Indian Telecom: News & Discussions: All Cable COs must become digital by 2013: TRAI

[NSG_Blackcats]

BSNL to float tender for defence optical fibre cable network​

New Delhi, Nov. 22 : Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has been instructed by Mr Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister, to float a global tender for setting up the optical fibre cable network for the defence forces on December 7. The optical cable network, which will connect key installation of the Air Force, Army and the Navy across the country, is estimated to cost around Rs 10,000 crore.

The cable network is part of the commitment made to the defence forces in return for agreeing to release 25 Mhz of spectrum for third generation mobile services. According to the action plan stitched together by Mr Pitroda, the Telecom Commission will meet on Monday to approve the optical fibre project.

Then, the Department of Telecom will move a note for the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs or the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, which is expected to meet on December 3 to consider granting Rs 10,000 crore for the cable network. Once the Cabinet gives its approval, the DoT and the defence will sign a formal agreement on December 7.

The rollout will be monitored at different levels starting from a mission team headed by the BSNL Chairman. This team will also have one representative each from the DoT and the Ministry of Defence. The progress of the project will also be monitored by the Secretary of DoT, the Cabinet Secretary and the Empowered Group of Ministers periodically. The entire network is expected to be completed within 3 years. BSNL will finalise the supplier by July 31, 2010 and the rollout will begin from November 30, according to the action plan.

The Defence will release 25 Mhz of spectrum for the auction to be held in January. However, the operators who win the bids will be able to use the spectrum only by June as the defence forces have sought time to move their existing equipment.

Link

 

[RPK]

Handsets without IMEI numbers to go dead tonight


New Delhi: Handsets sans IMEI numbers will go dead from tonight at 12. IMEI is a mobile apparatus' identity code that identifies the set.

The government gave November 30 deadline for blocking the calls on such phones. After 12 'o' clock tonight, calls will be barred on the mobile set without the IMEI numbers.

Following the Union Government's order, the step is being taken for security reasons. IMEI number comprises 15 digits.

This helps government agencies tracing and identifying the calls. As soon as a mobile is turned on, its manufacturer's name and other details get registered automatically with the mobile service provider company.

It is observed that the step will affect around 2 crore mobile users.

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

Uninor's 29 paise/min rate to heat up cell war

Intensifying the competition in the world's fastest growing mobile market, Unitech Wireless Ltd, on Thursday, announced the launch of its GSM services. The services include a scheme that offers consumers the lowest tariff on a per minute basis.

The latest mobile operator to enter the cellular segment will offer local calls at 29 paise a minute compared with an average of 50 paise a minute being charged by existing players.

The joint venture between Indian real estate company Unitech Ltd and Norwegian telecom giant Telenor ASA, will start providing services under the Uninor brand in seven zones - Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, and in the east and west service areas of Uttar Pradesh. The company plans to complete the roll out of services across the country by June 2010.

New players, including Tata DoCoMo and Shyam Sistema, have entered the Indian mobile market leading to cut throat competition. Almost all the players have launched per second based billing in a bid to attract as many of the 15 million new users being added every month.

 

[sob]

Looks like the number portability deadline is going to be missed again. IMO the exisitng players are shit scared about this number protability as they feel that they will lose a major chunk of their existing subscribers to the new players.

all sorts of shady abckdoor deals are rumored to be taking place to delay this for as long as possible.

Number portability to miss deadline

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had earlier said that MNP would come into force on January 1. However, except for Vodafone, most companies are yet to get on to the MNP regime.

The state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) have also informed the government that they will not be able to implement the system before April next year in view of the lack of time to tweak the technology, tariff plans and billing.

“We have conducted tests within our network. But to conduct test with other operators, it seems, a few more weeks would be required”, R K Agarwal, Director (Consumer Mobility), BSNL, told Deccan Herald.

J S Sarma, Chairman, TRAI, said the operators should try to implement the facility within the deadline, lest they should be labelled anti-consumer.

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

Govt. to auction only 3 slots of 3G spectrum

In a surprise move that could deprive it of over Rs. 5,000 crore in revenue, the government has said the 3G telephony spectrum available with it for sale currently could accommodate only three operators.

A fourth slot has already been awarded to the state-owned MTNL (that operates in Delhi and Mumbai) and BSNL (rest of India).

It had earlier planned to auction spectrum to four private bidders, in addition to the state-run firms.

The decision comes in the wake of the Ministry of Defence’s reluctance to vacate the designated spectrum (air waves) for commercial use, official sources said, adding that the required notification would be issued soon.

The government has fixed the reserve price of spectrum at Rs. 3,500 crore for pan-India 3G spectrum and Rs. 1,750 crore for Wimax (wireless ineternet/broadband) and the auction is scheduled to begin from January 14 next year.

The government had projected a revenue of Rs. 25,000 crore from the sale of spectrum, but this could now fall short of estimates as it would have to let go at least Rs. 5,250 crore due to the cancellation of one slot.

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

BSNL launches WiMAX services

The state-owned telecom major BSNL today became the first company in the country to start wireless broadband services and announced a tariff starting with Rs 140 per month for rural areas.

BSNL wireless broadband services, using WiMAX technology, was launched by Minister of State Sachin Pilot from his constituency Ajmer today. The service was launched at a function in Pisangan Telephone Exchange in Ajmer district.

“This unique technology has been deployed for the first time in our country. Through this BSNL will usher in a new era of growth in rural areas. This technology offers broadband speed of 7 Mbps at a distance of 15kms,” said Pilot.

 

[nitesh]

^^

These wi max are really painful services. These buggers (I think all Win Max providers) just don't have any ready made solution in case we are having more then one system or we want wireless in home. They say to bring routers on our own and keep playing around with services like unnecessary installation charges and all. if that is sorted out then keep playing that Wi Max is up problem with router sort of BS.

My opinion go with Wire line broadband comparatively less problems (my personal opinion)

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

Infosys launches Flypp mobile application platform

Infosys Technologies Ltd today announced the launch of Flypp, an application platform, which it said, would empower mobile service providers to "delight" digital consumers through a host of ready-to-use experiential applications across the universe of devices.

According to Subhash Dhar, Member Executive Council and Group Head, Sales & Marketing at Infosys, “Smart applications are now making it possible to deliver a personalised and interactive user experience. Mobile service providers are seeing a steady shift in value from providing connectivity to monetising digital demand. Flypp enables this capability for mobile operators through a plug and play model.”

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

Bharti Airtel starts Middle East data services

New Delhi : Bharti Airtel, India's leading mobile operator, on Monday said it had launched wholesale data services for the Middle East.

Bharti said it added over 17 gigabytes per second (GBPS) capacity to the region, and had made investments that connect the India-Middle East-Europe route via three alternative paths on SEA-ME-WE 4, I-ME-WE and EIG submarine cable systems.

Bharti Airtel owns the i2i submarine cable system and is a consortium partner of the SEA-ME-WE 4 cable. It has also invested in a number of submarine cable systems on trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific routes.

 

[Pintu]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/442917_3G-spectrum-auction-may-start-by-February

3G spectrum auction may start by February

STAFF WRITER 11:57 HRS IST

New Delhi, Dec 28 (PTI) The much awaited auction of spectrum for 3G mobile services is likely to be delayed by more than a month and may commence from the first week of March next year -- schedule for which is to be announced soon.

The auction process may start in last week of February or the first week of March, a senior government official said, adding the revised schedule is being worked out taking into account the outcome of last meeting of an Empowered Group of Ministers where defence ministry agreed to vacate spectrum.

Last week, Telecom Minister A Raja had said that auction would be as per schedule (January 14, 2010) but it seems impossible as the Department of Telecom (DoT) is yet to finalise details of Notice Inviting Applications (NIA).

 

[atleast_a_bronze]

Bharti Airtel to Invest $300 Million in Warid Telecom

BANGALORE -- Bharti Airtel Ltd. has received approval from Bangladesh's telecom regulator to invest an initial $300 million in Abu Dhabi Group's Bangladesh telecommunications asset, Warid Telecom International Ltd.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Chairman Zia Ahmed said Tuesday the approval was given Monday and Bharti Airtel is looking to buy a 70% stake in Warid Telecom.

"We have asked Bharti Airtel to submit a detailed investment plan for Warid Telecom to BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission) within 30 days," Mr. Ahmed said.

He said he expects Bharti Airtel to bring in fresh investments every year into Warid Telecom to grow the operator's network in Bangladesh.

Bharti Airtel, India's biggest mobile-phone operator by subscribers, declined to comment, but a senior executive at Bharti Airtel's parent company had said last month the company is interested in acquisitions in the region.

A Warid Telecom executive based in Bangladesh declined to confirm the deal.

The deal comes as Bharti Airtel has been looking overseas for expansion to boost slowing growth at home. It has failed twice to seal a merger with South Africa's MTN Group, with its latest bid falling through in September, because of regulatory hurdles.

India's telecom market, which is the world's fastest-growing in terms of subscriber additions, is seeing intense competition, which is driving down tariffs, hurting revenue and margins.

While the investment wouldn't bring in too many subscribers for Bharti Airtel, Bangladesh is a market where the company can easily implement a similar kind of low-cost business model it has for India, said Nishna Biyani, an analyst at brokerage Prabhudas Lilladher.

Mr.Biyani said that the investment ties in with Bharti Airtel's long-term goal of expanding its footprint in emerging markets.

Bharti Airtel had about 116 million subscribers at the end of November. At the end of October, Warid Telecom's Bangladesh unit was the fourth-largest operator in the country with 2.79 million subscribers.

Warid Telecom trails leader Grameen Phone Ltd. with 22.30 million users, Orascom Telecom Bangladesh Ltd.'s 12.27 million and Axiata (Bangladesh) Ltd. with 10.99 million.

 

[Pintu]

TRAI seeks industry opinion on 11-digit mobile numbers

TRAI seeks industry opinion on 11-digit mobile numbers
Press trust of India / New Delhi January 20, 2010, 18:55 IST

Telecom regulator TRAI today sought views from the industry on introduction of 11-digit mobile numbers in view of existing 10-digit numbers getting exhausted due to phenomenal growth in the sector.

The regulator has floated a consultation paper and has asked the operators to give their opinions.

The 10-digit mobile numbers are expected to get exhausted soon due to the phenomenal growth in mobile telephony in the country with over 15 million users being added every month.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is also looking at possibilities of retaining 10 digit numbering scheme.

It has also sought industry's views on migrating to 11 digit for fixed and mobile telephones.

Besides, it is also looking at pricing of the numbers as a tool for encouraging efficient utilisation of numbering resources.

"Major modifications in a numbering plan could mean substantial changes in the network and costs for the service providers.

"From the subscribers viewpoint as well, frequent changes are inconvenient.

 

[Pintu]

Mobile operators' revenue dips

Mobile operators' revenue dips
Press Trust of India / Hyderabad January 20, 2010, 15:26 IST

The per second billing introduced by telecom companies has come as a boon to millions of mobile users in the country, but it is proving to be a bane for cellular service providers as it is affecting their revenues, feel industry experts.

According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) data, the number of mobile subscribers in India has risen to more than 500 million at the end of November and experts are of the opinion that though the number of mobile users has increased astronomically, the revenues are not in accordance with the number.

"We had to tie up with a Kirana shop merchant to offer a SIM card on purchase of a five kilo atta packet to achieve the target," Praveen, a salesman with a mobile company said. The cost of the SIM has come down as cheap as Rs 50 with Rs 5 talk time. Most of the users throw the SIM after they use the talk time, he said.

The financial impact of per-second tariff announced by almost all telecom operators last October is expected to have an impact in the financial performance of the companies, despite a continuous growth in the number of subscribers.

"Per-second billing is unsustainable. It affects EBIDTA (earnings before interest depreciation, taxes and ammortization) margins. We will see these tariffs for another year-and-a-half after which consolidation will set in," Aircel COO Gurdeep Singh had said in Mumbai recently.

According to Harit Shah, head of research (IT and telecom), Angel Broking, the margins of the companies will have impact as there is reduction on cost side.

"As per some reports revenues of telecom companies will be affected by 10-15 per cent due to tariff reduction. The affect will be felt in the fourth quarter," Shah said, adding the consolidation may happen after two years.

Though the companies announced the reduction of tariffs, the interconnect charges are not reduced. The companies cannot have short term goals under the present conditions, he said.

According to an industry expert the rate is 20 paisa per minute. That means the operator will have to pay 20 paisa as call termination charge to other operator if the call is cross-network.

There are about 12-13 telecom operators in India now and the rate could be sustainable only for a few operators who have the capability.

The mobile tariff war in India intensified after Tata Teleservices launched its GSM services under the brand name Tata Docomo announcing a per-second tariff followed by other major players like Airtel, Vodafone, BSNL and Reliance.

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

Gujarat becomes first Indian state to have video telephony

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Friday became the first state in India where video phone services have been launched on a commercial basis. After providing the services in the state on experimental basis for about six months, the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), in association with Sai Info Systems India Limited (SIS), formally launched the service on commercial basis. The service was unveiled by Sam Pitroda, the advisor to the Prime Minister on Infrastructure, Innovation and Information.

Booking will open throughout the state Saturday and service would be available from next month. Pitroda said though the country had over 550 million landline telephone connections, there were only just about 10 million broadband connections and video telephony would help to raise the demand for broadband connections to achieve the first target of at least 100 million connections in the next three to five years. This, in turn, would boost up the country's information infrastructure.

Speaking at the launch, SIS' chief managing director Sunil Kakkad said that though video conferencing has been in the market for quite some time, the high equipment and service costs have limited its use to certain sections.

"With determined efforts, added dimensions of affordability and any time availability, SIS and BSNL have made it possible for a common man to enjoy benefits of similar services. The service will be available over the BSNL broadband."

A BSNL spokesman said that initially, the service will be available to BSNL customers in Gujarat and for customers across the country by April.

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

3G: Auction put off to next fiscal

The government has postponed auction of spectrum for 3G telephony to the next fiscal. The auction was expected to bring in Rs 35,000 crore to the exchequer.

According to senior officials in the Department of Telecom, Law Minister Veerappa Moily, who is a member of the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM), has opined that the auction should be held when the spectrum is available.

Telecom Minister A. Raja could not be contacted immediately for his comments. Officials, however, said that the auction is expected to take place in August-September this year. The Ministry of Defence had agreed to vacate the spectrum only during middle of this year.

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

Telecom Subscription Data as on 31st December 2009​

Telecom Subscription Data as on 31st December 2009

• Total Telephone subscriber base reaches 562.21 Million
Wireless subscription reaches 525.15 Million
Wireline subscription declines to 37.06

• 19.10 Million new additions in wireless

• Wireline subscription declines by 0.09 Million

• Overall Tele-density reaches 47.89

• Broadband subscription is 7.83 million

The number of telephone subscribers in India increased to 562.21 Million at the end of december-09 from 543.20 Million in November-09, thereby registering a growth rate of 3.50%. With this, the overall Tele-density in India reaches 47.89.

Read this PDF from TRAI for more detail

 

[Pintu]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iLDyk4lHu_rCmacLCgLK1QWx16Tw

Iseemedia provides tech for Indian email service across cellphones

(CP) – 23 hours ago

TORONTO — Toronto-based iseemedia Inc. (TSXV:IEE) said Wednesday it has provided messaging and content handling technology for Reliance Communications as the Indian communication services provider rolls out an SMS-based email service across its wireless network in India.

Iseemedia stock rose sharply on the TSX Venture Exchange after the announcement, gaining 2.5 cents or 14 per cent to 20 cents.

Iseemedia said its technology "effectively empowers... subscribers to have their mobile phones to behave like smartphones and receive all their desktop email via SMS."

The companies hope the technology will succeed in a market where mobile phones are extremely widespread but few have the capability to access the Internet.

"With Reliance we have the opportunity to promote mobile email to its 92 million subscribers and as a mass market solution to provide full email functionality on nearly 100 per cent of devices used in India," iseemedia president and CEO Anthony DeCristofaro said in a statement.

"This will allow RCOM to increase its customer base as well as drive the adoption of mobile email usage through new value-added services."

Iseemedia said it will receive a percentage of revenue from every user transaction employing its technology.

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

TRAI starts process for 4G, to give recommendations soon​

Even as the government debates as to when the auction of spectrum for the third generation telephony will take place, telecom regulator TRAI on Monday started consultation for the next level of telecom services. The fourth generation or 4G technology offers download at faster speed known as ultra-broadband and high definition video on demand among other such services.

“Yes. We are starting the process and would come out with a consultation paper to look into various issues relating to 4G telecom services,” TRAI Chairman J.S. Sarma said. He also said that the government has taken positive steps and might auction the spectrum (3G soon).

“3G has been delayed badly, I don’t want 4G or LTE (Long Term Evolution) to meet the same fate. Other countries are catching up with the 4G and that is why we are taking advance action,” he said. 4G or LTE is a successor to 3G and 2G standards, with the aim to provide a wide range of data rates up to ultra-broadband (gigabit-speed) Internet access to mobile as well as stationary users.

Source

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

Bharti Airtel highest revenue paying telco in Q3

The country's largest private telecom operator, Bharti Airtel, paid the highest revenue, both in terms of spectrum charges and licence fees, to the government for the quarter ending December 2009. As per the data compiled by telecom regulator TRAI, Bharti paid Rs 570.17 crore as licence fees and Rs 301.49 crore as the spectrum charge for the third quarter ended December 2009. Bharti had added 2.85 million new user in December.

 

[Pintu]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...differences-with-Zain/articleshow/5581030.cms

Bharti to sort out differences with Zain
16 Feb 2010, 1956 hrs IST, Gaurie Mishra, ET Now

NEW DELHI: Bharti Airtel, India's largest telecom company, is likely to hold second round of talks shortly with Kuwait-based Zain Telecom. The talks, likely to be held in Kuwait or Bahrain, will focus on thrashing out differences on key issues like regulatory approvals and the deal structure. Sources close to the deal say, the two parties will discuss regulatory approvals that Bharti will require in all 15 African countries where Zain has operations in. The discussions will also focus on finalising the payment schedule that Bharti will follow to pay for Zain's African asset.

Bharti and Zain have entered into exclusive discussions till March 25 to work towards striking a deal in which Zain would sell its African assets to Bharti for an offered price of $10.7 billion. As per the current understanding between the two companies, Bharti will pay $10 billion initially and the remaining $700 million by the end of the year to Zain Telecom. The discussions will focus on fine tuning this broad understanding between the two parties.

The debt that Zain's African operations has will also be discussed in the second round of negotiations and if at all Bharti will absorb any of that.

A source said that post this round of discussion, Bharti will offer its transaction document that will require Zain board's stamp of approval. Zain board, which is authorized to take a call on asset sale, is unlikely to refer the transaction document to the shareholders.

If the deal fructifies, the acquisition will give Bharti a firm foothold in a relatively untapped market and pit it in direct competition with MTN, with which it has tried and failed to merge twice. Africa has nearly 450 million mobile phone users and a tele density under 50%, still offering large room for growth for a company that is battling a fierce tariff war in India's overcrowded mobile phone market.

A source close to the discussions has ruled out any possibility of Zain's Nigerian operations not being part of the transaction. Zain's Nigerain operations have an ongoing ownership battle with Zain Telecommunications. In 2008, Zain generated about a fifth of its EBITDA in Nigeria and about 22% its total sales.