Nokia, Airtel redefines internet experience through C1-01

Nokia and Airtel have joined hands to provide free content download upto 50 MB on a new Nokia C1-01.

To attract entry level handset users towards using services like internet and messaging, Nokia and Airtel have joined hands to provide free content download upto 50 MB on a new Nokia C1-01.

Nokia C1-01 is priced at Rs 2,789 and the new offer, apart from internet usage, will also allow customers to download for free over 35 videos of Bollywood hit songs, over 20 cricket games, over 20 wallpapers and animations. This offer will be valid for the first month of purchase and after that it will available for Rs 30 per month.

According to Viral Oza, head marketing Nokia India, "Nokia is focusing on the democratisation and massification of internet, especially in affordable devices tailored for customers in emerging markets. We are excited to introduce a unique offer for our entry consumers, enhancing their experience and helping them do more with their phones."

Nokia C1-01 is an entry level phone with focus on messaging and Internet. It features a 128 x 160 pixels TFT colour screen, a 3.5mm headset jack, FM radio, SMS, flashlight, and up to six weeks of stand-by time.

India to have 24 million rural internet users by December 2011: Study

According to a research jointly conducted by Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRB, the total number of active internet users in rural India is projected to rise by 98 per cent and touch 24 million by December 2011 as compared to 12.1 million in December 2010. Claimed internet user category is also set to grow by 96 per cent to reach 29.9 million by December 2011 from 15.2 million in December 2010. The results are based upon a primary research survey that interviewed about 15,000 people from various age groups, across SECs and genders from the states of Assam, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. 

“One of the main reasons for this growth in user numbers in rural areas is the growing awareness level about internet. According to the research, about 69 per cent of the rural population is aware of internet as opposed to 16 per cent projected in last year’s report. The second reason for the growth of rural internet users is that access has become easier. Only 18 per cent have had to access internet from Common Service Centers (CSCs) located outside the 10 km radius as opposed to 54 per cent last year,” the research said. 

India to have 237 million internet users by 2015: Report

The number of internet users in India is expected to triple in the next five years, from the current 81 million to 237 million by 2015, according to a report by Boston Consulting Group. The report further states that many Indians will first go online from a phone, not from a computer, even though right now only 1 per cent of mobile phone users are using the internet.

India is going to be different than what we have seen in mature markets but also in emerging markets. It is going to be predominantly a mobile experience, Arvind Subramanian, managing director, BCG Mumbai and one of the authors of the report, has said. The traditional internet in its current form would be largely inaccessible even if it were to be available.

According to Arvind Subramanian, Indians are likely to take to services that enhance personal productivity, such as job alerts or continuing education. About 73 per cent of people who go online in India spend time job hunting, the research showed. The other thing that is big there is matrimonial which is a very unique Indian thing, Subramanian has added.

Spice Mobility to focus on internet ready Android devices

Spice will launch devices in the range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 so that people from different strata of society can buy them.

At a time when 3G has just taken off and more and more handset players are focusing on internet enabled mobiles, Spice Mobility too has announced that it will focus on internet ready devices.

B.K. Modi, chairman, Spice Mobility, announcing the switch towards internet ready phones, said, "The Indian youth has moved away from the basics of roti, kapda and makaan. They now need mobile internet to be fully productive. It is our duty to support the Indian government in making the country internet literate and remove the digital divide."

Modi further said, "We will be focusing on devices running on Android (operating system) and supported by chipset from Media Tek."

He further elaborated Spice's plans to offer affordable Android devices to Indian consumers to surf the net. At present, around 27 per cent of total mobile users in India use the internet on their handsets and by 2015, the figures will have swollen to around 75 per cent.

However, this will happen only if mobile users have access to affordable internet-ready handsets.

On prices, Modi said, "We will launch devices in the range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 so that people from different strata of society can buy them."

Currently, Spice has two Android phones, Spice Mi-300 and Spice Mi-310.

Mi-300 is an Android 2.1 phone with an 8 cm capacitive touchscreen. It supports 3.5G and HSPA. The handset has a 5 mega pixel camera, Wifi, GPS and AGPS. It also has Google messaging service with push mail.

Spice Mi-310 is based on Android 2.2 (Froyo) operating system. It is a touchscreen phone with GPS, AGPS and Wifi hotspot functionality that allows users to connect five handsets to share their data connection.

Meanwhile, apart from North India where it has a good market share, Spice also plans to strengthen its position and improve its visibility in other regions of the country. To do so it will also create seven clusters in Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur, Bhugneshwar, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai.

India's Growing Internet Market Benefits Rediff.com and Sify Technologies

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Apr 28, 2011) - As India's middle class expands, its internet market continues to grow at a rapid pace. Recent reports from the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) says that internet awareness in the country is surging. According to IAMAI research, about 69 per cent of the rural population is aware of the internet as opposed to 16 per cent projected in last year's report.The Bedford Report examines the outlook for companies in India's Internet Sector and provides research reports on Rediff.com India Ltd. (NASDAQ: REDF) and Sify Technologies Limited (NASDAQ: SIFY). Access to the full company reports can be found at:

www.bedfordreport.com/2011-04-REDF

www.bedfordreport.com/2011-04-SIFY

IAMAI estimates that the total number of active internet users in rural areas is projected to rise by 98 percent this year, from 12.1 million in December 2010 to 24 million by December 2011. The report argues one of the drivers of growth in rural internet users is that access has become easier. The report says that cyber cafes continue to be a key access point for the use of internet.

Government initiatives have been conducted to facilitate internet networks and 'common service centers' both of which increased in 2010.

The Bedford Report releases regular market updates on India's Internet Industry so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at www.bedfordreport.com and get exclusive access to our numerous analyst reports and industry newsletters.

Sify Technologies operates more than 1500 ePort internet cafes that open up the web to many Indian citizens. Sify provides internet and extranet services, website hosting, search engine optimization and security solutions. Last month the company announced their partnership with SAUDI TELECOM (STC), the largest telecom services provider in the Middle East and North Africa. Abhijit Barua, Sr. Vice President of Sify Technologies explains that Sify's role will be to "provide expertise in innovative managed services including cloud services and SaaS offerings in the Middle East and African markets."

Rediff.com India is one of the country's largest web portals. The company's websites consist of a range of community features consisting of e-mail, chat, video sharing capabilities, e-commerce, blogs, broadband wireless content, and mobile value-added services. Earlier this month shares of the company surged after the company rolled out its own group deals program. Rediff's "Deal Ho Jaye!" will offer consumers deals on local services including spas, tattoos, hobby classes, hotels, health care and restaurants at 30 percent to 60 percent off. The deals will be available for 40 Indian cities.

The Bedford Report provides Analyst Research focused on equities that offer growth opportunities, value, and strong potential return. We strive to provide the most up-to-date market activities. We constantly create research reports and newsletters for our members. The Bedford Report has not been compensated by any of the above-mentioned publicly traded companies. The Bedford Report is compensated by other third party organizations for advertising services. We act as an independent research portal and are aware that all investment entails inherent risks. Please view the full disclaimer at http://www.bedfordreport.com/disclaimer