Host Blog

Video ring tones (and ring back tones) continue to make the news, with the story from New York that Host competitor of Vringo is to make an IPO. In what might have been a publicity stunt, the initial press release hinted that the company was looking to raise over $64 million, this figure was later revised to some $13 million, still significant considering the company’s revenues ($36). This underpins our long-term assertion that this advertising method is most definitely a future revenue source.

From techcrunch.com … “An SEC filing has revealed that video ringtone sharing community Vringo has filed to raise an estimated $64.3 million $13.8 million via an initial public offering of stock and warrants.

The company plans to trade on NASDAQ, with Maxim Group serving as lead underwriter. Vringo  shareholders include Warburg Pincus, who invested $12 million for a 31.9% ownership stake in 2007, and undisclosed private investors.”. More

Host is actively considering delivering its service of via VoIP technologies.  Recent technical advancements and more importantly the increasing uptake of VoIP  applications on mobile handsets has led Host to make a detailed investigation into the delivery of their services by this  method.   Colin Barnes Hosts CEO added  ” Delivery via VoIP  will allow us to overcome significant technical and commercial barriers whilst maintaining our key differentiator of  subsidising calls via pre-connection advertising.  Our core values  remain the same that is the delivery of unobtrusive, relevant advertising content to users”

For more information contact Host

Google have dramatically entered the ring back advertising market with a patent application filed in 2009.  This application ads relevance to the market and significantly enhances the prospects for our own portfolio which is based around a US filing date of 2001 some eight years earlier than Google’s effort.

An extract and link to the article is listed below.

“The newly announced Google Voice looks like a great service that should ease your communication problems on multiple devices significantly.

And Google is already thinking of the ways of monetizing Voice. In a way it knows best – through advertising. And it just might work.

When I use my phone, there is actually one time, when I wouldn’t really mind listening to some short audio adverts. Especially if Google can make them relevant to me.

It’s that time between when I dial the number and the person I called answers the phone. Filled with those boring beeps or stupid ringback tones from the operator.

This is exactly the place where Google wants to insert their short audio advertisements, described in a patent app “Ringback  advertising”.”

Read the full article here

14th of September 2009

The USPTO confirmed in a comuncation today that it will issue Host Telecom a notice of allowance in relation to its divisional application reference number 11/850, 8259.

The notice comes following an extensive series of discussions between Host, their US attorney (Michael Best and Friedrich LLP) and the USPTO, which began in March 2009.

Host patents relate to the delivery of multimedia messages during the pre-connect phase of any telephone call (video ring back tones or VRBT) and were originally filed in 2001. The extensive delays in moving the applications forward relate to the USPTO’s chronic shortage of examiners with dialogue only commencing in earnest in 2007.

Based on feedback from the examiner Host divided its original application (which applied to both caller and receiver) into two separate applications one for the caller and one for the receiver. Perhaps surprisingly the divisional (receiver) application has become the first to be issued with a notice of allowance.

Dialogue with the examiner is ongoing with regard to the original application (caller) with further discussions planned for early October. Host remains confident that the original application will proceed to grant.

Host CEO Colin Barnes added “This is excellent news for us, we have been in discussion with a number of parties who have interest in acquiring our patents and believe that this development will move things forward significantly”.

HOST is a unique Mobile Applications Provider of Video RingBack Tones (VRBT). Host is based in UK yet offers global opportunity.

Host develops the huge potential of Video RingbackTones as a value added service, on mobile and VOIP for both commercial advertising and social networking.

Host’s advertising solution enables the ‘lost moments’ prior to connection to be used effectively and efficiently for brand promotion.

Brand and Commercial advertisers will have access to a unique, simple, mass market advertising medium and targeted customers. The VRBT is an advertising ‘blank canvas’.

Mobile Network Operators will gain new revenue sources of high margin from the advertiser, whilst simultaneously introducing users to extra 3G content.

The mobile/VOIP user may enjoy free or subsidised calls and texts funded by the advertiser. The user enjoys non-intrusive multi-media content that is offered outside the normal connection period.

HOST owns IPR in UK, Australia and US, and is now looking to market its patents either via outright sale or license.