China leapfrogs to 4G

When India is still not ready to implement 3G Telephony, reports suggest that China has launched a 4G standard in Shanghai which might be the first fourth generation mobile network in the world. This network as developed as a part of the FuTURE project costing about 19.3 Million USD

3G is not available in mainland China even today and the country is expected to issue 3G licences later this year.

Should India dump 3G and go straight for 4G ?

Some  questions remain unanswered.

via zdnet

Motorola W220 low-cost RAZR for the masses

motorola_w220_1.jpg

The W220 is an entry level FM radio handset from Motorola.The aim is to give the legendary RAZR feel to a low-cost phone.

SUMMARY OF FEATURES:

• Entertainment on-the-go with built-in FM radio
• Browser WAP 2.0 Compliant Continue reading “Motorola W220 low-cost RAZR for the masses”

Nokia Music phones announced

3 new Nokia Music phones announced .The new digital wonders are the Nokia 5300 XpressMusic, Nokia 5200 and Nokia 3250 XpressMusic. The XpressMusic series lineup would be the Nokia’s answer to the Sony Ericsson Walkman series mobiles. This new range of Nokia phones would offer dedicated music keys for fast and easy access to the music features, 3.5 mm in-box adapters to put to good use your favorite standard headphones and a memory card slots for storing those precious music tracks. All phones will be sold with the Nokia Music Manager software which should allow easier transfer of tracks between the device and the personal computer.
Continue reading “Nokia Music phones announced”

BSNL to launch sub 1000 rupee handsets under BSNL phones banner

BSNL aims to capture the low price market by launching handsets priced at Rs.1000 and below.

It is in talks with Taiwanese and Chinese handset manufacturers for rolling out the sub-Rs 1,000 handset, which will be offered on the GSM platform. 

The telco will sell the mobiles under the ‘BSNL phones’ banner.Sources say that the mobiles will be based on single-chip technology. The SIM card will be non-removable and the mobile will remain on the BSNL network only. BSNL is not targeting the top-end market very aggressively. BSNL sees a low-cost handset a key to increase the market share.

It even expects a reasonable return of 12-14%.

Currently, the cheapest handset in India is monophonic and monochromic (black and white). It is on the GSM platform and is priced at Rs 1700. It offers only basic features. The cheapest CDMA handset is available for Rs 1,999.

via [ET]

Reliance India Mobile might be available on GSM also

RIM’s Anil Ambani is now eyeing the GSM Market in India. He plans to invest over Rs.1600 cr for the same.Reliance Telecom Limited, an Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group company, which operates GSM service in eight circles mainly in east and north-eastern states, has worked out expansion plans to increase coverage to about 4,300 towns from the existing 330 towns, according to sources.

RTL operates GSM services in Kolkata, West Bengal, Assam, the north-east, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh circles.

The expansion plans for Anil Ambani’s company comes in the wake of reports that the GSM-based mobile service has shown phenomenal growth in India where out of the 100 million mobile subscriber base, the GSM-based mobile user base is 80 million.

A company official confirmed the development, but declined to give further details.

Nokia wins turnkey GSM/EDGE radio network deal with Astelit in Ukraine

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE March 16, 2006

Nokia wins turnkey GSM/EDGE radio network deal with Astelit in Ukraine

Espoo, Finland – Nokia and Ukrainian mobile services operator Astelit, which operates under the brand name life:), have extended their existing frame agreement for the supply of network equipment and services. Nokia will carry out a new turnkey GSM/EDGE radio network expansion project, valued at USD 75 million, to expand Astelit’s network coverage in the Eastern and Western Ukraine. The expansion will help Astelit to attract new subscribers and increase its market share.
Under the agreement Nokia will deploy GSM/EDGE radio network equipment, including base stations, base station controllers and transmission. The full turnkey services for new sites include project management, network planning, site acquisition, civil works and implementation. Additionally, Nokia will provide network optimization, consultancy and maintenance services to support fast network rollout. The network will be supported by the Nokia NetAct(TM) network and service management system. The deliveries have already started.
“We are pleased to extend our business relationship with Nokia, who have proven their commitment and flexibility during the initial rollout of the Astelit network,” says Ahmet Tanyu, CEO, Astelit. “With this project we will enhance our high-quality network services to our existing customers, and at the same time expand life:) coverage in the Eastern and Western Ukraine, where we plan to reach new customers with our service offering.”
“We are delighted to continue to support Astelit and Turkcell’s business in the Ukrainian market,” says Jaakko Myllym?ki, Vice President, Networks, Nokia. “This coverage extension to new areas addresses new untapped areas of this country, one of the fastest growing markets of the region.”
Nokia can draw on its over 15-year track record of implementing and operating networks and its extensive practical experience of implementing mobile services for operators. Nokia has contracted operating services for over 20 operators globally, in addition to providing full turnkey implementations for a total of 27 customers in 22 countries. Nokia NetAct(TM) has been delivered to over 300 customers worldwide.

Nokia 6102 6103 with bluetooth

Nokia 6102i6103 phones add popular Bluetooth technology to highly successful mid-range compact fold design

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE January 5, 2006

Nokia makes two of its most popular phones even better with Bluetooth technology

Nokia 6102i/6103 phones add popular Bluetooth technology to highly successful mid-range compact fold design

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – Building upon the popularity of the Nokia 6101 and Nokia 6102 phones, Nokia (NYSE: NOK) today announced the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones, both of which add the convenience of Bluetooth technology to the already strong feature sets found on these compact mid-range fold-style phones. The Nokia 6102i phone carries on the same striking design found on the Nokia 6102 phone, while the new Nokia 6103 phone features an updated modern look but retains the compact size and exceptional ease-of-use that made the Nokia 6101 phone such a hit with customers. The Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones will be available in a GSM 900/1800/1900 version primarily for markets in Europe, Africa and Asia while a GSM 850/1800/1900 version will be available primarily for markets in the Americas. Both phones are planned to be available during the 1st quarter of 2006 and are expected to retail for approximately ?200, before applicable taxes or subsidies.

The addition of Bluetooth technology to this popular phone platform opens up a myriad of options for owners to increase the productivity and convenience of their mobile experience. Nokia offers a wide array of Bluetooth technology-enabled enhancements such as wireless car kits and wireless headsets as part of its line of mobile enhancements. Today, Nokia announced a new trio of wireless headsets including one of the smallest such devices ever made available. Additionally, with an increasing number of products being introduced to market incorporating Bluetooth technology – from laptops to automobiles – owners of the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones will find an ever expanding number of ways to use their mobile devices.

“The Nokia 6101 and Nokia 6102 phones have proven to be extremely successful. The combination of a modern, compact folding design with a strong feature set and Nokia’s easy-to-use interface has proven to be an irresistible draw for customers shopping for a mid-range handset,” said Aage Snorgaard senior vice president of broad appeal products for Nokia. “With Bluetooth technology currently being on the top of many customers ‘wish lists’, the addition of Bluetooth technology to this equation will make the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones even more attractive to wireless consumers.”

Along with Bluetooth technology, the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones offer a strong feature set including a VGA camera with dedicated camera key, Nokia Xpress audio messaging for sending audio clips with just the touch of a few buttons and dual color screens with support for animated wallpapers and screensavers. Synchronizable contact and calendar information, voice dialing and recording and a built-in handsfree speakerphone make the Nokia 6102i and Nokia 6103 phones a perfect productivity companion, while an integrated FM radio and downloadable content support including MIDI and MP3 ring tones, themes and games satisfy the need for fun.

Airtel and Bird to laucnh 1399 prepaid offer

Bird mobiles a chinese mobile maker and india’s Airtel have partnered to offer a bundled handset and connection for just 1399 rupees

Bird Phones, the Chinese cell phone company, has entered into a ‘bundling’ pact with Airtel under which a connection and handset is being provided for just Rs1399 but with a lock-in-period.

Adarsh Shastri, Director, Marketing, Bird Phones, said, “We shall be offering a handset for just Rs1399 along with a pre-paid connection of Airtel which also includes Rs600 worth free talk-time to be spread over six months. The scheme involves huge subsidy which is being shared by both parties.”

The scheme was launched in first week of November in six circles and the company sold 65,000 handsets in first 20 days, Shastri claimed.

“Our target is to supply five lakh handsets till end of current fiscal,” he added.

The same model of handset is being sold at Rs3,000 in the open market. The bundled (handset plus Airtel pre-paid connection) scheme comes with a 8-month lock-in-period whereby the consumer is barred from using the same handset for another connection.

Currently, the scheme is available in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh (East and West), West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar, he said adding the company was planning to cover all India soon.

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India Can Wait; Airtel To Launch 3G Services In Seychelles Soon

India will have to wait for 3G services for some more time. But not Seychelles. Airtel, India’s leading mobile telephone service provider, will shortly launch 3G mobile services in Seychelles.

India will have to wait for 3G services for some more time. But not Seychelles. Airtel, India’s leading mobile telephone service provider, will shortly launch 3G mobile services in Seychelles. Telecom Seychelles Limited, owned by Bharti Tele-Ventures, has been providing mobile and basic telephone services in Seychelles for the last 7 years under the Airtel brand, It will invest 44 million Seychelles Rupees for rolling out the services.

The new 3G and GPRS network will add a new dimension to the services provided to all Postpaid and Prepaid customers and roamers. This upgrade will open a gateway to Broadband Internet Access, Video Calling, Picture Messaging (MMS), Data Cards, Prepaid Roaming, Advanced Billing System and loads of other Value Added Services. The new 3G upgrade will also provide fast and more reliable Internet access of up to 384 kbps as against 10 kbps in 2G or 30 KBPS in GPRS, the release said.

The 3G Network will be on the IMT 2000 Band (3GSM) enabling complete alignment with the world standard. This will ensure seamless roaming with the rest of the world. Besides the upgrade Airtel is adding new Base Stations to expand its coverage to more islands.

via [contentsutra]

Ebooks coming to your nokia smartphone

Ebooks Corporation today announced it has entered into a five-year distribution agreement with Nokia
Corporation of Finland to distribute a growing range of popular books via a new generation of Nokia smart phones.

Ebooks Corporation today announced it has entered into a five-year distribution agreement with Nokia
Corporation of Finland to distribute a growing range of popular books via a new generation of Nokia smart phones. The deal means that users of Nokia mobile devices will be able to find, buy, download and read books directly from their handsets.

Under the agreement, Ebooks Corporation will supply a range of book
excerpts that will be installed on Nokia phones. The phones will also include
key elements of the eBooks.com web site.
Ebooks Corporation has been selling downloadable books since the launch of
its ebookstore, eBooks.com, in 2000. The company now hosts an inventory of
27,000 titles from 130 global publishers, including Random House, Time Warner
and Simon & Schuster. ebooks.Mobile, the company’s forthcoming mobile portal,
will be accessible from any web-enabled handset.
Stephen Cole, CEO of eBooks.com said, “This arrangement will make it very
easy for Nokia mobile device users to find and read their favorite authors.
Our customers are especially tech savvy and very mobile. They will appreciate
the ability to access their library anywhere, any time.”
“Nokia is pleased to be partnering with Ebooks Corporation in this
interesting development. The mobile device is a logical platform for people to
carry and manage all their reading needs”, said Petri Hokkanen, Manager, Rich
Media Business Program, Multimedia Business Group of Nokia. “Screen display
and storage capacity have come a long way in recent years. At the same time,
the available inventory of ebooks has exploded. Ebooks Corporation’s years of
experience in producing and distributing ebooks will be of great value.”

About Ebooks Corporation
Ebooks Corporation is a global provider of electronic books. It has
distribution agreements with publishers worldwide. Ebooks Corporation hosts
and securely distributes ebooks through its retail site eBooks.com. The
company recently launched EBL – Ebook Library, a service for libraries that
enables students and researchers to access a wide range of books from their
desktops.

SOURCE Ebooks Corporation
Web Site: http://www.eBooks.com