NTT DOCOMO Unveils Xperia™ ray SO-03C Smartphone—New compact and stylish Xperia model with enriched entertainment functions— | Press Center | NTT DOCOMO Global

TOKYO, JAPAN, August 10, 2011 --- NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today the launch of its Xperia™ ray SO-03C smartphone. Manufactured by Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, the new Xperia™ model boasts a thin, lightweight aluminum body that is just 53 mm wide.

Representing the latest in intelligent mobile communications and entertainment, the Xperia™ ray SO-03C is powered by a fast 1GHz CPU and built on the Android™ 2.3 operating system. The new handset incorporates several of Sony’s advanced technologies, such as the xLOUD™ audio technology, which delivers unprecedented sound, and an Exmor R for mobile-powered 8.1-megapixel camera with face-detection and autofocus features to ensure superior quality videos and images.

Other features of the Xperia™ ray SO-03C include a high-resolution, 3.3-inch touchscreen Reality Display utilizing the Mobile BRAVIA® Engine, and Sony Ericson’s POBox™ Touch 4.3, a unique predictive text-input system that makes typing in either Japanese or English quicker and easier.

Available in three stylish and attractive colors, the Xperia™ ray SO-03C will hit docomo shops on August 27. Pre-orders will be accepted from August 12.

Tata Communications has reported its consolidated financial results June 2011

Mumbai, India, 10 August, 2011 - Tata Communications has reported its consolidated financial results according to Indian GAAP for the quarter ended 30 June, 2011. Gross revenues were at Rs 3,257 crores (USD 728 million) for the quarter ended 30 June 2011 as against Rs 2,885 crores (USD 632 million) reported in the quarter ended 30 June, 2010. Net losses receded by 22% to Rs. 218 crores (USD 49 million) as against Rs. 281 crores (USD 62 million) reported in the corresponding quarter last year.

Operating profits (earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation) grew 25% to Rs 326 crores (USD 73 million) for the quarter ended 30 June, 2011 against Rs 260 crores (USD 57 million) in the corresponding quarter last year.

Growth in revenues was driven by the Global Data Solutions segment and South African subsidiary, Neotel. During the quarter, the company continued its focus on emerging market specialised offerings in network services as well as the higher growth business of managed and cloud services. With Tata Communications’ stake in Neotel increasing from an effective 43.16% to 61.5%, Neotel accounts are now consolidated at 100%. Neotel grew its revenues 31% year-on-year, and reduced its operating loss margins.

In India, Tata Communications has also been focusing on the explosive growth in banking and financial services, providing integrated, managed service for payments and transactions of Banks across multiple platforms. The services include automated teller machine (ATM) management and outsourcing, together with other forms of payment and transaction management services. The company’s subsidiary TCBIL (Tata Communications Banking Infrasolutions Ltd) is currently managing over 5,000 ATMs, 7600 Point of Sale terminals and 114 branches for major PSU, private sector and co-operative banks.

U Mobile festive promo

U Mobile festive promo

Kuala Lumpur, 10 August 2011 – U Mobile Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s most innovative and dynamic telco service provider, today announced that in conjunction with the upcoming festivities, it will be giving more surprises to its subscribers. U Mobile recently launched its latest promotion, complimentary “SoGood” KFC meal vouchers to customers who top up RM50 with U Mobile. Worth RM10, each meal voucher can be used at any KFC, Pizza Hut, Ayamas or Rasamas outlets nationwide in Malaysia. The complimentary vouchers are packaged with the top-up cards. No additional registration is needed for customers to enjoy this amazingoffer.

Dr. Kaizad Heerjee, CEO of U Mobile Sdn Bhd, said: “Now that the festivities are upon us, what better way to reward our customers than to complement our Free Prepaid Nationwide Calls promo with meal vouchers giveaway at Malaysia’s favorite chain of restaurants?” This festive promotion is a follow-up to U Mobile’s recent “Free Prepaid Nationwide Calls” promotion that allow free calls from U Mobile to U Mobile number, which has already received fantastic feedback from both new and existing U Mobile subscribers. Ronnie Felix Hardin from Puchong said, “My brother is an existing U Mobile subscriber. When he told me about the free calls offering, I rushed to register. These free calls are really helping me to save costs while staying in touch with my family and friends.” A new U Mobile subscriber, Kooi Sei Peng from Cheras said, “These free calls are amazing! I’m getting my friend to register with U Mobile so we can call each other for free.”

“I just found out about this amazing offer, and that is why I am here today,” added Kooi who was registering for his U Mobile prepaid account at the U Mobile’s service centre in Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur recently. U Mobile is the first telco in Malaysia to offer unlimited free calls within its network to its prepaid subscribers nationwide. To be entitled for this service, all subscribers need to do is to reload their prepaid accounts. For every RM1 reload, customer can enjoy 1 day of free calls. Unlike other “family & friends plan” available in the market, this offer allows subscribers to make calls at any time and to any U Mobile number with no limitations. U Mobile customers are also topping up to enjoy Zero Roaming charges when travelling to Singapore to stay connected with friends and families back home. Thanks to the recent partnership with Starhub, U Mobile subscribers, including daily commuters crossing the causeway, regular business travelers and seasonable tourists, from Aug. 3rd onwards are to be charged only at Singapore local rates for voice, text and data, therefore enjoying absolutely FREE roaming rates in Singapore.

Piramal Healthcare to Acquire 5.5% Stake in Vodafone Essar - Vodafone

Piramal Healthcare to Acquire 5.5% Stake in Vodafone Essar - Vodafone

Vodafone Group (“Vodafone”) and Piramal Healthcare (“Piramal”) today announced that Piramal has agreed to purchase approximately 5.5% of the issued equity share capital of Vodafone Essar Limited (“VEL”) from ETHL Communications Holdings Limited (“Essar”) for cash consideration of approximately US$640 million (£400 million1).

The transaction follows the settlement between Vodafone and Essar over the sale of Essar’s approximately 33% stake in VEL, announced on 1 July 2011.

Optus Business SmartPay achieves international security certification

Optus Business SmartPay, a managed bill payment solution for financial institutions and retailers, has achieved compliance to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), providing customers with greater security assurance and data protection.

PCI DSS is a globally recognised standard developed by the major payment card companies to help organisations that process payment cards to protect against fraud, hacking and various other security vulnerabilities and threats.

According to a June report from the Reserve Bank of Australia , Australians are increasingly embracing online payments. 60 percent of Australians with Internet access pay most of their bills online, while the biggest deterrent to making any type of payment online is the risk of fraud.

“More and more people are transacting online, so protecting their personal data is critical,” said Trudy Holtzhausen, Acting Director, Fixed Products and Marketing at Optus Business.

“As the payments partner for many leading financial institutions, Optus wants to help its customers stay at the forefront of security standards. We have invested a significant amount of time and resource to achieve PCI DSS compliance for Optus Business SmartPay so our customers can give their customers greater assurance that their financial data is safe.”