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Tag: SMS

  • Truecaller Launches Chat Feature Within Its App

    Truecaller Launches Chat Feature Within Its App

    New Delhi, October 3rd, 2018: Truecaller today announced the launch of its instant messaging (IM) platform ‘Truecaller Chat’. With the aim to make communication safer and to prevent fake news from circulating, the IM platform will allow users to report links, ensuring that fake news is not circulated unchecked by users.

    With social media’s rapid adoption across the country, fake news in India has been on the rise. Truecaller has helped erode spam calls faced by users through Caller ID and also strengthened SMS inboxes by filtering unwanted messages. As a step to curb the spread of erroneous information, Truecaller, with the help from its community, has launched this service as a shield against viral messages sent on its instant messaging platform. Users will be able to mark website links as spam if they suspect it to have incorrect information, which will then help chatters make a more informed decision about what information is false. With time, Truecaller also plans to apply machine learning and use the aggregated spam reports to predict any upcoming viral trends.

    Additionally, ‘Truecaller Chat’ is bundled with interesting features such as, auto-switch between SMS and Chat, which will help users keep conversations in one place. Other features include full media support and more, that will provide its users a polished and enjoyable experience.
    Commenting on the launch, Rishit Jhunjhunwala, VP Product at Truecaller, said, “As a one-stop communication platform, our IM service will help our users connect and also collaborate to combat the issue of spam. We’re confident that this foundation stone will help build a strong spam-free community.”

    India has been facing a major law and order problems caused by fake stories especially when they have led to mob lynching and mass hysteria. The Honorable Supreme Court has strongly expressed its stance and has directed social media platforms to take appropriate measures to suppress fake news. By providing a messaging service with capabilities to tackle fake links, Truecaller is taking a big step towards curbing the problems caused by spam and false information going viral.

  • Jio members now get 3 months services in Rs 399

    MUMBAI: Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. (Jio) announced today that Jio Prime Members can enjoy unlimited services for three months with Rs. 399 Plan. The earlier launched Rs 309 plan will provide two months of unlimited Jio services.

    The new set of plan benefits will be available from 11 July and will be applicable for all new as well as existing subscribers. As part of these unlimited benefit, customers can enjoy 1GB Data per day at 4G speed followed by unlimited at 128 kbps, unlimited local, STD and national roaming voice calls and unlimited national SMS. Over and above the Prime exclusive plans, Jio is introducing new Every Day More Value (EDMV) plans. These plans provide 20% more value than competitors’ best plans. It’s Jio’s solemn promise to always offer better value for the best price.

    Earlier this year, in the month of March, Jio introduced Jio Prime membership programme. Millions of customers enrolled into this membership. These founding members of Jio will also be special and they will continue to get industry-leading tariffs. With the introduction of EDMV plans, Jio customers no longer have to worry if they are getting the best value with Jio.

  • DAS P-III deadline crossed: No court stay, only three cases pending

    DAS P-III deadline crossed: No court stay, only three cases pending

    NEW DELHI: Only 32 per cent seeding of set-top boxes had taken place in Phase IV areas of cable digitisation and ‘is not very encouraging.” However, adviser (DAS, MIB) Yogendra Pal said that digitisation had been completed in nearly 100 per cent areas for which the extended deadline was 31 January 2017.

    Speaking at the 20th DAS Task Force meeting on 18 January 2017, he said the actual seeding data would be much more, may be up to 50 per cent, as some MSOs have not been filling seeding data in spite of repeated requests and some MSOs are not filling full data.

    Information and broadcasting ministry additional secretary Jayashree Mukherjee who chaired the meeting said she had visited a big MSO in Hyderabad who had stated that he had seeded 1.7 million STBs whereas the Ministry’s website shows that he had seeded only 100,000 STBs. In this regard it was decided to write to all Nodal Officers as well as State Governments for these discrepancies. The concerned Associations were requested to ensure their members faithfully enter the correct details to avoid any discrepancies.

    Regarding the Court cases, Pal said only three Phase III cases were pending and all other cases had been disposed of by Delhi High Court and there is no stay. He said the cut-off date for Phase IV has been extended to 31 March.2017.

    Mukherjee said there are no roadblocks now and enough quantity of STBs are available. She said that the seeding should also accelerate.

    In view of the analogue signals being switched off in Phase III areas for 31 January 2017 it was deciding that broadcasters will ensure that they have provided separate IRDs for Phase III and Phase IV areas; broadcasters will ensure that they do not have any analogue agreements with any MSO for Phase III areas. In case they are having any existing analogue agreements with any MSO for Phase III area, they will inform the concerned MSO that the existing agreement is not valid after 31 January 2017. Broadcasters would also carry out monitoring at the ground level to ensure that no MSO, with whom they have Interconnection Agreement, is supplying analog signal in Phase III area

    The representative of CEAMA stated that demonetization and reduction of import duty to zero from ASEAN countries is affecting the requirement of indigenous STBs from the service providers. He added that they are still in the planning mode of raising the demand of STBs from indigenous manufacturers.

    He hoped that some medium and small sized players would place orders after 31 January 2017 when Phase III Digitisation is over. The Ministry’s Joint Secretary (B-I) mentioned that a huge demand is expected due to the large number of households remaining to be covered in phase IV.

    The representatives from the State Governments outlined their readiness and action being taken by them with regard to successful implement of Digitization. They said they are holding meetings with stakeholders. The Representative from Odisha mentioned that the Principal Secretary had a meeting on 25 November 2016 and reviewed the progress of Digitisation. They have prepared district wise data for the registered MSOs, unregistered MSOs, MSOs who are seeding data and those who are not seeding. Chairperson appreciated the efforts being made by the Odisha Government and desired that similar steps may be taken by other States. She directed that measures taken by Odisha Governmentmay be shared with all the States. Nodal Officer from Odisha was asked to send a note on the steps being taken by them for circulation to all the States.

    Subhashish Mazumdar of In-Cable Net stated that progress in Phase IV areas can be better if infrastructure sharing is allowed. He said there is an issue of connectivity in remote areas such as Assam. However, he was of the opinion that since there are clear cut direction for implementation of Phase III, therefore, the progress of STBs installation will gear up in Phase IV areas.

    Anil Malhotra from SITI Cable said there are some connectivity problems in far flung areas of Phase IV. He requested that infrastructure sharing may be permitted and added that TRAI is already having consultation in this regard. He requested that they are required to carry all channels on Fibre Network in remote areas. Thus the cost of carries of channels is very high.
    He suggested that MSOs should be allowed to take 80 channels from the DD FreeDish. The chairperson has asked them to send a proposal to the Ministry for consideration.

    Malhotra also raised the issue of Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited which has been providing Cable TV services on the Optical Fibre Network Infrastructure. He mentioned that State Governments has issued directions for removal of Cables by the cable operators from all the electricity poles. He added that all MSOs are afraid of the same and that they may not be able to provide cable services.

    Ajay from Hathway stated that though there are some problems in Andhra Pradesh, they are seeding the boxes in Phase IV areas and will be able to accelerate the seeding in the month of February and March 2017. He added that they are monitoring the process on weekly basis.

    Shaji Mathew from GTPL said the situation in Gujarat is very good and now they are seeding in Phase IV area but the position in other States is not so good though they are making efforts. He complained that some of the broadcasters, especially STAR, are still providing analogue IRDs and no separate IRDs have been provided for Phase III and Phase IV areas to the MSOs. Broadcasters should be asked to give profession IRDs for carrying of digital signals for Phase III as well as Phase IV areas. He also stressed the need of infrastructure sharing pointing out that TRAI should make an early recommendation on it. He mentioned that according to the terms and conditions mentioned in the Ministry’s MSO registration letter no infrastructure sharing is possible since a separate own headend is required by the MSOs. The chairperson asked the MSOs that a request with regard to sharing of infrastructure may come to the Ministry in writing.

    The MSOs asked that it should be possible to share SMS. The Ministry’s representative pointed out that Entertainment Tax Department of UP Government had complained that MSOs do not provide them the data from the SMS.

    Vaibhav representing Den pointed out that a representative of UP Government wanted User ID and Password and not the SMS output which cannot be provided.

    A Sony India representative said they have already issued directions to switching off analog signals in Phase III areas from 1 February 2017. He asked how the signals to Arasu Cable for Phase III areas could be stopped since they have been providing analogue signals in Tamil Nadu. In this regard, Pal said according to the Madras High Court directions, analog signals of Arasu Cable cannot be disturbed till Ministry decide on their MSO registration applications.

    Some of the representatives raised the issues of a Hong Kong based company, called ABS technologies, whose teleport is outside India, is able to provide DTH services. The boxes of this company are freely available in the market. It is showing free to air channels of broadcasters. BARC has captured this data. The chairperson has sought examining of this issue.

    One MSO pointed out about a letter from District Administration in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, which has directed the local MSOs not to stop analog. The chairperson asked the Ministry to get details in this regard.

    MSOs felt that in at least 20 per cent  of rural and remote/hilly areas cable TV digitization may not be financially and technically viable even though analogue may be working there. These remote areas are best served by DTH. It was learnt that some DTH operators have packages only for FTA channels but they actually do not offer the same to the public. Th chairperson directed that DTH operators should examine the issue and come out with cost effective packages especially for remote and inaccessible areas where it is not possible for MSOs to provide digital cable services.

    Also Read:

    No DAS III extension beyond 31 Jan, reiterates MIB

    MSO registrations remain slow even as DAS deadlines approach

    Is DAS III optional in AP, Telangana? HC seeks Govt answer by 31 Jan

  • DAS P-III deadline crossed: No court stay, only three cases pending

    DAS P-III deadline crossed: No court stay, only three cases pending

    NEW DELHI: Only 32 per cent seeding of set-top boxes had taken place in Phase IV areas of cable digitisation and ‘is not very encouraging.” However, adviser (DAS, MIB) Yogendra Pal said that digitisation had been completed in nearly 100 per cent areas for which the extended deadline was 31 January 2017.

    Speaking at the 20th DAS Task Force meeting on 18 January 2017, he said the actual seeding data would be much more, may be up to 50 per cent, as some MSOs have not been filling seeding data in spite of repeated requests and some MSOs are not filling full data.

    Information and broadcasting ministry additional secretary Jayashree Mukherjee who chaired the meeting said she had visited a big MSO in Hyderabad who had stated that he had seeded 1.7 million STBs whereas the Ministry’s website shows that he had seeded only 100,000 STBs. In this regard it was decided to write to all Nodal Officers as well as State Governments for these discrepancies. The concerned Associations were requested to ensure their members faithfully enter the correct details to avoid any discrepancies.

    Regarding the Court cases, Pal said only three Phase III cases were pending and all other cases had been disposed of by Delhi High Court and there is no stay. He said the cut-off date for Phase IV has been extended to 31 March.2017.

    Mukherjee said there are no roadblocks now and enough quantity of STBs are available. She said that the seeding should also accelerate.

    In view of the analogue signals being switched off in Phase III areas for 31 January 2017 it was deciding that broadcasters will ensure that they have provided separate IRDs for Phase III and Phase IV areas; broadcasters will ensure that they do not have any analogue agreements with any MSO for Phase III areas. In case they are having any existing analogue agreements with any MSO for Phase III area, they will inform the concerned MSO that the existing agreement is not valid after 31 January 2017. Broadcasters would also carry out monitoring at the ground level to ensure that no MSO, with whom they have Interconnection Agreement, is supplying analog signal in Phase III area

    The representative of CEAMA stated that demonetization and reduction of import duty to zero from ASEAN countries is affecting the requirement of indigenous STBs from the service providers. He added that they are still in the planning mode of raising the demand of STBs from indigenous manufacturers.

    He hoped that some medium and small sized players would place orders after 31 January 2017 when Phase III Digitisation is over. The Ministry’s Joint Secretary (B-I) mentioned that a huge demand is expected due to the large number of households remaining to be covered in phase IV.

    The representatives from the State Governments outlined their readiness and action being taken by them with regard to successful implement of Digitization. They said they are holding meetings with stakeholders. The Representative from Odisha mentioned that the Principal Secretary had a meeting on 25 November 2016 and reviewed the progress of Digitisation. They have prepared district wise data for the registered MSOs, unregistered MSOs, MSOs who are seeding data and those who are not seeding. Chairperson appreciated the efforts being made by the Odisha Government and desired that similar steps may be taken by other States. She directed that measures taken by Odisha Governmentmay be shared with all the States. Nodal Officer from Odisha was asked to send a note on the steps being taken by them for circulation to all the States.

    Subhashish Mazumdar of In-Cable Net stated that progress in Phase IV areas can be better if infrastructure sharing is allowed. He said there is an issue of connectivity in remote areas such as Assam. However, he was of the opinion that since there are clear cut direction for implementation of Phase III, therefore, the progress of STBs installation will gear up in Phase IV areas.

    Anil Malhotra from SITI Cable said there are some connectivity problems in far flung areas of Phase IV. He requested that infrastructure sharing may be permitted and added that TRAI is already having consultation in this regard. He requested that they are required to carry all channels on Fibre Network in remote areas. Thus the cost of carries of channels is very high.
    He suggested that MSOs should be allowed to take 80 channels from the DD FreeDish. The chairperson has asked them to send a proposal to the Ministry for consideration.

    Malhotra also raised the issue of Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited which has been providing Cable TV services on the Optical Fibre Network Infrastructure. He mentioned that State Governments has issued directions for removal of Cables by the cable operators from all the electricity poles. He added that all MSOs are afraid of the same and that they may not be able to provide cable services.

    Ajay from Hathway stated that though there are some problems in Andhra Pradesh, they are seeding the boxes in Phase IV areas and will be able to accelerate the seeding in the month of February and March 2017. He added that they are monitoring the process on weekly basis.

    Shaji Mathew from GTPL said the situation in Gujarat is very good and now they are seeding in Phase IV area but the position in other States is not so good though they are making efforts. He complained that some of the broadcasters, especially STAR, are still providing analogue IRDs and no separate IRDs have been provided for Phase III and Phase IV areas to the MSOs. Broadcasters should be asked to give profession IRDs for carrying of digital signals for Phase III as well as Phase IV areas. He also stressed the need of infrastructure sharing pointing out that TRAI should make an early recommendation on it. He mentioned that according to the terms and conditions mentioned in the Ministry’s MSO registration letter no infrastructure sharing is possible since a separate own headend is required by the MSOs. The chairperson asked the MSOs that a request with regard to sharing of infrastructure may come to the Ministry in writing.

    The MSOs asked that it should be possible to share SMS. The Ministry’s representative pointed out that Entertainment Tax Department of UP Government had complained that MSOs do not provide them the data from the SMS.

    Vaibhav representing Den pointed out that a representative of UP Government wanted User ID and Password and not the SMS output which cannot be provided.

    A Sony India representative said they have already issued directions to switching off analog signals in Phase III areas from 1 February 2017. He asked how the signals to Arasu Cable for Phase III areas could be stopped since they have been providing analogue signals in Tamil Nadu. In this regard, Pal said according to the Madras High Court directions, analog signals of Arasu Cable cannot be disturbed till Ministry decide on their MSO registration applications.

    Some of the representatives raised the issues of a Hong Kong based company, called ABS technologies, whose teleport is outside India, is able to provide DTH services. The boxes of this company are freely available in the market. It is showing free to air channels of broadcasters. BARC has captured this data. The chairperson has sought examining of this issue.

    One MSO pointed out about a letter from District Administration in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, which has directed the local MSOs not to stop analog. The chairperson asked the Ministry to get details in this regard.

    MSOs felt that in at least 20 per cent  of rural and remote/hilly areas cable TV digitization may not be financially and technically viable even though analogue may be working there. These remote areas are best served by DTH. It was learnt that some DTH operators have packages only for FTA channels but they actually do not offer the same to the public. Th chairperson directed that DTH operators should examine the issue and come out with cost effective packages especially for remote and inaccessible areas where it is not possible for MSOs to provide digital cable services.

    Also Read:

    No DAS III extension beyond 31 Jan, reiterates MIB

    MSO registrations remain slow even as DAS deadlines approach

    Is DAS III optional in AP, Telangana? HC seeks Govt answer by 31 Jan

  • TRAI attempts greater transparency via auditor empanelment

    TRAI attempts greater transparency via auditor empanelment

    NEW DELHI: While it remains to be seen if the provisions of the Interconnect draft will have a salutary effect on the cases pending before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal but the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India appears to have learnt some lessons, at least as far as subscription and audit of systems go.

    There are clear provisions that every distributor of TV channels will provide to the broadcaster complete and accurate subscription report for channels or bouquets of channels of such broadcaster within fifteen days from the end of each calendar month in the specified format.

    It has been made clear that the broadcaster will disconnect the signals of television channels after giving three weeks’ prior written notice to the distributor if the distributor fails to provide the subscription reports under this regulation for immediately preceding three consecutive months.

    On the basis of subscription report, the broadcaster will issue monthly invoice to the distributor for pay channels or bouquets of pay channels and such invoice will clearly specify the current payment dues and arrears, if any, along with the due date for payment.

    The broadcaster will allow a time period of at least 15 days to the distributor for making payment from the date of receipt of invoice by the distributor.

    The broadcaster will have no claim on any arrears amount which has not been specified by him in the immediate next three consecutive invoices issued after the due date for the invoice to which arrears pertain.

    In case the distributor fails to provide the subscription report within the period of 15 days from the end of the month, the broadcaster will have the right to raise a provisional invoice for an amount increased by ten per cent of the licence fee payable by the distributor for the immediate preceding month, and the distributor will be under obligation to make the payment on the basis of such provisional invoice.

    It will be mandatory for the distributor to carry out reconciliation, between the provisional invoice and the final invoice raised by the broadcaster on the basis of the subscription report sent by the distributor, within three months from the date of issue of such provisional invoice.

    Similar provisions have been provided for every distributor to issue monthly invoice to the broadcasters with whom the written interconnection agreements have been entered into for carrying channels for payment of the carriage fee amount payable by such broadcaster along with the subscriber base in the target market and the subscription report for the channels of the broadcaster carried by the distributor of television channels in the format specified and such invoices will clearly specify the current payment dues and arrears, if any, along with the due date for payment.

    Every distributor of television channels will carry out an audit of its subscriber management system, conditional access system and other related systems by an auditor to verify that the subscription reports made available by the distributor to the broadcasters are complete, true and correct once in a calendar year, and issue a audit report to this effect for the each concerned broadcaster.

    TRAI itself may empanel auditors for this purpose and the distributors will have to compulsorily get the SMS audited by these. Any variation due to audit resulting in less than zero point five per cent of the billed amount will not require any revision of the invoices already issued and paid.

    However, if a broadcaster is not satisfied for any reason, it may get an audit carried out not more than once in a calendar year.

    If such audit reveals that additional amounts are payable to the broadcaster, the distributor will pay such amounts along with the late payment interest rate specified by the broadcaster in the interconnection agreement within 10 days and if such amount including interest due for any period exceed the amounts reported by the distributor to be due for such period by two per cent or more, the distributor shall pay all of the broadcaster’s costs incurred in the conduct of such audit, and take any necessary actions to avoid such errors in the future.

    Every distributor will offer necessary assistance to auditors so that audits can be completed in a time-bound manner.

  • TRAI attempts greater transparency via auditor empanelment

    TRAI attempts greater transparency via auditor empanelment

    NEW DELHI: While it remains to be seen if the provisions of the Interconnect draft will have a salutary effect on the cases pending before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal but the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India appears to have learnt some lessons, at least as far as subscription and audit of systems go.

    There are clear provisions that every distributor of TV channels will provide to the broadcaster complete and accurate subscription report for channels or bouquets of channels of such broadcaster within fifteen days from the end of each calendar month in the specified format.

    It has been made clear that the broadcaster will disconnect the signals of television channels after giving three weeks’ prior written notice to the distributor if the distributor fails to provide the subscription reports under this regulation for immediately preceding three consecutive months.

    On the basis of subscription report, the broadcaster will issue monthly invoice to the distributor for pay channels or bouquets of pay channels and such invoice will clearly specify the current payment dues and arrears, if any, along with the due date for payment.

    The broadcaster will allow a time period of at least 15 days to the distributor for making payment from the date of receipt of invoice by the distributor.

    The broadcaster will have no claim on any arrears amount which has not been specified by him in the immediate next three consecutive invoices issued after the due date for the invoice to which arrears pertain.

    In case the distributor fails to provide the subscription report within the period of 15 days from the end of the month, the broadcaster will have the right to raise a provisional invoice for an amount increased by ten per cent of the licence fee payable by the distributor for the immediate preceding month, and the distributor will be under obligation to make the payment on the basis of such provisional invoice.

    It will be mandatory for the distributor to carry out reconciliation, between the provisional invoice and the final invoice raised by the broadcaster on the basis of the subscription report sent by the distributor, within three months from the date of issue of such provisional invoice.

    Similar provisions have been provided for every distributor to issue monthly invoice to the broadcasters with whom the written interconnection agreements have been entered into for carrying channels for payment of the carriage fee amount payable by such broadcaster along with the subscriber base in the target market and the subscription report for the channels of the broadcaster carried by the distributor of television channels in the format specified and such invoices will clearly specify the current payment dues and arrears, if any, along with the due date for payment.

    Every distributor of television channels will carry out an audit of its subscriber management system, conditional access system and other related systems by an auditor to verify that the subscription reports made available by the distributor to the broadcasters are complete, true and correct once in a calendar year, and issue a audit report to this effect for the each concerned broadcaster.

    TRAI itself may empanel auditors for this purpose and the distributors will have to compulsorily get the SMS audited by these. Any variation due to audit resulting in less than zero point five per cent of the billed amount will not require any revision of the invoices already issued and paid.

    However, if a broadcaster is not satisfied for any reason, it may get an audit carried out not more than once in a calendar year.

    If such audit reveals that additional amounts are payable to the broadcaster, the distributor will pay such amounts along with the late payment interest rate specified by the broadcaster in the interconnection agreement within 10 days and if such amount including interest due for any period exceed the amounts reported by the distributor to be due for such period by two per cent or more, the distributor shall pay all of the broadcaster’s costs incurred in the conduct of such audit, and take any necessary actions to avoid such errors in the future.

    Every distributor will offer necessary assistance to auditors so that audits can be completed in a time-bound manner.

  • Gupshup announces launch of bot builder platform gupshup.io in India

    Gupshup announces launch of bot builder platform gupshup.io in India

    MUMBAI: Gupshup, the world’s leading messaging platform trusted by developers in more than 30,000 businesses, has announced the launch of its new bot builder platform, gupshup.io, poised to lead a new wave of bot revolution in India. The Gupshup.io platform consists of omni-channel messaging APIs and bot builder tools. The omni-channel APIs enable connectivity to almost every messaging channel including SMS, Facebook Messenger, Slack, Telegram, Teamchat etc, with more to be added soon. The bot builder tools support the entire bot lifecycle including development, testing, deployment, hosting, publishing, monitoring, tracking, search and discovery of bots.

    With messaging apps recently opening up APIs for businesses to build bots, we’re now on the verge of a once-in-a-decade paradigm shift in the tech industry. After desktop and clients in the mid-80s, browsers and websites in the mid-90s, and mobile OS and apps in the mid-00s, messaging platforms and bots are emerging as the next wave of tech revolution. Virtually everything that we do today on websites or apps will soon be done through bots. Bots will enable shopping, ordering food, banking, trading and most other activities through your favourite messaging app.

    “Bots are the new apps. Bots will transform virtually every aspect of our lives, making it simpler and easier to engage with businesses and brands just by chatting with them”, said Gupshup founder and CEO Beerud Sheth. He further added, “Every business and brand will have to develop a bot strategy quickly. Gupshup.io offers the most advanced tools globally for developers preparing to meet the explosive demand for messaging bots and services.”

    Gupshup used its extensive experience with the bot building process to automate common tasks performed by every bot developer. The Gupshup platform enables a developer to build, test and deploy a bot across multiple channels in minutes. The bot is automatically hosted with a one-click deploy process.  Post-launch monitoring and tracking of bots has also been automated. An omni-channel bot store enables the search and discovery of bots, helping developers to promote their bots. Instead of using a patchwork of tools, the Gupshup platform offers an end-to-end integrated platform for developers that frees them up to focus on their specific workflows.

    Gupshup continues to operate its smart-messaging app Teamchat, which pioneered the concept of smart messages i.e. structured fields within chat messages. Teamchat was the earliest and most bot-friendly messaging app, currently being used by over 2,000 businesses, including companies like HDFC, ICICI, Biostadt, Meru Cabs, PNB Metlife and others. Bots built on Teamchat continue to support enterprise use-cases such as CRM, HR and ERP.

  • Gupshup announces launch of bot builder platform gupshup.io in India

    Gupshup announces launch of bot builder platform gupshup.io in India

    MUMBAI: Gupshup, the world’s leading messaging platform trusted by developers in more than 30,000 businesses, has announced the launch of its new bot builder platform, gupshup.io, poised to lead a new wave of bot revolution in India. The Gupshup.io platform consists of omni-channel messaging APIs and bot builder tools. The omni-channel APIs enable connectivity to almost every messaging channel including SMS, Facebook Messenger, Slack, Telegram, Teamchat etc, with more to be added soon. The bot builder tools support the entire bot lifecycle including development, testing, deployment, hosting, publishing, monitoring, tracking, search and discovery of bots.

    With messaging apps recently opening up APIs for businesses to build bots, we’re now on the verge of a once-in-a-decade paradigm shift in the tech industry. After desktop and clients in the mid-80s, browsers and websites in the mid-90s, and mobile OS and apps in the mid-00s, messaging platforms and bots are emerging as the next wave of tech revolution. Virtually everything that we do today on websites or apps will soon be done through bots. Bots will enable shopping, ordering food, banking, trading and most other activities through your favourite messaging app.

    “Bots are the new apps. Bots will transform virtually every aspect of our lives, making it simpler and easier to engage with businesses and brands just by chatting with them”, said Gupshup founder and CEO Beerud Sheth. He further added, “Every business and brand will have to develop a bot strategy quickly. Gupshup.io offers the most advanced tools globally for developers preparing to meet the explosive demand for messaging bots and services.”

    Gupshup used its extensive experience with the bot building process to automate common tasks performed by every bot developer. The Gupshup platform enables a developer to build, test and deploy a bot across multiple channels in minutes. The bot is automatically hosted with a one-click deploy process.  Post-launch monitoring and tracking of bots has also been automated. An omni-channel bot store enables the search and discovery of bots, helping developers to promote their bots. Instead of using a patchwork of tools, the Gupshup platform offers an end-to-end integrated platform for developers that frees them up to focus on their specific workflows.

    Gupshup continues to operate its smart-messaging app Teamchat, which pioneered the concept of smart messages i.e. structured fields within chat messages. Teamchat was the earliest and most bot-friendly messaging app, currently being used by over 2,000 businesses, including companies like HDFC, ICICI, Biostadt, Meru Cabs, PNB Metlife and others. Bots built on Teamchat continue to support enterprise use-cases such as CRM, HR and ERP.

  • Consumers can now ‘Snap and WhatsApp’ objectionable ads to ASCI

    Consumers can now ‘Snap and WhatsApp’ objectionable ads to ASCI

    MUMBAI: Continuing with the mission to protect consumers’ interest, the Advertising Standard Council of India (ASCI) is embracing technology to connect with the consumers and curb misleading advertisements. Consumers can now WhatsApp the objectionable advertisement to +91 77-100-12345.

    The launch would be followed by awareness campaigns by means of print advertisement and radio spots with tagline of “Spot Bad Ad? Snap and WhatsApp +91 77100 12345.”

    ASCI Chairman Benoy Roychowdhury said at this event, “We are happy to launch the WhatsApp number, close to the World Consumer Rights Day (15th March). ASCI is truly empowering consumers by making it more accessible. Today almost every person with a smartphone is using messaging services such as WhatsApp. Technology makes it possible for them to flag false, misleading or offensive ads instantaneously and anytime anywhere while on the go – be it while reading newspapers at home, on their way to office, listening to radio or watching TV in the evening.”

    WhatsApp will serve as only the first touch point for consumers to reach ASCI with their main objections and images of the objectionable advertisement. Consumers can send pictures of print ads, hoardings, packaging or Screen shots of websites, Links of YouTube videos etc. 

    ASCI team would be scrutinizing these complaints and take it further if found valid as well as having complete details such as name and e:mail ID. The complainant would receive status updates on the complaint by SMS /and email. The WhatsApp number is not meant for commercial purpose. The complaint processing is free for consumers, in line with the ASCI’s mission of promoting self-regulation of advertising content and protecting Consumers’ interest. 

  • Consumers can now ‘Snap and WhatsApp’ objectionable ads to ASCI

    Consumers can now ‘Snap and WhatsApp’ objectionable ads to ASCI

    MUMBAI: Continuing with the mission to protect consumers’ interest, the Advertising Standard Council of India (ASCI) is embracing technology to connect with the consumers and curb misleading advertisements. Consumers can now WhatsApp the objectionable advertisement to +91 77-100-12345.

    The launch would be followed by awareness campaigns by means of print advertisement and radio spots with tagline of “Spot Bad Ad? Snap and WhatsApp +91 77100 12345.”

    ASCI Chairman Benoy Roychowdhury said at this event, “We are happy to launch the WhatsApp number, close to the World Consumer Rights Day (15th March). ASCI is truly empowering consumers by making it more accessible. Today almost every person with a smartphone is using messaging services such as WhatsApp. Technology makes it possible for them to flag false, misleading or offensive ads instantaneously and anytime anywhere while on the go – be it while reading newspapers at home, on their way to office, listening to radio or watching TV in the evening.”

    WhatsApp will serve as only the first touch point for consumers to reach ASCI with their main objections and images of the objectionable advertisement. Consumers can send pictures of print ads, hoardings, packaging or Screen shots of websites, Links of YouTube videos etc. 

    ASCI team would be scrutinizing these complaints and take it further if found valid as well as having complete details such as name and e:mail ID. The complainant would receive status updates on the complaint by SMS /and email. The WhatsApp number is not meant for commercial purpose. The complaint processing is free for consumers, in line with the ASCI’s mission of promoting self-regulation of advertising content and protecting Consumers’ interest.