HP OpenCall Powers Technology Development at One97 One97 Communications, India’s leading telecom solutions provider in partnership with Hewlett-Packard, has announced the setting up of a first of its kind 3G telecom and technology laboratory to research and develop technologies and applications for the 2.5G and 3G market. The research lab is powered by HP’s OpenCall Media Platform (OCMP), the most comprehensive and mature voice service platform in the industry. HP OCMP enables rapid development and secure deployment of next-gen voice and video messaging, portals and enhanced interactive services.
With this partnership, HP recognizes One97 Communications’ commitment to the development of high quality and innovative mobile applications. This relationship enables One97 to offer ready-to-install applications for 2G and 3G networks for the Indian as well as the Global markets. The R & D at the new laboratory will focus on creating applications for deployment and integration of HP platform with existing telecom networks including development of VAS applications.
According to Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Managing Director, One97 communications, “One97’s vision and focus entails becoming a global VAS enabler through business and technology innovations. Partnership with HP provides us with the latest developments in network platforms and access to their worldwide support services to help build unrivalled capability as a global telecom VAS service provider.â€
Says T Srinivasan, Executive Director, HP Software: “We chose to partner with One97 Communications as they have a proven record of leadership in developing and executing innovative applications that cater to market requirements. HP is the global leader in the supply of 3G technological platforms and this relationship helps showcase this prowess.â€
HP OCMP supports development of the VoiceXML applications, as well as IP multimedia subsystem based services with its media resource function capabilities including next-generation voice mail, mass alarming and alerting, 3G video capabilities, personalized ring-back tone, video messaging and others. Scalable and backed by HP’s worldwide delivery, support and services organization, the HP OCMP integrates easily with existing network architectures, allowing service providers to rapidly capitalize on near-term business opportunities such as large-scale interactive voice response (IVR) applications, unified messaging, virtual call centers and entertainment services.
We threw a small party for the entire VAS team of VAS Managers of Airtel on 29th April. Most of them managed to attend this and really had a good time. It was a great platform for our employees to mingle with the VAS team. They are now able to put a face to some of the names they have been dealing for quite some time.
One could hear some interesting discussions happening at the party, while everybody had a good time. The idea of this party was conceived by Abhay and Team One97 quickly got into action and the party was organized. Cheers to Abhay!
Some comments from Team One97:
It was really great having a get together with all Airtel VAS Managers. In fact when you meet the person to whom you are interacting daily in a face to face situation the thing is different. Also the venue was pretty good as it had a very soothing environment in which discussions could go on. There was a series of discussions among our team and our customers and it reflected that their group was also happy with the organized event. I think the event will really work as a catalyst in making our relation with customer more healthy, friendly and interactive in positive way. by Rajiv Sharma
It was really a nice experience to meet with the people with some of whom we have been interacting for so long only over the phone or through emails. The event being an informal one made sure that we could talk business in a much friendlier way. by Dhiraj Gupta
 The Party was really fruitful, especially I met many people with whom I have been interacting for the last 3 years but haven’t met. Now I am much more comfortable to coordinate with them.
Studies continue to show that teenagers (16 to 19 year old) are first to adopt new technologies and products. This is a generation that has grown up on technology, adapts to changes easily without clinging to the comfort of familiar playthings, and has access to new products easily. JupiterResearch report says that, though initial adoption of technology by older teenagers is likely to be more than two times than that by younger teens but this gap narrows significantly as technology matures.  The telecom boom in India has seen a phenomenal increase in number of mobile subscribers even though the ARPU has steadily been dropping. By end of 2007, the number of mobile subscribers is expected to cross 200 million and teenagers will constitute a large segment of this wireless population. They have been enthusiastically adopting every new product, service and innovative technology that caters to their tastes. Ringtones that appeal to their music sense, sports updates especially cricket scores and trivia which is almost a religion in India, wallpapers of their favourite film stars and sports personalities, sms contests, valentine messages and many such products lead to a significant conclusion: For rapid adoption of new technologies, products and services have to be developed which appeal to teenager tastes. This is a segment that needs to be continuously watched and their changing interests and behaviour patterns tracked. This is especially significant for an India just about to step into the 3G era when most companies have already started work on developing innovative products for 3G networks.Â
