ITV

Category: Telecom

  • Reserve price for the auction of telecom spectrum in 1800 MHz and 900 MHz bands finalised

    Reserve price for the auction of telecom spectrum in 1800 MHz and 900 MHz bands finalised

    NEW DELHI: The reserve price for 1800 MHz band has been fixed for Rs 1,765 crore per MHz Pan India, which works out to be Rs 8,825 crore for 5 MHz Pan India.

    The Union Cabinet has approved the finalisation of the reserve price for auction of spectrum in 1800 MHz band for all service areas and for 900 MHz band in Metro service areas of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

    According to the recommendation of the Empowered Group of Ministers, the reserve price for 900 MHz band of Rs 360 crore, Rs 328 crore and Rs. 125 crore per MHz in Metro service areas of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata respectively.

    The decisions will result in further efficient utilisation of the scarce natural resource of spectrum facilitating expansion of telecom services in the country.

  • Docomo to launch one-day international data service

    Docomo to launch one-day international data service

    MUMBAI: Docomo has announced that it will offer a one-day (24-hour) flat-rate data communications billing plan for customers traveling overseas beginning 2 December.
    The service, called “Global 1 day Pake,” will vary in cost (980 yen, 1,280 yen or 1,580 yen) depending on the country or region of use. For example, the cost will be 980 yen for South Korea, 1,280 yen for UK and 1,580 yen for the US mainland and Hawaii.

     

    The flat rate will apply to the 24-hour period that begins once the customer activates the service. Activation simply requires tapping a button on a dedicated app, or dialing a dedicated number. At the end of the 24-hour period, the packet communication feature in the user’s mobile device will automatically turn off to avoid unintended data usage, providing peace of mind to users concerned about using roaming services overseas.

     

    Customers can apply for the service at Docomo’s sales channels, including Docomo shops and Docomo information centers.

     

    Customers of Docomo’s existing international flat-rate data service, Global Pake-hodai, can flexibly use this service or the new service depending on their handset or other conditions.

     

    Docomo also plans to introduce a roaming service for LTE-based packet communication services outside of Japan by the end of March 2014.

  • NTT Docomo achieves world’s first 1.2 Gbps transmission

    NTT Docomo achieves world’s first 1.2 Gbps transmission

    MUMBAI: NTT Docomo a personalised mobile solutions provider has announced that it achieved the world’s first transmission exceeding 1.2 Gbps in a field test using a single-size antenna incorporating a new transmission technology, Smart Vertical MIMO, for LTE-Advanced systems.

    Docomo’s new Smart Vertical MIMO transmission technology, which uses adaptive grouping of vertical antenna components according to the reception quality for mobile devices in the transmission area, enables a single-size antenna to achieve throughput equivalent to that of a four-antenna system.

    Smart Vertical MIMO, a key technological development for the planned deployment of Docomo’s LTE-Advanced network by the fiscal year ending 31 March 2016, reduces the cost and space of installing antenna equipment and improves spectrum utilisation efficiency.

    Docomo will continue to enhance its Smart Vertical MIMO transmission technology, aiming to provide maximum-quality network services with its coming commercial LTE-Advanced network.

  • Mergers and acquisition policy being given final touches

    Mergers and acquisition policy being given final touches

    NEW DELHI: Though the Department of Telecom (DoT) is expected to drop the three-year mandatory lock-in period for promoters of telecom companies under the new mergers and acquisition rules expected this week, the recent reports of high reserve price for spectrum may prove to be counter-productive.

    Initially, the government had introduced the lock-in period to prevent speculative players from misusing the opportunity to sell spectrum at market price after acquiring spectrum from the government under the first-come-first-served policy.

    But since fresh spectrum allocation is being done only through auction and older players who had got spectrum under the earlier dispensation have completed more than three years, the government has decided that the lock-in period is not necessary.

    The draft of the M&A norms say that “Further lock-in condition may hamper the progress and roll out of capital intensive telecom projects as shareholders may not be able to invest further equity.”

    Industry sources feel that some of the players in each circle may want to leave because of poor financial returns and increasing debt.

    The proposed M&A policy may not allow such players to leave, and rules are clear on issues such as spectrum trading, and the draft also says the buyer will have to pay the government the market price for any spectrum the seller holds under the older dispensation of first-come-first-served.

    While the TRAI had initially proposed a flat fee, the DoT is keen to retain the existing slab system where operators with higher amount of spectrum have to pay a higher revenue share. 

  • India has biggest appetite for mobilecCommerce states SAP Study

    India has biggest appetite for mobilecCommerce states SAP Study

    BENGALURU:  Consumers in India are leading the demand for mobile commerce services, with 97 per cent of consumers asking for more mobile interactions with banks, telcos, retailers, utilities and other businesses. SAP AG recently announced the study findings for India which indicates an impressive traction of mobile commerce in the country with 80 per cent of the population making parallel usage of the mobile phones other than just calls and text messages.

    More than half of the consumers in India indulge in maximum mobile purchases for entertainment service like cinema, theatre shows, DVDs, sport games (53 per cent) followed by music downloads (48 per cent) says the study.

    The surging popularity of mobile commerce in the country also highlights the increase in the internet penetration with 63 per cent of consumers accessing the internet on their mobile at least once a day.  65 per cent of the users feel mobile is a convenient mode of transaction leading to a greater consumer adoption in this segment.

    The study found that India scores high in using mobile for banking transactions when compared to other countries in the world. As per the statistics, excluding voice messages, most of the mobile owners turn to their mobile phones for bill payments (78 per cent), bank transactions (72 per cent) and for setting up a new account (74 per cent).

    “The dynamic nature of business as well as the freedom to operate from different parts of the world and at odd times has created a need for mobile commerce becoming mainstreamed,” said SAP Platform & Technology Business at SAP  Head – Sales -Neeraj Athalye, “Our strategy and solutions – unwired by mobile apps and fueled by in-memory and advanced analytics – underscore our unique ability to enable companies from the boardroom to shop floors, to better anticipate, accelerate and differentiate their business.”

    Mobile Transactions in India

    The research shows how mobile based transactions have gained popularity in India and has become an integral part of the consumer’s life.

    *More than half of the consumers in India indulge in maximum mobile purchases for entertainment service like cinema, theatre shows, DVDs, sport games (53 per cent) followed by music downloads (48 per cent)

    *The other key purchases via mobile are clothes/footware/other attires (47 per cent) and books or e-books (40 per cent)

    While embracing the appetite for mobile purchase adoption, it is vital that organisations looking to develop products and services for India are able to balance the desire for ease and convenience with security requirements:

    *In the study, 57 per cent of users in the country believe that once they gain confidence in mobile security, they will increase their mobile payment activity

    *Providing services that are lower cost (24 per cent) and personalised (33 per cent) will encourage mobile owners to make more bank transfers through their mobile phones, in turn increasing the mobile based consumption in India

    *Consumers in India are driven to buy goods using their mobile phone by exclusive offers (33 per cent) and coupons (26 per cent).

    The research also reflects that ease of use is a core principle that will accelerate overall user adoption in the telecommunications industry

    *Free minutes, texts and Web use (26 per cent), personalized services (28 per cent) and lower cost services (26 per cent) will encourage consumers in India to use their mobile to check usage data for their mobile account.

    Research Methodology

    3,288 interviews were conducted with adults aged 18+ who own a mobile phone (basic or smartphone) in APAC (China n=1000, India n=1050, Japan n=651, Australia n=587).

    Respondents completed an online survey in March/April 2013. Research conducted by Loudhouse, an independent research agency based in London.

  • Techzone and Aircel launch Re 1 store

    Techzone and Aircel launch Re 1 store

    MUMBAI: After Techzone’s alliance with Aircel for Re 1 video store four months back, the encouraging response has prompted the launch of another promising platform – Aircel’s Re 1 store!  Powered by Techzone as their technology and platform partner, Aircel has enhanced its offerings for their users by opening the exciting Re 1 store that includes downloading videos, full tracks, images and games just for Re 1.

     

    Techzone not only offers its vast library of more than 10,000 pieces of content across multiple categories in more than 12 languages to this store but has also powered the VAS platform for Aircel. Consumers can access this latest value added service on mobile via WAP or GPRS/2G/3G and download the same on mobile handset at just Re1 per content. The social media savvy youth can also share their content preference on Facebook and Twitter along with referring the same to their friends.

     

    The content at store for Re 1 covers over 12 languages including English, Hindu, Marathi, Gujarati, Assamese, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam amongst others. This new VAS would let the consumers download the videos across 8 genres including bollywood, Hollywood, reality shows, lifestyle, music, regional, comedy and more from a vast collection of 10,000+ videos. Along with the latest music, Techzone also offers their aficionados retro music too.

     

    To engage more customers, the Re 1 store will have ‘Goodies Section’ and Premium section where the customers can collect points on every download and later redeem those points for recharge, movie tickets and much more and Premium section will offer high on value combo offers wherein a user can avail packs for Rs 10 or for Rs 25 and enjoy different services. Users can also book mark by downloading the icon on the handset where the icon would direct them to the WAP page directly, thus making the process simpler. This service is aimed at introducing more Aircel customers to the mobile internet experience. The charges for browsing the portal is as per the data plans opted by the users.

     

    Explaining the expansion of their VAS offering, Techzone MD Naveen Bhandari said, “Increased usage of smart phones and internet penetration in the Tier II & Tier III cities, has led the VAS industry to grow leaps and bounds resulting us to provide innovative services to the customers. With approximately more than a billion subscribers in India there is a strong potential market for expansion in terms of services. Sticking to our pull based strategy our content team is constantly making an effort to add plethora of new services and features so as to reach out to those billion consumers. The VAS market, though currently facing turbulence for a short term, is likely to see an upward surge and grow by 15-20 per cent by the end of 2013. This growth is majorly due to cheaper handsets and growing digital space and we are expecting positive response for our services.”

  • 69% Indians feel SMS is an easier way to express than in person: Ipsos Study

    69% Indians feel SMS is an easier way to express than in person: Ipsos Study

    MUMBAI: Seven in ten (69 per cent) Indians admit they say things in that they would not say voice-to-voice or person-to-person; compared to 43 per cent globally, finds a new poll conducted by Ipsos OTX – the global innovation center for Ipsos.

     

    “Text or Email is comparatively an impersonal medium and people feel less hesitant to speak their mind. Perhaps that is the reason why majority of Indian would rather avoid saying things in person or over phone,” said Ipsos – head marketing communication Biswarup Banerjee.

     

    “For example people prefer to share sensitive comments like – “I love you.” “Our relationship is over.” “You are fired.” “I failed in exam.” in writing rather than saying over the phone or face-to-face to avoid embarrassment when they are physically involved,” added Banerjee.

     

    Demographically in India, age appears to be the most significant variable as those under the age of 35 (75 per cent) are considerably more likely than those aged 35-49 (67 per cent) and those 50-64 (52 per cent) to text/email things they won’t say out loud. Education is also a significant factor as seven in ten (69 per cent) of those with a high level of education say they do so compared with 100 per cent among those with low education. Both Indian women (70 per cent) and men (68 per cent) feel more comfortable texting or emailing sensitive subject rather than voicing it out.

     

    Strong majorities in China (90 per cent) and South Korea (80 per cent) say they text or email things they would not say over the phone or in person. Seven in ten of those in Indonesia (76 per cent), India (69 per cent) and Saudi Arabia (67 per cent) say so. Following next are Turkey (58 per cent), Brazil (48 per cent), Japan (46 per cent), South Africa (45 per cent), Argentina (42 per cent), Mexico (42 per cent) and Russia (39 per cent). Only three in ten or less in most of the countries surveyed say they reserve some communication for text or email: Canada (34 per cent), Australia (33 per cent), France (33 per cent), Great Britain (32 per cent), Poland (32 per cent), Belgium (31 per cent), Italy (31 per cent), United States (30 per cent), Germany (25 per cent), Hungary (24 per cent), Spain (24 per cent), Norway (22 per cent) and Sweden (22 per cent).

     

    Ipsos conducted this study among 18,502 adults in 25 countries in the month of August.

  • RahmanIshq music smartphones launched by Celkon Mobiles

    RahmanIshq music smartphones launched by Celkon Mobiles

    MUMBAI: Celkon Mobiles has unveiled its latest offering, ‘RahmanIshq’ series phone at the announcement launch in Kolkata. The highlight of the event comprised of the novel use of augmented technology with the very first of its kind 4D holographic launch of RahmanIshq smartphone-AR45. The event was graced by the Oscar winning music maestro, A.R. Rahman, Celkon Mobiles chairman and MD Y Guru and Celkon Mobiles ED Murali Retineni.

     

    Commenting on the launch and association with RahmanIshq Guru said, “We are committed to our promise of extending unparalleled services to millions of consumers across the country. Partnering with the ‘Mozart of Madras’ for RahmanIshq is a noteworthy achievement for the company. We are proud to share that our customers can also enjoy the special tune composed by the veteran himself for RahmanIshq that will be used extensively for the RahmanIshq smartphones. Affordable innovation is the genesis of RahmanIshq. We at Celkon Mobiles would continue to build on our promise to efficiently deliver to our consumers with novelties that directly cater to their needs.”

     

    Chief Guest of the event, A.R. Rahman said, “I always believe that technology is very important in the world of music. RahmanIshq stands testimony to this and is a concept dedicated to spreading awareness of how technology needs to blend seamlessly with music for optimum output.  It is wonderful to partner with such an innovative brand for my first road tour. Thank you for all the support extended.”

     

    Epitomising sleekness and simplicity with AR45 is one of the smartphones from the ‘RahmanIshq’ series from Celkon Mobiles. It supports 4.5 inch display with Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 OS and 1.2 GHz dual core A7 processor. AR45 comes with dual speakers with K-class amplifier to give its users a never before musical experience.

     

    Equipped with a 5MP rear camera with a smile detector, AR455 promises the users an outstanding shooting experience. Another innovative feature is Shake & Transfer, which enables the users to experience the data transfer with just a shake in no time, could be the most fastest and smartest ever data transfer App enabled on a smartphone.

     

    Apart from 3G, video calling and 4GB ROM, AR45 supports the interactive gaming, in which two people can play games like Soccer or ice-hockey with each other. It also has a customised music player to give the user an enhanced musical experience with multiple preset equaliser option. Celkon Mobiles for the first time in India has leveraged on the customisation of Android O.S and built a new user interface to get a different look and feel to the way contacts, messages and call log are viewed and also many more features like power-saver, data meter and security center are added as a bonus feature. A variety of themes are enabled in the handset while unlimited themes are also available for download by the user.

     

    AR45 would be available October onwards for Rs 7,999 at all leading retail outlets.

    Elaborating on the product Retineni said, “With the launch of RahmanIshq series, we are raising the bar for affordable innovation especially for the music lovers. AR45 has a full display touch screen and a 5MP rear camera with a novel feature of smile detector. RahmanIshq smartphones are power packed with pre-installed A.R. Rahman’s chartbusters.”

     

    The series launch was to mark the commencement of the global tour of the music legend, A.R. Rahman, a unique road tour where music meets technology that the world icon will embark upon after 20 years.

  • IT sector granted Authorising Nation status under the CCRA

    IT sector granted Authorising Nation status under the CCRA

    NEW DELHI: India has been recognised as the ‘Authorising Nation’ under the international Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) to test and certify Electronics and IT products with respect to cyber security. Thus, India has become the 17th nation to earn such recognition. This international arrangement has 26 member countries. USA, UK, Germany, South Korea, France, Japan, Canada, Australia, Turkey, Malaysia etc. are the other countries who have this recognition.

     

    So far India was having the status of ‘Consuming Nation’ with respect to certification of electronics and IT products. The status of ‘Authorising Nation’ will enable India to test IT and electronics products and issue Certificates which will be acceptable internationally. The recognition would also remove the bottleneck which as of now had prevented international companies from submitting their products for testing and certification in India.

     

    The recognition would also enable investment in setting up infrastructure and labs in public and private sectors in India for testing electronics and IT products.

     

    Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) has been operating Common Criteria Certification (CC Certification) scheme in India for the last five-six years. Under it STQC undertakes certification of electronics and IT products after evaluation of the products at its lab in Kolkata. The Certificates issued by STQC Directorate shall now be acceptable internationally by all CCRA member countries.

  • Arkadin becomes an official provider of Tata Comms jamvee video service

    Arkadin becomes an official provider of Tata Comms jamvee video service

    MUMBAI: Tata Communications has announced an agreement with Arkadin, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing collaboration service providers. Arkadin becomes an official APAC provider of Tata Communications’ recently launched jamvee conferencing – an on-demand unified communication service which enables, anyone, anywhere, to instantly access a business video meeting on any device – be it desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone, Telepresence or video conferencing rooms.

     

    Connecting via video across multiple devices and platforms will be made easier. Delivered through the world’s only fibre optic cable ring around the globe, jamvee is a global video conferencing tool for enterprises that makes video conferencing – both within and between companies – as easy as making an audio conferencing call.

     

    Arkadin Asia Pacific MD & EVP Serge Genetet said: “With demand for video conferencing exploding, we’re confident jamvee will be popular with enterprises that need a simple on-demand service with business-grade quality that also offers the flexibility to use existing video equipment. We’re thrilled to partner with Tata Communications and certain the alliance will help strengthen our value proposition for providing customers with advanced collaboration and unified communications solutions.”

     

    The jamvee software application is compatible with Windows, OSX software-based devices, iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Users of Lync and other video conferencing software, as well as those with access to standard video conferencing systems such as Telepresence, can also meet using jamvee. Up to 46 participants can join each conference at the touch of a button, bringing globally-dispersed teams in fast-moving businesses closer together than ever before as the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) culture continues to gather pace.

     

    Tata Communications unified communications & collaboration senior VP Anthony Bartolo said, “Our mission is to create the world’s richest open video ecosystem. The partnership with Arkadin enforces this strategy which will enable true unified communication for enterprises operating in today’s mobile, always-on and global environment. Using jamvee is as easy as making an audio conferencing call and together with Arkadin’s expertise in delivering collaboration services with dedicated local-language teams; we will enable more businesses to experience the benefit that true video collaboration brings.”

     

    The partnership agreement with Arkadin will first roll-out in Australia and New Zealand followed by the rest of the Asia Pacific region.

     

    Frost & Sullivan APAC ICT Research VP Andrew Milroy said, “Frost & Sullivan attributes Tata Communications’ Managed Video Collaboration Service Provider of the Year award win to the depth of its managed video service portfolio, particularly the most recent launch of the video collaboration service – jamvee, its customer centric approach and continued execution of its video strategy. Tata Communications has built strong branding around its video strengths and is well recognised across multiple industries for its success in video collaboration. It is widely perceived to be an expert in the Asia Pacific video collaboration service market.”