Category: eNews

  • Digital India: Optical fibre connecting islands to cost Rs 1100 crore

    Digital India: Optical fibre connecting islands to cost Rs 1100 crore

    NEW DELHI: A direct link is to be built through a dedicated submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) to strengthen communication between Mainland (Chennai) and Port Blair and five other islands – Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Havelock, Kamorta and Great Nicobar.

    The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the estimated cost of the project is Rs 1102.38 crore including operational expenses for five years. The project is likely to be completed by December 2018.

    The approval would equip Andaman & Nicobar Islands (ANI) with appropriate bandwidth and telecom connectivity for implementation of e-Governance initiatives; establishment of enterprises & e-commerce facilities. It will also enable the provision of adequate support to educational institutes for knowledge sharing, availability of job opportunities and fulfil the vision of Digital India.

    The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are of immense strategic significance for India. The geographical configuration and the location of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands chain in the Bay of Bengal safeguard India’s eastern seaboard. Provision of secure, reliable, robust, and affordable telecom facilities in these islands is of importance from a strategic point of view to the country and also an important requirement for the socio-economic development of the islands.

    Currently the only medium of providing telecom connectivity between Mainland and Andaman & Nicobar Islands is though satellites, but the bandwidth available is limited to 1 Gbps.

    Satellite bandwidth is very costly and its availability is limited due to which future bandwidth requirement cannot be met solely through it. Then, there is an issue of redundancy, that is, no alternate media is available in case of any emergency. Lack of bandwidth and telecom connectivity is also hampering socio-economic development of the islands. Hence it is essential to have submarine OFC connectivity between the Mainland India and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, being the only option for catering to projected future bandwidth requirements.

  • Digital India: Optical fibre connecting islands to cost Rs 1100 crore

    Digital India: Optical fibre connecting islands to cost Rs 1100 crore

    NEW DELHI: A direct link is to be built through a dedicated submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) to strengthen communication between Mainland (Chennai) and Port Blair and five other islands – Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Havelock, Kamorta and Great Nicobar.

    The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the estimated cost of the project is Rs 1102.38 crore including operational expenses for five years. The project is likely to be completed by December 2018.

    The approval would equip Andaman & Nicobar Islands (ANI) with appropriate bandwidth and telecom connectivity for implementation of e-Governance initiatives; establishment of enterprises & e-commerce facilities. It will also enable the provision of adequate support to educational institutes for knowledge sharing, availability of job opportunities and fulfil the vision of Digital India.

    The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are of immense strategic significance for India. The geographical configuration and the location of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands chain in the Bay of Bengal safeguard India’s eastern seaboard. Provision of secure, reliable, robust, and affordable telecom facilities in these islands is of importance from a strategic point of view to the country and also an important requirement for the socio-economic development of the islands.

    Currently the only medium of providing telecom connectivity between Mainland and Andaman & Nicobar Islands is though satellites, but the bandwidth available is limited to 1 Gbps.

    Satellite bandwidth is very costly and its availability is limited due to which future bandwidth requirement cannot be met solely through it. Then, there is an issue of redundancy, that is, no alternate media is available in case of any emergency. Lack of bandwidth and telecom connectivity is also hampering socio-economic development of the islands. Hence it is essential to have submarine OFC connectivity between the Mainland India and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, being the only option for catering to projected future bandwidth requirements.

  • China, India world’s largest Internet markets

    China, India world’s largest Internet markets

    NEW DELHI: India has overtaken the United States to become the world’s second largest Internet market, with 333 million users, trailing China’s 721 million.

    A new report released by the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development also confirms that just six nations – including China and India – together account for 55% of the total global population still offline.

    While Internet access is approaching saturation in richer nations, connectivity is still not advancing fast enough to help bridge development gaps in areas like education and health care for those in poorer parts of the world, according to the 2016 edition of The State of Broadband report.

    Globally, an estimated 3.9 billion people are not using the Internet. But, the report estimates that, between them, China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria account for 55% of all unconnected people, while 20 countries – including the US – account for a full 75% of those not using the Internet.

    These findings suggest that targeted efforts in just a few key markets could help enormously in redressing the gaping ‘digital divide’ between those who are online and those still offline.

    India also recently overtook the US to become the world’s second-largest smartphone market, with an estimated 260 million mobile broadband subscriptions.165 countries have deployed ‘4G’ high-speed mobile networks. As smartphone penetration reaches near-saturation in the US, Europe and mature markets in Asia like Japan and Korea, India and Indonesia in particular are expected to drive future growth.

    According to latest ITU figures, by end 2016 3.5 billion people will be using the Internet, up from 3.2 billion last year and equating to 47% of the global population. The top ten developing countries for household Internet penetration are all located in Asia or the Middle East.

  • China, India world’s largest Internet markets

    China, India world’s largest Internet markets

    NEW DELHI: India has overtaken the United States to become the world’s second largest Internet market, with 333 million users, trailing China’s 721 million.

    A new report released by the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development also confirms that just six nations – including China and India – together account for 55% of the total global population still offline.

    While Internet access is approaching saturation in richer nations, connectivity is still not advancing fast enough to help bridge development gaps in areas like education and health care for those in poorer parts of the world, according to the 2016 edition of The State of Broadband report.

    Globally, an estimated 3.9 billion people are not using the Internet. But, the report estimates that, between them, China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria account for 55% of all unconnected people, while 20 countries – including the US – account for a full 75% of those not using the Internet.

    These findings suggest that targeted efforts in just a few key markets could help enormously in redressing the gaping ‘digital divide’ between those who are online and those still offline.

    India also recently overtook the US to become the world’s second-largest smartphone market, with an estimated 260 million mobile broadband subscriptions.165 countries have deployed ‘4G’ high-speed mobile networks. As smartphone penetration reaches near-saturation in the US, Europe and mature markets in Asia like Japan and Korea, India and Indonesia in particular are expected to drive future growth.

    According to latest ITU figures, by end 2016 3.5 billion people will be using the Internet, up from 3.2 billion last year and equating to 47% of the global population. The top ten developing countries for household Internet penetration are all located in Asia or the Middle East.

  • Lycos, Breaking Data team up for sports app

    Lycos, Breaking Data team up for sports app

    NEW DELHI: Lycos and Breaking Data Corporation signed a key partnership agreement to power Lycos Sports, a mobile app that will be available in the US in October followed by other countries, including India.

    As part of the partnership, Lycos will introduce its sports application on all smart phones and tablets and users can track their fav teams and players along with stats and news.

    “Lycos Sports app will have selections that include professional sports, specific teams, key players, game reporting and related news. We are eager to provide personalization and social commentary reflecting each user’s needs,” an official statement from the company issued from Hyderabad quoted Lycos Media GM Edward Noel as saying.

    Breaking Data CEO Marvin Ingleman commented: “Breaking Data delivers all media formats in real-time, without overwhelming users. Breaking Data looks forward to providing exactly what’s needed for Lycos’ users without them having to work hard to find what they want or enjoy— namely sports on-the-go.”

    Breaking Data Corporation is a technology provider of semantic search, machine learning and natural language processing. The company’s technology platform has many practical applications, in multiple business and consumer verticals that are immersed in massive media and data rich settings.

    Lycos is one of the original and most widely known Internet brands in the world, evolving from pioneering search on the web, into a family of three business units covering digital media, marketing, and Internet of Things (IoT). The company is a network of easy-to-use community and social sites in 120 languages across 177 countries. Its clients include blue chip advertisers like Airtel, British Airways, Coca-Cola, Hyundai Motors, ICICI Bank, ITC, ING, Lenovo, LIC, Maruti Suzuki, MTV, P&G, Viacom, Sony, Star India and Vodafone.

  • Lycos, Breaking Data team up for sports app

    Lycos, Breaking Data team up for sports app

    NEW DELHI: Lycos and Breaking Data Corporation signed a key partnership agreement to power Lycos Sports, a mobile app that will be available in the US in October followed by other countries, including India.

    As part of the partnership, Lycos will introduce its sports application on all smart phones and tablets and users can track their fav teams and players along with stats and news.

    “Lycos Sports app will have selections that include professional sports, specific teams, key players, game reporting and related news. We are eager to provide personalization and social commentary reflecting each user’s needs,” an official statement from the company issued from Hyderabad quoted Lycos Media GM Edward Noel as saying.

    Breaking Data CEO Marvin Ingleman commented: “Breaking Data delivers all media formats in real-time, without overwhelming users. Breaking Data looks forward to providing exactly what’s needed for Lycos’ users without them having to work hard to find what they want or enjoy— namely sports on-the-go.”

    Breaking Data Corporation is a technology provider of semantic search, machine learning and natural language processing. The company’s technology platform has many practical applications, in multiple business and consumer verticals that are immersed in massive media and data rich settings.

    Lycos is one of the original and most widely known Internet brands in the world, evolving from pioneering search on the web, into a family of three business units covering digital media, marketing, and Internet of Things (IoT). The company is a network of easy-to-use community and social sites in 120 languages across 177 countries. Its clients include blue chip advertisers like Airtel, British Airways, Coca-Cola, Hyundai Motors, ICICI Bank, ITC, ING, Lenovo, LIC, Maruti Suzuki, MTV, P&G, Viacom, Sony, Star India and Vodafone.

  • Internet included in broadcasting for purpose of Copyright

    Internet included in broadcasting for purpose of Copyright

    NEW DELHI: “All kinds of broadcasting including internet broadcasting” will also form part of broadcasting organizations desirous of communicating to the public for purposes of copyright, according to the Government.

    Amplifying the definition of broadcasting in section 31D of the Copyright Act 1957, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Deputy Secretary Surabhi Sharma has said in a directive to the Registrar of Copyrights that broadcasting should not be restrictively read as meaning just radio and television.

    The Section refers to any performance or work available for being seen or heard or otherwise enjoyed by the public “other than by making physical copies of it.”

    This is one of the several measures taken by the DIPP since administration of the Copyright Act and Intellectual Property Rights were shifted to it in March this year. Until then, it had been part of the Human Resource Development Ministry and the film, music and television industries have always grudged this as they feel it should be with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

    A single window interface was unveiled by the Government for information on IPR and guidance on leveraging it for competitive advantage. The Indian IP Panorama portal seeks to increase awareness and build sensitivity towards IP, among stakeholders in the SME sector, academia and researchers. The Indian IP Panorama can be accessed at http://ict-ipr.in/index.php/ip-panorama

    It is a customized version of IP Panorama Multimedia toolkit developed by World Intellectual Property Organization, Korean Intellectual Property Office and Korea Invention Promotion Association.

    The toolkit has been adapted to cater to SMEs and start-ups, especially in the ICTE sector of India based on an agreement signed between WIPO and Department of Electronic and Information Technology. The Indian IP Panorama is thus a customized version of WIPO’s original product and is in accordance with Indian IP laws, standards, challenges and needs of the Indian ICTE sector.

    The Indian IP Panorama has been developed under the aegis of Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Government of India by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), in close coordination with the Indian IP office.

    India is a member of WIPO and party to several treaties administered by WIPO. Recognizing that the strategic use of intellectual property could contribute significantly to the national development objectives of India, DIPP entered into an MoU with WIPO on 13 November 2009.

    The Indian IP office has been recognised as an International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (as in force from 15 October 2013).

    India acceded to Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks at WIPO on July 8, 2013. The Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks (Madrid system) offers trademark owners a cost effective, user friendly and streamlined means of protecting and managing their trademark portfolio internationally.

  • Internet included in broadcasting for purpose of Copyright

    Internet included in broadcasting for purpose of Copyright

    NEW DELHI: “All kinds of broadcasting including internet broadcasting” will also form part of broadcasting organizations desirous of communicating to the public for purposes of copyright, according to the Government.

    Amplifying the definition of broadcasting in section 31D of the Copyright Act 1957, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Deputy Secretary Surabhi Sharma has said in a directive to the Registrar of Copyrights that broadcasting should not be restrictively read as meaning just radio and television.

    The Section refers to any performance or work available for being seen or heard or otherwise enjoyed by the public “other than by making physical copies of it.”

    This is one of the several measures taken by the DIPP since administration of the Copyright Act and Intellectual Property Rights were shifted to it in March this year. Until then, it had been part of the Human Resource Development Ministry and the film, music and television industries have always grudged this as they feel it should be with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

    A single window interface was unveiled by the Government for information on IPR and guidance on leveraging it for competitive advantage. The Indian IP Panorama portal seeks to increase awareness and build sensitivity towards IP, among stakeholders in the SME sector, academia and researchers. The Indian IP Panorama can be accessed at http://ict-ipr.in/index.php/ip-panorama

    It is a customized version of IP Panorama Multimedia toolkit developed by World Intellectual Property Organization, Korean Intellectual Property Office and Korea Invention Promotion Association.

    The toolkit has been adapted to cater to SMEs and start-ups, especially in the ICTE sector of India based on an agreement signed between WIPO and Department of Electronic and Information Technology. The Indian IP Panorama is thus a customized version of WIPO’s original product and is in accordance with Indian IP laws, standards, challenges and needs of the Indian ICTE sector.

    The Indian IP Panorama has been developed under the aegis of Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Government of India by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), in close coordination with the Indian IP office.

    India is a member of WIPO and party to several treaties administered by WIPO. Recognizing that the strategic use of intellectual property could contribute significantly to the national development objectives of India, DIPP entered into an MoU with WIPO on 13 November 2009.

    The Indian IP office has been recognised as an International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (as in force from 15 October 2013).

    India acceded to Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks at WIPO on July 8, 2013. The Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks (Madrid system) offers trademark owners a cost effective, user friendly and streamlined means of protecting and managing their trademark portfolio internationally.

  • Total 1,315 solar empanelled Wi-Fi towers built in Red Corridor

    Total 1,315 solar empanelled Wi-Fi towers built in Red Corridor

    NEW DELHI: Following a call by the government to increase the reach of communications in the Red Corridor, around 1,315 solar empanelled towers have been set up in the Left Wing Exteremists region in record time

    The work was undertaken by Vihaan Networks Limited (VNL), a pioneer in designing, developing and manufacturing of Telecommunications network solutions.

    The Home Ministry along with Department of Telecom (DoT) had decided to build a mobile phone network in the most-affected regions across ten Indian States, recognizing that combating insurgency in India’s Red Corridor must include the provision of a robust communication network as an important element of its strategy. These include some of the most hostile terrain in the country, with practically no roads, power or security.

    Around 2199 solar-powered mobile communication towers have been set up in a record time of less than a year, altering the geographical and social landscape of the area.

    On 20 August 2014, the Union Cabinet approved the extension of mobile telephonic services to 2,199 locations affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. There are 106 districts across 10 states which have been identified by the government as LWE-affected districts.

    The project was executed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). BSNL has successfully installed towers at these locations giving network coverage to many villages as well as security forces camps and important locations with the help of domestic vendors Vihaan Networks Ltd and HFCL.

    India’s cell phone revolution has helped shape the economic development and improved governance for its citizens, leading to game-changing reforms such as better targeting of subsidies.

    Vihaan Network Chairman Rajiv Mehrotra said “It is a proud moment for us as we been able to connect millions of rural consumers, through our efficient infrastructure and expertise in Solar enabled telecom equipments. When we talk of integrated socio-economic development, it takes into account many areas that can benefit from faster access and enhanced productivities by using voice & data connectivity be it security, surveillance, connectivity and information access. In areas which are bereft of basic infrastructure, mobile connectivity underlines the solution to many.”

    VNL has accomplished connectivity in 10 states, 90 districts, 12,700 villages, 39, 00,000 mobile connections, 110 million crore connected citizens connected and enabled security forces.

    The project is funded by the Dot arm USOF, the total project cost was Rs 3567.58 crores this includes CAPEX as well as O&M for a period of 5 years.

  • Total 1,315 solar empanelled Wi-Fi towers built in Red Corridor

    Total 1,315 solar empanelled Wi-Fi towers built in Red Corridor

    NEW DELHI: Following a call by the government to increase the reach of communications in the Red Corridor, around 1,315 solar empanelled towers have been set up in the Left Wing Exteremists region in record time

    The work was undertaken by Vihaan Networks Limited (VNL), a pioneer in designing, developing and manufacturing of Telecommunications network solutions.

    The Home Ministry along with Department of Telecom (DoT) had decided to build a mobile phone network in the most-affected regions across ten Indian States, recognizing that combating insurgency in India’s Red Corridor must include the provision of a robust communication network as an important element of its strategy. These include some of the most hostile terrain in the country, with practically no roads, power or security.

    Around 2199 solar-powered mobile communication towers have been set up in a record time of less than a year, altering the geographical and social landscape of the area.

    On 20 August 2014, the Union Cabinet approved the extension of mobile telephonic services to 2,199 locations affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. There are 106 districts across 10 states which have been identified by the government as LWE-affected districts.

    The project was executed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). BSNL has successfully installed towers at these locations giving network coverage to many villages as well as security forces camps and important locations with the help of domestic vendors Vihaan Networks Ltd and HFCL.

    India’s cell phone revolution has helped shape the economic development and improved governance for its citizens, leading to game-changing reforms such as better targeting of subsidies.

    Vihaan Network Chairman Rajiv Mehrotra said “It is a proud moment for us as we been able to connect millions of rural consumers, through our efficient infrastructure and expertise in Solar enabled telecom equipments. When we talk of integrated socio-economic development, it takes into account many areas that can benefit from faster access and enhanced productivities by using voice & data connectivity be it security, surveillance, connectivity and information access. In areas which are bereft of basic infrastructure, mobile connectivity underlines the solution to many.”

    VNL has accomplished connectivity in 10 states, 90 districts, 12,700 villages, 39, 00,000 mobile connections, 110 million crore connected citizens connected and enabled security forces.

    The project is funded by the Dot arm USOF, the total project cost was Rs 3567.58 crores this includes CAPEX as well as O&M for a period of 5 years.