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BSNL Launches New GPRS Pack at Rs.14 in Tamilnadu
Low Cost Handset Dominates The Indian Rural Market
SMSGYAN To Provide FIFA World Cup 2010 Scores Live On SMS

BSNL Launches New GPRS Pack at Rs.14 in Tamilnadu

Posted: 12 Jun 2010 12:08 AM PDT

State run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has launched one new GPRS Packs at Rs.14 and rationalized all existing limited and Unlimited GPRS plans for its 2G prepaid GSM mobile service users in Tamilnadu telecom circle.

The BSNL 2G prepaid subscribers in Tamilnadu circle can opt the new GPRS Pack by paying Rs.14 (Rs.13 for SMS based activation) for 3 Days access up 100 MB data transfer.The new GPRS pack will works in Home Circle as well as in National Roaming without any extra cost. Subscriber can access GPRS on Mobile Phone as well as browsing through PC or Laptop.

GPRS Pack of Rs.20 (Rs.18 for SMS based activation) will provide Fully Unlimited Internet browsing and downloads (Data Transfer) without and Fare Usage Policy (FUP) for 1 day access (up to midnight) from the date of recharges.

Here are the Details-:

GPRS Packs	Rs.14	Rs.20	Rs.274
If customer send SMS for than cost of GPRS pack OR the STV amount to be debited	Rs.13	Rs.18	Rs.249
Validity	3 Days	One Days	30 Days
Free Usage-Data Transfer	100 MB (Local and Roaming)	Fully Unlimited (Local and Roaming)	Fully Unlimited (Local and Roaming)
Usage charges beyond free usage (Local + Roaming)	1 paisa /10 Kb	FREE	FREE
To Activate By SMS	GPRS13 TO 53733	GPRS18 TO 53733	GPRS249 TO 53733
Note -: BSNL GPRS / EDGE 2G services are now activated without any minimum balance condition in Tamilnadu circle. However for activation through SMS RCV will be activated only if sufficient balance is available to meet the cost of RCV requested. For more details call 1503 or 94000-24365 (Toll Free)

Low Cost Handset Dominates The Indian Rural Market

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 11:52 PM PDT

MediaTek India, a well known semiconductor company has recently carried out a survey with shopkeepers and mobile phone users to gauge the latest trends in this space.

The study reveals that India is still a low cost phone destination. About 50% of the users interviewed still tend to buy a handset in the Rs.1500 – Rs. 2000 range with basic functionalities.

This is similar to an earlier survey carried out by MediaTek in rural India, where 55% of the rural users too buy a low cost phone based on the recommendations of peers, friends, family etc.

The survey was carried out over a sample size of 1000 people in Metros and about 300 shopkeepers. It consisted of a mixed group of people belonging to the middle and low income groups including young people and students.

Metro Shopkeeper Suvery Report:

However, some of the usage habits of users living in metro cities are changing, and this is in sharp contrast to people living in villages and other rural areas. While a rural person would prefer having a phone with a longer battery life, thanks to longer power cuts, one living in an urban setup or in a metro city would want a better looking phone which is high on features.

Speaking about the two studies Mr. Arun Gupta, Director-Business Development, MediaTek India Technology said, "The study was aimed at identifying the latest trends in mobile buying and how does the consumer have a say in such changes. Consumers are increasingly being aware of the latest models in the market and demand for more features and better looking handsets at a relatively lesser price."

Study says that the margin with global brands is the lowest and it also remains the most demanded with the metro consumers. With the Indian brands it's a 50 – 50 split between higher margins and higher demand with consumers. Non-branded phones, although are the most profitable to sell for shopkeepers, aren't really popular with metro consumers since there are no after sales services and durability is an issue too.

Many of the users surveyed bought their handsets based on the recommendation of a friend or someone known to them or based on self knowledge and research. Also about 21% of them would go with a handset which has a higher warranty period. If users are satisfied with their handset and the services provided they would wholeheartedly recommend it to the people known. 70% of them would even buy the same brand again, if satisfied.

Commenting on this study Mr. Gupta further opines, "Usage patterns of a metro user are very different from that of a person living in a village. They are less likely to compromise on looks or functionality for price."

The study also reveals that a large number of urban users prefer a global brand over an Indian or a locally manufactured brand. Also 42% of them would prefer to buy a brand new handset rather than going with a used model.

SMSGYAN To Provide FIFA World Cup 2010 Scores Live On SMS

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 09:00 AM PDT

SMSGYAN joins the World Cup 2010 fever! Stay close to your favorite team. Get instant access to live match scores and and upcoming matches.

SMSGYAN is going to cover all FIFA World Cup matches under this service.Viewers who do not wish to miss football scores can get to know live scores by just sending an sms.

Viewers have to send sms “GYAN WORLDCUP” to 56161 to avail this service on their mobile. They will be charged as per operator charges for sending each sms.

Deepak Ravindran CEO Innoz Mobile quoted "As part of our SMSGYAN platform, we would like to offer value to our users by keeping them up to date with the latest scores by providing Goal by Goal update on our GYAN 56161"

Along with live scores, this service will also provide updates about match schedule of the day and recent results.

Indian News Info