GSM service to be launched by Virgin in South India
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The telecom war in India does not seem to be getting over as the battle ground is ready to welcome one more player. Virgin Mobile is expected to launch GSM services in South India this week, using Tata Teleservices Ltd’s (TTSL’s) network.
Currently, Virgin Mobile operates in the CDMA network and plans to launch its services in Orissa, Maharashtra and North India by March 2010.
According to the top officials from the company, GSM network is significant for growth and we will be launching it first in South India.
TI Sparkle chosen by Virgin mobile to provide international voice traffic
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: A new voice outsourcing agreement has been signed by Telecom Italia Sparkle and Omer Telecom that will make TI Sparkle the provider of Virgin Mobile France’s international voice traffic. Omer Telecom is the joint venture between the Virgin Group and Carphone Warehouse, marketing the Virgin Mobile brand in France.
TI Sparkle will provide Virgin Mobile France with state-of-the-art business and technology expertise gained through the management of over 20 billion minutes of international voice traffic exchanged via a global set of fixed and mobile terminations, over 1,300 specific breakouts and more than 500 direct interconnections.
According to Geoffroy Roux de Bezieux CEO of Virgin Mobile France, due to this agreement, Virgin Mobile France will significantly reduce its cost base, improve overall profitability and increase efficiency while at the same time maintaining full control of its international voice business
Free win may shakeup French telecom market
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The issue of fourth 3G license to Free, a subsidiary of the aggressive Groupe Iliad at the cost of €240 million has resulted in a major shakeup in the French telecom industry. The decision has been fiercely condemned by other incumbent players- France Telecom’s Orange, Bouygues Telecom and Neuf-SFR who paid €619 million ($885 million) each for their 3G licences a decade ago.
The decision of awarding the license to Free came after Virgin Mobile and Numericable dropped out of the bidding. The operator will receive its license in January and will have two years to build its network. The service is expected to start in 2012 and will cover almost 75% of the population in 2015 and 90% in 2018.
By offering triple-play bundled voice, data and internet TV services for less than €30 ($43) a month, Free has become France’s second largest ISP. Further deduction in the fees for the French customers has been promised by Iliad chief Xavier Niel.
GSM service soon to be launched in India by Virgin Mobile
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: With the goal of expanding its reach among the people and especially youths, Tata Teleservices youth brand, Virgin Mobile is planning to launch its GSM services.
Virgin Mobile GSM may use TATA DOCOMO’s network and will be first introduced in Chennai and Tamil Nadu Circle and Mumbai & Maharashtra circle.
TATA DOCOMO’s service is yet to roll out all over India while Virgin Mobile will also take time to establish its mark among the masses. Currently, Virgin Mobile is using TATA Indicom’s network to operate.
Highest no. of subscriber during the past 3 months has been recorded by TTSL and TATA DOCOMO is considered to be the major factor behind this growth.
MTN & IMI announce partnership
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. (more…)
