SFR has launched 4G in Lille, making it the fifth urban area in France covered by SFR. The first operator to make 4G available to both individuals and businesses in France, SFR now offers Lille’s residents access to 4G coverage with greater speeds and user-friendliness than ADSL. A little more than a year after obtaining 4G frequency rights, SFR is already offering its services in five cities and will extend them to Toulouse and Strasbourg sometime in the first half of the year. SFR aims to quickly expand coverage to many other urban areas in the second half of the year, for a total of 55. By the end of this year, via 4G and Dual Carrier (LTE and DC-HSPA+), SFR will offer coverage to 70% of the French population, over half with 4G – the best very-high-speed mobile coverage in France.
Activision Blizzard
Diablo III celebrates its first anniversary
One year ago, Blizzard launched Diablo III, the third title in the renowned saga, which has been published in over 10 languages for 30 countries. Within 24 hours of its release, it became the fastest-selling PC game of all time, and now has some 14.5 million players worldwide.* Over the past year, some significant improvements have been made: over 15 updates and a number of corrections to make the battle against the Forces of Hell ever more epic. A PS3 version is being developed, with the game being entirely redesigned to offer an enhanced gaming experience for PlayStation users. It will be released later this year.
*Information based on the company’s internal records.
Universal Music Group
Bellini Norma
Cecilia Bartoli has revisited the well-known Bellini opera Norma. In taking on one of the most famous operas of the Italian Romantic movement, the artist aimed to do justice to the masterpiece with a version faithful to the composer’s vision and in line with the spirit of the bel canto tradition.This new production restores the original orchestration, as well as the tempos and nuances established by Bellini. It also features performances by the La Scintilla orchestra, directed by Giovanni Antonini, with the musicians using period instruments from the early 19th century. With an antique flute backing a pianissimo prayer sung by Bartoli, the famed “Casta Diva” intro is an excellent example of this meticulous reconstruction’s youth-elixir effect on the compositions.
Maroc Telecom
Internet on the go
Until May 31, Maroc Telecom is offering two free months of 3G Internet access with speeds of up to 7.2 or 14.4 Mb/s* via data and voice plans (12- or 24-month contracts). Moreover, the modem is included free-of-charge with the 3G-data-only Internet plan. Subscribers can enjoy the benefits of the Maroc Telecom network for their online business activities with high-performance, user-friendly Internet access.
*Monthly speed established by thresholds beginning at 5 Gb. The speed decreases to 512 kb/s for 5 Gb, 256 kb/s for 10 Gb, 128 kb/s for 15 Gb and 64 kb/s for 20 Gb.
GVT
A new call center
This month, GVT has officially launched a new call center in Fortaleza (CE). It´s also the third GVT call center in the country and the first in northeastern of Brazil. 12 million has been invested in this project that has more than 2 million square meters. Currently it expects generates more than one thousand direct jobs. The company wants to double that number until 2014.
Groupe Canal+
Restored version of Plein Soleil
Nearly 50 years after its original release, Plein Soleil is being presented through Cannes Classics 2013 in an all-new restored version. The 4k digital restoration work, financed by StudioCanal, was entrusted to Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, Italy, which returned all the splendor of this cinematic masterpiece’s images and sound. Adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s famous novel The Talented Mr. Ripley, this thrilling film of false pretenses features three masterful actors: Alain Delon, Marie Laforêt and Maurice Ronet. The film will be re-released by StudioCanal in France on DVD and Blu-ray collector’s editions on July 2, 2013 and in cinemas on July 10 (distributed by Carlotta Films). The DVD and Blu-ray versions will also be released (again, by StudioCanal) in Germany this August and in the UK on September 9.
