Why Digicel and FLOW Jamaica selling unlocking smartphones as Huawei and Xiaomi coming in 2016

“Just to say that the phones are being sold cheaply, and there are some inherent subsidy will not for me suffice. I believe that in keeping with the spirit of portability, the providers ought not to be continuing to lock their devices once the consumer has purchased outrightly, of whatever price, the phone”

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Philip Paulwell making the announcement relating to unlocked smartphones

Looks like the Telecom Provider have caved under public pressure as it relates to unlocked Smartphones!

As of Thursday January 7^th 2016, all smartphones being sold by both Digicel and FLOW Jamaica will be unlocked as reported in the article “No More Locked Cellphones... Paulwell foresees additional investment in mobile phone business”, published Thursday January 7, 2016 by Jerome Reynolds, The Jamaica Gleaner.  

 

Simply put, you can go to any of the two (2) Telecom Providers and purchase a smartphone completely unlocked. Apparently the Telecom Providers have decided to do this without the need for Minister Paulwell to implement any new legislation stipulating that smartphones need to be unlocked, albeit he might still have to eventually!

Best of all, the process will be monitored to make sure that the Telecom Provider are genuinely doing as they claim, to quote Minister Paulwell: “I have asked the team [the committee set up to introduce number portability] to monitor whether or not the locking is taking place because then we'll have to, by policy, instruct that it be discharged as a measure by the companies. My position is that the customers ought to be free to move with not only their numbers but also their instructions, unless there is a contractual arrangement that the customer has signed”

So why is it necessary to have unlocked smartphones?

Digicel and LIME to sell unlocked smartphones - Why unlocked smartphone need to make MNP mainstream

This is something I've been argueing was necessary to boost MNP (Mobile Number Portability).

Unlocked Smartphone have to be a part of the MNP push as since its introduction to Jamaica on Monday June 22nd 2015 as explained in my blog article entitled “MNP and LNP delayed to Monday June 22nd 2015 - Technical Problem is Customer Knowledge, Misdmatched Demographics and no Unlocked Quad-Band smartphones” adoption has been very slow! 

Also not many Jamaican have a quad-band smartphone but have a dual-band phone, being as these smartphones are expensive, with many resorting to relatives sending them down via a Barrel. This makes MNP only accessible to Jamaicans, most likely Millennials, either willing to buy a new smartphone, unlocked their smartphone or already possessing a quad-band smartphone.

The typical Generation X (ages 29 to 45) and older  with many other responsibilities may not have the financial power to merely purchase an unlocked Smartphone just to take advantage of MNP as described in my blog article entitled “Jamaica Number Portability 2 months on - How to Port your number as All Good Customer go to Heaven in 90 Days”.

This means that although some 50,000 Jamaicans had accessed the Number portability facility as touted by Minister Paulwell as noted in the article “50,000 Mobile Customers Switch Networks In Six Months”, published Tuesday December 29, 2015, The Jamaica Gleaner most of them are probably Millennials, as most Generation X (ages 29 to 45) and older are simply not able.

Minister Paulwell himself had also requested that the Telecom Provider provide the option to have their smartphones unlocked, but they had refused, citing the loss of control over the customer’s ability to switch networks as noted in my blog article entitled “How Jamaican can access MNP and LNP by Monday June 1st 2015 – Windfall for Jamaican smartphone unlockers as Quad-Band smartphones and Carrier-Free SIM Cards Required”.

So what happened to change their minds?

MNP is to encourage new entrants in Jamaica - Unlocked smartphones needed not Subsidies and cheaper smartphones

With only 50,000 Jamaican taking advantage of MNP after six (6) months, something has to be done to increase the number of persons switching.

MNP was introduced on Monday June 22^nd 2015 as noted in my blog article entitled “Number Portability now possible in Jamaica - How the NPA creates efficient Number Range Management as Third Telecom Provider Coming”. 

Part of the reason MNP was being offered to customer was to make it easier for a Third Telecom Provider to come to Jamaica and set up their Telecom Network, especially VoIP and MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) as noted in my blog article entitled “@TheOURja MVNO Licenses – How Telecom Providers  benefit and Why MVNO are a source of Product Innovation”.

By having MNP and LNP, a competing Telecom Provider would not have to worry about having inadequate number of phone numbers; MNP and LNP would make it easy to start with a few exchange codes and expand simply by porting customers away from the competition.

It also makes it easier for the OUR to get an additional Area Code to double the number of exchange codes and thus the number ranges available to any new Telecom Provider wishing to set up business in Jamaica as noted in my blog article entitled “OUR applies for new Area Code for Jamaica - Competition in Telecoms in the coming Hunger Games Catching Fire of Mobile Computing”.  

As Minister Paulwell pointed out, cheaper phones isn't the real reason for MNP, but making it easier for other Telecom Providers to come to Jamaica. Ownership of a Smartphone should mean that you can do what you wish with the smartphone, quote: “Just to say that the phones are being sold cheaply, and there are some inherent subsidy will not for me suffice. I believe that in keeping with the spirit of portability, the providers ought not to be continuing to lock their devices once the consumer has purchased outrightly, of whatever price, the phone”.

Good to note too that Jamaican customers are taking advantage of MNP; LNP is yet to be implemented to allow Generation X (ages 29 to 45) and older who have landlines to also port their numbers to any network of their choosing. Thus making smartphones unlocked would make it easier for this segment of the Jamaican population to port their landline numbers to a smartphone.

Competition from Unlocked smartphones - Huawei and Xiaomi to unlock Jamaica in 2016

But another reason which may have made the decision easy for Telecom Providers without the need for legislation is coming competition from provider of unlocked smartphones.

Huawei and Lasco Jamaica had teamed up in September 2015 to sell unlocked smartphones as noted in my blog article entitled “Huawei and Lasco to sell Unlocked dual-SIM smartphones - Why Number Portability means Open Market for unlocked smartphone”.

Also Miami-based phone-maker Blu Products has been selling a lot of Dual-SIM Smartphones in Jamaica, disrupting the sales of Smartphone by Digicel and FLOW Jamaica.

With such models as the US$179 Blu Studio Energy 2 and US$109 Blu Energy X as noted in my blog article entitled “How US$179 Blu Studio Energy 2 and US$109 Blu Energy X is bringing Dual-SIM Energy”. 

The Telecom Providers are facing a trending towards Dual-SIM smartphones that they cannot control.

So by making smartphones unlocked, they are making it possible for Jamaicans to choose to purchase their Smartphone, rather than purchase an unlocked smartphone from these steadily rising competitors.

I say “steadily rising” as Xiaomi is slated to come to the US of A and eventually the Caribbean and Latin America as noted in my blog article entitled “How Huawei 100 million sale in 2015 means Honor to challenge Xiaomi in America in 2016”.

Huawei may have discovered that Americans like their all high-end metal smartphones such as the Huawei Mate 8, but they cannot beat the competitive price point of Xiaomi, whose smartphones are of a higher build quality for much lower prices.

If Xiaomi were to come to Jamaica and distribute smartphones, they'd create bigger problems for the Telecom Providers. Thus by making this move to offer unlocked smartphones, Digicel and LIME may be anticipating the coming of Xiaomi and Huawei to flood Jamaica with low-cost high quality unlocked smartphones in 2016, the Year of the Monkey!

Why 80 Earthquakes by Earthquake Unit in 2015 means Big One and Tsunami in 2017

Jamaica it seems, is overdue for an earthquake. Especially now that January 2016 is now being observed as Earthquake Month, right before Valentine's Day and Black History month in February 2015.

So says the Earthquake Unit at the University of the West Indies, which says that Jamaica feels some eight (80) earthquakes in 2015 as reported in the article “80 earthquakes recorded in Jamaica last year”, published Wednesday January 6, 2016, The Jamaica Gleaner.  

Interestingly, despite this seemingly high figure, the number of earthquakes felt in Jamaica is on the decline. Many Jamaicans actually did not feel many of the earthquakes detected by the twelve (12) stations across the island operated by the Earthquake Unit at the University of the West Indies.

In fact, of the eight (80) earthquakes in 2015, Jamaicans can only recall feeling one earthquake. This and the fact that the frequency of earthquakes is on the decline is cause for concern according to Professor Simon Mitchell of the Department of Geography and Geology at UWI.

So why is this so important even as the Zika Virus gets closer to Jamaica as it’s nowt in Martinique and Puerto Rico as reported in my blog article entitled “Why the US of A must fear Zika Virus as Dominica and Jamaica next by February 2016”?

80 Earthquakes detected by Earthquake Unit - Jamaica overdue for a Big One

Folks, trust me if you can’t feel an earthquake yet it occurred, it's mighty important!

Professor Simon Mitchell argues that since we're feeling less earthquakes, the Gonave Microplate, which is one of several plates that has fault lines running through Jamaica is ready to release it built up energy.

Just like the calm before a storm as in the case of a hurricane or shaking up a bottle of soda before opening it, so too there is slowing down period in terms of the frequency of earthquakes before the big one is ready to pop. This might seem contrary to common sense, but logic can help here.

Jamaicans only felt one (1) of the eighty (80) earthquakes. This means that they were below 2.5 in the Richter magnitude scale. Because they were so light and only detected by the twelve (12) earthquake detecting stations across the island, it implies that the pressure being released by the earthquakes is getting less and less.

That buildup of pressure is piling up and may be soon released in a huge earthquake on the same level as the one that destroyed Port Royal in 1692.

Jamaican and Tsunamis - South Coast in need of Tsunami Early Warning system

Why should this be of concern to Jamaicans?

Because not only was Port Royal destroyed, but a Tsunami also occurred, flooding most of the south coast. 

 

Jamaica is still to implement the plan to have Jamaica Tsunami Alert system at sea to give Jamaicans on the South Coast early warning before they are doomed as predicted in my blog article entitled “Tsunami watch needed urgently for Real this time”. 

If Jamaica is hit by an earthquake, 70% of building in Kingston would be destroyed as noted in my blog article entitled “70% of Kingston destroyed if earthquake hits due to Building Code delay”.

Worse, most Jamaican would die as many building are being built using faulty building blocks that have not passed the BSJ (Bureau of Standards) tests as noted in my blog article entitled “Why Collapse due to BSJ's Faulty Block makers may occur spontaneously without an Earthquake”.

Jamaica, the time is now to upgrade our JS 217: Jamaica National Building Code to New National Building Code of Jamaica.Otherwise an earthquake in 2017, will lay waste to all of Kingston, the modern day Port Royal.

Here's the link:

UPSeis Magnitude scale

How Boeing patent for Dirigible Drone tether makes Drones fly forever

Looks like Hydrogen fuel cells aren't the only game in town.

Back in June 2015 Boeing has patented a system to make Drones, specifically dirigibles, stay aloft for longer periods of time as noted in the article “Boeing just patented a drone that can fly forever”, published Jun. 5, 2015 by Benjamin Zhang, BusinessInsider.

 

Instead of using hydrogen fuel cells as is the idea of Intelligent Energy’s as described in my blog article entitled “Why Intelligent Energy’s Drone Hydrogen Fuel Cell will make 2 Hour flights a reality”, the idea is use conductive tethers.

The patent US9045218B2 titled AUTONOMOUS AIRCRAFT WITH DISCONNECTABLE TETHER was granted on Tuesday June 2, 2015 is as shown below.

 

So how exactly does this work?

How the Boeing disconnectable Tether patent works – Charging Hydrogen Fuel cells via solar possible

The battery-powered dirigibles or drones deploy a retractable tether that connects to connect to a power source.

When fully charged, the drone automatically flies off to complete its programmed task. Then another drone will slide in to also be recharged in a similar manner.

 

This is basically an all-electric refueling station for fleets of drones mounted on a high enough elevation so that the drone can recharge. It also implies that the drone has to have the ability to hover.

The drone would also have to be programmed to deploy the tether when it has enough energy to remain hovering while drawing power to recharge.

When this patent will become real is not clear, but it'll help Boeing to market their dirigibles drones to the US Army as this will make them easier to maintain and refuel. Still, Hydrogen fuel cells would be a good look as well as Solar Recharging to maintain then in the sky indefinitely.

How 12 million Apple Watch in 2015 needs Hydrogen Fuel Cells to beat @Huawei, @Fitbit, @Xiaomi, @Garmin and @TagHeuer

“We continue to view the Apple Watch as a potential door opener for wearable technology across the board, as this next paradigm shift is likely set to take place across the consumer/enterprise landscape”

FBR & Co. analyst Daniel Ives commenting on sales of the Apple Watch in Investor Notes November 2015

The Apple Watch was a smashing success in 2015!

So says FBR & Co. analyst Daniel Ives who says Apple may have sold some 12 million Apple Watches as reported in the article “Analyst doubles Apple Watch sales prediction to 12 million sold in 2015”, published November 30, 2015 by Julian Chokkattu, Digitaltrends.

 

To be specific, he's predicted the following:

1.      6 million in the Fourth Quarter of 2015

2.      12 million overall for all of 2015

These numbers seem in line with analyst Canalys figure of 7 million for the Third Quarter of 2015 that they presented on Wednesday November 4th 2015 as reported in my blog article entitled “7 million Apple Watch sold in Q3 2015 - Why Samsung, Asus, Huawei, LG and Motorola smartwatches need longer battery life”.

It also fits with my prediction for Apple to dominate the Wearable segment by the Fourth Quarter of 2015 as noted in my blog article entitled “IDC Stats for Wearables in the First Quarter of 2015 - US$13 Mi Band Fitness Monitor @Xiaomi No. 2 as Apple Watch to dominate Smartwatch segment by Q4 2015”.

At 12 million that more than the 11.4 million wearable devices were shipped worldwide in the First Quarter of 2015 based on stats from Research Manager for IDC Wearables, Ramon Llamas. This is more than Fitbit, Xiaomi, Garmin and Jawbone combined!

His evidence is somewhat flimsy; he uses anecdotal evidence as well as contacts at certain Apple stores to compile those numbers. Interestingly Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty is predicting 30 million sales in the first year. KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi-Kuo is swinging for 15 million sales.

Both are way higher than FBR & Co. analyst Daniel Ives estimates. Moreover, he's claiming that the wearable devices market represents a US$20 billion plus market opportunity that Apple is yet to fully exploit.

So is this the real deal?

Apple sells 12 million in 2015 - Tag Heuer rattled and Android Wear is still catching up

It would appear to be the case, as evidence by how Apple's competition is responding.

Albeit off to a rough start in April 2015 as noted in my blog article entitled “Apple Watch Appointment Fittings coming Friday April 10th 2015 - Why Apple Appointments sets trend for How to sell a Wearable” their appointments strategy seems to be the best fit, pun intended!

Apple surpassed all expectations selling some 1 million units, beating the very sales figure it had taken Pebble two (2) years to achieve as noted in my blog article entitled “Apple Watch pre-orders sold out until June 2015 - How 1 million served equals Pebble Watch 2 years Sales in How to Sell a Wearable”.

The Apple watch may be picking up so much traction that it even began to disrupt the sales of Us Wristwatch maker who saw a 14% in June 2015 as noted in my blog article entitled “U.S. wristwatch sales in June 2015 dip due to Apple Watch - Why Apple Watch heralds Armageddon for U.S. and Swiss Watchmakers”.

This so rattled Tag Heuer that they released a US$1500 TAG Heuer Connected Watch in November 2015 as noted in my MICO Wars blog entitled “US$1500 TAG Heuer Connected Watch is worth its weight in precious Metals”.

The offering by Huawei and LG appeared to be Android Wear 2014 rehashes smothered with precious metals. The US$350 Huawei Watch in October 2015 is stylish but isn’t waterproof as noted in my MICO Wars blog entitled “Why US$350 Huawei Watch cannot be used for Sex in the shower”.

The US$1,200 LG Watch Urbane Luxe was not too bad but was too precious for arm candy as explained in my MICO Wars blog entitled “US$1,200 LG Watch Urbane Luxe in Gold and Leather for your lover this Christmas 2015”.

Apple US$20 billion market opportunity - 2016 the year of the Apple Watch and Apple Pay

The Second Quarter of 2015 ended with Apple estimated to have moved some 4 million Apple Watches in the Second Quarter of 2015 as reported in my blog article entitled “Apple sells 4 million Apple Watches - How Samsung, Asus, Huawei, LG and Motorola Empire Strikes back at IFA Trade Show”. 

So with analyst Canalys figure of 7 million for the Third Quarter of 2015, it would seem that the FBR & Co. analyst Daniel Ives is also a slight over estimate, albeit within the same conservative figure.  Apple remained quiet even as analysts such as Strategy Analytics tout the Apple Watch taking 72.8% of the wearable sales during the July-September period.

Apple, however, has coyly admitted that the Apple Watch outsold the first-generation iPad within nine weeks (9) as reported in “Apple sold more Apple Watches in 9 weeks than it sold iPhones and iPads when they first launched”, published July 21, 2015 by Nathan McAlone, BusinessWeek.

More proof that appointments is the best way to sell a smartwatch or any fashion accessory that doubles as Tech as noted in my Geezam blog article entitled “Apple’s Appointment hands-on Approach is why Apple Watch succeeded”.

If Apple can make the Apple Watch with a yearlong battery life, possibly powered by a Hydrogen Fuel cell as noted in my blog article entitled “Apple files patent for Hydrogen Fuel cell – Why Portable Hydrogen Fuel Cells needed to cut the Analog Power Cord” the Apple Watch would be a runaway success in 2016.

Even if they used some other technology such as solar, kinetic charging to extend the battery life as predicted in my blog article entitled “Apple considering Inductive, Solar and Kinetic Charging for Apple iWatch” this would be enough to make it last longer than two (2) days.

Throw in the expansion of Apple Pay in China in 2016 albeit missing the boat in South Africa as noted in my blog article entitled “Why WeChat ewallet in South Africa as ScotiaBank Jamaica and Digicel going Cashless” .

If Apple can revamp the Apple Watch by April 2016 as a must-have accessory that can do Apple Pay well, then that US$20 billion plus market opportunity would be theirs for the taking!

There is a lot more that I could add, but I'll wait until Apple reveals these figures or the analysts dust off their crystal balls and make predictions for 2016, the Year of the Monkey!

  

Why the US of A must fear Zika Virus as Dominica and Jamaica next by February 2016

“Zika is almost mild but in terms of women, that is the other complication because it is mild, you can have the disease and do not know, but it can affect your fetus. These vectors are deadly, dangerous and we need to continue to manage our containers around Dominica.”

Chief Environmental Officer, Anthony Scotland speaking of the effect of the Zika Virus on Pregnant women on Dominica

Happy New Year 2016, to all, in case I forgot to tell you so. 2016 is the Chinese Year of the Monkey, which means that this year is set to be full of mischief!

As of writing this blog, I'm preparing to go to MICO University College to do my In School Immersion for the next three (3) months. I've been preparing for it physically.....by munching on some Vitamin C and Vitamin B12 Tablets as per my Twitter Feed.

I feel so helpless. This #ZikaVirus coming to Jamaica and I'm here chewing on Vitamin C and B12 tablets like a rabbit #screwed

— Lindsworth Deer (@LindsworthDeer) January 4, 2016

Vitamin C and Vitamin B12 Tablets help to boost the immune system against the Zika Virus as I've predicted in my blog article entitled “Zika Virus in Caribbean as Dominica Republic Girl infected - Why Zika Virus will reach Jamaica and How to prepare using Citronella Soap and Vitamin C”. as Jamaicans will be getting the Zika Virus soon.

On Sunday January 3^rd 2015, Dominica has begun issuing warning to its residents to take precaution against the spread of the Zika Virus as noted in the article “Dominicans urged to take serious precautions against Zika Virus”, published Sunday, January 03, 2016, The Jamaica Observer.

The warning was issued by Environmental Health Officer, Morrison McPherson, obviously concerned as Martinique has reported cases of the Zika Virus as noted in my blog article entitled “Why Zika Virus in Martinique means 2016 the Year of Zika Virus in Jamaica”  is next door 

He's imploring Dominicans to take the precautions against becoming infected with the Zika Virus, quote: “Let us not wait until we are affected by these diseases, it might be too costly to take care of it. The pain that you experience and sometimes in rare cases, God forbid it, can lead to death. That is what we do not want to happen”.

So why should Jamaica be afraid?

Dominica fears Zika Virus from Martinique - Why the US of A should fear Zika Virus

Well, Dominicans are English speaking and undoubtedly they travel to and from the other CARICOM nations, including Jamaica.

Jamaicans, who have a bias towards speaking only English, also travel to Dominica to do work or visit friends, family and relatives. However, with the Zika Virus now in 12 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America region, it's only a matter of time before the virus comes to Jamaica.

Oddly, it may also reach the US of A, as a single case of the Zika Virus has been reported in Puerto Rico as reported in the article “Zika virus reported in Puerto Rico”, published January 3, 2016 By Sandee LaMotte, CNN.

 

With frequent travel between Puerto Rico and the US of A, American may actually get the Zika Virus before Jamaicans! The Zika Virus may be even more devastating in the US of A, especially in Florida!

This as Texas, Florida , Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina Virginia and possibly Kentucky are densely populate city an rural areas filled with thousands of garbage containers and rooftops where water can gather.

Worse, the storms have brought rains, causing the Mississippi River to burst its banks, setting water everywhere as noted in “Mississippi River inundates southern Illinois; Memphis is next”, published January 4, 2016 By Ed Payne, CNN.

Prevention of the Spread of the Zika Virus – US of A by February 2016 Year of the Monkey

Prevention of the spread of the Aedes Aegypti Mosquito is key.

Jamaicans need to reduce the breeding sites of the Aedes Aegypti Mosquito as well as prevent themselves from being bitten by taking the following precautions is key:

1.      Wearing long-sleeved clothing or long pants

2.      Using DEET insect repellents

3.      Sleeping under mosquito nets

Worse, we have no quarantine procedure against the disease as the symptoms of the Zika Virus are very mild. 

 

Symptoms usually manifest four (4) to seven (7) days after the initial infection and can last for up to four (4) weeks or longer:

1.      Conjunctivitis

2.      Fever

3.      Headache

4.      Joint and muscle pain

5.      Rash

6.      Swelling of the lower limbs

7.      Weakness

It’s best to have a diet rich in Vitamin C manly derived from Vegetables and fruits. If you have no ready access to Vegetables and fruits, taking Vitamin C and Vitamin B12 supplements, which is what I'm doing.

This will help to boost your immune system against the Zika Virus and all other Viral infections as noted in my blog article entitled “Vitamin C and the Chikungunya Virus - How to increase your Vitamin C Intake, Glutathione and Interferon by White Blood Cells” as THERE IS NO VACCINE OR MEDICINE!

Brazil has now declared a state of emergency since December 2015 as 2,400 babies born to mother that had contracted the Zika Virus have microcephaly. This suggests that babies in the womb are susceptible to the Zika Virus as they too have a weak immune system i.e. babies, children suffering from an illness or elderly persons with other health problems.

But while Jamaica had much to fear, the Zika Virus now has the US of A in its sights for February 2016, the Year of the Monkey. Just in time for St. Valentine’s Day!