MTNL, Mauj to launch GPRS portal

The state-owned telecom service provider Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd has teamed up with mobile content developing company Mauj to launch its general pocket radio service portal, 'Funstation'.

"Funstation will be an exclusive portal by MTNL. The entire portal has been designed, powered and managed by Mauj," MTNL executive director Kuldeep Goyal told reporters in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Funstation will enable MTNL's mobile customers to download wallpapers, polyphonic ringtones, themes, games, videos, news, information on Feng Shui, numerology and various other value-added services.

Goyal said the company is expecting 10 to 15 per cent of mobile revenue to come from this service initiative. The total revenue from mobile services for MTNL in 2004-05 was Rs 145 crore (Rs 1.45 billion).

"The revenue from mobile services is expected to increase with the introduction of portal and other content provided through handsets," he said.

Mauj regional head (India & Far East) Dipak Khurana said the company has also tied up with media company UTV to make wireless content from upcoming movie D, directed by Ram Gopal Varma, and its visuals would be available to mobile customers of MTNL.

"Mauj is running GPRS business for mobile companies like Idea Cellular and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. We have designed MTNL's Funstation which will provide flavour and essence of Mumbai," he added.