Honest

^^^ My dear friend, if this is the situation of Vodafone and Airtel on Delhi's Ring Road, then you yourself imagine what will be the case in other internal parts of Delhi. I think in other parts of Delhi the network of Vodafone and Airtel must be worst. Anywhere I go to India, its only 2 call drops out of 100 with Reliance. Regards.

^^^ Wow. What a great collection my dear Dr. Ali. Keep it up. Regards.

^^^ @Sachin My dear friend, which operator's Gprs rates are you asking ? You can check for Idea Gprs for the cheapest rates. Regards.

Airtel launches combo plan for broadband connectivity Airtel Telemedia Services, India's largest Private broadband and telephone service provider, has launched 'Combo 499 Plan" for its customers in south India. The plan offers the best-in-class entry combination of broadband at 2 mbps speed along with free download of 1 GB and voice calls worth Rs.200 and STD at just Re. 1/- per minute, making it ideal for a moderate broadband user, a release said. Announcing the plan, Shamik Das, CEO, South India, Airtel Telemedia Services said this initiative marks our strategic intent to simplify broadband tariffs and differentiate ourselves in a market already cluttered with multiple tariff plans. "The Combo 499 Plan is sure to enable more people to easily avail broadband connectivity at an affordable price".

^^^ @Abhish My dear friend although I'm not aware about the charging point of this handset. But one this is for sure that your mobile's battery will be charged automatically when you plug your data cable to the PC. In almost all the handsets battery charging starts by itself whenever you plug the data cable. That means whenever you want to access data connection through your mobile to pc, your data cable will work as a charger also which simultaneously charge your battery also. So their is no need to worry my dear friend. Regards.

Telcos oppose cheap domestic Net calls for ISPs 18 Jun, 2008, 0000 hrs IST NEW DELHI: GSM and CDMA operators have opposed allowing internet service providers (ISPs) to offer cheap PC-to-phone calls in India unless they acquire licences, pay entry fee and be subjected to the same levies as telcos. Firms such as Google, Microsoft and consumer rights organisations have supported the ISP Association of India (ISPAI) in its stand that ISPs be allowed to offer such services while paying a termination fee to telecom operators. Trai had issued a consultation paper on whether ISPs should be allowed to offer PC-to-phone calls within India and asked for comments from stakeholders in May. Currently, a subscriber can dial a phone abroad from a PC using internet telephony but can’t use the same technology to make a domestic phone call. This is because ISPs are not allowed to have interconnection with PSTN/PLMN (landline/mobile) network. In its response to a Trai consultation paper, GSM operators’ association, Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI), said, “If ISPs are allowed to provide internet telephony services to PSTN/PLMN, they de facto become access providers and would necessarily have to acquire a UAS licence in order to ensure level-playing field.” It said that ISPs should be subject to the same entry fee, licence fee, revenue share and other terms and conditions as applicable to existing licensees. It suggested that ambiguities related to clarity on the definition and scope of the service, issues related to the numbering plan and interconnection be removed so that existing operators can offer Internet telephony services. “With 12-14 access providers already present in every service area, we believe that there will be ample competition in this service segment to give consumers the benefit of choice as well as affordability,” it added. Agreeing with COAI, the Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India (AUSPI), the CDMA operators’ body, said that only UASL operators should be permitted to provide internet telephony within the country as per the licence conditions. Telecom operators Airtel, BSNL and Reliance Communications, in their individual responses, concurred with the views taken by their representative bodies. Stating that ISPs should be allowed to offer internet telephony within the country, ISPAI has asked for amendments to the existing licence conditions. It said that ISPs pay 85% of their revenues to telcos for using their resources as well as 6% of their revenues to the government. “Access providers will also get termination charges so there will be a win-win situation for ISPs as well as operators,” it added.

TRAI recommendations on Internet telephony in 60 days 20 Jun, 2008, 1927 hrs IST, PTI KOLKATA: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India would submit its recommendations to the government on internet telephony in the next two months. Member TRAI R N Prabhakar told reporters on the sidelines of an open house on Interneet Telephony that they would submit their recommendations to DoT within two months. In the consultation paper prepared by TRAI, the regulator had said that allowing fixed line and wireless mobile connectivity to internet service providers (ISPs) would provide a cheaper option to subscribers for making domestic and international long distance calls. He also said that this may act as a catalyst in boosting broadband penetration in the country, which was abysmally low. It would also help the callers in getting cheaper tariffs as compared to call charges on fixed line and cellular were relatively on the higher side. In the open house, cellular service operators sought a level playing field if the government allows ISPs to provide fixedline and mobile services in the country.

Airtel enters into a strategic tie-up with IFFCO 20 Jun, 2008, 1741 hrs IST, PTI HYDERABAD: Airtel has entered into a strategic tie up with the Indian Farmers' Fertiliser Co-operative Limited (IFFCO) and formed a new joint venture company called IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Limited (IKSL). This joint venture company will harness the power of telecom to empower the rural farmer by giving him access of vital market information at his fingertips. IKSL will offer products and services, especially designed for farmers, through IFFCO societies in villages across the state. On offer will be affordable mobile handsets bundled with an Airtel mobile connections. The farmers will also get access to a unique VAS platform that will broadcast five free voice messages on mandi prices, farming techniques, weather forecasts, dairy farming, animal husbandry, among others on a daily basis. "In addition, farmers will be able to call a dedicated helpline manned by experts from various fields, to get answers to their specific queries," Elango T, CEO, Bharti Airtel, Andhra Pradesh told reporters here today. Sharing the details of IKSL, R V S Bhullar, COO-IKSL, IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Ltd said, "This is a unique venture to strengthen the cooperative movement in rural India, to empower the farmers through information, to boost the rural economy, and also to create rural employment." K somesekhar Rao, Director-IFFCO, said, "IFFCO is an organisation of the farmers and for the farmers and works on the model of cooperatives. We feel there is a great opportunity in telecom sector going to rural India to create new business opportunities for the cooperatives where farmers are the key stakeholders."

^^^ @Raccoon Thank got my dear friend, you called to an Airtel number. If it was Vodafone Mumbai number then the call drop should have been 12 in 20 minutes. In Mumbai, Vodafone network for voice calls is no good at all my dear friend except in some of the places. And in my point of view the CROWN of the WORLD LEADER in CALL DROPS should remain with VODAFONE. Regards.

^^^ Excellent collection Dr. Ali & Akshat. Keep it up buddies. Regards.

^^^ @Common Man My dear friend, I think that the above plans launched by IDEA is for Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh Circles only. But I'm not sure about this. I think, the CoolboyAshok just forget to mention the circles in which these plans have been launched. Regards.

My dear friends, In simple words I have to say that IDEA ROCKS. Regards

^^^ @Mukesh My dear friend, I had used Vodafone GPRS in Mumbai and definetely you won't belive its better then Reliance Net Connect. No disconnection, no dormancy mode at all. And you will be surprised about that I had used it without Edge. That means through which handset I was using Vodafone GPRS, that does not have Edge. Now you can imagine what the speed of Vodafone GPRS could be if we use it with Edge enabled handsets. We can get just double the speed. I had used Reliance Net connect for more than 4 years. Thats why it is really easy for me to differentiate between Vodafone and Reliance data services. And as you are located at Rohini. If I'm not wrong, Rohini falls in Outer Delhi. I think their could be some technical problems with Vodafone in your area. But, believe me my dear friends, Vodafone GPRS is really great. Although in Voice calls Vodafone is hell, but in Data transfer its superb. No doubt at all. Regards.

Two of my friends, also using Airtel Broadband in Delhi without any problems. And my dear Mukesh, your Rohini is very well developed and well maintained area. Hope you are getting the best offers their. Regards.

^^^ And I think they should change their slogan to : HAPPY TO HELP FOR DROPPING THE CALLS.

^^^ @Ankur My dear friend, just one line we have to say : Now we are waiting for Ankur Raheja Vs Samsung. Thats it. Regards.

@Drali Great collection my dear Dr. Ali. Really Cool collection. Keep it up. Regards.

^^^ Truely great plans by IDEA. Vodafone the biggest looter is charging 699/- for 1 GB usage and additional usage 5ps/10kb. And their is no unlimited usage plan on Vodafone. IDEA rocks. I'm waiting for IDEA to launch its services in Mumbai in August. Only then all Mumbaikars will be benefitted by IDEA. "SIR JI, WHAT AN IDEA, SIR JI". Regards.

^^^ My dear friends, but I think that Vodafone's GPRS really better then Airtel or Reliance. As I personally used it for 4 months. Speed was really good and better then Reliance Net Connect. Regards.

^^^ @Ankur My dear friend, it seems that Samsung people are the biggest liers. As if the mother board changed of any handset then all your data will be gone. Whether it may be SMS or Phone Book. As when my LG 2230 motherboard was changed recently, the service centre people told me that all my old data will be gone. And when they replaced the motherboard, really all my data was gone. So, in my point of view, they are not telling the truth to you. This is no good of Samsung at all. They can't do this to anybody. You must teach them the lesson. Regards. P.S. : Their is a little chance that they had backed-up your data through some source and then reloaded on to your mobile. But still I don't think that any service provider could do this.

^^^ @Umesh My dear friend, Samsung Guru could be a better choice but the service of Samsung is no good at all but definetely better than Nokia. Regards.

^^^ Yes BSNL is the best for all till date my dear friends. Nobody can beat BSNL's plans and offers. Speed too is good. And Airtel has launched this Combo Plan only for South India. Regards.

@Manish My dear friend, IDEA is yet to start its services in Mumbai. They are going to laucnch its service by August this year. And Airtel too is not good at all. Vodafone's network in Goregaon, Mumbai is good, but in other parts of mumbai its no good at all. At my place I'm having network problem. The networks jumps every 10-20 seconds, due to this network fluctuation and call drops happen for me most of the times. On complaining Vodafone, they told that they are not planning any new cell site near my place and I will recieve fluctuating network only. Now I have decided to give them the threat of surrender the number. Lets see whats happen. Regards.

^^^ @Chandan My dear friend, their is a new scheme for Vodafone subscribers through which you can call any one local Vodafone number @ 10 paise per minute. In this new scheme, you will be charged monthly rental of Rs.25/-. To activate, send FNF <your friend's local Vodafone mobile number> as an SMS to 111 (toll free). But this offer is available on selected talk plans only. So you have to check it with CC of Vodafone, whether this offer is valid with your plan or not. Regards.

MTN AGM skips RCOM proposal 20 Jun, 2008, 0122 hrs IST JOHANNESBURG: South African mobile phone operator MTN continued to hold a wall of secrecy around its exclusive talks with Reliance Communications during its annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday. MTN and Reliance Communications started talks in May that could create a $66 billion emerging markets telecoms group. MTN chairman Cyril Ramaphosa signalled from the beginning of the meeting that the talks with Reliance Communications were not on the agenda. He said only matters related to the notice of the meeting would be discussed by MTN shareholders. “As you all aware, the agenda of the meeting is clearly stated in the notice of this meeting and that’s what we are meant to do and deal with,” Ramaphosa said. “So we get on the business of the meeting as set out in the agenda and notice of the meeting dealing primarily, specifically and only with the issues that are set in that notice. The meeting agenda was to reappoint directors and to consider the repurchase of up to 10% of the company’s shares. Reliance Communications is owned by Anil Ambani, whose brother Mukesh owns Reliance Industries. The two had a public falling out in 2005 which resulted in a split in their massive business empire. Mukesh has objected to Anil's bid to merge Reliance Communications with MTN, saying his permission is required for any sale of the family’s shares.