Broadband Target For Dec 2005 May Not Be Achived

[abhay 0]

THIS IS A PART OF THE REPORT RELEASED BY TRAI THE COMPLETE REPORT CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM HERE Press Release: Around 3 million subscribers added during September 2005

Edited October 15, 2005 by abhay

[linuxguy 0]

This is just plain stupid. They will give us 100Mbps super broadband connections and put a download cap of 10MB. What then? Will it still be called progress? We must revolt against this kind of stupid reports by TRAI.

[kevin_dabhi 0]

Ya I too agree. its just stupid to have 100Mbps speed and downloading limit of Just Mb.

[Arun 795]

Broadband rates may fall further, but growth stagnates

- Rediff.com

Joji Thomas Philip in New Delhi | October 13, 2005 10:37 IST

Despite a steep fall in telecom tariffs and the entry of new players like Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd, India will fall well short of its target of having 3 million broadband subscribers by December-end 2005.

Private and state-owned service providers had 610,000 high-speed Internet connections, compared with the 6.5 million dial-ups at the end of September 2005.

With less than three months to go, the ministry of communications and information technology has now brought its target down, and is hoping to cross the one-million mark -- a third of the broadband policy target of three million connections, set less than 12 months ago.

For consumers, there was reason to cheer on the tariff front. Broadband prices, which were as high as Rs 1,800 a month in January 2004, have now tumbled to Rs 250, and are expected to fall further.

Indian tariffs are also among the lowest broadband tariffs in the world. The charge per MB of download has come down to Re 1 compared with Rs 4 a year ago.

"It can be seen that the rate of growth is not adequate for achieving the broadband policy target of three million subscribers by the end of December 2005, and hence more concerted efforts are required by all service providers," the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said in its latest report.

BSNL and MTNL executives said progress on providing content-rich services had been slow and that it was the primary reason for the poor growth.

"In a bid to enrich content, we have already invited expressions of interest from content providers on a non-exclusive revenue-share basis, and will follow it up with tenders soon. Our subscribers will have access to Internet protocol and time-shifted television, video-on-demand, voice and interactive messaging, and next-generation gaming before the year-end," a BSNL executive said.

Operators such as Bharti and Reliance Infocomm have also begun test runs of IPTV on broadband speeds of 10 mbps. This is expected to hit the market in six to nine months' time.

For private players, growth has been hampered to a significant extent also by a lack of last-mile copper connectivity.

"The government's threat that the last-mile copper connectivity will be unbundled if BSNL fails to meet stipulated targets is very hollow. They will never resort to any such act and broadband growth will therefore continue to be slow," said the spokesperson of a leading private operator.

[Ramchi 0]

It is really stupid people talking about Broadband with Download/Upload Cap. It can never work that way. There is no way people can use internet based on the size of the content. It is plain truth that Rs 250 Per Month broadband plan is almost unusable except for making phone calls using the landline.

[anujit 0]

Rs. 1000/pm is being compared to Rs. 250 /25hrs.

Indian ISPs are still pretty cluess about the purpose of broadband.

[abhay 0]

Indian tariffs are also among the lowest broadband tariffs in the world hehehehhehehehehh

that was a nice one should be nominated for the best comedian of the year! whoz written this article by the way ??

anil bhai take some suj from me dont go for last mile connectivity use wi-fi/wi-max most cost effitive in long term! no need to put wires all round the country!!

Edited October 13, 2005 by abhay

[linuxguy 0]

Rs. 1000/pm is being compared to Rs. 250 /25hrs.

Indian ISPs are still pretty cluess about the purpose of broadband.

They are very much aware of the situation. They are just not opening up the market because their cheap hardware will start failing pretty quickly AND VoIP will put a huge hole through their pockets!

[Ramchi 0]

" VoIP will put a huge hole through their pockets" There is a point. But in the future people most likely will NOT use landline for their main communication purpose. Mobile phones have replaced landlines in a big way.

But what is the use of having 256/512 Kpbs speeds with 2-GB data cap?

Dial-up itself is sufficient for Indian customers. Why they are misleading customers by saying it is broadband etc...?

[linuxguy 0]

Dial-up itself is sufficient for Indian customers. Why they are misleading customers by saying it is broadband etc...?

I am an Indian customer and dialup or the so called $hitty broadband is NOT sufficient for me!

May be we should go and break the heads of the stupid MTNL people. May be then they will offer something good

[abhay 0]

chalo delhi

[abhay 0]

The broad band users in the country are expected to touch 0.8 million by the end of this year against the government's target of 3 million.

"Our growth in the broad band area is very less and we would reach approximately 0.8 million users, from the present 0.6 million users a month back, by the end of this year", Telecon Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman Pradip Baijal told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar organised by NASSCOM here today.

"There is a huge potential for the broadband in the rural areas where other means of communication are not that effective, and in comparison to South Korea and China we are way behind the broad band connectivity", he added.

"There needs to be unbundling of the connectivity loop by BSNL and MTNL to acheive a desired growth in this area," Baijal said.

new figures by TRAI today! says only 0.8 M users by year END!i say y wont it! TRAI has made the most stupidest defination of a broadband considering the indian situtation! TRAI cant realize that companies would just stick to the defination if its profitable for them and not even think of consumers benifit...

The correct defination should include "a always on internet connection with min bandwidth of 256 kbps and no caps" i say who even thinks of givin caps in a 256 k connection if we are considering to have a race with contries like CHINA , KOREA, JAPAN or US

well if TRAI will ask me i wil say "a always on inter connection with min 256 k , no caps , wireless , and with a public ip" what say guyz

i would sujest TRAI to consider my def: and c the broadband suscribers multiply at least all the 5000 members of rimweb would love to take a broadband connection like this wont you

Edited October 26, 2005 by abhay

[linuxguy 0]

well said abhay! I am with you

[abhay 0]

Price war begins, net surfers to increase to 8 m by December

With public sector telecom giants MTNL and BSNL planning to cut their broadband tariffs to nearly half, a move expected to be followed by a host of private operators offering similar services, the numbers of net surfers will leap-frog to 8 million by the year end.

Stating this, Trai Chairman Pradip Baijal said a huge untapped potential awaits broadband suppliers in the rural areas where other means of communications are not effective. But in comparison with South Korea and China, India is still way behind, Mr Baijal said at a recently concluded broadband conference.

"There is a need to unbundle the connectivity loop by BSNL and MTNL to achieve a desired growth in this area," Mr Baijal said.

MTNL is expected to announce its reduced broadband rates which will come down to Rs 199 per month from Rs 399 and BSNL is also planning a similar move. BSNL had recently reduced its broadband tariffs by at least 50 per cent from Rs 500 per month to Rs 250 per month for 256-kbps connections.

The move by MTNL would increase its subscriber base n Delhi and Mumbai.

MTNL has a target of adding 500,000 broadband subscribers by the end of current financial year.

''I am confident of meeting the targets as the demand for MTNL broadband has been phenomenal,'' MTNL, CMD RSP Sinha said.

Mr Sinha said that MTNL has crossed 51,000 mark in Delhi alone and has a total subscriber base of over 90,000. We are adding more than 500 subscribers every day each in Delhi and Mumbai. ''We are targeting to take the number to 2,000 a day,'' Mr Sinha said.

who the hell told them that people are not taking soo called broadband because they are expensive!!!

hehe most of us are paying 700 + over here for a normal 64 - 128 connection

i think somebody should go and tell them that the only reason people are not goin in for brodband is because of ther ****ing caps

[linuxguy 0]

these people are crazy! It's like the answer is in front of them but they dont want to look at it. They need to REMOVE the data cap and the PORT cap that ISPs place on their connections... AND also give everyone of us a public IP

[abhay 0]

you cannot be more right than this

[abhay 0]

Broadband target to be missed, open up local loop: Trai to Dot

Concerned over the "slow" take-off of broadband services with only 0.61 million subscriber achievement vis-à-vis a target of 30 million, Trai today asked the centre to reconsider its proposal of unbundling the local loop and offer incentives to bring down the costs of the access.

As per the policy set out by government in October last year, a target of three million broadband subscribers was to be achieved by the end of 2005 by all service providers and half of that target was to be achieved by PSU operators.

But according to the progress report submitted by them, the current subscriber base of only 0.61 million for broadband have been achieved by September 2005, out of which 0.26 million belongs to PSUs and 0.35 million to the private service providers.

"Hence, the actual achievement by various operators together is much below the policy target of three million for December 2005 which is likely to be missed", it said.

TRAI has recommended to the department of telecom to review some of the provisions of the broadband policy already announced, it said in a statement.

Government has already rejected the Trai proposal of unbundling the local loop which would have opened up access to private operators of BSNL and MTNL's over four crore fixed line subscribers. BSNL had strongly opposed unbundling fearing misuse by private players of luring away its customers.

Recently MTNL brought down the broadband access charges to Rs 199 a month while BSNL had earlier lowered it to Rs 250 a month to boost usage.

hmmm seems i and linuxguy are the only ones are intrested in true broadband

[linuxguy 0]

doesnt matter abhay! I am waiting for MTNL to unbundle its local loop and THEN we will see TRUE competition a.k.a. seeing MTNL's a$$ being kicked!

[abhay 0]

MTNL, BSNL hang up on Trai move to open broadband to private cos

NEW DELHI: MTNL and BSNL have opposed Trai’s recommendation to open up the last mile connectivity for private operators to provide broadband connectivity.

The two PSUs have said that they were offering broadband at a very low price and their services are available on demand in most of the places where they have launched their services.

The two companies account for more than 95% of the total fixed line connections in the country. They have state-of-the art telecom network in all cities and towns and in remote areas covering a significant part of the country.

Private operators such as Reliance, Tata and Bharti are eyeing their network. They want to use the last mile networks of BSNL and MTNL.

“There is no justification in Trai’s demand for opening up the last mile connectivity for private operators. Our services are available on demand in Delhi and in Mumbai, the waiting list will be wiped out by the end of this month,” said RSP Sinha, CMD of MTNL.

MTNL launched its broadband services commercially in April ’05. In seven months, it has got a subscriber base of 1,10,000. It has slashed tariffs for its broadband services to Rs 199 per month for 400 Mbps of download

BSNL is adding 4,000 new connections per day. It is also expanding its network very fast. “We have already covered 200 cities. We will cover another 30 cities by the end of this financial year,” said RL Dube, director (planning) of BSNL.

“By the end of this financial year, we will reach a subscriber base of 1m,” said Dube. By the end of ’05, BSNL has set a target of crossing six lakh subscribers.

Broadband has opened up a new revenue stream for the two companies. It has also helped in stopping migration of fixed line subscribers of MTNL and BSNL.

Both companies expect the demand for broadband to accelerate in the next few months.

“I believe that there will be no computer without a broadband connection. We have a subscriber base of four crore landline telephones. Out of them, at least one crore will be the subscribers of broadband services,” said Dube

[linuxguy 0]

This is so stupid. I want to talk to MTNL CMD RSP Sinha. It doesnt matter if they charge us 0 rupees and only 10 paise per MB of download! It still will turn out to be COSTLY. I think the reason why MTNL cut its tarrifs are because they couldn't get a good subscriber base and now with TRAI pressurising them they need to grow and fast. Thats why they cut prices from 399 to 199!! What else could cause them to take such a drastic step!

Open up the local loop you f****** b****** retards!!!

edit: BTW with airtel coming to mumbai, there is a new local loop being made. They are laying their own copper! So with Airtel ADSL we will be assured of clear phone lines and fast serivces!

Edited November 7, 2005 by linuxguy

[abhay 0]

i have a GOOD news and a BAD news

FIRST GOOD NEWS :-

India to have 20 million broadband connections by 2010

India will have 100 million internet users and 20 million broadband connections by 2008-2010, Mr Brajesh kumar, Secretary, Department of Information Technology, said today.

Speaking at the International Conference and Workshop on Web Technologies organised by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing(C-DAC) and launch of W3C Indian office here, Mr Kumar said the 21st century is increasingly depending on IT and India is a country with good amount of IT literacy and known for its IT services.

Mr Steve Bratt, Chief Operating Officer, W3C said his company considered India as a major centre for opening an office of W3C.

This office will be the first one in the country and 15th worldwide.

Mr Tim Berners-Lee, W3C director and inventor of the World Wide Web, in an online message, said India is very exciting place for IT.

He also expressed happiness over the launch of W3C office in India.

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) was created by Tim Berners-Lee and others as an international body dedicated to building consensus around web technologies.

The conference is mainly targeted at Chief Technical Officers of the industry and R&D institutions to discuss the future direction in IT and Web technology.

The objective of the two-day conference is also to create awareness about the futuristic developments in web technologies among the Indian IT community, researchers and institutions to leapfrog to products and services based on International standards.

BAD BAD NEWS :-

Content key to broadband penetration: Maran

In an obvious reference to the recent observation by TRAI on the poor take-off of broadband services, IT and Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran today said government was targeting a three-pronged solution to the issue including computer penetration, connectivity and good content.

"There is a criticism that broadband penetration is low in the country... We are looking at a three-point solution affordability PCS, good connectivity and good content. Content is key to the proliferation of broadband which we lack," Maran said at the launch of the national portal of India -- India.Gov.In.

The problem is if people are going to use only internet, a dial-up connection should be enough. To use broadband, one needs to be convinced of good, quality or language of choice content. So instead of saying broadband has not taken off, the focus should be on encouraging content creation, he said.

"If we are to boost the broadband penetration in the country we need content in English as well as in all other regional languages. After all only five per cent people speak English," he said.

Maran's remarks come in the wake of Trai's demand for opening up of last mile access of BSNL and MTNL on the ground that broadband penetration is likely to miss the set target due to poor take-off. The current broadband connection stands at about seven lakh. The official target was 30 lakh by December 2005.

still these people dont realize y no strong broadband in india

[linuxguy 0]

I think I should send Maran a letter! I think the government will only be able to pressurize these stupid ISPs into giving truely unlimited connections!

[Arun 795]

3 steps to boost broadband in India

November 10, 2005 16:46 IST

- Rediff.com

In an obvious reference to the recent observation by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on the poor take-off of broadband services, IT and Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran on Thursday said the government was targeting a three-pronged solution to the issue including computer penetration, connectivity and good content.

"There is a criticism that broadband penetration is low in the country. We are looking at a three-point solution – affordable PCs, good connectivity and good content. Content is key to the proliferation of broadband which we lack," Maran said at the launch of the national portal of India - India.gov.in.

The problem is if people are going to use only Internet, a dial-up connection should be enough. One needs to be convinced of good quality content to use broadband.

So instead of saying broadband has not taken off, the focus should be on encouraging content creation, he said.

"If we are to boost the broadband penetration in the country we need content in English as well as in all other regional languages. After all only five per cent people speak English," he said.

Maran's remarks come in the wake of TRAI's demand for opening up of last mile access of BSNL and MTNL on the ground that broadband penetration is likely to miss the set target due to poor take-off.

The current broadband connection stands at about seven lakh. The official target was 30 lakh by December 2005.

The government had already facilitated efforts of the private players to bring down the PC prices. PCs with 1.6 Ghz speed are available at Rs 10,000. We are solving the issue of connectivity and after the PCs, our focus now is to bring down the prices of notebook computers, the minister said.

A broadband connection, which was as high as Rs 3,000-Rs 4000 last year for a 256 kbps connection, is much cheaper now. MTNL has broken the price barrier at Rs 199 for its broadband connection, while a BSNL connection at present is Rs 250 a month, Maran said.

"Our Internet prices globally are the lowest," he claimed. At the end of 2005, broadband connections have crossed 6.9 lakh including both private and PSU players. The official target is 30 lakh by the end of this year since it was announced in October last year.

[SexyGurl 0]

ok, on broadband:

I had my first REAL BROADBAND experience yesterday, at Reliance webworld.

It was Video Con with "my prospective husband and in-laws" who are in New York.

We did @786 kbps ... including a 1-to-1 with my prospective "husband"

It was exhiliarating .... nearly like taking to a person on TV, and he replying back

Now, that's what you say BROADBAND. 786 kbps.

(I guess, my dear to-be in-laws spent between Rs. 10K to 15K for it)

EDIT: A depressing part, though, is that it's looks difficult that the our marriage will take place. Hope, I find more people offering me VCs !

Edited November 12, 2005 by SexyGurl

[abhay 0]

BSNL, MTNL squeeze pvt cos, claim 56% ISP share

Private sector internet service providers (ISPs) are losing their market share to public sector telcos BSNL and MTNL, which now hold a majority of internet subscriptions in India.

From around 45% in September ’04, the market share of these two companies grew to 53% in June ’05, and to 56% in September ’05. Private sector ISPs, on the other hand, are being squeezed out of the market with their share dwindling from 55% last year to 44% in September ’05.

The number of operational ISPs, too, has been declining in recent months as more and more private ISPs are finding it a financially unviable proposition. From around 190 in March last year, there were not more than 168 ISPs operating in June ’05.

A silver lining, however, is that the government is planning to allow private operators to access the crucial last mile infrastructure of the two PSUs in its new telecom policy.

Moreover, with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) recommending telephone operators to compulsorily provide direct access to any service provider demanded by the customer for internet and broadband services, things could improve greatly.

“However, a proper mechanism for implementing this needs to be evolved,” says Deepak Maheshwari, secretary, Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI).

According to Mr Maheshwari, broadly there are three problems ailing the private ISPs in India. The first is the vertical price squeeze, resulting from the fact that the incumbent operator, BSNL, holds a vital resource, the leased line that private operators need to purchase from it.

A vertical price squeeze happens when BSNL’s retail customers are offered the leased line at a lesser price than the rate at which they are sold to the private ISPs. Termed as an ‘anti-competitive conduct’ by Trai, they tend to squeeze out the margins of the private operators.

The next major problem relates to the unbundling of the local loop. At present, BSNL and MTNL do not share their last mile infrastructure with private operators. This has hit the rollout plans of private ISPs.

If the DoT does allow private players to access the last mile infrastructure, this problem would be solved. Considering the importance of local loop unbundling, Trai, too, has raised the issue with the government to make the unbundling of local loop mandatory.

Finally, the two PSUs have the advantage of offering internet services on their existing caller line identification (CLI) systems. Since they are traditional providers of telecom services, the two PSUs are able to provide internet facilities on the existing phone connections.

According to Mr Maheshwari, if the PSUs and the stand alone private operators enter into an agreement under which the CLI systems could be shared by private ISPs, it would greatly benefit the subscribers as they would have a number of options to choose from.

At present, however, the internet services market is getting even more concentrated in the hands of PSUs. Already around 86% of the market is held by the top five operators out of nearly 168 ISPs operate in India. A high market concentration and a lack of growth among private ISPs are partly the reasons for a low internet penetration rate of less than 5% in India.

According to ISPAI, a faster expansion of the access devise along with an increase in local content in local languages are immediately needed for the growth of internet.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articl...730,curpg-1.cms

true bur*

*this is only the 256 k capped broadband sector

the real and more wanted sector uncapped sector is still with private co's

Edited November 24, 2005 by abhay