|
||||||
| Indiantelevision.com’s News Releases | ||||||
|
TRAI mandates interconnection for intelligent network services among all telecom service providers |
||||||
|
MUMBAI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today issued a Regulation on Interconnection amongst all telecom service providers for Intelligent Network (IN) Services. This Regulation would ensure that specified innovative services made available through IN will not be restricted to the telecom service providers who have deployed the Intelligent Network platform but now also be available to subscribers of other operators. Consumers are today offered a number of innovative services made available through Intelligent Network (IN) deployed by telecom service providers in their network. Free phone or Toll Free Number, Virtual Calling Card (VCC) for long distance calls, are some of the popular examples of services offered through IN platforms. Some of the telecom service providers in the country have already started offering IN services for their subscribers. In the existing multi-service multi operator environment these services can only be accessed by subscribers of a specific service provider and are not available to the subscribers of other service providers. To enable the subscribers of different service providers to access the IN services of other service providers, TRAI had set up an Expert Group to handle the technical and regulatory issues pertaining to this. Based on the recommendations of the Group, a Draft Regulation was launched on website on 30.10.2005 for comments of stakeholders. The IN Regulation taking into consideration various comments/ suggestions received from the various stakeholders has now been finalised and issued. The regulation mandates all service providers to provide interconnection to all eligible service providers so that subscribers of all Access Providers will have a choice of using the IN services of other service providers. This regulation will enable all telecom consumers in the country to have access to Multi-operator Multi-service IN platforms and no operator will be permitted to block his consumers from accessing IN platform belonging to other service providers. Service providers are required to enter into the necessary commercial and technical agreements for the same within three months. The technical architecture and mutual revenue share among service providers has to be mutually decided upon based on the principles of Reciprocity and Non-discrimination. Also the various service providers have to comply with the various provisions and Access Code allocated as per the National Numbering Plan. The Regulation has been finalised after extensive consultation with all telecom service providers and, therefore, it should have smooth implementation. The Regulation is available on TRAI’s Website (www.trai.gov.in) |
Category: Press Release
-
TRAI mandates interconnection for intelligent network services among all telecom service providers
-
STAR Sports to telecast Planet Cricket; India ’s first ever cricketing travelogue
New Delhi November 13, 2006 – ESPN STAR Sports, Asia’s premier sports broadcaster, will present Planet Cricket, a six episode cricketing travelogue covering the five venues on India ‘s calendar to South Africa . The series will cover the five cricket grounds of Centurion, Johannesburg , Port Elizabeth , Cape Town and Durban with the sixth episode being the highlights of the previous five. The show, a preview series to India ’s tour of South Africa will be hosted by the quintessential Gautam Bhimani and will go on air from November 13, 2006.
With one episode dedicated to one venue, each episode will not just be a guide to the actual cricket ground of the region, but will also cover some memorable cricket moments from that very ground. The show will also add the travel element by taking the viewers on a tour of the region covering the sights, sounds and smells of a nation that is one of the world’s most sought after tourist hotspots.
The places covered will include spots of historical significance like Soweto , the township that housed Nelson Mandella and Bishop Desmond Tutu or even the house that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi lived in for 21 years and the courts in which he practiced during his early days in South Africa . Apart from the historical aspect, the travelogue will get away to the fabled Sun City, climb magnificent Table Mountain, drive down the world famous Garden Route, soak in the beaches of Durban, taste the heady wines at the legendary vineyards of the Western Cape, explore Kruger National Park and other world famous Safari spots, attempt the world’s highest Bungee Jump and take a breathtaking trip to the Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost point of the African Continent.
On the cricketing side of it, there will be mouth watering cricket action, much of it involving Team India including Sachin Tendulkar’s 169 at Cape Town and Sourav Ganguly’s audacious hundred in Johannesburg in 2001. Not to be left out is the greatest ever one day international between Australia and South Africa at the Wanderers in 2006 that showered a mammoth 872 runs.
Catch Gautam Bhimani take you on a spectacular ride of South Africa , only on STAR Sports
Date Fixture Time Channel 13-17 Nov 06 Planet Cricket , South Africa 20:30 STAR Sports 18 Nov 06 Planet Cricket , South Africa 19:30 STAR Sports India Time. Schedule subject to change
-
Trai answers questions about CAS
MUMBAI: In pursuance of the Directions of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court on implementation of CAS, the three metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata by 31 December 2006 and Chennai (where it is already in implementation), Trai has taken a number of initiatives. As part of the process of implementation and to facilitate enhanced consumer awareness, Trai has placed on its website a compilation containing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on CAS and related Orders and Regulations of TRAI.
These are meant to educate the subscribers and the general public in the four metros about CAS. The attempt is to provide answers in a language which a layman can understand, the compilation covers questions, answers to which are necessary to clear doubts and provide greater clarity. The detailed FAQs are available on Trai’s website www.Trai.gov.in.
The FAQs begin with background information about Cable TV operations. Thereafter there are specific questions related to the following items:-
– Conditional Access System/Addressable System, CAS Area, Non CAS areas etc.
– Set Top Box, Smart Card, STB Tariff package etc.
– Free to air channel, pay channel, basic service tier tariff.
– Benchmarks and timelines for quality of service.It is hoped that these answers to Frequently Asked Questions would help consumer organizations and consumers to ensure that the benefits intended to be provided to them by the various orders of the Authority are fully availed off.
-
Raj TV declares status in CAS areas
MUMBAI: TRAI had issued press releases on 15/10/06, 25/10/06 and 14.11.2006 placing the details of Maximum Retail Prices fixed by the broadcasters in respect of CAS areas on the basis of the reporting done by them in terms of clause 7 (ii) of the Tariff Order of 31/8/2006.
The list placed on the website currently contains details of 13 broadcasters. Subsequently, the Authority was informed that some of the pay channels listed in the website are not pay channels in some of the notified areas. The issue was accordingly taken up with the broadcasters and the broadcasters have now indicated the correct position in respect of these identified channels.
The changes reported so far is in respect of the following channels:-
Name of the Channel and Broadcaster Status as reported earlier Status as reported now M/s Raj Television Network Raj TV, Raj Digital, Vissa TV Pay Channel in all notified areas Pay channel in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, but FTA in Chennai A corrected and updated list has been placed on TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in.
-
The Bond Mania culminates with the best of action this week on Star Movies
MMumbai, November 10, 2006… He is suave, sophisticated, superhero …He is Pierce Brosnan as the greatest spy of Hollywood – Bond, James Bond. He comes to your television sets this week as Star Movies brings to you the Absolute Bond Festival! If you have not caught on the Bond mania then this is your last chance as the Absolute Bond Festival concludes this week. It’s time to treat your eyes to your favorite Bond – Pierce Brosnan and catch the best of action on box office blockbusters like Golden Eye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is not enough and Die Another Day from this Monday to Thursday at 9 p.m. only on Star Movies!
Mon, Nov 27 @ 21:00
GOLDENEYE
Starring Pierce Brosnan, Famke Janssen and Sean Bean
Directed by Martin Campbell, GOLDENEYE makes the transition to a more modern image for the James Bond series. Bond’s out-of-date womanizing is presented with a feminist challenge from the newly cast Judi Dench as an impenetrable M, and Samantha Bond as a wiser and more forthright Moneypenny. The action sequences, replete with helicopter hijinks and copious explosions, are complex and stylish, making the film a polished sensation.Tue, Nov 28 @ 21:00
TOMORROW NEVER DIES
Starring Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce and Michelle Yeoh
When the People’s Republic of China sinks a British battleship for straying in her waters, media mogul Elliot Carver (Pryce) knew of the attack before it happened. MI6 assigns James Bond (Brosnan) to find out how and why. Trailing Carver from Germany to Vietnam, Bond learns Carver’s made a deal with Communist hardliners that in exchange for provoking a war between the PRC and England, he’ll be granted exclusive broadcast rights over the Chinese mainland. Teaming with External Security Force agent Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh), Bond takes on Carver’s private navy in a race-against-the-clock to prevent World War III.Wed, Nov 29 @ 21:00
THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
Starring Pierce Brosnan, Sophie Marceau and Denise Richards
When Elektra King (Marceau) escapes her terrorist/kidnapper Renard (Robert Carlyle), James Bond (Brosnan) recovers the ransom and returns it to her oil magnate father. When the rigged cash explodes and kills King, a guilt-ridden Bond wrangles an assignment to protect Elektra and her late father’s Caspian Sea pipeline.Thu, Nov 30 @ 21:00
DIE ANOTHER DAY
Starring Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, Toby Stephens and Rosamund Pike
James Bond’s newest mission begins with a spectacular high-speed hovercraft chase through a minefield in his investigation of a North Korean terrorist, but the mission is betrayed and despite a spectacular escape attempt, Bond is captured and subjected to vicious North Korean torture, before being released in an exchange of prisoners. The highest grossing Bond movie ever with over US$424 million worldwide.So, be part of the Bond Mania and enjoy the non-stop action and fun with ABSOLUTE BOND, from Monday to Thursday at 9 p.m. only on Star Movies!
About Star
STAR is a leading media and entertainment company in Asia. STAR broadcasts 60 television services in nine languages to more than 300 million viewers across 53 Asian countries. STAR channels cover all genres including general entertainment (Star Plus, Xing Kong, Star Chinese Channel, Star One, Star Utsav, Star World, Vijay, Phoenix Chinese), sports (ESPN, Star Sports), movies (Star Chinese Movies, Star Gold, Star Movies), music (Channel [V]), and news and current affairs (Star News, Star Ananda, Phoenix InfoNews Channel).STAR controls over 20,000 hours of Indian and Chinese programming and also owns the world’s largest contemporary Chinese film library, with more than 600 titles, featuring superstars including Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat and Bruce Lee. In partnership with leading companies in Asia, STAR businesses extend to filmed entertainment, television production, cable systems, direct-to-home services, terrestrial TV broadcasting, wireless and digital services. STAR is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation. www.startv.com
For further information please contact:
In Mumbai
Zeenat Khan
Asst Vice President, Publicity
Star (India) Ltd.
Tel No. 91-22-56305555Shiraz Bhavnani / Aditi Chada
Asst Vice President, Publicity Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
Star (India) Ltd. Tel: 91-22-5656 8787
Tel No. 91-22-56305555 Fax: 91-22-5656 8788
Email:sbhavnani@vccpl.com / achada@vccpl.com -
‘I WANNA BE A SOAPSTAR’ Premieres November 18 on Zee Café
MUMBAI : Zee Café brings the latest series that captures 12 aspiring actors who will live full-time on the set ofan actual soap opera.
Wannabes have to spend their nights with their competitors.
So the question is: when the judges are away, will the contestants player will the soap opera backstabbing and canoodling continue in real life? Oneeby one, a panel of experts in the field of acting, casting and television production will eliminate cast members until one remains to become the next soap star with a role on the long running series, All My Children.Telecast Date: Saturday, November 18, 2006 at 9:00 p.m.
Synopsis: Episode 1Cameron Mathison of of All My Children introduces us to 12 contestants who feel they’ve got what it takes to be on a soap opera. The contestants are shown three existing sets from General Hospital, which they will use to do various scenes.
Telecast Date: Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 9:00 p.m.
Synopsis: Episode 2The six remaining contestants learn how to do a love scene. The contestants also learn about blocking so they can remember where they need to stand while the camera is shooting their scene. They also get a little coaching from two General Hospital stars on how a love scene is done.
-
CNN reveals Happiness And Your Health: The Suprising Connection
MUMBAI: In HAPPINESS AND YOUR HEALTH: THE SURPRISING CONNECTION, CNN senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta joins the eternal search for happiness. Talking with doctors, philosophers, teachers, business leaders and comedians, Dr. Gupta asks where happiness comes from, how to get it and whether people need it.
Joined by guests including US comedian Richard Lewis (‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’) and motivational speaker Tony Robbins, Dr. Gupta reveals the surprising secrets of happy people, the ways in which happiness affects health and the intriguing results of an exclusive CNN poll.Fascinating aspects, issues and questions surrounding ‘happiness’ in the special include:
‘Born Happy’ – happiness experts say personality has deep roots in genetics. The programme features identical twins who despite growing up without knowing of each other’s existence for 25 years, noticed more than a few similarities when they first met.
‘Power of Laughter’ – “Laughing is halfway to healing” is the motto of laughter yoga. This movement, created by a Mumbai doctor, today claims more than 3,000 clubs in 40 countries. Dr. Gupta laughs along with a club in California, finding intricate links between happiness and health.‘Unnatural Highs’ – psychiatrist Julie Holland and Nora Volkow, head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse in the US, explain the effects that drugs – legal and illegal – have on the brain and compare these effects to natural highs.
‘How to be Happy’ – viewers will hear surprising research into what really makes people happy, as well as a life lesson from someone who found himself paralysed in a car accident at the age of 29, and who subsequently suffered the deaths of his second wife, sister and parents, yet emerged from those struggles happier and wiser than ever.
Dr. Gupta said, “There is more than one route to happiness and well-being. This special will take viewers on a journey and hopefully help them live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.”
Airtimes: Indian Standard Times
Sat, December 9 at 1230hrs and 2030hrs
Sun, December 10 at 1230hrsAirtimes are subject to change.
-
Norwest Venture partners invests $10 million in Web 2.0 Sulekha.com
MUMBAI: Sulekha.com, the online social media and local commerce destination for Indians,has announced Promod Haque’s global technology venture capital firm, Norwest Venture Partners (NVP)’s series A, investment of $10 million in the company.
Sulekha.com plans to use the new capital to extend business development and marketing, primarily through alliances, and expand its service offerings into new vertical markets. NVP managing partner Promod Haque, has joined the Sulekha board of directors. Sulekha, founded and run by Satya Prabhakar, received prior funding from the Indigo Monsoon Group (IMG), led by Param Parameswaran and Harish Raghavan. IMG invests in early stage companies in the Indian Internet and Mobile domains.
“Sulekha has been a Web 2.0 company even during the Web 1.0 days. It has positioned itself at the vortex of three of the largest Internet mega-trends: India, Social Media and Local Commerce through industry-leading services including Blogs, Social Networks, Classifieds and Yellow Pages. While the management of Sulekha has done a great job of developing reach and revenue, the real explosive potential, both in online and mobile platforms, is still in front of us,” said Haque.
“NVP is one of the most reputed venture capital firms in the world with more than 45 years of experience in building successful companies. This, coupled with NVP’s strong interest, many investments and relationships across various industries in India, made NVP a great choice for Sulekha as we pursue aggressive growth plans in the coming year,” said, Sulekha.com founder and CEO Satya Prabhakar. “In particular, we look forward to working with Promod Haque who, with his valuable experience and vast global network, has helped numerous companies, both in U.S. and India, soar and succeed,” he added.
“The marriage of trusted member to member interactions and its application to classifieds and business search/ratings holds incredible promise in spurring local commerce in India. Sulekha’s successful track record of aggregating member content and interactions by city and by vertical areas of interest will allow us to deploy the new capital to dominate this market niche,” said IMG and Sulekha.com Chairman Param Parameswaran.
Sulekha’s Portfolio of Services – Interact and Transact
By offering a user-generated platform and a trusted community network, Sulekha enables Indians to interact and transact with their peers and businesses through three popular services:Blogs and Social Networking – Sulekha provides the largest and most popular platform for Indians to voice their ideas, opinions and reviews in blogs. Users can also connect with other Indians creating online social networks. Just as social networking driven by expression has become a destination for US consumers, Sulekha brings the same experience to India and beyond.
Sulekha has crafted successful offline partnerships with such companies as Penguin, DNA and Indian Express to create important additional distribution avenues for its tens of thousands of bloggers.
Classifieds – Sulekha has the largest and most popular Indian classifieds marketplace for goods and services that fosters transactive relationships among its members in over 25 cities worldwide daily. With more than 250,000 ads and addressing 80% of online Indians worldwide, Sulekha provides unparalleled opportunities to connect members when they need to interact and transact.
Yellow Pages – Sulekha.com is the provider of online yellow pages in India supporting millions of business searches every month. Sulekha leverages its vast audience to help local businesses reach customers on a daily basis, and includes user-contributed reviews, ratings and recommendations to enable consumers to make the most informed purchasing decisions. Sulekha’s yellow pages currently offer business listings in eight cities throughout India and US. Sulekha Yellow Pages is also integrated with WAP-enabled mobile phones for mobile downloads of listings.
“While we are only recently witnessing tremendous interest in Web 2.0 startups worldwide, Sulekha has been a thought leader in this space for some time, and continues to make rapid strides. Sulekha’s strong and experienced management team is well-positioned to capitalize on the unprecedented Internet growth in India over the last year, and we believe the company has a first mover advantage in pursuing significant revenue-generating opportunities in the coming years,” added Haque
-
Rendezvous with ‘Rekha’
MUMBAI: Star World will be airing a special episode of Rendezvous with Simi Garewal featuring the Bollywood star Rekha, on Sunday 12 November at 9:30 pm.
This one and a half hour interview will be aired in three parts in three half-hour special episodes. This is Rekha’s first television interview in 20 years, asserts an official release.
For the first time, Rekha will talk about her private life – her relationship with her parents, her marriage and also about the influence of superstar Amitabh Bachchan on her life and art. In this week’s episode, Rekha will talk about her childhood, her parents, living in the same city as her father and how she grew up without him. She also reveals to Simi how, as a 13-year-old girl, she hated living all alone and working in the Mumbai film industry.She also shares some lighter moments like how she used to sneak out of shoots to grab a chocolate as she was deprived of it for months. The episode also features Rekha giving an insight into her idea of a perfect relationship, adds the release.
-
Star Movies to premiere ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’
MUMBAI: Academy Award® winner Angelina Jolie (Tomb Raider) and Oscar® nominee Brad Pitt (Ocean’s Twelve), along with comedian Vince Vaughn (The Break-Up), star in the controversial Mr. & Mrs. Smith, believed by many to be the reason for the split between Hollywood’s former favourite couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. The sparks between the saucy Jolie and hunky Pitt brought in US$478 million box office worldwide.
John (Pitt) and Jane Smith (Jolie) are an ordinary suburban couple with an ordinary, lifeless suburban marriage. But each is hiding something the other would kill to know: Mr. and Mrs. Smith are actually highly paid, incredibly efficient assassins, and they work for competing organizations.Mr. and Mrs. Smith discover a new source of excitement in their marriage, when they’re hired to assassinate each other… and that’s when the real fun starts. The result is the ultimate action spectacle, as Mr. and Mrs. Smith put their formidable skills to work and their marriage to the ultimate test.
So don’t forget to tune in to the exclusive premiere of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, this Friday, November 24th at 9 p.m. only on Star Movies.
Email Story
Print