Virgin Mobile Is Here For The Youth, Courtesy Tata

[commonman 228]

Some onefrom reliance told me that CDMA operators are trapped they have to obey orders of qualcomm and qualcomm do not want handsets to be open, hence it is not implementing open standards like GSM. Hence half of programming is done on ruim and half on handset.

Then how manufacturers like samsung/spice are able to provide CDMA open phones?

[kshah 452]

There are lots of other handsets too, but none of them will work for on set data services. Because CDMA is such a stupid srndaed where data related settings are stored on handset not RUIM. Only china unicom is storing it on RUIM and its their patent. China unicom handsets are most probably not locked. They can update PRL on RUIM by SMS (again patented). If you read authentication procedures for CDMA its very different than that of GSM.

[rbdhoot 11]

is there postpaid in virgin ??

is there postpaid in virgin ??

Ha Ha Ha !! How can be a postpaid user be virgin ??? He gets F***ed by the Service Provider in the first bill itself.

Sorry but could not resist for the PJ.

Nothing about postpaid mentioned on their webpage.

[KumaarShah 143]

^^^

Deadly one, huh.....

[sougatadc 358]

DoT clears Tata-Virgin deal

Times News Network

Putting to rest all controversy over the Tata Teleservices-Virgin alliance, the department of telecom (DoT) on Friday gave it a clean chit after receiving answers to its queries on whether the tie-up was above board. The DoT said Virgin Mobile India, the company formed under the tie-up, was not operating as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in India.

While DoT had earlier said it had no problems with the tie-up, the GSM operators’ association, Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI), had written to the department alleging that Virgin was operating as an MVNO.

In its latest communication to DoT on March 20, COAI again claimed that Virgin Mobile was offering full-range mobile services like a licence holder in violation of existing regulations and the services were similar to those offered by Virgin as an MVNO in other countries like the UK and Australia. The DoT had then sought clarification from Tata Teleservices (TTL) on certain points, including usage of the Indian operator’s network or spectrum by Virgin.

The DoT based its final decision on Tata Teleservices’ arguments that it had no partnership for use of network or spectrum with Virgin and Virgin Mobile India was set up purely for non-licence activities.

“The Virgin Mobile brand Tariff Plan completely belongs to Tata Teleservices/TTML and it is subject to the regulatory process and has been filed by Tata Teleservices/TTML with Trai. All customers, tariff plan and the revenue belong to Tata Teleservices/TTML,” the DoT said in its statement. TTML stands for Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra).

In response to the DoT letter seeking details of the tie-up with Virgin, the CDMA operator said that it has obtained a trademark licence from UK-based Virgin Group to use the Virgin Mobile brand for marketing mobile services for youth. “Virgin is not launching any telecom services in India and thus it goes without saying that it’s not using network or spectrum of TTL,” the operator said in its response to DoT.

On the question of whether Virgin’s model was akin to MVNO, Tata Teleservices maintained its stand that its tie-up with Virgin did not follow that model. Pointing out that MVNO’s definition worldwide included two things — buying of bulk air time under contract from an operator & reselling of minutes as well as customer ownership, Tata Teleservices said, “None of these are applicable or relevant to TTL’s launch of Virgin Mobile branded services.”

MVNOs buy bulk airtime from mobile operators and sell packaged plans under their own brands. Virgin operates in most other countries as an MVNO. Indian regulations do not allow MVNOs to operate in the country.

[Dj 25]

interesting... reliance seems to be in talks with ORANGE for a similar offering and brand positioning...

[rajeshkatiyar 3]

There are lots of other handsets too, but none of them will work for on set data services. Because CDMA is such a stupid srndaed where data related settings are stored on handset not RUIM. Only china unicom is storing it on RUIM and its their patent. China unicom handsets are most probably not locked. They can update PRL on RUIM by SMS (again patented). If you read authentication procedures for CDMA its very different than that of GSM.

Dear Friend

You can connect internet by these sets but can not connect

R Word by TATA set or TATA zone by Reliance set

[kesav 127]

Tatas lashes TRAI probe in Virgin Mobile deal

New Delhi: The Tata Group has informed telecom regulator TRAI that it was not required by law to furnish details of its commercial and trade mark agreements with UK-based Virgin Mobile. (See: Department of telecom clears Tata-Virgin deal)

The Indian conglomerate, upset with TRAI for instituting an enquiry and questioning the legalities of the deal based on press reports, termed the regulator's attitude unfair.

Replying to the queries posed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, the Tatas pointed out that questioning the legalities of a deal on the basis of press reports was unfair and also stated that operating with multiple brands in the Indian telecom industry has been practiced by all leading operators including Orange brand, which operated through Essar Mobile from 2002 – 2004, TSL said in a letter.

In a bid to stall the Tata – Virgin tie up, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) the representative body of GSM service providers, had earlier argued before the department of telecom that Virgin Mobile, part of the UK-based Branson's Virgin Group, had violated India's telecom norms by entering the country as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO).

Tata Teleservices had successfully countered the charge by stating before the department of telecommunications that it had no partnership for use of network or spectrum with Virgin and the tie-up was purely for non-license activities, and hence was in complete accordance with the laws of the land.

DoT had then ruled in favour of Tatas saying that the Virgin Mobile brand tariff plan completely belonged to Tata Teleservices / TTML and it was subject to the regulatory process and has been filed by Tata Teleservices / TTML with TRAI. All customers, tariff plan and the revenue belong to Tata Teleservices / TTML. "

The COAI then took its battle to the telecom watchdog TRAI, which asked Tatas to submit details of its commercial agreements with Virgin mobile.

Tata Teleservices has also said that engaging another brand as a agent or consultant to carry out operations did not require an UASL and was being done in India by Yahoo, IBM and Nokia Siemens to other telcos to carry our support functions.

source :: http://www.domain-b.com/companies/companie...tata_group.html

[@ksh@T 20]

Virgin Mobile tariff cheaper by 25-30%: Morgan Stanley

The brokerage house Morgan Stanley recently unveiled a report titled Virgin Mobile: One More Innovative Product for the Indian Consumer which analysed the recent Tata-Virgin agreement and its expected impact on the market.

Under this agreement, Tata Teleservices recently launched ‘Virgin Mobile’ services in India through a brand franchise arrangement with Virgin Group to target the youth segment.

Through Virgin Mobile Brand, Tata Teleservices aims to offer India’s youth a range of innovative and exciting services that give them world class experience at value for money price points.

According to the report, tariff plans introduced by Tata Teleservices under the ‘Virgin Mobile Brand’ are cheaper by 25-30%, compared to similar schemes offered by other players.

“Comparing the tariffs with Rs 200 card of Bharti, the leading wireless operator, reveals that the plan is 25-30% cheaper, i.e., for the same price, the consumer could make outgoing calls for 140 minutes as against 85 minutes in Bharti’s plan,” says the report.

Beyond the value for money pricing, Virgin Mobile has launched an innovative tariff plan paying customers 10 paise for every minute of incoming calls they receive. This is reverse to the scenario, whereby only a few years ago customers had to pay to receive calls.

The report has termed this plan of paying customers for receiving calls as Innovative, not disruptive. “We find it innovative because under the plan incoming is rewarded, which may lure consumers. In reality, it is costlier per minute than the average Revenue Per Minute (RPM) of Rs0.75-0.8 for India based on last quarter results. This leads us to believe it is not disruptive.”

The report also says that the two brands of Tata Teleservices viz Tata Indicom and Virgin Mobile Brand will compliment each other and help the company to further consolidate its market share.

“The product adds to the TTSL kitty, the Rs 200/month plan with Rs 99 one-time cost, arguably the best selling ARPU segment, where the company was not present earlier. TTSL has not been a market leader, and this launch should enable it to garner better market share,” says the report.

The report also commented on the recent attack by COAI on the agreement, terming it as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). MVNOs typically do not have licences or spectrum to provide telecom services, but buy airtime in bulk from licensed service providers for resale to consumers.

GSM operators have said the partnership amounts to Virgin’s entry into India as an MVNO format. However, the Tatas insist that as there is no selling of bulk airtime, the partnership cannot be classified as an MVNO. Indian regulations do not allow MVNOs to operate in India.

[commonman 228]

Virgin Mobile tariff cheaper by 25-30%: Morgan Stanley

The brokerage house Morgan Stanley recently unveiled a report titled Virgin Mobile: One More Innovative Product for the Indian Consumer which analysed the recent Tata-Virgin agreement and its expected impact on the market.

Beyond the value for money pricing, Virgin Mobile has launched an innovative tariff plan paying customers 10 paise for every minute of incoming calls they receive. This is reverse to the scenario, whereby only a few years ago customers had to pay to receive calls.

The report has termed this plan of paying customers for receiving calls as Innovative, not disruptive. “We find it innovative because under the plan incoming is rewarded, which may lure consumers. In reality, it is costlier per minute than the average Revenue Per Minute (RPM) of Rs0.75-0.8 for India based on last quarter results. This leads us to believe it is not disruptive.”

As per the updated website of Virgin, the incoming payout is "Not applicable for Free outgoing calls originating from Tata numbers (mobile or fixed) and terminating on Virgin Mobile India network)"

Does this also mean that the free outgoing Tata 2 Tata option of normal Tata No. applies to calls made to Virgin No.s also?

[Honest 836]

Virgin Mobile Offers Brew Services

Tata Teleservices has announced it will offer wireless data services for Qualcomm's Brew solution to subscribers of its Virgin Mobile brand in India. Virgin Mobile will now work with Qualcomm to offer Brew services to its subscribers. Qualcomm's Brew solution will ensure efficient delivery of Virgin Mobile's latest content (entertainment, gaming, sports, astrology, music, and messaging applications) to mid- and high- end devices.

Additionally, Virgin Mobile will make available to its subscribers innovative offers such as unlimited access to Virgin Mobile's unique V-Bytes data portal for a daily charge of Rs 5.

Jamie Heywood, deputy chief executive officer of Virgin Mobile India, expressed the view that Virgin's target audience of tech-savvy youth in India desires the latest mobile applications and services and that Brew will allow them to offer the same expeditiously.

Arvin Chander, vice president (Global Carrier Relations) of Qualcomm Internet Services, said Virgin Group as an entity has been known for its unique business strategies and that Qualcomm is looking forward to playing a pivotal role as Virgin Mobile redefines India's mobile-scape.

Courtesy : Techtree

[srk006 21]

Any Virgin subscribers here?

[sandeep4u 0]

Last 2 month I am using Virgin Mobile

[srk006 21]

^^ Howz your experience with Virgin? Do comment on their CC and network.

[@mitJ@in 256]

What is the Internet Dial Up (Like Rconnect in Reliance) Plans in Virgin?

[sandeep4u 0]

^^ Howz your experience with Virgin? Do comment on their CC and network.

simirarly to TATA.........Network Is Good.

Customer Care Services Also Good.

per 1 minutes .10 Paisa Add in Incoming call. Incoming Balance in Add to next Day mornig with Alert to SMS. ( Not applicable for Free outgoing calls originating from Tata Indicom number (mobile or fixed) and terminating on Virgin Mobile branded customer number)

Cheap Call Rate 1 Rs first 2 minutes after 50 paisa All Call in the hole Day ( Landline ,all mobile in maharastra & Goa)

3 New Offers In virgin :

1: 26 Rs. E recharge ( SMS Pack - All Local SMS 20 Paisa) Validity 30 Days.

39 RS. E recharge ( SMS Pack - 500 Hundred Local SMS free) Validity 30 Days.

2: 45 Rs E recharge ( STD Pack - All STD Rs 1 ) validity 30 Days

3: New Weekend 18 Rs E recharge ( All Call 30 Paisa & 100 SMS Free ) Validity 3 Days

..................... ONLY CHOICE ONE OFFER IN URS MOBILE...............NO ACTIVATE TWO OR MORE OFFER IN UR MOBILE.............................

4. Nowadays,,,,,,,,, Internet r Free ( Mobile Browser & Computer Browser with Full Download No Any One Charge) Bcozed ,, No Any Browsing Rate decide ( Customer Care Reply) but u don't use in mobile browser in V- Bytes services it is chargeable 5 Rs per day.

I am also use internet in mobile or pc both working Good with no any charge.

But big problem Is E- Recharge.....

Only Hot spot & Mobile Store are provide Only E Recharge......................... I tis big problem E recharge.

Edited June 2, 2008 by sandeep4u

[srk006 21]

^^ So Tata Indicom outlets don't recharge virgin accounts?? Strange..

[sandeep4u 0]

^^ So Tata Indicom outlets don't recharge virgin accounts?? Strange..

NO..............Tata Indicom Do not recharge in virgin Account.

[Pankaj Verma 0]

^^ Howz your experience with Virgin? Do comment on their CC and network.

simirarly to TATA.........Network Is Good.

Customer Care Services Also Good.

per 1 minutes .10 Paisa Add in Incoming call. Incoming Balance in Add to next Day mornig with Alert to SMS. ( Not applicable for Free outgoing calls originating from Tata Indicom number (mobile or fixed) and terminating on Virgin Mobile branded customer number)

Cheap Call Rate 1 Rs first 2 minutes after 50 paisa All Call in the hole Day ( Landline ,all mobile in maharastra & Goa)

3 New Offers In virgin :

1: 26 Rs. E recharge ( SMS Pack - All Local SMS 20 Paisa) Validity 30 Days.

39 RS. E recharge ( SMS Pack - 500 Hundred Local SMS free) Validity 30 Days.

2: 45 Rs E recharge ( STD Pack - All STD Rs 1 ) validity 30 Days

3: New Weekend 18 Rs E recharge ( All Call 30 Paisa & 100 SMS Free ) Validity 3 Days

..................... ONLY CHOICE ONE OFFER IN URS MOBILE...............NO ACTIVATE TWO OR MORE OFFER IN UR MOBILE.............................

4. Nowadays,,,,,,,,, Internet r Free ( Mobile Browser & Computer Browser with Full Download No Any One Charge) Bcozed ,, No Any Browsing Rate decide ( Customer Care Reply) but u don't use in mobile browser in V- Bytes services it is chargeable 5 Rs per day.

I am also use internet in mobile or pc both working Good with no any charge.

But big problem Is E- Recharge.....

Only Hot spot & Mobile Store are provide Only E Recharge......................... I tis big problem E recharge.

E-Recharge available but you first have locate the retailer who has e-recharge.

[Honest 836]

Tata Tele-Virgin deal gets TRAI clean chit

16 Jun, 2008, 0001 hrs IST

NEW DELHI: Sector regulator TRAI has given a clean chit to Bharti and Vodafone's outsourcing deals, Reliance Communication's dual-company structure and Tata Teleservices' contract with Virgin Mobile. The regulator has also decided that the moves by telcos to hive off their tower businesses into separate companies does not impact the government's revenue share.

TRAI had independently scrutinised the contractual agreements as well as the hiving off issue to examine whether there was any violation of regulations and also whether the government's revenue share was being hit by these developments. TRAI sources also clarified that there was no probe against these companies, and that the regulator was only monitoring the latest developments in telecom space.

"All the companies explained their position to us and gave us the requisite information we needed. As a regulator, we were also able to understand how these agreements worked. After hearing out the companies and examining the information they submitted, we have found that they are not in any violation and government's revenues are not impacted," a TRAI official told ET.

The regulator had decided to study the outsourcing models adopted by several telcos such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone after the Tatas had demanded a probe into this. Bharti has outsourced its networks to equipment majors Ericsson and Nokia Siemens. Both Bharti and Vodafone have outsourced their complete IT requirements to IBM. The Tatas had asked the Department of Telecom to specify the clause of the licence under which GSM players were allowed to outsource their networks and IT requirements to foreign companies.

Similarly, GSM players had opposed the Tata-Virgin mobile JV on the grounds that deal amounts to Virgin's entering India as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and was a violation of the existing Indian regulations which do not permit such services. The Tatas have always maintained that Virgin Mobile was only a franchisee of Tata Teleservices and since the JV did not involve selling of bulk airtime, it therefore cannot be classified as an MVNO.

With regard to telcos such as Bharti, Vodafone, Idea, RCOM and Tata Teleservices amongst others hiving off their physical infrastructure into separate companies, sources said that the regulator wanted to examine the nature of agreements between the two companies. As this business model involves several complex agreements between the parent company and the hived off tower arm, and also the possibility of both companies cross subsidising each other, TRAI wanted to ensure that this did not impact the government's revenues.

[Honest 836]

Virgin Mobile eyes youth market in Andhra

Press Trust of India / Hyderabad July 10, 2008, 18:34 IST

Virgin Mobile, country's youth-focused mobile services brand from Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTL), has announced aggressive plans to capture the burgeoning youth market in Andhra Pradesh.

"With Virgin Mobile ARPU, that is 30 per cent healthier than the industry average, and with the youth accounting for 50 per cent of the subscribers in Andhra Pradesh, I am confident that with the right product and services mix, we can capture a sizeable chunk in the next three years", Chief Executive Officer M A Madhusudan told reporters here.

As part of the strategy, the company is increasing its presence to cover 100 per cent of the urban youth population and plans to quadruple its retail presence from 1,624 to 6,160 outlets over the next six months.

TTL has also introduced another youth-focused proposition that charges customers only 10 paise per minute for an intra network call, for a nominal monthly commitment of just Rs 28.

This tariff package, available through a vPower recharge voucher is the most attractive on net pack in the market today, Madhusudan said.

The company also highlighted a monthly SMS pack that gives Virgin Mobile customers 750 local SMSes at a monthly package of Rs 39.

[commonman 228]

4. Nowadays,,,,,,,,, Internet r Free ( Mobile Browser & Computer Browser with Full Download No Any One Charge) Bcozed ,, No Any Browsing Rate decide ( Customer Care Reply) but u don't use in mobile browser in V- Bytes services it is chargeable 5 Rs per day.

I am also use internet in mobile or pc both working Good with no any charge.

Is internet still free?

[sandeep4u 0]

4. Nowadays,,,,,,,,, Internet r Free ( Mobile Browser & Computer Browser with Full Download No Any One Charge) Bcozed ,, No Any Browsing Rate decide ( Customer Care Reply) but u don't use in mobile browser in V- Bytes services it is chargeable 5 Rs per day.

I am also use internet in mobile or pc both working Good with no any charge.

Is internet still free?

Yes my Dear,

Yesterday I am checking both browser ( Computer & mobile browser) and some download file also.No any cost deducted on my accounts.

[Saurav 22]

Can we Tata handsets on Virgin?

Pls suggest some handset for Virgin good handset. budget 1000-5000.

camera not required.

[izzner 1]

Does Virgin internet on Pc give a dynamic ip address or a static ip address every time