| |
DoT seeks TRAI view on delinking spectrum from license
June 25, 2009
The communications ministry has sought the views of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on un-bundling spectrum from awarding of licenses. If this happens, then a company would have to apply for a license first and then, if successful, bid for spectrum.
Currently, license awardees in both GSM and CDMA sectors are given some start up spectrum along with their licenses.
DoT plans new norms for payment disputes
June 24, 2009
The Department of Telecom (DoT) plans to establish norms, which prevent companies from delaying payment of pending dues to the government by disputing the payment.
The DoT opines that all telcos are using the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) as a means to challenge financial penalties imposed by the government and hence delay the payments.
According to DoT’s proposal, the telcos would have to pay 50% of the disputed amount before challenging the government’s decision to impose a financial penalty in the TDSAT. The DoT feels this would prevent ‘frivolous litigation’ where telcos approach the TDSAT over any small issue.
Govt. may announce BSNL listing in Budget
June 23, 2009
The government may announce an IPO for state owned telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) in the upcoming Budget.
BSNL has been keen to raise funds by selling shares but resistance from employee unions has prevented it from going ahead with its IPO. However, once government approval is obtained, BSNL would address the union’s concerns before proceeding with the listing.
Govt. likely to proceed with lock-in clause on telcos’ stake sale
June 23, 2009
The communications ministry is likely to go ahead with the lock-in period clause which prevents sale of promoter’s equity in start-up telecom companies for a lock in period of three years.
The proposal was mooted following allegations that the Telecom Minister A. Raja had given away telecom licenses last year at ‘throwaway prices’ fixed in 2001. These new telecom companies had issued equity to foreign partners for huge amounts, thus making windfall profits.
The lock in clause, if introduced, would apply only to future telecom licensees and not be applied retrospectively. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), who added that this clause would not apply in the case of telecom companies issuing fresh share capital to investors, has supported the clause.
Study demonstrates high costs for smaller businesses using aged PCs
June 26, 2009
According to a new study, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that hang onto their PCs for more than 3 years in hopes of saving money during the downturn are actually setting themselves up for significant increases in maintenance and repair costs, as well as security and system failures. The study, conducted by research firm Techaisle, revealed the following:
- The study demonstrates up to a 58 percent increase in virus incidents with PCs over 3 years old
- Upto 52 percent more SMBs experience serious failures in systems more than 3 years old
- 38 percent of SMBs faced hard drive failures in older systems as compared to 8 percent with newer systems
Additional information can be found in the Techaisle white paper “Cost of Maintaining PCs.”
HP strengthens its mobility offerings with launch of new notebooks
June 25, 2009
With the launch of 6 exciting notebooks, Hewlett Packard India, is set to strengthen its leadership in the field of mobility. The new products offer a combination of technology, style, service, information and insight across lifestyle and business computing segments.
The new launches included the HP Mini 110, HP Pavilion dv2, HP Pavilion dv6 Series Entertainment Notebook PC, HP Pavilion dv3, ProBook and Compaq 610 Notebook PC, at prices ranging from Rs. 22, 990 to Rs. Rs. 50,990 plus taxes.
New Acer Smart Handhelds launched in India
June 24, 2009
The Smart Handheld Business Group of Acer Inc., has launched its new line of Smart Handhelds in India. The devices are designed to cater to demands of increasingly sophisticated handheld users and to make mobile Internet attractive and accessible to all.
The device delivers seamless convergence of functionalities for both personal and professional use. With features like dual-SIM function, dual face design (touch screen along with keypad), the ACER Smart Handhelds cater to consumers seeking multiple features without having to carry several devices.
Green Packet partners Beceem to introduce new high-Performance WiMAX dongles
June 23, 2009
Green Packet, a leading developer of next generation mobile broadband and networking solutions and Beceem Communications, a leading developer of Mobile WiMAX chips, are forming a strategic partnership to introduce a portfolio of high-performance WiMAX USB dongles for the global WiMAX market.
Steadfast in its commitment to enhance its products and services while providing better end-user experiences, Green Packet has based its UM350 USB dongle on Beceem’s BCSM250 single chip solution. Beceem is a leading contributor to the rapid growth of the WiMAX ecosystem, and has set themselves as the enabler of high quality chipsets at very reasonable price points.
The collaboration will begin with Green Packet’s 3.5GHz USB dongles, extending into the development for the 2.3GHz and 2.5GHz spectrum to meet Green Packet’s client demand worldwide.
BSNL launches WiMAX in Krishna district
June 27, 2009
State owned telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. has launched WiMAX services in the Krishna district region of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
WiMAX services will allow a user to wirelessly access the Internet on the move throughout the region.
Tata Com wins BT outsourcing deal
June 26, 2009
British Telecom (BT) has awarded Tata Communications (TCOM) with a 5-year outsourcing contract under which the latter will offer voice carriage and termination services for BT.
It is estimated that the deal would fetch US$ 1.5 billion in revenues for TCOM over the next five years.
HCL Technologies awarded ‘Golden Peacock Eco-Innovation Award’ for its Green Datacenter Service
June, 25, 2009
HCL Technologies Infrastructure Services Division (HCLT ISD) has been conferred with the prestigious ‘Golden Peacock Eco-Innovation’ award for its Green Datacenter Service offering in the IT Sector category.
The award was presented to HCLT ISD at a special function during the Global Convention on Climate Change. HCLT ISD’s Green Datacenter offering was chosen amongst more than 100 corporate entries through a stringent selection process. The applications were assessed based on an exhaustive set of parameters and the applicant scoring the highest amongst each of the respective industrial categories were recommended to a three tiered jury chaired by Justice PN Bhagwati, former Chief Justice of India.
Golden Peacock Awards have been instituted by the Institute of Directors (IoD) in 1991 and are bestowed annually.
TTSL enters GSM space
June 24, 2009
Tata Teleservices (TTSL) has launched GSM services in Chennai. The company is now the second telco to offer both CDMA and GSM phone services.
The service has been launched under the brand name of ‘Tata DoCoMo’ and plans to cover the entire southern region along with Orissa within the next two weeks.
BT, CERT-In collaborate to address computer related crime
June 23, 2009
British Telecom (BT) and Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the overall security of the computing environment in the country.
As a part of the MOU, both BT and CERT-In have identified a common goal to work together to address the increasingly complex problems associated with computer security and computer-related crime in India. The scope of the MOU includes technical co-operation and information exchange, knowledge sharing, emergency response and coordination, executive information exchange and training as well as customer education and outreach.
|
|
