Motorola has a big plan on the cards for indian mobile market.It plans to bring out nearly 15 models next year
The company is coming up with 15 new models of mobile handsets ranging between Rs 2,000 to Rs two lakh. The company is also planning to hire more people here and will also be expanding its network of dealers and distributors.
Bird mobiles a chinese mobile maker and india’s Airtel have partnered to offer a bundled handset and connection for just 1399 rupees
Bird Phones, the Chinese cell phone company, has entered into a ‘bundling’ pact with Airtel under which a connection and handset is being provided for just Rs1399 but with a lock-in-period.
Adarsh Shastri, Director, Marketing, Bird Phones, said, “We shall be offering a handset for just Rs1399 along with a pre-paid connection of Airtel which also includes Rs600 worth free talk-time to be spread over six months. The scheme involves huge subsidy which is being shared by both parties.”
The scheme was launched in first week of November in six circles and the company sold 65,000 handsets in first 20 days, Shastri claimed.
“Our target is to supply five lakh handsets till end of current fiscal,” he added.
The same model of handset is being sold at Rs3,000 in the open market. The bundled (handset plus Airtel pre-paid connection) scheme comes with a 8-month lock-in-period whereby the consumer is barred from using the same handset for another connection.
Currently, the scheme is available in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh (East and West), West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar, he said adding the company was planning to cover all India soon.
Nokia announced today that after evaluating a number of sites in India, it will locate its new Nokia Global Networks Solutions Center in Chennai.
NOKIA PRESS RELEASE December 16, 2005
Nokia taps Chennai as new Nokia Global Networks Solutions Center site
Chennai, India – Nokia announced today that after evaluating a number of sites in India, it will locate its new Nokia Global Networks Solutions Center in Chennai.
The Solutions Center will perform network operation tasks for selected operator customers in the Asia Pacific region as well as Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and play a key role as part of Nokia’s expanding and innovative managed services offering. It will start operations in the first half of 2006 and initially employ around 100 people, with this figure expected to rise in the next few years.
The announcement was made in Chennai by Bosco Nov?k, Senior Vice President for Services, Networks, Nokia, at a special ceremony hosted by Shri Dayanidhi Maran, the Honorable Minister for Telecommunications and Information Technology.
“This Center will play a key role for us in our drive to ease the cost pressures that our clients are feeling. This investment manifests our position as innovation leader in our industry,” Bosco Nov?k said. “With its wealth of skilled people and leading technology know-how, India is a very important market for Nokia and we’re pleased to expand our presence here.”
“We are very happy to see a world leader like Nokia extend its already considerable commitment to India, and look forward to deepening our ties in the years to come,” Minister Maran said. “This investment reaffirms India’s position as the country of choice for expanding global telecommunications companies.”
Nokia has contracted managed services with 35 clients in 28 countries, and has provided operating services for over 20 operators globally, helping them with the day-to-day tasks of running their networks so they can focus on bolstering their business offerings. , Nokia is a leader in this growing market, and managed services is a key pillar in its Services business strategy.
The announcement is the latest sign of Nokia’s strong commitment to India and the robust Indian market. Nokia has played a pioneering role in the growth of cellular technology in India, starting with the first-ever cellular call a decade ago, which was made on a Nokia mobile phone and a Nokia-deployed network. Today Nokia’s India operations include networks and terminals sales divisions and three Research and Development facilities. A manufacturing facility for mobile devices and GSM infrastructure is set to open in Chennai in the first half of 2006.
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations.
India will have to wait for 3G services for some more time. But not Seychelles. Airtel, India’s leading mobile telephone service provider, will shortly launch 3G mobile services in Seychelles.
India will have to wait for 3G services for some more time. But not Seychelles. Airtel, India’s leading mobile telephone service provider, will shortly launch 3G mobile services in Seychelles. Telecom Seychelles Limited, owned by Bharti Tele-Ventures, has been providing mobile and basic telephone services in Seychelles for the last 7 years under the Airtel brand, It will invest 44 million Seychelles Rupees for rolling out the services.
The new 3G and GPRS network will add a new dimension to the services provided to all Postpaid and Prepaid customers and roamers. This upgrade will open a gateway to Broadband Internet Access, Video Calling, Picture Messaging (MMS), Data Cards, Prepaid Roaming, Advanced Billing System and loads of other Value Added Services. The new 3G upgrade will also provide fast and more reliable Internet access of up to 384 kbps as against 10 kbps in 2G or 30 KBPS in GPRS, the release said.
The 3G Network will be on the IMT 2000 Band (3GSM) enabling complete alignment with the world standard. This will ensure seamless roaming with the rest of the world. Besides the upgrade Airtel is adding new Base Stations to expand its coverage to more islands.
via [contentsutra]
Samsung Unveils 3 Handsets SGH – X700, SGH – N 710 and SGH -X660.
Dec 13, 2005
Samsung has launched three new handsets – the 
– X700, SGH – N 710 and SGH -X660.
The X700 is a 1.3 Megapixel, tri band, bar type phone, with advanced features like GPRS Class 10, Bluetooth /USB Connectivity, Stereo FM Radio, Video Recording and Messaging, External Memory (Trans Flash) and Mobile Printing. It is priced at Rs 14,699.
The SGH – N 710 is a light-weight bar phone weighing about 76 gm. This dual band, black and white phone is priced at Rs 3,199.
In the Folder category, Samsung has introduced the tri band, SGH – X660. This handset has features like video recording, photo caller ID, 8 MB memory, MP3 ring tones, Speaker Phone and VGA/CMOS camera. It is priced at Rs 8,599.
Samsung, recently also announced the launch of its 2 Megapixel, quad band SGH D-600 in the market. The phone includes features like file viewer, Bluetooth wireless sharing and mobile printing, PictBridge, TV output support, Sync ML DS, email client capabilities, USB 1.1 and TransFlash memory. A music player adds to its abilities with MP3/AAC/AAC+ as well as dual speakers for 3D sound and Bluetooth stereo headset compatibility. It is priced at Rs 23,999/-.
With the launch of these new handsets, Samsung now has around 18 models in the market, priced in the range Rs 3,199 to Rs 23,999
The factory will be set up at Gurgaon, Haryana. This is Samsung’s fourth overseas handset manufacturing facility in the world after China, Brazil and Mexico.
New Delhi , Dec. 9
KOREAN electronics major Samsung, on Friday, announced its plans to invest $15 million to set up a mobile handset manufacturing facility in India.
The factory will be set up at Gurgaon, Haryana. This is Samsung’s fourth overseas handset manufacturing facility in the world after China, Brazil and Mexico. The facility will have an initial capacity of 1 million units per year, which will be stepped up to 20 million units by 2010.
read more here Business Line
A new clean redesigned website and pink logo are on display by the indian mobile service provider
Hutch has launched its new logo and website hutch.in to the public.
Hutch will be operating under this new colors
Please log on the to see for yourself
Airtel launched its network services in Koraput and Rayagada districts making its foray into several areas of southern Orissa and spreading its operations to 300 towns in less than one year of its operations.
Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Dec. 4. ? Airtel launched its network services in Koraput and Rayagada districts making its foray into several areas of southern Orissa and spreading its operations to 300 towns in less than one year of its operations.
It has also announced to bring additional 100 towns under its network coverage before March 2006.
With this total towns under Airtel coverage will go up to 400 in Orissa.
via [The Statesman]
The decision on 3G spectrum is expected to be taken by first quarter of 2006, said Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran
NEW DELHI: The government of India is likely to take a decision on 3G spectrum early next year.
?The decision on 3G spectrum is expected to be taken by first quarter of 2006,? said Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran.
Speaking on the sidelines of the India Economic Summit, he added, ?We welcome more players in 3G, but the quality and the price at which services would be provided should be competitive, as it is a value-added service.?
He further said, ?3G is not a replacement of 2G. Even when 3G comes into India, investment in 2G would still continue.?
Speaking on the issue of unbundling the last mile, Maran opined, ?Government will not go for unbundling the last mile. I am very happy with the broadband progress and see no necessity for unbundling the last mile.?
He also stressed on the need for provision of more content. ?Price of broadband and PCs have gone down but there is no content to be accessed through these. We have to make sure that it is available,? he said.
He further informed that the new telecom policy would be out next year. ?IndiaOne is also happening and we have removed almost all barriers for its rollout,? he added.
via [ciol]
Spice Telecom, the premier telecom service provider today announced that Mr. Prakash Nanani has taken over as the Chief Executive Officer for Punjab and Karnataka circles. Mr. Prakash Nanani unveiled the new Spice logo.
Spice Telecom kicks off New Strategic Initiatives
Mr. Prakash Nanani takes over as the Chief Executive Officer for Punjab & Karnataka circles
Spice unveils the new brand logo
Launches first of its kind Lifelong Validity Offer on Mahabuck
Chandigarh, October 28, 2005: Spice Telecom, the premier telecom service provider today announced that Mr. Prakash Nanani has taken over as the Chief Executive Officer for Punjab & Karnataka circles. Mr. Prakash Nanani unveiled the new Spice logo. The new Spice logo shall be common to Spice group companies operating in the ICE (Information, Communication & Entertainment) sector. The new brand identity is derived from the Brand Core Purpose, Brand Vision & Brand Values. Mr. Prakash Nanani also announced the launch of a first-of-its kind ‘Life time validity’ offer on Mahabuck for Spice pre-paid subscribers.
Mr. Prakash Nanani takes over as the Chief Executive Officer, Spice Telecom
Mr. Prakash Nanani, has taken over as the CEO, he confirmed the news of the exit of Distacom from the mobile service venture. The Honk Kong based Distacom, the foreign shareholder has sold its stake in the B.K.Modi promoted Spice Telecom, to Ashmore Investment Management Ltd., a financial investor and the Deutsche Bank Group.
Mr. Nanani also stated that Mr. Navin Kaul, former Chief Operating Officer, Punjab circle, has taken over as the Chief Operating Officer, Karnataka circle.
Speaking at the occasion Mr. Nanani, stated that “Spice being the oldest cellular operator in this region, has always remained focused and committed towards developing state-of-the-art telecommunication infrastructure and Spice Telecom is also in the process of consolidating and investing in various disciplines, like network and technology upgradation, increase in infrastructure and resources and also enhancement of the brand image.”
New Spice Logo
Spice is owned by Mcorp Global, the holding company for the brand. Mcorp Global is focusing on the ICE sector and in this direction has been building on the strength of its subsidiaries that have been in operation in this sector, like Spice Telecom & Spice Mobile. The group has also made recent forays into certain specific market segments of the ICE sector, like Spice Malls & Multiplexes. The group believes that it will gain from having a common brand for the ICE sector, as it would be able to gain from the economies of scale in branding & marketing. A common consumer brand shall also foster greater consumer awareness for the brand and in time lead to greater trust in the brand.
The Spice logo is depicted in Orange, Purple, Green, Blue & Yellow colours. The colors of the brand logo depicts specific values that are synonymous to Spice Telecom: Orange – Vibrancy, Purple – Innovation, Green – Freshness, Blue – Trust & Yellow – Fun.
The new Spice brand identity is derived from the Brand Core Purpose, Brand Vision & Brand Values. The strategy for the brand is captured concisely by these:
Brand Core Purpose: To always be the first to provide user-friendly and innovative solutions for young minds in the ICE space
Brand Vision: To be the most preferred choice for energetic young minds
for ICE products and services by 2011
Brand Values: Fun, Innovative, Vibrant, Empathy, Trust, Speed of Response
The new Spice identity shall be shared by a group of companies namely: Spice Telecom (GSM service provider), Spice Mobile Phone (Mobile Handset), Spice Mega Malls & Multiplexes (Commercial Property (Development & Management), Spice Films (Film Production), Spice Onshore Telecom BPO and Spice IT Peripherals (Printers & Computer Hardware). The new Spice logo will ensure that a common identity is created that is synergistic and relevant to all the companies. All these companies shall work in tandem to provide consumer delight.
First of its kind offer – Life time Validity on Maha Buck
Spice today announced the launch a first of its kind offer in India for Spice Megatalk pre-paid subscribers termed as the ‘Maha Buck’ offer. Maha Buck provides
Spice Megatalk subscribers Life time validity on a recharge of Rs. 3300.
The details of Spice Maha Buck Voucher are as follows:
MRP of Maha Recharge: Rs.3+300/-
Talktime on Maha Recharge: Rs.500/-
Validity on Maha Recharge: Life Long
Subscriber who avail this offer cannot have zero balance for consecutive 90 days, and will have to be on the Megatalk tariff plan.
About Spice Telecom
Spice is Punjab’s premier mobile phone service provider and is the first cellular operator in India to be ISO 9001-2000 certified for its entire operations. Spice has an extensive network across more than 205 cities and towns in the state, covering 95% of Punjab’s urban area. In addition, it also covers more than 3250 km of roads and highways in Punjab including connectivity on the National Highway and GT Road. Spice subscribers can roam on national and international networks. In fact, Spice has the highest International roaming coverage involving tie-ups with over 414 International operators across 199 countries.
