Single chip handset

CDMA players have beaten their GSM competition in the race for the single chip handset in India.
Telecom chipmaker Qualcomm and CDMA operator Tata Teleservices launched the Motofone F3c, which runs on a QSC 6010 chip.

Typically, phones are made of four chips - base-band modem, radio transceiver, power management and multimedia engine. With the QSC single chip, the mobile is more stable, has more features packed in, offers longer standby time and is smaller in size.

Source: ET

Colors in Monochrome Mobile industry

Have you ever thought why most of mobile handsets are monochromes- black, grey or white in Indian market. Indian users don’t prefer color handsets or manufacturers don’t cater to Indian users needs?

Link below puts some light on handset color preference for Japan, UK & western European users.

http://www.mobileuserexperience.com/?p=359

Handsets in UK












Handsets in Japan








If any data regarding Indian user's handset color preference, Do share!

Potential of Mobile Marketing!

Mobile marketing represents one of the most promising and challenging opportunities for both the advertising and mobile industries. With more than 2 billion mobile users in the world today, mobile prevails as the first medium through which advertisers can reach such a large audience on an individual basis in the developing world.

According to IDC, the brand spend of the U.S. mobile marketing market in 2006 should more than double the spend in 2005. In order for mobile marketing messages to be effective, they must capture the attention of and engage users. An IDC survey shows that mobile users show limited tolerance for prerolls lasting more than 8 to 10 seconds. This means that successful mobile marketing campaigns must quickly engage users in the first few seconds, not just treat them as a captive audience.

Source: Cellular News

Budget fails to cheer telecom sector

The telecom industry expressed disappointment as none of their major demands found a mention in the Budget proposals. Though the Finance Minister said the Government would consider the industry's suggestion of replacing the existing multifarious levies and charges by a single levy, the industry was hoping for an initial reduction in their annual licence fee from a maximum of 10% to a uniform 6% of their revenues.

Source: iSource

Ericsson Signs 3-year GSM Contract in India

Ericsson and Indian operator IDEA Cellular have signed a 3 year contract for GSM expansion in the Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh telecom circles. Ericsson will expand IDEA Cellular's network in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh over the next three years. The contract also envisages upgrading IDEA's existing network to make it capable for offering 3G services.

Source: iSource

4% exemption on handsets waived off

Government has withdrawn the exemption of 4% special additional duty on handsets manufactured in Special Economic Zones. Nokia and Samsung have started manufacturing handsets in the country while others like Motorola and Sony Ericsson are in the process of setting up a plant.

According to the Indian Cellular Association, the notification will jeopardise these plans as it would eliminate the cost difference between imported handsets and those manufactured at the SEZs.

Source: iSource

90% uses mobile 18 hrs a day

The open-ended survey conducted by "www.chandigarha2z.com" has revealed that 90% out of 5 lakh mobile users of Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali and the surrounding areas use mobile phones for 18 hours a day. About a lakh of them have access to the Internet via GPRS on their mobile sets.

Source: iSource

Indian Telecom sector Shines!!!

The telecom sector, that has emerged as the biggest success story of the market oriented reforms, is now among the fastest growing telecom markets in the world. Telecom tariffs, which were among the highest in the world less than four years ago have now dipped to be among the lowest and the tele-density also increased from 12.7 percent in March 2006 to 16.8 percent in December 2006.

Source: iSource

Skype demands "Carterfone" rules for mobile industry

The provider of free Internet calls, Skype is asking the American regulator FCC to apply the “Carterfone” rules to the mobile industry. This would force carriers to “open up” and allow hardware and software created by third parties to connect to their networks.

The US mobile operators’ association CTIA is reacting violently against the Skype appeal. Skype wants it’s customers to be able to make internet-calls with mobile phones over the service providers’ networks.

The “Carterfone” rules were developed to break up the monopoly AT&T had over fixed line phones. It allows network customers to hook up any device and software that does not harm network or disturb its regular functions.

FCC has applied the “Carterfone” rules to cable and DSL communications and it would be logical to enforce it also on mobile networks.

Source: Mobile monday

Motivators for buying a handset

DoCoMo, McDonald's lovin' it

Japanese consumers will soon be able to pay for their Big Mac and fries with their mobile phone. Leading Japanese mobile operator, NTT DoCoMo, struck a deal with MacDonald's Japan on Monday for establishment of a joint venture company to plan and manage e-marketing promotions to McDonald.

Source: Telecom

Why Parents Buy Mobile Phones for their Children

A recent study by Australia Institute showed “Safety & Security” are the reasons for parents to buy mobile phones for their children. They provide families with the opportunity to stay in touch if there is a pressing or urgent need for parents and children to contact each other.

Source: Cellular news