IMI Mobile Acquires Mobyko, 3G Auction to fetch Rs 35,000 cr

IMI Mobile Acquires Mobyko, Mobile social backup service

Hyderabad based IMI Mobile has acquired Mobyko, mobile backup and content sharing service.

Mobyko lets people sync their mobile contacts, calendar, photos, video, SMS and other files to its web locker, and from there to social networks and post acquisition will continueindependently (IMI will offer its services to operators).

IMI Mobile earlier acquired UK’s digital music distributor DX3 in November and launched IMEXmobile SMS infrastructure platform; and also bought the M2Y digital music platform from Nokia Siemens Networks.

Even Vodafone has acquired a similar service called Zyb.

3G Auction Revenues

The Budget estimate for the year 2009-10 pegs revenues from the 3G auction, expected to be held later this year, at Rs 35,000 crore. The Interim Budget, presented by the previous UPA Government, in February, had pegged the revenue from 3G services at Rs 20,000 crore only. – source

National ID Project – 120 crores outlay

First set of unique identity numbers would be rolled out in 12-18 months. A provision of Rs 120 crore is proposed for the project.

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will set up an online data base with identity and biometric details of Indian residents and provide enrolment and verification services across the country – source

Lava eyes 3 million handset sales in first year

Lava International, a telecom handset company promoted by three Indian professionals, is hoping to sell three million units in the first year of its launch. – more

BSNL mulls stake sale to foreign investor

BSNL is ready to join the league of private players by offering a stake to a foreign telecom entity, as an alternative to an initial public offering (IPO) which faced stiff resistance from employee unions. – more