Tata Teleservices Reaches 100 Million Downloads for Data-based Applications, Enabled by Qualcomm’s BREW Solution
Revenues from Value-added Services Grow to 13 Percent in Year Ending 2008
MUMBAI, India — 25-03-2009 — Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL), one of the fastest-growing telecom service providers in India and Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), a leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies, products and services, today jointly announced that they have achieved a significant milestone for Tata Teleservices value-added services (VAS) business by reaching more than 100 million BREW® application downloads since the March 2005 launch.Tata Teleservices offers innovative applications and service offerings under their flagship brand, Tata Indicom. Subscribers enjoy rich data services such as browsing, gaming, social networking, m-commerce, video streaming and news in local languages on a range of affordable devices.
Since launching in March 2005, these highly popular BREW-based services have seen substantial growth. Serving more than seven million subscribers, the Tata Indicom brand has grown Tata Teleservices' value-added services to account for 13 percent of total revenue in calendar year 2008.
With this milestone, Tata Teleservices has solidified its position as a leading VAS carrier in India.
Almost all of Tata Teleservices' handsets launched in 2008 are BREW-enabled and come bundled with exciting applications. Consumers can access the BREW application catalog on handsets by pressing a single key. The BREW auto-install feature enables Tata Teleservices to install free applications on the user's device, over the air. Such initiatives have made it easy for consumers to access applications and have led to increased uptake of BREW services. Tata Zone, the VAS portal for Tata Indicom, now offers more than 1,100 BREW applications that are supported on a wide range of handsets from leading OEMs.
On achieving this significant milestone, Pankaj Sethi, President, Corporate Services, Tata Teleservices Limited, said, “100 Million BREW download is the testament to the popularity of the applications, as well as the high level of customer satisfaction with our top class applications and services available on the BREW platform. With BREW capabilities, service providers can provide fun and entertaining wireless content on mobile handsets that promises easy downloads and broad capabilities. We will continue to leverage unique capabilities of BREW, CDMA technology and Qualcomm's Single Chip solutions to create a portfolio of compelling service offerings for our growing consumer base.”
“We applaud Tata Teleservices' pioneering efforts that have led to this impressive 100 million BREW downloads milestone” said Sandeep Sibal, Vice President and Country Manager, Technology, Qualcomm India and South Asia. “Tata Teleservices has continuously focused on consumers' needs, and we are proud to work with them in bringing an enriched data experience to Indian consumers.”
About Tata Teleservices Ltd
Tata Teleservices Limited is one of India's leading private telecom service providers, having a pan-India presence. The company offers integrated telecom solutions to its customers under the Tata Indicom brand, and uses the latest technology platform(s) for its wireless network. With a customer base of nearly 34 million, Tata Teleservices Limited, along with Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited, covers over 320,000 towns and villages across all of India's 22 telecom circles. In November 2008, Tata Teleservices entered into an agreement with Japanese telecom major NTT DOCOMO, as part of which the Japanese company acquired a 26% stake in TTSL for USD 2.7 billion. The transaction marks a key step in the strategic evolution of Tata Teleservices, as it moves towards a pan-India dual network presence. The company also recently announced a unique reverse equity swap strategic agreement between its fully-owned telecom tower subsidiary, Wireless TT Info-Services Limited, and Quippo Telecom Infrastructure Limited-with the combined entity kicking off operations with 18,000 towers, thereby becoming the largest independent entity in this space in the country. Tata Teleservices' bouquet of telephony services includes mobile services, wireless desktop phones, public booth telephony and wireline services.
About Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited
Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited is India's premier telecommunication service provider licensed to provide telecommunication services in Maharashtra (including Mumbai) and Goa. It focuses on all market segments, i.e. commercial, residential and public telephony. Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited has over 7 million customers in Maharashtra and Goa. These include reputed corporates, SMEs and residential customers. The company was recently rated the No. 1 wireless operator in terms of overall customer satisfaction across Maharashtra (including Mumbai) and Goa, in surveys commissioned by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The company is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) (Scrip code-532371) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) (Scrip symbol - TTML).
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on CDMA and other advanced technologies. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Qualcomm is included in the S&P 100 Index, the S&P 500 Index and is a 2008 FORTUNE 500® company. For more information, please visit www.qualcomm.com.
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Qualcomm and BREW are registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
