IPL signs deal with mobile internet firm

The Indian Premier League (IPL) and its licensing partner Global Cricket Ventures today announced a partnership with mobile internet firm July Systems to enable fans to view the Twenty20 league action on internet-enabled handsets in the country.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) and its licensing partner Global Cricket Ventures on Saturday announced a partnership with mobile internet firm July Systems to enable fans to view the Twenty20 league action on internet-enabled handsets in the country.

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"The IPL is the first sports league in the world to roll out a mass market, mobile internet service of this type and scale. I am certain IPL fans here in India will enjoy this real-time user interface now available on their very own mobile phones," said IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi said.

Fans with an internet enabled mobile phone would be able to access live ball-by-ball video updates, action replays and video score cards through this deal, said Modi at a media conference in Mumbai.

Company founder and CEO Rajesh Reddy viewed the partnership with IPL as significant as he felt the moblie internet was all set to take off in this country.

"We are on the cusp of a mobile internet revolution in India, and making the IPL 'mobile' could be the tipping point," Reddy said.