Arun

India 3G: No easy path for foreign telecoms 09.21.08, 11:06 PM ET Reuters Foreign telecom firms could gain access to India's booming mobile market through a global auction of 3G licences this year, but low call rates and established players mean it could take years to turn a profit. Foreign telecoms with 3G experience are allowed to bid at the auctions, opening the way for firms such as AT&T, Etisalat, NTT Docomo to gain a foothold in the world's fastest-growing mobile market. But India's 2G operators, including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications, Vodafone Essar and TM International backed Idea Cellular, are not going to cede their territory easily. "There will be a mad fight," said Madhusudan Gupta, a Singapore-based analyst with research firm Gartner, which sees Indian mobile users rising to 737 million by 2012 from nearly 300 million now, with 20 percent of those using 3G. "You have a long queue of foreigners. The potential is enormous in India." Five 3G licences will be available for most of India's 22 service zones, although limited spectrum means there will be a maximum of three in large cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai. Next-generation high-end 3G services give users a chance to enjoy fast Internet access, games and a host of multimedia content from maps to music on their cellphones, areas where 2G has been handicapped by a slower data transfer capability. India's mobile user base increased by 25 times between 2002 and 2007, but a winning bid will not be a licence to print money, especially for a new entrant up against India's cheap call rate model. Local call rates are less than 1 U.S. cent a minute, and local operators want to implement the same style of model in 3G. "In India tariffs have to be where Indian tariffs are," said Sunil Mittal, chairman of top mobile firm Bharti. "The idea in India is to provide telecom services at most affordable rates." 3G IS NOT EASY The low-cost plans will be a challenge given 3G has been associated with high-tariff structure globally, as new operators have to put up billions of dollars for licences and networks. India has set a base price of 20.20 billion rupees ($435 million) for a national licence. Actual bids are expected to be higher, especially in lucrative centres such as Mumbai and New Delhi, as the government is looking to raise up to $9 billion. Foreign telecom firms not already in the Indian market will also have to fork out 16.5 billion rupees ($355 million) for a telecoms licence, which the existing operators already have. "It is not going to be a cakewalk. It will be kind of a Catch-22 situation. You will have to spend so much, but you can not pass on in the same proportion," said Gartner's Gupta. "At the end of the day, price will matter." Importantly for new entrants, a winning 3G bid does not automatically get a bread-and-butter 2G licence. T.V. Ramachandran, an official at a mobile operators' association, COAI, says new foreign operators will have to look for an Indian partner that owns a 2G network. "It will be most difficult for pure 3G operators. Otherwise, I feel there will be initial years of losses, which is bound to be there in every business. But as we started late, we have a great advantage." New 2G licencees such as Unitech, Datacom and Loop Telecom could be targets for foreigners, although Indian policy at present does not allow two 2G licence holders to merge their licences for three years from issue. Billions of dollars of investment in upgrading or building new 3G network would spell more opportunity for global network gear makers such as Ericsson, Nokia, Siemens, Motorola and Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE Corp INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE Overseas, 3G has failed to deliver on the hype that often led to frenzied licence auctions. Hong Kong's Hutchison Whampoa has struggled since launching 3G services in Britain in 2003, and Vodafone ended up selling its underperforming Japanese 3G unit to Softbank in 2006. In South Korea, SK Telecom Co and KTF Co have been offering 3G services for more than a year, but high costs associated with subsidies for new phones and marketing has been a worry for 2G market leader SK. Singapore's three operators -- Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, StarHub Ltd and MobileOne Ltd -- rolled out their commercial 3G services in early 2005, but are yet to turn profitable on their 3G investments, analysts say. But the COAI's Ramachandran said India's size and growth potential gave it advantages over others. If 10 percent of users migrated to 3G, that would make a good business case, he said. "Foreign players have a deep pocket. But clearly the existing Indian operators have an overlay," said Alok Shende, principal analyst at Accendia Consulting. "But something one should understand. They have the licence for 20 years, not for 2-3 years. So it's not that they have to make all the money tomorrow."

Business Standard Rajesh S Kurup / Mumbai September 4, 2008, 1:45 IST With the Department of Telecommunications gearing up for simultaneous release of 3G and WiMax spectrum, analysts expect the two emerging wireless technologies to battle it out for supremacy. WiMax or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access is a telecom technology that enables wireless transmission of data. The technology is available as IEEE 802.16D (fixed) and IEEE 802.16E (mobile). It offers downloads of up to 70 Mbps as compared to the 15 Mbps that 3G provides. Mobile WiMax offers download speeds of around 20 Mbps. In India, companies like Tata Communications Internet Services, Intel, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications are the proponents of WiMax. Most of the companies have had beta-runs of the technology. According to a top official with a service provider, telecom service providers are in various stages of WiMax implementation. Some companies have commercially launched fixed WiMax services in certain cities. Prateek Pashine, CEO, Tata Communications Internet Services, says: “WiMax is a new technology. In India, it is being adopted even as it is simultaneously being implemented in advanced countries like the US, Japan and Korea.” While opponents of WiMax say currently it cannot be used for mobile applications, the first mobile WiMax network was introduced in Italy this July. “Around the world, WiMax is predominantly used for fixed services, but it is moving over to mobile,” notes Pashine. Another reason for the industry pinning its hopes on WiMax is its ability to increase the broadband penetration. Braham Singh, CEO of wireless broadband service provider, YouSnapper, says: “WiMax makes huge sense for companies as it enables them to provide cheaper mobile internet and broadband services, in turn, increasing the internet penetration. However, this will adversely impact services like GPRS and e-mail on mobile as users might move over to WiMax-enabled devices for data, even though they might stick with 3G or 2G spectrum for voice.” The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has set a target of 20 million broadband connections by 2010 from the current 4.3 million. The industry expects WiMax to bridge the gap. Manesh Patel, partner (Risk Advisory Services), Ernst & Young said service providers would mainly use the technology for gaining traction with the customers, as providing the last mile over the conventional digital subscriber lines would be time-consuming and costly. The technology would be mainly adopted by internet service providers, while some mobile companies were also expected to bid for the spectrum, he added. Operators will have to use 3G spectrum to revive voice services that are being choked by a dearth of 2G spectrum, Patel added. The WiMax customer premise equipment (CPE) is priced at Rs 5,000-10,000, while the CPEs for 3G would be cost Rs 10,000 and above. The industry will know the winner in the next six months, when the spectrum allocation is complete.

Yes, there are many applications that utilize dual core. A quad core may be an overkill for a normal user for now. I would recommend T8100 or above Not really, even 13.3 feels fine. I would recommend 3 GB RAM I prefer Dell because of the good price ratio, good quality, configurable options online and Next Business Day warranty Dell will give some discounts if you bargain well Right, not much point in having that Too costly for now. I am using a Dell Inspiron 6400 now which has been working great without any issues for about 1.5 years now. You can check out Inspiron, Studio or XPS series here: http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/c...ab=2&~ck=mn

Economic Times 20/09/08 Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) has finally signed the much touted deal with Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks SKG. According to sources close to the development, ADAG entertainment arm Reliance BIG Entertainment will invest $ 1.5 billion in DreamWorks SKG via debt and equity. Reports suggest that Reliance ADAG will pump in $550 million as equity investment while JPMorgan Chase & Co. will lead the $700 million debt financing. According to reports the total investment will be in the range of $ 1.2 - $ 1.3 billion, however the total sum to be pumped in the venture will be $1.5 billion. "The company will be investing in a slate of 32 movies to be made over a period of six years," says a source in Reliance ADAG. In a simultaneous development, Paramount has relieved DreamWorks founders Spielberg and David Geffen along with DreamWorks CEO Stacey Snider with immediate effect so as to join this new venture. Spielberg has been associated with Viacom's Paramount Studio for the last three years when Paramount acquired the DreamWorks live-action studio in 2005. Earlier this year, Reliance ADAG's entertainment arm Reliance BIG Entertainment has also signed development fund deals with the production houses of Hollywood stars like Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Jay Roach, George Clooney, Nicholas Cage and Chris Columbus.

how small do you need? 20 MB * 3 files will do? I will try to split and upload tonight.

isn't 60 MB small enough for downloading on a broadband connection?

I do not have it. Try searching in Google

Ofcourse, the service has to be activated to use it

Domain has to be blank. Is NetConnect service activated for your connection?

Settings > Connections > Connections > Add a new modem connection Use the number: #777 for dialing Enter your MDN (10 digit number) as the username and password. Make sure that there is no proxy address configured in the Connections congiguration. Then launch your broswer and it automatically dial the new dialer.

Are you referring to Reliance NetConnect service?

Well, that is for Fixed WiMax which is already available in India and requires an antenna on the roof top. This article is referring to Mobile WiMax which can be used directly in portable devices.

Times News Network Friday, May 11, 2007 05:56:19 PM India may soon join the social networking bandwagon. According to reports, Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group's Reliance Entertainment is launching a social networking site of its own. The Website called 'Big Adda', is currently in 'alpha' testing stage, and hence, available to Internet users on an 'invitation only' basis. Quoting company sources, the report adds that the Web site actually has been functioning since March this year, when users were invite to choose a logo from some 9 to 10 design options. The users were later asked to pick the template they liked best. 'Big Adda' is said to have a Web 2.0 format, and combines the usual 'social networking' structure with features like blog posts, forums, video uploads, and a messaging feature that is more like e-mail. The report says that 'Big Adda' will have communities with diverse interests ranging from politics to economics to entertainment. The Website will have a dedicated section for users' videos in different categories. The members will be able to rate the videos and comment on them. The video categories will be in several regional languages including Hindi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, etc. The report says that the existing users are being encouraged to give their feedback on the Website, and also contribute newer ideas for further development. The report adds that the 'beta' launch of 'Big Adda' is likely to take place by the end of this month or by early next month. Check out: www.bigadda.com

Will WiMax score over 3G mobile service? The Hindu - Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 The roll out of 3G is expected to shower in high speed data and advanced digital video streaming Many operators have already commissioned and some are doing field trials of WiMax services Any mobile user will be thrilled with joy if he gets real cinema clippings of the song in the mobile screen instead of ring back tone, or the actual cricket match itself displayed when dialled for commentary. The roll out of 3G, third generation cellular mobile service, by the mobile network operators in early 2009 is expected to shower in such value added services with lot of scope for high speed data and advanced digital video streaming. Paradigm shift to a new mobile environment facilitating Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) is most welcome by the consumers from the corporate houses and industry people in general, as the dream of any mobile customer ‘to get connected any time any where’ is materializing. As the the allocation of spectrum for 3G operations has been sorted out, the existing players and new entrants in the field are very enthusiastic on the prospects of a new wireless environment. Operations by mobile operators with an enhanced band width will now allow enriched services like real-time video casting of events like parties, functions or places of visit over mobile. This will also improve the scope of DVBH-Digital Video Broadcasting on Handheld, by public broadcasters. The Indian growth phenomenon of mobile network is different from the global scenario. Out of 9 million new mobile users added every month at least 80 per cent are getting it purely for the voice calls and monthly free SMS. Despite all ifs and buts, the positive thinking is that while customers are going to enjoy high end, high quality entertainment linked services of different varieties on their mobile, service providers are expecting to fill their kitty with many more plans for the new tariff regime. More applications Analysts say that the real competitor to 3G is none other than another emerging technology called WiMax (World wide Operability of Microwave Access). WiMax is a standard based (IEEE 802.16e) technology providing high speed data and voice services by networks covering long distances and wide ranges. WiMax can be used for a number of applications including last mile Broadband services, hotspots, mobile, fixed mobile, cellular backhaul and high speed enterprise connectivity. Wide reach WiMax is designed to provide E1 level bandwidth to business and equivalent of Cable and DSL access for home users. This will provide carrier-class solutions to support thousands of users not only in urban areas but also in rural unreached pockets by deploying a single base station for a radial distance of 35-40 kilometres. This is going to take over areas which are poorly connected by wired infrastructure. Many operators have already commissioned and some are doing field trials of WiMax services in different cities in India. Industry majors like Alcatel, Micrsoft, Intel have supplied technical knowhow and implementation strategy to many Indian Players. Tata, Bharti, Reliance and BSNL have started WiMax network operations in select cities. WiMax has been identified as the only technology to extend the broadband services to rural areas. Significant factor The significant factor contributing for WiMax viability is the spectral efficiency as the technology is standardised to have a long distance coverage with a single BTS. It is reported that the implementation cost is about one tenth only in the case of WiMax as compared to 3G. While only the mobile users are targeted in the 3G with differentiated services, different types of communication are possible (BWA, Mobile, Fixed, E1) through WiMax. Global roaming comes as default in WiMax mobile as system design.

That would mean no permission for now.

Still near lifetime lows though

Reliance Communications launches prepaid BlackBerry services in India 16 Sep, 2008, 1856 hrs IST, Press Trust of India Reliance Communications today launched the country's first prepaid Blackberry services on both GSM and CDMA models. This has extended the reach of Blackberry smartphones to over 200 million prepaid users in India, a RCom statement said here. So far, Blackberry is available only on the postpaid connections of Vodafone Essar and Bharti Airtel. The company has introduced two tariff plans for it-Plan Rs 1,299 and Plan Rs 1,599. In both the plans Reliance to Reliance mobile local and intra-circle calls are free. In Plan 1,299 call charges range from 49 paise to 99 paise for local and STD calls from Rcom to other networks. The international calls range from Rs 6.90 a minute to Rs 40 a minute depending on the country. A first of its kind 'pay as you use' pricing model in India is in line with Reliance Communications' strategy to extend BlackBerry services to customers who are looking for cost-effective options, flexibility and control over their expenses for wireless services, it said. "We recognise the needs of customers and believe a prepaid option enabled by Reliance Communications will significantly broaden the consumer interest in BlackBerry smartphones and expand our business opportunity," Reliance Communications President, Mobile Data and Content Services, Mahesh Prasad said.

TelecomTiger 16 September 2008 Reliance Communications (RCom) has forged a deal with British Broadcast Corporation (BBC), enabling its users enjoy the news channel’s programs 24X7 on their handsets, as a live streaming service. “We are proud that Reliance Communications is one of the very few telecom operators in the world to provide such a service. Our association with BBC World News will enable us to provide up-to-the-minute international news coverage to our subscribers,” commented Mr. Krishna Durbha, Head- VAS Business & Marketing, Reliance communications on the collaboration. As a part of the agreement, Reliance Mobile users can access BBC’s trademark live breaking news and landmark programming initiatives as they are broadcasted straight on their mobile phones. Being an online stream service, the subscribers of Reliance Mobile can tune into their programs while on the move within the state or while traveling anywhere around the country.

Well, you also have to consider self-protecting yourself as well. If a terrorist (or anyone) uses your WiFi connection to send a threat email tomorrow, then as per Information Technology Act of India (which haven't been amended for years) it is considered that you have sent the email.

True... AirTel's EDGE is slow as well, though it costs lot less than Reliance NetConnect.

Moderation preview restriction will not be removed manually if you request here. There is a critieria defined and it will be automatically removed only.

@Quarish: Check your PM

I just secured my WiFi with 3 steps... assigned a new admin password, created a WPA encryption key and restricted access to my PC and laptop's MAC ID

must have been through eBay

Mogul won't support operating systems other than Windows Mobile. Pocket Mac is a sync solution for Windows and Mac, not a Operating System.