Indian Mobile Phone News Archive: July 2006

Idea applies for 12 more circles
Monday, July 31, 2006 | AY

After taking full control of its cellular venture, Aditya Birla Group company Idea Cellular has applied for license for all the remaining 12 circles to eventually have pan-India presence and announced an investment of over Rs 2300 crore in the existing operations. Idea is currently offering services in Haryana, UP (W), Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa (one circle), MP and Chattisgarh (one circle), Andhra Pradesh and Kerala and has procured license for three more circles namely Himachal Pradesh, UP (East) and Rajasthan. According to company sources, Idea Cellular has plans to start rolling out network in Mumbai by the end of this year while in Bihar by the first quarter of 2007. The company has also applied for the National Long Distance Services (STD) license with the dot and waiting for its approval to start rolling out the services.

LG Mobile 5MP camera phone
Sunday, July 30, 2006 | AY

LG Mobile has raised the stakes in the competitive camera phone marketplace with the announcement of the first 5MP camera phone to arrive in the UK. The KG920 boasts a 'twist' design that allows the camera to rotate up to 180 degrees, 4x digital zoom and a MP3/AAC music player in addition to its high street leading resolution. LG has added scene modes, including landscape and sports, a 256MB removable memory card and a fully functional flash to the KG920.

Nokia Creates "Self disassembly" Mobile Phone
Saturday, July 29, 2006 | AY

Nokia Research Center, together with a student group from Helsinki University of Technology, have developed a process for heat disassembly of portable devices. The idea is to disassemble a mobile phone by a heat-activated mechanism without any contact. By using a centralized heat source like laser heating, the shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator is activated, and the mobile phone covers are opened. The battery, display, printed wiring board (PWB) and mechanical parts are separated and can then be recycled in their material specific recycling processes. The required temperature for the disassembly is 60-150 ºC. If it were lower the phone could dismantle by itself, for instance in a hot car, and if it were higher the plastics would melt. Laser heating is a feasible method due to its speed and precision. However, it requires investment in a proper disassembly line.

Spice to double its cell sites in Punjab
Saturday, July 29, 2006 | AY

Spice Telecom, the flagship company of MCorp Global, will double its cell sites in Punjab to support the increasing subscriber base in the state. With focus on 75 towns in the state, including urban and rural areas, the company that offers cellular services in Punjab and Karnataka expects a 40 per cent growth in its subscriber base this fiscal. Mobile penetration in the state is at around 16-17 per cent and the subscriber strength is about 55 lakh, which grows at 40 per cent per annum. Besides improving the infrastructure, the company is also introducing new value-added services to attract more customers.

India could stop importing mobile phones by next year
Saturday, July 29, 2006 | AY

Union IT and Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran said that, India could stop importing mobile phones by the second quarter of 2007 with telecom majors setting up their production units in the country. Nokia is already producing over two million phones from its facility in Chennai every month and Motorola, which is expected to begin operations on January 14, 2007, is expected to produce about 1.3 million phones every month. Maran said that Germany is India's fourth largest trading partner after the US, UK and Japan. Indian imports grew by almost 35 per cent, while India's exports to Germany rose by 12 per cent.

Motorola Introduced MOTOFONE
Wednesday, July 26, 2006 | AY

Motorola, announced the MOTOFONE, a new handset poised to redefine the market by making high design and smart technology truly affordable. The MOTOFONE combines Motorola's award-winning design sensibility with smart features and easy functionality. Motorola's thinnest phone yet at approximately 9mm thin, MOTOFONE borrows key elements from Motorola's iconic portfolio and gives them a new twist. Flat keypad, colors, innovative materials and finish processes combine to make a device that's beautiful and affordable for everyone around the world. The MOTOFONE offers an intuitive, new interface built on icons and voice versus text. Its large,high contrast screen, powered by our revolutionary ClearVision display, helps eliminate glare from direct sunlight, making it easier to use the phone outdoors, on-the-go.

Spice introduced Hindi content-based services
Tuesday, July 25, 2006 | AY

Spice Telecom, has introduced Hindi content-based services for its subscribers in Punjab based on the USSD or unstructured supplementary services data platform. Spice customers can now have access to a range of Hindi content such as ringtones, SMS tones, picture messages, cricket, jokes, poems etc. To access the Hindi content based services, Spice pre-paid and post-paid subscribers need to dial *555#. If the subscriber's handset supports Hindi, then the customer will get an option to choose from a Hindi or English menu and if the handset does not support Hindi text then the subscriber will get a direct access to the English menu. The subscriber can then choose from any of the Hindi value-added services mentioned on the mobile screen.

Style’ to CDMA phones
Monday, July 24, 2006 | AY

Motorola and Tata Teleservices have announced a collaboration to bring ‘Style’ to COMA mobile phones for the Indian consumer. As part of this agreement, the companies launched the stylish, sophisticated and feature-rich MOTORAZR V3c in two colours-Pearl Grey & Orchid Pink with matching Bluetooth headsets. Motorola and Tata Indicom will jointly market, distribute and support the MCTORA2R V3c across the country. The MOTORAZR V3s handset has been launched by Tata Teleservices on an exclusive Max plan. Under this offer, the subscriber will enjoy the benefit of zero rentals for a period of 999 days. Additionally, subscribers will also get. 10,000 free local minutes for calling Tata phones, 1,000 free local/national SMSes to any phones, a free Motorola Bluetooth headset worth Rs. 2300 (in colours matching that of the handset) as well as free access to office £ personal mails through the just launched mobile mail service for a period of 3 months. This exclusive package carries a price tag of Rs. 14500 only.

Pay via SMS
Monday, July 24, 2006 | AY

PayMate India has announced a collaboration with Citibank and Euronet to launch a unique mobile payment solution called "PayMate" that promises to offer customers an easy, efficient, and secure method of payment. Citibank customers can sign-up for this service, by sending "PayMate" as an SMS to 2484. They will be called back and registered for the service, following which they can shop for products at Rediff, Naukri, Cleartrip, Jeevansaathi, and 99 Acres. Once a product is selected, customers need to send a single SMS with pin (provided by the bank) to confirm the transaction. The bank will then proceed to verify the user's mobile number with his/her account. Upon confirmation, the user's account will be debited accordingly. Besides, PayMate does not require any additional software or mobile SIM upgrade; all it requires is a basic entry-level phone with SMS enabled to transact.

Airtel set to attain 25 m. mobile base in India
Saturday, July 22, 2006 | AY

'Airtel', announced that it would achieve 25 million mobile customers by next month. It has also worked a blue-print to become the first private telecom company to provide mobile services in all the states by launching its mobile service to Arunachal Pradesh in the NE region by August. Besides this, Airtel would also extend its mobile services to all the small towns, which has population of less than 20,000 by 2008.

Samsung launches Ultra Edition series in India
Saturday, July 22, 2006 | AY

Samsung has unveiled a new line of the 'world’s slimmest' mobile phones with the launch of The Ultra Edition Series in India. The first model to be launched within the series is the Ultra Edition 6.9. Made with fibreglass re-infused plastic, the phone is 6.9mm thick, and is equipped with a 2 megapixel camera, MP3 Player, Direct TV Out function, 80 MB memory apart from a host of other features. The Ultra Edition phones have been constructed using titanium, magnesium and fibreglass re-infused plastic to impart the strength to the Ultra Thin models.

Chocolate Phone
Saturday, July 22, 2006 | AY

LG, a leading consumer electronic, home appliance, and mobile handset company, has announced the launch of the LG KG-800, better known as "The Chocolate Phone" in the country. The KG800 features a signature design feature that once activated; its glowing red icons bring a hidden full-color screen. In addition, it boasts a class-leading MP3/AAC music player, 128 MB of on-board memory, a 1.3 mega-pixel camera, and video camera. It is also the first handset from its new 'Black Label' series of designer mobile phones, aimed at users who value style as highly as they value technology. LG claims that the Chocolate phone has sold nearly 500,000 units globally, since its launch in Korea last November.

Sales of Nokia, Motorola in India, China Buoyed Earnings
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 | AY

Nokia Oyj and Motorola Inc., the world's biggest mobile-phone makers, will probably say handset sales in China and India buoyed earnings in the second quarter. The two companies have introduced cheaper phones to lure more first-time buyers and take market share from Samsung Electronics Co. in China and India, the fastest-growing markets. Facing slower growth at home, Nokia and Motorola are selling pricier models to widen margins and compete with digital cameras and Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry e-mail pager. Shares of Motorola have declined about 16 percent this year. Nokia shares, which rose 1.1 percent to 14.77 euros yesterday, have lost 4.4 percent this year.

Airtel organises screening of Krishh
Tuesday, July 18, 2006 | AY

Airtel, India’s leading mobile service provider, organized special screening of Krishh movie for its platinum customers. A huge number of Airtel customers thronged the venue with their families to watch the movie. Truly in the fast paced world one rarely finds time for relax but Airtel has given a chance to unwind and enjoy some light moments. A total of four shows were organized by Airtel for its customers.

Limited-use mobile phone
Monday, July 17, 2006 | AY

Mobile phones work mainly on two technologies, - code division multiple access (CDMA), which requires no SIM card - and GSM, in which any SIM card can be used. The new invention is an extension of the CDMA phone but, if and when the user switches to GSM, a SIM card can be integrated into the new device, says its inventor. A user having an existing cell phone on normal CDMA technology can offer its extension to others for limited use. The device has no SMS or MMS facility , no games or camera, not even display screen and, of course, no SIM card! And its bill is added to the existing mobile phone bill. But, the user would have to network the device with the existing phone through the service provider only, as in the case of the twin-phone facility provided against a single bill payment by some providers who merely change the second digit on the 10-digit number to identify the new phone. The limited-use mobile phone would be useful not only for children and the elderly and the physically challenged but also for defence establishments, transporters, vehicle drivers, nurses, domestic help and others. The device ensures that only urgently required numbers can be called immediately by pressing two buttons.

Samsung to invest $200 mn by 2010
Sunday, July 16, 2006 | AY

Korean electronics and telecom major Samsung today announced an investment of 200 million dollars to increase mobile handset manufacturing capacity to 20 million by 2010 from one million now. The company also said that they would soon launch world's slimmest mobile phone to add another model to its existing high-end range. Samsung started manufacturing mobile phones at its unit in Manesar in Haryana about five months back with an initial capacity of one million. Samsung is also exporting mobile phones from the Manesr plant to six countries - Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. The company is currently ranked number three (in unit sales) after Nokia and Motorola.

LG Chocolate in India
Saturday, July 15, 2006 | AY

Gently brush the touch-keypad and it awakes -- the black body submerges into glowing red icons and brings to life a ‘hidden’ full-colour screen that completes its unique look and feel of minimalism with a modern twist. LG has today launched the Chocolate Phone, LG KG800, in India, marking its foray into the premium designer products segment.

Radio Mirchi to launch visual radio
Saturday, July 15, 2006 | AY

Radio Mirchi will unveil a visual radio in Delhi by the end of this month, making it the third city in the world to adopt a technology that will open up a new revenue for the private FM radio operator. Radio Mirchi is partnering with Hutch and Airtel to offer this service. The broadcast will be available on Nokia mobile phones with Hewlett-Packard (HP) as the technology provider. Radio Mirchi will speed ahead of Virgin Radio which is planning to launch visual radio later this year. Helsinki in Finland and Singapore are the other two places where visual radio has kicked off commercially.

Meridian Mobile to launch low-priced cell phones
Saturday, July 15, 2006 | AY

Meridian Mobile, part of the UK-based Meridian Group, plans to launch a mobile phone worth around Rs 4,500 in July this year. At present, the 5 models of mobile phones that it has launched in the Indian market cost between Rs 8,490 and Rs 10,990. The company plans to have 15 models in the market by the year-end. Meridian Mobile has launched its flagship brand of GSM phones - Fly - across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi and the eastern regions. Meridian Mobile registered sales of two million phones worldwide last year and plans to up that number to 3 million this year.

SGH-i320 Smartphone
Wednesday, July 12, 2006 | AY

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has launched SGH-i320 Smartphone. Samsung i320 measures 11.5mm in depth and 95g in weight with an easy-to-use qwerty keyboard. It operates with 'Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone Operating System' to provide users with a familiar interface that is easy to navigate and use. It allows users to write and store texts, exchange emails in real-time, type memos, and more. Functions supported by this ultra-thin mobile are especially useful for users who want to chat, read, and send emails from their mobiles. The i320 features an imbedded instant messaging program and 'mobile mail' functions to enable users to send and receive photos, music and a variety of multi-media messages. The phone has a large 2.2 inches LCD screen with 1.3 mega-pixel resolution camera, along with cool multi-media entertainment functions such as Bluetooth and high-quality dual speakers.

Airtel Mega
Wednesday, July 12, 2006 | AY

Airtel has launched 'Airtel Mega' fixed wireless phone services in India. Airtel Mega fulfills the customer needs for an innovative home phone service with the advantages of instant availability, feature-rich instruments and mobility within the premises. This service comes with the additional benefit of a unique after-sales service model. With the launch of the FWP service, Airtel completes its total telecom services portfolio for all segments.

Private telcos may ‘roam’ on BSNL
Monday, July 10, 2006 | AY

Subscribers of private mobile operators may soon be able to get a roaming facility on state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd’s nationwide network. The indication came after BSNL urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to set the amount of revenue-share between the visiting (home) network and the terminating (roaming) network. BSNL is the only operator that does not allow any other operator, except state-owned MTNL’s subscribers, to have a call roaming facility on its network. BSNL has over 18 million of India’s over 100-million mobile phone subscribers.

Private telcos may ‘roam’ on BSNL
Monday, July 10, 2006 | AY

Subscribers of private mobile operators may soon be able to get a roaming facility on state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd’s nationwide network. The indication came after BSNL urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to set the amount of revenue-share between the visiting (home) network and the terminating (roaming) network. BSNL is the only operator that does not allow any other operator, except state-owned MTNL’s subscribers, to have a call roaming facility on its network. BSNL has over 18 million of India’s over 100-million mobile phone subscribers.

Madhavan features in mobile games
Sunday, July 9, 2006 | AY

A Mumbai-based game development company, Paradox has signed a world wide contract with actor Madhavan to create six mobile game titles based on him. Launching the first game, 'Madhavan's MIG', Paradox CEO said the firm aimed at taking gaming on mobile phones and on-line beyond the big cities and were signing up with Indian icons for this purpose. The 'paper-player' model would cost Rs 5 per download, while a one-time download would range from Rs.50-99. The games, which consists of three levels, would be available on Reliance, Idea and Spice mobile services. Madhavan said the concept of the game had been derived from his role of a pilot in the recent Hindi blockbuster 'Rang De Basanti', in which he flew an MIG 29 aircraft.

Airtel Mega
Saturday, July 8, 2006 | AY

Airtel has launched ‘Airtel Mega’ Fixed Wireless Phone (FWP) services in the country that operates on GSM network and is available in Postpaid and Prepaid tariff plans. Airtel Mega will be rolled out progressively across the length and breadth of Airtel’s wireless network. Through Airtel Mega, we intend to make available home phones to all customers within ‘arm’s reach of desire’. The biggest advantage that Airtel Mega offers is the end-to-end service delivery (from booking to installation to after-sales) at the customer’s doorstep, which is another first from Airtel. Airtel also offers its customers “Mega” value whereby calling to all local & intra-circle mobiles is given at Rs 1.20 for 3 minutes (effectively 40p/min). Customers can choose from three European-styled phone models in both desktop and cordless versions. The Airtel Mega launch offer includes 150 minutes (50 pulses, 3 minutes pulse) every month of free calling to one Airtel mobile/Airtel landline.

BSNL cuts down roaming charges
Saturday, July 8, 2006 | AY

BSNL today has slashed down the roaming charges levied on both its Cell One and One India customers. As per the new plan the roaming charges has been reduced from the present Rs two per minute to Re one. Also calls made to land lines and all mobile networks including STD calls would cost only Re one and there would be no charge for incoming calls.

Samsung HERO Handset
Saturday, July 8, 2006 | AY

Tata Teleservices and Samsung Telecommunications India Pvt. Ltd. have launched the Samsung Hero mobile handset, India's first anti-theft mobile tracker and emergency SOS alert CDMA mobile handset phone. The anti-theft mobile tracker feature comes handy in case of theft of the handset. In case a phone is stolen and the SIM card on the phone is replaced, the handset automatically sends an SMS to up to two pre-selected numbers, giving the contact number of the new user without the new user's knowledge. The emergency SOS alert feature in the handset ensures that help is close at hand for the user whenever he is in trouble. All that the user has to do is press the `C’ key four times and the handset will automatically send out an SOS SMS to up to 10 numbers that have been chosen by the user. This will alert the receivers of the SMS that the user needs help. When they call the user, the handset will automatically receive their calls, enabling them to communicate instantly. Priced at Rs 1499, the Samsung Hero mobile handset is available with a standard pack of seven-day validity and initial talk time of Rs 50.

Reliance, Intel extend Internet service to Andhra
Wednesday, July 5, 2006 | AY

After Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Reliance Communications today launched its joint programme with Intel in Andhra Pradesh that would provide Internet connectivity to Tier II and Tier III cities in the State. Reliance wireless products and enabling Internet connectivity would be offered to users purchasing PCs from these dealers. The programmes covers cities such as Warangal, Tirupati, Tanuku, Rajahmundry, Ongole, Nizamabad, Nellore, Eluru, Karnool, Karimnagar, Kakinada, Guntur and Anantapur. Using the Reliance Netconnect service platform, the programme offers a download speed of 144 kbps. Reliance mobile handsets can be used as wireless modems for access to the Internet from PCs, laptops and hand-held devices.

Motorola unveils FM radiophone C168
Tuesday, July 4, 2006 | AY

Motorola, Inc. has announced the launch of its value-for-money FM radiophone-the C168. The model is priced at Rs 2990 in India. The new Motorola C168 comes with a 65K colour display and FM Radio. The phone offers a storage capability of 600 phonebook entries and 250 SMS messages along with FM Radio, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), GPRS, WAP, zoom font, polyphonic ringtones, an excellent talk time of 500 minutes and standby time of 340 hours, a TFT display and comes with pre-loaded games.

BenQ-Siemens launches mobile handsets
Monday, July 3, 2006 | AY

Taiwan-based BenQ Corporation will launch mobile handsets in India for entry level and high-end customers under the BenQ-Siemens brand. BenQ had acquired the mobile division of Siemens in October 2005 and would import the handsets for marketing in the country. The company is looking to up its current market share in India of less than two per to three per cent by 2007. BenQ, which has manufacturing plants in China, Germany and Taiwan, has no immediate plans to set up a manufacturing base in India.

Spice meets user satisfaction benchmark
Sunday, July 2, 2006 | AY

Conducted across the four metros and ten other cities of all sizes, a survey reveals that only one service provider — Spice Telecom — is above the satisfaction benchmark set by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) — the regulator for the telecom industry. The level set by TRAI is 95 per cent on overall customer satisfaction. Spice, which IDC crowns, `King of the Ring', proves, small is beautiful, in the mobile business. The nationally operating `biggies' have less satisfied customers — although overall satisfaction across all providers has improved since last year by two percentage points.

Hutch Essar buys out Hinduja TMT stake
Sunday, July 2, 2006 | AY

Hutchison Telecommunication has acquired 5.11 per cent stake of Hinduja TMT in Hutchison Essar for $450 million, which also marks the exit of Hinduja's from the telecom business. Besides running a 7,000-people strong BPO firm in five countries, Hinduja TMT is also a leading multi system operator (MSO) reaching 5.5 million homes in 14 cities. Hutchison Telecommunication (India) Ltd is an indirect subsidiary of Hong Kong based mobile operator Hutchison Telecommunication International. The deal is based on a valuation of the unlisted Indian joint venture company Hutchison Essar of about $ 9 billion. The acquisition of 5.11 per cent stake would give Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd's (HTIL) direct holding of about 48 per cent in Hutchison Essar.

Nokia phones to come with Yahoo applications
Saturday, July 1, 2006 | AY

All the multimedia phones and smartphones from Nokia will now be pre-loaded with popular Yahoo applications, enabling consumers to have access to a range of popular services including messenger, e-mail, search, connections, photos, ringtones and games. Yahoo's mobile application "Yahoo Go" would be free for buyers of Nokia N series phones and Series 60 smart phones and customers would only have to pay for accessing the web on their handsets. The existing N70, Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681 and Nokia 6630 owners will be able to download the Yahoo! Go application.

Playing the game of fighting Aids
Saturday, July 1, 2006 | AY

New Delhi based gaming Company, ZMQ Software Systems, plans on spreading awareness about AIDS by releasing four mobile games that will educate people about this sexually transmitted disease. As of now, these games are only available to Reliance Infocomm subscribers, but the company plans on going global with them by the 1st of September with content and language to suit diffrent countries. The four games available as of now are Ribbon Chase, Messenger, Quiz with Babu, and Demons XI and Safety XI, a cricket-based game involving balls in the form of condoms, faithful partners, information on HIV and the symbolic AIDS red ribbon. Winning the game entails avoiding googlies and doosra balls - unsafe sex, infected blood transfusions, infected syringes and the company of bad friends.