IPTV services for rural Rajasthan (India)

BSNL and Aksh Optifibre launched iControl in Kukus village of Jaipur district which is considered to be the first IPTV service in rural India. iControl is a television connection that allows the viewer to watch the programmes at their convenience with more than 120 channels, and offers an extensive movie library with Hollywood and Bollywood titles at no extra cost. This service will be charged at Rs. 150 per month offering channels from STAR, Sony, NEO, TEN Sports and others. Setup Box will be provided to customers free of cost a fully refundable security deposit of Rs. 999.

Commercial launch of iControl in Jaipur, Rajasthan was also proclaimed by Aksh, which was originally proclimed for the city at the start of this month. Soon this service wil also be instigated in other cities of Rajasthan. Presently iControl is in Delhi and Mumbai.

BSNL is planning to expand IPTV  services in around 100 cities. Soon the other value-added services like Video Telephony, VoIP etc. will be introduced.

Wireless

O2 announces its fixed broadband service (UK)

O2 proclaimed that its fixed broadband service will be available at The Carphone Warehouse soon. According to a report, this will be the first time the company has made its service available through an indirect channel. The product costs £30 up front but it can be taken home and set up in the user’s own time. The initial outlay is then credited to the buyer’s first broadband bill. Currently, O2 is offering mobile broadband for £20 each month. However, those who take advantage of this offer will also be eligible to get a free O2 home broadband standard package for the first 12 months.

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Western Europe to generate majority of mobile TV revenues by 2010-Forecast

From the period of 2007 to 2010, subscribers for Global mobile TV are expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of more than 60 percent, a report forecasts. Western Europe will generate the majority of mobile TV revenues by 2010, followed by Asia-Pacific and North America, also mobile ad spending to grow at more than 42 percent from 2008 to 2013, significantly bolstering operator income, report reveals.

Millicom launches 3G services in Guatemala, Honduras and Bolivia

Millicom, the global teleco, announces the launch of 3G services in Guatemala, Honduras and Bolivia. The launches in Paraguay, El Salvador and Colombia will be followed before the end of this year, with which the roll-out of 3G across all six of its markets in Latin America will be completed. Millicom is providing the full portfolio of 3G services including high speed mobile broadband, internet access for mobilecustomers via laptop, TV on mobile handsets, music and video downloads and video calling.
“The launch of 3G services in Latin America is the first step in the process of meeting the needs of our higher ARPU customers for broadband services. Broadband is expected to be a significant growth segment in these markets and one which we expect will be an important driver to our businesses going forward.”  says Marc Beuls, President and CEO of Millicom.

   

3G auction process to be completed by 30 september (India)

According to a Telecom Secretary  Siddhartha Behura, The auction process for the third generation (3G) spectrum service are likely to be over by September 30. The ideal time for the auctions will be between September and October this year. But the auctions should most likely be completed by September 30, he added.

Wireless Mobile

MTN and Opera Mini together introduce mobile Internet services across Africa

MTN introduces mobile Internet services, partnering with Opera Software.

Opera is strengthening its strategy to make the web available to more people, on any device, from anywhere in the world,” Jon von Tetzchner, the chief executive officer of Opera Software, said.
According to the CEO, Opera, Africa has great deal of potential for growth in web browsing.

We believe MTN and Opera share a vision of ushering in a new era in connectivity across Africa,” Tetzchner said.

Opera Mini will be the software used, world’s most popular mobile web browser, is built on Opera’s industry leading browser technology.

According to Noel Meier, MTN’s chief executive officer, Opera Mini is cost-efficient.”

Meier said partnering with Opera was a great opportunity for MTN subscribers who lack desktop computers or broadband connection to access the Internet.

The web is an important part of life in Uganda. We want customers to access it conveniently,” he said.