VIL Offers a Unified Vodafone RED Experience to All Postpaid Customers Across Indian Telecom Circles

Vodafone Idea Limited, one of India’s leading telecom service providers, today announced the completion of its postpaid consolidation journey by bringing all Idea post-paid subscribers under a single umbrella of Vodafone RED. All Vodafone Idea postpaid customers can now avail benefits of the Vodafone RED plan, a uniform customer service, and an enhanced digital experience.

This consolidation is a major step towards its synergy realisations and has led to process standardization for both the retail and enterprise customers.

It will enable the company to provide a uniform customer experience through self-service channels with enriched menu options on IVR, USSD, MyVodafone App and Websites for availing products, services and making payments. Erstwhile Idea postpaid customers now do not need to go through a separate on-boarding and service experience. They can now avail Red Family subscription, a single bill for entire family, access to Vodafone Play, premium content and a bouquet of other value added services.

Announcing the completion of postpaid consolidation, Vishant Vora, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Idea said, “The consolidation of Vodafone and Idea postpaid customers is a major step towards our vision of one company, one network. One of the biggest and fastest migration in the telecom space, this has led to operational synergies and process standardisation for both our postpaid retail and enterprise customers. It enables us to provide enhanced customer experience to our postpaid users.”

With this consolidation, Call Centre Agents will be able to serve customers better using the CRM insights provided through 360 degree view on customer information, interactions and service profiles. Real time rating functionality will ensure accurate unbilled charging for customers at any given point of time. Customer will also be able to receive timely notification and alerts for any over usage. Moreover automated credit monitoring and dunning can trigger on time to ensure customer does not incur huge Bills thus avoiding Bill shocks.

Vodafone Idea has successfully integrated two strong networks in 92% of the districts, taking the integrated circles to 18. The deployment of new age technologies such as M-MIMO, DSR, Hybrid Cloud, OpenRan to enhance capacities and increased 4G coverage has resulted in richer customer experience.

During the pandemic the company has introduced several initiatives like recharges and payments via ATM/ USSD/ other digital platforms and launched AI powered customer service Bot on WhatsApp to keep its customers connected with their loves ones.

India’s First Factory Custom, Jawa Perak, Hits the Streets Across the Country

Jawa Perak

* Deliveries of the motorcycle start from 20th July 2020 at dealerships across India

* Powered by a 334cc cross port engine delivering 30.64 PS of power and a higher 32.74 Nm of torque

* The company puts in place attractive finance schemes and safety protocols across dealerships for a worry-free buying experience 

  

Jawa Perak has been one of the most anticipated motorcycles of 2020 and now the wait to see the Perak on the road and own this creature of the night is over. Classic Legends Pvt. Ltd. announced the start of deliveries of the Perak from the 20th of July across the length and breadth of the country.

The Perak is a motorcycle reminiscing the past, yet far ahead of its time. Designed and developed as a factory custom embodying the spirit of ‘Stealth, Vigilante and Dark’, the BSVI compliant machine is a true bobber in spirit and form with ‘bobbed’ fenders, chopped exhaust and a floating seat.

India’s first Factory Custom is powered by a 334cc liquid cooled, single cylinder, four stroke, DOHC engine, producing 30.64 PS of power and 32.74 Nm of torque, breathing out through signature twin Jawa exhausts chopped for the authentic bobber stance.

The time during the lockdown was spent fruitfully by the Perak product team as they managed to crank up the torque by nearly 2Nm from its earlier 31 Nm. The higher torque directly translates to better pulling performance both from standstill and rolling acceleration. This has been achieved with meticulous fine tuning of the engine coupled with the new cross port technology that ensures thrilling performance while delivering cleaner emissions compliant with BSVI regulations. All this power is put to the tarmac via a 6-speed transmission with ratios optimised to offer a great riding experience through the gears. 

Housed in a completely reworked chassis with an all-new swingarm, engineered to offer the optimum transverse, longitudinal, torsional rigidity. Frame and swingarm stiffness have been tuned for a linear feel, aiding stability over straights and poise along winding roads. This plays a significant role in improving the handling.

Unleashing the Jawa Perak, Anupam Thareja, co-founder, Classic Legends said, “When we set out to build the Perak, the goal was simple – to create a motorcycle with the right blend of exclusivity, individuality and performance, with a hint of sinister and dark. Built on the idea of India’s first factory custom, the Perak is just that and now it is out on its prowl. We are proud of our creation and today we offer it to our customers to enjoy. We welcome them to the ’dark’ side and hope that nights will never be the same for Perak riders.”

To help bikers give in to temptation more easily, the Jawa Perak is also available with a range of easy finance options. Each Finance Options on offer across Jawa dealerships has something unique. A few highlights are:

•           50% off on first 3 EMIs

•           Special EMI plan @ Rs. 6,666/month

•           EMI plans as low as Rs. 8,000 @ 2years and Rs. 6,000 @ 3years

•           100% funding | Zero down payment | No income proof required. (T&C apply)

The Jawa Perak was officially launched on November 15th 2019 and the bookings for this factory-custom bobber motorcycle began on January 1st. The motorcycle is priced at Rs 1,94,500, ex-showroom, Delhi. The motorcycle is available for display, test rides and booking at all Jawa dealerships across India.

Classic Legends has put in place a comprehensive standard operating procedure across its sales outlets and the dealerships have been adhering to the policies and measures directed by the Central and State governments with respect to the safety of customers, employees and visitors. The showrooms are functional with teams trained and equipped to follow social distancing, hygiene and sanitation protocols.

Home Credit Expands India Footprint, Offers Loans on Purchases of Home Appliances

Loans

* Customer-friendly EMI schemes from leading Home Appliances brands: LG Electronics, Samsung, Sony, Voltas, Voltas–Beko, Blue-Star & Whirlpool

Home Credit India, a local arm of the international consumer finance provider with operations spanning over Europe and Asia and committed to drive financial inclusion in India, has ventured into the home appliances category. The company has partnered with leading consumer durable brands to offer attractive customer-friendly finance schemes. Offers are available across popular Home Appliances brands like LG Electronics, Samsung, Sony, Voltas, Whirlpool, Blue Star, Aisen and Voltas-Beko.

The offers are aimed at providing freedom to customers who wish to purchase a new appliance for their homes, from attractive EMI schemes. The company also offers finance schemes to enable customers to avail affordable EMI benefits on ACs, Refrigerators, Washing Machines, Microwave Ovens, Home Theaters, LED TVs etc.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Ankush Khosla, Chief Sales Officer, Home Credit India said; “As a Responsible corporate, we aim to meet aspirational needs of customers for a better life by offering financial solutions that are simple, transparent and accessible to all. During these unprecedented times, we need to understand our customers and their needs very closely as we are witnessing a new normal in customer behavior with their spending habits restricting to essential purchases. For us, customer is key, and we constantly aim to offer them a positive, seamless, and safe borrowing experience, helping them to realize their dreams in a financially secure way. Catering to these changing user preferences, it is Home Credit’s endeavor to provide top-of-class products, unique service experience and value for money to our customers. We’ll continue our efforts to serve the society and be able to overcome this unprecedented period.”

Customers can choose Home Credit to upgrade to a better lifestyle from a wide array of products available across popular brands like, Reliance Digital, Value Plus, Devi International, Sathya Agencies, Sales India, Lotus Electronics, Hariom Electronics, Sargam Electronics, Pai International .

The company has served over 11.3 million customers with various flexible loan options. Being a leader in the financing business of sub Rs 10,000 category, Home Credit provides a plethora of hassle-free financing options from a strong network of around 31,500 points-of-sale (PoS) present over 350 cities. The company is committed to drive credit penetration and broaden financial inclusion through responsible lending in the country.

ALTBalaji, Pay Point India Partner for Digital-Assistance and Offline Subscription Payment

Intending to deepen existing market presence and penetrate new markets, ALTBalaji and PayPoint India have entered into a strategic partnership. This initiative is primarily for the rural and semi-rural markets with a set of viewers who require digital-assistance and offline subscription payment options.  

With PayPoint’s 45,000 plus tech-enabled retailers across India wherein more than 80 percent of its customers are spread across in rural and semi-rural markets, the partnership helps ATLBalaji acquire untapped customers by making content more accessible. For the ALTBalaji fans, the PayPoint offline stores provide seamless assistance for activation as well, along with paying for subscription and renewals in cash and access the program at the convenience of their homes.

In the current pandemic,  ALTBalaji, which is an alternative for mainstream entertainment, has witnessed an increased audience in rural areas. PayPoint, a leading offline-to-online (O2O) company operating Pan India for the last 10 years, will provide access to its retail outlets to collect cash on behalf of ALTBalaji and allow the consumers to watch the fresh, original, and engaging contents on the over-the-top (OTT) platform.

Ketan Doshi, Managing Director of PayPoint India, said, “For ALTBalaji like alternatives to mass entertainment, there is a huge fan following in the rural districts of India. However, for lower digital-savvy fans activating the service, and doing an offline recharge is a hindrance. This partnership will be a boon for the population to do an instant activation and renewal recharge.”

“The offline recharge for such video-on-demand OTT service is the first of this kind and one such industry initiative. The association will help ALTBalaji achieve higher subscriber’s base, while PayPoint will be adding one of its kind product to the kitty of services that it is providing to the customers across the length and breadth of India, ” Ketan added.

The association will enable ALTBalaji to take the OTT space to the masses and aggressively increase its viewership by reaching every corner of the country. Available across multiple interfaces ranging from desktops, laptops, tablets, smart-phones to internet-ready television, the subscription-based video on demand (SVOD) service marries state-of-the-art technology with gripping storytelling. 

PayPoint is a trusted partner for Last-Mile Delivery of Fast-Moving Consumer Services. It offers more than 100 services like bill payment, recharges, DTH, Travel booking, ATM withdrawals, Wallets, and many more. Technology-enabled Retailers brings benefit to the end customers in terms of accessibility, convenience in the neighborhood.

About ALTBalaji

ALTBalaji is a subsidiary of Balaji Telefilms Limited, a subscription-based video on demand (SVOD) service, which has marked the Group’s foray into the Digital Entertainment space. After conquering television and making a strong mark in films, Balaji Telefilms aims to reach out directly to specific audiences, by providing them with original, exclusive shows, that they can access at their fingertips. ALTBalaji offers fresh, original, and unique stories. Tailored especially for Indians, across the globe, the platform hosts premium, high-quality shows featuring famous celebrities, acclaimed writers, and award-winning directors, making ALTBalaji a true alternative to mainstream entertainment.

About PayPoint India

PayPoint is a technology-enabled Distribution network of Financial Services. The company's digitally connected network of 45000+ offline stores offers various Financial services like Banking (PMJDY accounts), micro-ATM services, Wallets (Paypointz), Remittances, Bill payments, insurance, Merchant QR and many more. Apart from Financial services, PayPoint also offers consumer services to the underserved like Travel booking, Recharges, Amazon assisted shopping, Gift Cards, etc. through its strong network of retail stores spread across the country. The company’s retailer-driven assisted model helps customers make an informed decision for availing services from their trained partners and its digital platform.

PayPoint offers a bouquet of services through its plug-and-play platform. More than 100 Services providers are plugged into the company's system and interact with them on a real-time basis catering to more than 5 million customers month on month. The primary objective is to bridge the financial inclusion gap between developed urban India and under-served rural India.

iGATE Pulls Out of Satyam Bidding Process

Fremont-based iGATE has decided not to go ahead with the bidding process for acquiring 51% stake in India's scam-tainted Satyam Computer Services (SATYAMCOMP), based on further analysis.

Talking to CXOtoday, Phaneesh Murthy, CEO of iGATE, said, "While there is no one particular reason, it's the totality of concerns like sliding revenues, unknown margins and large liabilities that made us pull out of the race."

Murthy said, "We know that there are customer exits happening at Satyam. While the value erosion and the extent of liabilities were a concern, it was the totality of concerns that influenced our decision."

The company had earlier announced its participation in the bidding process last week, competing against some of the large Indian investors.

However, our PE fund partner had no role or influence in our decision to pull out. We had prepared our own model of financials and in that model it was difficult to get a reasonable return for any investor, said Murthy.

Satyam has been struggling for survival since January 7, when its founder and former chairman, B. Ramalinga Raju, confessed to filling the company's balance sheets with $1 billion in fictitious assets and nonexistent cash.

March 20 was the deadline set by the government-appointed Satyam Board for bidders to respond to the request for proposals the IT firm had sent out on March 13.

Sources indicate that potential bidders are concerned about the lack of clarity about the financial status of Satyam, as well as the implications of the class action suits and other legal troubles that the company is facing.

CXOtoday