Tech boost for cell operators

Ericsson, the world’s leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators, has signed 13 revenue assurance contracts globally in 2010. Under the contracts, Ericsson will provide solutions to prevent revenue loss and increase the profitability of telecom firms.

“Revenue leak is one of the core areas of concern for telecom operators and it frequently happens when an operator forgets to withdraw a particular plan after implementing it. It can also occur when a customer makes an international call using a network of one country that has an agreement on roaming with the customer’s original service provider,” Amitabh Ray, senior vice-president of Ericsson India Global Services, said on the sidelines of Infocom 2010-11, the IT conference and exhibition organised byBusinessworld, an ABP Group publication.

Revenue assurance involves using data quality and process improvement methods for better profit and cash flow without influencing demand.

Ericsson generated a revenue of $28.2 billion in 2010, making it the leader in 2G, 3G and 4G mobile technologies. “Globally, we hold a 40 per cent market share in 3G network solutions. We are also leaders in 4G network solutions. We have four global hubs of which India is the largest and capable of serving over 300 global clients. In India, we have the largest network operating center that serves 150 million connections worldwide,” said Ray.

Ray also indicated that Ericsson was in talks with a leading operator in India to provide 4G network solution.source

Airtel scoops two global mobile awards

Accra, Feb. 19, GNA - Airtel Africa has scooped two awards at the premiere annual telecom industry awards, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Global Mobile Award 2011, a statement by the company to the Ghana News Agency has said.

It said Airtel was awarded the Best Mobile Money Product or solution and Best Customer Care and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for its recently launched innovative payment product known as 93airtel OnLine Pay= " and a customer relationship management solution named 93airtel Treasure Hunt".

The winning Best Mobile Money Product or Solution, the airtel OnLine Pay, is touted as the world's first virtual card that operates off a wall= et residing on a mobile phone. This innovative payment offers communities the opportunity for greater participation in the financial system as they realize the substantial benefits of mobile commerce. The single use debit card offering is a partnership between airtel, MasterCard and Standard Chartered Bank.

Airtel is the new brand name for the 16 Zain operations across Afric= a which were acquired by airtel International in June 2010. Airtel Africa's Chief Marketing Officer, Mr Andre Beyers and MasterCard International's Area Head for East and West Africa, Mr Daniel Momehim, jointly received the award during the GSMA congress party and awards ceremony held at the National Palace in Montju=EFc, Barcelona, Spain= .. Airtel's second plaudit at the event, airtel Treasure Hunt, was a joint submission between Airtel and Tango Telecoms, a mobile systems solutions provider. The innovation known as Dynamic Pricing Service gives Airtel the ability to price Voice and Data services dynamically based on location, cell load, time of day, subscriber type and/or subscriber activity. The service was launched in Niger, Uganda, Zambia and Congo. Tang= o Telecoms was represented at the awards by its VP, Global Channel Sales, Mr. Rory Toole.

Commenting on behalf of Airtel, Mr Beyers said: 93We are driven by the vision of providing affordable and innovative mobile services to consumers across the continent. To earn this award from the most authoritative and global constellation of peers in the industry, three months after the launc= h of our new brand in Africa, is a recognition of our efforts to place innovations in the hands of consumers in Africa and will bolster our commitment to walk the talk".

According to the Judges, the Best Mobile Money Product or Solution award aims to recognize and reflect the rapid emergence of the mobile payment, transfer, banking and a host of innovative 91cashless' mobile services 96 in all varied forms. According to the panel, the opportunities for the financial services, ticketing and transport industries, in partnership with the mobile world are limitless, as are the benefits of convenience and value for users.

The Customer Care or Customer Relationship Management award citation states: The Award recognizes the innovative programmes developed by operators and the products or services developed by CRM solution providers that will increase profitability, reduce costs and maintain a high standard of customer loyalty in this increasingly competitive environment. The two awards mark a key milestone in Airtel's quest for relevant and innovative mobile solutions that are transformation to millions of user= s across the continent.

The Global mobile awards are the most coveted awards in the global mobile industry and encompass leading players across all the subsectors spanning 219 countries, nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies= , and media and entertainment organizations. This is the 16th edition of the annual award and according to the judging panel, one of the most daunting with 10 categories and more than 47= 0 entries.source

BSNL gains 29,000 customers after MNP

Rajiv Agarwal, BSNL's chief general manager, Andhra Pradesh Circle, today claimed that more than 29,000 cell phone customers from other telecom services migrated to BSNL after number portability scheme was introduced.

As against that, only 8000 customers switched from BSNL to another mobile service provider, he said.

He said that to improve the customer service in the city, a 24-hour service center has been set up.

Agarwal also said that radiation from BSNL towers was minimum and they meet all the norms imposed by the Government on radiation.source

HDFC Bank eyeing 3G services to boost mobile banking

HDFC Bank aims to increase the number of clients using its mobile banking services in Andhra Pradesh to 10 per cent of its customer base once 3G services are fully rolled out in the state from below 5 per cent at present, a senior official has said.

The leading private lender is also set to open 34 new branches in the state before the end of this financial year, taking the total number to 137.

“It (mobile banking) is still in the nascent stage. It has to go a long way. After facilities like 3G services are launched, it is expected to reach 10 per cent. Currently, mobile banking is around 3 to 5 per cent,” HDFC Bank Senior Vice—President, Mr C S Gopinath, told PTI.

He said the aim is to encourage customers to go for more technology based services like ATM, mobile and Internet banking.

According to Mr Gopinath, only 26 per cent of HDFC Bank’s customers visit branches and the rest depend on ATMs, the Internet and mobiles for their banking needs. “We have 450 to 500 ATMs in AP and up to 20 per cent of customers use Internet banking,” he said.

He said HDFC Bank plans to open 34 new branches in the state by the end of this fiscal.

“Currently, we have 103 branches in AP. We plan to open another 34 by the end of this financial year, taking the number of branches to 137. In Karnataka, we have close to 100 branches and in Kerala — 150. In Tamil Nadu, we have 135 branches,” he informed.source