Category: Software

MUMBAI: Virgin Mobile India, the youth focused mobile service brand, has partnered with the cross platform mobile applications store GetJar.

With the alliance with GetJar, which currently offers more than 70,000 free mobile games and applications to users, Virgin Mobile customers will have access to a wide gamut of applications ranging from games, education, social networking, entertainment, finance, food, health, search, lifestyle and several other utility applications. 
 
Virgin Mobile said that popular applications such as Facebook Mobile, Yahoo!, Nimbuzz, Opera Mini Browser, eBuddy and other such applications can now be easily downloaded across all major platforms.

“This alliance with GetJar is an initiative in line with our strategy to engage and enthrall the youth with the latest innovative cutting-edge content on the move. Mobile applications and games garner a significant share of time spent on the phone by the youth today. We are excited to announce our alliance with GetJar,” said Virgin Mobile India CEO MA Madhusudan. “This will provide our users free, easy access to globally acclaimed applications, games and will further reiterate our commitment to offer the best value-for-money services to our valued customers.” 
 
As an independent application store, GetJar enables cost effective, easy and scalable distribution channel to generate traffic and downloads. It claims an average of almost three million downloads per day globally and adds hundreds of new applications every week to its repository. GetJar supports all major platforms such as Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Java and Symbian phones and delivers applications for every kind of smart phone and feature phone across 200 countries.

GetJar founder and CEO Ilja Laurs said, “It’s a pleasure to partner with a youth focused brand like Virgin Mobile in India. We look forward to garnering a significant mindshare amongst the youth with this alliance,” adds Laurs.

Virgin Mobile subscribers can visit the link: http://m.virginin.getjar.com to access GetJar’s world of applications. This link is currently available on Virgin Mobile India’s WAP portal (Vbytes) on GSM platform across 16 circles – Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu & Chennai, Kerala, Orissa, Mumbai & Maharashtra, Kolkata & West Bengal, Haryana, Bihar, MP&CG, Punjab, UP (E) and UP (W).

Virgin Mobile India users will be able to download all applications free of cost.

NEW DELHI: Mediapersons who want to be alerted about press releases relating to their own beats can now get SMS alert from the Press Information Bureau which is the Government’s main information agency.

Mediapersons wanting this service have to register with the SMS service.
 
This was stated after Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting CM Jatua launched the newly designed website of the PIB.

The Minister said the newly designed website would enable media persons to access information promptly. This would facilitate timely flow of information for important events taking place within the Government. 
 
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Director General (M&C) Neelam Kapur said though the website remained the most widely surfed information website, it had become necessary to introduce tools for providing quick, accessible quality information to the user, especially those belonging to the media.

Some of the key features that had been introduced in the new website included the new colour scheme for the web-site, faster user friendly search system and placement of Urdu releases on the Home Page. She said a number of media persons were accessing high resolution print quality photographs and the rich archival material available on the site for their professional duties.

I&B Secretary Raghu Menon, Special Secretary Uday Kumar Varma and senior officials of the PIB and the Ministry were present during the function.

The web-site pib.nic.in was first launched in 1998. The new features also include a soothing three-colour pattern corresponding to the colours of the national flag.

Arrangement of elements has been standardized across pages. Different elements (such as facilitations of journalists) have been grouped together.

Urdu releases are also displayed on the Home Page in addition to English and Hindi releases/features. Hindi content is now available in UNICODE. This font system will obviate the need for font conversion and will be editable/viewable across platform and browsers.

A segment has been added for video content. At present video content is being generated through Live Web-cast of cabinet briefings and President‘s /PM‘s speeches at national events.

Search has been made faster and more user friendly.

MUMBAI: Asian satellite operator Asiasat has posted a 27 per cent jump in turnover to HK$689,776,000 forthe first six months of this calendar year.

Profit attributable to equity holders rose by 21 per cent to HK$305,216,000.
 
Asiasat executive chairman Peter Jackson said, “The first half of 2010 was encouraging and our core businesses continue to perform well. The recent global economic downturn had relatively low impact on our industry and on AsiaSat in particular. That said, while not being complacent, we have full confidence in the services we provide as well as in our core financial strength, debt-free balance sheet and market-leading position. These assets will serve us well in the future.”

Asiasat made steady progress through the first half of the year in line with the outlook it hadgiven in March. The excellent performance was achieved despite the limited global economic recovery.

The company is cautiously optimistic about the medium-term future. Construction of Asiasat 7 by Space Systems/Loral in the US is progressing on schedule towards its planned launch in late 2011. It is based on the SS/L 1300 series satellite platform with its design and performance similar to that of its most recent satellite, AsiaSat 5. 
 
The first half of 2010 was marked by several corporate developments. The board announced that Jackson would retire as CEO and be appointed as executive chairman of the Company. Deputy CEO, William Wade, has taken over as CEO effective 1 August.
The exciting new Direct-to-Home (DTH) project in Taiwan was launched in June and is making good progress. As the year advances, Asiasat continues to see growing interest in High Definition Television (HDTV) in the region. AsiaSat played its part in facilitating the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

The main increase in turnover was due to encouraging growth in the core business, revenue generated through a lease agreement for exclusive use of Asiasat 2, and the leasing of transponders to Dish-HD Asia Satellite the Taiwan JV. The wholly-owned subsidiary, SpeedCast, also reported an increase with first-half revenue up HK$24 million as a result of continued strong customer demand.

Operating expenses in the first half of 2010, excluding depreciation and amortisation, amounted to HK$166 million (2009 : HK$158 million), up by HK$8 million. This increase was related substantially to in-orbit insurance incurred for the new satellite, launched in the second half of last year.

The profit increase was achieved mainly from steady growth in revenue. Despite the impact of the increased operating costs and additional depreciation charges associated with the new satellite, the profit improvement was most encouraging.

In the first six months of 2010, a number of new contracts were secured with a total value of HK$494 million (2009 : HK$164 million) and renewed contracts were valued at HK$266 million (2009 : HK$250 million). Together, these amounted to HK$760 million (2009 : HK$414 million). The bulk of this total came from new business generated during the period.

A contract of particular note was a multiple transponder agreement that Asiasat signed on 30 December 2009 with Vietnam Multimedia Corporation (VTC), Vietnam.s leading national broadcaster and operator of digital broadcasting. VTC is using Asiasat‘s high-powered Ku-band transponders to set up a new premium DTH platform supporting up to 30 High Definition (HD) and 70 Standard Definition (SD) television channels, country wide.

Other contracts included the distribution of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver to Asia and Australasia via Asiasat 5; new Urdu and Sindhi language channels for Kawish TV Network (KTN) of Pakistan; and the renewal by China‘s official press agency, Xinhua News Agency, of its long-term Ku-band agreement.

World Cup fever and HD came together from 11 June to 11 July 2010 when Eurovision, the distributor of sports and news content for the world‘s top broadcasters and media platforms, leased additional C-band transponders on Asiasat 5. This added capacity was needed to support the HD and SD broadcasts of all 64 Fifa World Cup tournament matches. The Eurovision signals from South Africa were transported via its dedicated fibre network to Asiasat‘s Tai Po Earth Station in Hong Kong for uplink to Asiasat 5, which provided broadcast coverage for the whole Asia-Pacific region.

MUMBAI: PlaySpan, the digital goods, micro-transaction and global payment platforms provider company, has announced that it has got $18 million investment in series C funding.

The investment is led by Vodafone Ventures and Softbank Bodhi Fund, with participation from existing investors Menlo Ventures, Novel TMT Ventures, STIC, and other undisclosed investors.
 
With the latest series of capital infusion, the company‘s total funding has reached approximately $42 million. The new funding will be used to expand into Europe and Asia and to grow PlaySpan‘s global publisher and user-base.

“Over the last few years, PlaySpan has emerged as the undisputed global market leader in the monetisation platform category, and we continue to drive new innovations in the payments and ecommerce space that has spurred new high-growth business models,” said PlaySpan founder and CEO Karl Mehta. “It is a testament to our market-leading position, demonstrated growth, and the fast-growing digital goods micro-transactions space, that we have raised another significant round from top investors.” 
 
Added Menlo Ventures MD and PlaySpan board member Shawn Carolan, “We‘re pleased to welcome Vodafone and Softbank to PlaySpan as they continue to lead the market in online monetisation. Their inputs will be particularly helpful as we expand internationally.”

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) today asked stakeholders if there is a possibility of an Open Architecture based set-top-box (STB) for all direct-to-home (DTH) services.

In a consultation paper issued today, Trai said this could ensure technical interoperability – technical compatibility and effective interoperability among different DTH operators who have adopted the same or different standards.

The regulator wants to know how the interoperability can be implemented and the implications it will have on the stakeholders.
 
Trai also wants to know whether there is a need to mandate any particular standard so that the objectives of technical interoperability can be achieved.

If technical interoperability for STB is not possible, Trai has sought information on any other mechanism to safeguard the interests of the subscribers.

The consultation paper was issued today as the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had on 11 May 2010 requested Trai to review its recommendations “Interoperability and other Issues relating to DTH” of 30 January 2008.

The consultation paper discusses the architecture of STB, relevant standards and the various issues on technical interoperability.

Stakeholders have been requested to offer suggestions by 7 September and counter-comments by 12 September.

In 2006, the Ministry sought recommendations of Trai on various issues related to a DTH licence. One of the issues included technical interoperability in case of STBs with recording facility, personal video recorder (PVR) or digital video recorder (DVR). The Authority made some recommendations to the Ministry on 25 August 2006.

On the issue of technical interoperability, it was recommended that there should not be any amendment in Clauses 7.1 and 7.2 of the DTH license agreement which mandate technical interoperability for DTH STBs. It was also recommended that the DTH service providers should also be encouraged to provide basic or advanced set top boxes to consumers under rental schemes, but there should be no dilution in the technical interoperability conditions. 
 
Meanwhile, the issue of interoperability of STBs was part of one of the petitions before the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (Tdsat). Another petition on the same ground is sub-judice. These petitions have been filed on the behalf of different consumer groups.

Since the start of DTH operations in India, the subscriber base has grown manifold. There are six private DTH operators apart from Doordarshan‘s DD Direct Plus service. These DTH operators have adopted different technological standards for their network operations.

DTH had come into the country when the Government in 2001 withdrew the prohibition on the reception and distribution of television signal in Ku band. The first DTH licence was awarded by the Ministry in 2003.

MUMBAI: Verizon’s FiOS TV customers are now getting more online video content from Time Warner.

The two companies are once again joining forces to give consumers more programming from the TV channels they love – wherever and whenever they want it.
 
Following the online launch in June of two other Time Warner channels, Turner’s TNT and TBS, three more channels are joining Verizon’s growing Fios TV Online service: Adult Swim, Cartoon Network and TruTV.

Like TNT and TBS, these new channels will feature a selection of programming available on Fios TV Online within 24 hours after an episode airs on live television.

Verizon VP of content strategy and acquisition Terry Denson says, “Once again, Verizon is redefining the online video entertainment landscape by partnering with Time Warner Inc. to provide our Fios customers with more access and control of programming. We look forward to adding more Time Warner content to Fios TV online and working with other early adopters to lead the way in delivering the best content on multiple devices”.
 
Turner Network Sales VP business development and multi-platform distribution Michael Quigley said, “We are excited to further the TV Everywhere initiative by making content from Adult Swim, Cartoon Network and truTV available to FiOS TV customers. We look forward to partnering with other distributors to reward customers with access to our popular networks when and where they want.”
Earlier this week, Adult Swim became available on Fios TV Online, featuring episodes of The Boondocks, The Venture Bros, Delocated, Childrens Hospital, and Metalocalypse. Within the next month, Cartoon Network and truTV will be added to Fios TV Online with programs like Adventure Time, Ben Ten: Alien Force, All Worked Up and The Smoking Gun Presents: World’s Dumbest.

Fios customers who subscribe to both FiOS TV and Fios Internet will be able to watch the programmes on their personal computers or laptops – at home or away – using any broadband connection.

MUMBAI: Digicable Network India senior vice president – network development Surendran Thankappan Nair is quitting the organisation to float his own venture.
  
Currently serving his notice period, Nair’s last date at office will be 31 August.

At Digicable, he has played a major role in the strategy formulation and acquisition of networks across India. 
 
Prior to joining Digicable Network, Nair was AVP – business development at Wire & Wireless (India) Ltd. where his key responsibility was to set up the digital and analogue headend for implementation of Cas (conditional access system) having features like video on demand, pay per view, electronic programme guide (EPG) and live gaming through a set-top box (STB).

Nair was also with ETC Networks where he was head – network development.

MUMBAI: UK pay TV service provider Sky has created a new comparison table for its sports packages, putting the price and package deals of Sky and its main competitors side by side. 
 
The comparison tables allow consumers to check prices and features between Sky and competitors, meaning customers can now compare Sky and BT prices as well as compare Sky and Virgin Media. 
 
Features compared include which Sky Sports channels are available, the availability of interactive coverage, high definition channels, the ability to watch Sky Sports online or on a mobile viewing platform, and whether the provider offers 3D viewing.
On the page to compare Sky Sports with BT’s offerings, Sky has produced a carousel listing ten reasons it believes its offering is superior, including items such as smaller minimum contract.

The schedule for Sky Sports for the next 12 months includes the Barclays Premier League, Uefa Champions League, the Ashes, the Guinness Premiership, the Ryder Cup, the US Open as well as many other world’s sporting highlights, in many cases available in high definition and 3D.
 

NEW DELHI: The Finance Ministry has turned down the request of the Communications & Information Technology Ministry seeking for reimbursement of spectrum charges paid towards 3G spectrum by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL).

Minister of State for Communications and IT Ministry Sachin Pilot told Parliament that the Finance Ministry has said that the terms of allotment of spectrum were clear to both BSNL and MTNL that they would have to pay a one time spectrum fee at a price equal to the highest bid as determined through the auction of 3G services which was also incorporated in the Notice Inviting Application (NIA) for the auction and also to maintain level playing field with other service providers.
  
The Government earned Rs 1062.6226 billion from the recent auctions of 3G and Band Width Access (BWA). 
 
The revenue is more than three times the target of Rs 350 billion fixed by the Finance Ministry in its budget documents and more than five times the reserve price.
 

MUMBAI: NDTV is building a bouquet of news, niche and English language channels for distribution on digital platforms including DTH and digital cable.

As part of this broad plan, international children‘s channel KidsCo is set to enter India via NDTV. In an exclusive distribution pact, NDTV has agreed to market KidsCo‘s content across all digital platforms.

“KidsCo is going to be a pay channel and is awaiting government clearance for launch. We are ready to roll out the channel once we get the nod,” says NDTV Network distribution and affiliate sales SVP Rohit Lamba.
 
NDTV has already entered into distribution pacts with France-based Trace Group to launch its urban music and lifestyle channel Trace and with UK commercial broadcaster ITV Global Entertainment‘s Granada TV. Both the channels are yet to get the nod from the government.

“We distribute the NDTV channels on digital platforms while TheOneAlliance takes care of analogue cable. For widening the bouquet, we are targeting third party international English channels that would look at digital distribution. We would have a bundle of pay channels that would be sold on DTH and digital cable,” says Lamba.

As part of this strategy, NDTV will be marketing KidsCo programming including Sonic Underground, The Wiggles, Ned‘s Newt, Rescue Heroes and Nalong Fly to the Sky alongside original programming such as Boo & Me, Boo‘s Sanctuary and Jass Time!.

The deal follows KidsCo‘s strategic expansion across Asia, including recent launches in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Indonesia. 
 
Says KidsCo CEO Paul Robinson¸ “India is a key market for us as we continue our global expansion plan. We are really excited about adding NDTV to our existing partners as it understands that education is at the very top of the agenda for us and has historically built solid relationships with platforms who share this vision. The shows we will be offering are in keeping with our international audience and we anticipate great results.”

KidsCo offers three programming zones of pre-school, kids 6-10 and family, which have been designed to fit audience availability and lifestyle. Programming includes animated and live action content and movies for family-viewing.

Says Lamba, “With digital homes set to cross 50 million in the next two years, there is tremendous untapped potential for quality international channels in the Indian market and KidsCo, with its strong content line-up, will fill this gap.”

On the international front, the NDTV channels are planning to launch on cable networks in the US. They are already beaming across the globe and are on DirecTV, a DTH service provider, in the US.

“We are in talks with Comcast and Time Warner to be on cable in the US,” says Lamba.