Sept. 14 (Bloomberg) -- India, the world’s second-largest wireless market by users, said it will start accepting bids for licenses to offer high-speed services on Dec. 7, a move that may help boost revenue at Bharti Airtel Ltd. and other carriers.
Bidders must submit any queries they have by Oct. 8, before a pre-bid conference on Oct. 12, and applications for the permits must be made on or before Nov. 13, the Department of Telecommunications said in a statement on its Web site. The government said last month it may raise about $5 billion from selling licenses for mobile-phone and wireless broadband Internet services.
The sale will pave the way for faster data services in India, the biggest economy in the world not to offer 3G nationwide. India’s number of mobile-phone subscribers has room to triple from more than 440 million, giving Sweden’s Ericsson AB, China’s Huawei Technologies Co. and Finland’s Nokia Oyj incentive to compete for network-equipment orders.
The third-generation services “will be the next phase of growth,” Nishna Biyani, an analyst at Mumbai-based Prabhudas Lilladher Pvt. said by telephone. Carriers will use the permits for airwaves to initially boost revenue from improved voice services even as they add data and broadband offerings, he said.
Bharti, India’s largest wireless operator, expects the start of high-speed services to boost “voice efficiencies” and the speed of data downloads, Chief Executive Officer Manoj Kohli said on Aug. 27. The carrier is eager to participate in the auction, he said at the time.
Gaurav Wahi, a spokesman at second-ranked Reliance Communications Ltd. declined to comment on whether the Mumbai-based operator will participate in the auction.
Revenue From Auctions
The auctions for licenses to operate third-generation mobile-phone services and WiMax wireless broadband services will earn India about 250 billion rupees ($5.13 billion), Communications Minister Andimuthu Raja said Aug. 27.
A group of ministers set a minimum price for a pan-Indian permit at 35 billion rupees, ending a nine-month deadlock over the pricing of the licenses. As many as four slots will be auctioned for each of the nation’s 22 phone-service zones, Raja said at the time.
Bharti, Vodafone Group Plc and other mobile-phone companies may gain customers by offering faster services such as music and Internet downloads that could help them offset slowing revenue growth in the more profitable urban markets. The world’s largest wireless market after China has attracted Norway’s Telenor ASA and Japan’s NTT DoCoMo Inc. AT&T Inc., the biggest U.S. carrier, has said it wants to start services in the South Asian nation.
‘Requested to Monitor’
“Participants are requested to monitor the auction Web site actively” for any changes in the schedule, the department said in its statement.
India’s Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has sought to delay until next year the country’s auction of rights to provide third generation mobile-phone services, Mint newspaper reported last week, citing a person familiar with the development.
India in November picked NM Rothschild & Sons Ltd. as the independent auctioneer to help it sell the permits and initially aimed to complete the process by Jan. 15.
State-controlled Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. currently offer high-speed services in some parts of the country. The carriers have been exempted from the auction process.
Huawei claims 60 mn mobile broadband unit shipments worldwide
Mobile broadband is yet to see a actual traction in India but Chinese equipment vendor, Huawei Technologies is already marching ahead in the mobile broadband space.
The company claims that it has clocked 60 million mobile broadband unit shipments. The products under the portfolio include data cards, dongles and embedded modules.
Huawei claims to have a 55 % market share in the global mobile broadband terminal market.
“This milestone highlights Huawei’s deep understanding of the operator business,” said Glory Cheung, spokesperson of Huawei Device. “Huawei has proven its ability to focus on operators’ needs, provide differentiated customization and deliver robust applications. Huawei’s pioneering vision and innovative solutions in the mobile broadband arena are driving the next-generation of mobile communication.”
The company claims that it has clocked 60 million mobile broadband unit shipments. The products under the portfolio include data cards, dongles and embedded modules.
Huawei claims to have a 55 % market share in the global mobile broadband terminal market.
“This milestone highlights Huawei’s deep understanding of the operator business,” said Glory Cheung, spokesperson of Huawei Device. “Huawei has proven its ability to focus on operators’ needs, provide differentiated customization and deliver robust applications. Huawei’s pioneering vision and innovative solutions in the mobile broadband arena are driving the next-generation of mobile communication.”
TATA Indicom Photon+ Router
KEY BENEFITS
Quick Activation
Tata Indicom Photon service is easy, quick to install & does not require any external infrastructure support .g. wires etc. Just install the activated device in your office & it is ready to use. So now no matter Where you are located HI-Speed Internet Access can be made available to you instantly.
Reliable connectivity
Tata Indicom's Photon being a Wireless service offers reliability & consistent service with no interruptions caused by factors like physical charges of wires and service disruptions due to weather.
Mobile Hotspot
Now experience, freedom from wires, with the Router you can now have high speed wireless connectivity( Wi-HI Zone) in your location of installation
Plug & Surf
Just plug your computer into the activated device through wired or wireless( Wi-Hi) connectivity and surf at never before speeds
Data Security
The router comes equipped with data security feature, ensuring that confidentially of all your information is maintained & never compromised
Power Antennae
The Router device comes quipped with 1 Power antennae that give you assured signal strength thus offering you high speed internet
Feature Specifications
Model NO. MV420
Speed Upto 2.4 Mbps Downlink speed . Actual internet speed will depend on multiple factors like time of the day, number of simultaneous users, web page accessed, etc.
Antenna Multiple antennae for better signal strength; hence better thoughput
Supported OS Mac OS@9x, Xv10x,AppleTalk@Linux@Windows@98,Me,NT,@,2000,XP and others
Router will be provided along with the connection
One month’s plan rental will be taken as security deposit
Every extra MB download in 1x coverage will be charged Rs.2 and in Wireless Broadband Service coverag will be charged rs.3
There is an activation fee of Rs. 1000/-(including service tax) for every conncetion
Quick Activation
Tata Indicom Photon service is easy, quick to install & does not require any external infrastructure support .g. wires etc. Just install the activated device in your office & it is ready to use. So now no matter Where you are located HI-Speed Internet Access can be made available to you instantly.
Reliable connectivity
Tata Indicom's Photon being a Wireless service offers reliability & consistent service with no interruptions caused by factors like physical charges of wires and service disruptions due to weather.
Mobile Hotspot
Now experience, freedom from wires, with the Router you can now have high speed wireless connectivity( Wi-HI Zone) in your location of installation
Plug & Surf
Just plug your computer into the activated device through wired or wireless( Wi-Hi) connectivity and surf at never before speeds
Data Security
The router comes equipped with data security feature, ensuring that confidentially of all your information is maintained & never compromised
Power Antennae
The Router device comes quipped with 1 Power antennae that give you assured signal strength thus offering you high speed internet
Feature Specifications
Model NO. MV420
Speed Upto 2.4 Mbps Downlink speed . Actual internet speed will depend on multiple factors like time of the day, number of simultaneous users, web page accessed, etc.
Antenna Multiple antennae for better signal strength; hence better thoughput
Supported OS Mac OS@9x, Xv10x,AppleTalk@Linux@Windows@98,Me,NT,@,2000,XP and others
Router will be provided along with the connection
One month’s plan rental will be taken as security deposit
Every extra MB download in 1x coverage will be charged Rs.2 and in Wireless Broadband Service coverag will be charged rs.3
There is an activation fee of Rs. 1000/-(including service tax) for every conncetion
India - CDMA, GSM Mobile Phones to Have 11 Digit Numbers
If remembering 10-digit mobile phone numbers is hard task for you, soon you’ll have an addition to the problem. The Department of Telecom, or DoT, is considering making mobile phone numbers to contain 11 digits.
The 11 digits numbering system will be applicable for CDMA and GSM numbers. DoT is currently mulling over how exactly this system will be implemented. In most probability, there may be a ‘9′ prefix before all numbers.
Apparently, the approximate base limit of 10 digit numbers is 450 million subscribers, which is likely to get exhausted as soon as by early next year.
Interestingly, in 2003 National Numbering Plan (NNP) of DoT had said, “When subscriber base in an SDCA (short distance charging area, or a circle in common parlance) expands beyond 4 crore, changeover from 10-digit to 11-digit may be required. However, this scenario is not envisaged almost for another 30 years.”
Well, looks like their calculations faced a few minor errors.
Currently, China and UK are the two countries which use the 11 digit numbering system.
According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), India’s total wireless subscribers (GSM, CDMA & WLL(F)) base was recorded to be 375.74 million at the end of February 2009.
The 11 digits numbering system will be applicable for CDMA and GSM numbers. DoT is currently mulling over how exactly this system will be implemented. In most probability, there may be a ‘9′ prefix before all numbers.
Apparently, the approximate base limit of 10 digit numbers is 450 million subscribers, which is likely to get exhausted as soon as by early next year.
Interestingly, in 2003 National Numbering Plan (NNP) of DoT had said, “When subscriber base in an SDCA (short distance charging area, or a circle in common parlance) expands beyond 4 crore, changeover from 10-digit to 11-digit may be required. However, this scenario is not envisaged almost for another 30 years.”
Well, looks like their calculations faced a few minor errors.
Currently, China and UK are the two countries which use the 11 digit numbering system.
According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), India’s total wireless subscribers (GSM, CDMA & WLL(F)) base was recorded to be 375.74 million at the end of February 2009.
Now Don't Get Fooled by Value Added Services (VAS)
If you have ever called a new number and been lured into subscribing to unwarranted value added services like caller tunes, copy tunes, etc regulator TRAI has come out to be the protector.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority Of India (TRAI) has directed telecom firms to get written/SMS permission from customers before activation of value-added (VAS) services.
Taking a tough stand on ‘accidental activation’ of VAS, that many customers have complained about, Trai said all terms and conditions must first be told to consumers before offering the service.
In its latest directive, Trai has said: In case of VAS services like ‘Press Star to copy Hello tunes’, “explict consent of the consumer is required before activating such services”…
Such consent may be obtained through either fax, email or SMS.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority Of India (TRAI) has directed telecom firms to get written/SMS permission from customers before activation of value-added (VAS) services.
Taking a tough stand on ‘accidental activation’ of VAS, that many customers have complained about, Trai said all terms and conditions must first be told to consumers before offering the service.
In its latest directive, Trai has said: In case of VAS services like ‘Press Star to copy Hello tunes’, “explict consent of the consumer is required before activating such services”…
Such consent may be obtained through either fax, email or SMS.
Rest of TN has better broadband quality than Chennai
CHENNAI: Broadband quality of service offered by fixed wireline operators in non-metro areas of TamilNadu is three times better than in the metro circles of Chennai and Bangalore, a study conducted by IIT-Madras has shown. "This means that the existing infrastructure in the rest of TN (RoTN) circle can accommodate three times the number of broadbandconnections that they presently serve," said Prof Timothy A Gonsalves, IIT-M.
TeNeT - Telecommunications and computer Netwroks group of IIT-M, has conducted tests on broadband quality of service in Chennai and RoTN circles as part of a project by Asian telecom policy thinktank LIRNEasia. The study which focuses mainly on metros, spilled over to non-metro areas in Tamil Nadu, with the surprising result that broadband speeds in RoTN are nearly three times the advertised speeds.
"In India telecom regulation specifies that only minimum speeds can be advertised, as opposed to neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka where it is possible for internet service providers (ISPs) to advertise maximum speeds," Prof Gonsalves said. Therefore a comparitive graph shows that India has the least deviation of delivered speeds from promised speeds among south Asian countries. "This also means that speeds in Chennai or Bangalore are equal to the advertised speeds, which suffices for common internet usage."
However, RoTN delivers three times the advertised speeds for national as well as global servers, that is for websites hosted in India as well as internationally. "The tests have been carried out at various timings during the day, on different days of the week, thereby eliminating any speed discrepancies based on time," Prof Gonsalves said. "This just indicates that there is upto three times extra capacity in the installed broadband infrastructure in RoTN."
In other words, the existing infrastructure can accommodate thrice as many current subscribers in the circle, contrary to popular perception that poor broadband penetration in non-metros is owing to lack of economic viability for building infrastructure. A spokesperson from BSNL, the major ISP in Chennai and TN, said, "We have the capacity to double our broadband subscriber base in TN now. But, the difficulty in connecting them lies in their location."
The company uses connectors which house 16, 32, 64, 128 or 512 ports depending on the number of subscribers in the area. "While we may have excess capacity left in a 32 or a 128 port connector, it may not be possible to accommodate a new subscriber in it because of the long distance between his location and that of the connector. So, we end up installing a new connector."
Spokesperson for Airtel, which has 50,000 subscribers in RoTN and 1.5 lakh in Chennai, said, "The reason for higher speeds in RoTn is definitely under utilization of capacity."
TeNeT - Telecommunications and computer Netwroks group of IIT-M, has conducted tests on broadband quality of service in Chennai and RoTN circles as part of a project by Asian telecom policy thinktank LIRNEasia. The study which focuses mainly on metros, spilled over to non-metro areas in Tamil Nadu, with the surprising result that broadband speeds in RoTN are nearly three times the advertised speeds.
"In India telecom regulation specifies that only minimum speeds can be advertised, as opposed to neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka where it is possible for internet service providers (ISPs) to advertise maximum speeds," Prof Gonsalves said. Therefore a comparitive graph shows that India has the least deviation of delivered speeds from promised speeds among south Asian countries. "This also means that speeds in Chennai or Bangalore are equal to the advertised speeds, which suffices for common internet usage."
However, RoTN delivers three times the advertised speeds for national as well as global servers, that is for websites hosted in India as well as internationally. "The tests have been carried out at various timings during the day, on different days of the week, thereby eliminating any speed discrepancies based on time," Prof Gonsalves said. "This just indicates that there is upto three times extra capacity in the installed broadband infrastructure in RoTN."
In other words, the existing infrastructure can accommodate thrice as many current subscribers in the circle, contrary to popular perception that poor broadband penetration in non-metros is owing to lack of economic viability for building infrastructure. A spokesperson from BSNL, the major ISP in Chennai and TN, said, "We have the capacity to double our broadband subscriber base in TN now. But, the difficulty in connecting them lies in their location."
The company uses connectors which house 16, 32, 64, 128 or 512 ports depending on the number of subscribers in the area. "While we may have excess capacity left in a 32 or a 128 port connector, it may not be possible to accommodate a new subscriber in it because of the long distance between his location and that of the connector. So, we end up installing a new connector."
Spokesperson for Airtel, which has 50,000 subscribers in RoTN and 1.5 lakh in Chennai, said, "The reason for higher speeds in RoTn is definitely under utilization of capacity."
 |
(All above speeds are for broadband connections advertised for speeds of 256 kbps)
Tata Teleservices partners with Yahoo for online user interface
New Delhi, May 26, 2009: India’s leading telecom company Tata Teleservices has entered into partnership with Yahoo for online user interface for more than thirty millions of its customers.
The alliance with Yahoo! Company’s Indian arm would help it serve its customers in more user-friendly manner. It will also give a global touch to Tata Indicom’s local services.
Tata Teleservices is part of the INR 2,51,543 Crore (US$ 62.5 billion) Tata Group, that has over 87 companies, over 330,000 employees and more than 2.8 million shareholders. With a committed investment of INR 36,000 Crore (USD $7.5 billion) in Telecom (FY 2006), the Group has a presence across the telecom value chain.
Tata Teleservices spearheads the Group’s presence in the telecom sector. Incorporated in 1996, Tata Teleservices was the first to launch CDMA mobile services in India with the Andhra Pradesh circle.
Having pioneered the CDMA 3G1x technology platform in India, Tata Teleservices has established 3G ready telecom infrastructure. It partnered with Motorola, Ericsson, Lucent and ECI Telecom for the deployment of its telecom network.
Lloyd Mathias, a senior Tata Teleservices official says, “This alliance will allow Yahoo! to reach a wider audience in the internet and digital spaces, and gain access to a captive user base to create not only a deeper connection with users, but also deliver a seamless user experience across platforms”.
Tata Teleservices is part of the INR 2,51,543 Crore (US$ 62.5 billion) Tata Group, that has over 87 companies, over 330,000 employees and more than 2.8 million shareholders. With a committed investment of INR 36,000 Crore (USD $7.5 billion) in Telecom (FY 2006), the Group has a presence across the telecom value chain.
Tata Teleservices spearheads the Group’s presence in the telecom sector. Incorporated in 1996, Tata Teleservices was the first to launch CDMA mobile services in India with the Andhra Pradesh circle.
Having pioneered the CDMA 3G1x technology platform in India, Tata Teleservices has established 3G ready telecom infrastructure. It partnered with Motorola, Ericsson, Lucent and ECI Telecom for the deployment of its telecom network.
Lloyd Mathias, a senior Tata Teleservices official says, “This alliance will allow Yahoo! to reach a wider audience in the internet and digital spaces, and gain access to a captive user base to create not only a deeper connection with users, but also deliver a seamless user experience across platforms”.
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