August 19, 2009

Indian Telecom News, Week Ending 16-Aug-09

Filed under: blog, mobile, news — Tags: , — karthik @ 8:25 am

Dear MoMo Community,

This is an attempt to have a ‘Weekly Newsletter’ for the MoMo community (thanks to Rajan for setting this up).  I already blog this at http://mobilenewsindia.blogspot.com/.

For the first few weeks, it will be cross-posting between both the places. Later, as we see the feedback, we will have special editions for MoMo

You may expect a post every Sunday/Monday on this.

Looking forward to your feedback,

Karthik Srinivasan (carnivas@gmail.com)

Devices

A very affordable dual SIM phone by Karbonn has been released. Another player at the low end, Micromax has launched a dual-SIM ‘chatting phone’ with Nimbuzz preloaded in it. Spice has launched a dual SIM model too with nothing less than Windows Mobile in it. Heard that Indian low cost players and the Chinese are fighting for the low end while the high end is safe for the big-brands. Will Nokia’s low end market be in trouble?

Samsung has launched 2 phones in the Omnia series – to compete with iPhone and Touch Diamond.

Applications/Services

Virgin Mobile has launched a phonebook backup service.

NXP’s smart card solution has been chosen by Indian Railways for contactless ticket vending machines.

RCom has launched a ‘mobile conference’ facility at Rs. 99 a month for both its GSM & CDMA subscribers. Up to 9 numbers are supported and all of them should have this facility enabled.

SatNav has partnered with the largest organization that would have information on India – The Survey of India. Hope to see a lot of useful apps now.

SMSGupShup has launched a developer platform to utilize their SMS framework. Way to go!

Tata Indicom has launched a campaign to promote m-learning services.

ITC & Monster have launched a rural job portal. Mobile access seems to be not available yet. Any news about the success of BabaJob and Airtel tie up? Meanwhile, Airtel & IFFCO have tied up to reach mobile services to rural Andhra Pradesh.

A few channels from the Star TV Group are now available on mobile phones through Apalya Technologies. They are available for 2.5G networks also – but who guarantees the speed?

iJiny is a new player to offer ‘micro-classifieds’ in India. You guessed it right – the max length of your classified ad should be 160 characters in length. (The iJiny site is not opening though at this moment!)

Operators

MTNL has launched 3G service Jadoo in Mumbai. Their Wimax franchisee offer has no takers though. But BSNL’s Wimax roll out is on – a US co has bagged the deal for equipment. Bids for its rural roll out will begin on 25-August. BSNL has got 40K subscribers for its 3G service and the price has been lowered too.

An insightful summary of all the 3G/Wimax games played by MTNL & BSNL is available at Developing Telecoms Blog. In fact, there was an ‘India Week’ at DTW – 2 articles on MNP affecting telcos appeared too. (first, second). Medianama’s analysis on MNP can be found here.

For other operators wanting 3G spectrum, please wait – the ministers will hold their second meeting on 27-August.

Mobile numbers starting with ‘8’ may happen soon.

Others

July statistics are out – 325.7 GSM subscribers in all. More at Medianama.

HP, the grand daddy of computing giants will focus on ‘mobile computing space’ from now – with India the focus.

If the mobile carriers indeed share their database, your mobile payment record may be the de-facto credit rating for your loans etc in India.

Vital Analytics has come up with one more report – on the urban internet usage using mobiles.

August 16, 2009

MobileTech4SocialChange Bangalore

Momob is co-hosting alongwith CIS, WIP, MobileActive.org the MobileTech4Socialchange camp to be held in an unconference style. The event aims to bring together participants from diverse fields to discuss the use of mobile technology for social benefit.

Who can attend:

  • Anyone interested in the topic
  • NGOs/ Not profits
  • Operators
  • Mobile Applications Developers
  • Researchers

When:     9.30 am to 7.00 pm, September 4 2009

Where:
Mother Tekla Auditorium
Casa Brigatta, No.10, Old Passport Office Rd, Brunton Rd
Bangalore, Karnataka 560001
India

Sessions/Demos:

Will be updated soon.

For Participation Registration is required. Please register here.

If would like to hold a discussion/session or make a demo, get in touch with us at rohit@momobangalore.org/91-9379446943

Events

August 10, 2009

MoMoB August 2009 – Impact of search and speech on VAS revenues

Filed under: Announcement — admin @ 10:14 am

Talk Topic: Impact of Search and speech on VAS Revenues

Sumit Goswami, true to his style and leadership, has said that he would like to bring some original thoughts to the MoMo community and also share his learning about Applications, Services and Market He will draw from his experiences and share his views on following few points:

  • Enhancing Customer experience – importance of speech strategy
  • Moving from manual to automated systems, reducing dependability on resources
  • Bridging the divide – giving the power of information — eg. farmer in a remote Indian village gets access to weather forecast and seed details or a doctor in a city can treat a patient in a village – life transforming Indian diversity no longer a deterrent – speech programmes in 18 Indian languages

DEMO: Search inside a Mobile

The fun is no longer in the chase. At least not when it comes to hunting for information on your mobile. And yet, as content becomes king on operation portals, getting information at the snap of your finger can well be a matter of getting the chase right. If mobile user audits are anything to go by, the number one problem for most consumers is the same – not knowing the functions available on their devices.

As consumers eye the details, operators are increasingly looking to enhance customer experience by ensuring usability is not an issue. So be it searching for contacts or songs on handsets, optimize customer calls or make mobile marketing more effective, the need of the consumer today is a solution that can help them find what they want the quick and easy way.

Speaker: Sumit Goswami, Head Marketing – India/ASEAN Nuance Communication Inc.

Nuance Logo

Speaker Profile: Sumit Goswami serves as Head – Marketing India for the Mobile and Consumer Services Division of Nuance Communications. Based in New Delhi, India he heads the marketing function for India and ASEAN region. Being the Product Evangelist of Nuance, he is responsible for mobile operator relationship across the territories and mobile handset OEM relationship in India and ASEAN region.

With 13 years of experience in Marketing, International Business Development, Sales, Product Management with Varied Industry Segment, he has the expertise in sales and sales management experience in the highly competitive GSM market in solution/strategic/consultative selling with leading mobile operators across GSM, CDMA and Fixed lines networks.

Sumit has held various positions in IT and telecommunications, including XIUS (erstwhile Boston Communication Group), Hyderabad, Hutchinson India, Tanla Solutions, Voltas India. Timken (I) Ltd. and Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. He is pursued Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli.

When:

6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, 17- 08 – 2009

Venue: Craig Barret Auditorium, Sasken Communication Technologies Limited
139/25, Domlur Inner Ring Road

Driving Directions:

(Take the left into the lane in front of Hyundai Workshop – if coming from Koramangala Side – and then the first left, second right. Take the U Turn and then take the left into the lane in front of Hyundai Workshop if coming from Indiranagar Side – and then the first left, second right)

Parking:
Ample parking space is available in the grounds next to the Sasken building

Register here for the event http://www.eventbrite.com/event/405163856 (Event is free to attend but registration is necessary)

Events

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