July partners with NDTV Convergence to launch pioneering Mi™SMS service in India
New Delhi, India, July 8, 2008 - – July, the company that delivers Mi™ branded live mobile internet channels has partnered with NDTV Convergence, a leader in digital media, to launch Mi™ SMS. Mi™ SMS is a revolutionary mobile internet information service specifically created for the Indian market
Mi™ SMS – A ‘Sachet’ Version of the Mobile Internet
The Indian mobile market has seen significant adoption of SMS based services – a well known fact. However, even as most users have access to the mobile internet there isn’t much usage. Primarily because the majority of the mobile users in India have never accessed the internet itself, and most don’t have access to PCs even.
Ten-Fold More Mobile Internet Access in India than Broadband
The mobile phone tilts that scale dramatically. There are 10 times more Mobile phones in India than PCs, and a similar ratio is seen for mobile internet and broadband connections.
However, industry studies reveal that not all consumers are ready for the full blown internet. Since most users are beginning to use internet, they need to experience a quick and simple response to their specific needs that will expose them to the benefits. In effect this would be a “sachet” form of the mobile internet.
The Mi™ SMS service will deliver Mobile 2.0 - live, personalized, interactive and multi-media experiences on the phone to fulfill this demand.
Speaking at the launch, Sanjay Trehan, CEO, NDTV Convergence said–“ In a converged ecosystem where content is moving beyond devices, our endeavor is to cater to the evolving needs of the changing consumer. Mi SMS will help mobile users to get a taste of accessing internet on the go with a technology that they are most comfortable with - SMS.”
“We are extremely delighted to partner with NDTV Convergence, one of the most trusted media brands in India to launch the Mi™ SMS product. India is a unique market especially in terms of mobile usage behavior,” said Rajesh TS Reddy, Co-Founder & President of July Systems. “With over 100 million mobile internet users, the country, offers tremendous potential for mobile 2.0 services. Tie the already tremendously popular SMS usage with content from India’s’ trusted brands, and one can start connecting the dots.
Consumers can access the Mi™ SMS service by sending “MiNEWS”, “MiCRI” or "MiSTO” to the NDTV short code 56388. They will receive a link that connects to the mobile internet for detailed multimedia content. News with images and video, cricket scores with auto refreshing ball-by-ball commentary, stock quotes with symbols, graphs and company news can be browsed.
Note: The service requires mobile internet (also known as WAP, GPRS, Data, etc) service to be activated on a mobile phone. The content on the mobile internet is offered free of charge. Data charges may apply.
About July Systems
Powered by Mi™ - My Mobile Internet, the Industry’s first mobile 2.0 platform , July delivers live, personalized, socially networked , interactive and multi-media channels on mobile devices with unique experiences - tailor made to drive consumer acquisition and user retention for media companies. July powers direct to mobile channels for media, sports, business, and entertainment brands in the SaaS (Software As A Service) model.
Pioneers in mobile internet products, July’s multi-domain team has over a decade of experience in building and launching mobile internet products worldwide. July Systems is privately held and operates out of offices in New York, Los Angeles & Bangalore. July’s customers are the some of the most popular brands in the world. They include MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Fox, National Geographic, CBS and Lifetime in the United States, and NDTV, Indiatimes, Mint in India.
About NDTV Convergence
NDTV Convergence Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of NDTV Networks Plc, is a leading web 2.0 company. The company develops exclusive content for cross media platforms such as Internet, mobiles, ITV and IPTV.NDTV Convergence Ltd operates India's no 1 Television news website www.ndtv.com along with other leading verticals, namely, NDTV Profit, NDTVGoodtimes, NDTVMovies, NDTVMusic, NDTVImagine, NDTVTravels, NDTVShopping, NDTVKhabar and Nogyan.com-. The bouquet covers an entire gamut of news and beyond news encompassing recipes, travel, entertainment, shopping, books, health, gadgets and special features. The company also has a short code presence through its brand NDTV mobile – 56388 (in India), 63880 (in UK) and 6388 (in UAE) and an IVR platform with 5056388.
For further information please contact:
Julian Philips
VP, Marketing & Product Management
Mobile: +919845074935
julian@julysystems.com
Shivaram Lakshminarayan
Genesis Burson Marsteller
Mob: +91 9986362431
shivaram.l@bm.com |
