Launch of JuiceUp, an audio-video streaming application

We booked the media centre at Convergence India, invited few correspondents but when the city is buzzing with events – conferences at the venue, Fashion week and other summits, to attract media’s attention was no mean feat. But how well we managed to do it J. Or rather, it was the innovative application announced that hooked their interest.
 
Access to all audio-video content available on internet, ability to upload and broadcast self-generated content for all mobile subscribers to tune into, and access to prime content by partner content developers/broadcaster – all of it is possible by JuiceUp, the application announced. More on it…
 
One97 Communications Pvt. Ltd., in partnership with AirChord TeleVentures, announced the launch of JuiceUp, a mobicast (mobile + broadcast) application for the first time in India. JuiceUp is an exciting and innovative mobile application which enables a savvy generation of users to access audio-video feeds over GPRS/data connection. The application also allows the user to stream and broadcast self-generated content to anyone on the mobile network.
Users can now tune into any radio channel that is streamed over the internet from their mobile phones. This application has been developed on a proprietary technology which allows high quality music broadcast over small data throughput. The application will allow the user to access numerous feeds from across the world, and gives them linguistic choice including audio feeds of various Indian languages such as Bhojpuri, Malayalam, Tamil, etc.
 
The upload facility allows the users to upload content from their handsets using the client and GPRS connection or through the JuiceUp website. A P2P phenomenon was imminent in the mobile space and JuiceUp is an industry-first that allows user generated and branded content to be searched by all JuiceUp users.  A user can locate the content generated by fellow users through search tags.  At the moment the available content options fall far short of user appetite and JuiceUp comes as a welcome innovation.  JuiceUp allows users to create their own jukebox and broadcast it as a channel which other users can subscribe to. 

Users can now tune into any radio channel that is streamed over the internet from their mobile phones. This application has been developed on a proprietary technology which allows high quality music broadcast over small data throughput. The application will allow the user to access numerous feeds from across the world, and gives them linguistic choice including audio feeds of various Indian languages such as Bhojpuri, Malayalam, Tamil, etc. The upload facility allows the users to upload content from their handsets using the client and GPRS connection or through the JuiceUp website. A P2P phenomenon was imminent in the mobile space and JuiceUp is an industry-first that allows user generated and branded content to be searched by all JuiceUp users.  A user can locate the content generated by fellow users through search tags.  At the moment the available content options fall far short of user appetite and JuiceUp comes as a welcome innovation.  JuiceUp allows users to create their own jukebox and broadcast it as a channel which other users can subscribe to. 
 
There are no copyright issues since JuiceUp does not allow content to be downloaded, including user generated content – it can only be streamed. To download the application and get the activation key, users need to sms JuiceUp to 3030. JuiceUp will be distributed in India through various wireless operators and it can work on both CDMA and GSM handsets that are Java or Brew compatible.
 
Commenting on the launch, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Managing Director, One97 Communications said, “At One97, we recognize that mobile is a very personal medium and it should fulfill end-users’ desire to stream in personal choice of audio-video content. To make this possible has been our driving motivation. JuiceUp fulfills the dream of mobile subscribers for easy access to every kind of existing content on the internet and also upload their own content for public broadcast.”

Launch of new applications by One97 Communications

New services, innovative applications make Value Added Services in Mobile domain an exciting space for developers, mobile subscribers and service providers alike.
Mr. Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Managing Director, One97  Communications Pvt. Ltd. will be announcing the launch of innovative applications in a new mobile service stream, available for the first time in India, during a media engagement. The announcements with details about applications and exclusive partnership with patent owners will be made during Convergence India 2007, at the Media Centre on 21st March at 11.30 am. 

Why we need to work?

We work for some or the other purpose. For most of us it is a necessity and a dream to have better living conditions. But still there are few who feel it to be a learning process, a process to groom them and to improve upon their existing skills. Even for a fewer people working is out of excitement to explore the world and these kind believe in socializing. None of the above kind is different from each other. Interestingly, every one in his job tenure goes through these three phases.

When I was in college I used to hate it especially the screaming alarm clock and was more or less down with the examination ‘fever’ all round the year. This was the time when I dreamt of having a job with beautiful people and a strong social ambience. The thought of traveling round the globe and meeting new people gave a world of impetus to embark upon a professional career, though completely unaware of hardship and routine life ahead. The substitution was welcomed because I (not sure about others) hated the periodic semesters and never ending assignments.

The zeal was there and I joined a company only to realize that dreams differ from reality. Though I got what I wanted but the satisfaction never touched the expectancy level. I had an aim to learn more and more and at times even used to complain my seniors about sitting ideal without any work. This paid off, and loads of work came my way. Weekends turned into ‘days’ and over timing increased.

A phase came when I realized that my motive of life took a leap leaving behind the ‘l’ of learn. Few call it a leap and few call it greediness. The truth of life comes in many flavors and believe me the first touch is always painful to one’s conscience. To ‘l-earn’ (l silent) more and more that is what became the super set of all the ambitions. This is a fact and every human being is in this race of chasing money.

At the end I would like to mention about a small group of people who even cross this final phase towards Nirvana. Nirvana in itself seems to be quite spiritual but in professional world, nirvana is to attain one’s freedom in self established business. The mentality takes a U turn and business becomes a child which is it to be nurtured through out.

Just to add, all the mentioned phases are present but not dominant. Successful person is one who has a blend of all these three phases. This is my experience and I am sure millions will have a different view

e to m commerce

Society today is based on transactional behaviour. Development in any field which leads to establishment of transactional practices will, if conditions are set right, see phenomenal growth.

The key conditions for m-commerce in India are certainly ready. India has approximately 160 million mobile subscribers with a steady addition of at least 4 – 5 million new subscribers every month. The opportunity for Commerce abounds in the mobile domain to provide end-users ease of payment anywhere, anytime.

The Asia Pacific region has already taken a lead in successfully implementing M-commerce applications. Countries like Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong are not only adopting mobile payment system enthusiastically, but also new technologies and products that lead to mobile phones acting as ‘mobile wallets’. 

M-commerce has the potential to enhance the buying experience for end users, generate business opportunities, and provide instant access to a number of services.  It is pertinent to mention though that Indian subscribers are yet at the nascent stage when it comes to embracing these services. One of their major concerns is the security and reliability of sending credit card details over a network. Strict government policies and guidelines will go a long way in allaying these fears. There has been perception that M-commerce services are for the elite.  This needs to be addressed, and the widespread availability of increasing applications is a sure way to overcome the barrier.

Already applications for booking of movie tickets, railway tickets and payment of utility bills are available across all telco companies. As customers become more comfortable about using mobiles to conduct transactions, mobile banking services and even retail sale services will become acceptable to end users. As more user-friendly applications which help in making life easier are developed, it isn’t long before subscribers across demographics adopt them in their daily life. M-commerce is becoming a reality.

One97 upcoming new office in Mumbai

To strengthen service and operation and to pursue aggressive business growth, One97 is opening a new office in Mumbai. Our intention is to further strengthen relations with our clients and to capture the maximum west market.
We are looking for a suitable candidate who is ready to take initiative to setup our new operation in Mumbai. A detailed JD is given below:

Position Title/Designation	Business Head, West
Job Description	Driving the business of West Location Key Account Acquisition, management and retention Build and grow client relationships and existing clients Take the initiative and opportunity to identify, and create exciting new services for the mobile consumer Strategically launching new services, developing marketing & communication strategies & generating revenues Conduct effective presentations, carry out techno-commercial interactions with clients Ability to communicate the company’s proposition to the target accounts Tracking competition with regard to each of accounts. Be independent in charge of defining deliverables, selling new product solutions and collections Achieve targeted business growth numbers Undertaking in-depth and qualitative market research and analysis of reports about Customer behaviour, Usage pattern, prospective customer groups and making strategies based on the findings. Driving business growth through identification & penetration of new market segments for attaining targets with a view to optimize revenue. Up-selling of other solutions services Interacting with sales, pre-sales team and other account teams Able to manage P&L responsibility for West Location  Please refer this to your friends/colleagues and send cv at hr@one97.net Â
Desired Profile/  Skills required	Excellent track record, team management, Excellent Client relationship management. Ability to plan the profit centre for the business development. Prior experience managing multiple accounts in the area of telecom Should have solutions selling experience Candidate from VAS, ISP and Telecom Industries would be preferred. Good communications and interpersonal skills A go-getter and a team player
Experience	Relevant Experience of  8-10 years
Qualification	Engineering Graduate with MBA (Marketing, Sales
Location	Mumbai

Who stole my cheese?

Telecom sector in India was hoping for announcement of reduction in license fees and rationalizing of levies on the sector during Union Budget 2007 – 2008. Instead, the Budget has included development and supply of content for use in telecom and advertising, allocation of work contracts and commercial rentals, in the service tax net. This has not only disappointed the Telecom sector but will in, all probability, lead to increase in cost of telecom services to common man. 

Current business model of sharing revenue between telco, content aggregator and content owner/creator is heavily skewed in favour of telcos. With the announcement of Service Tax on development and supply of content for use in telecom, only future will tell how this additional cost will be shared between the players. Considering that it is telcos who are calling the shots at this time, likely fall out of budgetary move will be that content owners/aggregators will see further shrinking of their share of revenue. 

Service Tax on all work contracts and commercial rent will lead to higher costs to telcos.