VNL
VNL at Mobile World Congress 2009 2 Mar, 2009
Contrasting the buzz about high speed data, iPhone replicas, mobile TV, convergence and various value added services, VNL’s rural telecom initiative was received as an unusual and appreciated effort at this year’s congress.
Visitor numbers were notably lower than last year, likely due to the impact of the current global recession and the followed layoffs and operational reductions among mobile operators and vendors alike.
With a looming energy crisis around the corner – slightly curbed by recently lowered fuel prices but still on the center stage – it’s evident that mobile operators take energy consumption reduction efforts seriously. Many vendors were showcasing alternative power solutions, and new innovations in energy efficiency.
Bergey Windpower stood out as a prominent inventor within wind power solutions. And PowerOasis have created an innovative power management system – well suited for mobile operators that are looking at retro-fitting existing installations with renewable energy alternatives.
VNL’s booth at MWC 2009
As far as the rural telecom space goes, VNL generated quite a bit of buzz by showcasing WorldGSM™ for the first time. Seeing the prominently located Village Site for the first time, some visitors thought we were solar panel vendors. As a regular reader of this blog, you know that this is far from the truth. The Village Site is a breakthrough in telecom innovation – the smallest, most energy efficient GSM base station ever built. So simple to deploy that local workers can install it in just six hours.
Visitors reacted very positively to the fact that WorldGSM™ is a complete GSM system – not just a conventional base station retrofitted with solar panels. And that it doesn’t compare with conventional GSM equipment but is entirely designed to extend existing networks – helping mobile operators expand their reach beyond what’s possible today.
Many were also pleasantly surprised to hear that a Village Site only needs about 50W of power – lightbulb wattage.
We’d like to thank our team and all our booth visitors, customers and partners for making VNL’s participation in MWC 2009 such a success! We look forward to interacting with all of you again at Communicasia 2009 in Singapore, 16th-19th of June.
Published by admin in The Microtelecom Revolution Blog
So far, no one has commented on this post. Have your say!
Meet VNL at Mobile World Congress 12 Feb, 2009
This is the time of the year when everyone in the telecom industry gears up for the premier annual event – the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, 16-19 of February.
VNL has dual presence at this year’s congress. Our main booth is located in Hall 2 (B69), and we also have a booth in GSMA’s Green Zone (in Hall 2 as well).
Our participation this year is quite special as we will showcase our award-winning WorldGSM™ system - the solar powered GSM system for rural areas.
As a regular reader of the VNL blog, you already know that WorldGSM is the first commercially viable GSM system for rural areas with ARPUs of less than $2. That it uses solar power as its single energy source – no diesel generators required. And that it’s made for simple delivery and deployment by local workers – all resulting in zero opex, dramatically lower capex and near zero maintenance.
The bottom line: mobile operators now have a way to provide mobile services to rural communities in the developing world – and still turn a profit.
WorldGSM also opens up a new microtelecom business model – involving microfinance – where operators can partner with local entrepreneurs to accelerate deployment and reduce costs still further.
If you’re a mobile operator, you’re well aware that your urban subscriber growth is flattening out, and that you’re going to have to look further afield for your next million subscribers. So if you’re planning to visit the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, save half an hour for us. We’ll show you something that will completely transform your thinking about how to profitably reach your next million subscribers.
You’re very welcome to visit us at Hall 2, Booth B69. We look forward to seeing you there!
Published by admin in The Microtelecom Revolution Blog
So far, 2 people have commented on this post. Have your say!
Latest posts
- VNL Wins in the m-Business & Commerce Category for the 2010 South Asia mBillionth Award
- VNL Shortlisted in the m-Business & Commerce Category for the 2010 South Asia mBillionth Award
- VNL’s Solar Powered GSM Base Stations to Be Part of ITU School and Community Network Initiatives in South Asia
- VNL at East Africa Com, Nairobi, Kenya: April 27 & 28, 2010
- Smartphone.biz-news.com: “Voices of the Industry”
- Live from Mobile World Congress: VNL Wins Green Mobile Award for Best Green Programme Product or Initiative
- VNL at Mobile World Congress
- VNL named one of Fast Company’s “Fast 50: The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies”
- VNL’s Solar-Powered GSM Base Station Shortlisted for Two GSMA Awards at Mobile World Congress; To Announce Deployment Progress in India, Africa and South East Asia at Show
- Time Magazine’s “Tech Pioneers That Will Change Your Life”
Tags
ARPU Award Base station base stations Biofuel Charge Charger Cleantech communicasia Diesel Energy Fuel Globalwarming Green Growth GSM GSMA India innovation Interview Microfinance Microtelecom Mobile Mobile World Congress MWC Network networks Oil operators Phone Photo Power press Rajiv Mehrotra Renewable Rural Solar Solar powered Sustainability Telecom Village VNL White paper wireless WorldGSM