News from India the most happening mobile market
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
Electronic Arts EA and Indiagames, a mobile content publisher, have signed an exclusive licensing agreement that will bring EA mobile games to consumers across multiple mobile carriers in India.
Electronic Arts (EA) and Indiagames, a mobile content publisher, have signed an exclusive licensing agreement that will bring EA?s mobile games to consumers across multiple mobile carriers in India.
The games that will be initially released through Indiagames include Need for Speed Underground 2, Need for Speed Most Wanted, NBA LIVE 06, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 06, EA SPORTS FIFA 06, FIFA STREET 2, Madden NFL 06, SimCity and The Sims 2. Indiagames will release EA SPORTS FIFA 06 this year.
ea games logo Jon Niermann, President, EA Asia Publishing said, ?Indiagames is a key partner for us as we expand our business from packaged goods to mobile content in the burgeoning Indian marketplace. They have a strong technological infrastructure and share our passion for delivering top quality entertainment.?
?Indian consumers are quickly adopting a mobile lifestyle and we believe that this partnership will give people the opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of playing great games on their mobile phones,? maintained Niermann.
India games logo Vishal Gondal, CEO of Indiagames said, ?We are thrilled to bring such legendary and popular games to Indian audiences. We are convinced that thousands of Indian fans will enjoy the opportunity to experience these games on their mobile phones.?
via [TechShout]
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]
Nokia today expanded its business device portfolio with an addition to its high-end smartphone range, the Nokia 9300i. Incorporating WLAN connectivity with a full keyboard, 65,536-color screen, support for a broad range of enterprise email solutions and an attachment viewer, the Nokia 9300i is the perfect combination of design and function and is ideally suited to meet the tough demands of mobile professionals.
NOKIA PRESS RELEASE November 29, 2005
This smartphone just got smarter: The new Nokia 9300i is well connected with WLAN and a variety of email solutions
Joins the Nokia 9300 enterprise smartphone and other Nokia business devices designed to excite and empower the ?inbox? crowd
NEW YORK, USA – Nokia today expanded its business device portfolio with an addition to its high-end smartphone range, the Nokia 9300i. Incorporating WLAN connectivity with a full keyboard, 65,536-color screen, support for a broad range of enterprise email solutions and an attachment viewer, the Nokia 9300i is the perfect combination of design and function and is ideally suited to meet the tough demands of mobile professionals.
With the addition of WLAN connectivity, the Nokia 9300i enhances productivity by providing a reliable and cost-effective data connection for downloading large files or email1 with attachments. 80 MB of memory capacity (expandable up to 2GB with an optional MMC card) provides ample space for file storage, and the wide color screen makes it easy to view different types of documents, spreadsheets, presentations and web sites. Add outstanding voice capabilities and the Nokia 9300i enterprise smartphone is a great all-in-one device.
“Nokia continues to offer more choices for individuals looking for fully featured smartphones built specifically for business use,” said Niklas Savander, senior vice president of Nokia?s business device unit for the Enterprise Solutions business group. “Our business customers want continuity as well as a constant stream of improvements in our products. The Nokia 9300i delivers just that as it combines WLAN and other features with a suite of powerful applications and email solutions.”
The Nokia 9300i smartphone supports E-GPRS (EDGE) and WLAN 802.11g, five party conference calling via an integrated speakerphone and multiple email clients (with attachments), including BlackBerry Connect, IBM WebSphere, Oracle Collaboration Suite, Seven Always-On Mail and Visto Mobile. The Nokia 9300i smartphone also integrates infrared and Bluetooth capabilities, giving users two different ways to wirelessly synchronize their devices to a desktop PC or laptop, as well as exchange data with other mobile devices.
Planned availability for the Nokia 9300i smartphone is Q1 2006. Nokia will offer one tri-band version of the Nokia 9300i optimized for mobile networks in Europe and Asia (900/1800/1900 MHz) and capable of operating in compatible GSM networks in the Americas. For further information on features and availability, please visit www.nokia.com. For information on pricing, please contact your local Nokia representative.
Nokia also offers a comprehensive service portfolio for its business devices and solutions ranging from technical support to implementation, professional services and technical training. Nokia?s services are available to better serve customers and enable successful end-to-end mobility solutions.
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. www.nokia.com.
IDEA Cellular, a leading mobile operator in India, and Nokia, the world leader in mobile communications, have launched Nokia’s Intelligent Content Delivery System (ICD) solution on all IDEA’s mobile networks across India.
NOKIA PRESS RELEASE November 28, 2005
IDEA Cellular chooses Nokia Intelligent Content Delivery to become India’s 1st operator to charge differentially for data services
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), one of India’s leading telecommunications companies, has awarded Nokia a comprehensive GSM/EDGE and GPRS network expansion project in North India.
NOKIA PRESS RELEASE November 24, 2005
Nokia wins USD 141 million GSM network expansion with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in India
NDIAN plumbers and electricians may earn only ?50 a month and live in a shack with no running water but they all seem to have mobile phones, thanks to a company celebrating its 10th birthday this week
NDIAN plumbers and electricians may earn only £50 a month and live in a shack with no running water but they all seem to have mobile phones, thanks to a company celebrating its 10th birthday this week.
In 1995, Bharti Televentures chose to ignore market analysts who warned the market for mobiles in New Delhi would be only 7,000 people. It now has 1.8m subscribers out of the capital’s total of 5m. The country has 66m subscribers with almost 3m being added every month.
Indians are grateful to Bharti; it liberated them from having to cringe before corrupt government officials and wait years for a phone connection.
read more at [businessonline]
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.
Global technology
leader, Samsung Electronics today announced the launch of its 2 Mega pixel , quadband masterpiece, the SGH D 600 in the Indian market
Samsung launches SGH – D600 in the Indian market
– The perfect balance of business and multimedia
(Nov,17,2005 / SEC)
New Delhi, November 16, 2005: Global technology
leader, Samsung Electronics today announced the launch of its 2 Mega pixel , quad
band masterpiece, the SGH D 600 in the Indian market. The superior design of the
D600 slides up to reveal a digital camera quality imaging solution in a mobile
handset that sets the standard in its balance of function and design. Weighing
a mere 103 gms, the SGH – D 600 maintains a perfect balance of business
and multimedia.
Priced at Rs.23,999/-, the D600 is equipped with 2.0 Mega pixel camera with
flash and MPEG4 video recording and messaging that stand out on the 262144 colors
of the striking 2.0” QVGA LCD. Samsung’s business sense of D600
allows the user to stay connected and well informed. Embedded software, called
Picsel Viewer in the D600, allows access to business critical information in
a seamless, graphically rich environment. Supporting a variety of file types,
including all popular office formats like MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, PDF ,
HTML and Standard Image formats , the D600 displays downloads exactly as they
appear on a desktop PC to view , manipulate and send .
With a world first feature of Direct TV output link, the D600 can even display
data files, videos, images directly onto a Television screen as well as a beam
projector onto a screen for instant projection. This link can also be used to
plug and play the MP3 player on audio systems like it allows you to play games
on TV screens. All in all, this truly world class feature of direct output function
takes the concept of ‘shared entertainment’ to a different level
in mobile phones.
Piscel Viewer , Bluetooth wireless sharing and mobile printing , PictBridge
, TV Output support, Sync ML DS , Email client capabilities , USB 1.1 and TransFlash
memory combine to make the D600 a mobile office master .The world’s smallest
removable storage module , TransFlash supplements the existing mobile phone
storage while allowing for easy transfer of personal content.
A music player adds to its abilities with MP3/AAC/AAC+ as well as dual speakers
for 3D sound and Bluetooth stereo headset compatibility. States Mr. H C Ryu,
Director, Telecom, Samsung India, “The SGH D600 is targeted both at professionals
and high life seekers who are looking for a perfect blend of business and multimedia
solution from their phones .” The D600 also supports a 7 regional language
regional menu in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada and Punjabi.
About Samsung Electronics:
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication,
digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2004 parent company
sales of US$55.2 billion and net income of US$10.3 billion. Employing approximately
113,000 people in over 90 offices in 48 countries, the Company consists of five
main business units: Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD
Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized
as one of the fastest growing brands, Samsung Electronics is the world’s largest
producer of color monitors, color TVs, memory chips and TFT-LCDs.
* GPRS Class 10, QUAD – BAND (850/900/1800/1900MHz)
* 2.0 Mega at 1600 x 1200 pixels/ CMOS Built-in Camera with Flash and 3.3x
Zoom
* 262144 TFT Colour QVGA LCD (240 x 320 pixels, 2.0")
* Internal Memory – 69 MB
* External Memory Slot (Trans Flash – 64MB included with phone)
* Dual Speaker for 3D Sound
* Music Player & Ringtones (MP3, MIDI, AAC, AAC+)
* Camcorder & Video Messaging (MPEG4, H.263)
* Picsel Viewer / PictBridge / Direct TV Output
* Video Wallpaper / Video Caller ID
* Bluetooth , SyncML, E-mail Client
* Battery time (900 mAh) ; Talk Time : 7H , Standby Time : 300 H
Hutchison Essar Ltd, India’s fourth largest mobile-phone company, got a $140mn to expand its phone network in India
Hutchison Essar Ltd, India’s fourth largest mobile-phone company, got a $140mn to expand its phone network in India.
The deal is the first syndicated loan for Hutchison Essar, a joint venture between Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.’s Hong Kong-based Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd. and the Essar Group in Mumbai.
The deal was arranged by Bank of America Securities LLC, N Bayerische Hypo-UND Vereinsbank AG, Chinatrust Commercial Bank, Rabobank NA and Raiffeisen Zentralbank Oesterreich AG.
MOTOROLA TO ASSEMBLE GSM PHONES IN INDIA – intends to upgrade the unit into a manufacturing facility in phases
Motorola is setting up a unit in collaboration with a multinational company to assemble global system for mobile communication (GSM) phones in India. It proposes to upgrade the unit into a manufacturing facility in phases and hopes to finalise the project in Dec 2005. Elcoteq Network Corporation of Finland is setting up a unit in India to manufacture 6 million mobile handsets a year for Nokia and Sony Ericsson. LG and Nokia also plan to manufacture mobile handsets in India.
Source: [tmcnet.com ]
Keeping in tune with the new directive from the Department of Telecommunications, Airtel Broadband and Telephone Services, India?s largest broadband service and private telephone service from Bharti Tele-Ventures Ltd, will adopt a new number series beginning with ?4? for its fixed line services, instead of ‘5’, in Karnataka from November 13.
Keeping in tune with the new directive from the Department of Telecommunications, Airtel Broadband and Telephone Services, India’s largest broadband service and private telephone service from Bharti Tele-Ventures Ltd, will adopt a new number series beginning with ‘4’ for its fixed line services, instead of ‘5’, in Karnataka from November 13.
Airtel, in a release here today, announced that it would continue to connect all calls received on the old number till February 28 next. Post this till March 31 next, an automated voice recording system would inform customers about the change in numbers. To make life simpler for its customers, Airtel would also be launching a new short code for general customer care: 121. This general customer care number would be uniform across all circles of Airtel Broadband and Telephone Services.
The change would take place in phases depending on the city of operation. In Karnataka the change would happen in Bangalore on December 11, Mysore–November 13, Mangalore, Hubli, Belgaum and Manipal-November 20, the release said.
Airtel has more than one million fixed line customers in the country and provided broadband and telephone services in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Kolkata, Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra, Mumbai, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, UP (East) and UP (West).
Hong Kong?s Hutchison has taken a strategic decision to redesign the Hutch brand, in the run-up to the Hutch-Essar IPO
Hong Kong’s Hutchison has taken a strategic decision to redesign the Hutch brand, in the run-up to the Hutch-Essar IPO.
Hutchison Essar will unveil Hutch with its new look across 13 circles by late-November. As the company’s existing Orange and Hutch brands have a common colour, “The redesigned Hutch umbrella brand will have a definite colour variation,” Hutchison officials told ET.
There’s a tight lid on the new brand design and colour specifics. But it’s understood that the world’s top brand consultancy firm, the London-based Wolff Olins, may be involved in redesigning Hutch. Wolff Olins is the original creator of Orange.
“It’s imperative that Hutchison Essar evolves a single and unique brand identity in India, instead of its twin-brand image. The entry of the world’s biggest GSM player into India is likely to expedite unveiling of the new look of Hutch and put the company’s brand unification plans on fast track,” sources said.
Significantly, Hutchison’s decision to introduce new colour and design to Hutch is in the aftermath of the recent Orange-Hutch tussle over alleged trademark and copyright violations by Hutchison. During the legal battle in Delhi High Court, the Orange Group had alleged that Hutch had created images which were based on Orange’s guidelines.
Though the Orange-Hutch legal duel is over, there’s a feeling that Hutch and Orange brands are similar, especially as both use the orange colour. “As both brands share a similar philosophy, there’s little economic sense in Hutch-Essar managing two separate brands in India,” said sources .
In fact, Hutchison Essar expects a common umbrella brand to trigger media efficiencies, in which the company won’t need separate adaptation strategies for both brands. Once DoT clears Hutch-Essar’s 100% acquisition of the BPL Mobile circles, the new- look Hutch will be unveiled in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
via [economictimes]
