Airtel Africa signs landmark deal for Managed VAS services with Comviva
May 25
Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa announced a major deal for Managed VAS Services with Comviva, the global leader in providing mobile solutions beyond VAS for its Africa operations. As part of the five-year deal, Comviva will manage all VAS nodes and provide services across Airtel’s 16 operations in Africa.
With the signing of this deal, Airtel Africa becomes the first telecom services operator in Africa to have a managed services agreement for its complete value added services portfolio. In addition to managing all the VAS nodes, Comviva will also manage the complexities associated with the emergence of multiple technologies, different standards, myriad applications and content. With Managed VAS Services, which will be launched commercially this month, Comviva aims to help grow Airtel’s value added service business in Africa.
Airtel is a pioneer in adopting managed services. Airtel Africa has outsourced its core customer service functions, including call centres and back office operations to IBM, Tech Mahindra and Spanco. In September 2010, the company also selected IBM to manage its IT systems to power the mobile communications network across the continent.
MVL Mobiles launches SIZERO the ultra slim multimedia rich touch phone
MVL Mobiles announced the launch of its first ultra slim touch screen phone aptly named – THE SIZERO. Specially designed for the country’s youth and professionals, The SIZERO is a first of its kind multimedia phone loaded with incredible features and available for just Rs. 4349/-.
With a display size boasting of a 2.8 inch full touch screen, this stylish dual sim multimedia phone lets users show off their camera skills by seamlessly providing high quality Audio/Video recording and playback support for multiple formats. Coupled with other features like webcam support, modem, java, Opera browser, conference calling, Bluetooth, FM player with recording, motion sensor and much more make The SIZERO one of the most comprehensive multimedia phones in its price bracket.
The SIZERO also features an Expense Tracker allowing you to better manage your finances - now you can keep track of how much money you have spent and on what goods this month (week, year) and plan your budget accordingly. The Sniffer in the phone allows the user to locate the phone in case of theft/loss. The phone comes with pre-loaded multimedia content consisting of 40 high resolution videos and 15 Mp3 songs, 2GB memory card, a stylus string and a sleek leather pouch to add the style quotient.
iBUZZ Mobiles launches i4242 video buzz phones
iBUZZ Mobiles announced the launch of the i4242 Video BUZZ. This stylish dual SIM phone is designed to provide unmatched functionality at affordable prices.
Ideally dubbed the Video BUZZ, the i4242 is equipped with a big battery of 1500mAh, big sound speaker with 20*30mm audio amplifier, opera mini browser, stereo Bluetooth, privacy protection, 1.3 MP camera, auto call recording and a lots of other features that make it a must buy. What makes it so special is its entertainment value as it supports MP3/MP4 and 3GP @ 30 frames per second. Apart from its incredible internal features, its attractive layout with a 2.2 inch QCIF and 262K color display surely makes a perfect style statement too.
The i4242 (Video BUZZ) also offers various exceptional features including mobile tracking facility. This phone not only has wireless telescopic FM but also offers schedule FM recording for song lovers which enable them to record their favorite songs while playing live on FM.
This phone comes pre-loaded with Java applications and supports popular social networking sites. It also offers dual external memory support of up to 16 GB, and a privacy protector to lock phonebook/SMS/call log and file manager.
The phone includes an Indian calendar with Tithi’s and Festivals and also supports the Hindi language. The phone is available in all leading outlets at a price of Rs. 2999.
Samsung launches its flagship Nexus S handset in India
Samsung Electronics, the leading mobile phone provider in India announced the launch of the much awaited Nexus S smartphone in the Indian market.
Developed in partnership with GoogleTM, Nexus S is powered by Gingerbread (AndroidTM 2.3). It is the first handset from Samsung Mobile with a 4” Super clear Curved LCD screen and Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.
With the launch of Nexus S and 5 new Galaxy Smart phones based on the Android 2.2 platform – Galaxy Pro, Ace, Fit, Pop, Galaxy Pop CDMA, Samsung offers the largest range of Android powered smart phones in the country.
Designed with an ergonomic fit and style, the Nexus S, is the first handset from Samsung Mobile to be equipped with a 4” super clear Curved LCD screen and offers premium viewing experience. Nexus S comes pre-installed with the best of Google apps.
Powered with a 1 Ghz mega processor, the Nexus S provides powerful multi-media and gaming experience with brilliant 3D graphics. With Android 2.3, users can enjoy hi-speed application downloads and watch HD video content with instant access. The handset also provides high speed connectivity options, internet calling (VoIP/SIP) support.
The OS provides one-touch word selection and improved copy-paste function for all your documents and a dedicated camera/video switch that helps you capture pictures and videos with ease. The Nexus S is equipped with a 5 megapixel rear facing camera and camcorder with flash, as well as a VGA front facing camera. In addition, Nexus S features a gyroscope sensor to provide smooth, fluid gaming experience when the user is tilting the device up or down or panning the phone to the left or right.
The phone comes with 16GB internal memory and a 1500mAH battery which provides a talk time up to 6.7 hours on 3G (14 hours on 2G) and a standby time up to 17.8 days on 3G (29.7 days on 2G).The Nexus S is priced at Rs. 29590/.
Tata DOCOMO Introduces 3G Wi-Fi Hub
June 1
Tata DOCOMO, the GSM brand of Tata Teleservices Limited, announced the launch of a revolutionary internet access device—3G Wi-Fi Hub—enabling multiple users and devices to share wireless Internet access and stay connected on the go. The device offers uninterrupted connectivity for specific Wi-Fi devices like Laptops, Tablets, Gaming Consoles and Wi-Fi-enabled Televisions.
The evolved device takes wireless mobile broadband to the next level, offering dual-mode internet connectivity to users—a first in the Indian market. The device enables users to maneuver between Tata DOCOMO’s Next-Gen 3G GSM network and Tata Photon Plus on the CDMA platform—one technology at a time—offering speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps. In one small stroke, it allows users to access the Internet at 3G speeds in all the nine Tata DOCOMO circles where the company has the license, while allowing them to seamlessly switch to the high-speed Tata Photon Plus platform in other locations.
The device offers speed up to 7.2 Mbps in the 3G mode, and up to 3.1Mbps in the High-Speed Internet Access (HSIA) mode. Apart from a portable powered battery, seamless connectivity, simple browser-based configuration, the device is also password-protected for greater security.
The Tata DOCOMO 3G Wi-Fi Hub is available with post-pay plans, to begin with. Customers opting for the sleek device will be provided with a starter pack containing both Tata DOCOMO 3G GSM and Tata Photon Plus start-up kits (SUKs). Customers can choose from a number of plans on both the Tata DOCOMO 3G GSM and Tata Photon Plus SUKs and can data speed of 7.2 Mbps and 3.1 Mbps, respectively. To access data on the Tata DOCOMO 3G GSM and Tata Photon Plus platforms, customers will have to activate both SUKs separately with necessary documentation.
Hip Street gets a new Regional Manager for North India
May 30
Hip Street, one of the leading Digital Accessories brands of India has announced the appointment of Mr. Sachin Kaushik as its Regional Manager for North India. He will be responsible for building relationship with channel partners and help the company in further increasing its market reach in North India.
“With Sachin on board, we are expecting to accelerate our growth in the IT and Telecom accessory space. His extensive channel experience will be of great value to our strategy for the northern market,” commented Mr. Sandeep Ramani, Country Manager, Hip Street India.
“I am looking forward to work closely with Hip Street’s India team. I am sure, my experience coupled with Hip Street’s technological prowess will help me establishing Hip Street as a leading brand in this geography,” said Sachin Kaushik.
Sachin carries an extensive experience in the Marketing & Customer Relationship and also in identifying & developing new Channel Partners. He has done outstanding work during his tenure with renowned companies like Motorola India Pvt. Ltd, Global Infonet Distribution Pvt. Ltd, Nebula Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Ingram Micro India and EPSON India.
Times Internet Limited and NBA announces digital partnership
May 31
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Times Internet Limited (TIL), a subsidiary of Times Group, announced a digital partnership to launch the first-ever dedicated NBA section on the Times of India website -- www.timesofindia.com.
The NBA becomes the second sports league after the IPL (Indian Premier League) to partner with the Times Group in India, highlighting the growing popularity of basketball and the NBA in India.
A new dedicated NBA section will feature on the Times of India website, with a reach of over 12 million users per month (comScore, April 2011). The NBA section will provide fans with comprehensive daily updates on the latest NBA news, scores and original columns from Times Group journalists. Daily video highlights, photo galleries and articles from NBA analysts will also be offered, as well as in-depth features on the league and its players. Furthermore, journalists from the Times Group will travel to the 2011 NBA Finals to provide on-site and behind-the-scenes coverage for fans in India.
The NBA is the premier men's professional basketball league in North America. With the growing popularity of Basketball globally and more recently in India we plan to leverage our audience to help popularize the sport further and drive newer audiences to the game.
Hungama and TuneWiki announce mobile music partnership to bring subtitled lyrics to the world’s most popular songs
May 26
Hungama, the largest aggregator, developer and distributor of Bollywood and South Asian entertainment content in the world, presents TuneWiki, an application that provides real-time, subtitled lyrics for users’ stored library of music and music videos. TuneWiki connects music lovers with lyrics, subtitled and translated through a wiki which features more than 600,000 contributors. TuneWiki makes music social with community wiki-features for lyrics and translation updates, geography based Top 50 music charts and the ability blip updates to friends.
Users can sing along with streaming lyrics and they can also access and download music from the Hungama storefront to enjoy a seamless music experience. This initiative will enable Indian music lovers to get the latest and the best in music complete with subtitled lyrics and social features.
Users can access Tunewiki application via a subscription model at Rs. 5/day, Rs. 10/week, Rs. 30 /month. This application is compatible with all Java enabled handsets that include major mass market and premium handset models making it a largely usable proposition.
Compuware Gomez® Integrates APM from the end user to the Data Center
May 18
Compuware Corporation, the technology performance company, announced that it has rebranded its Application Performance Management (APM) products to a single product family name, Compuware Gomez®. This single brand approach underscores the integration and unification of the Compuware APM product lines and sends a clear message to the marketplace about Compuware’s commitment to industry leadership for its APM business.
Under the new branding, all Vantage products have been renamed with the Gomez brand name. The products from the Vantage family, which placed Compuware in the leadership quadrant of the 2010 Gartner APM Magic Quadrant, continue to be strategically critical to Compuware’s APM strategy, and the company will continue to aggressively invest in and develop them. Likewise, the Gomez SaaS family of products will continue to be developed and supported.
This rebranding is another major step in Compuware’s continued investment in its integrated APM solution. As part of its APM unification strategy, Compuware recently formed a dedicated APM business unit spanning all APM products and major organizational functions, including engineering, operations, product management, sales, marketing, service and support. This will accelerate the integration and focus for the APM product line, now called Gomez.
The Gomez APM solution works for every type of application, including enterprise applications accessed by employees, e-commerce web sites visited by customers or applications running on mobile devices. The Gomez “First Mile to Last Mile” solution eliminates blind spots across the entire application delivery chain, from the browser on a user’s computer or mobile device, across the Internet or a corporate WAN, across third-party and cloud providers, to the complex infrastructure inside data centers.
Nokia Siemens Networks, Expandium quality management system aim to improve punctuality, safety
May 31
Jernbaneverket, the Norwegian National Rail Administration, will soon benefit from improved communications across its railway network, supporting safe, punctual rail operations. The state-owned agency has selected Nokia Siemens Networks and Expandium to implement a quality management system that will continually assess its GSM-Railway (GSM-R) network and identify any issues for immediate troubleshooting.
Communication and control is critical to railway operators more, perhaps more so than any other enterprise. Thus Nokia is committed to developing better solutions, driving GSM-R standardization and partnering with companies to develop products aimed at improving railway communications network.
The quality management system by Expandium, QATS Railway, measures the quality of service in real time and includes all the latest technologies under the European Train Control System (ETCS) and GSM-R standards. Nokia Siemens Networks will install and integrate the system into the Norwegian rail authority’s communications network and provide project management services.
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