SMS2.0 Nationwide Launch By August

SMS2.0, the next generation of SMS, which stands for short message and search, is expected to increase the ARPU of mobile operators by at least 10%.

Bharti Airtel and Affle had launched the pilot project of SMS2.0 in India last month. SMS2.0 includes colours, emoticons, scheduled SMS and other personalisation options. Through media and content partners, the platform enables free delivery of news headlines, movie trailers and promotions.

Currently, the SMS2.0 service is available only in Delhi and surrounding regions. Its accessible only on a selected Nokia handsets at the moment.Nationwide launch of SMS2.0 is expected by the end of August.

Source: DNA

Booming Mobile VAS

The mobile value added services are poised to grow by over 65% to touch Rs 8,200 crore by the end of this fiscal from Rs 4,950 crore in the last fiscal, according to an estimate by industry body Assocham.

Various downloads such as ringtones, bill-related information, contest, exam results and messages received from public services such as banks, railways and airlines earn revenues for the industry. Such revenues will grow and multiply to add volumes to mobile value added services (VAS).

Indian music industry earned more than 35 million dollar from such services, which is equivalent to 20% of its total revenue. SMS interactivity, which has become an integral part of most of TV shows, would become a major source of revenue for the channels.

Source: The Asian Age

Pink On Its Way To Become RED!!!

Nearly two years ago, Orange turned pink. Now, pink is preparing to make way for red. The vibrant pink tristars of Hutchsion Essar logo are set to change to a speech bubble of dominant red colour, the trademark brand of Vodafone.

Vodafone, which bought a stake in Hutch Essar in May, is expected to introduce its globally-renowned brand in India before the year-end. O&M is working on the new look for Hutch as it prepares to become Vodafone Essar.Vodafone will undertake extensive consumer research before embarking on brand change.

Hutch’s boy with the pug has been one of the most popular and recognised brand campaigns in India and not surprisingly, the cute pug is expected to follow the boy in Vodafone’s advertisements too.

Source: The ET

India Calling!

US-based AT&T is exploring the possibility of re-entering into India’s lucrative mobile telephone service market.

AT&T can enter into the Indian market either through acquisition of an existing mobile service provider or by acquiring a new licence for mobile services. At present, Idea and Spice can be two acquisition targets in GSM mobile space.

Source: Indian Express

Print from Nokia Handsets

The new Nokia mobile printing service enables people to order high-quality prints easily and directly from the device, over cellular or wireless LAN (WLAN) networks, and have them delivered to your home.

Users of compatible Nokia Nseries multimedia computers now only need one device to capture images, edit them and order prints. You can also have your favorite images printed on stickers or gift items like mugs, jigsaw puzzles and T-shirts, and have them delivered to a friend.

The mobile printing service is accessible from the device's Gallery application. Select the images to be printed, insert address and other requested information, and press 'Order now'. The order is then processed by CeWe Color and prints are delivered to the entered address.

Source: Feedblitz

You Tube in LG phones

LG Electronics and YouTube have joined hands to provide YouTube services on LG mobile phones. LG mobile users can view videos and easily upload them directly to YouTube's website. For upcoming YouTube-enabled handsets, LG will apply a new user interface for easily accessing and uploading video content. LG's YouTube-enabled handsets will be available worldwide starting at end of this year.

Source: Cellular News