Low Budget Handsets From Vodafone

Vodafone is all set to launch cheap mobile handsets in India under the Vodafone brand. It will also launch co-branded handsets sourced from major global vendors. CDMA players like RCOM and Tata Teleservices have adopted handset-driven expansion strategies to drive up subscriber base, this is the first time that a GSM player is venturing into this space.

Vodafone would lower the entry barrier to an unbelievable Rs 666. There’s also speculation that Vodafone may follow the pricing model of Rs 666, Rs 777, Rs 888 and Rs 999 for its ultra-cheap handsets.

Source:ET

Its Vodafone Now!

The brand name Vodafone will replace Hutch from September 21, fully reflecting the change in ownership of the GSM wireless telephony operator.

Vodafone had retained the symbolic 'pug' and some animated characters as the company did not want alienation. However, it will replace Hutch's 'Wherever You Go Our Network Follows' catch-line with a new one - 'Make The Most Of Now'.

Source: TOI

Apple iPhone available in Europe

Britain would be first amongst European countries to get Apple iPhone. Apple is launching iPhone on O2 by November 9, 2007. iPhone will be available for 269 pounds.

The gadget would be available for purchase at British mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse, as well as Apple's own chain of shops.

Source: Feedblitz

Nokia Enters Mobile Advertising Arena

Nokia acquired Boston based mobile advertising company- Enpocket. Enpocket provides Mobile advertising technology and services across multiple platforms including SMS, MMS, mobile Internet advertising, and video.

Nokia will accelerate the scaling of its mobile advertising business, leveraging Enpocket’s platform and strong partnerships with advertisers, publishers and operators.

Source: Feedblitz

1.48 Million RCOM Subscribers in August

RCOM subscriber base reached 31.04 million on August 31, 2007. RCOM added 1.48 million subscribers in August across mobile, fixed wireless and fixed line telephone segments. The company had added 1.46 million subscribers in July.

Source: Business Standard

Voxmobili Is OnMobile Now

OnMobile has acquired French firm Voxmobili. The takeover will help it strengthen its VAS data products. Voxmobili’s VAS products are its core producst & its customers include Orange, AT&T and T-Mobile.

Source: iSource

R-Money on Mobile

Reliance Money has come up with 'Mobile Financial Portal', offering a range of financial services and information to its investors, across all telecom operators. They are first financial intermediary to introduce mobile portal for providing financial market information, in-house research, and stock updates to its users.

Mobile users can stay connected with financial markets while on the move, irrespective of the status of their network. This service is being offered by Reliance Money free of charge to all, across networks and mobile technologies.

Reliance Money customers would soon be in a position to access their portfolio, trade book, and order book through this Mobile Portal.

Source: Techtree

BlackBerry for CDMA Users

RCOM and Research In Motion (RIM) have announced the launch of the BlackBerry wireless platform for CDMA users in India.

BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone features include-

• Interoperability between the CDMA and GSM network
  
• Email and messaging
• Web browsing
• An advanced media player for listening to music, viewing pictures, and watching videos.
  

BlackBerry from Reliance offers features like -

• Bloomberg anywhere services
• Reliance mobile world access to 23 fun applications
• Video streaming
  
• BlackBerry for pre-paid users for the first time in India
• BlackBerry Enterprise Server for enterprise
• BlackBerry Internet Service for SME and professional.

Also the RCOM's CDMA-powered BlackBerry smartphones allow professionals to download their mails and surf the net at faster speeds through CDMA.

The models available-

• BlackBerry Pearl (Rs 24,990)
• BlackBerry Curve (Rs 24,990)
• BlackBerry 8830 World Edition (Rs 33,990)

Source: Techtree