Tejas Networks is looking at enabling existing SDH/SONET products to provide carrier class ethernet Services that meet global specifications. "Tejas is also investing in R&D for a complete range of pure packet platforms to cater to the burgeoning data services market. There is also a strong focus in developing OAM and security capabilities which have traditionally been a weak point of pure packet platforms," says Kumar N Sivarajan, CTO, Tejas Networks.

The thrust of One97 Communications will be on video-based 3G technologies, while it wants to look at more features in telecom applications like advanced cell management video portal, audio and video streaming applications, innovative voice SMS applications, etc.

New technology areas that Motorola India is engaging include: emerging technologies for broadband wireless like Wi-Fi, WiMax, 3GPP LTE and UMB-new air-interface technologies, low power solutions for long-range broadband connectivity in rural areas; increasing capacity and range extension of Wi-Fi, WiMax and alternative communications networks; seamless mobility of mobile devices across heterogeneous networks, eg moving seamless between a WiMax and EV-DO network without dropping a voice or video session; next generation user experience for mobile devices; enterprise mobility, and next generation converged architectures for wireless and wired networks-IP version 6, autonomics, IP mobility, etc.

According to Sanjay Goyal, founder and CEO, ACL Wireless, "Our primary focus is on community and messaging applications on mobiles."

George Huang, COO, R&D, Huawei Technologies, says, "We are engaged in developing cutting-edge software products/platforms in the areas of next generation and intelligent networks, data communication, network management, telecom middleware, optical networks, and mobile handset software for worldwide market. As an innovation driven organization, we have filed over two hundred patents in the above areas."

Issues and Concerns
The telecom industry has faced several challenges on its way to grow to meet future demands of customers. Although India is catching up with emerging technologies very fast, it has its own typical market reality. While plans are on to launch value-added services at one end, you see services providers expanding their network into the interiors with basic offerings at the other end. They are growing simultaneously on the scale and margin front, which is totally different from the developed world.

So, the amount of complexity is much higher in managing such parallel growth on two fronts. "We are addressing the intricacies of this scenario by taking a market-focused approach, involving the 4Cs-customers, content partners, channel partners, and competition-rather than the technology-focused approach. Ultimately, what matters is what the customer wants, not what technology wants to offer," says Nikhil Jain, president and COO, Elitecore Technologies.

Devarajan of Cisco Systems says, "Emerging markets such as India are at an interesting inflection point as far as technology is concerned. In contrast to markets that have deployed multiple generations of IT infrastructure over the years, India can leapfrog right to 21st century solutions. We are already witnessing an IT infrastructure build-out in key market segments here, and Cisco India has organized teams to deliver specific solutions in all of those segments. Thus, we can implement networking solutions quickly so that our customers can reduce time-to-market and adapt to changing market conditions."

There aren't any major issues in India except the usual infrastructure challenges.

India has got an excellent manpower resource base. Majority of our R&D team members are Indian. At this moment, the regulatory policies are also conducive to business being done in India. At the same time, the demand for manpower far exceeds the supply. The Indian education system needs to produce more engineers. "Other than the availability of manpower, we do not see any issues in doing business in India," says Taranjit S Batra, VP, Global Sales, Kirusa.

Being one the fastest growing telecom market, India presents challenges as well as opportunities for Motorola. It is well positioned to leverage the rich and diverse local talent, a talented engineering backbone engaged in research and development, partnerships with customers, and partnerships forged with the academia, to serve the key regional markets as well as offer solutions tailor made to help connect the unconnected, with a special emphasis on WiMax.

"More equitable and transparent system of revenue share between telcos, service providers and developers is needed"		"We are addressing the scenario by taking a market-focused approach, involving the 4Cs-customers, content partners, channel partners, and competition "		"We are engaged in developing cutting-edge software products/platforms in the areas of next generation and intelligent networks... "
-Vijay Shekhar Sharma, MD, One97 Communications		-Nikhil Jain, president and COO, Elitecore Technologies		-George Huang, Coo, R&D, Huawei Technologies

A revamp of telecom infrastructure is urgently required. "We have an infrastructure that is collapsing under the runaway rate of increase in new subscribers. Also, a large section of it is on the verge of becoming obsolete and needs to be upgraded on a priority basis. More equitable and transparent system of revenue share between telcos, service providers and developers is needed," says Vijay Shekhar Sharma, MD, One97 Communications.

In India government policies on spectrum allocation are a major factor, which will shape the future of the telecom industry. The quick acceptance and implementation of recommendations on 3G spectrum given by TRAI will expedite the deployment of 3G in the country. We believe the recommendations made by India's regulatory authority are inclusive, forward-looking, will motivate the operators to value spectrum and will strengthen the overall wireless market in the country.

ACL Wireless' Goyal says, "Mobile infrastructure is at various stages of development when one looks across the carriers in India, a very price sensitive market. It is difficult to create a 'one-size-fits-all' solution."

Paradigm Shift
The Indian market is very cost sensitive market compared to the global market. While serving the Indian market, the pricing will need to be cheaper. More regional offerings will gain traction in coming years. Global markets desire innovative services and a high quality standard.

The Indian mobile market initially focused on affordability, but is maturing as consumers demand more. Consumers are becoming increasingly savvy, and it is now about the "experience factor" and personalization of the device. Affordability, variety, functionality and compelling form factors are the keys to consumer satisfaction. The integration of high-speed data computing, audio, video streaming, cameras and information presented as graphically rich content will make the mobile device the single most ubiquitous access point for users. The mobile phone as a tool for enabling broadband and differentiated communications services is gaining acceptance among the Indian consumers.

Subash Menon, founder chairman, MD & CEO, Subex Azure, says "Our vision is to be a global leader in the telecom operations support systems (OSS) space within the next three to four years. To achieve this, we will be pursuing both organic and inorganic growth models. In order to attain and maintain a leadership position by providing technologically advanced solutions, we will continue to invest 10-15% of our revenues in R&D."

Emerging markets like India are accelerating a rethink on various technology applications, products, new alternative energy systems and a new paradigm for cost efficiencies. Learning from these geographies will ultimately get communicated to the advanced economies, since efficiency and cost are common denominators for all markets. 

Baburajan K
baburajank@cybermedia.co.in