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  • Tata Teleservices gives customers the ‘Power of Choice’

    MUMBAI: Telecom service provider Tata Teleservices has announced a new marketing initiative the Power of Choice. The aim is to address the varying demands of mobile customers across segments.


    On the CDMA front, Tata Teleservices has introduced a range of handsets coupled with a tariff plan suited to the customer‘s requirements.


    With the flexibility to bundle the handset and tariff plan, Tata Indicom prepaid customers will have a choice of four starter packs, The Go Easy, Go Life, Go Active and Go Max plans. In addition, other benefits include no monthly recharge commitment, attractive SMS and call rates and 100 per cent talktime on all recharge cards.


    Speaking on the launch, Tata Teleservices CEO Darryl Green said, “Through ‘Power of Choice‘ offer, we seek to offer the customer a choice of wide, exciting range of handsets and offers and remove misconceptions that CDMA limits the freedom of choice.”


    In their attempts to market the new offers, Tata Teleservices will advertise using the print medium especially vernacular papers along with TV to create an overall awareness about the details of the plan. Additionally, value added services such as downloadable games for Rs 5, stock information, caller tunes and faith sites are also available, as “there is a huge demand for these services in the pre paid market,” stated Green


    “Coupled with our new offers we also plan to extend our services in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North East and with this, we expect about 1 million new subscribers this fiscal,” he added.


    The handsets available on offer include Indicom Ace, LG 2535, Samsung Hero, Indicom Star, Pantech, LG 6335 and Samsung Wideo handsets whose price range starts at Rs 999.

  • DMK to distribute 30,000 TVs in September

    DMK to distribute 30,000 TVs in September

    MUMBAI: The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has announced that it would start phase one of its free colour TV distribution plan with the purchase of 30,000 units.

    The plan is one of the key elements of the DMK’s promise to the electorate of the southern Indian state that if voted to power it would provide colour TVs to families not owning them. The date fixed for distribution of free TVs is 15 September. The localities where the sets will be distributed have also been identified.

    In the second and main phase, a global tender would be issued, a release issued by the state government said.

    According to media reports, if fully implemented, the whole exercise would involve the distribution of 8 million 14-inch colour TV sets. Considering that the total number of CTVs sold in the country last fiscal was 10.5 million, whichever company ultimately wins the contract will have a bonanza on its hands. How much this exercise will ultimately cost is still unclear though with media reports quoting figures ranging from Rs 10 billion to as high as Rs 56 billion.

  • IP video test and measurement market to hit $289 million in 2010: US Study

    MUMBAI: From being a virtually non- existent market in 2003, the IP video test and measurement market saw significant growth in 2005.


    New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, World IP Video Test & Measurement Market, finds that this market earned revenues of $52.2 million in 2005 and is likely to reach $289 million in 2010.


    With telecom and cable TV companies aggressively offering triple play services, there is a rising trend among test equipment and solution vendors to offer IPTV test capability ‘within the same box‘. Telecom companies are increasingly launching VoIP and offering bundled video, data and voice services to meet the intense competition from cable TV providers and the growing migration of customers to VoIP-based telephony and wireless networks.


    IPTV enables telecom companies to leverage their DSL access networks, and thereby offer their customer base an additional video service to supplement existing voice and data offerings. By adopting such measures, they are able to contain losses while retaining valuable customers.


    “With such intense competition among service providers, subscriber experience and quality of service become key differentiators, compelling them to roll-out monitoring systems and protocol analyzers at the same time as they launch their IPTV services,” remarks Frost & Sullivan industry manager Jessy Cavazos. “This factor is considered to be a strong driver, particularly for the network monitoring systems market segment, and is expected to have a very high impact on market revenues throughout the forecast period.”


    Tolerance levels in IP video services are minimal compared to VoIP services, in which the conversation can be continued even if a couple of packets are lost. Thus, it becomes highly essential to have effective monitoring and troubleshooting tools when networks are deployed in the present market scenario, increasing the demand for suitable test equipment.


    Again, the emphasis on quality is higher in the IP video and TV market than in the VoIP market. This poses a significant challenge to test equipment providers catering to this market. The capital costs of the test equipment used for IPTV and video are very high, running into billions of dollars. Since these costs eventually get passed on to the users, it is hardly surprising that they demand the highest quality possible to get maximum value from the service.


    The challenge for test equipment providers is to keep pace with the latest technologies in IP video and TV and to be able to develop suitable solutions to test them.


    “With end users looking at channel change time issues before roll-out and measuring channel change infrastructure in networks after deployment, this presents a significant opportunity for test vendors,” says Cavazos. “Frost & Sullivan believes that channel changing performance test to assess the functioning of one or more devices under test (DUT) or systems under test (SUT) in IPTV deployment is the biggest opportunity, from a customer target application perspective, in the near future.”

  • IP video test and measurement market to hit $289 million in 2010: US Study

    IP video test and measurement market to hit $289 million in 2010: US Study

    MUMBAI: From being a virtually non- existent market in 2003, the IP video test and measurement market saw significant growth in 2005.

    New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, World IP Video Test & Measurement Market, finds that this market earned revenues of $52.2 million in 2005 and is likely to reach $289 million in 2010.

    With telecom and cable TV companies aggressively offering triple play services, there is a rising trend among test equipment and solution vendors to offer IPTV test capability ‘within the same box’. Telecom companies are increasingly launching VoIP and offering bundled video, data and voice services to meet the intense competition from cable TV providers and the growing migration of customers to VoIP-based telephony and wireless networks.

    IPTV enables telecom companies to leverage their DSL access networks, and thereby offer their customer base an additional video service to supplement existing voice and data offerings. By adopting such measures, they are able to contain losses while retaining valuable customers.

    “With such intense competition among service providers, subscriber experience and quality of service become key differentiators, compelling them to roll-out monitoring systems and protocol analyzers at the same time as they launch their IPTV services,” remarks Frost & Sullivan industry manager Jessy Cavazos. “This factor is considered to be a strong driver, particularly for the network monitoring systems market segment, and is expected to have a very high impact on market revenues throughout the forecast period.”

    Tolerance levels in IP video services are minimal compared to VoIP services, in which the conversation can be continued even if a couple of packets are lost. Thus, it becomes highly essential to have effective monitoring and troubleshooting tools when networks are deployed in the present market scenario, increasing the demand for suitable test equipment.

    Again, the emphasis on quality is higher in the IP video and TV market than in the VoIP market. This poses a significant challenge to test equipment providers catering to this market. The capital costs of the test equipment used for IPTV and video are very high, running into billions of dollars. Since these costs eventually get passed on to the users, it is hardly surprising that they demand the highest quality possible to get maximum value from the service.

    The challenge for test equipment providers is to keep pace with the latest technologies in IP video and TV and to be able to develop suitable solutions to test them.

    “With end users looking at channel change time issues before roll-out and measuring channel change infrastructure in networks after deployment, this presents a significant opportunity for test vendors,” says Cavazos. “Frost & Sullivan believes that channel changing performance test to assess the functioning of one or more devices under test (DUT) or systems under test (SUT) in IPTV deployment is the biggest opportunity, from a customer target application perspective, in the near future.”

  • Zoom attempts comedy with Santa & Banta Unlimited; to air from 10 July

    Zoom attempts comedy with Santa & Banta Unlimited; to air from 10 July

    MUMBAI: The original Indian rap king Baba Saigal and popular RJ Siddharth Kannan team up to entertain viewers with Zoom’s first comic bonanza, Santa & Banta Unlimited. This new show aims to redefine ‘time pass viewing’, with it’s two hosts Siddharth Kannan aka Santa and Baba Saigal aka Banta.

    Starting 10 July, the half hour show will air every Monday at 8.30 pm.
    The duo promise to deliver everything from topical news, lifestyle issues, film reviews, TV gags of other shows, parties, call ins for “love” problems and other gyaan, in true Santa Banta style, which is a comical rhapsody, witty repartees and award winning one liners.

    Santa & Banta Unlimited being an extension of the personalities of the two hosts’ reflects the natural camaraderie between Banta, a “cut surd” and Santa, a typical “Tam Bram”. Kannan is known for his spontaneous sense of humor; hence Baba’s rapping will be a great foil to Kannan’s yakking.

    Joking about his rapport with Baba, Kannan remarks with his trademark tongue-in-cheek twist, “We are like a husband and wife team. But we haven’t figured who is the husband and who is the wife. We are two contrasting people with a zest for life. As people in Mumbai would say, we are truly bindaas.”

    “Anchoring is a part of me. It has a different kick, different popularity and a different feedback,” says Baba about his experience. “I have known Siddharth since the past 12 years. We’ve developed a great chemistry and that will be evident on-screen.”

  • American Telecom services launches Pay N’ Talk phone on cable television

    American Telecom services launches Pay N’ Talk phone on cable television

    MUMBAI: American Telecom Services, Inc., has launched a pilot of three complementary two-minute Direct Response Television (DRTV) spots to promote the Pay N’ Talk bundled service program with cordless multi-handset phones powered by IDT Telecom. The series of short-form TV spots will air on multiple occasions on several national cable networks

    The company is a provider of both internet phones and Pay N’ Talk pre-paid long distance communication services bundled with cordless multi-handset phones.

    This initiative is intended to expand brand awareness of American telecom as well as attempting to educate the consumer on the value of the Pay N’ Talk service program. This form of DRTV supports the marketing plan to drive consumer sales through retail channels, states an official release.

    The DRTV spots feature Pay N’ Talk home phones bundled with free minutes that provide consumers with an introduction to the Pay N’ Talk service bundle which provides the option to purchase more minutes at some of the lowest long distance rates in the industry, by simply pressing the “Money Saving Green Button” that appears on every telephone handset.

    The proprietary Money Saving Green Button on each phone provides “One-Touch Access” to American Telecom’s Pay N’ Talk service, for making calls, adding funds or setting up auto-payment on the prepaid system, or changing user information and is powered through the company’s exclusive relationship with IDT Telecom, adds the release.

  • American Telecom services launches Pay N’ Talk phone on cable television

    MUMBAI: American Telecom Services, Inc., has launched a pilot of three complementary two-minute Direct Response Television (DRTV) spots to promote the Pay N‘ Talk bundled service program with cordless multi-handset phones powered by IDT Telecom. The series of short-form TV spots will air on multiple occasions on several national cable networks


    The company is a provider of both internet phones and Pay N‘ Talk pre-paid long distance communication services bundled with cordless multi-handset phones.


    This initiative is intended to expand brand awareness of American telecom as well as attempting to educate the consumer on the value of the Pay N‘ Talk service program. This form of DRTV supports the marketing plan to drive consumer sales through retail channels, states an official release.


    The DRTV spots feature Pay N‘ Talk home phones bundled with free minutes that provide consumers with an introduction to the Pay N‘ Talk service bundle which provides the option to purchase more minutes at some of the lowest long distance rates in the industry, by simply pressing the “Money Saving Green Button” that appears on every telephone handset.


    The proprietary Money Saving Green Button on each phone provides “One-Touch Access” to American Telecom‘s Pay N‘ Talk service, for making calls, adding funds or setting up auto-payment on the prepaid system, or changing user information and is powered through the company‘s exclusive relationship with IDT Telecom, adds the release.

  • Titan Global Entertainment unveils web music entertainment portal ‘Titan Tunes’

    MUMBAI: Titan Global Entertainment, Inc. has announced the release of the second generation web music entertainment portal “Titan Tunes.” The “Titan Tunes” portal is the first of a series of portals that will be launched from the “Titan Universe” Entertainment Distribution Center.


    The US-based, Titan Global Entertainment. Inc., is a multi-faceted entertainment company that specialises in audio and video digital distribution through its state of the art web portal — www.TitanTunes.com.


    The new website is designed to provide users with the ability to customise both look and feel, creating a personalised design and a feeling of total control over the experience. The single-page navigation design concept and fixed viewing screen keep all of the controls in the user‘s hands providing the simplest and most comfortable experience available in the marketplace, as per an official release. This general concept will reduce the amount of steps making the purchase process an easy, fast and secure one.


    Titan Global Entertainment co-chairman & CEO Jim Pugh states, “This is another completed milestone in the company‘s development. The music portal will provide users a full music and music video experience. The portal is currently being loaded with content from all over the world. It will contain a complete selection of international music and music video for all ages. Individuals will be able to access music and music videos for listening, viewing, downloading as well as purchase. Also included in ‘Titan Tunes‘ is the ability to listen live to your favorite radio station as well as delayed broadcast of syndicated radio shows.”


    Just like iTunes, this site will not only offer a vast selection of music and audio but will take the revolutionary next step and will also feature music video, the release further adds. Most websites that provide the option for online purchase have a system involving multiple steps. This results in more than half of the consumers (57 per cent) abandoning the shopping cart before finalizing the purchase. Titan Tunes‘ unique design has differentiated itself from the rest of online music stores reducing the amount of steps. The user is provided a new online buying experience which makes the purchase process an easy, fast and secure one while never leaving the Titan Tunes page.


    Titan Tunes will not only sell music and video, but will also sell artists‘ merchandise of all types from CD/DVDs, clothing lines and other merchandising items such as T-Shirts, hats, jackets and gifts. This merchandise will be provided by Titan artists, independent artists and other licensed third party merchandisers approved by the company.


    Titan has acquired music publishing licensing from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI), for the rights to stream and sell music video and audio through the internet

  • Titan Global Entertainment unveils web music entertainment portal ‘Titan Tunes’

    Titan Global Entertainment unveils web music entertainment portal ‘Titan Tunes’

    MUMBAI: Titan Global Entertainment, Inc. has announced the release of the second generation web music entertainment portal “Titan Tunes.” The “Titan Tunes” portal is the first of a series of portals that will be launched from the “Titan Universe” Entertainment Distribution Center.

    The US-based, Titan Global Entertainment. Inc., is a multi-faceted entertainment company that specialises in audio and video digital distribution through its state of the art web portal — www.TitanTunes.com.

    The new website is designed to provide users with the ability to customise both look and feel, creating a personalised design and a feeling of total control over the experience. The single-page navigation design concept and fixed viewing screen keep all of the controls in the user’s hands providing the simplest and most comfortable experience available in the marketplace, as per an official release. This general concept will reduce the amount of steps making the purchase process an easy, fast and secure one.

    Titan Global Entertainment co-chairman & CEO Jim Pugh states, “This is another completed milestone in the company’s development. The music portal will provide users a full music and music video experience. The portal is currently being loaded with content from all over the world. It will contain a complete selection of international music and music video for all ages. Individuals will be able to access music and music videos for listening, viewing, downloading as well as purchase. Also included in ‘Titan Tunes’ is the ability to listen live to your favorite radio station as well as delayed broadcast of syndicated radio shows.”

    Just like iTunes, this site will not only offer a vast selection of music and audio but will take the revolutionary next step and will also feature music video, the release further adds. Most websites that provide the option for online purchase have a system involving multiple steps. This results in more than half of the consumers (57 per cent) abandoning the shopping cart before finalizing the purchase. Titan Tunes’ unique design has differentiated itself from the rest of online music stores reducing the amount of steps. The user is provided a new online buying experience which makes the purchase process an easy, fast and secure one while never leaving the Titan Tunes page.

    Titan Tunes will not only sell music and video, but will also sell artists’ merchandise of all types from CD/DVDs, clothing lines and other merchandising items such as T-Shirts, hats, jackets and gifts. This merchandise will be provided by Titan artists, independent artists and other licensed third party merchandisers approved by the company.

    Titan has acquired music publishing licensing from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI), for the rights to stream and sell music video and audio through the internet.

  • DIC Entertainment & AOL partner to create strategic TV & online programming block

    MUMBAI: DIC Entertainment (DIC), an independent global brand management company based in the US, and AOL online kids destination, KOL, have formed a partnership to co-produce a new Saturday morning branded programming block, KOL‘s Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party on CBS, which will premiere 16 September 2006.


    DIC and KOL will also develop online and on-air co-production initiatives in conjunction with the block. DIC and KOL are also now in development on programs for the 2007 season, informs an official release.


    As per the agreement, KOL and DIC will co-produce programming for the 2006 broadcast season, including the new television series Dance Revolution. This series is inspired by Konami‘s hit video game franchise Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). The new dance competition series will be hosted by Radio KOL DJ Rick Adams, who will also continue to maintain his live online radio show for kids available on KOL.


    In addition, KOL and DIC will develop a website designed to transform the programs airing on KOL‘s Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party on CBS into a comprehensive and interactive experience for kids. KOL will also offer special online programming including games, program clips, behind-the-scenes features and more to drive on-air viewership.


    Dance Revolution and the online activities will support the schedule of programming debuting this fall on the E/I compliant branded block. Other programming on the Saturday Morning line-up includes Cake, Horseland, The Animated Trollz and Madeline.


    Additionally, KOL will create public service announcements on healthy eating, to air during the block and online utilizing KOL‘s popular original animated character Princess Natasha, adds the release.


    DIC will seek initial guidance on all programming to air on the KOL‘s Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party on CBS, from children‘s experts from the DIC Educational Advisory Board — a group comprised of leading media experts, educators and pediatricians created to provide information, guidance, advice and general expertise to DIC in the development of multimedia programs and projects for children.


    “With AOL‘s expertise in developing online programming and our success in building brands such as ‘Princess Natasha‘ and Radio KOL, appealing to millions of kids, we are confident that this landmark partnership with DIC will be a tremendous success,” says AOL Kids & Teens SVP Malcolm Bird. “Once again, AOL is leading the industry by building another initiative that taps the power of television and the online medium to ultimately grow a larger audience across both platforms.”


    “Kids today continue to expand their entertainment options beyond television, and our new partnership with KOL will provide us with a tremendous opportunity to reach kids through the launch of the new Saturday morning programming block on CBS as well as through KOL‘s growing online destination,” comments DIC Entertainment chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. “We are thrilled to work with KOL to co-produce innovative programming and to create a unique cross-promotional program that will drive kids online; increase on-air viewership and provide our clients with an effective way to reach kids in a progressive safe environment.”