ITV

Tag: Vodafone

  • Vodafone adds Broadcom Ultra HD technology to next-generation IPTV STB

    Vodafone adds Broadcom Ultra HD technology to next-generation IPTV STB

    NEW DELHI: Broadcom Corporation, which on 10 September announced the first family of eight new hybrid satellite and terrestrial system-on-a-chip (SoC) broadcast devices for set-top boxes (STBs), today said it will power Ultra HD set-top box (STB) technology in collaboration with Vodafone Germany. 

     

    The full line of Broadcom is being demonstrated at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam.

     

    Vodafone’s 4K-enabled consumer set-top box, the first Ultra HD STB to be introduced in Germany, will deliver broadband subscribers Ultra HD content at 4X the resolution of traditional HD displays. Broadcom’s high efficiency video coding (HEVC)-enabled BCM7252 device allows operators such as Vodafone to use bandwidth more efficiently, enabling uninterrupted delivery otherwise bandwidth-intensive 4K, 60 frame-per-second transmissions (4Kp60) at 50 percent of the bit rate previously required.

     

    “Broadcom’s pioneering Ultra HD technology will enable Ultra HD content for millions of potential Vodafone’s fixed broadband subscribers,” said Broadcom senior vice president of marketing, broadband & connectivity group Rich Nelson. “As a leading provider of silicon for Ultra HD technology, Broadcom’s BCM7252 SoC allows Vodafone to bring crystal-clear Ultra HD definition content to consumer’s home TV sets for the first time in Germany.”

  • Not much growth in broadband in July: TRAI

    Not much growth in broadband in July: TRAI

    NEW DELHI: Broadband subscribers grew by a mere 2.87 per cent in the month of July to 70.81 million in the country.

     

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said the number of subscribers at the end of June were 68.83 million.

     

    For the second month in a row, the largest growth was seen in mobile device users (Phones + Dongles) with a growth of 3.56 per cent. The change in wired subscribers was a mere 0.45 per cent and the growth in fixed wireless (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Point-to-Point Radio & VSAT) was 1.54 per cent.

     

    The top five broadband service providers constitute 85.12 per cent market share of total broadband subscribers at the end of July. They are BSNL (18.14 million), Bharti (15.61 million), Vodafone (11.23 million), Idea Cellular (9.06 million) and Reliance Communications Group (6.23 million).

     

    The top five Wired Broadband Service providers are BSNL (9.98 million), Bharti (1.40 million), MTNL (1.13 million), Beam Telecom (0.40 million) and YOU Broadband (0.40 million).

     

    The top five Wireless Broadband Service providers are Bharti (14.21 million), Vodafone (11.23 million), Idea Cellular Ltd (9.06 million), BSNL (8.16 million) and Reliance Communications Group (6.12 million).

     

    Wireless subscribers with less than 1MB data usage in a month are not considered as internet/broadband subscribers by Reliance Communication Group and Idea Cellular.

  • Twitter Amplify launches in India

    Twitter Amplify launches in India

    MUMBAI: It’s time for making money from Twitter. Starsports.com and Vodafone India have tied up with Twitter for its Twitter Amplify programme in India for the first time. Through the programme, the broadcaster and the brand will be tapping into growing social conversations around TV programmes especially live sports.

     

    Twitter Amplify allows broadcasters to publish their best content directly to Twitter and then monetise it with advertisers through sponsorship packages. Assisted by ‘promoted tweets’, it will amplify the reach of the video content distributed through companies’ Twitter accounts.

     

    Through the programme, starsports.com looks to enhance viewer experience across the web and mobile by offering high quality clips of sporting action directly to consumers engaged in conversations on Twitter around live matches. It says, “This is likely to lead to greater engagement around live sports in social media as well as create an opportunity for fans to consume the action without leaving the conversation.”

     

    Advertisers will be able to tap into social conversations on Twitter along with a multi screen audience engagement strategy to consume content wherever or whenever they want.

     

    “2014 is a great year for Twitter becoming the social soundtrack for television as 95 per cent of the public social conversation around TV is happening on Twitter today, especially for live sporting events. Broadcasters and brands know that Twitter is a natural TV companion that drives audience tune-in, engagement and affinity,” said Twitter India market director Rishi Jaitly.  “We look forward to working with cutting-edge broadcasters and advertisers, like Star Sports and Vodafone, who want to tap into a compelling second screen experience We are delighted that cricket fans can now enjoy TV highlights in real-time on Twitter,” he added.

     

    Star India head of digital business Ajit Mohan said, “We have built starsports.com as the most compelling destination for fans in India to follow sports on a mobile screen and the best platform for advertisers to reach an attractive audience on digital. This program is a new innovation for us to understand the possibilities of being present when the conversations are happening on Twitter.”

     

    Vodafone India chief commercial officer Vivek Mathur said, “As a brand we are always looking at innovative ways of driving brand engagement and conversations on social media. Cricket (and sports in general) is one of our identified passion points and one with which Vodafone has a huge association. We are very excited to be the pioneers in launching a new social innovation in India centered around Twitter and cricket.”

     

    Through this partnership, Twitter users will receive timely updates about their TV experience and remind them to tune in to the live cricket action and key sporting moments.

  • Mobile usage shows increase in broadband subscribers between April-May

    Mobile usage shows increase in broadband subscribers between April-May

    NEW DELHI: There was an increase of 5.82 per cent in the number of broadband subscribers in May, as against a mere 1.45 per cent in the number of broadband subscribers between March and April this year.

     

    Data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) shows that the total number of subscribers between April and May went up from 61.74 million to 65.33 million in all segments: wired subscribers, mobile device users (Phones + Dongles), and fixed wireless (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Point-to-Point Radio & VSAT).

     

    The largest change of 7.66 per cent was in the mobile segment, whereas wired subscribers showed an increase of 0.25 per cent and fixed wireless segment showed a change of 0.16 per cent.

     

    Top five broadband service providers constitute 84.35 per cent market share of total broadband subscribers at the end of May-14. They are BSNL (17.70 million), Bharti Airtel (13.84 million), Vodafone (8.23 million), Idea (8.19 million) and Reliance Communications Group (7.15 million).

     

    The top five Wired Broadband Service providers are BSNL (9.98 million), Bharti Airtel (1.40 million), MTNL (1.13 million), Beam Telecom (0.39 million) and YOU Broadband (0.39 million).

     

    The top five Wireless Broadband Service providers are Bharti Airtel (12.43 million), Vodafone (8.23 million), Idea (8.19 million), BSNL (7.72 million) and Reliance Communications Group (7.04 Million). 

  • ET NOW to showcase Vodafone’s inspiring HR policies

    ET NOW to showcase Vodafone’s inspiring HR policies

    MUMBAI: ET NOW, India’s leading English business news channel is giving its viewers an opportunity to get a behind the scenes perspective on what it means to work for Vodafone India Ltd which recently ranked 18th in the list of ‘India’s Best Companies To Work For’.

     

    ‘India’s Best Companies To Work For’, is a study conducted by The Economic Times, in partnership with Great Place To Work®, a global management consulting, research and training firm dedicated to enabling organisations to achieve business objectives by building better workplaces. In its 11th annual edition this year, the study attracted participation from around 600 organizations across 20 industries.

     

    ET NOW is sharing Vodafone’s success story through a feature presentation ‘Happy Employees with Great Careers’ which will share insights on Vodafone’s winning HR policies in order to inspire other companies to create and sustain a great workplace for employees.

     

    Ashok Ramchandran, Director – HR, Vodafone India Ltd. commented, “Great companies are built by great employees who are here to build great careers. Our aim has always been to attract, develop and retain the very best people by offering a motivating and inclusive workplace in which talent is recognized and developed with emphasis on promotion of well-being.”

     

    Tune in to catch the telecast of ‘Happy Employees with Great Careers’ on 12th July at 4 pm & 13th July at 5 pm on ET NOW.

  • Binay Tiwari forays into entrepreneurship

    Binay Tiwari forays into entrepreneurship

    MUMBAI: Vserv.mobi director – global marketing & product Binay Tiwari has decided to wear the hat of an entrepreneur and has thus resigned from his current role. 

     

    Tiwari through a statement said, “Over the past three years I’ve had an amazing time working with Vserv and its partners across the world, to push forward the mobile internet ecosystem. Today, I stand at a juncture, where I’m keen to take a new path towards ‘starting up’ something new of my own. We are living in exciting times, where technology is changing the world at an unprecedented pace, and I hope to leverage the massive opportunities that this presents.”

     

    Tiwari had joined Vserv in August 2011 as its general manager. He was later promoted as the global marketing head in March 2012 and as the director of global marketing and product in April last year. Tiwari had previously worked in companies like InMobi, Vodafone, Tata Communications, GE Capital International Services and Mukunda Gems.

  • Marginal increase in broadband subscribers between March and April 2014

    Marginal increase in broadband subscribers between March and April 2014

    NEW DELHI: There was an increase of a marginal 1.45 per cent in the number of broadband subscribers between March and April this year, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) report.

    The total number of subscribers went up from 60.87 million to 61.74 million in all segments: wired subscribers, mobile device users (Phones + Dongles), and fixed wireless (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Point-to-Point Radio & VSAT).

    The largest change of 2.5 per cent was seen in the fixed wireless segment, while there was a change of 1.78 per cent in the mobile users and just 0.34 per cent in the wired subscribers.

    The top five broadband service providers constitute 83.65 per cent market share of total broadband subscribers at the end of April. They are BSNL (16.94 million), Bharti (12.84 million), Idea (7.45 million), Vodafone (7.26 million) and Reliance Communications Group (7.15 million).

    The top five Wired Broadband Service providers are BSNL (10.01 million), Bharti (1.38 million), MTNL (1.13 million), You Broadband (0.39 million) and Beam Telecom (0.38 million).

    The top five Wireless Broadband Service providers are Bharti (11.46 million), Idea (7.45 million), Vodafone (7.26 million), Reliance Communications Group (7.04 million) and BSNL (6.93 Million).

    In telecom, private operators hold 89.36 per cent of the wireless subscriber market share where as BSNL and MTNL, the two PSU operators hold only 10.64 per cent market share. 

    Click here to read the full report

  • Ogilvy Mumbai scores a double whammy at the AME

    Ogilvy Mumbai scores a double whammy at the AME

    MUMBAI: Continuing its dominance at the ‘Effectiveness Awards’ shows, Ogilvy Mumbai enjoyed a stellar night at the AME’s (Asian Marketing Effectiveness Awards) held in Singapore on the 29 May.

     

    Ogilvy South Asia executive chairman & creative director Piyush Pandey said, “I am truly delighted at this wonderful performance.  It is all due to opportunities given by clients and the fantastic delivery of our battery of young men and women.  We value effectiveness which is achieved through high levels of creativity. Cheers to Ogilvy Mumbai and Geometry Global (the activation arm of Ogilvy).”

     

    On the back of big wins for Lifebuoy Roti & Google Reunion along with other wins on Vodafone, Mondelez, Fevicol and Akanksha, Ogilvy won a total of 17 metals thereby winning the twin titles of Asia Pacific’s Most Effective Agency Office of the Year & Media Strategy Agency of the Year. The AME’s recognise campaigns that demonstrate effectiveness in delivering a return on the marketing investment.

     

    Commenting on the win Ogilvy Mumbai head of planning Kawal Shoor, who was at the awards said, “This reaffirms that obsession with ‘The Work’ pays. Everything else is irrelevant. Every time I went up on stage to pick a trophy, I felt there were many of us going up together – my creative and account partners, my planners and my friends who are called clients.  I wish my brother-in-arms, Navin was there with me as well.  Ogilvy Mumbai winning the agency-of-the-year in Asia Pacific not just for effectiveness, but for media – through a panoramic bunch of work – not just film, is a good sign that we’re ready for tomorrow.”

     

    Ogilvy Mumbai head Navin Talreja added, “For the last two consecutive years we have won the title of the Most Effective Agency Office in the World but somehow Asia Pacific eluded us. Until now. At the beginning of the year, as an office, we committed to make it happen in Asia Pacific and so this is a wonderful feeling. A lot of blood, sweat and tears of creative teams, planners and account management has made this happen. A big salute to them all. And most importantly a big thank you to all our clients who keep partnering us and our crazy ideas helping us reach greater heights.”

     

     

    Ogilvy India  national creative director Abhijit Avasthi, the man behind the work that wins in the market place concluded, “This win reinforces our belief in the power of creativity and the Ogilvy way of doing things. Our clients are our biggest supporters, so a big thank you to them.”

  • Sonic unleashes ultimate action this summer

    Sonic unleashes ultimate action this summer

    MUMBAI: Sonic, the ultimate action destination is all set to turn on the heat this summer. An exciting line-up of new shows coupled with a month long interactive campaign is giving kids an action-packed summer. Sonic’s summer campaign ‘Sonic Action Mania’ will travel the length and breadth of the country giving kids their dose of adrenalin with its key shows – Power Rangers, SupaStrikas and Idaten Jump.

     

    The on-air leg of ‘Sonic Action Mania’ excites kids to come to the channel every Mon-Fri from 1 PM to 3 PM to watch shows that are a perfect mix of action, sports and adventure. Power Rangers SPD showcases the samurai warriors battle the evil with their cohesive team-work, intergalactic weaponry and their fighting skills. SupaStrikas is a series for the ones who love sports and the surprises it brings along. The show revolves around the world’s greatest football team. Idaten Jump, a popular adventure series revolves around a young boy and his love for mountain biking. All that kids have to do is to watch Sonic between 1PM-3PM, answer simple questions and win exciting prizes like mobile phones, bi-cycles and watches. Kids can voice their answers through SMS to 56882 or dial 5056882 from Vodafone, Aircel, Airtel, Idea, Reliance, Tata mobile &Airtel Landline/ 1255568 from BSNL Landline, mobile & MTNL mobile and even log on to www.sonicgang.com. Other exciting line-up of action shows includes Power Rangers Mega Force, Koni Chan and Naruto Rock Lee.

     

    ‘Sonic Action Mania’ raises the action meter further with a nation-wide engagement program. In addition to a 360 degree marketing campaign spanning cross channel promotions, print, radio and ambient, Sonic will innovatively connect with kids through a comprehensive on ground activation plan that includes gaming championships, all India van activations and meet and greet with the famous Sonic action heroes.

     

    Speaking on the channel’s initiatives, Ms. Nina Elavia Jaipuria, EVP & Business Head, Kids Cluster, Viacom18 Media stated, “Sonic fills the need gap for action which, as a genre, was missing earlier from the television screens. A great variety of shows and the huge on-ground engagement is only enhancing the experience of real action, sports and adventure.We hope kids enjoy meeting their favourite action heroes and experience the thrill and the adrenaline rush Sonic has to offer on-air and beyond.”

     

    Kids will get a chance to meet and greet their action heroes- ‘The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ and ‘Power Rangers’,  at popular malls like Phoenix Market City in Kurla, Mumbai and Hamleys outlets in Mumbai and Delhi every weekend. A dedicated Sonic Zone has been created to give kids a flavor of the action and adventure with games like Kill the Alien with Power Rangers, Shoot a Goal with SupaStrikas or even play video games. There are energetic performances by the Samurai heroes and the Ninja turtles, hour long workshops and storytelling sessions at the zone.

     

    That’s not all! Sonic and Fun City have come together to engage the video game enthusiasts in a gaming championship starting June 7,, 2014 across 14 outlets in India. Every weekend of June will have kids join their favorite heroes, Power Rangers and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, across Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Delhi, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kanpur, Chennai and Ahmedabad, and participate in cool and unique action-packed games.

     

    The ‘Sonic Action Mania Vans’, yet another leg of the ‘Sonic Action Mania’ will travel across 19 cities that Include Pune, Aurangabad, Nasik, Nagpur, Solapur, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Lucknow, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Allahabad, Varanasi, and Jaipur all through June. Kids will get to meet their favourite action heroes and there will be engaging games and fun activities like Foosball with SupaStrikas, Bi-Cycle Balance with Idaten Jump lots more at the Action Van.

     

    Sonic will continue to keep the online audience busy on www.sonicgang.com. The website will not only host the Sonic Action Mania Contest but will also give kids a chance to win all through summer with the ‘Kung Fu Panda – Watch-n-Win’ contest this season.

  • NTT Docomo to exit from Tata Teleservices in face of losses

    NTT Docomo to exit from Tata Teleservices in face of losses

    NEW DELHI: Japan’s telecom network NTT Docomo has decided to sell its 26.5 per cent stake in the loss making Tata Teleservices.

     

    In its board meeting in Japan yesterday, NTT Docomo board took the decision to exit from TTSL following the poor performance of the Indian telecom operator.

     

    NTT Docomo had invested 266.7 billion yen ($2.61 billion) in Tata Teleservices – 252.3 billion yen in March 2009 and 14.4 billion yen in May 2011.

     

    Docomo is exiting from TTSL because it made a net loss of Rs 4,858 crore on revenues of Rs 10,859 crore in fiscal 2013. In FY 2012, TTSL posted net loss of Rs 4,228 crore on revenues of Rs 10,115 crore and Rs 3508 crore net loss on Rs 8,357 crore in FY 2011.

     

    In addition, TTSL’s net worth has fallen to Rs 1,863 crore in FY 2013 from Rs 2,996 crore in FY 2012 and Rs 5,941 crore in FY 2011. The company’s debt increased to Rs 23,491 crore in FY 2013 from Rs 19,299 crore in FY 2012 and Rs 17,651 crore in FY 2011.

     

    The Indian telecom sector appears set to see consolidation and TTSL will be one of the targets for telecoms such as Aircel, MTS India and Telenor etc.

     

    Under the agreement signed in March 2009 among Docomo, TTSL and Tata Docomo, Docomo holds the right to require that its TTSL shares be acquired for 50 per cent of the acquisition price, which amounts to 72.5 billion Indian rupees or a fair market price, whichever is higher, in the event that TTSL fails to achieve certain specified performance targets.

     

    If TTSL fails to achieve performance targets in fiscal 2014, Docomo can exercise the right in or before June 2014. Docomo on its website said it is uncertain how the option will be performed.

     

    It is also understood that the Tata group, which has around 59.45 per cent stake in TTSL, had been looking at an exit route from the telecom business.

     

    Reuters reported that the diversified Tata Group conglomerate would buy the stake. Singapore state investor Temasek and businessman C Sivasankaran also own small stakes in Tata Teleservices, a loss making telecom venture of Tatas.

     

    Tata Teleservices expanded into GSM-based mobile phone services after the deal with Docomo and amassed subscribers by offering a cheaper per-second billing plan, but it subsequently failed to build on its initial success and has lost market share in the past two years.

     

    It currently ranks seventh in terms of subscriber numbers among the 12 firms that operate in country’s fiercely competitive telecoms market.

     

    Analysts expect Docomo to report about 80 billion yen ($780 million) in related losses in the financial year ended on March 31.

     

    Interestingly, this coincides with UK telecom’s Vodafone increasing its stake in Vodafone India to 100 per cent.