In the News
Mobio and Times Internet Ltd. Bring World Class Mobile Mash-Up Applications to Nine Indian Operator
03 Apr 2007
CUPERTINO, Calif. – April 3, 2007 – Mobio Networks today announced that it is partnering with Times Internet Limited (TIL), the digital wing of the Times Group and the parent company of Indiatimes, the largest web portal in India, to create and distribute new mobile mash-up applications. Mobio will work with India’s most popular Internet and mobile value-added services destination as an exclusive distribution partner with nine mobile operators. As part of the agreement, Mobio has developed new applications designed for India’s rapidly growing mobile population that include 2007 Cricket World Cup-themed services such as Indiatimes Cricket Station for live scores and Howzzat!!! for fantasy cricket.
“TIL has turned Indiatimes into a mega-brand in the Indian market. With over one billion page views per month and millions of daily requests for branded content like ringtones and images, partnering with Indiatimes enables us to reach a vast population of mobile phone users that are excited to use the handset for a lot more than simple voice or SMS functionality,” said Ramneek Bhasin, CEO of Mobio. “We are working closely with Indiatimes to create new applications that meet the unique requirements and interests of Indian consumers who use the mobile phone as their primary Internet connectivity device. Our services provide the best of Web, including gaming, shopping, restaurant reservations and entertainment, right on the mobile phone.”
India is forecasted to become the world’s 3rd largest mobile population by the end of 2007. According to Wireless World Forum’s “Indian Mobile Market 2006” statistical handbook, mobile ownership will exceed the 100 million mark in 2007 due to the fact that the “largest middle class in the world” is quickly taking up mobile ownership. Mobio will provide the technical and operational functionality needed to successfully build and deploy customized mobile applications for this growing audience that maximize proliferation of Indiatimes’ Web content and resources.
“As the leading mobile lifestyle applications company in the US, we believe that Mobio is the ideal partner to give our customers content-rich, carrier-grade solutions,” said Dinesh Wadhawan, MD and CEO of Indiatimes. “The alliance with Mobio will allow us to further strengthen our mobile offerings by leveraging Mobio’s value-added technologies that are designed to help India’s mobile operators realize a dramatic increase in ARPU and uptake of services. Mobio possesses the vision and knowledge necessary to quickly deploy world-class products that appeal to India’s increasingly discerning mobile customers.”
To publicize the new services, Indiatimes will perform a barrage of marketing activity that includes print ads in India’s leading journals, as well as online advertising. Mobio’s cricket applications will be prominently featured “on-deck” with Airtel, one of India’s largest wireless operator with over 33 million subscribers. In addition, eight other operators including BPL Mobile, MTNL Mumbai, MTNL Delhi, Aircell, Spice Karnataka, Idea Cellular, BSNL and Hutch will offer the applications. Both applications are currently available on some of the most popular phone models for a one-time download price of $4.99 in the US or Rs. 99 India. To get Mobio in India, go to http://www.mobio.in for more information. In the US, go to http://www.getmobio.com/cricket/ for more information.
About Times Internet Limited (Indiatimes)
Times Internet Limited, (TIL), is the Internet venture of India’s largest media house - the Times Group. TIL made its foray into the Internet with a mission to create world-class Web products and services. In a short span of time, the company has emerged as India’s foremost Web entity, with diverse portals and niche websites. Over the years TIL has established its presence as India’s most comprehensive Web entity seamlessly integrating content, community and commerce. It is one of the fastest growing web based networks in the world. TIL operates many premier web properties on the Internet, Indiatimes.com is the flagship brand of TIL.
Indiatimes.com is the largest internet portal in India with interests in telecom, e-commerce, online advertisement solutions, events and guru-seminars. Crowned as the youngest ever “Business Superbrand”, it is a preferred on-line destination for millions of Indians, who want rich and self-directed online experience. Of all the web properties, Indiatimes is a leading multi-faceted portal and has more than 1 billion page views in a month.
Indiatimes 8888 receives over 1 million requests every day for ringtones, astro, dating, cricket, jokes, mail, logos, picture messages and other branded content. Indiatimes 8888 continues to be the market driver in value-added services for mobile phones and landlines. Setting up the first value-added short messaging service, Indiatimes 8888 quickly expanded to include multimedia messaging, dating and email on mobile. 8888 is available with all service operators across India on both CDMA and GPRS phones. The portal now offers a bouquet of voice-based services on landlines as well.
About Mobio Networks
Mobio makes over 50 dynamic mobile applications and widgets that work together and are based on mash ups of web services. Based in Silicon Valley, the company’s mission is to make compelling applications that are fun, simple and useful enough to merit everyday use on popular mobile phones. Around the globe, people use Mobio’s applications to locate the hottest bars, call a cab, book a table at the latest restaurants, and stay current with popular events like the World Cup Cricket – all with very few clicks and minimal or no data entry. For more information, visit http://www.getmobio.com.
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