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  • Warner, Nokia sign mobile content agreement

    Warner, Nokia sign mobile content agreement

    MUMBAI: Mobile firm Nokia and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution have announced an agreement.

    Content based on Warner brands will be made available for consumer downloads through the Nokia Content Discoverer client. This feature is embedded in millions of Nokia devices currently available in markets around the globe.

    The multi-country agreement will create a dedicated Warner Bros. mobile content ‘storefront’ available to consumers through the device-resident Nokia Content Discoverer client, part of Nokia’s complete mobile content ecosystem. Compatible with leading Nokia handsets based on S60 and Series 40, Nokia Content Discoverer is embedded as an on-device portal in more than 20 Nokia handset models, comprising millions of devices currently in the marketplace through leading mobile operators and retail outlets worldwide.

    At service launch, mobile subscribers in select European and Asian countries will be able to explore the dedicated Warner Bros. Entertainment channel and discover images, tones, games and video clips. The consumer offer brings together premium and promotional content from Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, DC Comics and the films Superman Returns, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, V for Vendetta, Dukes of Hazzard and Batman Begins.

    Nokia’s global developer programme Forum Nokia director, business development and channels Brad Brockhaug, says “This agreement represents a key addition to our Nokia Content Discoverer program, providing Nokia customers with a convenient and familiar place to shop for the world’s most popular entertainment content.

    “Nokia Content Discoverer is part of a content ecosystem designed to improve access to mobile content downloads for millions of subscribers. These consumers now will be able to personalize their mobile devices with their favorite Warner Bros. content.”

    Nokia Content Discoverer facilitates easy access to downloadable content by mobile subscribers through a collection of shopping mall “stores” run by branded content providers, leading content aggregators and mobile service providers. Operators are able to build their own branded mobile shopping mall, with better positioning of content and the presence of the operator’s brand on the device, generating higher adoption. Consumers’ experience of content shopping is greatly enhanced through Nokia Content Discoverer’s advanced on-device caching of content catalog metadata which allows free browsing of the content stores in the mobile mall, as well as automatic content updates, integrated preview/prelisten and proficient content installation capabilities.

    Nokia Content Discoverer is currently embedded in select S60 and Series 40 devices available in the global marketplace, including the Nseries multimedia devices (Nokia N70, N71, N72, N73, N80 and N93), Eseries devices for enterprise users (Nokia E50, E60, E61 and E70), Nokia 5500, and Nokia 3250 handsets currently available in mainland China and on Nokia 6131 devices in China and other Asia-Pacific markets. Nokia Content Discoverer is expected to be in the hands of over 20 million consumers worldwide by the end of the year.

  • Nokia launches first live DVB-H mobile TV service in Asia

    Nokia launches first live DVB-H mobile TV service in Asia

    MUMBAI: Mobile communications firm Nokia and Vietnam Multimedia (VTC) have inked a deal to launch commercial mobile broadcast TV services based on Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H) technology in two Vietnamese cities by the end of the year.

    The agreement is Nokia’s first commercial mobile TV service rollout in the Asia Pacific region. It is also among the first of Nokia’s commercial rollouts globally. Nokia is currently spearheading several trials in the Asia Pacific, Europe and North American countries.

    VTC is a broadcaster and operator in digital broadcasting. It will make available its mobile PayTV services to consumer subscribers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Consumers in both cities will be able to enjoy seven digital TV channels as well as a video-on-demand service from a catalogue of selected titles offered by VTC.

    The service is available on Nokia’s Nseries DVB-H enabled multimedia devices, delivered by the Nokia N92 which will make its debut in Vietnam for this purpose.

    For the uninitiated DVB-H, is a broadcast-to-mobile technology which provides reception of the ordinary television broadcasting in digital format on mobile phones and television screens mounted on-board public and private means of transportation. DVB-H was chosen based by Nokia on its merit to support mobility, efficient power management, and DVD quality audio and video services without disturbance.

    Up to 50 TV channels can be delivered with low cost, over one network. With extensive pilots of broadcast mobile TV currently taking place across the globe, involving leading broadcasters, mobile
    operators, broadcast network operators and handset manufacturers, the market for commercial broadcast services is expected to grow throughout this year.

    Mobile TV broadcasting works by receiving a digital TV broadcast signal optimized for mobile devices from the air in much the same way as televisions at home do. Channel guides will also be broadcast allowing users to keep abreast of the latest programmes on air. Broadcast Mobile TV is not the same as a streaming video service over 3G or GPRS where each recipient gets a separate copy of the programme stream. Rather, one simultaneous TV stream can be received at any time by any number of users enjoying high picture quality and low battery power consumption.

    VTC director Le Doan Quan said, “The open technology platform solution provided by Nokia resonates with VTC’s vision of increasing choice and participation for consumers and other technology providers. Nokia implementation uses the OMA DRM approach for services and content delivery protection thus enabling many additional possibilities such as delivery of ringtones, logos, music, videoclips, games and large file applications, in addition to the ordinary TV programmes.”

    “This equips VTC with a cost-effective and future-proof platform for driving the development of the vibrant multimedia ecosystem in Vietnam.”
    Nokia Multimedia Asia Pacific director, experiences Jawahar Kanjilal said, “We are delighted to be part of this great development in Vietnam. This marks the beginning of exciting times in the Asia Pacific broadcasting industry, bringing digital television to consumers’ pockets and ushering in a new era of personal interactive entertainment.

    “The Nokia N92 multimedia computer will be a key element of this consumer offering, and we look forward to the continuing development of mobile TV services in the region.”
    Under the agreement, Nokia and VTC are committed to jointly propel the consumer adoption of mobile entertainment services in Vietnam. After taking mobile TV services commercial in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in 2006, VTC plans to extend the coverage to a national level over a two-year period.

    In the Asia Pacific, Nokia claims to have spearheaded several mobile TV technology showcases in countries such as Singapore (with Mediacorp & M1), Malaysia (Astro & Maxis), as well as in India and Taiwan. Nokia also participated in many industry-wide events demonstrating simulcast mobile TV content together with players in the media and entertainment industries in Australia.

    Nokia is also in the midst of a DVB-H trial first started last July 2005 with the Bridge Networks & Telstra consumers in Sydney. In Europe, Finland, Digita, supported by Nokia, has been awarded an operator license and is working to debut DVB-H mobile TV services soon. Italy has also launched a DVB-H service, while many other regions in the world are expected to follow suit with the commercialisation activity once their own trials are concluded.

  • BSkyB launches Sky+ remote record service enabled by weComm technology

    BSkyB launches Sky+ remote record service enabled by weComm technology

    MUMBAI: BSkyB, the UK’s leading provider of pay-TV services, has launched its Sky+ remote record service using weComm’s wave platform. It enables customers to maximise the value of their content by providing sophisticated, personalised services for mobile devices.

    Sky customers will be able to set their Sky+ to record their favourite shows using a mobile phone – either by sending a text message or with Sky by mobile. If they have downloaded the Sky by mobile application they can view Sky’s seven-day TV guide on their phone and select programmes to record. The guide they see on their phone looks similar to Sky’s light blue on-screen guide and enables people to browse listings and view programme details on the move.

    Sky by mobile is available on a large range of handsets, including Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and the RIM Blackberry, according to an official release.

    weComm COO Oliver Sturrock commented: “This is the first time that TV viewers will be able to remotely record their favourite programmes using a mobile phone from anywhere in the world.

    “We started working with Sky two years ago. We are constantly looking at ways to improve our technology to adapt to theirs and, ultimately, their subscribers’ needs. The launch of the Remote Record for Sky+ is a good example of how our collaboration with Sky is meeting those needs.

    “Our technology has proven to be very reliable for building applications designed for the mass market and we are now seeing tremendous demand, particularly from the media industry.”

    This is the third phase of weComm’s collaboration with Sky. The first generation of Sky by mobile was launched in June 2005 and provided the latest news stories and videos from Sky Sports and Sky News, up to the minute sports events scores and personalised services to users. It also allows viewers to place bets on sporting events through their Skybet account.

    In January 2006, weComm developed the second phase of the technology allowing viewers to subscribe to and watch Sky TV channels live on their handsets – Sky Mobile TV.

  • HP, Nokia & Radio Mirchi to market visual radio in India

    HP, Nokia & Radio Mirchi to market visual radio in India

    MUMBAI: Expanding their global cooperation, Hewlett Packard (HP) and Nokia have joined hands with the radio brand Radio Mirchi to market the first service in India that enables mobile phone users to receive FM radio broadcasts synchronized with interactive visuals and text on the handsets.

    Radio Mirchi listeners in Delhi can now have access to visual radio, a new music service on their Nokia mobile phones for Hutch subscribers, followed by other metros in the country.

    With visual radio, the listeners can enjoy engaging and exciting content: visuals, information and entertainment of what’s playing over the air, purchase ring tones and other mobile content of the artiste, participate in radio station promotions, polls, contests, and interact with RJs and special guests.

    The customer would be charged at the regular PlanetHutch rate of 10 paise per 10 KB and regular download charges for downloading ring tones and many other features, informs an official release.

    In 2003, Nokia had announced Visual Radio as an upcoming product for their new range of multi-media phones. In UK, Virgin Radio was the first station to make use of the interactive Visual Radio functionality.

    Nokia and HP are pushing the visual radio concept in countries like Finland, Thailand, Singapore and some European countries as well. In Singapore MediaCorp Radio’s music station Y.E.S. 93.3 FM is the first Chinese language radio station in the world to be made available on Visual Radio.

    And in Finland, SBS Finland’s Kiss FM became the first radio station in the world to begin visual radio broadcasts.

    Visual radio is at present, available on Nokia NSeries devices (Nokia N70, Nokia N71, Nokia N72 Nokia N80, Nokia N91) and select Nokia phones (Nokia 3230, Nokia 3250, Nokia 6125, Nokia 6131, Nokia 6280 and Nokia 7370).

    ENIL (Radio Mirchi) MD and CEO A.P. Parigi says, “Visual radio provides us an exciting opportunity to involve, engage and entertain this demanding generation. Visual radio not only enhances the listener’s interaction with the station, it also provides advertisers a more dynamic platform to communicate their messages.”

    The launch of visual radio in India demonstrates a revolution in interactive mobile communications and redefines the experience of traditional FM radio, not only for the users but also for broadcasters, advertisers and mobile operators.

    This medium holds the opportunity to create new business models, which can offer access to interactive music discovery services and the ability to purchase merchandise directly from a mobile phone.

    “Since introducing the visual radio service, HP has worked with industry leaders like Radio Mirchi and Hutch to deliver visual radio to listeners around the world,” HP India HP Services VP Kapil Jain says. “We look forward to working with our partners to make visual radio a great success in India.”

    Adds Nokia India national operator and retail accounts director Vineet Taneja, “Visual radio will make listening to the radio via your mobile phone a truly multi-dimensional experience. This will offer a host of new rich music services to Nokia users allowing them to indulge their passion at the click of a button.”

    “As part of this commitment, we have already launched more than 20 Nokia devices in India that are compatible with visual radio with still more to come in the future,” Taneja concludes.

  • Nokia conducting mobile TV trials in Sweden

    Nokia conducting mobile TV trials in Sweden

    MUMBAI: Mobile firm Nokia has announced a new commercial DVB-H pilot in Stockholm with Teracom in Sweden. Nokia is supplying the Nokia Mobile Broadcast System 3.0 and Nokia N92 mobile TV devices to the pilot which will last from October to December 2006 and includes 400 consumers. The project is a co-operation between ATG, Boxer, Nokia, Sveriges Radio, Sveriges Television/UR, Telenor and Teracom.

    The pilot participants will be able to watch 14 TV channels and listen to four radio channels in the Stockholm city region, where a network has been built for high quality indoor and outdoor coverage. The objective is to evaluate what Swedish consumers think about commercial broadcast mobile TV and thus gauge market potential.

    ATG, Boxer, Sveriges Radio and Sveriges Television will provide content for the pilot. The test will be delivered using Nokia Mobile Broadcast Solution 3.0, and the pilot participants will use mobile devices from Nokia, the Nokia N92. Teracom will be responsible for the network, the broadcast and operating of the platform.

    This is the second mobile TV pilot in Sweden where Nokia is one of the main suppliers of DVB-H technology. Recently Nokia had announced a new contract with TeliaSonera Sweden for a complete DVB-H pilot system, including Nokia Mobile Broadcast System 3.0 and Nokia N92 mobile TV devices, underpinned by Nokia’s hosting and systems integration know-how.

    Fore the uninitiated DVB-H technology complements existing operator networks, optimising capacity and quality. It offers consumers the chance to enjoy high quality terrestrial digital broadcasts along with voice telephony and internet access all in a single device. Broadcast mobile TV will offer new business opportunities for mobile service providers, content and broadcast companies, infrastructure and handset manufacturers as well as technology providers.

    The feedback from different mobile TV pilots has been promising. Results from pilots on broadcast (DVB-H) mobile TV services among consumers in Finland, the UK, Spain and France have revealed clear consumer demand for such services as well as important indications over future business models for commercial mobile TV services.

  • Nokia trials Mobile TV in Sweden using DVB-H technology with Teracom

    Nokia trials Mobile TV in Sweden using DVB-H technology with Teracom

    MUMBAI: Nokia has announced a new commercial DVB-H pilot in Stockholm with Teracom in Sweden, wherein it will be supplying the Nokia Mobile Broadcast System 3.0 and Nokia N92 mobile TV devices to the pilot, which will last from October to December 2006 and includes 400 consumers.

    The project is a co-operation between ATG, Boxer, Nokia, Sveriges Radio, Sveriges Television/UR, Telenor and Teracom.

    The pilot participants will be able to watch 14 TV channels and listen to four radio channels in the Stockholm city region, where a network has been built for high quality indoor and outdoor coverage. The objective is to evaluate what Swedish consumers think about commercial broadcast mobile TV.

    ATG, Boxer, Sveriges Radio and Sveriges Television will provide content for the pilot. The test will be delivered using Nokia Mobile Broadcast Solution 3.0, and the pilot participants will use mobile devices from Nokia, the Nokia N92. Teracom will be responsible for the network, the broadcast and operating of the platform.

    “We strongly believe in the capability of the DVB-H technology as well as in the mobile TV service, and we are looking forward to presenting the full potential and interest of broadcast mobile TV in Sweden,” said Nokia Nordic multimedia director Sigurd Leth.

    This is the second mobile TV pilot in Sweden where Nokia is one of the main suppliers of DVB-H technology. Last week, Nokia announced a new contract with TeliaSonera Sweden for a complete DVB-H pilot system, including Nokia Mobile Broadcast System 3.0 and Nokia N92 mobile TV devices, underpinned by Nokia’s hosting and systems integration know-how.

    DVB-H technology complements existing operator networks, optimising capacity and quality. It offers consumers the chance to enjoy high quality terrestrial digital broadcasts along with voice telephony and internet access all in a single device. Broadcast mobile TV will offer new business opportunities for mobile service providers, content and broadcast companies, infrastructure and handset manufacturers as well as technology providers.

    The feedback from different mobile TV pilots has been promising. Results from pilots on broadcast (DVB-H) mobile TV services amongst consumers in Finland, the UK, Spain and France have revealed clear consumer demand for such services as well as important indications over future business models for commercial mobile TV services.

  • NOKIA announces ‘Star Cast’ for the NOKIA new year’s eve in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Nokia today announced an exciting line up of celebrity artists who will be performing at Nokia New Year’s Eve – a global music event to be held across 5 countries. As a part of the India celebrations, some of the leading Bollywood actors, music maestros & international artists will come together to perform in Mumbai’s Andheri Sports Complex on December 31, 2006. The artist line up for Nokia New Year’s Eve (NNYE) in Mumbai includes, “The Mozart of Madras”, AR Rahman, heart throb of Indian youth – Priyanka Chopra and dancing sensations of Bollywood, Koena Mitra and Shahid Kapoor.

    Nokia is also bringing the Grammy Award winner Nelly Furtado to India for the first time. Nelly will be performing songs from her latest album ‘Loose’. Canadian band Josh Desi, who remixed her single ‘Powerless’ will also be performing as part of the concert.

    The show in Mumbai that would begin with the performance of AR Rahman will culminate with artists performing to a live audience of over 8-10 thousand people and joining hands for the magic moment – Welcome 2007. The five events together are expected to have a combined attendance of 1.3 million and an anticipated global television and Internet audience of 150 million.

    Some of the other international artists performing in other NNYE destinations include Black Eyed Peas and Scissor Sisters.

    Commenting on bringing world class artists together for the NNYE in Mumbai, Mr. Devinder Kishore, Director Marketing, Nokia India, said, “Nokia New Year’s Eve is a natural extension of our brand promise of ‘Connecting People’. With this event Nokia aims to create an unforgettable experience by hosting the world’s biggest New Year party of 2006 stretching across five party capitals of the world – starting from Hong Kong, followed by Mumbai, to Berlin, Rio de Janeiro and rounding off in New York.”

    Sharing details of his performance, AR Rahman, added “Music has been my passion since childhood and I am extremely delighted to perform at the Nokia New Year’s Eve. I look forward to wishing my fans all across the world a great start 2007 by performing among such an exciting line up of Indian and International artists”

     

    Koena Mitra said “I am very excited to be a part of Nokia’s Global New Year Eve celebrations. I look forward to performing live and celebrating the Nokia New Year’s Eve with my fans.”

     

    Priyanka Chopra said “Music has no boundaries and it is the only bond that connects people instantly. This is the first time I am performing live on New Year’s Eve and it is truly going to be a magnificent experience. I am eager to connect with millions of my fans at this New Years Eve musical extravaganza.”

     

    Shahid Kapoor added, “This Nokia New Year’s Eve concert truly is an event of a global stature. I am very thrilled to be performing among such an exciting line up of Indian and International artists. It indeed is a very exciting way to welcome 2007 and celebrate the New Year with my fans.”

     

    The tickets for the Nokia Year Eve concert in Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai will be priced at Rs 2500, Rs. 1500, and Rs 1200. Tickets are available at all Nokia Priority dealers and Planet M outlets in Mumbai. For further information on Nokia Year’s Eve concert please contact the helpline no 022 -26421211.

    For more information on Nokia New Year Eve, please visit www.nokianewyearseve.com.

     

    About Nokia:

    Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations.

  • Nokia, Siemens to merge units to form Nokia Siemens Networks

    Nokia, Siemens to merge units to form Nokia Siemens Networks

    MUMBAI: Nokia Oyj and Siemens AG have announced that they intend to merge the Networks Business Group of Nokia and the carrier-related operations of Siemens into a new company, to be called Nokia Siemens Networks. The 50-50 joint venture will target strong positions in important growth segments of fixed and mobile network infrastructure and services. 

    Both Nokia and Siemens expect the impact of the partnership on their respective EPS, on a pro forma basis excluding the restructuring charges, to be accretive by the end of 2007, assuming a closing by 1 January. This is subject to customary regulatory approvals, the completion of standard closing conditions, and the agreement of a number of detailed implementation steps. After closing, the financial results of Nokia Siemens Networks will be consolidated by Nokia and accounted for at equity by Siemens.

    Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo will serve as chairman of Nokia Siemens Networks, while Nokia Networks EVP and GM Simon Beresford-Wylie will assume the position of chief executive officer immediately upon the closing of the merger.

    Nokia Siemens Networks will have its operational headquarters in the Helsinki, Finland metropolitan area, and have headquarters in Munich, Germany, where three of the future five divisions of the new company will be based.Nokia Siemens Networks’ portfolio will include Next Generation Network convergence products like IMS, 2G GSM/EDGE access, 3G WCDMA/HSDPA access, extensive mobile core, fixed broadband, transport, IPTV, LTE, WiMAX and low-cost mobile voice products tailored for emerging market operators. 

    “We believe the partnership with Siemens is the most effective way to build the scale and broad product portfolio necessary to compete globally and create value for shareholders,” says Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo. “The communications industry is converging, and a strong and independent Nokia Siemens Networks will be ideally positioned to help customers lower costs and grow revenue while managing the challenges of converging technology.” Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo will serve as chairman of Nokia Siemens Networks.

    “This joint venture is an important step to strengthen our position in the market sustainably and to enable us to offer the best state of the art converged technologies and services to our customers,” says Siemens CEO Klaus Kleinfeld. “This combination creates a leading industry player with immediate strength, excellent potential for growth and well-positioned to improve future profitability.”

    Based on the 2005 calendar year, the combined company had EUR 15.8 billion in pro forma annual revenues and is expected to start operations with 60,000 employees. Based on current market share data, it will be the second largest company in mobile infrastructure, second in services, third in fixed infrastructure, and the third largest in the overall telecommunications infrastructure market, adds the official release.

    The estimated cost synergies of EUR 1.5 billion annually by 2010 are expected to come primarily from the elimination of overlapping functions, consolidation and better utilization of sales and marketing organizations, reduction of overhead costs, sourcing benefits, and greater efficiencies in R&D.

    A substantial portion of these synergies is expected to be realized in the first two years, according to Nokia. These changes are expected to result in a headcount adjustment over the next four years in the range of ten to fifteen percent from the initial combined base of approximately 60,000. Detailed headcount reduction assessments will be made as part of the integration planning process and subject to required consultation with employee representatives, says the company release.

  • MediaCorp Radio launches Chinese FM station on Visual Radio

    MediaCorp Radio launches Chinese FM station on Visual Radio

    MUMBAI: MediaCorp Radio has announced the launch of Singapore’s hit music station Y.E.S. 93.3FM, which is the first Chinese language radio station to be made available on Visual Radio.

    This makes MediaCorp Radio the first broadcaster to launch the service in Chinese.

    Developed by Nokia and offered by Hewlett-Packard (HP), Visual Radio adds a new dimension to FM radio with interactive content and services for mobile radio listeners, increasing listener loyalty for radio station operators while providing an opportunity to increase data services usage for mobile operators., states an official release.

    In conjunction with the launch of Y.E.S. 93.3FM, HP has also integrated M1 as the second mobile operator in Singapore to offer the Visual Radio service to their customers.

    M1 will be offering the Visual Radio service to its customers with Nokia devices with the Visual Radio application. With Visual Radio, M1 customers can access appealing visuals, information and entertainment of what’s playing over the air, check upcoming concert dates, purchase ring tones and other mobile content of the artiste, participate in radio station promotions, polls, contests, and interact with radio DJs and special guests.

    HP first engaged MediaCorp Radio to bring Visual Radio to Singapore and in December 2005, 987FM became the first radio station in Singapore and Asia Pacific to launch the Visual Radio service, adds the official release.

    Y.E.S. 93.3FM is now the second MediaCorp radio station to offer the service. HP continues to improve the mobile content available on Visual Radio by partnering with major record labels such as Sony BMG, EMI, Universal Music and Rock Records, to provide Visual Radio users with the coolest, original mobile artist content to download as they listen to the artist’s songs over radio.

  • Qualcomm initiates patent infringement proceedings against Nokia in the UK

    Qualcomm initiates patent infringement proceedings against Nokia in the UK

    MUMBAI: Qualcomm Incorporated, a developer and innovator of CDMA2000, WCDMA and other advanced wireless technologies, today commenced patent infringement litigation in the UK against Nokia Corporation.

    The proceedings, issued in the Patents Court of the High Court of England and Wales, allege infringement of two patents by Nokia in the UK in relation to mobile devices which are capable of operating in accordance with the GPRS and/or Edge standards but not having a capability to operate with CDMA technology. The proceedings seek an injunction against Nokia, as well as damages in relation to phones already sold.

    This litigation is a geographic extension of the patent infringement litigation filed by Qualcomm against Nokia in the US on 4 November, 2005. Both cases involve infringement of Qualcomm’s patents by Nokia’s GSM/GPRS/Edge products.

    Qualcomm’s extensive patent portfolio includes more than 4,000 US patents and patent applications and more than 20,000 patents and applications around the globe.