MTN Partners With IMImobile in a Major Deal to Bring Mobile and Online Content to 103 Million Users

On 09.30.09, In Mobile, By admin

HYDERABAD, India and JOHANNESBURG – Millions of mobile and online content users across Africa and the Middle East will reap the benefits of a landmark tie-up between MTN and IMImobile – an India-based software and managed services provider linked to 350 content providers worldwide.

The two companies have teamed up in a bold move to address the growing demand for content in emerging markets. This strategic partnership will entail providing MTN’s 21 markets access to a repository of current and globally popular content through enhanced delivery platforms. Content categories will include music (with local and international flavour), sports, games, entertainment, news and much more.”

It will also enable MTN to launch new income-generating voice and data services across its global footprint, with revenues from mobile content and services estimated at around US$150.2 billion in 2011, up from US$89,3 billion in 2006, worldwide.

One of MTN’s new content streams will be the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) of which the mobile operator has exclusive global mobile content rights. Accordingly, MTN will leverage its IMImobile partnership to deliver exclusive 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) content on subscribers’ handsets, including soccer match news, fixtures, match results as well as team and group profiles.

The appointment of IMImobile as a strategic managed services and hosting partner follows an extensive review of MTN’s mobile content and media services landscape across its global footprint.

MTN is now aligning its mobile content and media services strategy across its 21 markets in Africa and the Middle East to standardize and enhance its media content offerings to its subscribers.

MTN also wants to capitalize on the rapidly converging data content and voice market, with Africa, the Middle East and Latin America poised to witness the highest growth in revenue as additional mobile data services are being deployed in these regions.

Nozipho January-Bardill, MTN Group Corporate Affairs Executive, says IMImobile was selected from a group of major global telecom software and service providers because of the scalability of its technology platforms and proven managed services business model.

IMImobile’s value proposition and technology solutions will enable MTN to reduce the time-to-market for new services, boost Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) and keep MTN at the forefront of innovative services.

We have found a partner in IMImobile that has the insight and expertise of the appropriate managed service business model and technology solution necessary to continue to deliver premium content and services to our customers,” said January-Bardill.

MTN has already introduced a number of exciting products and services on its portal and on www.mtnfootball.com during the FIFA Confederations Cup in June this year. This content is currently being archived to allow football fans to re-live the moment long after the games.

IMI mobile will deploy its Service Delivery Platform (SDP), including its industry leading DaVinci Content Management System (CMS). The content strategy includes tailoring content for local consumer preferences, including French and Arabic as well as exploiting MTN’s sponsorship of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) through www.mtnfootball.com.

Vishwanath Alluri, Founder and CEO of IMImobile said: This is a major commercial milestone for IMImobile as we continue to build our offering to support leading operators worldwide. To be chosen by MTN as their strategic partner ahead of a strong list of competitors is testament to our unique service which is based on industry leading technology platforms, content management expertise, a managed services and SaaS business model combined with 24/7 technical support and strict SLA compliance. We are excited by the opportunity and are looking forward to helping MTN achieve its objectives of creating substantial additional revenue streams.”

Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs

ABOUT THE MTN GROUP

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 21 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: MTN”. As at 30 June 2009, MTN recorded 103,2 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. The MTN Group is a global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(TM) and has exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East. Visit www.mtn.com and www.mtnfootball.com.

ABOUT IMImobile

IMImobile is a leading provider of converged mobile and online technology platforms and content services to mobile operators and media companies around the world. The IMImobile product portfolio includes a core service delivery platform (DaVinci SDP), mobile advertising platform (Ad-Ring(TM)), carrier grade messaging platforms and gateways, applications for data services, full track music download services and voice platforms. Customers include leading operators and media companies such as Airtel, Vodafone, Virgin Mobile, Google, Reuters and Yahoo!. IMImobile is a profitable fast growing company with operations in 40 countries and offices in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.imimobile.com

Note to Editors:

The 16 countries IMImobile will be deploying its full CMS across are: Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, Benin, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic Conakry, Liberia, Afghanistan, Syria, Cyprus and Yemen.

IMImobile will directly connect its central platform in London to the existing CMS platforms of the following 5 countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Iran and Sudan

IMImobile contacts: Eleanor Filgate or K Simon at Babel PR T. +44(0)20-7434-5550 M. +44-7500-038-458 E. imimobile@babelpr.com W. www.babelpr.com MTN Group contacts: Maphamola Lebelo MTN Group Communications Mobile: +27-83-212-9918 Email: Lebelo_m@mtn.co.za

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Vimpelcom building a solid South East Asian Cluster – Boris Nemsic, CEO Vimpelcom.

On 09.23.09, In Mobile, By Editor

VimpelCom will pay about $66 million for Millicom’s 78 percent stake in Millicom Lao Co. Ltd. The remaining 22% of Millicom Lao Co., Ltd. is owned by the Government of the Lao PDR.

VimpelCom’s CEO Boris Nemsic describes the deal as, “the next logical step in our international expansion strategy” and one that “fits perfectly into our strategy of building a solid Southeast Asian cluster.”

VimpelCom already has mobile operations in Vietnam and Cambodia, having launched services in both markets in July 2008. It holds a 40 percent stake in a JV established with state-owned GTEL in Vietnam. In Cambodia, it owns 90 percent of Sotelco.

Laos has a population of 6.5 million people and low mobile penetration estimated at around 23%, thus making it attractive for Vimpelcom and an obvious choice for acquisition.

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Millicom to exit Asia totally by Q1 of 2010. Sells Laos share to Vimpelcom for $66 Million.

On 09.23.09, In Mobile, By Editor

Millicom has agreed to sell its GSM business in Laos to Russia’s VimpelCom and has bidders lining up for its Sri Lankan operations, the sale of which will end Millicom’s activities in Asia. VimpelCom will pay about $66 million for Millicom’s 78 percent stake in Millicom Lao Co. Ltd.

Last month Millicom agreed to sell its 58.4 percent share in CamGSM, Royal Telecam International, and Cambodia Broadcasting to its Cambodian partner, The Royal Group, for $346 million in cash.

That leaves just Sri Lanka from Milicom’s Asian portfolio, and its operations there are also up for grabs. Millicom is the sole owner of Celltel Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.  It was the first mobile operator in Sri Lanka. Mobitel and Tigo both claim to be the second largest. Dialog GSM is the country’s largest operator.

Indian State owned, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL), UAE’s Etisalat, Malaysia’s Axiata Group and India’s Bharti are also said to be bidding to acquire Tigo Lanka.

Axiata’s Dialog and Airtel already operate in Sri Lanka. Airtel winning the bid might sit better with the regulator since Axiata winning it would give Dialog an overwhelming position in the market.

Millicom expects to exit Asia Q1 of 2010. At the end of the first quarter, Millicom had a total of just over 4.5 million subscribers in Asia.  Millicom’s Asian Revenues for 2008 are at $262 million with an EBDITA of $101.5 million. This is a year-on-year increases of 24.4 percent and 27.5 percent respectively.VimpelCom will pay approx $66 million for Millicom’s 78 percent stake in Millicom Lao Co. Ltd.

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VimpelCom launches BlackBerry Internet Service in Russia

On 09.23.09, In Mobile, By Editor

The VimpelCom Group (NYSE: VIP) and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the launch of BlackBerry® Internet Service and the BlackBerry® Curveâ„¢ 8900 smartphone for Beeline customers in Russia.

BlackBerry Internet Service is a powerful and easy to use service designed for smaller businesses and individuals. It allows customers to access up to 10 supported corporate and personal email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts, such as Yahoo! Mail and Google Mail) from a BlackBerry smartphone. Set up is easy and does not require IT support, making it an excellent option for business users, professionals and individuals who don’t have the resources to manage a corporate email server. It enables automatic synchronization of messages between the subscriber’s BlackBerry® smartphone and email accounts.

Kent McNeley, Vice President, Marketing and Sales, VimpelCom said, We are glad that following the success of the BlackBerry solution in the corporate market in Russia, we are now able to offer a service for the wider consumer market. A key feature of the BlackBerry solution is the ability to stay connected practically wherever you are in the world and receive your emails automatically. Today, we are offering our Beeline subscribers the opportunity to connect on BlackBerry Internet Service with unlimited data for just 300 rubles per month.” (more…)

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Reliance plans IPO for Infrastructure arm. Hopes to raise $1Bn for 10% via IPO.

On 09.23.09, In Mobile, By admin

India’s second largest Mobile Operator, Reliance Communication plans to seek regulatory approval for selling 10% of Reliance Infratel (its infrastructure arm) for close to $1Bn.

Reliance Infratel sold a 5 percent stake to  global investors for about $290 million in 2007. It  had revenue of more than $1 Bn and a profit of $300 Mn in the year ended March 31, according to  Billionaire Chairman Anil Ambani.

The share sale will  help fund an expansion of the nationwide network of 48,000 towers at Reliance Infratel as demand for leasing networks is likely to double in the next couple of years according to Ambani.

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Russian Government to buy stake in Indian Mobile Operator

On 09.23.09, In Mobile, By Editor

Russian Government is said to have budgeted $680-$780 million to acquire a 20% stake in Indian Mobile operator – Sistema Shyam TeleServices. Russia’s Sistema owns 73.71 percent in the company and India’s Shyam Group holds 23.79 percent.

Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said that they were in the process of completing the appraisal to acquire the stake. It would be paid through Indian Rupee deposits that the russian government now holds.

According to sources, Avers, a St. Petersburg-based consultancy commissioned by Russia’ Federal Property Agency is said to have valued the company at around $3.4 Bn.

Sistema Shyam TeleServices operates in 6 of India’s 22 telecom circles (zones) and has licences for the remaining 16.

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ZTE to market $20 mobiles in India

On 09.23.09, In Mobile, By Editor

ZTE has entered the Indian retail market as a standalone player.

It is hoping to hike the contribution of the Indian market to its global handset sales would go up to 20 per cent from the existing 16 per cent.

ZTE India Chairman & Managing Director D K Ghosh said in a statement that India is a key focus market for ZTE.

The company has launched a range of low-cost GSM handsets — S315, A261, R220, R230 and R230BT at price points ranging from USD 20 to USD 80. ZTE has sold over 20 million handsets in India through operator partnerships . It is targeting a network of 100,000 retail outlets in India by this year-end.

The company has appointed “Overseas Mobiles” as its national distributor. Overseas Mobiles will be appointing 80 regional distributors across India and will manage relationships with distributors and corporate customers on behalf of ZTE.

With global sales of over 100 million handsets last year, ZTE is currently the sixth-largest handset manufacturer in the world. It has established partnerships with mobile operators like Vodafone, Hutchison Whampoa, Telefonica globally and BSNL, Reliance, Tata, Vodafone, Spice Telecom and Aircel in India.

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World’s largest Mobile Number Portability project launch delayed again.

On 09.23.09, In Mobile, By Editor

The Indian Mobile Number Portability project is the world’s largest since mobile number portability was introduced into the US and is likely to be the largest for some time, as China is moving slowly.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) awarded Mobile Number Portability (MNP) contracts to US Based Telcordia and Syniverse in March 2009. MNP was meant to launch in August initially, which was later delayed to September and now the TRAI has revealed that it will be a phased launch – Main Metropolitan & Key Areas on December 31 and Rest of India on March 20, 2010.

“It was a little too aggressive a schedule” commented Tony Holcombe, CEO of Syniverse. Similar delays happened with mobile number portability projects in other countries, including the US and Singapore, he added.

Each of the two companies will run a database covering users in half the country: Syniverse handles operators in the north and west and Telcordia will take the south and east. The two databases will be connected.

According to the regulator, India has over 456 Million customers at the end of Aug 2009.

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Sony Ericsson launches skin-activated headphones

On 09.23.09, In Mobile, By Editor

Sony Ericsson has announced a pair of inner-ear headphones that know when you’re using them.

According to Sony Ericsson, the MH907 headphones use capacitive technology to start the music when you insert both headphones into your ears.

Removing one of the earbuds will pause the music, while reinserting it will cause the music to resume – all without the need to touch the controller, which could be useful for those gasped conversations on the treadmill.

For added convenience, removing one of the headphones will allow you to answer an incoming call on your smartphone, while removing both will cause you to hang up. Not necessarily that helpful if you simply want to switch somebody to speaker phone.

Powering all this inner-ear gimmickery is “capacitive sensing technology“, much like that used on smartphones such as the iPhone. Capacitive technology uses the body’s natural electrical charge as an input, basically making these devices skin activated.

The headphones will work with any Sony Ericsson device with a Fast Port connector, and also feature a built-in microphone and FM antenna, according to the company.

Sony Ericsson claims they’ll be available worldwide later this week, with a price of between $55 and $60.

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iPhone arrives in Korea. SKT and KT Corp discussing potential partnerships with Apple.

On 09.23.09, In Mobile, By Editor

South Korea’s telecommunications regulator has given the green flag to apple to launch the iPhone in Korea.

The Korea Communications Commission made an exception to a rule that requires cellphones sold in the country to use domestic technology for location-based services. The commission’s action comes after months of consumer pressure.

This move is likely to create a stir among the dominant domestic manufacturers – Samsung and LG.

This development comes a month after Apple managed to clear its entry in China too. China Unicom, Apple’s partner in China will start selling the iPhone in the fourth quarter.

Lauren Kim, a spokesperson for SK Telecom Co. and Yeom Woo-jong, a spokesperson for KT Corp both admitted to being in discussion with Apple.

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