WatBlog Newsletter Archive: WATBlog Update There are 2 new posts in "WATBlog.com - Web, Advertising and Technology Blog in India"

Thursday, February 19, 2009

WATBlog Update There are 2 new posts in "WATBlog.com - Web, Advertising and Technology Blog in India"

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Sify Plans 2000 Single PC Internet Kiosks - To Focus On Iways
Bharti Airtel launches A Windows-based Online Desktop on Airtel broadband
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There are 2 new posts in "WATBlog.com - Web, Advertising and Technology Blog in India"

Sify Plans 2000 Single PC Internet Kiosks - To Focus On Iways

Increased scope of advertising revenues through cafe's and kiosks is helping companies revert their old stand of addition to their cyber cafe chain being put to backburner.

As part of its plan to expand in the Indian internet service retail business, net service provider Sify is planning to venture into single-PC internet kiosk business, besides opening 2,000 additional outlets of its iWay internet cafe chain.

Sify’s Strategy for their Iway chains:

Aman Mehra, Sify National head (expansion) told PTI, "We have started a pilot project in single-PC internet kiosk format and have tied up with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai to provide customer facilities. We are planning to take this format to all the metros and are in talks with some government agencies,"

The company has approached the Department of Information Technology (DIT) for collaboration in the project.
They are also expanding their iWay chain with plans to set up 2,000 more internet cafes by 2009-10, up from the existing 3,000 outlets. For the iWay project, they are focussing more on Tier II and III cities where internet and pc penetration is still low and would try to have uniform rate for all customers

All the new single-PC internet kiosks and iWay outlets would be franchise operated. Sify's single-PC kiosks would be low-investment manned outlets, providing 45 services including internet, VOIP, travel booking and online bill payment.

Changing scenario:

Many online players are looking at entering into cybercafe space despite very harsh measures being taken by government after the recent mumbai blasts.

The main reason of this drive could be attributed to ad revenues which firms are getting by selling desktop space or partial ownership rights of these kiosks and entry of players like ideacts could only improve scenario of Indian cyber cafe scenario.

In the days to come similar announcements could be seen from the likes of R-ADAG group for their zapak gameplexes and kiosks being formed by several other companies for services and interactions with their customers.

Paymate Ties Up With Sify iWays For Mobile Gift Voucher Distribution

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Bharti Airtel launches A Windows-based Online Desktop on Airtel broadband

Bharti Airtel just a few days ago announced the launch of the world's first Windows based Online Desktop-powered by Microsoft and Nivio, giving access to a personal virtual desktop from any computer connected to the internet for Airtel broadband customers.

This initiative will pave the way for easy and affordable access to computing and broadband in India. This service will be available to all Airtel broadband customers across 95 cities in the country .

According to them:

On the occasion, Mr. Atul Bindal, Telemedia Services, Bharti Airtel said, "With this initiative, Airtel hopes to increase computer and broadband penetration by making it easy, affordable and with low access barriers. Our Online Desktop platform – powered by Microsoft and Nivio - will be useful in making computing more accessible to SMBs, SMEs and SOHOs as well as individual home customers of Airtel broadband."

Mr. Rajan Anandan, Managing Director, Microsoft India added, "Microsoft is committed to deliver solutions that help make it easier and more accessible for customers. This partnership with Bharti Airtel and Nivio brings us closer to this vision."

Features :Personal, Secure and On-demand

Online Desktop is accessible through any computer with internet access and allows users to rent software per month

The features include:

· 5 GB space to store documents, photos, music, presentations, software at a central place.

· The freedom of accessing your data anywhere, anytime

· Free Anti-Virus protection which makes stored data safe and secure

· Original and latest software on a rental basis – pay as you go

· Reduced IT infrastructure cost with no cost of CPU

· Unified billing with service usage included in monthly Airtel broadband bill

Charges:

The plans start from Rs. 99 per month and for Rs. 199 per month for the Retail Pack customers get 5 GB of online storage space, free Anti Virus protection, Windows-based operating system, automatic backup -accessible from anywhere in the world.

Specially-tailored Professional and Business Packs at Rs. 399 and Rs. 699 per month respectively that provide a Windows-based Operating System and MS Office

The Online Desktop service is powered by Microsoft and Nivio and backed by 24×7 customer care from Airtel.

Nivio is a 20 member Delhi based startup and one of its co-founders is Iqbal Gandham founder of Net4india,india's only listed player in web hosting and solutions space.more on Nivio.

This could be a good signal for Indian broadband and pc scenario in the days to come which is reeling under very low penetration rate and is a positive step as a big telco and software giant is supporting such activity.