[Prima.sm] "I love +378", online the first UMTS network of San Marino

[AndreA]

Finally seems that San Marino will have its FIRST and REAL GSM network

http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/net_smte.shtml

Operator Name: San Marino Telecom Spa
Network Name: San Marino Telecom
Technology: GSM 900/1800
Network Status: Planned July 2006
Web Site: http://www.smt.sm

Last week I didn't find anything, maybe the planned start is simply delayed
I can imagine new offers on their +378 prefixes... I tried to call them but actually I found only an automatic fax machine... hope to have more news soon B)

[dg7feq]

Originally Posted by AndreA

Finally seems that San Marino will have its FIRST and REAL GSM network

http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/net_smte.shtml

Operator Name: San Marino Telecom Spa
Network Name: San Marino Telecom
Technology: GSM 900/1800
Network Status: Planned July 2006
Web Site: http://www.smt.sm

Last week I didn't find anything, maybe the planned start is simply delayed
I can imagine new offers on their +378 prefixes... I tried to call them but actually I found only an automatic fax machine... hope to have more news soon B)

Cool
This could be the first provider who can start with one antenna and get nearly full coverage i think

Chris

[andy]

Hmmm, once they get going they definitely need to expand their potential coverage by launching or hosting a global SIM

maybe that's the underlying motive?

[AndreA]

Originally Posted by andy

Hmmm, once they get going they definitely need to expand their potential coverage by launching or hosting a global SIM

maybe that's the underlying motive?

Maybe, but I'd like to understand if they have behind a italian society or not... this is really important for their commercial future. In fact, if they use an italian network it's almost impossible to see a 'global sim' interesting for my country

Anyway I'll try to follow the story on my TLC Blog.

[AndreA]

Originally Posted by dg7feq

This could be the first provider who can start with one antenna and get nearly full coverage i think

I don't think so. San Marino has various hills and it's not so easy to cover. I think they need more than a dozen of BTS for a good coverage. Well, I know less than for a medium city but it's harder than Gibraltar or Jersey

[dg7feq]

Originally Posted by AndreA

I don't think so. San Marino has various hills and it's not so easy to cover. I think they need more than a dozen of BTS for a good coverage. Well, I know less than for a medium city but it's harder than Gibraltar or Jersey

Ok, your point. I was just looking at the size not at the geography.

:whistle:

[AndreA]

Originally Posted by dg7feq

Ok, your point. I was just looking at the size not at the geography.

:P

Anyway I just finished to write on my blog what I found aroung SMT... but I'm so lazy to transate my research in english that I'll give you only a resume :P

Shortly: last 29th May the RSM Governiement decided to give a 2nd licence for TLC (DSL, landline and mobile) to TCOM. So from TCOM now we have "San Marino Telecom", the first competitor of "Telecom Italia San Marino" (ex Intelcom). I hope that they can help our competition too... the fact that their Governiement wanted new prefixes on +378 is only a good thing Finally not more italian prefixes for RSM mobiles...

[Przemolog]

Originally Posted by AndreA

... the fact that their Governiement wanted new prefixes on +378 is only a good thing Finally not more italian prefixes for RSM mobiles...

Don't be so happy. Using a foreign prefix is a good occasion to raise the rates Italy to RSM to international ones :P

[AndreA]

Originally Posted by Przemolog

Don't be so happy. Using a foreign prefix is a good occasion to raise the rates Italy to RSM to international ones :P

Maybe yes, probably not... we have a special agreement between Italy and RSM for sharing our TLC systems.

The prefix +378 for example is NOT available from Italy, but only outside our Peninsula

In fact if I read +378 51111, I have to call the number 0549 51111.
+378 is only for other countries, in Italy for calling RSM we use a landline prefix (0549) and we are simply charged as a national call. So I hope (and I think) that RSM will have a special prefix for "S.M.T." mobiles (for example: +378.3.xxxxx), but only for a different taxation. But in Italy that prefix maybe will have our numeration (usually a 3xx ) and we'll pay simply as calling a national mobile... so I'm waiting for another 'fake prefix' only for italian business

[andy]

Originally Posted by AndreA

... the fact that their Government wanted new prefixes on +378 is only a good thing Finally not more italian prefixes for RSM mobiles...

I've seen some very cheap tariffs to call San Marino mobile. I assumed they are almost fictitious, like Antarctica mobile for 1 penny a minute, so that the provider gets listed in comparison databases - some have algorithms or policy that will only add a new provider if it has the cheapest rate to somewhere ...