India | Fone Arena

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

India 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.

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”

Christmas will be merry for Farmers…Mobile Phone in 500 bucks!!!

We all know that recently mobile prices have come down to an extent that a common man can also easily afford it. Even an auto wala and vegetable vendor keeps a mobile phone and this actually is good because according to me technology should benefit people from all strata of the society. Continue reading “Christmas will be merry for Farmers…Mobile Phone in 500 bucks!!!”

Mobile content now in retail stores

Always on the look out for new content for your handset? Walk into “Media magic” and get new mobile content in three simple steps.

1. Select from an array of 500 movies (including several regional titles) and 5000 songs, loads of wallpapers and games
2. Pay
3. Get content downloaded on your handset

Alternatively, you can download the content through the touch-screen kiosks placed at Mobile Magic stores in the form of memory cards, which have to be bought only once and then can be used to refresh content. Continue reading “Mobile content now in retail stores”

Nokia Entertainment Study defines Next Episode in Entertainment

Nokia N Series carried out an entertainment study with the help of Future Laboratory. They call it the Entertainment Study. Nokia interviewed trendsetters from 17 different countries about their entertainment and digital lifestyle. This study also included India. Continue reading “Nokia Entertainment Study defines Next Episode in Entertainment”

Poll : Mobile Internet Usage in India

Hi Readers,

The Apple iPhone has increased the mobile internet usage in the USA and UK.

But in India its a different story , only a small percentage of mobile users use internet on their mobile phones.

We are running this poll titled “Do you use internet on your mobile phone ?”

We have kept the choices damn simple .. Just an yes or a no..

Do vote and ask your friends to vote as well

{democracy:2}