A mobile phone using village that does not have electricity!

While the rise in mobile phones users has been making waves, I recently came across this story which brought to light the extent to which mobile phone users in India will go to own one and subsequently charge one.

According to this story by a leading New Channel, villagers in Karaj in the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, walk 20 kilometers everyday to get their mobile phones charged.

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They however have no qualms doing it, since this village has no electricity and no decent roads. Earlier this lack of basic development used to cause many people to get sick during the monsoons. Mobile phones have given the people in this powerless village entertainment and power to connect with their family and close friends.

Isn’t this a shame for the Indian Government…that in this day and age, a country that is touted to be a superpower in the next two decades still has un-electrified villages?

Technology has managed its penetration, wonder when basic infrastructure will find its way through India’s heart that lay in its villages….

Via: Mobile-weblog

A Comedy serial on your handset

Not content with giving us all round entertainment through the big 70mm screen or the small ‘television’ screen, filmmakers are now readying to give us entertainment through our handset screens.

The first company to launch a comedy serial for mobile phones is Rajshri Productions, the banner that gave us path-breaking films like “Maine Pyaar Kiya” and “Hum Aapke Hain Kaun”.

A 90-episode series meant for mobile phones will be launched by the end of January 2008, and each episode will be of approximately three minutes duration.

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Rajshri Media, an arm of Rajshri Productions was launched last year, and specializes in producing content for new media, including the Internet, mobile phones, and iPods.

The company had released Rajshri Productions’ “Vivaah” simultaneously in theatres and on the Web.

Something for soap viewing buffs to look forward to this New Year!

Via: Techtree.com

Nokia betting big on E Series devices

I have never seen Nokia marketing the E-Series range of devices in India. But now, Nokia is Marketing E Series in Indian newspapers , TV Channels , Websites like never before. Though N Series is the major winner for Nokia in India , we can see that they also want to capture the professional / enterprise phone user.

May be India is just a part of the Nokia’s Asia Pacific market as the website which is promoting these devices is nokiaforbusiness.com/apac/eseries/

The E series starts from the E50 priced at Rs.8000 to the E90 Communicator priced at Rs.35000

Continue reading “Nokia betting big on E Series devices”

Mobile Phones may Truly go Mass

So far India has about 290 – 300 Million Mobile Phone subscribers. While the number is definitely large, it has by no means reached its true potential, We are a nation of 1 Billion Plus where at least 750 Million people can have Mobile phones.While handset providers have done a lot to reduce the prices of mobile phones, most of our population still remains out of reach due to price and knowledge barriers.

The union labor minister, Oscar Fernandes, has made an announcement to launch low-priced phones having digital technologies. The announcement is targeted mainly at farmers – the hope is that farmers will be able to use mobile phones for productivity gains.

Mr. Fernandes also mentioned that the state plus privately owned communication companies have to step forward to introduce cell phones, which would cost just Rs.500. Continue reading “Mobile Phones may Truly go Mass”

Value Added Services in India attract the VC Pie

India’s runaway success in mobile telephony has contributed to value-added services (VAS) for mobile and Internet emerging as the biggest investment focus for venture capitalists, with investments expected to double to $500 million this year.

India is now among the top three markets for mobile and Internet VAS along with the US and China.

There are about 291 Million Mobile subscribers in India and more than 38 Million of those are now accessing the Internet.

 India’s subscriber base is expected to be at a staggering 500 Million by 2011. Continue reading “Value Added Services in India attract the VC Pie”

Now Upgrade Your Phone While you Shop

As of now it is extremely tedious to upgrade the VAS content on your mobile phone via the Internet. Upgrading your cell phone in an instant is now possible as you shop in a mall, sip your favourite drink, or just walk into a mobile kiosk. With the growing retail wave, VAS providers can wipe off the hassles with GPRS and connectivity.Mobile content providers are tying up with phone stores for setting up the kiosks that allow customers to preview and purchase downloads such as ringtones, themes, wallpapers, games and music videos at prices ranging from Rs 15 to Rs 40.

The kiosks have two components: a digital touch screen, which has a user interface allowing the customers to choose from the list of options and a server which allows the transfer simply through Bluetooth, data cable or memory cards. Continue reading “Now Upgrade Your Phone While you Shop”

Fox News Mobile now in India

FOX News Mobile services will allow PLUS users to access a range of international news content including headlines, and many more.The tie up is with Star Media’s PLUS mobile services.

The PLUS platform is designed to be a one point gateway to a whole new world of infotainment on the mobile screen, effectively addressing the entertainment and information needs of the consumer. PLUS will empower the consumer to be connected to the world on-the-go.

PLUS provides daily mobisodes of popular content from STAR PLUS, STAR GOLD, and STAR ONE. PLUS also brings to your mobile phones the latest happenings in the world of Movies, Music and Sport. Continue reading “Fox News Mobile now in India”

Local Content might be key to increase VAS adoption

The opportunities for VAS services are growing in India. Reliance Communication recently sponsored a seminar called “Opportunities for mobile VAS in Rural India.” The 4 participants in this seminar represented telecom service providers and rural application providers. Continue reading “Local Content might be key to increase VAS adoption”

Shahrukh Khan will now say Chak De ho Chak De Nokia

shahrukh_757911.jpgIndia is becoming an important market for Nokia in terms of sale and company growth. To continue with this trend, Nokia has roped in the leading superstar, whom we also know the King Khan of Bollywood, Continue reading “Shahrukh Khan will now say Chak De ho Chak De Nokia”

10 Reasons why the Apple iPhone wont hit India

Apple iPhone is creating waves across the globe and the Time magazine has named the iphone as the invention of the year of 2007

No doubt that iPhone is a great device , Its a revolutionary phone – much more than a phone

But the sad part is that the iPhone has not come to India so far. Its available in the Grey markets for under Rs.30,000 but without warranty. Anyone buying it / already bought it ? I wanted to highlight why the iPhone wont be coming soon to India.

Users dont spend much on Value Added Services

I was just comparing the various mobile markets in the world where the iPhone has been introduced – USA, UK,Germany and France. These markets are places where purchasing power is more. In this context Im referring to the amount of cash the users burn on their mobile phones and related services such as ringtones,songs etc. We Indians spend a lot on phones for sure but mainly for calls and messages nothing more. Continue reading “10 Reasons why the Apple iPhone wont hit India”

India added a whooping 8.3 million mobile users in November 2007

The no of mobile users in India is increasing again month after month. A TRAI report suggests that India added a whooping 8.3 million mobile users in November 2007 compared to the 8 million odd added in October.

Land line usage is declining due to the portability factor and Mobility is playing a vital part in India’s growth story.Total telephone user base is expected Continue reading “India added a whooping 8.3 million mobile users in November 2007”

Mobile phones Travel fast than Electricity

I know this is a rare (read: impossible) phenomenon, but this has happened in the Kajrai village, which is 80 km from Sagar in Madhya Pradesh.
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In this remote village people have mobile phones (impressive) but they don’t have electricity to charge them. The villagers are so mush into mobile phones that they travel a whooping 20 kms just to charge them. 30 to 40 people have mobile phones in this village and they don’t mind traveling 20kms just to charge them. Continue reading “Mobile phones Travel fast than Electricity”

Now the Idiot box on your Mobile courtesy Spice

Spice Telecom, One of Karnataka’s oldest mobile operators now plans to launch TV on mobile within the state. The service was test launched in Chandigarh, and is expected to be in operation in Karnataka shortly.

The service is part of Spice’ future plans to provide innovative products to its subscribers, Navin Kaul, CEO Spice Telecom, told reporters.

There would be about 12 channels available on Spice Mobile. The clarity and uninterrupted ness of the service remains to be seen.
Continue reading “Now the Idiot box on your Mobile courtesy Spice”

Microsoft Bolsters Mobile by entering mobile advertising space

Microsoft is entering the mobile advertising space. The move can be seen as an indication that Mobile is really getting big. Microsoft will now place banner ads on msn portals seen through mobile screens.

As of now Bank of America, Jaguar Cars, and Paramount pictures have been signed on as advertisers.

Since Microsoft launched the MSN Mobile platform in June, it has taken great pains to add content to enhance the browser-based, rich-media experience. Just last week, the company launched an astrology channel and added a spate of new ring tones, wallpapers, games and other content available for download on the portal, which by the way already sports a lot of features anyway!

Broadly, Microsoft’s mobile strategy consists of two parts: developed and developing markets. In areas falling in the first category, such as the United States, Japan and Europe, the software giant is looking to carry into mobile the usage patterns customers have developed for Microsoft products on their PCs. Continue reading “Microsoft Bolsters Mobile by entering mobile advertising space”

Stay connected to Football wherever you go with Star Sports Mobile

ESPN Star Sports has recently introduced Star Sports Mobile. It is a mobile
content service that is similar to Mobile ESPN that was launched
across multiple markets in Asia Pacific in May 2006. The service works
on WAP and can be downloaded from espnstar.com.

Users of Star Sports Mobile will have access to exclusive chat sessions, video interviews, Java Games, ringtones,
wallpapers, match highlights, goals etc.

Most of the Content on Star Sports Mobile will revolve around the Arsenal and Liverpool Football Clubs. So if you are a fan then get signed on!

Manu Sawhney, Managing Director, ESPN Star Sports, said, “As Asia’s
leading sports broadcaster and content provider, we are focused on
serving the fan any time, any place via any device”

Arsenal and Liverpool enjoy a great fan following in Asia and they should expect to earn sizeable
revenues with this kind of service.

Continue reading “Stay connected to Football wherever you go with Star Sports Mobile”