ITV

Tag: Siemens

  • Now avail Dish TV on the go

    Now avail Dish TV on the go

    NEW DELHI: Commemorating completion of 10 years in the business, the country’s oldest DTH platform – Dish TV – today launched its services on laptops, tablets and smart phones, albeit available only to those customers who subscribe to the platform on television.

     

    Significantly, this is a first for any DTH player to have launched a full-fledged, OTT (Over the top) streaming application that provides unlimited entertainment ‘on the go’.
    The platform expects to add nearly 50,000 subscribers in the same period for its latest innovation

     

    Dish TV will make available the additional service in two packages: the Jumbo Pack for Rs 129 per month and the Starter Pack for Rs 49 every month. Initially though, these packs will be available for Rs 69 and Rs 29 per month, respectively. However, the platform will offer a free trial for the first two days.So what’s on offer? The packs come with 35 plus live channels, 1000 plus films in their video library, and the capacity to see repeats of TV series episodes within 24 hours. CEO RC Venkateish says he expects the number of live channels to increase further.

     

    How can the service be accessed? It’s available on Android and Apple app and works wonderfully on 3G or Wifi. Powered by Essel owned Zee’s Ditto TV aided by Siemens, the service will shortly be available on Windows 8. The application can be downloaded from the Google Playstore or Apple App Store.

     

    Speaking of Dish TV’s versatility as a platform, vice president (marketing) Anjali Malhotra says Dish TV was the first to launch HD TV channels (42 channels presently), Dish on wheels which made it possible to view channels in moving cars/trains/ships, recorders with unlimited capacity, value added services, and now Dish Online – Anywhere, Everywhere.

     

    Malhotra claims 50,000 recorders have been sold in just six months and the platform expects to add nearly 50,000 subscribers in the same period for its latest innovation, considering 35 per cent mobile consumers use smart phones. Malhotra says Essel is now a Rs 2,200 crore company while COO Salil Kapoor says Dish TV is Asia’s largest and the world’s third largest DTH platform.

     

    About the films component of the package, Kapoor explains Dish TV subscribers can register simply by sending their account details where expenses would be added to their main bill.

     

    Apart from print and other media, the service will be mainly marketed on Zee channels and through messages to all Dish TV subscribers through their mobile numbers.

     

    Fielding queries as to why Dish TV thought of such a service, Kapoor goes on to explain that India is the third largest Internet player in the world with 74 million subscribers; 75 per cent of whom are between 15 and 35 years of age. This demographic is expected to increase five-fold by 2015, of which three-fourth is expected to own mobiles. Currently, an estimated 60,025,000 Indians have watched videos on their personal computers or laptops.

  • Siemens India launches innovative integrated digital campaign

    Siemens India launches innovative integrated digital campaign

    MUMBAI: Siemens India has launched an innovative digital media campaign that uses a creative story telling technique to deliver the message to end customers. The latest digital media campaign is an extension of the Answers campaign followed globally by Siemens, which is aimed at establishing Siemens as a sustainable technology leader delivering a transformational benefit toward customers.

    Thought Process was the production house while Ogilvy was involved in the conceptualisation. The digital agency managing the campaign is Quasar (part of the WPP group), while the digital assets were created by Conrad-Caine, Munich. The social media agency involved in the campaign is LBI (part of Publicis).

    The campaign will run for a durationof six months.

    “We have made the end-user the protagonist as well as the narrator of the story. We have kicked off the story series with the dabbawalas who use the Mumbai local trains to deliver lunch to over 200,000 office-goers and residences on time. We have brought the element of story-telling right into our creative approach,” says Siemens India head of digital media Sudhir M D.

    In the integrated digital marketing campaign, where social media is complemented by a QR code initiative, on-ground and off-line promotions, a dabbawala named Kiran Gavande narrates his story, establishing how he goes about his life. The online banners direct the website visitors to the video on YouTube brand channel of      Siemens, which then directs the visitor to the Siemens web site with details on the actual Siemens technology that has contributed to the dabbawala’s life.

    The ‘Answers’ program is designed to demonstrate the lasting impact of Siemens technologies to improve lives, improve cities and improve businesses for the better. This is achieved through a creative strategy designed to simply reveal the truth about Siemens, and reveal the brand’s greatness. In an age of increasing transparency, enabled by digital and social media, telling the truth is the strongest statement a brand can make, especially since target audiences can now very quickly discover what is a truth.

    Siemens stories generally start with a human issue, which then leads to a global problem. In every case a Siemens Answer resolves the issue, and ultimately changes peoples’ lives significantly for the better, or avoids a problem that would have changed their lives significantly for the worse.

  • ZenithOptimedia to manage Siemens’ media account in India

    MUMBAI: ZenithOptimedia has won the mandate to handle Siemens‘ media account for India.

    The account size is pegged at Rs 150 to 200 million. The account will be handled by the agency‘s Mumbai office.

    Siemens had called for a multi-agency pitch before deciding on whom to give for managing its media duties.

    RK Swamy Media, the incumbent agency, will, however, continue to handle Siemens Infosystems.

    Recently, ZenithOptimedia retained the Nestle India business and won the strategy mandate for FMCG major Reckitt Benckiser India.

  • BBC demonstrates new Web 2.0 prototype possibilities of radio

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC’s Jason DaPonte who is the executive producer of bbc.co.uk demonstrated at the MIX07 conference in Las Vegas a prototype technology showing how the BBC Radio 1 website – bbc.co.uk/radio1 – could evolve by using Web 2.0 technologies.

    The prototype shows how Radio 1 audiences could create, personalise and share their music playlists and related content via an easy-to-use service in the future.

    DaPonte says, “The exciting prototype illustrates how we could enable audiences to enhance their online identity by receiving and creating content packages or ‘badges’. These could include music video, pictures and exclusive BBC interviews from their favourite bands or music events.

    “Users could then share them directly with their friends and online communities as well as linking with other picture or social networking-based services. It would allow users to watch streamed media together during a conversation in instant messenger.

    “As the user’s online footprint expands, Radio 1 would be able to recognise their tastes and offer them even more of what they like. Prototypes such as this illustrate the BBC’s commitment to providing online services that are more open, personal and participatory than ever before, using the latest technologies to engage younger audiences.”

    The project was developed using Microsoft Silverlight software and the new Windows Live Messenger application in conjunction with Siemens, AKQA and Ioko.

    The prototype is part of the BBC’s move to work with a greater mix of external production companies and strategic partners to be at the forefront of web innovation.

    bbc.co.uk claims to have achieved a record 30.7 million weekly unique users last month (April 2007) and for the first time moved up to third place on the Nielsen panel of the top UK websites

  • Siemens to showcase potential of IPTV, mobile TV at Berlin trade show

    Siemens to showcase potential of IPTV, mobile TV at Berlin trade show

    MUMBAI: When the international consumer electronics trade show IFA opens its doors in Berlin on 1 September, 2006, visitors will experience the look and feel of the new world of television at the Siemens Communications booth.

    Siemens says that with its mobile TV service via DVB-H, customers of communications companies can be more than just passive viewers of TV programs on their mobile phones. The company says that with services such as music voting, it is easy to let consumers have a say in shaping what they watch. IPTV in HDTV will mean a new era of home media use.

    The living room media center is supplied with programming from the Internet via DSL and has an intuitive user interface. At IFA Siemens will be using the example of the Dutch carrier KPN to show how an IPTV interface works.

    Traditional television Siemens says is entering a new era. Mobile TV and IPTV offer network operators a way to compensate for the drop in revenue stemming from falling prices for voice connections in wireless and fixed networks and to win customers with new media offerings. At IFA 2006 Siemens Communications will show how the new offerings can be structured and how the technology behind them works.

    Mobile TV via the DVB-H standard enables mobile operators to offer services. They include interactive television programs that let viewers participate in votes and surveys, access to information in the Internet at a click of the mouse, interactive games for several players and real-time traffic reports that integrate navigation systems are just a few examples.

    While the market for Mobile TV is still in its infancy, market researchers at Informa believe that by 2011 some 210 million people around the world will be using their portable devices as interactive TV sets and that around ten percent of all mobile handsets will have a TV receiver integrated in them.

    At IFA, Siemens will show that its own mobile TV solution already runs on a wide range of common mobile phones (e.g. BenQ-Siemens, LG, Samsung), on PDAs with special SDIO cards and on state-of-the-art UMPCs from Samsung with Intel technology – perfectly and in high quality. Siemens will be showing programs from various broadcasters in Berlin, including RTL Television, nt-v and Super RTL.

    Stefan Schneiders who is an expert for Mobile TV at Siemens says, “One thing is sure – carriers are very interested in tapping new revenue streams and winning their customers for trendy services that offer added value. Initial results from field trials, for example in Spain, show that Mobile TV has what it takes to fulfill the expectations of carriers and their customers.”
    Siemens will be showcasing the IPTV offering of its Dutch customer KPN at IFA 2006. KPN customers in the Netherlands who have a DSL connection can receive TV from their phone socket and use numerous additional services such as a personal video recorder or TV of Yesterday. In Berlin, visitors will be able to try out KPN’s user interface, as well as getting an impression of how intuitive and simple the user guidance is from other examples, and discover that PC expertise is by no means a must.

    They can also see what TV via DSL in high-definition quality using the compression standard H.264 looks like. Siemens says that it is committed to open standards for IPTV via HDTV. That also goes for the set-top boxes that are required for receiving IPTV and of which a selection will be shown in Berlin.

  • Siemens hosts ‘Open the door to 3G’ targeting Indian telecom market

    Siemens hosts ‘Open the door to 3G’ targeting Indian telecom market

    MUMBAI: Siemens Communications has organized a workshop in India titled ‘Open the door to 3G’ to share the latest trends in the communications industry. The workshop showcased 3G product offerings for network providers, presenting a view on the introduction of 3G in India.

    In addition to a demonstration of the technology range of 3G network solutions, the workshop also provided an insight into innovations in delivering effective, controlled and secure communications infrastructure over next generation mobile networks beyond 3G, informs an official release.

    Live demonstration of network solutions like HSxPA, Remote Radio Heads, DVB-H, Mobile TV via streaming, SIP-Applications were conducted during the workshop. These advanced network solutions enable carriers to provide and subscribers with a whole package of telecommunications applications.

    Siemens Public Communications Networks Ltd MD Michael Kuehner said, “Innovation and continuous buildup of strength in technology are growth drivers in any emerging market. India today is one of the fastest growing telecom markets in the world and the opportunities are endless here. The spurt in spending power in the hands of consumers is further fueling demand for advanced technology. Siemens recognizes the challenges of the Indian telecom industry and offers best-suited products, services and cost-effective solutions. With the introduction of advanced network solutions in India, Siemens will support operators to usher in spectrum efficient, feature-rich seamless roaming, broad bandwidth and high-speed communication.”

    “The Indian market is at an exciting stage as it is poised for the rollout of 3G. We are providing technology, which enables smooth transition from 2G to 3G providing carriers the flexibility of adapting networks to meet increased voice and data traffic. With advanced technologies, there will be a lot of demand for strong network indoors as video applications would mostly be accessed indoors. Our Mobile Base Stations offer the best indoor connectivity as they can be placed at strategic locations and can be quite small in size,’ said Utran Product Line Strategy head and director Dr. Dina Bartels.

    Siemens Communications claims to be setting benchmarks in quality and delivery thus targeting key growth areas, which include upcoming opportunities in semi-urban and rural markets, providing cutting-edge technology in urban markets and adding additional capabilities to existing infrastructure by continuously innovating its offerings for the Indian market. The company is focusing on enabling customer satisfaction for fast moving and emerging telecom markets like India, adds the release.
     

  • 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.

  • Mainland China, Taiwan’s exports of broadband products up 55% in 2006

    Mainland China, Taiwan’s exports of broadband products up 55% in 2006

    MUMBAI: Mainland China and Taiwan are expected to export over 54 million broadband communication products in 2006 worth over $2 billion — up 55 per cent year-on-year according to Global Sources’ China Sourcing Report: Broadband Communication.

    Mainland China is expected to ship 22.3 million units in 2006, while Taiwan is projected to export 31.8 million units. Report publisher Mark Saunderson said, “Broadband device manufacturing in mainland China and Taiwan relies heavily on exports. In 2006, sales of broadband products are expected to reach about $2.4 billion, with exports accounting for at least 85 per cent, or more than $2 billion.”

    Despite growing demand, manufacturers say export prices will fall in 2006.

    Among Taiwan makers, 64 per cent expect prices to fall between 10 and 20 per cent. Among mainland China makers, 84 per cent said prices will remain stable or drop by up to five per cent in the months ahead.

    The survey also shows:

    Taipei and Hsinchu are the main manufacturing hubs in Taiwan
    Shenzhen and Dongguan are the key production centers in mainland China

    Taiwan makers are developing voice and multimedia over DSL/cable products, while Mainland suppliers are focusing on faster speed and extended transmission distances

    Makers serve brands and customers worldwide including Dell, Fujitsu, Italy Telecom, LG, Linksys, Lucent, Siemens and Thomson

    China Sourcing Report: Broadband Communication examines manufacturing, technology and pricing trends for cable and digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, gateways, routers, optical networking equipment and related products. It profiles 27 leading suppliers in mainland China and Taiwan, with specifications for 72 best-selling export products.

  • Siemens expands Music2You platform to enable music video downloads

    Siemens expands Music2You platform to enable music video downloads

    MUMBAI: AOL Germany subscribers will soon be able to download music videos, thanks to the “Music2You” (M2Y) service from Siemens. M2Y is an innovative service for the provision of free content such as music and is already used by many Internet and telecommunications providers.

    AOL Germany has been using the M2Y platform, which is managed and hosted by Siemens, since 2004 and now offers 850,000 downloadable songs with this service. In this time, the Internet provider has established itself as one of the three leading music portals in the German market.

    This cooperation has now been extended with the addition of a download service for music videos. Partners who are providing AOL with content for the launch are Warner Music, EMI and SonyBMG.

    The music videos are offered by M2Y in Microsoft’s WMV format and are characterized by high bit rates and high-quality resolution.

    “We are expanding our download offering so as to address our customers’ needs even better. Video downloads are an ideal complement to our music video offering. We will deliver a premium quality product that meets the needs of home entertainment users rather than limiting usage exclusively to portable players”, said Director Entertainment & eCommerce at AOL Germany Boris Rogosch, describing the launch of the new download service for music videos.

    “This new deal with AOL highlights the many and varied possibilities in the growing managed applications market”, explained Senior Vice President for Value Added Services at Siemens Communications Carrier Services Christian Hopf.

    “Having begun by offering music to our carrier and Internet provider clients, we are now intensifying our efforts in diversifying our content portfolio with music video downloads, streaming delivery, ringback tones and ringtones via fixed and mobile networks,” added Hopf.