Blackberry in talks to launch Virtual SIM solutions in India by year end.
Canadian communication solutions firm BlackBerry has announced plans to launch virtual SIM solution in India that will allow customers to use nine different numbers through a single SIM. The company is currently in talks with regulatory authorities and telecom operators in India to launch the service, according to reports.
Blackberry had acquired virtual identity solutions provider Movirtu last year in September. This is a cross-platform technology can be users by iOS, Windows as well as Android Phone users. The company has already launched the service in certain parts of Africa and is in discussions for roll-outs in Europe and other Asia Pacific countries as well.
VPS could be useful in BYOD scenarios, where employees need different personal and professional mobiles. BlackBerry India Managing Director Sunil Lalvani said, "On a virtual SIM platform, both a business number and a personal number can be used on a single mobile device, with separate billing for voice, data and messaging usage on each number. As a result, employees can switch between business and personal profiles easily without carrying multiple devices or SIM cards, and charges are appropriately billed to the company and the employee."
He stated that VSP tech will be significant for India where more than 3 million dual SIM handsets are sold every month. According to reports, Blackberry is in discussions with several telecom operators in the country and is also conducting pilots for the solution. Given the regulatory process involved, Blackberry plans to roll out the technology by year end 2015.
He added, "We will soon be rolling out virtual SIM solution in India, hopefully by the end of this year. The technology is ready, we are working on regulatory clearances. This technology allows an individual have up to nine identities using a single SIM. While from technology perspective a user can choose have nine numbers from different operators, in India due to the regulatory environment customers can opt only for one operator,” he added.
Blackberry also announced the Blackberry Leap 4G smartphone which will be available from June in the country. The device targets entrepreneurs and businesses in the country. It has a 5-inch HD screen, 1.5 GHz Qualcomm processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 8MP rear camera and a 2800 mAH non-removable Lithium Ion battery. Blackberry stated that the price of the device in India will be announced closer to the launch.
Source: ET
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Silky Malhotra
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