Chikka in Talks for Expansion to India
June 7, 2005
Multi-platform mobile messaging solutions provider Chikka Asia Inc. is in talks with prospective partners in India for its plan to expand its operations to that country within the year.
It now offers mobile messaging overseas through partners in China (China Unicom), Hong Kong (SmarTone), Indonesia (Bubu Kreasi Perdana), Japan (all mobile phone service operators), Singapore (SingTel), Thailand (TextMe Limited) and the USA (Cingular Wireless).
In a recent interview, Chikka chief operating officer Chito Bustamante said his company plans to bring its text messaging service, called the "Chikka Txt Messenger", to India . The Chikka Txt Messenger enables PC users to send text messages to mobile phone users. Mobile phone subscribers can reply to the message either through their mobile phones or PCs.
" India is in the pipe. We will be bringing the Text Messenger. We're currently in talks with a partner, but we cannot disclose (details) right now," Mr. Bustamante said.
He said that the company sees potential in the Indian market, given its large population.
He also said that like the Philippines , India also has a strong overseas community.
" India is also where the Philippines was two to three years ago. From experience and learning, we will be able to capture the market as a provider there, and to grow the market as well from learnings [sic] here," he added.
Mr. Bustamante declined to say how much the company has earmarked for its operations in India , but he said that the company expects to launch its operations in that country this year.
"Because it's very strategic for us, the directions we're putting in place there is for long term. We recognize the market and we will move on the market, dependent [sic] on how well the partner or the clients involved are entrenched in the prospect," he said.
Chikka, a leading provider of enhanced mobile messaging services to mobile carriers around the world, is a pioneer in wireless applications services development, having created the world's first mobile instant messenger to run on short message service.
The company, which had an initial investment of $2 million, has become a multi-platform company, creating mobile portals that partner carriers offer to their subscribers and corporate customers.— Jennee Grace U. Rubrico
Source: I.T. Matters
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