vvinayakpai

THE ECONOMIC TIMES 7 Sep 2009, 0301 hrs IST, Durba Ghosh, ET Bureau 'We have decided to focus on CDMA' 7 Sep 2009, 0301 hrs IST, Durba Ghosh, ET Bureau Sistema Shyam Teleservices (SSTL), a joint venture between Russia's Sistema and India's Shyam group, is betting big on the code division multiple access (CDMA) platform. The only CDMA operator among the country's new crop of mobile service providers, Sistema Shyam Teleservices is confident of competing successfully against players such as Reliance Communication and Tata Teleservices in the CDMA space, the company CEO Vsevolod Rozanov said in an interview. Excerpts: Which way is the Indian telecom market moving? Will data emerge as a dominant strategy? Although data is seen as the next big thing, I feel voice would continue to be the predominant contributor of operators' revenues. In India, voice services offer untapped potential as more than 100 million people are not availing the telecom services. Data can play a significant role in some areas but voice will remain dominant especially in tier-2 and 3 cities. Data consumption would constitute very small portion of the average revenue per user. How would you analyse your own performance in the Indian market? We are currently operating in six circles, with Kolkata and Bihar as latest additions. We have received good response from almost all our circles. Consumer response from Tamil Nadu and Kerala were very encouraging in the April-July quarter. We are also ready to launch in Delhi in the next few months, and in Mumbai by the end of this year. We will continue to develop and improve our business plans and we expect to capture about 7% of the market in the next four years. Competition is intense already, and it will get more fierce as new players launch their services. But we expect to break even soon. Is infrastructure sharing and outsourcing a strategy SSTL is considering? Infrastructure sharing is a wise way to go ahead in a crowded market such as India and we have also done it. We are exploring opportunities for outsourcing also both complete and partial. We are keen on combining our in-house solutions with an outsourcing partner. We are also in talks for network-managed services with a few vendors, as well as active sharing. We are exploring opportunities to improve our efficiency and top line. On the equipment side, we have already tied up with ZTE and Huawei. Why is India an important market for Sistema, when others are looking at expanding in regions such as Africa? Indian market is the only market that continues to offer a huge potential to unlock. All other markets are saturated. It has strong economic fundamentals. India has huge potential for telecom services. Many international companies are interested in the Indian market to support their growth. As far as the African region is concerned, we look at it as a wise business move. There is a very good reason for consolidation play there. It is possible to find a reasonable growth there. But if you are buying assets in Africa, you really need to think how you are going to play it up there, as the traditional market solution would not work there. India is a safer market compared to Africa. Right now we are focused on the Indian market. Will the Trai suggestion that no new licences be granted till a final decision on number of players per circle is taken affect you plans to enter the GSM space? We are not looking at dual technology as of now. After internal discussion, we have decided to focus on CDMA. We had applied for dual technology licence but we are not looking at it anymore. According to our understanding, CDMA is a better technology than GSM because enabling better utilisation of the frequencies available. Would you support entry of any new players in the Indian telecom scene? Do you see it as an advantage? The telecom market in India is still evolving and growing and there will be consolidations as we move forward. However, so many players in a single market is unheard of in any other market. Although there is a huge market still to be penetrated, increasing the number of players would not really help. This is because the requirement currently is in rural areas, while the metros are by and large saturated. Any new player would not start with rural circles but with the metros. So increasing the number of players cannot solve the problem, the basic requirement is to attract existing operators to rural areas by building infrastructure. Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Interviews/We-have-decided-to-focus-on-CDMA/articleshow/4979948.cms

In Bangalore, the cell info display is not activated.

I had taken a connection of RGSM in January, 2009 and the network was pathetic. After six months of constant complaining and letters to the nodal officer and the appelate authority, Reliance finally made the necessary changes and the network was fantastic after that. I compared it with the erstwhilw BSNL and found it very superior (RCOM) in terms of voice quality and also the connectivity. I am extremely happy with RCOM now. I agree that the initial few months were nothing but torture with the network down for more than 16hrs in a day. Now I would say it is comparable to the older networks like Airtel or Vodafone.

RCOM is currently in a deep slumber. Hope that it is not too late when reliance wakes up!!!!! Tata has struck all operators on their nerves now. It would be some time before other operators start gearing up for the fight. The advantage Tata has is unique, they have the least number of subscribers in the country and can afford such schemes, which i am sure other operators would not dare with their networks running almost full capacity. Especially considering the fact that fresh 2G spectrum would be allocated after the EGOM meets in november(november is an approximate date, it has been extended several times in the past). Also, 2G spectrum is not going to come cheap anymore and the government might decide on auctioning additional 2G spectrum which will result in higher cost for the telecom companies. As of now, Tata is scoring goals on all fronts, be it the CDMA space or the GSM space. Definitely, as and when the other operators introduce better schemes they would find mention on this forum. But round one belongs entirely to Tata. The major concern would be if their network is prepared to handle the additional traffic. Also whats in a name??????? RIMWEB is the best forum I have come across which contains comprehensive information regarding almost anything in the telecom field and also the technical stuff. Over the years, rimweb has created an identity as a neutral telecom observer without showing any bias towards any operator. I think the same should continue in the future as well. I am of the opinion that the name RIMWEB must continue.

Seeing this scheme, I am a little confused. Either, the termination agreements are much below the 20ps/min limit or they are not charged on a per minute basis and maybe a per call basis. If Tata is able to offer 1Rs for the entire duration of the call, will it not be a revenue loss for the company??????

IND 082 seen in Bangalore. Might be Unitech wireless or even Loop mobile.

I think it would be a tough fight for the CDMA 3G spectrum. I say this because, recently the CDMA DEVELOPMENT GROUP's survey had clearly indicated that CDMA subscribers were looking forward to higher end handsets. Hopefully by October, such hansets would be launched. Also, the player who gets access to the CDMA spectrum is in a monopoly like situation. CDMA, having around 100 million subscribers, have to bank upon one such operator for 3G services(not considering the fact that when MNP is introduced CDMA subscribers can migrate to GSM). Also, existing players like Tata and Reliance have invested in upgrading their respective networks to make them EVDO compliant. So additional spectrum would mean seamless and smooth services by the respective operators. I am sure they would not be foolish enough to let MTS getaway with the 3G spectrum at a cheap price. I assume that there would be a tough competition for the 3G spectrum.

MTS INDIA IN DELHI,MOBILE SERVICE BY NEXT MONTH August 25th, 2009 MTS India the CDMA mobile service of Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd (SSTL) is all set to roll out its Mobile Service in the National capital Delhi. The MTS mobile network is ready in some parts of Delhi & NCR telecom circle and expected that the company will launch the most aviated CDMA mobile by next month. MTS sources said that its CDMA-based mobile services in Delhi Metro and NCR circle will be in launched by next month. Customer care number for MTS Delhi will 9136155155 and 155 from MTS phone. MTS is all set to to strengthen the connect with the lives of young and youthful by providing this unique opportunity to come together with MTS and celebrate the joy of togetherness with its one million minutes of Free talk time. MTS India will offer a scheme of one million minutes of free talk time to the Delhi and NCR customers with a limit of 150 minutes usage everyday with its MSaver-499 and also 10 local SMS as bonus per day, call Charges and tariff are the same as it’s all existing circle. All local MTS-to-MTS calls will be charged at 35 paisa per minute; MTS-to-non MTS calls and calls to landlines will cost 70 paisa per minute STD calls will cost Rs.1.40 per minute local SMS (on all networks) will cost subscribers 50 paisa per SMS, while international messages will cost Rs.5 per SMS. The MTS Life Time Prepaid will cost Rs.49 with talk time of Rs.10 and the call charges will be applicable as above. Additionally, there is a second lifetime offer from MTS which would allow customers to make local mobile calls at just 30p/min. This offer will be at a one time cost of Rs.99. SOURCE: http://telecomtalk.info/mts-india-in-delhi-mobile-service-by-next-month/8264/

Moderators, please merge these two topics http://www.rimweb.in/forums/index.php?showtopic=20747&pid=157249&st=0entry157249

^^^^^^^^ Had a lot of hopes that it would be a CDMA+GSM handset. If not for the GSM+GSM feature, it is my dream phone. I really hope that a CDMA+GSM phone is launshed with basic features, loaded with a high power battery.

I am interested in taking a Tata Docomo connection but was a little confused about certain things. 1) Is the tariff of local 1ps/sec for lifetime or is it an introductory tariff? 2) When i asked the customer service representative whether the 1ps/secSTD tariff was for lifetime, he replied in the affirmative. He told me that until 2022 this would be the tariff on the connection. I was a little confused because in the website it has been clearly mentioned that the STD tariff is for a limited period offer with a cap of 27,000 seconds per month. I am a little confused!!!!! I made two calls to the Docomo customer care and this was the same response I got both the times. I am from Bangalore

MTS India website has been updated to include Delhi and Karnataka in the coming soon category. Hoping that MTS would be launched soon in Karnataka. ANy information about the launch??????

Thanks for the info dude. Checked out their website and was pretty impressed with their CDMA+GSM handset offering a talktime of 10 hours. Added to that it is a no camera phone upgradable upto 8GB. Perfect!!!!!!!! Was looking out for a phone like this from a long time.

Battery life looks impressive especially for a dual sim phone. ANy website/toll free number available for the company?

It depends on indiviual mobile users. If u feel the need and use of 750 sms/day then this is a wonderful scheme. But for average users I still feel the Rs. 42 scheme is more than enough.

Wonderful tariff!!!!!! Just confirmed from the Tata Indicom customer care that the incoming and the tariff validity is for lifetime. I am sure this is the lowest offnet call rate on prepaid by any operator in the country. Is RCOM sleeping?

^^^^^^^^^^ Thanks for the effort dude. But this plan is not listed on the website. I had gone through this earlier.

I got this information partially from the Tata Indicom customer care. The rep informed me that the tariff and the income validity was for lifetime. It was too good for me to believe it. I had a very bad connection and was not able to listen to half of what the rep informed me. I request any Tata Indicom customer to kindly gather some more information and post it for the benefit of other rimwebians.

RGSM decreasing tariffs. really nice

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Read the last paragraph in the article mentioned by saket_kewate. It is reproduced as in the article below "All calls, within network, outside network, roaming, domestic and international calls will be charged as per the one paisa per second pulse never-before tariff option,"he said. Roaming tariff of 1paise per second??????????????

May I know who gave you this information and for which location it is applicable? Their official website www.rcom.co.in is still showing 75STD pack is giving 100STD mins where as you are telling 150STD min. If it is really there they need to upgrade their website so that people get correct information. Regards, Abhrodeep Nag The website has not yet been updated. But when i dial *367*3# this iffer is listed. I am also from Karnataka. Not sure if it is available in other circles

Its really wonderful to know that MTS India is matching the best offers offered by the newer operators and retaining the best for its customers. MTS India is the only operator to-date to introduce the per second billing and to top it all, they have added the LIFETIME sticker to it, making the offer much more transparent and clearer. I really envy the mobile subscribers of Tamil Nadu. With the Rs. 149 e-recharge which offers unlimited local and STD calls at 49ps/min for lifetime and the newly introduced per second pulse, the options available to the subscribers are unlimited, and it is upto the customers to choose the best according to their indiviual usage. I really hope RCOM wakes up from its deep slumber before it is too late.

It is not 400 sms free every day. It is 400 National/local sms valid for 30days

Dual-SIM patent-holder demands royalty Rajesh S Kurup in Mumbai March 13, 2009 09:42 IST Dual-SIM handset manufacturers are in a spot after a Madurai resident, who holds the patent for such phones, asked the Indian Customs authorities to stop shipment of these phones till he was paid a royalty for every handset brought into the country. Industry experts expect the move to hit the sales of dual-SIM handsets, which are imported into the country by companies including Nokia, Samsung, Meridian Mobile and Spice. More importantly, this could also affect the plans to manufacture these handsets in the country. It is estimated that around 100,000 dual-SIM phones are sold in the country every month. The Madurai resident, Somasundaram Ramkumar, holds patent 'in India for phones with a plurality of SIM cards allocated to different communication networks.' The patent was awarded to him last year. Ramkumar has moved the office of the commissioner of customs of Chennai Airport in this regard. The office has accepted his application and directed officials throughout the country to stop clearing shipments of dual-SIM phones, a source close to the development told Business Standard. The application is valid for five years or till the time the patent is valid, whichever is earlier. Ramkumar is believed to have sought royalty (believed to be around Rs 35) for every dual-SIM phone shipped into the country. Even though Ramkumar could not be immediately contacted for comments, manufacturers and distributors in the country confirmed the development. European handset major Meridian Mobile CEO Rajiv Khanna said most of the companies had inventory for a couple of months. He hoped that the issue would be resolved by then. Meridian Mobile sells dual SIM handsets under the brand name Fly. The Indian Cellular Association, the body of handset vendors in India, has already formed a committee to look into the matter, and has initiated dialogue with the customs department. Dual-SIM handsets have two SIM slots and can work on both CDMA and GSM networks. They are popular among users due to the convenience of alternating between two numbers. These phones are particularly useful to international as some countries (like South Korea) do not have GSM networks, while others (certain places in the US) do not have CDMA networks. Powered by

MTNL MUMBAI LAUNCHES TRUMP-40, LOCAL CALL AT 30 PAISA Leading telecom operator Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) today announced the launch of a super saver GSM prepaid offer exclusively for Mumbai Telecom Circle.The company has introduced the GSM prepaid Trump SIM Kit of Rs. 40, which offers local calling rates to all MTNL Dolphin/Trump mobiles, Fix Wireless of CDMA Garuda and Landline of Mumbai at price of 30 paisa per min. Calls to all other network phones in Mumbai would be charged at 60 paisa per min. The new Trump-40 also offer Night Calling to MTNL Local number just at 5 paisa between 11 pm to 6 am. All STD call to MTNL Delhi Network will be chargable at 90 paisa and other STD call to any other network in india at Rs.1. The Trump 40 sim kit comes at Rs.40 with preloaded talk time of Rs.15. The SMS and other charges are applicable as normal prepaid tariff plan. This plan would offer these attractive tariffs for a period of 120 days from the date of purchase. http://telecomtalk.info/mtnl-mumbai-launches-trump-40-local-call-at-30-paisa/6657/ "Almost a clone of Reliance GSM tariff plans"