Text messages will power new “SMS applications” from mobile social network GupShup

I couldn’t tell you whether this will work or not, but I love it as an idea. SMS GupShup is one of the biggest mobile social networks in the world - it’s an Indian network that runs entirely on SMS, and has 26 million users. It has now announced AppShup, an application store for SMS apps. It’s an open developer platform, so that third party companies can create and distribute SMS-based applications through the network.

Is India jumping the shark on 4G mobile networks?

India is one of the most vibrant mobile markets in the entire world - but also one of the most chaotic. There is a wild disparity in social standings across the country, to the extent that mobile operators need to cater to huge amounts of people who can’t afford more than a basic handset alongside a large audience of high-tech gadget owners. Now, despite an incomplete roll-out of 3G services across the country, plans are going ahead for 4G.

Virgin Mobile targets “the youth” with launch of Indian GSM network and further price reductions

The Virgin Mobile strategy for spreading to new countries is pretty well established. It partners with an existing carrier in the country, and offers its own branded services over its partner’s network. In India, the Virgin Mobile partnership is 50-50 with indigenous operator Tata Teleservices. But Tata runs a CDMA network, which has much less coverage in India than the dominant GSM networks. So Virgin has announced a new GSM service, an ad campaign targeting a youth audience, and new reductions in call and SMS rates.

Massive SMS based mobile social network closes another $12 million in funding

If you’re not based in India, you probably won’t have heard of SMS GupShup. Nevertheless, this is probably the largest mobile social network in the world - and it works off the back of old, reliable SMS. And today it has announced the securing of $12 million in funding - in addition to the roughly $25 million it has already gotten.

Smartphone market will grow says Pyramid

Rating: RIM and Apple biggest threat to Symbian. Or Linux, maybe
Some pretty safe predictions Pyramid Research on the future state of the smartphone market. China is expected to overtake the USA as the largest market for smartphones. Emerging markets will be important. Smartphones will take an increasing share of the overall handset market. No surprises [...]

The Indian mobile price war is getting ridiculous

Indian mobile operator Reliance Communications (RCom) has announced a new price for sending SMS. It is 1 paise. Which is 0.0002 dollars. To put it another way, it now costs 2 cents to send 100 SMS through Reliance. How do you reckon that’s going to pan out in the long run?

Mobile Money round-up: Zong, Obopay, Vodafone and Citibank

Citibank and Mobile Money Ventures are teaming for a launch in China. Obopay has extended its reach into the mobile gaming market. Vodafone pushes for mobile paymets in India. Zong has launched a new service to allow users to use their mobile for card-based payments

Mobile money roundup: new services, SMS and rebranding

MTN Rwanda becomes latest African operator to launch mobile money. Operator-end mobile services are being pushed in emerging markets by Alternet. Bulk SMS experts FrontlineSMS is launching a micro-transactions service for NGOs. Bank of India is partnering with Rev and Mastercard for inclusive banking services… and more.

Microsoft and DoCoMo join forces for mobile in India

Microsoft India has announced that it is partnering with Indian mobile operator Tata DoCoMo, in preparation for WinMo 6.5. The long-term partnership will see the two companies releasing telecoms products and services for the rapidly expanding Indian market.

Mobile operator round-up: price cuts, 3G, GSM and anti-competitiveness

There’s an interesting mix of mobile operator news stories today. Deutsche Telekom has admitted that T-Mobile lost customers in the US due to bad 3G coverage. The EU Commission is in the midst of an argument with Germany’s Federal Network Agency over “anti-competitive” behaviour in mobile spectrum auctions. The South African government has stepped in and directly ordered operators to lower their costs by the end of November… and more.

Samsung and Tata DOCOMO start their relationship by bringing Android Galaxy to India

Indian/Japanese mobile operator Tata DOCOMO has kicked off what it claims will be a long relationship with mobile manufacturer Samsung. Their first act together is to introduce the Samsung Galaxy to India.

Mobile money roundup: NACHA regulation, Visa NFC rollout and pay by sound

NACHA has declared it will expand its US payment regulations to cover mobile payments. MobiCash has announced an African contactless payment system that works by sound instead of radio - and a similar service has been announced in Germany. VISA has launched a huge trial of NFC payments in Melbourne with National Australia Bank… and more.

ZTE scorns the safety net with Indian launch of incredibly cheap phones

Chinese mobile manufacturer ZTE has entered the explosive Indian mobile market with a 5 phone line-up of very cheap devices. ZTE has made some interesting choices here. The five devices are SIM free, so they are independent of any operator… which also means they have no operator support or subsidies.

Mobile money roundup: Latin America, Tata, Microsoft and NFC

MasterCard has certified the NFC service from security company Gemalto. India’s Tata Communications will be entering the mobile banking space. Petra and Acotelsa are planning a wide-scale mobile banking launch in Latin America. Microsoft aims high with its mobile banking service with M-Com.

Mobile Money roundup: Zong, Xcellink, O2 and rural India

Zong announces 10 million unique users in 2009; a new rural mobile banking scheme is created by the Indian government; Xcellink secures a Canadian patent to go with its American one; KeyBank goes deeper into mobile banking with Fiserv and O2 Money chooses Mobile Commerce for LBS service.

Mobile News for Leaders