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BANGALORE, INDIA: BANGALORE, INDIA: With the current hurdles being faced by BlackBerry, other software providers - like BlacMail, providing 'legal' interception and push-mail that is almost akin to the service provided by the now infamous smart phone, are busy doing the rounds of the Indian telecom market.
Excerpts from interview with Krishna Mohan, CEO, Fifth C Solutions promotors of BlacMail:
Q. BlacMail has been in the news lately for its push-mail services which are very similar to BlackBerry. Can you elaborate on what are the similarities and differences?
A. Like the BlackBerry, BlacMail is true server-based push-mail service, unlike most other services available today that are “pull-mail”. While the BlackBerry service is targeted at its own phones, the BlacMail service is agnostic to phone manufacturer models and works on most Java and Symbian based phones. BlacMail is targeted at the vast middle-market in India which is at least 50 times larger than the niche push-mail solutions such as the BlackBerry. Thus the service will be considerably more affordable than alternatives.
Q. What are the legal/security services that BlacMail provides that would make it a preferred device?
A. First, BlacMail is compliant with all government lawful intercept conditions essential to offer email push services in India and other countries. At the same time, the BlacMail platform incorporates strong proprietary encryption methods constructed to work efficiently even on phones with low computing resources. This is crucial: Balancing legal considerations with privacy protection for our customers.
Q. What is the latest that BlacMail is offering, in terms of new features?
A. The next version of BlacMail which will be out soon will be a significant extension of capabilities in terms of support for the complete range of mobile communications (SMS to GPRS to 3G) to ensure uninterrupted service even on poor mobile network that continues to plague most parts of India. It will also include a host of customer friendly features suggested by our customers through an extensive and ongoing market research exercise.
Special: Mobile VAS
Q. How do you compete and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive smartphones market, while assuring users of quality and reasonable cost as well?
A. Simple as it may sound, we do this by listening closely to customers and being the undisputed leader in developing breakthrough technology and market innovations that fulfill the needs of our large target customer base. BlacMail will democratize push messaging communications for legacy and the new breed of smart phones entering the market. We will work closely with our partners who are committed to this same vision.
Q. Do you have any special VAS or 3G tie-ups for certain services with Indian operators, once 3G kicks in?
A. BlacMail will be launched by the nation's leading mobile telecom operators soon and be part of the VAS offering for their respective customer bases. We are already partnering with BSNL, the sole 3G service provider today, and plan to get a head start with the next version of BlacMail as other operators prepare for their respective 3G launch.We will announce the first of our partnerships with large mobile phone manufacturers and telecom operators in September as part of launch of BlacMail on their platform.
Q. What is your investment plan for the Indian market for the next 1-2 years?
A. Fifth C is heavily invested in India which is our beachhead market before we unveil plans for global expansion with similar demographics. We are working on several fronts with key strategic partners and some of the offerings that will be unveiled will be radical and transform the face of messaging and mobile marketing.
(SOURCE: VOICE & DATA)