savramesh

Economic Times 2 Jun 2009, 1623 hrs IST KOCHI: IDEA Cellular, one of the leading telecom players in Kerala, has tied up with Department of Posts to supply mobile recharge vouchers through the postal network across the state. This facility would enable over 44 lakh IDEA subscribers in the state to purcharse recharge coupons from nearly 5,050 post offices in the state. Prepaid vouchers of various denominations ranging between Rs 10 and Rs 100 would be available for sale at 51 head post offices intially, which would be later expanded in phases, Shobha Koshy, Post Master General, Department of Post, Kerala, told repoters here. Of the 51 head post offices, about 25 per cent are in rural areas. Koshy said the postal department was presently selling recharge coupons of BSNL also. The department also provides financial, insurance and e-based services. Last year the earnings through all postal products was Rs 190 crore, including Rs 56 crore by way of value added services. IDEA Chief Operating Officer, Kerala, B Ramakrishna, said the operator's aim was to provide more innovative products and superior customer service through the postal department, which had a well knit network covering rural and urban towns. The MoU on the new initiative was signed between R V Sreekanda Das, Assistant Director (BD), office of PMG, Kerala circle and B Ramakrishnan here today. IDEA has over 46 lakh customers in Kerala in 28,000 towns.

i dialed 114 followed by my reliance local mobile number.. but the call is not forwarded.. forward works only for bsnl mobile number or any local mobile number ?

just clicked this in mind. let us discuss the plus and minus of this idea.. An universal sim card which works with all gsm networks in india. We search a network and use it to make and receive calls. Call charges will be deducted by the network we used for a particular call. What do u think ?

very true.. one more thing, when a customer gets an incoming call, his mobile screen should display caller number caller network caller location

better late than never, but this is very very late..

^^^ this system suits prepaid. as u said postpaid will be complex.. or we can say postpaid will be locked with one operator..

Hrithik roped in for Reliance Communications Oneindia.in Entertainment Monday, June 1, 2009 It is learnt from reliable sources that Hrithik Roshan has been signed as the brand ambassador by Reliance Communications. Buzz up!Our sources reveal, “Hrithik will be the official face for the company’s mobile, data and DTH businesses. His new promotional campaign for the products is currently being shot in Bangkok and this new campaign is expected to break on air by beginning of June 2009. The new Reliance Mobile TV commercials with Hrithik Roshan will comprise of a series of 6-8 films capturing Hrithik using Reliance Mobile, which is considered India’s No 1 network.” Sources further reveal, “RCOM zeroed in on Hrithik Roshan, as he not only has a pan-India appeal but an iconic stature amongst today’s youth.” The company’s official speaking on condition of anonymity informed that RCOM believes Hrithik is a perfect brand-fit for Reliance Mobile as he stands for everything that Reliance as a brand epitomizes.

Techtree News Staff, Jun 01, 2009 1358 hrs IST Finally graduates out of Beta Even after promising in the beginning of the year that Nokia Messaging would eventually make it to the then "just launched" S60 Fifth Edition, it never happened until recently. Now, after releasing a beta version for S60 Fifth Edition phones, Nokia Messaging has finally graduated out of beta and is now available for "All" Fifth Edition handsets. Well, the only S60 Fifth Edition your money can buy now is the 5800 XpressMusic. The program is optimized for fingertip-operation and as expected, comes with its share of bug fixes. The buzz is that there is another version in the pipeline soon with support for HTML and homescreen integration. More on the program here

Number of new telecom subscribers dips in April Economic Times 1 Jun 2009, 1613 hrs IST NEW DELHI: The Indian telecom industry saw a dip in the number of new subscribers in April - 11.75 million telephone connections were added, compared to 15.87 million in March, an official statement said here Monday. The number of telephone connections reached 441.47 million in April from 429.72 million a month before, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said in a statement. "We saw a huge rush from Aircel and Reliance in March due to their aggressive marketing and competitive pricing policy, which helped in getting a record number of subscribers," Mahesh Uppal, director of consultancy firm Com First India, told IANS. Explaining the reason behind the dip in April, he said: "Once the people get their connections, the rush will slow down... There is a limit to the number of phones a person can buy." Overall tele-density reached 37.94 from 36.98. The total wireless subscribers (GSM, CDMA and wireless local loop-fixed base) stood at 403.66 million with addition of 11.90 million subscribers in April, the statement said. Additions to the number of wireless subscribers also dipped after reporting a record 15.64 million new connections in March. In the wireline segment, the subscriber base decreased 0.15 million to 37.81 million in April from 37.96 million. However, the number of broadband subscribers grew from 6.22 million to 6.28 million.

Airtel user base swells by 2.8 mn in April Economic Times 2 Jun 2009, 0142 hrs IST NEW DELHI: Leading GSM operators Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar have added 2.8 million and 2.7 million subscribers in April, continuing their respective growth momentum. The second-largest mobile operator Reliance Communications added just over 2-million subscribers last month, according to data released by telecom regulator Trai on Monday. GSM operator Aircel added about 1.1 million new subscribers in April taking its total subscriber base to 19.5 million. Tata Teleservices, a CDMA operator, added about 0.6 million new users in the given month taking its subscriber base to 35.7 million. Idea Cellular and Spice Communications together added a notch over 1-million subscribers in April. State-owned telco MTNL added 47,045 new subscribers in April. RCOM, the country’s largest telecom operator on CDMA technology platform, had launched GSM-based services in January with schemes providing free talk time up to Rs 900 and this resulted in its subscriber numbers surging between January-March. The free scheme was taken away by March-end, which resulted in subscriber additions falling in April. RCOM had outperformed the industry in these three months, it added 5-million new users in January and over 3-million new subscribers in February and March. In comparison, the largest mobile operator, Bharti, added 2.7 million new users each in January and February 2009 and 2.8 million in March. RCOM now has a mobile subscriber base of 74.8 million and Vodafone Essar's total subscriber base stands at 71.5 million, while Bharti Airtel leads with 96.7 million total subscribers. Vodafone Essar also saw a drop of about 0.07 million users in its monthly additions in April and the telco added just over 2.7-million subscribers as against 2.84 million in March. With this, Bharti Airtel regained the number one position in terms of subscriber additions by a few thousand users as it increased its customer base by 2.8-million users in April. In March 2009, Vodafone Essar had beaten Bharti Airtel in monthly subscriber additions for the first time. Trai also said that India's mobile base had crossed the 400-million mark in April, inching close to the target of 500-million users by 2010, set by the Department of Telecom (DoT). The total wireless subscriber base now stands at 403.66 million, while the total telecom base, which includes that of landline is 441.47 million, Trai added. But, the number of new mobile connections added in April saw a 23% drop compared with 15.64 million new additions in the previous month.

Tata Tele to now enter GSM space Economic Times 2 Jun 2009, 0151 hrs IST MUMBAI: For the Tatas, offering mobile services on the global system for mobile (GSM) platform is a "compulsion" and not a choice. The absence of a spectrum roadmap for code division multiple access (CDMA) operators and the limited allocation of airwaves has forced Tata Teleservices (TTSL), the group’s flagship telecom company, to offer services on the GSM platform as well. "If one can't grow, one will have to find alternative means to exist. It is the entire policy around allocation of spectrum that caused us to look at other means," TTSL MD Anil Sardana told ET. Spectrum refers to airwaves on which the communication signals travel and it is the raw material for operators. "In the Indian situation, we need to keep the aspect of spectrum availability in mind. The spectrum allocation for CDMA operators is only 800 MHz and no extra spectrum is available beyond what is already allocated to us. Since there is no roadmap, it is from that compulsion that one has to look at alternatives to grow," he added. GSM and CDMA are rival technology platforms for offering voice and data services. CDMA heavyweights, Reliance Communications (RCOM) and TTSL, joined the GSM bandwagon by applying for dual technology licences in late 2007. While RCOM has already rolled out GSM services across India, Tatas are slated to start operations in a few weeks. Incorporated in 1996, TTSL was the first to launch CDMA mobile services in India with a foray into the Andhra Pradesh circle. "It was a conscious and deliberate decision and it was predicated largely on data capabilities of CDMA. We continue to be committed to CDMA," said Mukund Govind Rajan, MD, TTSL (Maharashtra), the listed arm of TTSL offering services in Mumbai and rest of Maharashtra. In March, TTML rolled out 'Photon', its high-speed internet service offering speeds of up to 18mbps. Due to efficient data services, CDMA players witness higher contribution to reveunes from data. For TTSL, data brought in 10% of the revenues in FY08 and it grew to 14% in FY09. For GSM operators, the figure is an average of around 9%. Dr Rajan said, "I do believe that India is getting ready for many of those data services and the choice of CDMA platform was right, but the other issue of availability of essential raw material — spectrum — has been a question mark." According to Mr Sardana, it is often argued that CDMA is more efficient and requires half the spectrum compared to GSM. "But seeing from a shareholders perspective, one has to build double the networks to sustain and that is a cost both in terms of capex and opex. Therefore, efficiency is no arguement; it's a perpetual pain that is experienced," he said. "We spend twice in terms of rollout and its hurts shareholders' interest. We have discussed it with every government committee that was set up to look into spectrum," Mr Sardana added.

Economic Times 2 Jun 2009, 0307 hrs IST Even as the new government has said that it would seek telecom regulator Trai’s views on allocation of additional airwaves, delinking spectrum allocation from subscribers base is a vital route to develop the telecom sector and move operators away from the restricted focus of a volumes-alone thrust. India is the only country that still follows the outdated practice of allocating spectrum based on subscriber base, instead of the internationally-accepted practice of auction system. Apart from raising revenue, the competitive bidding process helps assign licenses to firms smoothly and also works toward avoiding monopoly in the highly competitive market. The most important argument in favour of the auction process is that it would allow the government to know how licenses are valued by participating companies. In fact, a recent report by the specially-constituted spectrum panel advocated the auction route for issuing additional airwaves to telcos. The panel, comprising government representatives and telecom technology experts, said only the start-up spectrum — the minimum amount of radio frequencies required to launch mobile services — be given for free to existing telcos, while a competitive bidding process be opted for all subsequent allocations.“Delinking of spectrum allocation from subscribers could lead to sanity in the market place and get the operators away from volume growth to value growth,” says AT Kearney senior principal Mohit Rana. Among the other stalled initiatives that need to be taken up by the new government is the clearance for mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that will allow companies with strong retail networks and brands of customer segment ownership to enter the telecom space. Such operators typically don’t own their spectrum and neither do they have their own network infrastructure. Having such a concept, which has so far been popular in Europe and the US, will lead to a significant impact on the business plans of new operators which need much longer time to market.Mobile number portability is yet another move that could likely to see some action soon. While globally it has received a mixed reaction, in India, it may help provide opportunities to late entrants to take away high value customers from established players. Also, in conjunction with 3G, mobile number portability offers an opportunity for players with 3G license to add customers. Work on infrastructure creation for 3G may be started once policy guidelines are clear. The auction of 3G spectrum will be closely watched as though being one of the fastest growing telecom markets in the world, the auction has been delayed since 2007. Consensus on the base price for airwaves is needed here as it would not only clarify the situation for the sector and its players, but also project a unified approach from all ministries concerned, including the finance and communications. In all, there is a long list of things to be done by the new government if the larger target of 700 million subscribers by 2012 is to be achieved.

^^^ good thinking.. this is the way a business starts..

The Hindu Saturday, May 30, 2009 NEW DELHI: Communications and Information Technology Minister A. Raja said on Friday that his priority would be to bring down mobile tariffs to 10 paise for local calls and 25 paise for national calls. He said the 3G spectrum auction would be completed at the earliest. “There is still great scope for reduction in mobile tariffs in India, which are the cheapest in the world. Entry of more mobile service providers and our pro-consumer policies will help bring down mobile tariffs to 10 paise for local calls and 25 paise for STD. This is high on my agenda.” Currently, a subscriber pays 40 paise-Re.1 a minute for local calls and Re.1-Rs. 2 for STD calls. Mr. Raja, who left for Chennai after the swearing-in ceremony to meet his party leader M. Karunanidhi, will take charge next week.

^^^ yes i agree, poor creativity, no meaning.. my vote goes to vodafone for good advertisement creativity..

why roaming in intra-circle? the call orginates from the network i have searched and registered. at that time i will be a customer of that particular network and not the old one.. like an advanced MNP [change provider anytime]..

^^^ nothing personal or political.. i dont know much about him and his activities.. i agree that no big developments happened in telecom during his time.

^^^ this will be very useful for those who use low end devices which supports java application and gprs.. if this application can be installed in sadikk's blackberry, then we can enjoy emails using gprs ..

^^^ one balance one validity, can be used with any operator.. universal recharge system after every call the charges will be reduced from balance and it goes to the operator we used to call..

^^^ one at a time is enough to make a call.. next call we switch to another network if required.. change network when no signal in current network, or network busy etc..

if it is reduced, many customers will be benefited. anyway i am not going to get benefited as my usage is very very less. only reduction in bsnl broadband charges will be helpful for me as my usage is more..

New data streaming technology launched Monday, Jun 01, 2009 SOFT LAUNCH: Chairman and managing director of AJ Square Consultancy Services Boaz Augustin (centre) addressing media persons in Madurai. Vice-president (sales and marketing) Ramesh Thondapi is on the left. MADURAI: AJ Square Consultancy Services has launched ‘RedChery,’ a data streaming technology for mobile phone services which is independent of service provider and network at a cheaper cost. “There is no initial charge. Consumers need not invest on smart phones and the recurring cost will be only one-tenth of what other service providers are offering for,” said its chairman and managing director Boaz Augustin after the soft launch of the service here recently. The commercial launch would be done in three months time, he added. Redchery allowed those having multimedia phone with GPRS to use e-mail IDs like short messaging service. Multiple accounts The consumer could use multiple e-mail accounts. It allowed the user to compose, reply and forward e-mails instantaneously. “Other smart phone applications are locked either to the service providers or operating system. Here, end-consumers can be with any of the mobile operator,” Mr. Augustin said. The new service also allowed the consumers to sync contacts and calendar even if the mobile phone did not contain synchronisation features and secure data protection, he added. The company is expected to acquire two million subscribers during its first year of operation in India, generating a revenue of Rs. 22 crore, its financial adviser S. Natanagopal said. The company is working on a global service amalgamation through which Redchery users could get the services from registered service providers like ambulance, taxis and plumbers using the Redchery service on their mobile phones.

^^^ what if the same tariff introduced with a big rental like 1000 per month??

^^^ if ur windows is genuine, then ask for microsoft support.. you can find -> Internet explorer - Help menu - Online Support or use the following link Online Support

Economic Times 30 May 2009, 1343 hrs IST KOLKATA: Nokia plans to significantly ramp up its portfolio of touch-screen phones in India. The world’s largest cellphone maker intends to roll out at least 4-to-5 new touchscreen phones in the mid-to-high end segment in 2009. Nokia feels touch phones will also be key to drive revenue out of its services venture in India and thereby plans to launch touch-based applications. The company’s forthcoming touch devices will be positioned in the enterprise, music and multimedia segment. While Nokia will primarily use the Symbian smartphone operating system S60 for its touch phones, it will launch few devices on the S40 platform as well. It is also evaluating possibilities to launch touch phones at the sub-Rs 10K price point in India. Talking to ET, Nokia India director (marketing) Vineet Taneja said Nokia wants to cash in on the popularity of touch phones in India. Incidentally, the average selling price of touch phones are much more than the industry-average. "Studies have indicated that touch phones will account for nearly 40% of the Indian market by 2012. This represents a huge opportunity and we too will evolve our portfolio accordingly. We were waiting for the touch technology to mature before going full steam. Now is the right moment," he said. Nokia is betting on the large screen size of touch phones to cross-sell its services in India. "While the traditional form factor phones have an equal split of keypad and screen, touch phones have much larger screens. Such large screens will allow use of multiple applications at the same time and will thereby provide a fillip to sell such applications," Mr Taneja said. Nokia is building a portfolio of touch-enabled applications with third-party developers. "There will be a portfolio of touch applications across categories like gaming, music and imaging. For instance, we will launch an application around June with which someone can play their favourite music instrument on 5800 XpressMusic," said Mr Taneja. The Finish major has two touch devices in India — 5800XpressMusic and 6208 Classic. The much touted first touch ‘N series’ handset ‘N97’ is lined up for launch in the next two months. The current portfolio is priced upwards of Rs 13K. "Pricing is a dynamic factor and there are possibilities of launching sub-Rs 10,000 touch handsets next year," Mr Taneja said. The company has undertaken an extensive study on the consumer behaviour towards touch phones which revealed people have high emotional connect with such devices. According to IDC, India’s touch screen device shipments had grown from 0.7% of total mobile phone shipments in 2007 to 1% in 2008.