Ramchi

Whether you are quitting Reliance or not but Reliance is quitting CDMA! Why do you think Reliance is talking about moving to GSM?

Media is talking about such things for long time to keep the investors happy. Reliance will be thinking many times before upgrading to EVDO etc...EVDO network requires high-end handsets costing more than 15K or so. Already with 6255 many people are afraid of going for high-end handsets in Reliance. Reliance will obviously know that NOT many customers will go for EVDO at the same time they are aware of very high investment on upgrade. Let us see, it is taking more than one year for Reliance to launch similar Nokia handsets (6255 & 6265) how long will it take for it to upgrade its network? Even if they plan to do it may be limited to Metros for sometime.

Apparently, CDMA bandwidth is already getting consumed by low end users in millions without giving adequate returns (ARPU). There may be compliance issues holding bandwidth in either networks (CDMA & GSM) for Reliance. Only option left out is to go all out for GSM standards and get more bandwidth for their premium segments. Even if they advance their CDMA networks to EVDO etc…I really doubt whether Reliance low end customers would go for handset specific premium services?

After reading some of the news item this is what I could make out. Reliance is opting to move out of CDMA to GSM on the long run. All indications are in that direction as ARPU is very less in CDMA segment and handset tied technology will not help Reliance to increase its revenue int he future where voice oriented services will not fetch much revenue. Also, handset distribution is limiting their focus on expanding its service and optimizing its operations. They might run CDMA and GSM for sometime. Apparently, Qualcomm is ready to upgrade its infrastructure to support GSM networks. Reliance may buy back CDMA handsets and write-off heavy loss for 'one time' then completely migrate to GSM market at some point in time. Existing customers need not be affected other than going thru the ritual of exchanging handsets with Reliance. In this respect, number portability across network would solve the concern of existing customers.

Looks like Reliance any way is planning to quit CDMA if not today sometime later. Buying new handsets in Reliance would not make any sense.

Clearly Reliance understood the gravity of the situation. But they seem to be too ambitious instead of fixing their problems and improve the efficiency of their operations. Instead of tinkering with handsets spend extra effort in reducing the features of handsets they could have focused on providing better services. They thought of making money thru selling handsets but eventually found out that all handsets are sold at cheap rates coupled with rate plans. Only cheap handsets are sold in CDMA segment and sophisticates services are not offered in CDMA network. Reliance is thinking that by making huge investments they can milk money without sweating much. Building infrastructure, buying equipments etc…are just part of the business but you need to run it efficiently. Otherwise, some other technology may come in the future and Reliance may be again jumping to that technology without understanding it. Glad that I have sold my Nokia 6255 well in advance otherwise I would face a big problem now because people will not buy expensive Reliance handsets any more. Those who are hoping for 6265 handsets must understand this and stay away from investing heavily in CDMA handsets any more.

We are only talking about transition within the same network just like Airtel to Hutch or BSNL to Idea something like that. In CDMA this is not possible just because of its tailored handsets. In US all operators are giving incoming as free. They would like you to sign up for a monthly plan of say $35-$50 and if you agree to stay with them for one year they give you the handset free. I am not talking about some dumb handsets instead latest feature rich ones. Indian providers want to make money in every inch. For selling the handsets [Airtel is selling outdated Blackberry equipments for Rs 30K], no free incoming calls in roaming areas, no flat rates, confusing tarrif system, dubious billing system etc...are hall mark of Indian Mobile operation. Since India has millions of illitrate who are using Mobile phones and who have no access to information on Global trends are getting exploited by these Mobile operators. Look at the spectrum policy, where our government is deliberately slowing down the process so that mobile operators need not compete with the best in the industry instead operate with their ancient technologies. With this mentality India will be pushed back to 1970-80 era of economic stalemate where no one will be benefited except Tatas and Bajajs.

There is no big cost advantage between CDMA Vs GSM. Both have equally good/bad rate plans addressing all levels (like local callers/STD callers/mixed/SMS). Some unlimited calo calling between like Reliance-Reliance may not be available in GSM but otherwise they are equal. But GSM offers lots of other benefits like choosing varietiey of hand-sets loaded with rich-features. As someone mentioned here changing the provider will not be an expensive proposition and there you are not tied to any particular handset etc... Even resale value of GSM handsets is much higher than CDMA handsets.

So people need not worry about new handsets in CDMA network.No wonder Reliance is not bothered about announcing new handsets.

"That theatre was probably not targetted because:" In the same probabilities we can safely assume that ONLY those who watch movies in Jamnagar are NOT opposing but rest of them are opposiing which is entire Gujarath.

"they aren't showing the movie because they fear that their theatres would be ransacked by political goondas masquaderading as "people of gujarat". " Then the same goodas must have targetted this Jamnagar theatre where the movie is shown, is it not? That does not explain your goodaz theory.

I can understand if freedom of expressing is denied thru legislation but how can you blame if Gujarath theatre owners are willingly NOT showing a movie? You are showing one theatre but what about other theatres? Why they are not showing it when one of them is showing? Obviously there was no official ban as far as I know in Gujarath. May be you can explain.

Then what exactly is your point?? The point that is emerging is that we did not protest against the "OFFICIAL" ban on "Da Vince Code" which prohibits freedom of expression but when some theatre wallas voluntarily refrained from showing the picture we make it a big deal. Hope you get it.

Da Vince Code might have run FULL house in Chennai if it were allowed but thats not the point.

EDGE networks are capable of providing the above mentioned speeds but I am not sure about such network in India. These Metro based EDGE networks are providing WAP services. Apart from that Airtel provides EDGE PC card [which may not require a separate Mobile Phone] thru which you can browse internet with 1 GB limit but offers good speed. This is something like Reliance R Connect Card sold separately. As far as EDGE and R Connect card I do not see any big difference in the specifications. Even plans are also equally good or bad. With EDGE capable GSM Phones you can access some of the WAP sites thru mobiles for which Metro GSM providers charge Rs 100 per month for unlimited usage. This facility cannot be extended for connecting internet thru PC. EDGE Capable phones in GSM market is plenty. Examples: Nokia 6680, N70, N90, N80, Sony Ericsson: W810i. Some of these are between 15K-25K. Cheaper LG, Samsung models may also be available.

"But we are tolerating you even though you spell Gujarat as "Gujarath" How about Danish cartoon protesters & Da Vinci Code protesters? Did you tolerate them as well?

"their theatre will be ransacked by mobs....." So this is basically an assumption. Is it not possible that owners wanted better share from the distributers? What will you say on those mobs which killed some innocent bystanders during "Danish Cartoon" protest march? Let us not have double standards here.

Aamir knew that by supporting Kashmir Hindus he will not get enough publicity as he does against Modi Government in Gujarath. It is all about money and Aamir is playing his dirty role in the name of freedom of expression. For me the whole episode of Medha Padkar was probably organized by Aamir & Co as publicity stunt for their upcoming movie which worked perfectly. Aamir neither cares for displaced nor he bothers who gets killed in Kashmir. He zimply wants to make more money which is fine with me but trying cheap tactics is not good for him. Let Gujarath people allow the movie to be screened and if they do not like Aamir let them not watch his movies. I do not want any political ban on anything unless it is determining security of this country. In this case there is apparently no political ban but for some reasons (most likely financial reasons) these multliplex owners are refusing to show it in Gujarath. For them Aamir and Narmada is a good excuse. In my opinion, Aamir’s was mostly successful in his attempt to garner publicity but boomeranged in Gujarath. I would say the same on every Congress politician in this country. Atleast BJP has one Modi but in Congress everyone is a Modi.

As far as I know there was no official ban on this film. Theatre owners are refusing to show because they feel Aamir has offended Gujarath by telling something etc....Those people who feel that Aamir did not hurt Gunarathis are welcome to run this movie in their theatres. This is my understanding.

What Aamir did was a calculated PR stunt which has paid lots of dividend in promoting his new film. Aamir has every right to say what he has said and Gujarath Theatre association has every right to boycott Aamir movie. We all live in a democratic country.

I am not an IITian, for that matter I was below average in academics yet it is confusing. Are you saying Merit has flaws yet you want upper caste people to prove themselves thru merit? Have a nice week.

I have N90 which is not a great phone in terms of performance but it is bit advanced than 6265 in terms of capabilities like 3G Network, Carl Zeiss Camera, solid construction (have not seen 6265), dual display panels which are very eye catching. But it is not useful for internet browsing using Bluetooth as it gets frequently disconnected and hangs if you do audio files transfer (if you use explorer instead of Nokia Audio transfer option). The software really s**ks as it hangs consistently.

Though you have my support, in a democracy you need sheer number to make your point heard. There is another option which is more violant but it can easily work out in India. You ask Kashmir militants and Naxals.

No one wants to invest more money. All operators are happy to continue status quo without investing huge in 3G or EC-DO. If they open up 3G license for others they will be forced to upgrade their network at huge costs; whereas new entrants may come with more attractive tarrifs which will force existing providers to give their way. It is purely political and Indian citizens are obviously losers in this process because they are denied technologyical advancement in the name of TRAI/DOT/Defense/Operators etc... The interest shown by Mr Maran also seems to be political as he is against TATA and other major providers who did not bend their back. Initially, I thought he was doing a great job but the secret is out and he is also playing his cards.

No I don't, infact it is a good one from you. It was my mistake that I spent around INR 12.5K on this handset. Thank God I could my Nokia 6255 which was newly replaced from Nokia Care for INR 9.6K. I already have one basic handset from LG any way, if Reliance comes up with some extradinary plans. Bottom line, you may continue with RIM or not, but investing heavily on handsets in CDMA networks is not advisable unless you have lots of money.