Nasdaq-listed Sify Technologies is close to launching cheap BlackBerry - like services

Nasdaq-listed Sify Technologies is close to launching cheap BlackBerry - like services in the country that can be accessed even by entry-level handsets. The company has licensed London-listed mobile e-mail and synchronisation solutions provider Synchronica’s mobile gateway solutions for providing the services in the country.

Even though, Sify is not the first company to launch cheap BlackBerry-like services (Rajesh Jain-promoted Netcore Solutions had launched the services in June last year), the move is important as existing services are highly priced. Most importantly, the services (also known as push mail or e-mail on mobile services) can only be accessed only on high-end handsets. Moreover, the launch also comes at a time when the Indian government is seeking legal intrusion (monitoring of data) of BlackBerry services and demanding that Research In Motion, Canadian owners of the service, moves its servers to the country.

“Basically, the idea is to offer BlackBerry-like services on mass market products. At present, the biggest problem is the high cost of both the services and handsets, which is preventing a mass adoption of push mail services,” Synchronica CEO Carsten Brinkschulte told Business Standard over phone from London.

Even though, prices of the services are yet to be fixed in the country, it would be priced to suit the masses. Sify will launch the services in the next few weeks, Brinkschulte added....>>>>