ITV

Category: iWorld

  • ScholarKart.com is now Fastudent.com

    ScholarKart.com is now Fastudent.com

    MUMBAI: ScholarKart.com – a one stop shop for all the academic needs of students – has announced to change its name to Fastudent. Fastudent is a part of EduVision Retail Pvt. Ltd., a first of its kind e-commerce technology enabler. The change in name, accentuates the transition this e-commerce technology platform, which services student communities all the way from Play Group to Post Graduation (PG to PG), has undergone. This announcement highlights the company’s desire to bring bigger and better value to every student in India, ranging from local to global education products.

    Speaking on the development Gaurav Barman, CEO, EduVision Retail Pvt. Ltd. said, “Fastudent is one its kind e-commerce portal that is intended to service the education fraternity like never before. We are the first ever to include one of the widest product ranges in this segment, from Books, Stationery, Branded Merchandise, Digital Learning, Uniforms , Musical Instruments ,Sports Goods, Art & Craft and Electronics. The change in name marks a change in our approach.”

    Adding to this, Ms. Geetanjali Khanna, COO, EduVision Retail Pvt. Ltd. said, “The role of the youth is the most important in today’s time. With Fastudent we intend to facilitate access to international education products to make available more learning avenues to the youth of India. ”    

     

    Fastudent, taking from the legacy of scholarkart.com, will continue to focus on offering comprehensive educational services to schools, universities and retail segments across India. With clearly defined operational arena and objectives, Fastudent is entering a phase of diversified growth in the education industry, across India, with the potential for widespread growth in the near term

  • Q2-2016: OnMobile YoY revenue flat: EBIDTA up 41.7%

    Q2-2016: OnMobile YoY revenue flat: EBIDTA up 41.7%

    BENGALURU: Mobile music play service company OnMobile Global Limited (OnMobile) reported almost flat (decline of 0.2 per cent) consolidated revenue or Income from Operations (TIO) for the quarter ended 30 September, 2015 (Q2-2016, current quarter) at Rs 206.98 crore as compared to the Rs 207.45 crore in Q2-2015. TIO for the current quarter grew 2.6 per cent as compared to the Rs 201.82 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 Lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore

     

    The company’s EBIDTA in the current quarter grew 41.7 per cent to Rs 39.34 crore (19 per cent margin) as compared to the Rs 27.77 crore (13.4 per cent margin) in the corresponding year ago quarter and was 12 per cent more than the Rs 35.12 crore (17.4 per cent margin) in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    OnMobile reported profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 1.26 crore (0.6 per cent margin) in Q2-2016 as compared to a loss of Rs 1.21 crore in Q2-2015 and a loss of Rs 0.16 crore in Q1-2016.

     

    Business Performance

     

    OnMobile says that its International revenue grew by eight per cent YoY and 2.8 per cent QoQ. Europe recorded a revenue growth of 49.2 per cent YoY and 4.4 per cent QoQ, while in Other Emerging Markets, revenue grew by 6.7 per cent YoY and seven per cent QoQ to Rs 37.3 crore (18 per cent of TIO). 

     

    Its Latin America revenue was down by 1.5 per cent QoQ and 23.9 per cent YoY respectively. However, Latin America revenue grew by five per cent QoQ, excluding the forex impact of fluctuations in local currencies.

     

    India Business

     

    OnMobile’s India revenue was Rs 45.1 crore (21.8 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2016, a growth of 1.7 per cent QoQ and reduction of 21.6 per cent YoY. It says that it has won western circles from Airtel for Ring Back Tone business to become the largest Ring Back Tone partner for Airtel in India. OnMobile says that this win increases its reach in Airtel from over six crore subscribers to over 11.5 crore subscribers.

     

    The company says that CVAS, a direct to consumer product, has been launched in a large operator in India.

     

    Let us look at some of the other numbers reported by OnMobile

     

    Total Expenditure (TE) in the current quarter declined 5.2 per cent to Rs 204.74 crore (98.9 per cent of TIO) as compared to the Rs 215.92 crore (104.1 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015, but was 0.4 per cent more than the Rs 203.97 crore (101.1 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016.

     

    A major expense head for the company is Content Fee and Royalty (CFR). OnMobile paid 41.3 per cent higher CFR in the current quarter at Rs 67.55 crore (32.6 per cent of TIO) as compared to the Rs 47.79 crore (23 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015 and 5.9 per cent more than the Rs 63.76 crore (31.6 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016.

     

    The company’s Other sales and services cost declined 52.5 per cent to Rs 9.72 crore (4.7 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2016 as compared to the Rs 20.46 crore (9.9 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015 and was 15.6 per cent lower than the Rs 11.52 crore (5.7 per cent of TIO) in the previous quarter.

     

    OnMobile says that it has done a ‘Headcount optimization’ during the last financial year and quarter, which has resulted in a reduction of manpower cost. It says that its employee base at the end of Q2-2016 was 1,075. The company’s Employee Benefits Expense (EBE) in the current quarter declined 23.6 per cent to Rs 55.47 crore (26.8 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2016 as compared to the Rs 72.63 crore (35 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015 and was 3.9 per cent less than the Rs 57.70 crore (28.6 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016.

  • Reliance Jio to raise Rs 3000 crore via debentures

    Reliance Jio to raise Rs 3000 crore via debentures

    MUMBAI: Even as it gears up to launch its much touted 4G service pan India, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio Infocomm is planning to raise Rs 3000 crore by issuing secured redeemable non-convertible debentures on private placement basis.

     

    As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, Reliance Jio is slated to launch its 4G services across India on 28 December, which also happens to be the birth anniversary of the family’s patriarch Dhirubhai Ambani.

     

    In a regulatory filing, Reliance Jio said, “… pursuant to the approval of the board of directors and shareholders, the company proposes to issue secured redeemable non-convertible debentures aggregating up to Rs 3,000 crore on private placement basis,”

     

    It may be recalled that in May this year, Reliance Jio had taken a 12-year loan of Rs 4500 crore from Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-sure) for its 4G rollout. The funds were to be used to finance goods and services from Samsung Electronics and Ace Technologies Corp, which are being tapped for its infrastructure rollout. Thereafter in July, the company announced plans to raise Rs 4,500 crore through debentures.

     

    Reliance Jio is currently present across all 29 Indian states, with a direct physical presence in approximately 18,000 cities and towns, and more than one lakh villages. Ambani plans to launch 4G services with an approximate investment of Rs 100,000 crore.

  • Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg on India, Internet.org, net neutrality

    Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg on India, Internet.org, net neutrality

    MUMBAI: Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has set his sights on the Indian market in a big way, which according to him is one of the key markets for the social networking company.

     

    In his second visit this year to the country, the young entrepreneur visited the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, where close to 900 students attended the Question & Answer session.

    Zuckerberg addressed issues such as Net Neutrality, internet access as well as Facebook’s initiatives to invest in India.

    Speaking at the event, Zuckerberg said that his mission was to connect everyone in India to the internet.

    According to a UK based consultancy We Are Social and Facebook India, of the 1.49 billion people who check Facebook at least once a month, more than 130 million are in India. It is more than anywhere outside the US and the number has been rising in recent years.Facebook had 118 million users in 2014 as compared to a year earlier, which was 93 million.

     

    Zuckerberg explained that Facebook’s initiative Internet.org has nothing insidious but aims to provide connectivity for access to education, health care and financial services to millions of Indians. Internet.org was launched in 2013 for a global effort to provide web access to unconnected users in the developing nations.

     

    Speaking on the investment on Artificial Intelligence Systems, Zuckerberg said, “AI is really exciting. We will be able to see smarter computers being built. With AI, it’s going to be less about products and making the existing ones smarter. We are working on a project where AI can describe photos to blind people. Second example, right now the best way to let people know you are safe in terms of a crisis is by yourself or through your friends. In the future maybe satellites and other technologies can help with this.”

     

    He said that almost three million people said they were safe by using Facebook’s safety-check feature after the recent earthquake in Afghanistan. “When there’s a disaster all you want to know if your loved ones are safe,” he said.

     

    He further spoke on Net Neutrality saying, “Most of the people pushing for net-neutrality already have access to Internet. But those who aren’t, can’t sign an online petition for an increase in the Internet. We all have a moral responsibility to look out for those who don’t have access and make sure the rules don’t get twisted to hurt those who don’t have a voice.”

     

    Later, taking to his Facebook page, he posted an update about the Townhall Q&A in Delhi saying, “We just wrapped up our Townhall Q&A in Delhi! People asked great questions about how we can connect everyone in India to the internet, how we provide everyone with a great education and how to build a strong company. I really appreciate these Q&AS. Hearing what you care about makes Facebook better. Thanks to everyone who asked a question or tuned in!”

  • Ofcom to hold spectrum auction in 2016 with ?70 million reserve price

    Ofcom to hold spectrum auction in 2016 with ?70 million reserve price

    MUMBAI: UK communications regulator Ofcom will be releasing valuable new airwaves by holding a high-capcity spectrum auction that could be used to meet the growing demand for mobile broadband services. It has set reserve prices totalling ?70 million for the spectrum.

     

    The auction is planned to take place in early 2016 for the spectrum, which has been made available by the Ministry of Defence as part of a wider Government initiative to free up public sector spectrum for civil uses.

     

    A total of 190 MHz of high-capacity spectrum is being made available in two bands – 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz – which are particularly suited for high-speed mobile broadband services, because they can carry large amounts of data. This is equivalent to around three-quarters of the spectrum released by Ofcom through the 4G auction in 2013.

     

    Ofcom spectrum group director Philip Marnick said, “Spectrum is the essential resource, which fuels the UK’s wireless economy. This auction is an important step in ensuring that the UK has the wireless capability to deliver and support new technology. We’re responding to rapid change and innovation in the communications sector, which is placing greater demands on spectrum. Part of our plan to meet this demand is by making new spectrum available and allowing it to be used in a number of different ways.”

     

    More spectrum for mobile broadband

     

    There will not be a cap on the amounts bidders can buy. Ofcom believes that any cap could prevent a bidder from buying large blocks of adjacent spectrum. Large blocks have the potential to support very fast download speeds, meaning even faster mobile broadband for consumers, which helps pave the way for 5G.

     

    The auction is designed to be fair and transparent, enabling the spectrum to be awarded to those who can put it to the most efficient use in the best interests of consumers. Ofcom proposes to auction the spectrum in lots of 10 MHz for the 2.3 GHz band and 5 MHz for the 3.4 GHz band.

     

    Many existing mobile handsets from major manufacturers, including the Apple iPhone 6, HTC Desire and Samsung Galaxy, are already compatible with the 2.3 GHz spectrum. The band is so far being used for high-speed 4G mobile broadband networks in ten countries outside Europe, including China, India and Australia.

     

    The 3.4 GHz band is currently being used for 4G wireless broadband in six countries including the UK, Canada and Spain.

     

    Planning for the future

    Demand for mobile data services is expected to rise considerably in the coming years. To address this, more spectrum is needed – together with new technology to use spectrum more efficiently, and networks of small wireless ‘cells’ to provide greater capacity over local areas.

     

    Ofcom supports industry and research groups to enable these developments and ensure the UK’s wireless infrastructure continues to play a central role in the growing digital economy.

  • Q3-2015: Twitter revenue up 57.6%; GAAP loss down

    Q3-2015: Twitter revenue up 57.6%; GAAP loss down

    BENGALURU: Twitter’s new CEO and co-founder Jack Dorsey delivered his maiden report that said that his company had performed better than the previously announced guidance values. The company’s revenue for the quarter ended 30 September, 2015 (Q3-2015, current quarter) increased 57.6 per cent YoY to $569.24 million as compared to the $361.27 million. The previous guidance for the company was revenues in the range of $545 million and $560 million. Revenue growth in the current quarter increased 13.3 per cent QoQ from $502.38 million.

     

    GAAP net loss reported by the company reduced to $131.69 million in the current quarter as compared to the loss of $175.46 million in Q3-2014 and 136.66 million in the previous quarter. Non-GAAP net income grew 9.6 times to $66.98 million as compared to $6.97 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. Non-GAAP diluted income per share increased to $0.10 in Q3-2015 from $0.01 reported for Q3-2014.

     

    Adjusted EBIDTA in the current quarter increased 108 per cent to $142 million in Q3-2015 as compared to the $68 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    Advertisement revenue in the current quarter increased 60.3 per cent to $513 million from $320 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. Advertisement revenue from the US market increased 57.4 per cent YoY to $329 million (64.1 per cent of advertisement revenue) in Q3-2015 from $209 million (65.3 per cent of advertisement revenue) in Q3-2014. International advertisement revenue increased 66 per cent to $184 million (35.9 per cent of advertisement revenue) from $111 million (34.7 per cent of advertisement revenue) in Q3-2014.

     

    Data Licensing and other revenue in the current quarter increased 37 per cent to $56 million (9.8 per cent of total revenue) as compared to the $41 million (11.4 per cent of total revenue) in Q3-2014.

     

    Twitter’s worldwide monthly active users (MAU) increased 11.5 per cent to 320 million in the current quarter as compared to the 287 million in Q3-2014, but improved by just 1.3 per cent QoQ from 316 million. Excluding SMS Fast Followers, MAUs were 307 million for the third quarter, up eight per cent year-over-year, and compared to 304 million in the previous quarter. Mobile MAUs represented approximately 80 per cent of total MAUs.

     

    MAUs’ from the US increased by four per cent to 66 million in the current quarter as compared to 60 million in Q3-2014 and one per cent QoQ.

     

    “We continued to see strong financial performance this quarter, as well as meaningful progress across our three areas of focus: ensuring more disciplined execution, simplifying our services, and better communicating the value of our platform,” said Dorsey. “We’ve simplified our roadmap and organization around a few big bets across Twitter, Periscope, and Vine that we believe represent our largest opportunities for growth.”

  • DataWind bags international award for innovative solution for achievement of Digital India

    DataWind bags international award for innovative solution for achievement of Digital India

    NEW DELHI: DataWind has been recognized for the Most Innovative Solution for Achievement of Digital India. 

     

    The award was presented by Malcom Johnson, Deputy Secretary General, International Telecommunication Union, ITU Geneva during the 9th annual NTA ICT World Communication Awards 2015, in New Delhi.

     

    The award recognizes DataWind’s breakthrough web delivery platform, invented by its founder and Co-Chairman Raja Singh Tuli, which is covered by over 18 US and international patents. Offered through DataWind’s UbiSurfer browser on its tablets and smartphones, this unique technology reduces bandwidth consumption by factors of 10x to 30x, allowing the delivery of web pages across even congested GPRS networks in 5 to 7 seconds (with even faster speeds on 3G and 4G networks).

     

    DataWind’s products break the affordability barrier and deliver internet access across traditional mobile networks as the company executes a vision to empower the next three billion internet users. The DataWind UbiSlate tablet computers and smartphones incorporate the most powerful technology allows fastest internet access on the remotest locations of India’s mobile networks. DataWind also bundles unlimited Internet browsing for 1 year as an offer on its low cost smartphones and Tablets on Reliance Communications and Telenor connections.

     

    Customers can access billions of websites, including travel websites, ecommerce sites, educational content, news, cricket-scores, Email and Facebook via the UbiSurfer browser, at no cost.

     

    CMAI chairman NK Goyal said, ‘CMAI NTA ICT World Communication Awards is the most sought after prestigious industry awards to identify, acknowledge, and recognize outstanding contributions to the field of Communications, ICT and are known to provide greater encouragement and impetus to the players for their contribution in building a robust National Telecom Network and providing an effective means of communication. We offer well-deserved congratulations to DataWind which has shown outstanding research, development and innovations in the ICT sector.”

     

    DataWind CEO Suneet Singh Tuli said, “We are truly humbled and honoured to receive this prestigious award. We are excited to get recognition on DataWind’s vision for Digital India.”

  • Sony LIV gets 4 sponsors for original online series ‘Tanlines’

    Sony LIV gets 4 sponsors for original online series ‘Tanlines’

    MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media’s (MSM) over the top (OTT) platform Sony Liv has roped in four sponsors for its third original digital series – Tanlines.

     

    Brands, which have come board the web series are Unlimited (presented by sponsor), Maruti Suzuki – Swift (powered by sponsor), Truly Madly (associate sponsor) and Fogg Deos (party partner).

     

    As was previously reported by Indiantelevision.com, after launching its first original series LoveBytes, Sony Liv lined up two more original shows namely LIV Shutter, which went online on 21 October and Tanlines, which is slated to launch on 27 October.

     

    Split into 13 episodes of 10-15 minutes each, Tanlines captures the time the six protagonists spend in Goa before they part ways. 

     

    Produced by Fluence, Tanlines has been written and directed by Prosit Roy, who has previously worked on films likeJaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, Delhi-6 and All Is Well.

     

    MSM executive vice president and head – digital business Uday Sodhi said, “With LoveBytes, we established our pioneering status in the industry as the first digital video-on-demand (VOD) platform to introduce a show exclusively for online viewers. With Tanlines, we’ve taken the commitment of creating and establishing original premium web content for our digital viewers to the next level.”

     

    Tanlines is a youth focused original web show targeted at the digital millennials. Its theme, flavor and medium of consumption are all tailored exclusively for Sony LIV’s younger demographic. The show centres on the lives of six teenagers making that pivotal transition from college to professional life.

     

    “It is a show that will appeal to all our young viewers who can access the entertainment anytime, anywhere on devices they most love!,” Sodhi added.

  • IndiBlogger to host event on blogging and digital content

    IndiBlogger to host event on blogging and digital content

    MUMBAI: The social networking site IndiBlogger has registered 642 bloggers from across India on their BNLF: Blog Now, Live Forever event.

     

    The event will be headlined by international speakers including international bloggers Jeff Bullas, Christoph Trappe and Indian bloggers including Kanan Gill, Purba Ray, Arnab Ray, Anshul Tewari and author Preeti Shenoy. 

     

    Bruce Dickinson, the lead singer of Iron Maiden will also be present as a special guest to talk about his life’s journey as an entrepreneur.

     

    BNLF is to be held at The Lalit Hotel in Mumbai on 31 October and 1 November, 2015. The tagline of the event is ‘Where every note is a Keynote.’

     

    Speaking about the core object of BNLF, IndiBlogger founder Renie Ravin said, “BNLF aims to establish Indian bloggers as key voices of the generation, who have the unique ability to inspire the masses through both experiential and creative content.”

     

    The agenda also includes creating awareness on the power of the fifth estate and its responsibility to effect change from a man-on-the-ground perspective, she added.

     

    The BNLF audience comprises not just bloggers, but also brand managers, digital media professionals and agency honchos. IndiBlogger’s 106 registered members have signed up to manage and host this event along with the organisers.

     

    The first day of the conference will feature talks on blogging concepts that will be of value to bloggers and businesses of varied levels of experience and help them leverage content through blogging. Keynotes are specifically designed to help people learn and adapt to the fast changing world of information sharing. Attendees will be exposed to the key elements of global blogging success, get insights into different methodologies of sharing content (including video content), and listen to inspiring success stories of people who used their blogs to achieve their goals.

     

    Commenting on BNLF, Jeff Bullas (Ranked #8 on Forbes The World’s Top 40 Social Marketing Talent) said, “Creating an online digital brand means that your voice will be heard even when we no longer breathe. So the web will indeed create a form of immortality or legacy for bloggers.”

     

    The second day of BNLF will have bloggers formalising current practices and getting technically equipped through expert workshops, which will feature curriculum from Christoph Trappe on the subject ‘Six steps to stop traditional marketing and start authentic blogging’ and ‘7 Key Steps to Blogging Mastery’ by Bullas.

  • Viacom18 christens VOD platform as VOOT

    Viacom18 christens VOD platform as VOOT

    MUMBAI: The digital space in India is going through a revolution of sorts. Broadcasters as well as content companies are firming up their plans to provide content to consumers on the go. The latest to join the bandwagon is Viacom18 Digital Ventures, which has christened its new digital video-on-demand (VOD) platform as VOOT, going by the popular expression used by today’s digital generation to express happiness, enthusiasm and triumph.

     

    Besides being the singular and exclusive destination for Viacom 18 network’s content portfolio, VOOT will also have an aggressive original programming strategy.

     

    The brand identity for VOOT, which is expected to go live in the coming months, has been created by Brand Gym and Elephant Design.

     

    Over the past few months, Viacom18 Digital Ventures has been working with a set of strategic partners on the brand design and logo with the aim of keeping it distinctive, differentiated and in-sync with the brand mission to create a fun filled world of entertainment.

     

    In July, Viacom18 appointed IndiaCast Media Distribution group COO Gaurav Gandhi as the chief operating officer of Viacom18 Digital Ventures. The company also recently mandated Monika Shergill to drive content and programming strategy as content head for the digital business.

     

    Viacom 18 group CEO Sudhanshu Vats said, “As one of the fastest growing media companies in the country, for us at Viacom18, digital content creation, delivery and access are essential focus areas for driving growth. With VOOT, we set out to leverage an already digitally engaged audience with our content offerings. VOOT will not only be the singular and exclusive destination for Viacom18’s content portfolio, but will have an equally strong focus on original programming created especially for the platform. The brand mission of VOOT is to create a whole new world of entertainment, filled with happy discoveries and addictive content.”

     

    Gandhi added, “The idea of creating this new brand VOOT comes from our desire to create a new, alternate and differentiated world of entertainment for audiences in the digital space. The core essence of the brand is ‘infectious fun’ and ‘happiness’, and this is something that not only flows through in our bright and colourful logo, but will also resonate in our content philosophy. Just like the expression VOOT, the entire philosophy and experience of the service promises to be joyous and celebratory in nature. The digital video market, both in terms of audiences and revenues, is set to explode over the coming years. VOOT will not only target to gain a sizeable share of this market over the years, but also lead the way and set new trends in original content creation in this space.”

     

    Working with technology, content and branding partners in India and across the globe, VOOT will deliver high quality content to consumers on a wide variety of connected devices over Wi-Fi, 4G, 3G and 2G networks.