Honest

Idea plans Rs 647 crore capital expenditure for Mumbai circle July 06, 2008, 0:11 IST Idea Cellular, an Aditya Birla group company, is investing around Rs 647 crore for the rollout of operations in the Mumbai circle. The operations are expected to commence in two months time. The company's Mumbai and Bihar circle launches were delayed due to non-allocation of spectrum, which was finally awarded in March by the government. EXPANSION MODE • Idea Cellular is investing around Rs 647 crore for the rollout of operations in the Mumbai circle. • Idea Cellular has invested only Rs 83 crore from its initial public offering (IPO) proceeds for the Mumbai circle rollout. • The company will also seek permission to use around Rs 159 crore for expanding its network into newer circles. Idea Cellular has invested only Rs 83 crore from its initial public offering (IPO) proceeds for the Mumbai circle rollout. The company plans to invest the remaining amount (Rs 564 crore) for which it is seeking shareholder approvals. Idea has convened an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on July 30 for the purpose, according to the EGM notice issued by the company. Idea is planning to enter the Mumbai circle, which is one of the most lucrative regions in the country for quite sometime. All telecom operators, barring a few like Aircel Cellular and Spice Communications, operate in the circle. Bihar is another circle on its agenda, which will also be launched shortly. The company will seek permission to use around Rs 159 crore for expanding its network into newer circles in the country as well. Till March 31, 2008, the company has made investments of Rs 812 crore for expansion. The company, the fifth largest telecom service provider in India, will also invest another Rs 81 crore as entry fee and capital expenditure for its national long distance (NLD) operations. Idea, according to the EGM notice, has utilised around 62 crore for the IPO expenses and Rs 302 crore for general corporate purposes. The Mumbai-headquartered company had raised around Rs 2,200 from its IPO in February last year. Idea has licenses to operate in 13 circles comprising states of Mumbai, Delhi, UP, Uttaranchal, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh among others. The company recently acquired B K Modi's 40.8 per cent stake in Spice Communications in an all-cash deal worth Rs 2,700 crore, including non-compete fees. The deal values Spice at around Rs 6,800 crore. "We are now in the big league of telecom players in the country," Idea Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla had said.

Oh, you are a great man my dear Ashok. Using Garuda Ruim with Huwaei EC 325 Data card will be really useful to all. Regards.

My dear friends, whenever their is a discussion of Antivirus, it takes me to my older days of 1994, when I used to go with a small Antivirus called SMARTDOG. Don't know whether it is still available or not. Does anyone using this right now ? Actually SMARTDOG Antivirus was the best available at that time. Regards.

^^^ @Abhish No my dear friend, thats not possible at all. Regards.

Smartphone with Google operating system set to rival iPhone 31 May, 2008, 2040 hrs IST, AGENCIES LONDON: British chipmaker ARM has unveiled a prototype mobile phone that will use the operating system Android, launched by Google last November. The unbranded prototype handset demonstrated at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona features an internet browser, map software, multimedia applications, text messaging, calendar functions, email and other cell phone functions. Tipped to rival Apple's iPhone, ARM's prototype uses Google as its web browser home page, Google Mail as its email application, and Google Maps for navigation. Although the Android project is at a relatively early stage, the first Android-based mobile phones are expected to be launched in the market later this year, reports the Telegraph. Experts at the research firm Strategy Analytics reckon that Android--which is being backed by an alliance of more than 30 mobile phone operators, handset makers, software firms and component manufacturers--will be installed on two per cent of smartphones by December.

^^^ My dear friends, my experience with MTNL till date is really great. I use MTNL Garuda and the service is quite good. And overall experience in MTNL exchange too is not that bad at all. Now a days they have are providing the best services with the latest technologies. Regards.

^^^ My dear friend, just go for AVAST. You will get antispyware and antimalware too in the free package. Regards.

@Kumaar Very nice my dear friend. Post some more like the same. Regards.

Dark days for mobile grey market NEW DELHI: The organised mobile retail sector is fast clamping down the grey market for mobile handsets. According to Indian Cellular Association (ICA), the share of the grey mobile handset market came down from 60% in 2006 to just 10% in 2007. “The share of the grey market has come down considerably due to various factors, the most important being the reduction in duties. Many enforcement measures have been taken over the years to check the mobile handset grey market,” said ICA national president Pankaj Mahindroo. The import duty on mobile phones has been reduced from about 16% to around 4%. Industry participants also believe that the shift from grey market to the legal market is by and large on the account of growing number of mobile retail stores. “The mobile stores provide accessibility to the consumers. Our mobile stores are at all the visible locations, so consumers can walk in anywhere and get the best deals possible,” said Subhiksha marketing vice-president Mohit Khattar. Industry analysts say that a huge grey market exists because of the differential of around 10% to 25% between legal and grey handset prices. With growing competition in the organised mobile retail market, players are offering products at lower prices. This, in turn, helps counter the grey market and bolsters footfalls in these stores. “Consumers can buy high-end, genuine branded handsets with guarantee of replacement or repair through the mobile retail stores. Trust is the predominant factor that consumers are turning towards the branded retail stores,” said HotSpot CEO Sanjeev Mahajan. Consumers are opting for accessibility and do not mind paying extra for it. The grey markets operate from a few areas in a city. On the other hand, mobile stores are more easily accessible as they are located in all prominent markets. The growing brand consciousness among the people, analysts say is also propelling the consumers to approach branded mobile retail stores. Mobile phone retail chains like Mobile Store, Mobi Retail, RPG Cellucom, currently account for just 7% of the overall mobile handset market, which has a market share of Rs 15,000 crore. “Currently, the impact of mobile retail stores on the grey market is minimal. However, considering the rapid growth rate of organised mobile retail, its contribution is set to increase in the next 3-4 years,” said retail consultancy Technopak Advisors chairman Arvind Singhal. Though the grey market in mobile phones has reduced, a large (75%) grey market still exists in mobile phone accessories such as batteries and chargers, which are often available at one-tenth the price of company branded accessories. Last year, the mobile phone makers asked finance ministry to reduce 34% duty on imported accessories, but nothing concrete has happened as yet.

^^^ Very correct my dear Vaibhav. Actually now a days educated people choose to buy the product with bill. Thats best, as they get warranty on their products too. Regards.

^^^ My dear friend, Norton or McAfee could be the best choice if your want to go for the purchased version. And if you want a free Antivirus then Avast could be better. Regards.

RIL, RCOM in war of words, again 4 Jul, 2008, 0105 hrs IST MUMBAI: Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries (RIL) on Thursday shot off another letter to Reliance Communications (RCOM), the telecommunications company run by brother Anil Ambani, invoking a right of first refusal (RoFR). A copy of the letter was also sent to South African telco MTN with which RCOM is negotiating a deal, the exact contours of which are not yet clear. In a brief media statement, RIL said on Thursday evening: “RIL has invoked the provisions of the dispute resolution contained in the non-competition agreement dated January 12, 2006 and has invited RCOM to participate in the process of mutual conciliation prior to commencement of formal arbitration.” RCOM, in its response, strongly criticised the RIL move. The RCOM spokesperson said: “The alleged right of RoFR is not relevant under the structure being discussed. In addition to being legally untenable, it is a sign of RIL’s growing desperation and frustration.” Sources in RIL said the letter was written in line with the January 2006 agreement between the Ambani brothers. “The agreement required RIL to inform the other party a month before going into arbitration.” A fortnight ago, RIL had sent a letter to MTN claiming its RoFR in RCOM. RCOM vehemently denies any such right. However, RIL sources said the company had not received any response from RCOM. Sources close to RIL said both parties had agreed on the RoFR while separating their businesses. The bone of contention is the RoFR, which is part of the January 2006 agreement signed by RIL and four entities of ADAG to implement the demerger of the Reliance group. The brothers arrived at a separation formula in June 2005 after a prolonged and bitter battle. The first letter was sent by RIL after it was reported in the media that RCOM was trying to strike a reverse merger with MTN. Under that structure, it was proposed that MTN would become the holding company of RCOM while the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group — promoters of RCOM — would emerge as the single largest shareholder of MTN. RCOM is learnt to be working on a separate structure to ensure that the so-called RoFR is not triggered. It is learnt that RCOM could directly buy a controlling stake in MTN, possibly in association with a Middle East-based sovereign wealth fund. RCOM and an investment company of ADAG has filed caveats in the Bombay High Court, to ensure that no ex-parte order was issued in case RIL attempts to enforce its claimed RoFR in case a deal with MTN happens.

TRAI set to recommend tighter licensing for cable services 4 Jul, 2008, 0002 hrs IST NEW DELHI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is all set to recommend a tighter licensing regime for cable services with separate registration process for both MSOs and cable operators. ET has also learnt that the regulator is looking at setting up separate monitoring cells for cable TV services at district, state and central level. Besides, TRAI will also specify quality of service norms that will have to be mandatorily followed by all cable operators across the country. The regulator is of the view that these steps will help restructure the fragmented cable industry in the country and also improve the service quality. The regulator is expected to submit its recommendations to the Information & Broadcasting ministry early next week. The regulator is likely to recommend the formation of a centralised registration and monitoring process, in a bid to correct the current procedure where any individual can register in a post office to open a cable network. In addition, the centralised authority would be expected to streamline the registration process, data collection and monitoring to ensure better cable TV services for consumers. According to industry estimates, there are over 70,000 cable operators in the country. However, official estimates peg the figure at only 20,000 cable operators. TRAI believes the new registration process would be able to correctly estimate the size of the industry. In a bid to encourage transparency, a new system of billing and monitoring for cable networks is likely to be suggested as part of the quality of standards for cable service networks. The consultation paper would suggest consumer grievance redressal mechanisms. The regulator is also likely to stress on the need for creation of a standard procedure formulated for guiding consumers on getting new connection, desired content, disconnection of existing connection and complaint handling procedure. The regulator is also learnt to be of the view that while consolidation of the largely fragmented sector is necessary however it should not hurt the interests of small and independent cable operator. Digitalisation plan by 2011, HITS policy and the cable services restructuring plan are considered to be three most important policy changes for the broadcasting sector.

CDMA companies want rivals to pay for ‘excess’ spectrum 4 Jul, 2008, 0000 hrs IST NEW DELHI: After a lull, the spectrum wars between GSM and CDMA players are set to kick off again. CDMA operators, through their industry body—Association of Unified Service Providers of India (AUSPI)—have made presentations to the finance ministry and communications ministry and have also approached the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and sector regulator TRAI demanding that GSM players be charged Rs 1,312 Crore per MHz for all radio frequencies they hold in excess of 4.4 MHz. CDMA operators have also added that this would bring in revenues to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore to the government. Interestingly, the CDMA players’ proposal is largely in line with a model worked out by the finance ministry. The only difference is that the finance ministry had wanted this Rs 1,312 crore /MHz formula to be applicable to both new entrants as well as the existing players. The finmin had wanted new entrants who had paid Rs 1,651 crore entry fee, which guarantees them 4.4 MHz of GSM spectrum, to shell an additional Rs 4,121 core based on its model. The finmin had also added that this fee must be applied to all existing GSM telcos from the time their spectrum capacity crossed 6.2 MHz limit. On this basis, several leading GSM players will have to cough up an additional Rs 3,000 crore as some telcos hold up to 10 MHz of radio frequencies. The finance ministry has arrived at this figure as follows: The Rs 1,651 crore fee fixed in 2001, entitles 4.4 MHz of start-up spectrum, which works out to Rs 375 crore per MHz. At the same time, the fin min had estimated that telcos’ aggregate gross revenues (AGR) have increased by about 3.5 times and therefore the spectrum fee should be 3.5 times of Rs 375 crore which works out to Rs 1,312 crore for every MHz. AUSPI, in its presentations, have argued that an additional fee of Rs 1,312 crore should be applied for all spectrum held above the 4.4 MHz limit and not 6.2 MHz as being proposed by the DoT and the finmin. Their logic: An Indian telecom licence entitles GSM players to only 4.4 MHz of spectrum. The industry body has also endorsed the finmin view of using the AGR factor when calculating the spectrum fee to arrive at the Rs 1,312 crore/MHz figure. “We feel that the government will be benefited to the extent of more than Rs 10,000 crore as one-time levy for the already allocated spectrum beyond the contracted value,” the AUSPI presentation said.

Openmoko Neo FreeRunner to be Available for Indian Developers Openmoko has announced that it will open the online store for purchase of the Openmoko Neo FreeRunner mobile, and shipping to customers will commence on July 7, 2008. The Openmoko Neo FreeRunner utilizes GNU/Linux and comes with core software for dialing, SMS and recording contacts. Openmoko will supplement these features with periodic downloads beginning with a software suite that takes full advantage of the phone's hardware platform. The new software, debuting at Linux world in August, will provide exciting new location based applications. Two versions of the phone will be available: 850MHz or 900 MHz Tri-band GSM to match frequencies in different countries. Black, oval-shaped and weighing 6.5 ounces, the Openmoko Neo FreeRunner features a 2.8 inch 480 x 640 VGA touchscreen, Wi-Fi (802.1 1b/g), AGPS, GPRS 2.5G, Bluetooth 2.0, two 3-axis motion sensors and comes with 128MB WSDRAM and 256MB NAND Flash. Using the Openmoko mobile platform, the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) community and developers can create unique versions of the FreeRunner phone, modifying the way the phone operates and even the way it looks. CAD files publicly available under a Creative Commons license make it easy for industrial designers to change the appearance of the Openmoko Neo FreeRunner and select alternate materials and finishes to tailor the phone's look and feel. Distributors in the EU have already received shipments of the Openmoko Neo FreeRunner. The device has a suggested retail price of Rs. 17,150 ($399). Openmoko will sell the phone directly from it its webshop, www.Openmoko.com and via distributors in the EU, India and North America. Courtesy : Tech2

MTN may walk out of RCOM deal if Ambani feud continues: Report 3 Jul, 2008, 2215 hrs IST, PTI JOHANNESBURG: MTN's tolerance may be running out for a possible $70-billion deal with Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communication, with local media speculating that the South African telecom major's CEO may walk out if the dispute between the Ambani brothers is not settled soon. "MTN is an operator with a low tolerance level. It comes from the top, with CEO Phuthuma Nhleko handing out brusque replies if someone poses a question he thinks is gormless," a media report said on Thursday. While noting that elder Ambani sibling Mukesh-led Reliance Industries' claim to first right of refusal to sale of a stake in RCOM is threatening to sink a deal between RCOM and MTN, the report said that "the validity of the claim may never be tested, as there's a high chance MTN's tolerance threshold will expire first." "The no-nonsense attitude was also displayed in Benin, when the government tried to extract $52 million in spurious backdated fees to let MTN keep operating. Nhleko silenced the network for two months rather than capitulate. His gamble paid off, with President Thabo Mbeki persuading Benin to ease those demands," the report said. The report further said that the "lesson is never play poker with Phuthuma and his henchmen. Which is almost what India's warring Ambani brothers are doing." The report noted that "Nhleko will have little patience in dealing with two brothers whose egos are as big as their businesses. Particularly when MTN is a third party caught in the crossfire of an undignified sibling squabble. "Negotiating around a family feud that threatens to sink a serious business deal is not his idea of how to play. It would be no surprise if Nhleko calls their bluff and pushes his chair away from the table."

RIL again writes to RCOM, MTN; seeks talks before arbitration 3 Jul, 2008, 2200 hrs IST, PTI NEW DELHI: The fight between the Ambani siblings flared up, with Mukesh Ambani-led RIL on Thursday shooting off another letter to RCOM and MTN, who are negotiating a $70 billion merger deal, invoking non-compete agreement. "RIL has invoked the provisions of dispute resolution contained in the non-competition agreement dated January 12, 2006, and has invited RCOM to participate in the process of mutual conciliation prior to commencement of formal arbitration," an RIL spokesperson said. Reacting to the latest RIL missive, an RCOM spokesperson said: "The second letter from RIL is a sign of desperation and frustration." The latest RIL communication, a follow up of the letter asserting its Right of First Refusal on majority stake in RCOM, could put up another obstacle in the ongoing negotiations between the South African and Indian firms. An MTN spokesperson from Johannesburg, however, declined to comment on the communication, as also on reports that it is extending the exclusivity agreement for negotiation with RCOM.

^^^ @Vijay My dear friend, he is asking for the handsfree headset / bluetooth headset for HTC Mogul. Regards.

^^^ Well, these will be helpful for those who want only small amout of recharge. Regards.

My dear friends, MTNL is now a days giving tough competition to its rival operators. Regards.

Wireless user base up 11.75 pc in March quarter 3 Jul, 2008, 2009 hrs IST, PTI NEW DELHI: The average revenue per user for mobile firms remained almost flat for GSM players and negative for CDMA operators in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, even as the total wireless subscriber base hit 261.07 million in the said quarter, taking the total telecom customer base to 300.48 million. Wireless market grew 11.75 per cent with addition of 27.45 million subscribers for the quarter ending March 2008. For GSM segment, all India blended ARPU per month has risen by 1.15 per cent from Rs 261 in December 2007 to Rs 264 in March. This increase is result of steep increase of 5.9 per cent in ARPU in Circle Category A, said the performance report of TRAI. For CDMA segment, all India blended ARPU (per month) for the March quarter decreased to Rs 159, compared to Rs 176 in the quarter ending December 2007. ARPU is an indicator for profitability for telecom operators. The total subscriber base was 272.87 million for the December quarter, thus registering an increase of 10.12 per cent during the March quarter. Subscriber base of Wireline service has increased from 39.25 million for the quarter ending December 2007 to 39.41 million for the quarter ending March 2008. The tele-density for the quarter ending March 2008 reached 26.22, compared to 23.87 for the quarter ending December 2007. Rural wireline subscriber base has fell from 11.75 million in the December quarter to 11.64 million for the March quarter, thus showing a negative growth of 0.94 per cent.

Nokia E71 Now Available those Nokia fans that have been eagerly awaiting the new line up in the E class range of business handsets, the E71 is out in the market and I don’t mean Gray. I happened to be passing by a Nokia Priority dealer and noticed a few of the new handsets and what do you know, I saw dummy pieces of the E66 and E71. I was informed that the E66 has not yet been launched but the E71 was and was priced at Rs. 23,000 but it’s also available in the gray market for Rs. 21,500. I thought it a bit pricey but then recollected that it comes with a 3.2ZMP, auto-focus camera, GPS with A-GPS support, Bluetooth with A2DP, Wi-Fi, 3G with HSDPA speeds, USB v2,0 support and a full QWERTY keypad. Although it does have a chin that could give Jay Leno a complex, it’s quite a slim handset and looks quite good with its sliver and black finish. Courtesy : Tech2

^^^ And here is the pic of the above handset my dear friends. Courtesy : Tech2

^^^ @Amit Thanks for the product note my dear friend. Regards.

^^^ Welcome Mr. Richard to the forum. Definetely we are eager to hear from you. Do share your ideas with us. Regards.