The Web 2.0 video service Qik, which allows users to capture video on their mobiles and stream to the world in real-time, is to bring out its own-branded SIM to enable low-cost streaming through a partnership deal with Irish firm Cubic Telecom.
Supporting nearly 120 mobile devices, Qik allows anyone to broadcast video live from their cell phone and with users in more than 160 countries, Qik is a truly global mobile utility.
For example, Qik user Joseph Tame from the UK streamed live for hours as he ran the Tokyo Marathon, with more than 1,000 web viewers sending their comments of encouragement to him through Qik’s chat feature as he ran.
“Travellers can now share their world journeys with videos, photos, text, and calls from their mobile device without it costing the earth,” said Pat Phelan, Cubic Telecom’s CEO.
“We’ve heard of the horror stories of travelers returning from a trip abroad to cell phone bills in the thousands of euros. The Qik SIM eliminates this worry for our customers,” Phelan said.
Cork-based Cubic Telecom provides global low cost telecommunications with a particular emphasis on mobile cellular global roaming.
Its back-end infrastructure powers the Qik Roam product and other innovative services for businesses and consumers in more than 80 countries. Within one year of launch, Cubic’s MAXRoam offering had saved its customers more than €1 million in global roaming costs.
The partnership with Cubic Telecom will see Qik give its users the opportunity to purchase Qik-branded SIM cards enabling them to stream video live from all corners of the planet – without coming home to an astronomical phone bill. The Qik SIM also provides massive savings on voice calls, email, web browsing and texting while they travel.
Under the tagline “Go mobile, not broke,” Qik is offering its users a simple, inexpensive way to share live video no matter where they are.
The Qik pre-paid SIM cards with full voice and data can be purchased from http://qik.com/roam. This is also where customers can manage their accounts, including buying local phone numbers for countries they are traveling to and tying them to their Qik SIM card.
“With the Qik pre-paid SIM cards, Qikkers across the world can now share their moments when they are traveling without having to worry about voice or data roaming costs,” Ramu Sunkara, Qik CEO explained.
“It’s like sending a live video postcard to your friends and family from wherever you are.
“The tagline says it all,” added Sunkara. “Go mobile, not broke.”
By John Kennedy
