist Transmode Systems AB , which is se to become part of Infinera's empire, has expanded its range of packet-optical transport switches with the EMXP IIe 240, which the vendor says extends the switching and port density with support for 240G non-blocking switching and 24 x 10G ports on a single plug-in unit. (See Transmode Expands 10G Options and Infinera Makes $350M Offer for Sweden's Transmode.)
There's trouble afoot at Saudi Arabia's Etihad Etisalat Co. (Mobily) : Reuters reports that the operator has postponed its annual shareholders' meeting until it has finished studying a regulatory report into accounting irregularities at the operator.
The tender process for the new UK emergency service communications system contract has been left looking a bit silly, reports the Financial Times (subscription required), following the withdrawal of Telefónica UK Ltd. (O2) from the bidding, leaving EE as the sole bidder.
— Paul Rainford, Assistant Editor, Europe, Light Reading
