NEW DELHI: State-run telecom operator BSNL has tied up with US-based WiMAX solutions firm Soma Networks for the largest WiMAX deployment in the country covering four states in three circles. The proposed infrastructure would provide services to about 20 crore people in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Goa.
Soma Networks was selected after field trials in urban, suburban and rural areas. In the first phase under the tie-up, WiMAX would be deployed in Ahmedabad which would be up and running by June-July this year. The complete deployment will take three years. The alliance between the country’s largest telecom operator and the WiMAX solutions firm is on a revenue-share basis. “BSNL has awarded the contract to Soma for complete deployment in these states. It’s difficult to put a value to the contract since it’s on a revenue-share basis,” BSNL CMD Kuldeep Goyal told ET.
“We would ride on BSNL’s infrastructure and provide our solutions based on the 802.16e-2005 standard, which ensures greater subscriber density,” Soma Networks MD Jatinder Ahuja said. The states, he said, were chosen on the basis of their high industrial growth.
BSNL had earlier received some spectrum in the 2.5 GHz frequency band. It plans to roll out WiMax services in 70 cities across the country by mid-2008 and set up 50,000 Common Service Centres (CSCs) — ICT-enabled kiosks — across the country using WiMAX.
The government has set itself a target of 20 million broadband lines in service by 2010.
Soma Networks is a leading provider of mobile WiMAX solutions. It’s a principal member of the WiMAX Forum. Its solutions are currently deployed in five continents. Headquartered in San Francisco, it has offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Gurgaon, and Singapore.
While WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is still an evolving technology, it is still considered a threat to third generation mobile services. As per global industry experience, WiMax offers data speeds that are 10-30 times faster than 3G.
To put this in perspective, the data speeds of 3G networks are over five times faster than those offered by 2G cellular networks that telcos in India currently use.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Broadband Growth for December 2007
Broadband (≥ 256 Kbps download) Growth: Total Broadband subscribers base has reached 3.13 million by the end of December 2007 as compared to 2.87 million by the end of November 2007.
Source : TRAI's Press Release : Monthly Suscriber's Growth
Source : TRAI's Press Release : Monthly Suscriber's Growth
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Sify unveils new logo, plans wireless broadband
NEW DELHI: Internet service provider Sify Technologies on Monday unveiled a new corporate identity, and said it plans to launch wireless broadband services.
"The new identity is aimed at contemporising the brand, and giving it a cool image along with its technology credentials," Sify Technologies Chairman Raju Vegesna said.
The new logo - with Sify written in green over a grey background - reflects an eco-friendly and paper-free world, counterpoised by a business-like, dependable grey colour.
Along with the new corporate identity, Sify announced launching value-added services in both consumer and enterprise segments. Sify is also planning to provide broadband through the wireless technology, he said.
"Sify is now poised to grow further by leading the market with new products and services timed to catalyse the markets both on the enterprise and consumer sides of the business," Vegesna said.
In the enterprise segment, which contributes 60-65 per cent of its revenue, Sify is planning to launch storage and disaster recovery programmes. On the consumer side, it plans to form a unified access platform that will allow consumers to use a single identification to access the Internet from anywhere, be it a Sify cafe, a hotel or home, he said.
Source : EconomicTimes
"The new identity is aimed at contemporising the brand, and giving it a cool image along with its technology credentials," Sify Technologies Chairman Raju Vegesna said.
The new logo - with Sify written in green over a grey background - reflects an eco-friendly and paper-free world, counterpoised by a business-like, dependable grey colour.
Along with the new corporate identity, Sify announced launching value-added services in both consumer and enterprise segments. Sify is also planning to provide broadband through the wireless technology, he said.
"Sify is now poised to grow further by leading the market with new products and services timed to catalyse the markets both on the enterprise and consumer sides of the business," Vegesna said.
In the enterprise segment, which contributes 60-65 per cent of its revenue, Sify is planning to launch storage and disaster recovery programmes. On the consumer side, it plans to form a unified access platform that will allow consumers to use a single identification to access the Internet from anywhere, be it a Sify cafe, a hotel or home, he said.
Source : EconomicTimes
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Speed up spectrum allocation for 3G: Trai
NEW DELHI: Telecom regulator Trai has recommended that the government expedite the process of making spectrum available for 3G and WiMAX to boost broadband growth in the country. “The government should expedite decision on Trai’s recommendations regarding mechanism and pricing of Spectrum for 3G & broadband wireless access,” Trai said in its statement on Wednesday.
Trai issued its broadband recommendations after receiving feedback from stakeholders and taking into account best international practices on impediments affecting broadband growth. It had issued its draft recommendations in September 2007.
“Government announced Broadband Policy in 2004 and made certain projections for broadband subscribers’ growth. It was expected that broadband growth rate would be stepped up. However, it is observed that the growth of broadband in the country is slow and below expected level,” Trai said. The regulator has recommended that the government should ensure availability of more number of Ku-band transponders to roll out broadband services through the Direct-to-Home (DTH) platform. It also suggested encouraging cable TV operators to provide broadband over their network.
Other key recommendations include using the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) to subsidise backhaul charges for the initial three years of broadband roll-out in rural areas and identifying more than two service providers seeking minimum subsidy with a roll-out obligation in rural areas. The regulator said municipal committees should be encouraged to include a clause for making multiple dwelling units/ buildings broadband-ready by adopting suitable internal wiring while giving clearance for the construction of all such buildings in future.
State-run operators BSNL and MTNL should be encouraged to appoint franchisees for providing broadband services to supplement their efforts, Trai added in its recommendations. It has also asked the Central government to work with the state governments to adopt uniform Right of Way (RoW) procedures and suggested formation of district-level committees to study RoW requirements and to take measures to encourage service providers to share ducts.
Source : EconomicTimes
Trai issued its broadband recommendations after receiving feedback from stakeholders and taking into account best international practices on impediments affecting broadband growth. It had issued its draft recommendations in September 2007.
“Government announced Broadband Policy in 2004 and made certain projections for broadband subscribers’ growth. It was expected that broadband growth rate would be stepped up. However, it is observed that the growth of broadband in the country is slow and below expected level,” Trai said. The regulator has recommended that the government should ensure availability of more number of Ku-band transponders to roll out broadband services through the Direct-to-Home (DTH) platform. It also suggested encouraging cable TV operators to provide broadband over their network.
Other key recommendations include using the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) to subsidise backhaul charges for the initial three years of broadband roll-out in rural areas and identifying more than two service providers seeking minimum subsidy with a roll-out obligation in rural areas. The regulator said municipal committees should be encouraged to include a clause for making multiple dwelling units/ buildings broadband-ready by adopting suitable internal wiring while giving clearance for the construction of all such buildings in future.
State-run operators BSNL and MTNL should be encouraged to appoint franchisees for providing broadband services to supplement their efforts, Trai added in its recommendations. It has also asked the Central government to work with the state governments to adopt uniform Right of Way (RoW) procedures and suggested formation of district-level committees to study RoW requirements and to take measures to encourage service providers to share ducts.
Source : EconomicTimes
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
TRAI releases Status Paper on Broadband Speed
Read by clicking on these links
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/523/spaper1jan08.pdf
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/523/pr1jan08no1.pdf
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/523/spaper1jan08.pdf
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/523/pr1jan08no1.pdf
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Goa launches super broadband network
PANAJI (GOA): Goa has unveiled plans for a super-ambitious broadband network project to build a state that's "enabled by IT to be efficient and accountable with a global thinking approach".
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched the Goa Broadband Network (GBBN) on Friday amid both expectations and apprehensions as to how exactly the project will work and at what cost.
Official statements here said the broadband network, earlier christened Goa Net, would provide privileges to the citizen that include information services on education, healthcare, agriculture, welfare, entertainment and interactive services like IP telephony, video conferencing.
In addition, transactional services will be provided like e-governance services and B2C (business-to-citizen) services.
GBBN connectivity will be given to around 280 government offices, including municipalities, collectorate and state secretariat, promising their enhanced efficiency.
Lauding the project, the prime minister said, "This pioneering project is an important milestone in the use of modern telecommunications and IT capabilities for improving public services and also the quality of lives."
Singh praised the private-public partnership to build this project, saying it was based on a "viable business model".
"Investment in knowledge and in knowledge tools is therefore going to be the key success factor for individuals or regions or nations. I am happy that a state like Goa has realised the significance of this. The Goa Broadband Network is a first step in positioning your state for the future," Singh said.
"As the program scales up from the 10 Citizen Service Centres today to over 200 by the end of next year, it will generate substantial revenues which will meet a major portion of the costs," Singh said.
But others are more sceptical. Samir Kelekar, a US-educated engineer now based in Bangalore, said: "I am hosting internet servers in the US which promise a 10Mbs pipe for $70 (Rs.2,700) a month. It has limits on how much bytes can be transferred. Now, if I can get (as promised) a 10 Mbps pipe at Rs.250 a month, I could host things in Goa. Am I missing something?"
Goa had earlier attempted to build a project of Mahiti Ghars, offering access to government data through private intermediaries. While the government has claimed a success over these, questions were raised over how the partners were selected and whether these brought in the promised benefits.
Source : EconomicTimes
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched the Goa Broadband Network (GBBN) on Friday amid both expectations and apprehensions as to how exactly the project will work and at what cost.
Official statements here said the broadband network, earlier christened Goa Net, would provide privileges to the citizen that include information services on education, healthcare, agriculture, welfare, entertainment and interactive services like IP telephony, video conferencing.
In addition, transactional services will be provided like e-governance services and B2C (business-to-citizen) services.
GBBN connectivity will be given to around 280 government offices, including municipalities, collectorate and state secretariat, promising their enhanced efficiency.
Lauding the project, the prime minister said, "This pioneering project is an important milestone in the use of modern telecommunications and IT capabilities for improving public services and also the quality of lives."
Singh praised the private-public partnership to build this project, saying it was based on a "viable business model".
"Investment in knowledge and in knowledge tools is therefore going to be the key success factor for individuals or regions or nations. I am happy that a state like Goa has realised the significance of this. The Goa Broadband Network is a first step in positioning your state for the future," Singh said.
"As the program scales up from the 10 Citizen Service Centres today to over 200 by the end of next year, it will generate substantial revenues which will meet a major portion of the costs," Singh said.
But others are more sceptical. Samir Kelekar, a US-educated engineer now based in Bangalore, said: "I am hosting internet servers in the US which promise a 10Mbs pipe for $70 (Rs.2,700) a month. It has limits on how much bytes can be transferred. Now, if I can get (as promised) a 10 Mbps pipe at Rs.250 a month, I could host things in Goa. Am I missing something?"
Goa had earlier attempted to build a project of Mahiti Ghars, offering access to government data through private intermediaries. While the government has claimed a success over these, questions were raised over how the partners were selected and whether these brought in the promised benefits.
Source : EconomicTimes
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Goa goes Broadband with PM's click
PANAJI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday inaugurated the Goa government-sponsored broadband network — the first of its kind in the country that looks to integrate all state - and taluka-level departments and all households through optic fibre cables. “Knowledge is the key success factor to find gainful employment in new emerging sectors.
We need to invest in technology and its related tools, we need to invest in knowledge capabilities,” he pointed out during the question answer session with localites from the various talukas, who were connected to the main venue via broadband.
And while the economist in him urged people to accept industrialisation and growth of services sector, as a ‘common trend that takes place in all nations’; the PM also laid emphasis on developing agriculture. “We must diversify and focus on horticulture, animal husbandry that creates employment and generates income. This can grow simultaneously along with other sectors,” he said.
The PM laid heavy emphasis on creating BPOs, call centres and other IT enabled online services in Goa, in addition to boosting tourism. According to him, a state with a high literacy rate and good English speaking crowd shows high potential in developing human resource and therefore must focus on service sector. “This broadband network will hopefully open doors to knowledge economy to Goans,” he adds.
The Goa Broadband Network Project will connect households with a bandwidth of 2-10 Mbps; and can be used to access various schemes and projects. The network will provide internet-based services like e-governance, education, healthcare, video conferencing and IP telephony services.
“Our aim is to create a single window clearance system, which offers all government services in one single portal,” said IT minister Dayanand Narvekar. The state government also has plans to use this high bandwidth connectivity to create ‘work from home’ facility through initiatives like tele-education, tele-medicine and also tele-agriculture.
In the first phase of the project which was inaugurated on Thursday, all district and taluka level headquarters have been brought under 10 Gbps connectivity. The second phase will connect all Panchayats with 1 Gbps connectivity to taluka headquarters by March 2008, while in the third phase 2-10 Mbps connectivity by December 31, 2008.
The fourth phase will be wireless connectivity. The Rs 125-crore project is being developed on a Public Private Partnership model.
Meanwhile, Mr Singh promised full co-operation to create world class infrastructure in Goa. The Centre is also to provide an additional sum Rs 150 crore, along with Rs 1,500 crore to upgrade Panjim, besides assisting Goa in hosting the 2011 national Games, adds PM Singh.
Source : EconomicTimes
We need to invest in technology and its related tools, we need to invest in knowledge capabilities,” he pointed out during the question answer session with localites from the various talukas, who were connected to the main venue via broadband.
And while the economist in him urged people to accept industrialisation and growth of services sector, as a ‘common trend that takes place in all nations’; the PM also laid emphasis on developing agriculture. “We must diversify and focus on horticulture, animal husbandry that creates employment and generates income. This can grow simultaneously along with other sectors,” he said.
The PM laid heavy emphasis on creating BPOs, call centres and other IT enabled online services in Goa, in addition to boosting tourism. According to him, a state with a high literacy rate and good English speaking crowd shows high potential in developing human resource and therefore must focus on service sector. “This broadband network will hopefully open doors to knowledge economy to Goans,” he adds.
The Goa Broadband Network Project will connect households with a bandwidth of 2-10 Mbps; and can be used to access various schemes and projects. The network will provide internet-based services like e-governance, education, healthcare, video conferencing and IP telephony services.
“Our aim is to create a single window clearance system, which offers all government services in one single portal,” said IT minister Dayanand Narvekar. The state government also has plans to use this high bandwidth connectivity to create ‘work from home’ facility through initiatives like tele-education, tele-medicine and also tele-agriculture.
In the first phase of the project which was inaugurated on Thursday, all district and taluka level headquarters have been brought under 10 Gbps connectivity. The second phase will connect all Panchayats with 1 Gbps connectivity to taluka headquarters by March 2008, while in the third phase 2-10 Mbps connectivity by December 31, 2008.
The fourth phase will be wireless connectivity. The Rs 125-crore project is being developed on a Public Private Partnership model.
Meanwhile, Mr Singh promised full co-operation to create world class infrastructure in Goa. The Centre is also to provide an additional sum Rs 150 crore, along with Rs 1,500 crore to upgrade Panjim, besides assisting Goa in hosting the 2011 national Games, adds PM Singh.
Source : EconomicTimes
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