coolrajiv 1 Report post Posted August 27, 2007 Source - http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070827/asp/...ory_8241703.asp New Delhi, Aug. 26: British telecom firm Vodafone will launch its brand and services in India by October. In the offing are low-cost handsets for the mass and international services such as Vodafone Passport, Vodafone Simply and Vodafone live!, sources said. The telecom player is slated to offer handsets at Rs 666 at the lower end. This will fit in with the company’s plans to capture the mass market, the sources added. “Vodafone Simply — which is a basic no-frills mobile phone used to make voice calls — ill attract the rural mass looking for a wireless version of the plain vanilla landline phone,” said analysts. Vodafone Passport enables customers going abroad to talk at domestic rates. They pay a one-off connection fee and then shell out standard Indian rates. The company may also introduce a very competitive price plan for Indian customers. “Globally, Vodafone offers aggressive strategies such as Vodafone-Stop-the-Clock price plan, where customers can talk for up to one hour on evenings and weekends and only pay for the first 3 minutes,” said the sources. Such plans could be introduced in the price-sensitive Indian market with some modifications. Vodafone is also toying with the idea of launching customised handsets. “The exclusive handsets will be designed to meet the needs of Vodafone’s customers in terms of price, specification and user experience. It can be fully integrated with the company’s live services. This will help drive the use of services and increase the average revenue per user,” said the sources. Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin had earlier said, “We will bring in our expertise in a wide range of services while respecting the local fabric.” The company is also building brand awareness in six new circles — Orissa, Bihar, Assam, the Northeast, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu &Kashmir — where it holds unified access service licence through its wholly owned subsidiary, Vodafone Essar Spacetel. Vodafone Essar offers mobile services in 16 of the 23 telecom circles. However, Vodafone Essar Spacetel is yet to receive its share of GSM spectrum from the department of telecom for the six circles to roll out 2G services. Vodafone’s acquisition of a controlling stake in Hutch Essar in February this year brought in $801 million (Rs 3,285 crore) as foreign direct investment, making the world’s largest mobile company the top investor up to May this year. The UK-based company bought controlling stake in the country’s fourth largest cellular operator — Hutch Essar — for $10.9 billion in February this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
copperco2 24 Report post Posted August 27, 2007 it surely is a good thing.. lets hope the handsets are not 'classic'// he he Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kshah 452 Report post Posted August 27, 2007 it surely is a good thing.. lets hope the handsets are not 'classic'//he he Probably same as classic. China makes loads of handsets like classic for GSM too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Honest 836 Report post Posted August 27, 2007 ^^^ But my dear friends I don't think the low cost handsets which Vodafone will provide with the connection is just like 'CLASSIC'. Vodafone is a big operator and all the services & products which Vodafone will provide in India will not be like of Reliance's CLASSIC. After all Vodafone is the biggest mobile operator in the world and will maintain its image in India too. Regards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
copperco2 24 Report post Posted August 27, 2007 vodafone it seems is loosing money in other markets and to compensate that it has entered into this 'emerging market' to keep the profitability high. it is an aggressive player..yes after all this is the game of market share and valuation. the plans which provide similarity like DAPO asking for a committement should not be far fetched..like it is in US.. locked in period of 1-3 years and a basic monthly committement, which gives you a handset free...cost may not be a deterrant in this for a higher monthly committement. for other, as long as they are connected and cannot switch over..handsets like classic wil do. typically used for breaking into the lower rung of the market and much unexploited. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sadikk 301 Report post Posted August 27, 2007 LOL yes guys they are launching handsets made by HUAWIE. Co founder of CLASSICS. But hey u dont have to worry about it, we always have choice to use on GSM. Me just ordered E90, small gift for myself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coolrajiv 1 Report post Posted August 28, 2007 Get ready guys for bombardment of Chinese handsets aka Classic in GSM segment too from October 2007 onwards Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
copperco2 24 Report post Posted August 28, 2007 wish them a good shelf life. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HetalDP 947 Report post Posted August 28, 2007 in 600 Rupee with SIM card New Connection We can expect Inferior than Classic Handset. But in GSM we always have Choice. hope The Standard of Service dont get inferior. As i always Prefer Better Service, Coverage and Innovation rather than Cheaper Offergings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ashoksoft 83 Report post Posted August 28, 2007 The services can be barred on using a Non- Vodafone Handset during the term of the contract. Check the fine print at the time of purchase ... know about these nitty gritties from the Vodafone T&C elsewhere - like UK. Similarly GPRS services will be restricted - a walled garden ... lets see if these terms will hold true in india - if yes ... then really sad else it is amazing !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
raccoon 53 Report post Posted August 28, 2007 If this is true, then it sounds almost nightmarish!!! Imagine just one scenario: the handset goes kaput (and since quality might be suspect, its not unlikely)... so you wont be able to use the SIM on another handset, even if you have one! You would be totally at the mercy of the service center/operator ...and may not have a working phone number for days! A totally unacceptable model, at least for me ...no matter at what price. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Honest 836 Report post Posted August 28, 2007 ^^^ I think Vodafone will come with some different policies in India. As the typical Indian mobile users may not understand such tough policies. Regards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kshah 452 Report post Posted August 29, 2007 If we think that multinational will come with open policies, then we all are mistaken. They will always come with monopolistic plans then any given company. Reliance is very much on such path and with power of money they can fetch market. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
situ1962 21 Report post Posted August 30, 2007 One can only wait and watch now keeping eyes and ears open. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linuxguy 0 Report post Posted August 31, 2007 lets just wait and watch. these guys are all talk no action. hopefully they'll come with some unlimited talk plans ( in particular hours, particular nos etc... ) for affordable prices! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ramchi 0 Report post Posted September 1, 2007 For High-End Customers (retail customers) - Unlimited Local Calls (Mobile/Landline inclusive), Cheap STD/ISD Charges (around Rs 1.00 Per Minute for STD), unlimited Data Plan (For Rs 500), with Email solutions - Rs 1500-2000 Per month For Average use Customers - Unlimited Local Calls, Slightly expensive STD/ISD Charges (STD around Rs 1.50 PM), very good data plan (2 GB Download/Upload for Rs 400) - Rs 700-800 Per month For Below average use customers - Unlimited local calls, expensive STD/ISD rates, reasonable data plan (500 MB at Rs 150 per month) - Rs 400-500 per month. Student plan, spouse plan, group plans etc...can be tailored accordingly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Honest 836 Report post Posted September 1, 2007 ^^^ But can someone confirm on exactly which date Vodafone will launch in India my dear friends ? Regards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coolrajiv 1 Report post Posted September 2, 2007 ^^^But can someone confirm on exactly which date Vodafone will launch in India my dear friends ? Regards. October 2007 onwards .. could be just before Diwali Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
copperco2 24 Report post Posted September 3, 2007 the branding will be very aggressive and it will wipe out any trace of Hutch Essar, it will be Vodafone hutch and then it will launch the plans. it will be most probably be completed by the end of this year. and if we have to take into account experience in other countries, vodafone will be waiting for a chance to make it Vodafone India, drop Essar from the name tag and venture... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Himanshu Singh 19 Report post Posted September 3, 2007 (edited) All tall claims of the Hutch could fall flat as its aint getting any additional spectrum in cirlces it already has spectrum.Same with Airtel.Its now becoming clear that first the companies which are holding licences without any spectrum that will get the priority in spectrum allocation. This essentially means Aircel will get spectrum in 21 circles followed by Hutch in some circles. And the inside story is that Reliance is in talks with Maxis(Which holds majority stake in Aircell) for a GSM JV.So Reliance could have a Pan India GSM presence as soon as the next round of spectrum is done as it already has GSM operations in 8 circles out of 24 cirlces in India.Now where does that leave any room for any other operator.Imagine Reliance with the talk plans and the options of all kinds of GSM handsets. Reliance will become the only company in the world to offer both CDMA and GSM services simultaneoulsy in all the cirlces. This would catapult Reliance to number one position. Vodafone is indulging in a pr exercise for the company. If it was going to be a panacea for all ills of Indian Telecom I dnt think they would have incresed the local sms rate and local on net call rate to start with! But guys, great imagination, creativity and good optimism. Edited September 3, 2007 by sachinrocks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HetalDP 947 Report post Posted September 4, 2007 (edited) All tall claims of the Hutch could fall flat as its aint getting any additional spectrum in cirlces it already has spectrum.Same with Airtel.Its now becoming clear that first the companies which are holding licences without any spectrum that will get the priority in spectrum allocation. This essentially means Aircel will get spectrum in 21 circles followed by Hutch in some circles. And the inside story is that Reliance is in talks with Maxis(Which holds majority stake in Aircell) for a GSM JV.So Reliance could have a Pan India GSM presence as soon as the next round of spectrum is done as it already has GSM operations in 8 circles out of 24 cirlces in India.Now where does that leave any room for any other operator.Imagine Reliance with the talk plans and the options of all kinds of GSM handsets. Reliance will become the only company in the world to offer both CDMA and GSM services simultaneoulsy in all the cirlces. This would catapult Reliance to number one position.Vodafone is indulging in a pr exercise for the company. If it was going to be a panacea for all ills of Indian Telecom I dnt think they would have incresed the local sms rate and local on net call rate to start with! But guys, great imagination, creativity and good optimism. China Unicom have 34 Crore Customer and 8 Crore in CDMA Remaining in GSM (It is Worlds First and Largest in Dual Tech Co.) It Hold Largest GSM Customer Base in World It Hold Largest CDMA Customer Base in World Total Customer base is Higher than USA Population. Edited September 4, 2007 by hetaldp Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Himanshu Singh 19 Report post Posted September 4, 2007 @hetal, Does it operate both the techonlogy in all the areas of China simultaneously? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ashoksoft 83 Report post Posted September 4, 2007 nopes ... though in many places in china they have simultaneous coverage ... there are certain places where one or the other system takes precedence. cheers ashok Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
copperco2 24 Report post Posted September 4, 2007 the logo still may say 'hutch' followed by the dog.. but it is now 'Vodafone Essar Limited' http://www.hutch.in/bottom/aboutus.asp Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
