Cellnext Ties-up with Reliance
Cellnext, in alliance with Reliance Telecom has launched
exclusive subscription alerts for mobile users in India. With Cellnext
subscription services on Reliance GSM, the users can enjoy live cricket updates,
alerts and previews on cricket matches, fall of wickets, toss updates, innings
updates (pre & post). The service also provides useful information
pertaining to any breaking news. Horoscope alert from Cellnext is divided into
three broad categories as General, Business and Romance with three alerts sent
to subscribers at definite interval of time. People hungry for news can also
enjoy category wise news.
DoT Simplifies Procedures for SACFA
Site Clearance
With a view to expedite the faster rollout and growth of various
telecommunications networks, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in
consultation with Ministry of Defence and Airport Authority of India has taken
steps for further simplification of standing advisory committee on radio
frequency allocation (SACFA) procedures. As per the new simplified procedure,
all antenna towers/masts located beyond 7 kms from the nearest airport and
having up to 40 mt above the above mean sea level of the Airport Reference Point
of the concerned airport need not undergo the detailed sitting clearance
procedure. The service providers are only to be "Registered" online on
WPC/SACFA website and necessary clearance will be issued by the SACFA
Secretariat.
Time Broadband Selects Verimatrix
Verimatrix, developer of the most widely deployed IPTV content
protection system with tier one operators, has announced that its Verimatrix
Content Authority System (VCAS) and patent-pending VideoMark (TM) user-specific
forensic watermarking will be deployed on the MTNL Delhi network. Time Broadband
Service is providing the content delivery network as the first broadband content
partner for state-owned incumbent MTNL's IPTV service, which is the first
commercial video-tier rich-media service in India.
BSNL to Switch to e-Payments
BSNL will shortly abandon payment of its vendor bills by cheque.
It is about to switch to an e-payment system wherein, all bills payable to its
battery of equipment vendors for both cellular and landline operations will be
settled electronically. The BSNL board issued an internal circular to all circle
heads to gradually migrate to the e-payments route. Significantly, BSNL will
also take the e-payments route to settle all bills of mobile/broadband content
providers, roaming and SMS partners.
Rcvl, Orbit Launch RiTV
Rcvl in association with OCC has launched RiTV, an interactive
television, and broadband and media solution. The latest hotel interactive
system, enhancing the customer value proposition for the hospitality Industry,
was unveiled at The Hotel Show in Dubai. The easy to use multimedia solution
delivers on-demand entertainment, Internet access and information services
through an intuitive interface. The solution underwent successful trials which
were carried out for more than an year, before being commercially launched for
the fast growing and lucrative hospitality industry in the countries of the
Middle East.
Reliance Links Capitals at 40 p/min
Rcvl announced the launch of its 'Hello Capital Plan', which
enables its fixed wireless customers to make calls between state capitals at
local call rate of Rs 0.40 per minute. Applicable on all tariff plans in
postpaid and prepaid Reliance Hello phones, this plan will benefit the entire
gamut of customer segments including traders, small and medium entrepreneurs,
executives and families residing in state capitals. These rates will be
applicable in 18 state capitals besides Delhi, Reliance Communication president
(Wireless Business) SP Shukla said.
Tulip Gets LoI for NLD and ILD
Tulip, a provider of end-to-end data connectivity was awarded
the letter of intent (LOI) for National Long Distance (NLD) and International
Long Distance (ILD) license by the DoT. Tulip has been given the LoI based on
the new license requirement laid down by the DoT as per which, all IP/VPN
service providers were required to migrate to the NLD license. This license
would enable Tulip IT Services to route voice, data and video traffic nationally
and internationally. Tulip foresees the ILD license as a business opportunity as
it will help it to predominantly offer international data connectivity solutions
to customers across the world. In addition, the company will provide high-end
services in the burgeoning VPN bandwidth market.
IDEA launches 'Shared Access' GSM
IDEA has launched the shared access (voice and data) program for
rural India. After a successful trial in Maharashtra, Idea Cellular takes the
lead in connecting the un-connected and helping change lives by announcing the
launch of the shared voice and data services under an initiative run by the GSM
Association (GSMA), the global trade association for mobile phone operators. The
shared services are slated for launch across all Idea circles shortly.
Datacraft for Network Expansion
Datacraft has been awarded a $5.5 mn contract by India's
leading telecom service provider. The contract entails a major upgrade and
expansion of the service provider's Internet Protocol (IP) network, enabling
it to provide a range of new value-added services, both nationally and
internationally. At the heart of the service provider's new IP network is a
multi protocol label switching (MPLS) technology that will improve performance,
scalability and manageability. The upgrade to MPLS takes place in tandem with
massive geographic expansion that will put the network points-of-presence in a
total of 121 locations across India and eight new locations worldwide.
Tech Mahindra Plans to go Public
Tech Mahindra has announced the filing of its draft red herring
prospectus with SEBI. The proposed issue will offer 12.74 mn shares to the
public. Mahindra&Mahindra and BT will offer 3.82 mn and 5.73 mn shares as
part of the issue. The company will issue additional equity of 3.18 mn shares as
part of the issue. The company plans to use the proceeds from the issue for
creating facilities for expansion. The company has acquired 98,400 sq m of land
in the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi, Pune, and even plans to set up a
software development center and integrated campus in Kolkata. It would contain
2,000 people in the first phase.
Flag Telecom Shifts GNOC
Reliance (Rcovl) has relocated the global network operations
center (GNOC) of Flag Telecom from Heathrow in London, UK to headquarters in
Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City (DAKC) in Navi Mumbai. Flag, which was bought by
Reliance about two years back, has a customer base of more than 180 leading
operators. It owns the world's largest private submarine cable system. Flag is
currently building its Falcon cable system landing in 11 countrie. These include
some Middle East countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
UAE and Yemen, besides Egypt, India, Maldives, and Sudan.
IDEA Crosses 2 mn mark
IDEA Cellular has announced its achievement of crossing the 2 mn
customer mark in Maharashtra and Goa. With this, Idea becomes the first mobile
operator to have achieved this milestone in the circle. The western Indian state
has achieved this unique distinction through increased subscriptions, in both
the pre-paid and post-paid segments, which have been growing consistently in all
clusters of upcountry locations that are extensively covered with IDEA's
well-entrenched network.
ip.access, HECL to Cover India
Himachal Exicom has announced that it has signed a distribution
agreement with ip.access, a leading developer of in-building wireless picocell
solutions, to enhance its in-building and remote coverage capabilities using new
pico-cell technology, and to further increase the worldwide footprint of
ip.access' nanoGSM picocell solution. The new deal will enable HECL to provide
nanoGSM to customers throughout India, allowing operators to extend network
reach to remote parts of India and to improve GSM in-building coverage and
extended capacity for corporate offices.
Tata Buys Over 1% Stake in VSNL
Tata has acquired a little over 1% stake in VSNL, increasing its
stake in the telephony and Internet major to around 5%. Tata acquired around 30
lakh shares between June 28 and June 30 from the open market. At present, Tata
holds 3.64% stake in VSNL, while its subsidiary Panatone Finvest holds 40.61%
and the Indian government holds 26.12 %.
ZTE's in Contract with Tata Tele
Tata Teleservices (TTSL) has selected ZTE to deploy All-IP
CDMA2000 solutions for rural telecom networks throughout India in the coming
three years. ZTE won the contract worth $10 mn with its All-IP solution after a
series of stringent interoperability tests carried out by TTSL. The Chinese
major will be responsible for the construction of the network covering many of
India's rural regions. The contract was won in competition with other major
telecom equipment vendors.
TTSL Plans Expansion
Tata Teleservices (TTSL) has announced that it is planning to
launch operations in three additional circles by the end of this fiscal year,
thereby expanding its presence to all 23 circles in the country. The company had
earlier filed an application with the DoT and is awaiting the ministry's
approval for commencing operations in the new circles. TTSL currently offers
services under the Tata Indicom brand in Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, Gujarat,
Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Kolkata, and West Bengal.
Telenity Provides LBS to BSNL
Telenity has announced that it is providing location-based
services (LBS) solution to India's state-owned telecom company, Bharat Sanchar
Nigam through its partner tier 1 network equipment providers (NEPs). Telenity
provides its Canvas LES, Location Enabling Server, and 14 location-based
services to BSNL that will enable the operator to offer personalized value added
location-based services to its mobile customers.
4.96 mn New GSM Users in June
The country witnessed the addition of 4.96 mn new GSM
subscribers in the month of June this year, according to COAI. This has taken
the country's GSM customer base to a total of 78.5 mn. The total number of
mobile users in the country has now risen to approximately 101.8 mn.
PowerGrid Gets NLD License
The state-owned power transmission major, PowerGrid has been
awarded the national long distance (NLD) license by the Department of
Telecommunications. The license will also enable PowerGrid to address the
bandwidth requirement of those corporate customers who could not be served under
the present IP-II, IP-I and ISP licenses. The new license is envisaged to result
in increased utilization of PowerGrid's telecom network.
Hughes Ties-up With Oxigen
Hughes has tied-up with Oxigen for offering prepaid recharge and
bill payment services across all HughesNet fusion centers in India. The alliance
is a symbiotic relationship where Oxigen will be made available across all 250
HughesNet fusion centers in 95 cities in Phase I. The service will extend to
over 1000 centers by the end of 2006. This tie-up will help Oxigen increase its
points of presence from the existing 14 circles to 21 by the end of the year.
Net4 Reports 46% Growth in Profit
Net4 Communications has reported sales to the tune of Rs 53
crore for the year ended March 31, 2006. The y-o-y profit before tax stood at Rs
5.65 crore, reflective of a 46% growth in profit. After initial financing, the
company spend most of 2004 developing and proving a proprietary design flow and
intellectual property base which would enable solutions that are lower power,
higher performance, faster time to market, and more competitively priced.
Infosys' Net Profit Grows 49%
Infosys has announced its first quarter results with an income
of Rs 3,015 crore, a y-o-y growth was 45.6%. Net profit after tax was Rs 794
crore, with a y-o-y growth of 49.2%. Earnings per share before exceptional items
increased to Rs 28.71 from Rs 19.63 for the corresponding quarter in the
previous year.
VeriSign's New Headquarters
VeriSign has opened its new India headquarters in Bangalore. It
is the largest single engineering center of the company. The center would focus
on developing new products related to advance messaging solutions such as
multimedia messaging, localized SMS solutions, and management software.
HTIL for More Stake in Hutch Essar
Hutchison Telecom International (HTIL) has entered into
agreements for the acquisition of a further 5.11% stake in Hutchison Essar from
the Hinduja Group for $450 mn. Under these agreements, Hutchison Telecom Group
will acquire the entire issued capital of IndusInd Telecom Network (ITNL), a
holding company for a 5.11% stake in Hutchison Essar. Upon completion of the
acquisitions, Hutchison Telecom would control approximately 67% of Hutchison
Essar.
Spirent Eyes India
After tasting success in the China market, Spirent Communication
has set its sight on India. Spirent provides lab test solutions to
communications companies. It also enables large companies and governments to
secure and manage their networks. Spirent's solutions encompass all phases of
network deployment including the testing of each network element for scalability
and quality of service in the lab; end-to-end testing of the system in the field
to facilitate the quick introduction of service and assure the deployed service;
and provisioning and continued diagnosis of the network to address issues and
maintain high quality of experience.
Indian Operators Eyeing Bhutan
Indian mobile operators are eyeing to start services in Bhutan.
Bhutan Information Communications and Media Authority, which are keen on
introducing a new GSM operator, had announced to grant license to another
private mobile operator to start their mobile services in the country. According
to the Bhutan Telecom Policy, a global mobile operator should have an alliance
with a local vendor to provide services in the country.
TCS Net Profit at Rs 797 Crore
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the country's largest
software company, has announced a 37.63% rise in its net profit to Rs 796.69
crore during the quarter ended June 30, 2006. The figure for the corresponding
quarter last year stood at Rs 578.86 crore. The company's total income during
the period went up by 52.25% from Rs 2,276.32 crore to Rs 3,465.9 crore.
Airtel introduces Games on Demand
Airtel has introduced its Games on Demand Service, as part of
its endeavor to offer rich broadband content to its customers. Airtel Games on
Demand is a suite of online games designed to give consumers a never-before
online gaming experience. This service will enable consumers to enjoy unlimited
access to blockbuster games through the Airtel broadband consumer portal, for
just Rs 199 per month.
TI to Set Up R&D Center in Chennai
Texas Instruments (TI) is increasing its wireless designs in
India with a new research and development center in Chennai, to realize the goal
of having 500 mn mobile phone subscribers in the country by 2010. Choosing
efficient, cost-effective mobile technology will be critical to meet India's
burgeoning wireless growth and open standards such as GSM and DVB-H technologies
for mobile phones will provide the market with greater choice, better value and
more opportunities for innovation, the company said.
VSNL Completes DIL Acquisition
Videsh Sanchar Nigam (VSNL) has informed the BSE that the acquisition of
Direct Internet (DIL) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Primus Telecommunications
India (PTIL) for an enterprise valuation of Rs 750 mn has been completed. With
this, Direct Internet has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company and
consequently Primus Telecommunications India has also become an indirect
subsidiary of the company.
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