Convergence Plus Journal

POLICY

3G pre-bid conference date to be announced
September 8, 2009

The government is planning to announce the dates for a conference with potential bidders for 3G spectrum. This pre-bid conference will discuss the process and schedules for the 3G spectrum auctions.

An empowered Group of Ministers (eGOM), was formed to look into the issues of spectrum pricing. The auctions will be held within 3 months after the eGOM’s decisions have been announced.

Uniform spectrum license fee under consideration
September 6, 2009

The Department of Telecom (DoT) has proposed that the existing variable license fee regime for telecom companies be replaced by a single uniform rate.

Currently, telcos pay between 6-10% of their total annual revenues to the Government as license fees. The rate varies according to the area of operation. Those operating in Circle A states pay 10% while those in Circle C states pay 6%.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has stated that the government must consult it before implementing this decision.

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Gartner: Asia-Pac organizations to have highest software budget growth in 2010
September 8, 2009

According to a survey by Gartner Inc., organizations in Asia Pacific plan to increase their software budgets by 4.4. percent on average in 2010 while overall IT budgets are expected to face a decline. This is higher than the average software budget increases by organizations in all other regions surveyed – including Europe, Middle East & Africa, North America and Latin America.

Gartner surveyed 323 IT managers in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, China, India and Hong Kong, as part of a worldwide survey of 982 respondents, to help business and IT managers compare their enterprise IT spending with peer organisations. Respondents were asked whether they expected their 2010 IT budget to be below, the same or exceed their IT budget for 2009.

India-based respondents are consistently the most optimistic, with the highest number of respondents intending to increase their IT budget in 2010 (42 percent), followed by China (32 percent).

Media industry to grow by 65% in 09 second half
September 7, 2009

According to a recent review of the media industry, the sector is expected to grow by 65% in the July-December period. Madison Media released a mid-term review of the Pitch Madison Media Advertising Outlook 2009.

Currently worth Rs. 21,000 crore, the media industry earned only 7,452 crore in the first half of 2009, which was Rs. 1,414 crore less than what it earned in the same period last year. But thinks are looking up now, according to the review.

India’s first 3G embedded netbook
September 2, 2009

Olive Telecommunication (parent company of Haier Mobile) and Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL) have announced the launch of India’s first netbook embedded with high-speed Internet access for mobile Internet connectivity and broadband access.

The Netbook X107H, powered by Qualcomm’s QSC6085™ chipset, will leverage the capabilities of EV-DO Rev. A technology on TTSL’s network to enable users with ‘Anywhere, Anytime’ broadband connectivity and help them access advanced data applications and services on the move. The netbook has a 1.6-GHz processor, 1-GB DDR memory and 160-GB 2.5” HDD storage. The netbook comes with attractive payment options and will be available at Tata Indicom stores and other retail outlets across the country.

MTNL launches India’s first operator branded 3G HSPA handset with Micromax
September 2, 2009

Micromax announced with MTNL the launch of Micromax H360, the first operator branded 3G HSPA handset in India. Micromax H360 demonstrates the cooperation of Micromax - India’s leading mobile handset manufacturer, MTNL, the state-owned telecom services provider and the first telecom operator to launch 3G services in India and Qualcomm - a leading developer and innovator of 3G and advanced wireless technologies, products and services. These handsets will initially be available in the cities of Mumbai and Delhi.

The H360 will be available exclusively to MTNL customers at a price of Rs. 5499/-*[1]. Users can now watch live Cricket matches, real-time national & regional news, bollywood music & movie videos, their favorite TV Soaps, national and regional language channels and much more through the Mobile TV application available on H360, which has high speed internet access on HSDPA with peak speeds upto 3.6Mbps. The handset will also offer video telephony for users to see their caller live on screen. Besides this, the available social messenger application allows the users to blog, email, access Facebook and Orkut at all times and stay connected with their friends and family.

Ten Sports and NBC Universal Digital Solutions (NBCUDS) have entered to an agreement to launch a free, cricket focused multi-platform sports portal. The site will feature live webcasts of full cricket matches that encompass exclusive content from half the world’s cricket boards including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The site will debut with live webcast coverage of the Compaq Cup – a triangular cricket series between India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka starting on September 8, 2009. Ten Sports will promote the new portal to its worldwide audience of over 70 million homes.

Mobizone to cater to end mobile users
September 1, 2009

Pacetel Communications Pvt. Ltd. has launched a multi-brand mobile phone outlet in New Delhi. The Mobizone series of outlets aims at providing quality repair services to mobile phone users in India.

Planning to expand to 180 outlets across India, Mobizone also provides multiple brands of mobile phones, accessories and recharge coupons.