Business ICT

V FM acquires total communication capability from SLT

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the nation's communication powerhouse entered to an agreement becoming total communication service provider to V FM, one of the newest radio stations in the country. According to the agreement SLT will provide a total communication solution, which includes voice, broadband internet and data services with seamless connectivity.

The solution provides direct cost saving to the company (V FM), along with making operations smoother with the provision of faster newsgathering and dissemination through the technology provided as well as active information exploration.

It also enhances the capabilities of V FM with information being shared among the general public as fast as possible, access to international news via broadband internet service and the initiating of a change in media culture in Sri Lanka to an international standard. Online radios as well as web-based radio are among the services that will be provided to the listeners of V FM.

SLT also has the ability to strengthen the capabilities of V FM through the provision of hosting and IP related services, allow listeners to CD quality audio streaming, DVD quality video streaming.

In addition to those services V FM has opportunity to step towards the latest trends in the media business like, news updates via email and SMS, news features, radio documentaries via broadcast downloads and the sharing of photos, MP3 and video sharing.

V FM will also have the opportunity to diversify business by providing content to other media related service providers by having access to quality communication system.

The solution provided by SLT is flexible and scalable; this will suit the future expansion needs of V FM to do business in the media landscape. The agreement will also help to cut down costs of communication as well as increase productivity, resulting in cost effective real time communications. Reliability, Quality of Service, better service levels and customised solutions offered by SLT are also based on their requirement.

Lanka Television Networks, also known, as V FM is a Board of Investment (BOI) approved radio venture. It provides a compelling mix of content, technology and service along with islandwide coverage. Its aim is to redefine the best listening experience to the Sinhalese mass audience as well as providing a cost effective media solution to their advertisers.

Sri Lanka Telecom (www.slt.lk) is one of the country's most valuable blue chip companies with an annual turnover in excess of Rs 40 billion.

PC House signs partnership with Samsung India

Hathoon Sheriffdeen

PC house and the Samsung India Electronics Private Limited have signed a partnership agreement to market and distribute ICT components to the Sri Lankan market.Chairman, PC House (Pvt) Ltd, S, H, M Rishan said at a press conference held at Cinnamon Grand Hotel, on Wednsday.

"We will distribute Samsung ICT peripherals through our 39 PC House distribution centers island wide. PC House will act as the sole marketer and distributor of all the Samsung ICT products to the local market. There are 56 countries are using Samsung products worldwide, Sri Lanka is now joining that line," Rishan said.

"PC House will provide these products on an affordable price with a value addition to the local ICT market. Apart from this PC House also have an outlet at metropolitan, too. We expect that the wider range of pricing and the leadership on the market will promote PC House," he added.

"Samsung product ranges are very different compared to the competitive products. That made PC House to move for this brand and the leadership held by the PC House attracted the Samsung Electronics India," he said.

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MMBL signs Lanka Bell for Western Union Money Transfer

zLanka Bell has entered into an agreement with MMBL Money Transfer (MMBL) to offer Western Union money transfer services through its network of 55 business offices across Sri Lanka. All the Agent locations will be fully equipped to offer Western Union's Money Transfer Service.

Remittance is a major source of foreign resource to Sri Lanka. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the country receives over $2 billion worth of foreign remittances each year. Most of the remittances come from over 1.5 million expatriates in the Middle East.

"In the light of the fact that Sri Lanka received close to US $2.41 billion Sri Lankan rupees in remittance in 2006 according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, sent by people of the Sri Lankan origin from across the globe, the country has become a very important market for Western Union", said Ratheesh Kumar, Country Director, Western Union, South and East India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives.

"The MMBL-Lanka Bell partnership allows Western Union to further expand its reach to provide easier and faster access to money transfer service to customers in Sri Lanka," Ratheesh Kumar added.

Remittance is one of the biggest sources of poverty alleviation worldwide. It is estimated that every dollar remitted to a developing country contributes three dollars to the economy of the country. Remittances are also believed to have reduced the poverty in various developing nations by staggering numbers.

"As a Sri Lankan company we feel a great responsibility in providing superior service to our customers & others.

We view our partnership with MMBL and Western Union as a way through which we can provide value added service to our customers & non customers through the convenience of our branches" says Suren Goonewardene, Managing Director of Lanka Bell.

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EPSI IStore rewards TNL On Stage winners

EPSI Computers (Pvt) Ltd, authorized resellers for APPLE Inc, in Sri Lanka powered TNL On Stage 2007, the popular annual event of TNL Radio network. EPSI rewarded the winners of different categories with gift vouchers courtesy of EPSI I Store with the winner for the best band receiving Rs. 100,000 and the Winners of the other category receiving Rs. 50,000 each.

CEO of EPSI Computers (Pvt) Ltd Niranjan Canagey, said, that this sponsorship was to actively promote and expose originality in music by talented local musicians and bands.

"We at EPSI Computers are happy to be part of this event." EPSI Computers (Pvt.) Ltd, founded in 1992, has rapidly grown in the Sri Lankan IT industry bringing the latest array of highly advanced Information Technology equipment to the market.

Possessing over a decade of experience in the industry and with a turnover exceeding over Rs. 1.5 billion, EPSI is firmly placed in becoming the market leader in the industry.

EPSI's continued focus on 'Innovation & Technology' stems from its brand promise to its customers. It boasts of its commitment to providing Sri Lankans with state-of-the-art innovations in technological products.