Facebook launched its first "Internet.org" service, based on the acquired Onavo technology [see "Facebook Acquires Onavo for $100M" - here] in Zambia.

Internet.org defines "Efficiency" as one of the solution they look for: "Transmitting data—even a text message or a simple web page—requires bandwidth, something that’s scarce in many parts of the world. Partners will invest in tools and

Allot Communications announced today that it "received an order from a Tier-1 mobile operator in EMEA for the Allot Policy Control and Charging solution. The operator is leveraging Allot’s policy control and charging solution to provide 4 million subscribers with application-centric plans that fit their digital lifestyle.

The solution will allow the Tier-1 mobile operator to conduct in-depth

A new study by Allot Communications (surveyed the data plans and charging trends of 175 mobile operators worldwide) finds that "85% of operators are leveraging apps to attract customers and increase ARPU .. Facebook is mobile operators’ top choice for zero-rated apps and Unlimited data plans are in decline".


Some examples of Zero rate programs:

Facebook Offers Free Messaging Through 18 MNOs 

Will Sandvine's prediction that "sponsored data will create billions of dollars of revenue for service providers" (here) come through? AT&T's sponsored data (see "[Rumors]: AT&T "Sponsored Data" is Based on Openet's PCC " here) takes another step forward.




Syntonic Wireless, an AT&T sponsored data provider, announced the introduction of the "Syntonic Sponsored Content Store for eligible AT

Some quotes from Sandvine's earning call for Q2 2014 (revenues of $29.7M - here):

Our 10% plus customers in the quarter contributed less than 30% of revenue, which is lower than any recent period
 
I am pretty pleased with our ability in Q2, to sell more to our existing customers. Generally, that ratio is .. 80% existing, 20% new. I'd say that number was closer to 90/10 in Q2, and without any

Very interesting analysis of mobile data business models, by Dean Bubley, Disruptive Analysis:

A new study by Dean Bubley [pictured], Founder, Disruptive Analysis finds that "New Non-Neutral Mobile Broadband Business Models will generate $25bn in 2019 - just 6% of total mobile Internet/data access revenue, excluding those plans that just use outright blocking/throttling, and those with just some form of zero-rating of apps/content - the latter will also be important, at >1.5bn users

While the Net Neutrality on the US goes towards "Fast Lanes", Chile, the first countries to adopt a Net Neutrality law (see "Chile: First Country to Legislate Net Neutrality" - here) does not compromise on any aspect of Neutrality.

Leo Mirani reports to QUARTZ that "A surprising decision in Chile shows what happens when policies of neutrality are applied without nuance. This week, Santiago put

Sandvine's recent “Global Internet Phenomena Report 1H2014” (based on data from a selection of Sandvine’s 250-plus communications service provider (CSP) customers spanning North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Caribbean and Latin America and Asia-Pacific) finds that:

Just over two years after its launch, Netflix has become the second largest driver of traffic on fixed access networks

A new report on DPI and Policy Control by Graham Finnie [pictured], Chief Analyst, Heavy Reading, finds "a significant slowdown in growth, from a whopping 30 percent in 2012 to around 17 percent in 2013. A key factor: The initial market for policy servers and deep packet inspection (DPI) gear is pretty much saturated, at least in the wireless sector .. our forecast predicts. We expect the market

As we say here -"if it is free, give me two". So it is true also for "Sponsored Data", according to a recent survey by Citrix.

"The survey of adult smartphone and tablet owners, conducted by Wakefield Research found that a majority of subscribers say they exceed their mobile data quota (and watching Video is not the prime reason!) – even more fear exceeding it" 




82 percent fear the data

Asaf Gilad reports to Calcalist [here, Hebrew] that Viber, the VoiP/chat application is about to be acquired by an "Asian competitor in the chat space" for $300-400M.

According to the article, Viber has 200M registered users, of which third are in Asia. The company has 120 employees - in Israel (40), Belarus and the headquarters in Cyprus.

Viber has some "sponsored data" agreements with MNOs

   
Brian Fung reports to The Washington Post that the FCC recently appointed chairman, Tom Wheeler [pictured], won't rule our AT&T's recent "1-800" initiative (see "[Rumors]: AT&T "Sponsored Data" is Based on Openet's PCC" - here).

This is not the first time we hear such comments that may not agree with the "Open Internet" (Net Neutrality) concept, although the current US rules do not apply to

AT&T plans for 1-800 data service have been materialized.

Some of my previous posts show us how the process of developing the new product evolved over two years:

[Feb 12]: AT&T Considers "1-800" Model for Mobile Data
[Jun '12]: AT&T CEO: 1-800 Data will "Catch Fire in the Next 12 Months"
[Dec '12]: AT&T Asks Subscribers about 1-800 Data Service 
[May '13]: AT&T 1-800 Maybe Based on