Convergence Plus Journal

POLICY

TRAI declares Open House Discussion on the Consultation Paper on ‘National Broadband Plan’
August 23, 2010

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is planning to organize Open House Discussion (OHD) on the Consultation Paper on ‘National Broadband Plan’ on 6th Sept’2010 at Hotel Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Interested Stakeholders/industry representatives are invited to participate. The Consultation Paper on the subject is available on the TRAI website ‘www.trai.gov.in’ under the heading “Consultation Paper”.

TRAI issues Consultation Paper on Technical Interoperability of DTH Set Top Boxes
August 20, 2010

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a Consultation Paper on Technical Interoperability of DTH Set Top Boxes. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has requested TRAI to review its recommendations - “Interoperability and Other Issues relating to DTH” dated 30th January, 2008. The Consultation paper discusses the architecture of Set Top Box, relevant standards and the various issues on technical interoperability. Stakeholders are requested to offer their valuable comments by 7th Sept. 2010 and counter-comments by 12th Sept.2010.

The full text of the consultation paper is available on TRAI website: www.trai.gov.in

TRAI releases recommendations on “Efficient Utilization of Numbering Resources in India”
August 20, 2010

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the recommendations on “Efficient Utilization of Numbering Resources in India”. Number resources have always played a central role in telecommunications and have acquired an important economic dimension with the liberalization of the telecommunications sector.

The existing National Numbering Plan 2003 (NNP 2003) that was designed for 750 million connections including 450 million mobile connections and was designed to last till 2030, has come under severe strain with the mobile numbers having crossed that mark in 2009 itself.

With the number of subscribers likely to exceed 1 billion by 2014, the situation calls for an urgent review to facilitate continued availability of numbers with minimum disruption to any service. The recommendations propose a solution in this regard.

For making allocation of numbers more efficient, TRAI has recommended automation of the allocation process. This would help service providers in getting allocations online.
Once the recommendations are accepted, TRAI proposes to go ahead with the work of preparation of detailed plan for migration to the integrated numbering scheme.

Text of the recommendations is available on the TRAI website www.trai.gov.in

TRAI issues Recommendations on Implementation of Digital Addressable
Cable TV Systems in India
August 5, 2010

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the recommendations on Implementation of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems in India.

Digital addressable systems will enable consumers to watch high quality digital Television channels of their choice on a-la-carte basis. Also digital systems have the capacity to deliver many more channels to the consumers than analogue cable.

TRAI has come up with its recommendations on Implementation of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems in India, the key features of which are:

a) Sunset date for Analogue TV services in the country - 31st Dec. 2013
b) Incentives to stakeholders
c) Education programmes

Gartner: Security Software Market is poised for 11 % growth in 2010
August 16, 2010

Worldwide security software revenue is forecast to surpass US$ 16.5 billion in 2010, an 11.3 % increase from 2009 revenue of US$ 14.8 billion, according to Gartner, Inc. Although the economic downturn slowed security revenue to 7 % growth in 2009, organizations have indicated an intention to give priority to security budgets.

The consumer security software market remains the largest security software segment, with 2010 revenue projected to reach US$ 4.2 billion in 2010, up from $3.9 billion in 2009. The endpoint protection platform (enterprise) market is the No. 2 security software segment, with revenue on pace to reach US$ 3 billion in 2010, up from US$ 2.9 billion in 2009.

The security software market continues to benefit from prioritization and demands related to compliance requirements, as well as the need to keep up with ever-increasing sophistication and volume in the threat landscape.

Worldwide Enterprise IT spending on pace to grow 2.9% in 2010: Gartner
August 10, 2010

Worldwide enterprise IT spending across all industry markets will grow 2.9 % in 2010 and surpass US$ 2.4 trillion, according to Gartner, Inc. Analysts said that all industries are continuing to return to growth after a challenging year in 2009, when IT spending by vertical market totaled $ 2.3 trillion, a 5.9 percent decline from 2008.

Gartner recommends that technology and service providers target high-growth industry segments through 2014, as well as undertaking further analysis of large, slow-growth segments for unusual growth opportunities at the sub-industry segment level. However, technology providers are advised to exercise caution with regard to the economy and its impacts on enterprise IT markets.

Freescale Technology Forum 2010 unveils innovative technologies
August 18, 2010

Freescale Semiconductor concluded its 6th Freescale Technology Forum (FTF) 2010 at The Leela Palace in Bengaluru. Over the past few years, the annual two-day event has evolved into a platform for the design community to explore the latest innovations in embedded design and exchange ideas with industry experts.

According to Henri Richard, senior VP, chief sales and marketing officer, Freescale Semiconductor, “The Indian market for embedded technology is experiencing a tremendous growth. Freescale’s innovative product demos at FTF India 2010 hold immense promise for the Indian companies including enterprises, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Public Sector Undertaking ( PSUs). We are confident that our next generation embedded technology will help upcoming Indian entities to realize their full potential and compete at the global arena.”

FTF India 2010 features more than 70 hours of technical training sessions and more than 50 interactive Technology Lab demonstrations organized in the fields of Automotive, Consumer, Industrial, Networking and Enabling Technologies.

Featured Technology Lab demos include: Intelligent Hospital System, Revolutionary Smartbook prototype, Virtual Mechanic, Stringless Guitar and Solar Inverters based on Freescale technology. The Technology Lab also showcases solutions from Freescale customer and partners

Fly introduces MC170 mobile phone
August 11, 2010

Fly Mobile, the Mobile handset brand of UK based Meridian group, announced the launch of its latest sinewy mobile handset Fly MC170. MC 170 is a sleek and stylish Pandora box. The phone is bundled with a powerful 3 MP camera which will let you forget your camera on your next holiday trip. MC170 is replete with social networking and instant messaging features. This small wonder holds a price to surprise for its consumers costing at Rs. 4094.

Key Features of the phone include:

The MC170 will be available at all fly Authorized Distributors and Retailers

Vodafone Essar in association with Eco-Activate, announced the launch of E-rick
August 10, 2010

Vodafone Essar, one of India’s leading cellular services providers, in association with Eco-Activate, announced the launch of the much awaited eco-friendly vehicle, E-rick as the sponsoring partner.

In keeping with Vodafone’s commitment towards a cleaner and greener environment, the launch of E-rick is an effort to provide pollution –free mode of transportation in the capital. E-rick, powered by batteries, aims to ensure reduction in carbon footprint with zero emissions. This technology will reduce the dependence on conventional fuel.

E-rick is a state-of-the-art means of bettery powered transportation combined with a striking shape, comfortable design and advanced technical features. The vehicle’s main components are a fully recyclable polyethylene cabin, a heavy duty modular steel frame and an advanced, digitally controlled electric propulsion system.

Mauj Mobile acquires Mobango, the first social mobile application store
August 17, 2010

Mauj Mobile, a part of People Group and one of India's leading Mobile VAS companies announced that it has acquired UK based Mobango, one of the world's largest independent mobile application and User Generated content store.

With the advent of 3G and availability of feature rich smart phones at low prices in India Mauj expects consumption of data-based services to increase significantly. This deal will allow Mauj to provide its partners, in India and abroad, a wider array of applications and content for their customers whilst further consolidating its foothold in the telecom managed services space.

Mobango has customers worldwide across all geographies with a big proportion of customers also from India. All downloads on Mobango are free for its end consumers. Mobango has served over 750 million downloads and currently generates in excess of 300 million downloads per annum to their customers. Mobango has one of the largest developer communities in the world who upload a large number of mobile applications to its store every single day.

Polycom Announces New Strategic Relationship with Microsoft for End-to-End Unified Communications
August 10, 2010

Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM) has signed a multi-year, strategic global agreement with Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) to deliver integrated end-to-end unified communications (UC) and to improve customers' business productivity.

Under the agreement, Polycom plans to develop and market standards-based UC solutions - encompassing software, hardware, networking and services - that span the enterprise, small-to-medium business, and government markets; and will enable customers to improve business productivity and reduce travel, telecom and IT operating costs.

Polycom and Microsoft share a vision for business productivity solutions built on standards-based platforms that work with the tools and applications people know and use today. The companies' strategic agreement is a major step towards streamlining communications across messaging, video and voice with connected applications and devices.

Product Development

The roadmap entails Polycom developing a broad base of solutions for Microsoft Communications Server "14" and beyond, including: