Voice communications and SMS (Short Message Service) on mobile phones are getting commoditized, and as in urban markets, customers are looking for value-added services, Mathias said. By introducing technology and services appropriate to rural markets, Tata Teleservices plans to differentiate itself in these markets, and increase customer “stickiness”, he added.

The company already uses mobile phones to deliver education content, and agricultural information relevant to rural communities. It has tied up with specialist organizations to provide the content, Mathias said.

India had 109.7 million rural mobile subscribers at the end of the first quarter, up by 17.8 percent from 93.15 million users in the fourth quarter of last year, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

via Indian farmers use mobile phones to control irrigation – india, mobile phones – Good Gear Guide.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Indian Farmers Use Mobile Phones to Control Irrigation (textually.org)
• Mobile Phone Technology and Developing Nations (mobile.slashdot.org)
• Mobile Marketing Takes Off in India (scotttesta.com)

http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js