Mobile transaction
Bharti Airtel has signed a memorandum of understanding with XIUS-bcgi to pilot the eCogNito solution — an end-to-end mobile transaction platform. Part of XIUS-bcgi’s eCogNito solution is a contact-less (CL) SIM card. The new CL SIMs will be issued by mobile network operators, such as Bharti Airtel, and will work with the millions of existing handsets. A second part of the solution uses paper-thin, printed electronics technology, which creates a self-service terminal device with through-the-glass-touch sensing. These are called active posters (APs) and they can be mounted behind any retail shop with a glass front, instantly transforming it into a 24x7 storefront.
With CL SIMs, Bharti Airtel customers will be able to perform contact-less transactions for prepaid recharge, electronic bill payment, booking movie tickets and accessing digital content, coupons/tokens on the move — all of this with just a touch of their handset to “target icons” on the APs anywhere, anytime. Indian consumers will also be able to touch their handsets to “target icons” on APs placed in cafes, music shops, multiplexes, fast-food restaurants, etc. to automatically set-up local, high-speed free data connections using multiple short-range wireless connectivity technologies (Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.) and download rich media content like video clips, games and animations in minutes into their handsets.
WiMAX finds favor
The WiMAX Forum projects that more than 27.5 million Indians will be WiMAX users by 2012. Additional data from a recent WiMAX Forum study estimates that approximately 70 percent of the forecasted WiMAX subscribers will utilize mobile and portable WiMAX devices to access broadband Internet services.
“WiMAX devices and networks are available now for deployment worldwide delivering best in class broadband services at a cost to consumers significantly lower than any other technology. India is clearly making the commitment and taking the steps to ensure wireless broadband services are a reality that enables operators to meet the needs of India’s diverse and growing population,” said Ron Resnick, president of the WiMAX Forum.
Last week, the WiMAX Forum commended the Department of Telecommunications of India for the allocation of, and upcoming auction relating to, the 2.3 and 2.5GHz frequency bands. The auction will enable two 20MHz blocks in both the 2.3 and 2.5GHz bands. The Indian government also plans to auction blocks in the 700MHz and 3.3-3.6GHz bands as they become available. The WiMAX Forum expects to certify the first 3.5GHz WiMAX products by the end of 2008 and views 700MHz as a strong contender for Mobile Internet services, especially in India’s low-density rural areas. With the demand for WiMAX in India the WiMAX Forum plans to add an Indian certification lab to its existing network by the end of 2008.
More movie downloads
In a move sure to delight world cinema aficionados across the SAARC territories, NDTV Lumiere is making its offerings available through www.jaman.com/movies/NDTV/. Titles from NDTV Lumiere’s extensive acquisition list will be available on the site at a price of $2 per download — with free content offered as well.
Viewers can choose to watch films through real-time Internet streaming or they can download the movie to PC and watch it as many times as they wish for a period of seven days. This service will be offered across India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives. Jaman is currently in Beta. To learn more about it click to www.jaman.com/faq/.
