Telstra, the largest provider of mobile services, DSL and cable internet access has plans to boost data speeds in its Next G mobile network to 21Mbps (bits per second).Related to this, the company has plans to conduct tests of the faster service this month. However, customers will have to wait longer for the arrival of compatible phones.

To boost the mobile broadband service, the company will use technology like High Speed Packet Access Evolution, also known as HSPA+ or Evolved HSPA.

The move to HSPA Evolution from the HSPA systems in needs a software upgradeto base stations, whereas LTE will require new base stations. At the other end, subscribers will need new hardware to take advantage of the higher speeds. Telstra is working with Sierra Wireless, Qualcomm and Ericsson to develop devices.

Reportedly, Vodafone is also considering making the move to HSPA Evolution. In February the company announced a trial with Ericsson, Huawei and Qualcomm.The market watchers state that most large operators will move to HSPA Evolution in anticipation of the next technology upgrade, LTE (Long Term Evolution).

Nokia today announced that several leading U.S. publishers have joined the Nokia Media Network, a premium advertising network that provides brands reach to millions of mobile consumers through advertising on blue-chip mobile publishers, operator partners and Nokia services, furthering Nokia's reputation of providing wide audience reach on high-quality publisher mobile sites.

These additions join other flagship Nokia Media Network publishers such as Reuters, CNET, Agence-France Press, Unidad Editorial, Hearst and AccuWeather; operators like Sprint and Airtel; and Nokia services like Nokia.mobi. The additions include the following publishers, who will further strengthen the Nokia Media Network's reach in the United States:


- Fox News
- A&E Network
- Bio Channel
- HISTORY(TM)
- The Hollywood Reporter"We're very pleased to welcome these blue-chip publishers to the Nokia Media Network," said Tom Henriksson, head of Nokia Interactive Advertising. "These additions fortify the Nokia Media Network's reach in the United States, which has already been a well-performing advertising network, especially for advertisers in the entertainment, automotive and mobile content sectors."

"We advertise on the Nokia Media Network for its brand-safe, high-performance media and its ability to reach our target audience," said Larry Shapiro, executive vice president, mDisney, which has been running Disney mobile web advertising on the Nokia Media Network.

Nokia Interactive Advertising helps brands reach the potential global audience of 3.3 billion consumers with mobile devices. Through the Nokia Media Network and Nokia Interactive Solutions, Nokia Interactive Advertising provides brands with all they need to connect with and engage consumers with mobile advertising.

AIGO has just launched their Vodafone McLaren Mercedes U Disk MP4-22 pen drive in India. The streamlined design features include F1's sleek body design and body conscious "MP4-22" that reflects the color of the USB memory.It has a Host USB 1.1/USB 2.0, which is compatible for all users and doesn’t require extra drivers. The drive employs a lightweight (10g) design with a push-slider to pop the USB connector. According to the company the drive will consume minimum power with data reliability.Priced at Rs. 2,100 with a one year warranty for 2GB of space the drive will be available in all major electronic stores.

Bharti Airtel has issued an official statement on the launch of the iPhone 3G.The iPhone 3G will be launched in India on August 22, by Airtel. The price though still seems to elude us as they haven't mentioned anything on that front.

Vodafone, the other service provider to bring the iPhone 3G to India, hasn't issued any such statements yet. But our source tells us that Vodafone too will be launching the iPhone 3G on the same date as Airtel. There were reports earlier that Vodafone would launch the iPhone 3G 15 days before Airtel."iPhone has been the iconic technology revelation of this year, "said Sanjay Kapoor, president of Mobile Services at Bharti Airtel. "Airtel has been at the forefront of innovation and customer delight in the Indian telecom sector. Introducing iPhone 3G to India further underscores our commitment to enrich the communication experience of all Airtel users."

Customers will be able to purchase the iPhone 3G at Airtel Relationship Centers.

Airtel customers can get more information on the iPhone 3G here.

All those eagerly awaiting the India launch of Apple's iPhone 3G can now make sure they get their hands on the device soon after its launch -- by booking their piece online.

Both Vodafone and Airtel have started pre-registration for the iPhone 3G on their respective Web sites. However, both companies have said nothing about when the iPhone will be launched. All they've managed to reveal is that it would be coming later this year. Yet, speculation is rife that India can expect the iPhone 3G sometime in September this year.It would be worth mentioning here that while both Vodafone and Airtel are allowing consumers to pre-register for iPhone 3G, the Indian government is yet to finalize matters regarding 3G telephony in the country. Possibly, this is one of the reasons why Vodafone and Airtel are keeping mum on the date of launch.

What's certain is that the iPhone is coming to India. So while most of you wait with bated breath for the famed gizmo, let us take you through some of its main highlights. iPhone 3G marries all of the features of the iPhone plus 3G networking to be touted as "twice as fast as the first-generation iPhone". iPhone 3G also features built-in GPS for expanded location-based mobile services, iPhone 2.0 software with support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, and compatibility with third-party applications built with the iPhone SDK (software development kit).

Mobile phone users with prepaid connectivity option often face the problem of insufficient prepaid balance, because of which they sometimes cannot carry out important conversations. Also, at times people get so engaged in their conversation that they don't realize when their prepaid balance gets over; this often tends to happen when there's no rechargeshop nearby, or it's the middle of the night.

Now those with a Vodafone prepaid connection need not worry about this problem. As a solution to this issue, the company has launched a new product called "Chhota Credit". Through this facility, an amount of Rs.10 gets credited to the subscriber's account by just sending an SMS to a toll free number.
Subscribers who have a balance of less than Rs. 5 can use this service by sending 'CREDIT' as an SMS to 144 to get Rs. 10 credited to their prepaid account. However, subscribers will be charged Re. 1 per transaction as service charge. This credit will have a validity of 7 days and will be adjusted against the next recharge.

The Chhota Credit service is available only to those prepaid subscribers who have completed over 3 months on the Vodafone network.

"Later this year, Vodafone customers in Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, India, Italy, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey will be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network," the UK telecom giant said in a release.iPhone is a mobile phone that allows its user to make calls by simply tapping a name or number in the address book. It lets the customer to select and listen to voice mail messages in whatever order the consumer wants.

Vodafone and Microsoft India today announced the launch of "SMS Search" for Vodafone customers in India, powered by Microsoft Live Search. Together, Microsoft India and Vodafone aim to provide users a compelling mobile Internet experience, and help customers stay connected and informed, always.

To avail "SMS Search", all that Vodafone subscribers need do is type in their query as an SMS text message on their mobile handset and send it to 55060. The mobile originating SMS will be charged 30 paise per query. Live Search on Vodafone mobile is claimed to offer a complete search experience, enabling users search: on-portal or deck content like ring tones, images, articles, etc; local or directory information like restaurants; mobile sites including WAP sites; and in general, the Internet.Vodafone claims they're offering unique features including local results based on the user's city location, keeping track of the user's search session 24x7, and delivering results formatted to match the user's phone capabilities. Development work to embellish the Live Search platform to deliver search service via SMS was done at the Microsoft India Development Center (MSIDC).

Currently, local search/directory information is available in eight metros including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Ahmedabad. Twenty-one more cities are expected to go live soon.