Yesterday’s Times of India had a piece on how people are using their cellphones in their kitchens! You can read the article here:
Now doesn’t it say a lot about the versatility of the little instrument? Imagine carrying a laptop around the house; or when you go somewhere outside – anywhere. Real life examples: At one time I was stuck in the backlanes of Goa in the night after extensive partying. Had it not been for the maps on the cellphone of a friend and our most capable guide, we would have been lost. Then again, there are times in the cold winters, when I don’t want to leave the warmth of my blankets, and yet check that important mail.
One97 Communications, India’s largest and most widely deployed telecom application platform company, today announced that it has secured second round of funding from Intel Capital and SVB.
One97 delivers telecom applications and services to consumers, enterprises and telecom operators in India. The focus of company is to enable telecom networks in becoming the best and most used media to deliver content, information and intelligent transactions to consumers.
This is the second round of funding for One97 and Avendus Capital was the exclusive financial advisor for the transaction. The company had earlier received funding from SAIF Partners & SVB in 2007.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Managing Director, One97 Communications, said “Intel’s investment endorses our plans to continue the disruptive innovation in telecom application space. We will invest in focused market segments and opportunities. The fund will help accelerate our growth both organically and inorganically.”
Every time I meet clients ( prospective…existing…hopeful), friends, colleagues the one question that keeps popping up time and again is – Are mobile phones the best medium to reach out to the consumers with information and interactivity?
And my answer too is consistent….Yes it is!For we are seeing the emergence ofmobile as the medium on which all the types of media like Print, TV, Radio has to ride to become more effective, accessible and relevant for a consumer.
Today, traditional media is increasingly utilizing mobile as a part of their campaigns to drive the interactivity and flow of personalized information. Recently UTVi News has signed One97 to be the mobile partner of the Autocar event’09 being organized on the 7th January. One97 will provide a platform for information dissemination and interactivity for this event. This is but one exampleofevents that are using mobile as a medium for better reach and interactivity.
