ITV

Category: Telecom

  • Fazed by expensive 4G spectrum, BSNL gifting Kerala 1k hotspots

    Fazed by expensive 4G spectrum, BSNL gifting Kerala 1k hotspots

    NEW DELHI: Public sector telco BSNL will launch 1,000 high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots across the state of Kerala to address the challenges posed by its absence in the 4G data services, a top BSNL official has said.

    BSNL’s Kerala circle CGM R Mani told reporters that the proposed hotspots would provide 4.5G speed and would be commissioned within a months’ time. Huge cost to buy the 4G spectrum was the hindrance for the state-run service provider to plunge into 4G services, but it is expected to happen by this March, Mani was quoted by a PTI report, carried by Firstpost, as saying, who added that wherever BSNL’s 3G tower experienced a lot of traffic, Wi-Fi hotspots are being put up.

    With the commissioning of the hotspots, when a customer is using his mobile phone, his network service would be directly taken over to the Wi-Fi hotspot. “Then, he will not be on 3G… but will be on 4.5G,” the BSNL official is reported to have said. The project is being implemented in collaboration with equipment from Larsen & Toubro.

    The official explained that the high cost of 4G spectrum was an impediment for the State-run telco, though the initiative was “under evaluation” at the headquarters in Delhi.

    The rollout of 1,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Kerala is part of an effort to provide Wi-Fi hotspots all across the country. In 2015, it was announced that BSNL would be investing Rs. 7, 0000 million to set up Wi-Fi hotspots across the country over the course of two to three years. BSNL has partnered with QuadGen Wireless to set up Wi-Fi hotspots in south and west zones, under a revenue sharing model.

    According to the report, BSNL plans to set up 40,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the country by 2018 and the company already offers Wi-Fi services in tourist destinations such as the Taj Mahal, Khajuraho and Varanasi. The first 30 minutes of Wi-Fi connectivity is free, after which users will have to pay between Rs 20 to Rs 70 for access between 30 minutes to 24 hours. The free access is provided three times a month per user.

    Facebook has sponsored 100 hotspots across the country in partnership with BSNL and the social media company (hauled up by the government last year for offering, what the telecom regulator said, services that breached principles of Net Neutrality via Internet.org) is paying BSNL Rs 500,000 per hotspot annually. There is no revenue sharing agreement with Facebook.

  • Idea petitions TDSAT against TRAI; price war set to escalate

    Idea petitions TDSAT against TRAI; price war set to escalate

    MUMBAI: Idea Cellular has petitioned TDSAT seeking to stop Reliance Jio from continuing free services till 31 March. In December 2016, India’s largest telco Bharti Airtel had moved the tribunal over the same issue.

    TDSAT had, in its last hearing, directed TRAI to come to a conclusion in “reasonable time”.

    Jio’s free services have set off a price war. After Reliance proposing investment of Rs 30,000 crore by end of this fiscal, the war is set to escalate. The recent cut-down — by approximately 66 per cent — in data rates impacted Idea’s stock prices. Airtel’s stock too was in the list of the losers on Nifty.

    India’s third largest wireless operator Idea Cellular, run by the multi-billion dollar conglomerate Aditya Birla Group, has now filed a petition in the appellate telecom tribunal (TDSAT) against the telecom regulator TRAI. According to an unidentified TRAI official, the authority has sought opinion of attorney-general Mukul Rohatgi on the matter related to Jio’s extension of free services.

    TRAI chairman R.S. Sharma said that everybody in India was free to move court. The Constitution provided them the right. TRA was looking into the matter of Jio’s promotional services and the presentations / arguments made by other operators, and would decide the issue very soon.

    Airtel had said that TRAI was allowing Jio to continue with its free internet services beyond the stipulated 90-days time period. It had accused TRAI of acting as a “mute spectator” and killing competition in the sector by allowing Jio to offer free services. Rival telcos had said the free services were predatory in nature.

    Also Read:

    Jio may use US$4.4bn to lay OFC, expand network to stifle competition

    Rs 30k cr to enhance Jio coverage; A-G clears DoT’s power to penalise telcos

    Q3-17: Reliance: Jio busts records, organized retail op profit grows 55 percent

    BSNL launches FMT & Ditto TV; 4G planned this year

     

  • Idea petitions TDSAT against TRAI; price war set to escalate

    Idea petitions TDSAT against TRAI; price war set to escalate

    MUMBAI: Idea Cellular has petitioned TDSAT seeking to stop Reliance Jio from continuing free services till 31 March. In December 2016, India’s largest telco Bharti Airtel had moved the tribunal over the same issue.

    TDSAT had, in its last hearing, directed TRAI to come to a conclusion in “reasonable time”.

    Jio’s free services have set off a price war. After Reliance proposing investment of Rs 30,000 crore by end of this fiscal, the war is set to escalate. The recent cut-down — by approximately 66 per cent — in data rates impacted Idea’s stock prices. Airtel’s stock too was in the list of the losers on Nifty.

    India’s third largest wireless operator Idea Cellular, run by the multi-billion dollar conglomerate Aditya Birla Group, has now filed a petition in the appellate telecom tribunal (TDSAT) against the telecom regulator TRAI. According to an unidentified TRAI official, the authority has sought opinion of attorney-general Mukul Rohatgi on the matter related to Jio’s extension of free services.

    TRAI chairman R.S. Sharma said that everybody in India was free to move court. The Constitution provided them the right. TRA was looking into the matter of Jio’s promotional services and the presentations / arguments made by other operators, and would decide the issue very soon.

    Airtel had said that TRAI was allowing Jio to continue with its free internet services beyond the stipulated 90-days time period. It had accused TRAI of acting as a “mute spectator” and killing competition in the sector by allowing Jio to offer free services. Rival telcos had said the free services were predatory in nature.

    Also Read:

    Jio may use US$4.4bn to lay OFC, expand network to stifle competition

    Rs 30k cr to enhance Jio coverage; A-G clears DoT’s power to penalise telcos

    Q3-17: Reliance: Jio busts records, organized retail op profit grows 55 percent

    BSNL launches FMT & Ditto TV; 4G planned this year

     

  • BSNL launches FMT & Ditto TV; 4G planned this year

    BSNL launches FMT & Ditto TV; 4G planned this year

    MUMBAI: State-run BSNL is now making diligent changes to their services. The service provider has gone beyond its limits and adapting to the dynamic changes in the Indian telecom scene.

    BSNL also announced mobile TV service ‘Ditto TV’ and limited fixed mobile telephony, an app that virtually turns mobiles into cordless phone working in sync with landlines within home. Ditto TV is a mobile TV service wherein subscribers can view live TV for over 80 channels.

    The reports of cheaper plans came in after BSNL CMD Anupam Shrivastava hinted the same in a tweet. He also revealed that BSNL plans to launch their 4G services, most likely this year.

    BSNL is prepared to re-introduce a ‘truly unlimited’ 3G data plan priced at Rs 498, along with many other new plans. These cheaper plans may be launched on 26 January — the Republic Day. The earlier plan offered users unlimited 3G data for 14 days. However, the plan was discontinued as BSNL noticed users violating the free data usage policy.

    Besides, BSNL still offers a plan offering unlimited data and free BSNL to BSNL calls at Rs 1099 per month. The BSNL announcement comes soon after Jio offered ‘Happy New Year Offer‘.

    A BSNL statement said that the “smartphone needs to download the app and with connectivity with BSNL broadband modem (say on Wi-Fi), customer can receive and also be able to make outgoing calls…on smartphone handsets. This service is in no way linked with mobile operator service or customer SIM in mobile handset,” the statement clarified.

    On the mobile TV offering, BSNL mobile users need to download Ditto TV app from the play store, install it on mobile, register and then start using the service, at Rs 20 per month and is also bundled with Data Special Tariff Voucher for recharge of Rs 223.

  • BSNL launches FMT & Ditto TV; 4G planned this year

    BSNL launches FMT & Ditto TV; 4G planned this year

    MUMBAI: State-run BSNL is now making diligent changes to their services. The service provider has gone beyond its limits and adapting to the dynamic changes in the Indian telecom scene.

    BSNL also announced mobile TV service ‘Ditto TV’ and limited fixed mobile telephony, an app that virtually turns mobiles into cordless phone working in sync with landlines within home. Ditto TV is a mobile TV service wherein subscribers can view live TV for over 80 channels.

    The reports of cheaper plans came in after BSNL CMD Anupam Shrivastava hinted the same in a tweet. He also revealed that BSNL plans to launch their 4G services, most likely this year.

    BSNL is prepared to re-introduce a ‘truly unlimited’ 3G data plan priced at Rs 498, along with many other new plans. These cheaper plans may be launched on 26 January — the Republic Day. The earlier plan offered users unlimited 3G data for 14 days. However, the plan was discontinued as BSNL noticed users violating the free data usage policy.

    Besides, BSNL still offers a plan offering unlimited data and free BSNL to BSNL calls at Rs 1099 per month. The BSNL announcement comes soon after Jio offered ‘Happy New Year Offer‘.

    A BSNL statement said that the “smartphone needs to download the app and with connectivity with BSNL broadband modem (say on Wi-Fi), customer can receive and also be able to make outgoing calls…on smartphone handsets. This service is in no way linked with mobile operator service or customer SIM in mobile handset,” the statement clarified.

    On the mobile TV offering, BSNL mobile users need to download Ditto TV app from the play store, install it on mobile, register and then start using the service, at Rs 20 per month and is also bundled with Data Special Tariff Voucher for recharge of Rs 223.

  • Jio may use US$4.4bn to lay OFC, expand network to stifle competition

    Jio may use US$4.4bn to lay OFC, expand network to stifle competition

    MUMBAI: It’s common knowledge that Reliance Jio, Mukesh Ambani’s telecom venture, is up against incumbent rivals such as Vodafone, Bharti Airtel, and Idea Cellular. Jio closed 2016 with 72.4 million subscribers. Last September, it claimed to be the fastest growing technology operation in the globe after signing up 50 million subs in 83 days.

    Ambani has already invested Rs 1,71,000 crore (approx US$25 billion) into Jio to build India’s first fourth-generation (4G)-only infrastructure to provide high-speed internet. He recently announced that Jio will raise another Rs 30,000 crore through a rights issue, which will be used to expand existing network and lay additional optical fibre cable (OFC). OFC is vital for high-speed internet as it joins one telecom tower, transmitting air waves for wireless connectivity, to the other, via cables.

    Reliance announced plans for a rights issue of convertible preference shares at Jio to raise US$ 4.4 billion. A part of the funds will be used to continue funding its free internet services, which has been a reason for regulatory tussle with other telecom operators.

    Vodafone is fighting a legal case against Jio. Bharti CMD Sunil Mittal said that Jio’s free services started an unfair competition.

    Jio has already acquired 72 million subscribers, and is adding six lakh new ones every day, the company says. Jio’s offers set off a price war. Airtel now is offering Rs 9,000 of free 4G data to new subs and has also cut down its data prices by two-thirds. Idea also is offering several schemes to data users.

    Jio is getting more subscribers with an introductory and then New Year offer of free services until March. The company also claims the most extensive Indian 4G network which will reach soon 90 per cent population.

  • Jio may use US$4.4bn to lay OFC, expand network to stifle competition

    Jio may use US$4.4bn to lay OFC, expand network to stifle competition

    MUMBAI: It’s common knowledge that Reliance Jio, Mukesh Ambani’s telecom venture, is up against incumbent rivals such as Vodafone, Bharti Airtel, and Idea Cellular. Jio closed 2016 with 72.4 million subscribers. Last September, it claimed to be the fastest growing technology operation in the globe after signing up 50 million subs in 83 days.

    Ambani has already invested Rs 1,71,000 crore (approx US$25 billion) into Jio to build India’s first fourth-generation (4G)-only infrastructure to provide high-speed internet. He recently announced that Jio will raise another Rs 30,000 crore through a rights issue, which will be used to expand existing network and lay additional optical fibre cable (OFC). OFC is vital for high-speed internet as it joins one telecom tower, transmitting air waves for wireless connectivity, to the other, via cables.

    Reliance announced plans for a rights issue of convertible preference shares at Jio to raise US$ 4.4 billion. A part of the funds will be used to continue funding its free internet services, which has been a reason for regulatory tussle with other telecom operators.

    Vodafone is fighting a legal case against Jio. Bharti CMD Sunil Mittal said that Jio’s free services started an unfair competition.

    Jio has already acquired 72 million subscribers, and is adding six lakh new ones every day, the company says. Jio’s offers set off a price war. Airtel now is offering Rs 9,000 of free 4G data to new subs and has also cut down its data prices by two-thirds. Idea also is offering several schemes to data users.

    Jio is getting more subscribers with an introductory and then New Year offer of free services until March. The company also claims the most extensive Indian 4G network which will reach soon 90 per cent population.

  • NDMC-MTNL tie up to provide free Wi-fi & FTTH

    NDMC-MTNL tie up to provide free Wi-fi & FTTH

    NEW DELHI: A fresh attempt is being made by the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to provide free Wi-Fi services in Connaught Place and Khan Market with a tie-up with the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd, after the first attempt lost credibility with complaints of slow or no connectivity.

    The New Delhi Municipal Council Smart City Limited, a public limited company wholly owned by NDMC, has signed a joint venture with Millennium Telecom Limited (MTL) — a subsidiary of MTNL — to develop telecom access networks in NDMC areas to provide FTTH (Fibre to the Home) to the residents.

    Earlier, the NDMC had entered into an agreement in this regard with Tata Teleservices in 2014 to provide the service in inner and outer circles of Connaught Place, one of the significant business and leisure centres in the city.

    Similarly, NDMC had partnered with Tata Docomo to provide the facility in Khan Market. At present, the service can be availed by 5,000 people with an average speed of 512 Kbps. The first 20 minutes within a 24-hour period are entirely free after which scratch cards can be purchased in various denominations in the market.

    But senior officials admit that the service has not functioned smoothly, though it is claimed that it worked well initially..

    The project has also been listed on the civic body’s “Smart City” agenda in the budget for 2016-17 presented last week. It plans to begin the new services in Connaught Place and then proceed to further areas.

    NDMC had in 2015 announced that all the areas under its jurisdiction will soon be a Wi-Fi zone and had joined hands with Indus Towers Limited to replace 18,500 street-light poles in its areas with ‘NextGen digital poles’ which will be fitted with Wi-Fi access points, LED bulbs and CCTV cameras which, it claimed, is first-of-its kind initiative in the world.

    However, the project had a setback when Reliance Jio approached the Delhi High Court challenging the tender process and the NDMC has therefore floated fresh tenders.

    Also Read:  Jio Fibre rolls out in Mumbai; Airtel FTTH, ACT to match pace

    Also Read:  TRAI ideas on public WiFi in three weeks; Mumbai gets 500 hotspots

  • NDMC-MTNL tie up to provide free Wi-fi & FTTH

    NDMC-MTNL tie up to provide free Wi-fi & FTTH

    NEW DELHI: A fresh attempt is being made by the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to provide free Wi-Fi services in Connaught Place and Khan Market with a tie-up with the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd, after the first attempt lost credibility with complaints of slow or no connectivity.

    The New Delhi Municipal Council Smart City Limited, a public limited company wholly owned by NDMC, has signed a joint venture with Millennium Telecom Limited (MTL) — a subsidiary of MTNL — to develop telecom access networks in NDMC areas to provide FTTH (Fibre to the Home) to the residents.

    Earlier, the NDMC had entered into an agreement in this regard with Tata Teleservices in 2014 to provide the service in inner and outer circles of Connaught Place, one of the significant business and leisure centres in the city.

    Similarly, NDMC had partnered with Tata Docomo to provide the facility in Khan Market. At present, the service can be availed by 5,000 people with an average speed of 512 Kbps. The first 20 minutes within a 24-hour period are entirely free after which scratch cards can be purchased in various denominations in the market.

    But senior officials admit that the service has not functioned smoothly, though it is claimed that it worked well initially..

    The project has also been listed on the civic body’s “Smart City” agenda in the budget for 2016-17 presented last week. It plans to begin the new services in Connaught Place and then proceed to further areas.

    NDMC had in 2015 announced that all the areas under its jurisdiction will soon be a Wi-Fi zone and had joined hands with Indus Towers Limited to replace 18,500 street-light poles in its areas with ‘NextGen digital poles’ which will be fitted with Wi-Fi access points, LED bulbs and CCTV cameras which, it claimed, is first-of-its kind initiative in the world.

    However, the project had a setback when Reliance Jio approached the Delhi High Court challenging the tender process and the NDMC has therefore floated fresh tenders.

    Also Read:  Jio Fibre rolls out in Mumbai; Airtel FTTH, ACT to match pace

    Also Read:  TRAI ideas on public WiFi in three weeks; Mumbai gets 500 hotspots

  • Q3-17: Reliance: Jio busts records, organized retail op profit grows 55 percent

    Q3-17: Reliance: Jio busts records, organized retail op profit grows 55 percent

    BENGALURU: The Mukesh D Ambani led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) organized retail segment – Reliance Retail,  continued its growth momentum and profitability in the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter), while its digital services offering Jio has broken all records in terms of subscriber acquisition.

    The RIL earnings release for Q3-17 says that Jio has created a world record by crossing 5 crore (50 million) subscribers in 83 days of operations. The company says that this subscriber addition rate is the fastest achieved by any company in the world including the likes of Facebook, WhatsApp and Skype. It says further that Jio continues its rapid ramp up of subscriber base and as of 31 December 2016, in less than 4 months from commencement of services, there were 7.24 crore or 72.4 million subscribers on the network.

    Ambani, said, “I am also delighted by our country’s eagerness to adopt to a digital life as witnessed by the record breaking launch of Jio. Its comprehensive ecosystem has enabled millions of Indians to lead a richer life through its offerings.”

    Organised Retail

    RIL’s Organised Retail segment revenue in the current quarter increased 47.2 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) to Rs 8,688 crore as compared to Rs 5,901 crore and increased 7.5 percent quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) from Rs 8,079 crore. 

    The segment’s EBIT increased 55 percent y-o-y to Rs 231 crore from Rs 149 crore and increased 42.6 percent q-o-q from Rs 162 crore.

    The company says that overall impact from demonetization has been positive for core retail business with favourable long-term implications for modern trade. It says further that according to Nielsen, Reliance Fresh and Smart stores grew faster than the modern trade during the demonetization period and its share of trade went up from 26.2 percent pre demonetization to 27.8 percent post demonetization

    RIL says that during the quarter, Reliance Retail added 111 stores across various store concepts. As on 31 December 2016, Reliance Retail operated 3,553 stores across 686 cities with an area of over 13.25 million square feet.

    RIL numbers

    RIL achieved a turnover of 84,189 crore ($ 12.4 billion), an increase of 16.1 percent, as compared to Rs 72,513 crorein the corresponding period of the previous year. The company says that increase in revenue is primarily on account of increase in prices of refining and petrochemical products led by 13 percent increase in Brent crude prices. Turnover was also boosted by robust growth in retail business.

    Operating profit before other income and depreciation increased by 2.7 percent on a y-o-y basis to Rs 11,552 crore ($ 1.7 billion) from Rs 11,248 crore in the previous year. The company attribute the growth to strong operating performance from petrochemicals businesses, sustained strength in refining business and favourable exchange rate movement. This was partially offset by losses in Oil & Gas business due to lower volumes and weak domestic price environment.

    Profit after tax was higher by 3.6 percent at Rs 7,506 crore ($ 1.1 billion) as against Rs 7,245 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. 

    Basic earnings per share (EPS) excluding exceptional items for the quarter ended 30th September 2016 was Rs 25.4 as against Rs 24.6 in the corresponding period of the previous year.

    Note:The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR).The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.