Verizon releases global mobile hotspot
Verizon has launched the first mobile hotspot to offer data service in more than 200 countries, and will also provide 3G speed to 120 of these countries.
The Fivespot comes with a built-in SIM card, and can handle up to five Wi-Fi devices at a time. It links to GSM networks as well as Verizon’s own Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) network. It also Supports standards include CDMA, WCDMA, HSDPA, HSUPA, GSM, GPRS and EDGE networks.
There are various different international price plans which are not very pocket friendly. The lowest-cost gives a 5GB allowance in the US and Canada plus 100MB in ‘select countries’, and costs US$129.99. There’s also a Global-Access Pay Per Use option for those who sign up for the company’s US$59.99 Mobile Broadband service plan in the US; data costs US$0.002 per KB in Canada, US$0.005 per KB in Mexico and US$0.02 per KB in more than 200 other destinations.
The Fivespot itself will be on sale for US$99.99 after a US$100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Manufactured by ZTE, it measures about four inches by two by half an inch thick, and weighs less than three pounds.
A VAS Domain for Mobile Phones
ESPN-Star Sports (ESS) has announced the launch of a value-added service (VAS) domain for mobile phones, Mobile ESPN, which will be available from the 15th of this month.
The company said the domain will give the latest updates on Cricket and Football, and will provide exclusive interviews, its news program Sports Centre, its Super Selector program, and a schedule of all Sports events.
Mobile ESPN, which promises to be a 360-degree Sports service, covering every possible game in all formats, including voice, video and text, and SMS, will be transmitted in multiple languages across the country on major telecom networks.
Talking about the service, R C Venkateish, managing director – software India, ESS, said that Mobile ESPN will offer fans unique Sports content on their cell phones, delivering not only wireless voice service, but also easy access to Sports news, commentary, analysis, and other such.
The service can be availed by dialing 505-ESPN (3776) on the phone, or by sending an SMS to (ESPN) 3776, the ESPN code nationally. Upon entering the voice portal, consumers can select from a module comprising different sections.
Besides, users will be required to pay between Rs 50 and Rs 100 as monthly fees for accessing any one of the services. They can also avail services on pay-per-use basis.
Sricharan Iyengar, head – new media business, ESPN, added that the unique feature about Mobile ESPN is that one can access information about any match, irrespective of the channel it will be broadcast on.
While the service would be initially offered in English and Hindi, the company plans to start feeds in regional languages over the next six months.
Source- http://www.techtree.com
