Taking the GSM competition head-on, Tata Teleservices brand franchise Virgin Mobile, reduced its STD and local call rates to 50p/min. The catch here is that this call rate can only be enjoyed after a user is done with his/her initial three minutes of local and STD calls which would cost Rs 1.50/min and Re 1/min respectively.

Virgin Mobile, which is a youth centric telecom service, has made an excellent move by slashing the STD charges. According to a recent industry research, STD calls comprises of around 25% of the total bill amount of an urban young subscriber. So this offer will definitely meet the behavioral needs of youth customers by providing a value proposition on long distance calling.

The much hyped and talked about YoYo ad by Virgin Mobile is making rounds amongst the youth. But what does the Ad trying to convey? The Ad basically talks about how, through Virgin, you can make free calls to your pals.

The plan communicated in the Ad is the Vpower Plan. Pay Rs.28 per month and get calls to other Virgin Mobile numbers @ 10paise. It works like a YoYo because the person you call earns the same amount thus making it FREE. There is a condition to the plan which goes like this:

• Calls to a Local Virgin Mobile India number will be charged @ 10p/min only till first 700 VMI minutes or 30 days from the date of recharge (whichever is earlier)
• No talktime or validity
• This recharge is not applicable on a Demo/Employee/ Virgin 2 Virgin Plan or any other non-commercial plans

Virgin Mobile’s another bait for new customers. With every Virgin Mobile handset purchase, the csutomer will get:

• Free Prepaid Connection
• Free Lifetime Validity
• Free Talktime Worth Rs. 100
• Free 500 SMS

We say: Virgin mobile is trying to lure customer by offering such freebies, but somehow it doesn’t seem to be working for them. They need to bring in some new, mid and high-end handsets to attract today’s young generation.

Virgin Mobile introduced another vPower recharge voucher that allows Virgin Mobile to Virgin Mobile calling at 10 paise per minute. This voucher is priced at Rs 28 and comes with a validity of 30 days.

One of the most amazing thing about this voucher is that, wherein one Virgin Mobile user is spending 10 paise per minute to make the call, another Virgin Mobile user is earning 10 paise per minute to receive the call, which means that calling is virtually free but of course you will have to shell out Rs 28 every month to make this whole thing work.

Virgin Mobile’s latest offering, vBling wants to tap those who wants a classy looking phone for a cheap price. Available at just Rs. 2499, the phone packs all the Virgin Mobile goodness like lifetime validity and access to vBytes (Virgin Mobile’s WAP download service).

On the feature front, the all silver phone sports two display screens, weighs on the lighter side at 72 grams, FM Radio and comes preloaded with games and other multimedia stuff.

Virgin Mobile

Correction: vBytes is not WAP enabled but it allows users to download ringtones, wallpapers etc. More info on vBytes.

Vodafone has officially opened up the doors for people seeking more news on iPhone in India. Interested users can register at Vodafone by sending a SMS IPHONE to 56789 or head over to the website to register. This is the message I received after successful registration.

Dear Kunal Gangar,

Thank you for booking your new iPhone 3G, with Vodafone. We will keep you updated on its price, features and availability in due course.
Till then, if you have any further queries feel free to call us on 111 (toll free) and we’ll be happy to help.

Happy to help,
Vodafone Care

Email vodafonecare.mum@vodafone.com

Visit www.vodafone.in

Vodafone webpage

UPDATE: We called up 111 to know about the availability and the customer exec said that it will not be available before the year end.

UPDATE 2: Airtel users can send a SMS iPhone to 54321.

UPDATE 3: Airtel has opened up their registration page too. Click here.

Virgin Mobile adds another mobile to its portfolio in the form of vTrendy. It is targeted at the youths but I wonder if this will really attract them because of the minimal features it carries. vTrendy has got a 65K color screen, access to vBytes, loudspeaker and FM Radio. It is available at Virgin Mobile outlets for a getaway price of Rs. 1500.

Product

vSleek is one of the good looking phones in Virgin Mobile’s arsenal. It boasts an ultra-thin designer body and comes along with features like a VGA camera, MP3 player, FM radio, loud speaker, microSD card slot and an option of Hinglish SMS. This candybar is priced at Rs 4799.

All the above is said and heard, but the price of this cell phone seems to be on the upper end when compared to other phones in the market. If you thought so, here’s what Virgin is trying to compensate you for that ask.

Continue Reading…

Virgin Mobile has a limited offering when it comes to choosing cellphones. At a local dealer, we happened to check this offer that is being offered by Virgin. This one may or may not be official. This one is for a new connection and includes a phone, connection and validity. Here’s how it breaks down into:

• Phone by Samsung with Radio: Rs.1999
• One year validity with Rs.50 talktime: Rs.199
• Sim Card with connection: Rs.99

The total comes upto Rs.2297, but the whole package is being offered at Rs.1999. The Samsung Mobile this offer includes hasn’t been included in the official handsets list on the site and thus we may not be sure of the authenticity of such an offer.

What’s your take on the topic? Share your Gyaan on TeleGyaan Forums.

Virgin Mobile is trying to motivate its users to Think Hatke and earn some money. The smartest one we came across was simple and easy. Tata to Tata Unlimited calling plan also called by the name of Freedom Plan gives users the freedom to talk unlimited on the Tata network, which also includes Virgin. Thus, one can just activate this plan on the Tata phone and call the Virgin Mobile.

It is found that the call ends once it crosses an hour, and thus you would have to call again to restart the call or money earning process. An alarm can be of great use and keep the 10paise flowing in. But the whole process would lead to income of Rs.6 per hour. Here is some quick calculation.

• Assuming 5hours of such activity daily
• Income earned per day: Rs.30
• Income per month: Rs.900

Conclusion: Rs.900 per month is enough to talk to everyone considering the low call rates Virgin provides. Thus you can keep the cycle on and thus just pay for validity. How’s that for a cool idea?

What’s your take on the above topic. Share your Gyaan on TeleGyaan Forums.