Bharti to take its services to Sri Lanka

Indian private major telecom player Bharti is planning to invest $200 million in the next five years in the neighbouring Sri Lanka. Bharti has just bagged the GSM license to operate in the island-country. They would be 5th to operate GSM services in the country.

Other players in the Sri Lankan market include Dialog Telecom, Hutchison, Mobitel and Celtel.



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Mobile banking for RBS customers

Royal Bank of Scotland would be starting a service where its consumers can carry out basic banking activities through their mobile phones. Currently the software would be free although the consumers would have to pay the GPRS and related usage charges.

RBS has joined the list of ever-increasing consumer banks that are extending their services through mobile phones to the customers.



New source

CEC eyeing Royal Philips

CEC [China Electronics Corporation] has signed a Letter of Intent to buy off the Mobile phone business of Royal Philips. Philips has its mobile business with major concentration in Easter European countries and Asia Pacific region and its business has been flagging since last two year.

Although the deal can not be considered completed before the go-ahead from the government, the regulators and the share-holders but the process has been initiated.


New source

Mobile phones usage banned on airplanes

The US Federal Communications Commission [the FCC] has ended the speculations by saying that the inquiry that was opened at the end of 2004 regarding the allowing of mobile phones usage on board flying airplanes has ended. The usage of the mobile phones isn't allowed anymore [as of now].



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MDEV acquired by CRE8

Mobile Development Limitada (MDEV), a Brazilian mobile content developer and distributor has been acquired by CRE8, making it a leading mobile content developer and distributor in the region.

Mobile Development Limitada which specializes in the development, testing and distribution of Java, Symbian and BREW games is a trusted name in the area. It has many mobile operators as its popular clients which include Vivo (Telefonica), Brasil Telecom, Claro (America Movil), Oi, Telemig Cel and Teleamazon Cel.


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Mobile usage by Russians

Europeans send on the average of 100+ text messages from their mobile phones in a month, on the other hand Russians send only 10. The major Russian mobile operator MTS has been trying to convince its subscribers to use more of the mobile telephony services and get over their reluctance to talk or text.

...And you thought the British are the stiff upper lip.



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Mobile coupons - a concept getting increasingly popular

Cellfire and Hardee's chain of quick-food restaurants in the US has teamed to offer the customers online coupons through their mobile phones. The customers can avail of the buy one get one free schemes on some products through these mobile coupons.

The service is at the present available for Indianapolis and St. Louis markets.


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Teacher beating student recorded on mobile

A teacher in a Russian school who has beaten her student in front of the classmates has been recorded on the mobile phone and can face up to 3 years in prison if she is found guilty in the investigation of the case.

I still remember beatings in school, although I wasn't the one who used to get beating [better student :p], I think the world has changed a lot.


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