'BlacMail is targeted at the vast middle market in India'

BlacMail has been in the news lately for its push-mail services which are very similar to BlackBerry.
Can you elaborate on what are the similarities and differences?
Like the BlackBerry, BlacMail is a true server based push-mail service, While the BlackBerry service is targeted at its own phones, the BlacMail service is agnostic to phone manufacturer models and works on most Java and Symbian based phones. BlacMail is targeted at the vast middle-market in India which is at least fifty times larger than the niche push-mail solutions such as the BlackBerry. Thus, the service will be considerably more affordable than the alternatives.

What are the legal/security services that BlacMail provides that would make it a preferred device?
First, BlacMail is compliant with all the government's lawful intercept conditions essential to offer email push services in India and other countries. BlacMail platform incorporates strong proprietary encryption methods constructed to work efficiently even on phones with low computing resources.

What is the latest offering from BlacMail?
The next version of BlacMail, which will be out soon, is a significant extension of the capabilities in terms of support for the complete range of mobile communications (SMS to GPRS to 3G) to ensure uninterrupted service even on poor mobile networks that continue to plague most parts of India.

How do you compete in an increasingly competitive smartphones market?
We do this by listening closely to the customers, and being the undisputed leader in developing breakthrough technology and market innovations that fulfill the needs of our large target customer base. BlacMail will democratize push messaging communications for legacy and the new breed of smart phones entering the market. We will work closely with our partners who are committed to this same vision.

Do you have any special VAS or 3G tie-ups for certain services with Indian operators, once 3G kicks in?
BlacMail will be launched by the nation's leading mobile telecom operators soon. We are already partnering with BSNL, the sole 3G service provider today, and plan to get a head-start with the next version of BlacMail, as other operators prepare for their respective 3G launch.We will announce the first of our partnership with large mobile phone manufacturers and telecom operators in September as part of launch of BlacMail on their platform.

What is your investment plan for the Indian market for the next one to two years?
Fifth C has heavily invested in India. plans for global expansion. We are working on several fronts with key strategic partners, and some of the offerings that will be unveiled will be radical.

Beryl M
berylm@cybermedia.co.in