Sponsored calls

Category: VAS | 1 Comment | Posted on August 25, 2006

“Please hear this message before proceeding with your (urgent) call.”

This is what one might hear if the “sponsored calls” service actually comes into being. Business Standard says that one operator is soon expected to offer this service on local calls made within its network. OnMobile is the technology provider and developer of this service.

Forget low call tariffs, cheap text messages, package offers, and discount plans. You could soon be paying nothing for making calls from your mobile phone, provided you have the patience to listen to 30-45 second ad jingles or commercials before a call goes through.

The article also talks about a marketing initiative from Airtel involving 45 restaurants in Bangalore. Subscribers in the vicinity of these restaurants receive SMS from Airtel, offering discounts.

Will it be one of the first mainstream location-based-service (LBS) from an Indian operator?

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