Airtel Mobitude 2012 Announced: In-depth Analysis of Mobile Users Preferences

Bharti Airtel has announced the results for the 4th edition of Airtel Mobitude for 2012. Airtel Mobitude, similar to Google’s Zeitgeist is the annual survey of customers preferences to see-through of consumption likes and dislikes of more than 186 million customers.

This year’s analysis highlights a fast increasing customer preference for MobileTV, thus resulting in a whopping 65% jump in traffic experienced by the service over last year. Within the MobileTV category, IPL viewing minutes jumped a record breaking 74% and viewership increased over 46% from numbers witnessed in 2011. Sony TV ranked number 1 among television channels. The traction seen by MobileTV reinforces India’s growing demand for data driven services that help customers get their dose of the best and latest in entertainment.

In 2012, India went the MMS way by crossing the 1 million mark on Diwali and jumped 145% on the festive day for the first time in the country’s MMS traffic history. The Navratri festival topped all events in terms of specialized content download traffic.

On the data side, maximum data consumption on mobile internet is typically seen during the graveyard shift between 10pm – 11pm. The Airtel mobile internet usage pattern indicates growing customer preference for social networking, looking at pictures, downloading applications, playing games, listening to music, reading news and watching videos. Video consumption is reported at its highest during night hours. Specifically, 3 video streaming and download sites fared among ‘Top 10 websites’ in 2012 (compared with only 1 last year) – thus showing growing popularity of the category.

An average of 3 million downloads on Airtel App Central were recorded every month. With 90% downloads in the ‘Free’ category, customers show a preference for the ‘freemium’ model. While 65% of application downloads are games, other popular categories including social networking, video and music players, sports, health and other entertainment.

Videocon to Rollout 4G Services Next Year

Telecom operator Videocon Mobile Services will roll out fourth generation (4G) services across all is newly-won circles next year.

Videcon had received spectrum across six circles – Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh (West), Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Haryana – in the recently concluded spectrum auction.

“We will get spectrum in January and we expect to roll out our LTE services in six circles by middle of 2013. We will have spectrum across seven circles (including Punjab) constituting a high population footprint in India. These are also the areas where we enjoy a strong position already and where we see the highest potential for continued growth and profitability,” Videocon Mobile Services Director and Chief Executive Officer Arvind Bali said.

The company, which had launched GSM operations in Punjab two years ago, will invest an additional Rs 800 crore for improving network coverage and deployment of technology over the next three years.

“We intend to cover 45 per cent of India’s population after rolling out services in these circles as these are the areas where we enjoy a strong position already and where we see the highest potential for continued growth and profitability. Our focus will be on youth and high end customers,” he said without divulging detail about investment proposed for this venture.

“The spectrum won by Videocon in the recent auction is paired and liberalised. This spectrum can be used to roll out next generation networks and services by adapting a highly spectrally efficient 4G technology LTE,” he added.

Unlike BWA spectrum winners who are launching LTE-TD on 2300MHz band Videocon has to deploy LTE-FDD on 1800MHz band which has better ecosystem. As per GSA report more than 33% of LTE roll outs are on 1800MHz. Videocon has only 5MHz spectrum – that means they have to use 1.4MHz x 2 for LTE-FDD rollout, and rest is probably for 2G voice services. It is easier for Videocon to offer LTE-FDD handsets with 2G compatibility to reach more people. But from its last performance (’100 cities in 100 days’ promise was not a reality) it is highly doubtable when Videocon will bring LTE-FDD in India.

Exclusive: MTNL Mumbai Launches New Half Yearly and Yearly 3G Data Plans

India’s first 3G Mobile and Data Service provider Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) today announced the launch of 2 new most affordable longer validity 3G Data Plans for its prepaid subscribers in Mumbai telecom circle.

MTNL Mumbai introduces new Half Yearly 3G Data plan for Rs.4500, offers 100 GB 3G Data Usage valid for 180 Days and Yearly 3G Data Plan for Rs.5000 offers 50 GB 3G Data Usage valid for 365 days from the date of recharge or activation.

Both new plans can be use while Home network as well as National Roaming on BSNL across India. The new plans will be available from 5th December via On-line Recharge or E-topup at MTNL Customer Service Centers and retailers across Mumbai circle.

Apart from the launch of above new 3G data plans, MTNL also revised its ‘True Unlimited’ 3G data plan of Rs.1650 and Rs.2500. Now both plans will be available as ‘Limited Plans’ and offers 50 GB and 100 GB 3G data usage respectively.

For more details dial 1503 / 9869012345 (toll free from MTNL).

Supreme Court Restores 200 SMS Cap Limit

India’s Supreme Court on December 4th stayed a telecom tribunal order that quashed limiting of the number of SMSes to 200 per day per user. The SMS quota was originally introduced in 2011 by the regulator, TRAI to stop spamming by telemarketing companies.

In a brief hearing, a bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi stayed the Telecom Disputes and Appellate Tribunal’s (TDSAT) order. The Supreme Court passed the order on an appeal filed by TRAI challenging tribunal’s order.

TDSAT had on July 17 termed the ceiling on SMSes as “arbitrary” and against the right of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Constitution and had set aside the sector regulator TRAI’s circular.

Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aditya had submitted that the restriction on SMSes was just a “non-application of mind” by TRAI and the circular fixing ceiling “has not explained why and how the figure of 100 or 200 SMSes per day was arrived at.”

TRAI had permitted sending only 100 SMSes per day per SIM except on blackout days or days specially notified by it. On November 1, 2011, it had increased the limit to 200 SMSes per day per SIM.

Though Supreme Court orders to remove the cap, it is not sure when the directives from DoT and TRAI will be implemented on operators’ front.

MTS Launches Non-Stop Adda Initiative for customers in Kolkata and West Bengal circle

MTS India today launched an innovative proposition – MTS Non-Stop Adda for its customers in Kolkata & West Bengal circles. Customers availing Non-Stop Adda need to recharge with Rs. 25 to get full talk-time, special tariff of 20p/minute and 50 free SMS (local & national).

According to Keshhav Tiwary, Chief Operating Officer, Kolkata & West Bengal Circles, MTS India – “Adda is an integral part of Bengal’s culture. The MTS Non-Stop Adda Plan is devised keeping in mind the customers’ need to communicate freely using SMSes, lower tariffs and Full Talk Time all under a single low denomination product priced at Rs 25 only. We are confident that customers across Kolkata and West Bengal will enjoy this plan which will offer the best value for their money and a non-stop adda experience.”

The launch of MTS Non-Stop Adda is supported by a robust network of more than 45,000 retailers across Kolkata & West Bengal. The Company would also be rolling out an integrated communication campaign involving Outdoor, Print Media, Radio and On-ground activations to support the launch.

TRAI mandates minimum speed limit for wireless data services

So, if the operator promises 7.2 Mbps download speed then they have to ensure atleast 5.4 Mbps or above.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has mandated minimum quality of service for wireless data services in the country. With this regulation in place, operators will have to offer basic minimum quality of service in each area.

While issuing "The Standards of Quality of Service for Wireless Data Services Regulations, 2012", TRAI has ordered every operator to set up a test base wherever they provide data services to ensure that quality of service guidelines be met.

According to the new regulation, which will come into force from 1st January 2013, provision or activation of data services is to be done within four hours of receiving the request.

It has also asked operators to ensure 80 per cent success in case of download attempt and 75 per cent in case of upload. Also, minimum speed of each plan has to be measured and reported to TRAI. The best part is that it has asked operators to ensure 75 per cent subscribed speed is actually received by the subscriber. So, if the operator promises 7.2 Mbps download speed then they have to ensure atleast 5.4 Mbps or above. Data drop rate also has to be below 5 per cent.

To improve transparency, all the operators have been asked to publish, on their websites, the details of all data services offered, along with their tariff, clearly indicating the cities and towns where such data services and tariff plans are applicable.

The new regulations also bars operators from offering new data services or modify the existing data services or tariff without prior publication on their websites.

IRCTC started 139 service

Indian railways have started an SMS service on “139 Rail Sampark” – passenger information system, apart from voice enquiry on IVRS, the services will be available through SMS starting today.

“139-Rail Sampark”, the National enquiry for Indian Railways has been in operation for around 5 years now. The services on this number i.e. 139 handles enquiries pertaining to PNR Status, Current Train running position, Accommodation availability and Fare Enquiry.

Passenger can get the desired information by sending SMS to 139 in the following format.

The details of SMSs Services Key Words available and the format are as under 

1. For ticket status Enquiry:

SMS “PNR

For example: PNR 4341568666

2. For Train Arrival/Departure Enquiry:

SMS “AD”

For example: AD 12012 011

3. For Accommodation availability:

SMS “SEAT***

For example SEAT 12561 010712 0542 0571 SL G

4. Fare enquiry

SMS “FARE< DOJ**ddmmyy>***

For Example: FARE 12561 010712 0542 0571 SL G

5. Time table:

SMS “TIME

For example: TIME 12561

6. Spot/ Locate train:

SMS “SPOTor LOCATE

For example: SPOT 12561 or LOCATE 12561

The service is also available on USSD for Reliance, Uninor, Docomo and Vodafone Telephone Service Providers. Just dial *139# to avail the USSD facility for enquiry of PNR, Arrival/Departure etc.