Imagine if you were able to access your mobile connection simply by typing your user name and Password on any device. If you loose your phone, you wouldn’t have to worry about losing data as well, and you’d never have to go to the operator’s shop for a new SIM.

And it’s not just users who stand to benefit. Mobile networks are reaching remote geographies; user loyalty with an operator is as short as a week; and revenue earned per month from each user is less than Rs 100. In these circumstances, operators find it expensive to provision a SIM card for every connection.

Apple was rumored to have been working with SIM vendor Gemalto to develop a wirelessly upgradable soft SIM for its devices which wouldn’t need a physical card at all.

GSMA too has established a working group of major operators to create specifications for a soft SIM.

Similar to most new technologies that are set to change an established norm, virtual SIMs face some resistance in the form of regulations, but if the case is compelling, the technology will surely make a way for itself.

Comviva Technologies, an Indian value added services company, had launched Virtual SIM technology in 2009 that allowed users to access up to six connections using one SIM card. Currently, Virtual SIM is deployed by MTN Cameroon and MTN Ghana, and is said to have generated a great deal of customer interest and uptake in these markets.

Arun Tanksali, head of mobile lifestyle and device solutions business at Comviva, says, “Virtual SIM solution enables operators to provide subscribers with an alternative line — using a single SIM and a single handset. With Virtual SIM, subscribers gain fast, convenient and cost-effective access to a second line, enabling them to separate mobile phone usage depending on their needs.”

Back in 2009, there were no dual SIM devices and Comviva’s solution was focused at developing the possibility of using multiple connections on one device, but the Virtual SIM design was such that five connections to each Virtual SIM would be accessible using a password login system and wouldn’t need individual physical cards to function.

While Comviva’s solution does not eliminate the need of a physical SIM altogether, it does reduce it as people who opt for multiple connections can have them without the need for multiple SIM cards.

Tanksali further said about Virtual SIM that “The service can be launched rapidly, without the need for additional investment, enabling operators to improve overall customer profitability. Operators are also able to target the Base of Pyramid (BoP) segment affordably, providing many people with their first unique mobile identity, and often, their first experience of mobile communications.”

PlayUp is a new interactive and social game that cricket lovers can play while watching the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 starting February 19. Viewers get rewarded for doing something they always do anyway — make predictions about the game.

Accessible through SMS, WAP, GPRS, apps and IVR, PlayUp is a unique game in which one needs to guess the next wicket, the most valuable batsman and bowler in each team, and the average runs that will be scored during power play overs. Those who guess correctly get sports merchandise and other goodies.

Rajat Kulshrestha, chief executive officer, PlayUp says, “We are excited at the planned launch of these new product offerings as this is all set to create an exciting and engaging experience for Indian fans watching live sport.”

The rollout of 3G will further enhance the gaming experience and allow rich live match analysis and exciting features like check-in to a match, fan feeds and audio/video interactions on the mobiles.

With India’s growing interest in different sports, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect similar services in football, tennis etc. as well.

To improve its billing system BSNL has placed an order worth Rs 250 crore with HCL Infosystems to consolidate the state run telco’s billing process in the North and West zones.

This project will put in place a system that enables BSNL to serve unified bills to subscribers who use multiple BSNL services such as landline, broadband, IPTV and GSM.

HCL Infosystems will be responsible for deploying facility for printing and managing BSNL customer bills.

The new billing systems will also help the operator offer more customised plans to individual users as they allow flexibility of billing based on time, location and level of congestion etc. Whether HCL will bring these additional capabilities to the table is not known though.

HCL Infosystems will be managing the BSNL’s billing system process for two zones – North Zone and West Zone and would extend over a period of 7 years.

The project will entail a complete transformation and automation of BSNL’s bill printing mechanism thereby improving efficiency in reaching out to its subscribers.

MTS, the CDMA mobile service of Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL) has announced its high speed mobile Broadband service MBlaze in seven towns of Rajasthan — Alwar, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Bikaner, Kankroli, Banswar and Rajnagar.

This latest roll out extends the current MBlaze footprint to 15 towns across the state, and there are plans of expanding to 33 towns within the next 15 days. For this the company will spend Rs 25 crore.

Sandeep Yadav, the chief operating officer of Rajasthan and Punjab circles at SSTL, said, “In the next 15 days we plan to take the count to 33 towns across the state. We have earmarked close to Rs 25 crore for expansion of our data business across the state.”

MTS MBlaze offers data speeds of up to 3.1 Mbps on its CDMA network, on which it also offers live TV and video on demand services.

The operator provides high speed mobile broadband services in over 100 Indian cities including the five metros. MTS is rapidly expanding its high speed data (HSD) network .

The network operator’s tariff plans start at about Rs 200, and unlimited data plans start at nearly Rs 1,000, valid for 30 days.

MBlaze also offers free surfing on popular websites such as Yahoo, Wikipedia and MakeMyTrip.
The company has tied up with Hewlett Packard for a deal, according to which if you purchase an HP laptop, you can get MBlaze post paid or pre paid for Rs 1,000.

Using MBlaze dongles and HSD (high speed data) compatible handsets, MTS customers can enjoy live and on demand video; high quality audio or video downloads; and can access news, entertainment, sports and regional TV channels.

Uninor has launched Dosti Pack for new subscribers in Andhra Pradesh at Rs 83. The pack has 1.2 lakh seconds of local Uninor to Uninor calls valid for 30 days, in addition to a host of other features such as dynamic pricing, which offers up to 60 per cent discount on all local calls charged at 1 paisa per second, for 90 days from activation. The discount is applicable in particular areas based on degree of network congestion.

In addition to the above, Dosti Pack comes with Talk time worth Rs 60 i.e. talk time worth Rs 20 every 30 days over three consecutive months, and STD calls at 1 paisa per second for one year. The new user will also get 100 free local or national SMSs per day for a period of 30 days with only the first SMS of the day charged at Re 1.

After the first three months of dynamic pricing activated on all local calls, the customer is charged only 1 paisa per second for the following nine months. He is also given the option to renew his dynamic pricing plan or choose another that suits him.

Speaking at the launch of Dosti Pack, Satish Kumar Kannan, the business head of Andhra Pradesh circle for Uninor, said, “With the Dosti Pack at Rs 83, we look forward to welcoming new subscribers — it is a value for money offering that allows hassle free communication between our users and their loved ones.”