Mobile entertainment and gaming company, OnMobile is extending its platform beyond telecom operators, to sectors like e-commerce and fintech. The firm is also expanding to other markets like Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, Mexico and Argentina to grow its revenues. Sanjay Baweja, managing director and global CEO of OnMobile shares with Biswajiban Sharma the company’s growth path and how it’s devising innovative measures to stay ahead of the curve. Excerpts:
Gaming and entertainment is a fast moving sector where changes happen at a rapid pace. How do you keep evolving your offerings?
Our core strategy revolves around customising and localising our products based on insights from diverse geographies. We consistently develop new games tailored to specific local market interests. This strategy ensures that we stay ahead in meeting customer demands with new and improved offerings.
Has the launch of 5G services by telecom operators made any changes to the gaming landscape?
The advent of 5G is poised to revolutionise the gaming landscape, especially in mobile gaming. Our product, ONMO, is strategically positioned to thrive in this era. With higher download speed, latency will reduce which will transform cloud gaming, and provide seamless experience to users. 5G enables us to cater to individual preferences.
What are the new offerings by OnMobile?
Recently we expanded our presence with the introduction of ONMO, a product strategically oriented towards 5G users. Over the past quarters, both Challenges Arena and ONMO have witnessed substantial growth. Challenges Arena is now accessible through 61 operators, while ONMO is live with 15 operators. We remain steadfast in seizing opportunities in the dynamic mobile entertainment industry. Our commitment lies in adapting to changes and fostering innovation, essential elements to sustain our growth trajectory.
What are your expansion plans for India as well as global markets in the next five years?
In the competitive domestic market, our focus remains on innovation. The recent launch of Gamize, a gamification platform extends beyond telecom operators, into sectors like e-commerce and fintech. By 2025, we aim to engage with up to 500 enterprises in India through Gamize. Simultaneously, our existing products, Challenges Arena and ONMO, are on a growth trajectory. We aim to onboard approximately 200 operators globally within the next two years, having already reached 76. Globally, our focus areas are Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, Mexico and Argentina. Our global expansion mirrors our commitment to rapid revenue growth across diverse markets.
What has been the impact of changes in the GST laws related to online gaming?
Our subscription-based model operates without involving betting, therefore the impact has been minimal.
Being a fast moving sector, how’s the competitive atmosphere?
In our specific niche, competition remains relatively limited. While we have encountered competitors like Comviva in India, customer retention for Challenges Arena and ONMO has remained steady, with significant growth phases witnessed in acquiring new customers.