UC Browser looks to expand India footprint

Kenny Ye GM (Emerging Markets), UCWeb talks to Girja Shankar Kaura 

Serving users in over 150 countries and regions around the world, UC Browser (UCWeb) is the largest third party mobile browser in India accounting for as many as 54% of the page views emanating out of the country. UC Browser is now available in 11 languages internationally, including English, Russian, Indonesian, and Vietnamese and offers services in 13 Indian languages. Kenny Ye, General Manager (Emerging Markets) at UCWeb, talks about the future plans.

Q. UC Browser has been in India for the past five years. What is your role at UC Browser and tell us about UC Browser?

A. UCWeb is a provider of mobile internet software technology and services. We are a part of Alibaba mobile business group and motivated by the mission to provide better mobile internet experience to billions of users around the world. Our product portfolio includes mobile browsing services (UC Browser) application and game distribution platforms (9 Apps), and a mobile traffic platform (UC Union) among others.

UC Browser, our flagship product, is at the forefront of India’s mobile internet revolution. The browser is available on more than 3,000 models of cellphones and compatible with all mainstream operating systems.

I am the General Manager (Global Markets) at Alibaba Mobile Business Group. As the head of operations in emerging markets, including India, Indonesia and Russia, it is my responsibility to ensure that the real benefits of mobile connectivity reach out to millions of people who can then make their lives better by accessing the internet and experience it in all its glory.

Q. What is the India strategy and how is it different from other emerging markets?

A. UCWeb in every market is guided by its mission to connect people. We want to be the window through which people access information, opportunities which make a meaningful difference to their lives.

When we see mobile infrastructure, everywhere in emerging markets we see the same challenges, lack of bandwidth and premium pricing in areas where bandwidth is available. We utilise technology, use data compression to enable faster downloads and cloud servers to store data which facilitate faster page downloads without attracting stiff download charges from mobile carriers.

Our focus is to build and enhance user base in India. The success and adoption rates so far have been encouraging and going forward, our focus will remain on localisation of product with a view to drive deeper content and service integration, making UC Browser the super application on a handset.

Q. UC Browser has recently entered into an alliance with Flipkart to offer Flipkart Lyte to consumers across the country? Please share the details of the agreement?

A. The alliance with Flipkart is an effort to offer users shopping on the go in a seamless experience even with low network availability. Flipkart Lyte will be available on the home screen of UC Browser and will allow top notch experience through features such as search, offers and cart. The service, as it grows, will offer richer experiences in subsequent releases. The mobile site, therefore, is an endeavour to provide the users with a smoother, faster and interactive flow than other mobile site.

Q. On what basis do you claim to be the largest mobile browser in India? What has been the growth driver?

A. UC Browser’s success is ratified by StatCounter, an independent agency. We are the largest on the strength of our technology and innovation in data consumption and compression technologies. The cloud usage helps us offer faster speeds with optimal usage of data. This strength in technology has allowed us to position ourselves as a cost-effective window to the world of internet for the millions of consumers in India.

Q. What is the user base now? What are your growth plans in India?

A. India user base has been expanding steadily and rising every month. Though I can’t give you the exact numbers right now, we can tell you that we have over 400 million monthly active users worldwide. The India growth strategy will operate on two different facets going forward. One will be continuous investment in technology and innovation so that we can offer faster browsing experience to consumers.

The second facet of the expansion will be centred on developing our services and growing from being a tool or an application to becoming a content aggregator which can offer convenience tools and relevant local content to the consumers at their fingertips.