Technology: Paid to hear an Ad on your Mobile? Airvoice, soon to re-define mobile

Paid to hear an Ad on your Mobile? Airvoice, Soon to Re-define Mobile Advertising Creating a Win-Win Situation for All - Telecom Service Providers, Advertisers and Subscribers

Mumbai, India (BUSINESS WIRE) - Imagine, you press the "call" button on your mobile phone to dial a friend's number. And, the phone instantly plays an advertisement for a stipulated period and then connects you to the desired number. What's more, you are entitled to earn money for every advertisement you hear.

You think this is another intrusion into your personal time? No! This is definitely different! This service is subscription based and will offer several options to subscribers in terms of the type of advertisements they wish to hear, time in which they would want to hear and also the option to skip an advertisement. Interestingly, a win-win situation for the telecom service providers (TSPs), advertisers and subscribers.
As the subscription is at the user's will, this model is non-intrusive.

So is this the next phase of mobile advertising? Can an Indian company with a patented technologychange the way the world advertises on the mobile phone? Is mobile based advertisement just limited to static text messaging or are there possibilities to offer more technology value in the mobile advertisement ecosystem? The answer is "YES".

Airvoice Infocomm Pvt. Ltd. (Airvoice) is the answer; a new entrant in the mobile advertising segment, started by a group of dynamic young visionaries who will not only re-write some of the connotations about ?Mobile Advertising Industry', but also continually reinvent it to change the conventional process of advertising products and services on the mobile phone.

Expected to be launched first in Chennai in the early part of Q2 2008, Airvoice is confident of making a substantial dent in the mobile advertisement space. Its patented technology allows subscribers to listen to 10 to 15 second advertisements before connecting their desired calls. This is being made possible by integrating the mobile switching centers of Telecom service providers with the high-end technology created by Airvoice thereby allowing a smooth transition between the advertisement and call.

According to Frost & Sullivan, advisors to Airvoice, "India offers an unprecedented opportunity for telecom service operators, infrastructure vendors, manufacturers and associated services companies.

India has already crossed the 250 million subscriber mark and as per Government targets should be 650 million by 2012.
This means that mobile phones are emerging as the most influential communication tool. Many companies have realized the potential of this medium and have tested pilots for advertising. The success rates are very good but a tool to gauge the definitive response rates is still lacking. Also, companies cite limited level of interaction and bandwidth issues as primary hindrances in the growth of text-based advertising systems. They are looking for ways through which technology will enable them to communicate their ideas and thoughts better. Unfortunately, no existing system offers such a technology. Airvoice addresses this very issue and strikes the right cord with advertisers and consumers alike."

Currently, the mobile advertising market in India is dominated by text-based messaging services. In 2007, industry estimates peg the total value at INR 25 Crore, and growing at a staggering 250 percent.

Airvoice, currently, has no direct comparison as it offers advertisements in voice and its technology model is completely different. This allows Airvoice to appeal both to the subscribers and clients.

According to R. Ayyappan, Chief Executive Officer, Airvoice Infocomm India Pvt. Ltd., Chennai, "Airvoice's Mobile Advertising platform has been designed to benefit all the stakeholders. For Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), it will help increase their subscribers' Minutes of Usage (MoU) and also help focus on building relationships so that they can get a maximum share of subscriber spend. For advertisers, it is an innovative platform to engage with their prospective or existent customers. For subscribers, it is an opportunity to experience the next wave of technology. With a patented technology, we have ensured the elimination of competition in the market."

Airvoice's service is a boon to advertisers who are struggling to use the mobile phone as a potent advertising medium. It is a great opportunity for TSPs who can now earn more revenue per call. It is a welcome relief to subscribers who are tired of meaningless and non-interactive SMS-es they receive as advertisements.

About Airvoice Infocomm Pvt. Ltd

Airvoice Infocomm Pvt. Ltd. is entering into the business of mobile advertisement where the message will be delivered through voice. This business comes under the wider spectrum of Mobile Value Added Services (MVAS).
Expected to be launched in the early part of Q2, 2008, in Chennai, Airvoice will cater to all industry segments that wish to advertise their services on the mobile phone. Its customers will be subscribers with various telecom service providers (TSPs) who register themselves on the Airvoice portal. The high-end technology created by Airvoice that allows a smooth transition between the advertisement and call is patented under the Patents Act, 1970, by the Controller of Patents, Government of India.

About Frost & SullivanFrost & Sullivan, the Growth Consulting Company partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's Growth Partnership Services, Growth Consulting and Career Best Practices empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan's Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.frost.com.

Frost &?SullivanCorporate Communications, South AsiaCaroline Lewis, +91 22 4001 3438 fax: +91 22 2832 4713 caroline.lewis@frost.com or
Corporate Communications, South Asia and Middle EastNimisha Iyer, +91 22 4001 3404 fax: +91 22 2832 4713 niyer@frost.com