MUMBAI: Betting big on WiMax in India, chip giant Intel is in talks with telecom operators to enable the growth of WiMax ecosystem through its products for boosting the penetration of wireless broadband in the world’s fastest-growing telecom market.
The US-based company is working with ODMs (original device manufacturers) to evolve new products like WiMax USB dongle, mobile internet devices (MIDs) besides WiMax notebooks with an aim to have wireless broadband networks running by the first quarter of 2009 in India.
“The idea is to utilise existing telecom tower, power and fiber backhaul infrastructure of operators to ensure faster roll out of WiMax networks at the lowest costs and time-to-market. Like the USB dongle, a similar PCM express WiMax card will come from Intel’s ODMs. It’ll be a PC add-on card. Laptops will also evolve to have mobile internet,” Intel’s MD, emerging market, Wimax program office, C S Rao said.
“We are talking to operators to evolve good device partnership models with them. India is the market for Intel. If we are able to add even one-tenth of the 8million-9million subscribers being added every month, it will be huge. Volumes in this market are going to be significantly high,” he said.
WiMax or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access is a wireless communication technology, which can offer high speed connectivity in about 50 km radius. Globally, 484 WiMax products are available for commercial use. While a customer premise equipment (CPE, which resides in the user’s premises) is available for around $100 (Rs 4200), a WiMax notebook from Taiwanese technology major ASUS can be bought for as low as $400 (Rs 16,800). An ecosystem of products and infrastructure is crucial for the success of any new technology and WiMax seems to be ready on these counts.
Right now, India has around 4.5 m broadband subscribers, mostly through copper wire. The targeted user base is 20 million by 2020. “With WiMax, the target may be achieved a little earlier because of high demand and existing ecosystem. Intel has strong distribution channels in India. All those will be used to proliferate WiMax devices,” he said.
In India, Tata Communications (earlier VSNL), Reliance Communications and public sector BSNL are strong proponents of WiMax. “Logistics of wireless broadband roll out are much more easier and cost effective. Telecom infrastructure, like towers can be used for WiMax, resulting in sharing of costs between more parties,” he said.
Comparing WiMax with 3G (third generation), which is a competing technology, Mr Rao said WiMax will offer three times more speed and will be cheaper. Operators like Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular are betting big on 3G. While 3G-enabled handsets are already available in India, the launch of Apple’s 3G iPhone is expected to formally ring in the rollout of 3G in the country.
“3G has the capability to offer high-speed data services but doesn’t have the scalability. You need more base stations for offering 3G at the same capacity of total bandwidth and with this, the capex per subscriber goes up. And if you add more subscribers, the speed goes down. WiMax is a more cost-effective and efficient technology,” he added.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
ISPs too want DoT to review WiMAX policy
NEW DELHI: After telecom regulator TRAI and the finance ministry, the department of telecom (DoT) is set to face further opposition to its WiMAX auction policy. The Internet Service Providers Association of India, the body representing all standalone ISPs, has decided to ask the DoT to review the WiMAX policy, failing which it plans to haul the communications ministry to the telecom tribunal. “We will approach the DoT over this issue next week,” ISPAI president Rajesh Charia told ET.
First, standalone ISPs do not want the base price for the WiMAX auction to be linked to that of 3G. At present, the policy stipulates that the base price for WiMAX spectrum auction will be 25% of that for 3G radio frequencies — this implies, the reserve price of a pan-India WiMAX licence comes to about Rs 505 crore.
“WiMAX is predominantly for wireless high speed internet or broadband services where the platform of usage is computers. On the other hand, 3G is for mobile services,” explained Mr Charia. According to him, if the auctions are carried out as per the base price proscribed in the policy, no ISP would be able to bid. “A minimum of one slot must be reserved for standalone ISPs. Here only ISPs should be permitted to bid against each other,” he added. ISPAI wants an alternate formula where its members be charged only 25% of the highest bid that a telco makes for WiMAX spectrum in that particular circle during the auction.
Meanwhile, as reported by ET first, ISPs such as Sify and Spectranet are also planning to haul the communications ministry to the courts over the government’s decision to take back the 2.5 GHz WiMAX spectrum allotted to them. Any move by ISPs to go to the courts over these issues could delay the WiMAX spectrum auctions which are scheduled to take place by the year-end. Besides, the DoT can only go ahead with the auction if ISPs vacate the radio frequencies they hold in the 2.5 GHz band.
First, standalone ISPs do not want the base price for the WiMAX auction to be linked to that of 3G. At present, the policy stipulates that the base price for WiMAX spectrum auction will be 25% of that for 3G radio frequencies — this implies, the reserve price of a pan-India WiMAX licence comes to about Rs 505 crore.
“WiMAX is predominantly for wireless high speed internet or broadband services where the platform of usage is computers. On the other hand, 3G is for mobile services,” explained Mr Charia. According to him, if the auctions are carried out as per the base price proscribed in the policy, no ISP would be able to bid. “A minimum of one slot must be reserved for standalone ISPs. Here only ISPs should be permitted to bid against each other,” he added. ISPAI wants an alternate formula where its members be charged only 25% of the highest bid that a telco makes for WiMAX spectrum in that particular circle during the auction.
Meanwhile, as reported by ET first, ISPs such as Sify and Spectranet are also planning to haul the communications ministry to the courts over the government’s decision to take back the 2.5 GHz WiMAX spectrum allotted to them. Any move by ISPs to go to the courts over these issues could delay the WiMAX spectrum auctions which are scheduled to take place by the year-end. Besides, the DoT can only go ahead with the auction if ISPs vacate the radio frequencies they hold in the 2.5 GHz band.
27.5 mn WiMAX users in India by '12: Study
NEW DELHI: India will have over 27.5 million WiMAX users by 2012. About 70% of the WiMAX subscribers will use mobile and portable WiMAX devices to access broadband Internet services, according to a study by the WiMAX Forum. Interestingly, as on January 2008, India had only 3.4 million broadband subscribers, less than the target nine million by 2007 set by the broadband policy makers.
WiMAX, or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecom technology that provides wireless data in a variety of ways, ranging from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular-type access. According to the study, low operator capex, innovative return on investment (ROI) models combined with the economies of scale are the factors that will drive down the cost of the wide range of diverse WiMAX devices, fuelling the subscriber base in India.
“India is clearly making the commitment and taking steps to ensure wireless broadband services are a reality that enable operators to meet the needs of India’s diverse and growing population,” said WiMAX Forum president Ron Resnick.
However, research firm Gartner was more conservative in its projection of WiMAX users in India. In a report, it predicted that India will remain a niche market for WiMAX until 2009.
India will have just 6.9 million mobile and fixed WiMAX connections by the end of 2011 according to Gartner. The reason Gartner cites is the failure of the government to effectively motivate operators to roll out country-wide mobile broadband. WiMAX is still a niche technology and limited to enterprise and high-end residential users in urban India, according to Gartner.
Whatever the actual numbers in future, WiMAX does offer a compelling option to users to get broadband access. Last week, the WiMAX Forum complimented the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for the allocation of and upcoming auction relating to the 2.3 and 2.5 GHz frequency bands.
The auction will enable two 20 MHz blocks to be available for WiMAX in both the 2.3 and 2.5 GHz bands. The WiMAX Forum also lauded the government’s plans to auction blocks in the 700 MHz and 3.3-3.6 GHz bands. The Forum expects to certify the first 3.5 GHz WiMAX products by the end of 2008 and views 700 MHz as a strong contender for mobile Internet services, especially in India’s low-density rural areas.
“WiMAX technology has the potential to bridge India’s digital divide, offering broadband services in dense urban and suburban areas, rural broadband connectivity to enable high-speed wireless applications and services,” the study stated.
WiMAX, or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecom technology that provides wireless data in a variety of ways, ranging from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular-type access. According to the study, low operator capex, innovative return on investment (ROI) models combined with the economies of scale are the factors that will drive down the cost of the wide range of diverse WiMAX devices, fuelling the subscriber base in India.
“India is clearly making the commitment and taking steps to ensure wireless broadband services are a reality that enable operators to meet the needs of India’s diverse and growing population,” said WiMAX Forum president Ron Resnick.
However, research firm Gartner was more conservative in its projection of WiMAX users in India. In a report, it predicted that India will remain a niche market for WiMAX until 2009.
India will have just 6.9 million mobile and fixed WiMAX connections by the end of 2011 according to Gartner. The reason Gartner cites is the failure of the government to effectively motivate operators to roll out country-wide mobile broadband. WiMAX is still a niche technology and limited to enterprise and high-end residential users in urban India, according to Gartner.
Whatever the actual numbers in future, WiMAX does offer a compelling option to users to get broadband access. Last week, the WiMAX Forum complimented the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for the allocation of and upcoming auction relating to the 2.3 and 2.5 GHz frequency bands.
The auction will enable two 20 MHz blocks to be available for WiMAX in both the 2.3 and 2.5 GHz bands. The WiMAX Forum also lauded the government’s plans to auction blocks in the 700 MHz and 3.3-3.6 GHz bands. The Forum expects to certify the first 3.5 GHz WiMAX products by the end of 2008 and views 700 MHz as a strong contender for mobile Internet services, especially in India’s low-density rural areas.
“WiMAX technology has the potential to bridge India’s digital divide, offering broadband services in dense urban and suburban areas, rural broadband connectivity to enable high-speed wireless applications and services,” the study stated.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Sify to set up two data centers to expand network
MUMBAI: Internet service provider Sify Technologies will set up two data centers in Mumbai and Noida to double its network at a cost of Rs 250 crore.
"We are setting up a data center in Mumbai and (another) near Delhi. We will be doubling our network (point of presence) to 800. All these expansion would cost us Rs 250 crore," a top company official told the media.
The company has begun work on its data center in Mumbai, which would be spread over one lakh sq ft area. It would be ready in 15 months, the official said.
Sify's other data center would come up in Noida, which would be a greenfield project spread over 30,000 sq ft area. The construction on Noida site would begin soon, the official said.
A data center is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components such as telecommunications and storage systems.
The company has been alloted 17 acres of land in Chennai and it plans to set up a Special Economic Zone. "We are planning to offer export-oriented services through the SEZ," the official said.
About 10 per cent of the company's topline comes from exports.
At present the company has presence in 380 points in the country, which would be taken up to 800 in this financial year.
"Last year too, we had more than doubled our network from 180 to 380," the official added.
The 2,500 strong team of Sify would hire 500 more this year, the official added.
Source : EconomicTimes
"We are setting up a data center in Mumbai and (another) near Delhi. We will be doubling our network (point of presence) to 800. All these expansion would cost us Rs 250 crore," a top company official told the media.
The company has begun work on its data center in Mumbai, which would be spread over one lakh sq ft area. It would be ready in 15 months, the official said.
Sify's other data center would come up in Noida, which would be a greenfield project spread over 30,000 sq ft area. The construction on Noida site would begin soon, the official said.
A data center is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components such as telecommunications and storage systems.
The company has been alloted 17 acres of land in Chennai and it plans to set up a Special Economic Zone. "We are planning to offer export-oriented services through the SEZ," the official said.
About 10 per cent of the company's topline comes from exports.
At present the company has presence in 380 points in the country, which would be taken up to 800 in this financial year.
"Last year too, we had more than doubled our network from 180 to 380," the official added.
The 2,500 strong team of Sify would hire 500 more this year, the official added.
Source : EconomicTimes
MTNL cuts broadband charges, launches TV on mobile
NEW DELHI: Public sector telecom services provider MTNL on Wednesday slashed broadband charges by up to 50 per cent to increase user base in the national capital.
The PSU announced a plan that will offer customers high speed (2 mbps) Internet access at a monthly rental of Rs 99 and 150 mb free download. Alternately, users can opt for a monthly rental scheme of Rs 149 with free download of 400 mb.
These plans will be available from August 15. It has also reduced the monthly rental of another tariff plan by 34 per cent from Rs 899 to 599 that would be available to customers from September 1.
MTNL, which has 2.6 lakhs broadband customers in Delhi, plans to attract more customers with this reduction, company's Executive Director-Delhi A K Arora said.
The state-run telecom operator, which was the first to launch IPTV in the country, also added another first to its credit by launching Mobile TV.
"The TV service on mobile handsets 'MTNL-TV' is available in Delhi and the NCR for MTNL customers both on Dolphin and Trump. It will provide 20 channels, and the charges are Rs 99 per month," Arora said here.
Fashion TV and religious channels will be not be available on the service.
Source : EconomicTimes
The PSU announced a plan that will offer customers high speed (2 mbps) Internet access at a monthly rental of Rs 99 and 150 mb free download. Alternately, users can opt for a monthly rental scheme of Rs 149 with free download of 400 mb.
These plans will be available from August 15. It has also reduced the monthly rental of another tariff plan by 34 per cent from Rs 899 to 599 that would be available to customers from September 1.
MTNL, which has 2.6 lakhs broadband customers in Delhi, plans to attract more customers with this reduction, company's Executive Director-Delhi A K Arora said.
The state-run telecom operator, which was the first to launch IPTV in the country, also added another first to its credit by launching Mobile TV.
"The TV service on mobile handsets 'MTNL-TV' is available in Delhi and the NCR for MTNL customers both on Dolphin and Trump. It will provide 20 channels, and the charges are Rs 99 per month," Arora said here.
Fashion TV and religious channels will be not be available on the service.
Source : EconomicTimes
Sunday, August 3, 2008
ISPs cry foul over WiMAX spectrum
NEW DELHI: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Sify and Spectranet are up in arms following the government's decision to take back the 2.5 GHz WiMAX spectrum allotted to them. ISPs claim they had already firmed up investment plans and ordered equipment when the Department of Telecom (DoT) shot a letter asking them to return the spectrum. The ISP Association is going to court over the government's decision.
"We had already started our commercial pilots and will incur a commercial loss due to the government's decision. Now, auctioning of the spectrum could lead to inflation in internet service charges, which is not a good thing for India as we are still poorly developed in terms of broadband penetration," says Sify's president for consumer infrastructure Naresh Ajwani.
The government had allotted 2.5 GHz spectrum (for mobile wireless broadband) in 2003 to seven players including Bharti, R-Com, HCL Infinet, Sify and Spectranet. But the government has asked them to return the spectrum. It plans to auction the 2.5 GHz spectrum for a base price of about Rs 550 crore. It will be about one-fourth the bidding price which is fixed at about Rs 2,200 crore for a pan-India licence, according to guidelines.
"The government should talk to industry players to resolve this tangle. Some players who have already started offering wireless broadband to corporate customers based on the spectrum allotted and ordered equipment will suffer a loss," says advisor to Spectranet Amitabh Singhal.
There's no way any ISP will be able to shell out Rs 550 crore for a WiMAX spectrum," says advisor to Spectranet Amitabh Singhal. "It's like changing the rules of the game just when a match is going to start. It will only lead to increase in valuations of universal access licence holders (UASL) or the telecom operators, who will hoard the WiMAX spectrum. We will be going to court against the DoT decision," said Internet Service Providers Association of India president Rajesh Charria.
Based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, WiMAX works on three licensed spectrum profiles: 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz. Currently, Pakistan has one of the largest functional WiMAX networks in the world, deployed by Wateen Telecom on Motorola hardware.
In India, the government had got 40MHz vacated from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2003 which was allotted to seven ISP licence holders in 2003. Recently, the government got an additional 30 MHz vacated from ISRO. The government plans to put forth the entire 70 MHz for auction, which the ISPs are opposing.
WiMAX or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a wireless communication technology which can offer high speed connnectivity over a larger, about 50 km radius. It's important also for remote areas and tough terrain where setting up optical fibre cables is difficult.
"We had already started our commercial pilots and will incur a commercial loss due to the government's decision. Now, auctioning of the spectrum could lead to inflation in internet service charges, which is not a good thing for India as we are still poorly developed in terms of broadband penetration," says Sify's president for consumer infrastructure Naresh Ajwani.
The government had allotted 2.5 GHz spectrum (for mobile wireless broadband) in 2003 to seven players including Bharti, R-Com, HCL Infinet, Sify and Spectranet. But the government has asked them to return the spectrum. It plans to auction the 2.5 GHz spectrum for a base price of about Rs 550 crore. It will be about one-fourth the bidding price which is fixed at about Rs 2,200 crore for a pan-India licence, according to guidelines.
"The government should talk to industry players to resolve this tangle. Some players who have already started offering wireless broadband to corporate customers based on the spectrum allotted and ordered equipment will suffer a loss," says advisor to Spectranet Amitabh Singhal.
There's no way any ISP will be able to shell out Rs 550 crore for a WiMAX spectrum," says advisor to Spectranet Amitabh Singhal. "It's like changing the rules of the game just when a match is going to start. It will only lead to increase in valuations of universal access licence holders (UASL) or the telecom operators, who will hoard the WiMAX spectrum. We will be going to court against the DoT decision," said Internet Service Providers Association of India president Rajesh Charria.
Based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, WiMAX works on three licensed spectrum profiles: 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz. Currently, Pakistan has one of the largest functional WiMAX networks in the world, deployed by Wateen Telecom on Motorola hardware.
In India, the government had got 40MHz vacated from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2003 which was allotted to seven ISP licence holders in 2003. Recently, the government got an additional 30 MHz vacated from ISRO. The government plans to put forth the entire 70 MHz for auction, which the ISPs are opposing.
WiMAX or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a wireless communication technology which can offer high speed connnectivity over a larger, about 50 km radius. It's important also for remote areas and tough terrain where setting up optical fibre cables is difficult.
Tata Comm to take WiMax services to 115 towns this fiscal
MUMBAI : Tata Communications, formerly VSNL, will take its WiMax services to 115 towns in this fiscal from the present 60 and it will look at taking broadband-WiMax services to four to five cities, a top company official said.
"The government has announced that it will auction spectrum. Once the spectrum is alloted, we plan to take the broadband-WiMax services to four-five cities," Tata Communications CEO and MD N Srinath told shareholders yesterday.
Presently, the company uses underground cable network to provide WiMax services. But it faces "quality problems" because of "last mile connectivity problems".
Using broadband would improve the quality of the WiMax service, he said.
WiMax is a telecommunication technology that provides wireless data.
The company would be investing USD two billion in the next three years as part of its capital expenditure, Srinath said.
The investments would go in laying submarine cable systems and rolling out WiMax services, he added.
Source : EconomicTimes
"The government has announced that it will auction spectrum. Once the spectrum is alloted, we plan to take the broadband-WiMax services to four-five cities," Tata Communications CEO and MD N Srinath told shareholders yesterday.
Presently, the company uses underground cable network to provide WiMax services. But it faces "quality problems" because of "last mile connectivity problems".
Using broadband would improve the quality of the WiMax service, he said.
WiMax is a telecommunication technology that provides wireless data.
The company would be investing USD two billion in the next three years as part of its capital expenditure, Srinath said.
The investments would go in laying submarine cable systems and rolling out WiMax services, he added.
Source : EconomicTimes
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