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Chinese Users Satisfied with Their Handsets

2007-12-06T23:44:00.001-08:00

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Source: Cellular News

RCOM Gets Pan-India License

2007-12-06T21:29:00.000-08:00

DoT on Thursday announced a pan-India GSM licence for Reliance Communications. The company had already paid the requisite licence fee of Rs 1,651 crore for a pan-India GSM licence on October 19, 2007.

The licence will guarantee that RCom will be in queue for GSM spectrum ahead of the 46 others that have applied for licences recently. RCom currently offers telecom services on the CDMA platform in all telecom circles in the country, and, through its 100% subsidiary, also offers GSM services in seven telecom circles.

RCom will now have to wait for DoT to allot 4.4 MHz of GSM spectrum in each of the circles to launch commercial operations. RCom will be allotted spectrum only after existing licence holders—Vodafone, Aircel and Idea—are granted start-up spectrum to launch services and other existing players that have applied for a pan-India licence are allotted both licences and spectrum.

Source: The Telegraph

8 Useful Sites for Mobile Shopping

2007-12-03T23:15:00.000-08:00

SMS

Smarter SMS (Sms the product description to 610-7627837 and get the lowest price online)
Frucall (Sms the barcode to 37811 to get the lower prices available)

Source: Mobile Weblog

Interesting Statistics!

2007-11-28T03:53:00.000-08:00

Worldwide handset shipments are expected to increase to 1.46 billion by 2012, driven in part by increasing availability of low-cost and ultra-low-cost handsets in emerging nations.
Total handset revenues will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 1.7% to a total of US$165.4 billion by 2012.
Third-generation (3G) handsets will represent half of the worldwide revenue for cellular handsets.

Source: 3G

Gypsii Accredited by Nokia

2007-11-28T03:39:00.001-08:00

Nokia has agreed to include Symbian version of the GyPSii to its N95 and 6110 Navigator mobile phones.

GyPSii integrates a wide range of location-specific functions and services into a single easy-to-use interface that works on GPS and non-GPS-enabled devices alike. These functions include user-generated content, friend finding and sharing, and also Point-of-Interest (POI) proximity search for immediate surroundings, maps and directions.

Designed specifically for use on a mobile phone, the GyPSii platform is already compatible with Windows Mobile devices and by adding Symbian and Nokia support, GyPSii is now available on the vast majority of mobile phones and almost any Internet connected device. GyPSii for Nokia and Windows Mobile is available for download at the company's website- www.gypsii.com.

Source: 3G

RIM Coming Up With A Touch Screen Handset

2007-11-28T01:59:00.000-08:00

Research In Motion is preparing a new touch-based handset and operating system, described as the "9000-series." This series will be "a complete breakaway" from the company's traditional corporate focus.

The new touch-based series is rumored to be multimedia-centric still featuring the business applications such as push e-mail.

Source: Wireless week

SAMSUNG MAX- First CDMA Open Market Phone

2007-11-27T21:14:00.000-08:00

Samsung Electronics has launched "Samsung Max"- First open market phone in the CDMA segment. Its available only in Mumbai and Delhi as of now.

The "Max" is a multimedia phone, catered to Indian needs. Key features:

An Indian calendar
A panchang
A mobile prayer
A Cricket scorer
A Hinglish SMs

Security features include the usual Mobile Tracker and SOS alert, plus additional ones like Call lock that restrict others from making calls from- or receiving calls on- the owner's handset.

Specifications:

1.9-inches 262K TFT large LCD
1.3 MP camera
MP3/FM
Bluetooth
Expandable memory
RUIM card support
Speaker phone

Source: Techtree

NFC Handsets for London Underground Users

2007-11-27T02:35:00.000-08:00

London Underground users will soon be able to use mobile handsets as electronic train tickets, as Transport for London (Tfl) and handset partner Nokia prepare to go commercial with a Near Field Communication (NFC) device.

An NFC handset would incorporate the Oyster 'swipe card' used by millions of Londoners every day into the mobile phone, allowing users to touch their phone to the card reader on the way into or out of the station.

When a NFC-enabled mobile phoned is placed against the smart poster, it will pinpoint the exact location of the passenger and then transmit detailed information including where to go to make the next stage of the journey, how to get there, how long the transfer will take and when the next service will arrive.

Source: Telecoms.com

Mobileweb Ahead of PC in Next Decade

2007-11-26T21:16:00.000-08:00

Geraldine Wilson (Yahoo Europe vice president of connected life) predicted that in the decade ahead, more consumers will log onto the Internet via mobile than on PC.

"In emerging markets, most people's first contact with the Internet will be with a mobile phone," Wilson said. "We have to be careful because there have been many false dawns of Internet on the mobile … but I think we will look back at 2007 as when things started to happen."

Wilson acknowledged challenges like mobile data service pricing, handset interfaces and network speeds. In 2008, Yahoo will also focus its efforts on further personalizing the user experience by adding more local content to their mobile search listings.

Source: FierceMobile

Mobile Video Alerts by Verizon & NHL

2007-11-26T21:02:00.000-08:00

Verizon Wireless and the National Hockey League announced the launch of NHL game video alerts, promising to deliver puck fans in-game video highlights moments after they take place. Each 15-second video message will spotlight critical goals, key saves and other game-changing plays. The alerts are sent to subscribers following each period, with a maximum of four alerts per day.

The NHL service costs $2.99 per month per selected franchise.

Source: Fierce Mobile

Luxury Phones Coming to India

2007-11-26T03:35:00.001-08:00

Nokia's luxury phone arm, Vertu has started selling its expensive models in India.

Vertu Ascent Ti features-

Quad band, 3G handset
3 mega pixel flash VGA camera
Chassis of the Ascent Ti handset

Price: Rs 326,000 or US$8,200

David Arnold, the composer behind many James Bond soundtracks, has also created three bespoke ring tones for the Vertu Ascent Ti, complemented by a series of automotive themed backgrounds.

USP- With one click of a button, owners are connected to the Vertu concierge service which is available 24 hours a day from virtually anywhere in the world. Vertu Concierge can help customers with queries like recommending a local restaurant, making a theatre booking or even sending a gift around the globe.

Source: Cellular News

Mobile- Your Personal Advisor

2007-11-26T03:24:00.000-08:00

Researchers from the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) has come up with a software called Magitti. It automatically recommends information about "local area" activities, such as shopping and dining, matching the consumer's location, time of day and personal tastes.

Magitti software studies user’s behavior based on his text messages and mobile calendar to come up with more relevant recommendations. Once installed in a GPS-enabled mobile phone, user is not required to surf mobile Internet to search for a good place to eat, movies to watch, or other activities to do.

When a person first opens a phone that has Magitti software, she will instantly see a list of recommendations. If it's noon, the software might suggest local restaurants. If it's 3 P.M., it might recommend a nearby boutique for shopping. If it's 9 P.M., a list of pubs might appear. Over time, these recommendations will change as Magitti learns more about the user's behaviors and preferences.

Source: The Mobile weblog

Call Via SMS

2007-11-23T03:57:00.000-08:00

Raketu, has created an SMS-Text Driven VoIP Service called RakSMS calling. The service enables mobile device users to make phone-to-phone voice over IP (VoIP) Internet calls with no computer or Internet connection required. It does not even need a GPRS connection to initiate a call.

A mobile phone user in the UK sends a text message from their mobile phone to Raketu's UK local number with the appropriate calling information in the message and Raketu connects the two phones. The Raketu rate for the call will be the regular RakWeb calling rate, or $0.115 per minute. Raketu claims mobile users can save more than 35% compared to Jajah's rate for the same call.

Source: The Mobile weblog

Latest Mobile Marketing Study by MMA

2007-11-23T03:21:00.000-08:00

The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) has released the 3rd annual Mobile Attitude and Usage Study.

Among 1,405 consumers surveyed, 1 in 4 respondents are interested in mobile marketing and 1 out of 20 participated in mobile marketing campaigns. Moreover, 58% of the respondents utilize the camera phones compared to only 35% last year. Highlights of this study include:

Sweepstakes and voting campaigns are the most widely used types of mobile marketing.
Ethnic groups are key audiences for mobile marketing.
Teens and young adults use text messaging more than any other demographic.
54% of 13-34 year olds use SMS for social networking, while 44% of 13-34 year olds said they use text messaging for flirting or dating, and 10% of 13-34 year olds said they have broken up with a boy or girl friend using text messaging.

Source: Mobile Weblog

Mobile Number Portability- Good or Bad for Operators??

2007-11-19T21:22:00.000-08:00

The customer is already the king in India's booming telecommunications industry, and announcements about mobile number portability by the government last week are set to ensure that it will remain that way for a long time to come.

It will be a heart-warming change for millions of mobile phone subscribers in the country, when customers will be allowed to switch to a different service provider without having to surrender their existing phone number will be introduced in about a year's time.

But at least some of the service providers in the industry, if not all, will suffer the effects of even more intensified competition, and they could be expected to do everything within their powers to retain customers. In the lead time that they enjoy up to the introduction of the number portability, market leader Bharti Airtel as well as others could be expected to launch new plans to lock-in customers for a certain period of time by offering a sweeter deal.

They will need to make extra efforts to retain their corporate accounts, as well as individual high-billing users, who will undoubtedly be targeted by competitors. Additional investments to improve network reach and service quality will be called for. And costs will inevitably rise, while average revenues per user (ARPU) could remain under pressure in a more competitive environment.

Of the 10 mobile service providers in the industry with at least a million subscribers, the smaller ones such as Spice Communications and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTE) , Aircel, could be at a greater risk than others, as they lack a nationwide footprint

Among the bigger companies, Reliance Communications (RCOM) has the greatest opportunity, but it also faces the biggest threat. Reliance currently offers a majority of its around 40 million customers CDMA services, while the rest of the industry offers mostly GSM services. Reliance has been looking at a far bigger presence in GSM as well, and the introduction of number portability offers it a big opportunity to steal GSM customers from competition. However, it is equally possible that its existing CDMA customers are weaned away by competition, and RCoM will have to constantly watch its back to prevent that from happening.

Number portability, however, needn't be bad news for everyone in the industry. It is a great opportunity for a service provider to differentiate from the rest of the pack by offering a truly superior service that is customized to individual users -- something that few service providers seem to be doing today.

Source: Cellular News

Vodafone Plans to Increase its Presence in China

2007-11-19T21:13:00.000-08:00

Vodafone, "the world's largest mobile operator by revenue", has plans to use the government led restructuring of the telecoms market to increase its presence in the country. The Chinese government is planning to shake up the local telecoms market as part of the roll out of 3G in country. And Vodafone intends to use its 3.3% holding in leading carrier, China Mobile, as leverage to extend its reach in the world's largest mobile markets.

Vodafone chief executive, Arun Sarin, is quoted by UK newspaper the Financial Times as saying that that the Big V's $13bn stake in China Mobile could be used to take advantage of local opportunities. One of the likeliest options could potentially see Vodafone exchange its holding in Chain Mobile for a bigger stake another company.

However, it is likely that the allocation of 3G licences in

China

, whenever that happens, will be the only thing to put an end to the rumours, as it will likely be the catalyst for restructuring. The Beijing Olympics in August of next year are seen to be an attractive even to launch 3G services around.

Source: Telecoms.com

France Telecom Wins the Bid for Telkom Kenya

2007-11-19T04:06:00.000-08:00

The Kenyan government has selected France Telecom as the preferred bidder for the acquisition of a 51% stake in the Telkom Kenya. The transaction is planned to close before the end of the year. Telkom Kenya serves over 2,80,000 fixed line customers and will benefit from a new mobile license.

Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Communications (RCOM) was one of the four players to submit a bid for a majority stake in Telkom Kenya earlier this week. Along with RCOM, the others who lost out include

South Africa

’s Telkom and the Lap Fund of Libya.

Source: Cellular News

Google to Bid For Mobile Spectrum

2007-11-18T23:13:00.000-08:00

Google is planning to bid on a chunk of wireless spectrum that would allow it to run its own cellphone network across the entire United States. The report came a week after announcement of Android alliance with dozens of cell-phone industry companies for an open source phone system. A Google spokesman said the company would reveal its plans by December 3, the deadline for declaring an intent to bid for the airwaves.

Source: Cellular News

Personal IM Launched in India

2007-11-18T23:06:00.000-08:00

Personal Instant Messaging (IM) is now commercially available for GSM users in India and Malaysia. In India, intensive field trials have been carried out and interoperable IM solutions have been deployed across all GSM networks, including Aircel, Bharti Airtel, BPL Mobile, BSNL, Idea, MTNL, Reliance Telecom, Spice and Vodafone-Essar.

Source: HT

6 New Pan India Mobile Players

2007-11-18T23:01:00.000-08:00

The Department of Telecom (DoT) expects at least 6 companies to pay the licence fee to offer cellular services on a pan-India basis. 46 companies have submitted 575 applications in response to the latest offer from the DoT to provide cellular services, of which only 20 companies want to operate across India.

The companies that are expected to buy the pan-India licences include domestic and foreign players, such as AT&T, Spice, HFCL, DLF, Parsvnath and BPL Mumbai.

Source: The Telegraph

Nokia Launched N82

2007-11-15T22:46:00.000-08:00

The world's top cell phone maker Nokia has unveiled a new N-series multimedia phone, Nokia N82.

Features-

5 megapixel camera with a Carl Zeiss lens, up to 10x digital zoom, and can capture MPEG-4 VGA video at 30 frames per second.
Xenon flash
A-GPS for navigation with preinstalled Nokia maps and all the standard packages
Wi-Fi connectivity
3G capabilities with HSDPA for faster Internet connection
Bluetooth
An integrated Stereo FM radio, TV output and document viewer

Source: 3G

Text Entry Error Rate Goes High With iPhone

2007-11-15T02:48:00.000-08:00

User Centric, Inc., a Chicago-based usability consultancy, finished a third and final study examining the user experience of Apple’s iPhone. The study involved data from 60 participants who were asked to enter specific text messages and complete several mobile device tasks.

Previous studies by User Centric showed that overall design and usability of the iPhone was good, but the iPhone’s touch keyboard was a weak point for many users. The current study examines specific interactions with the iPhone touch keyboard and compares the texting experiences of iPhone owners and non-owners across devices.

Source: Cellphone Digest

Yahoo! Joined Hands With Mobile Operators in Asia Pacific

2007-11-15T02:42:00.000-08:00

Yahoo! has announced 9 new partnerships with some of the leading mobile operators across the Asia Pacific region. Through Yahoo!'s partnerships with mobile operators, Yahoo! oneSearch, will power the search experience for consumers on partner mobile internet sites.

Mobile operators are:

Aircel Limited (India)
BPL Mobile (India)
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL; India)
DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (DiGi; Malaysia)
PT EXCELCOMINDO PRATAMA Tbk. (Excelcom; Indonesia)
PT Hutchison CP Telecom (Hutch 3; Indonesia)
PT Indosat, Tbk (Indosat; Indonesia)
PCCW Mobile HK Limited (Hong Kong)
Starhub Ltd (Singapore)

Source: Cellphone Digest

Hinglish As First Choice

2007-11-12T02:01:00.000-08:00

To woo the young consumers, Motorola is banking onto Hinglish with the soon to be launched MotoYuva W180.

Handsets with the dual Hindi-English mode etched on keypads are already there in the market. But for the first time, there will be an embedded dictionary in a phone with 30,000 Hindi words, which would prompt the user with Hinglish terms the moment he/she keys in the first couple of alphabets.

Source: ET

300% Growth In Youth Market For Mobiles

2007-11-07T23:47:00.000-08:00

India's youth market for cell phones has been growing at 300% in the recent years, says the global study conducted by Nokia. The youth market for mobiles has touched 27.6 million this year compared to 8.3 million people in 2005.

As per the report, entertainment is expected to be one of the main revenue generators for value added services (VAS) segment and is likely to dominate the mobile space in India. The total earnings from mobile entertainment services is estimated to be Rs 1,500 crore in India whereas the global entertainment earnings stood at $110 billion. The VAS market segment would push the the total spending to $43 billion and music would continue to be the major revenue generator, the study indicated.

Though music is a major contributer towards revenue, its overall share of the market would fall from 40% in 2006 to 36% in 2011 as new forms of entertainment such as mobile TV and video series gain consumer interest.

The study added that out of the total mobile user base, over 60% listen to music, 75% use camera, over 50% play games and 50% browse Internet.

Source: ET