Comviva Unveils New Social Networking App

Mobile app and value added services company Comviva has announced the launch of Hola!, an application to access social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, email as well as popular web feeds via the mobile phone. The app was launched at the Mobile World Congress 2012 at Barcelona, Spain.

The application, which is operator dependent and not operating system specific, aims to target emerging markets (Africa & Middle-East) and will be available in India soon. It uses Comviva's WebAxn, a cloud-based or network-based mobile application platform that enables service providers to develop and deploy applications and services on mass market handsets.

Commenting on the launch, Arun Tanksali, head, Mobile Lifestyle Solutions, Comviva, said "Hola! will deliver services to mobile operator customers that will further drive mobile data proliferation. On one hand, it will help operators with their business objective of enhanced customer experience and increased revenues. On the other hand, it will empower customers to experience handset agnostic, faster and instant social networking connect."

It will also provide the operator an insight into consumers' usage patterns, supporting creation of cross selling activities and service packs for the operators. Users can choose from various payment models including pay-per-use and subscriptions.

Recently, Comviva joined MasterCard's Mobile Payment Partnership Program under which it will provide customers with the access to all major financial services on their mobile phones.