NEW DELHI: India, which is expected to have the world’s largest WiMAX deployment by 2012, offers great opportunity and some unique challenges to the wireless digital communications technology. It may perhaps be the market that would define the success of this technology as a solution to connect rural and untapped territories.
With ICT-enabled kiosks or common service centers (CSC) dotting India’s rural map, WiMax could play a major role in delivering various applications to rural India. These include online bill payment, delivery of agriculture, healthcare and entertainment services, solutions for e-commerce activities, including commodity price information, online trading and banking transactions.
Unlike the mobile front, the major initiative for WiMax is set to be from the state-owned telecom provider, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL). The company has already announced plans to install WiMAX base stations in 1,000 blocks across India by the end of this financial year and to provide high-speed internet access to 25,000 villages through CSCs.
“Villages will be equipped with infrastructure such as PCs, printers, software and staff for delivery of e-governance services pertaining to health, education and agricultural information,” a BSNL official said. BSNL has also partnered with Intel to promote WiMAX-based broadband access in rural India. Under the pact, Intel will review state-owned BSNL’s road map for the WiMAX rollout in the country and develop basic standards for the rollout and applications.
Private players have not shunned the WiMAX road either. Motorola is strengthening its presence in the hinterlands through extensive broadband wireless access (BWA) projects for state governments. Network major Alcatel-Lucent has set up a joint venture with C-DOT (the R&D arm of the telecom department) to focus on exclusive BWA/WiMAX solutions that are targeted towards rural connectivity.
The company has completed field trials using Aircel’s licensed WiMAX spectrum and the technology is ready for commercial deployment. “WiMAX has the potential to provide India with widespread broadband access that can usher in economic growth, better education and health care, and improved entertainment services,” Alcatel-Lucent chief marketing officer A Sethuraman said. Alcatel Research Centre is also in the process of developing a product that would act as a receiver for WiMAX services, which is expected to cost less than $100.
There remain challenges to these ambitious roll-out plans, including India’s low PC penetration. Players are also watching keenly how the WiMAX spectrum auction will pan out. “While low broadband penetration is a clear opportunity for BWA/WiMAX, the market take-off will require sufficient spectrum, very low cost consumer premise equipment (CPE) and affordable end-to-end connectivity, including the computing platform. A country where broadband’s average revenue per user (ARPU) is estimated at $8-10 requires very low equipment cost,” explains Nokia Siemens Network strategic solution sales head Kai Sahala. Besides Alactel, Nokia Siemens Networks and BSNL, too, are developing CPE costing less than $100. The price is expected to further come down to about $70, once WiMAX rolls out in the country.
Gauging the opportunity in the rural space, new players are also venturing in the arena. “We are developing cost-effective, ready-to-use base stations for rural space. We are attempting up to 70% reduction in base station prices in order to offer low capex to investors,” said Sloka Telecom CEO, Sujai Karampuri. Sloka Telecom is a Bangalore-based wireless infrastructure company.
While Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) or fixedline broadband services now cover 300 towns with a combined 1.5 million connections, broadband wireless subscriber figures are still negligible in the country. With respect to rural connectivity, the government’s objective is to reach about 80 million rural connections, or one phone per two rural households, by 2010.
Other significant players in WiMAX arena for rural connectivity are Bharti Airtel, Reliance, SIFY and Tata Communications (VSNL), who have acquired licenses in 3.3 GHz range and are in various stages of trials. VSNL has announced Phase 1 pre-WiMAX deployment of Aperto gear in 60 locations, extending to 200 locations within the year.
Source : EconomicTimes
Monday, September 8, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Airtel, HP to connect more Indians
NEW DELHI: Bharti Airtel announced its collaboration with HP, in a combined effort to promote Broadband and PC penetration in the country. Under the scope of the partnership, Airtel will offer consumers a broadband connection at Discounted Entry Cost with every HP and Compaq notebook and desktop. This alliance is a key initiative by the two industry leaders to join forces to further enhance broadband and PC penetration levels in the country.
Announcing the collaboration, Deepak Srivastava, CEO- North, Telemedia Services, Bharti Airtel said, “At Airtel, it is our consistent endeavor to look at innovative and exciting ways that help our customers derive the most out of their Broadband experience. The synergies of the Airtel-HP alliance will leverage the symbiotic relationship between the PC and Broadband, spurring uptake of best-in-class content and an enhanced on boarding experience for both existing and first time users. This initiative will further enhance our leadership in the broadband space, and is an excellent value for money proposition for our customers.”
According to Rajiev Grover, Director, Consumer Products, HP PSG India, “As the market leader in the Indian PC space, we have continuously worked towards creating an enabling ecosystem by not only creating a diverse product range, but also to create relevant offerings appealing for the dynamic market. With this unique partnership with Airtel broadband service, we have gone a step beyond adding value to the ultimate PC experience that HP has to offer. As more and more consumers log onto the internet for e-commerce, entertainment and gaming, P2P sharing and for downloading applications, this tie up will enable the user to get more from his PC.
Under the offer, Airtel is offering customers buying any HP Compaq notebook an Airtel broadband connection at extremely pocket-friendly/ consumer-friendly terms that include Zero Security Deposit and Installation Fee, Free Wi-Fi connection and Discounts on Broadband Rental upto 14 months.
Source : EconomicTimes
Announcing the collaboration, Deepak Srivastava, CEO- North, Telemedia Services, Bharti Airtel said, “At Airtel, it is our consistent endeavor to look at innovative and exciting ways that help our customers derive the most out of their Broadband experience. The synergies of the Airtel-HP alliance will leverage the symbiotic relationship between the PC and Broadband, spurring uptake of best-in-class content and an enhanced on boarding experience for both existing and first time users. This initiative will further enhance our leadership in the broadband space, and is an excellent value for money proposition for our customers.”
According to Rajiev Grover, Director, Consumer Products, HP PSG India, “As the market leader in the Indian PC space, we have continuously worked towards creating an enabling ecosystem by not only creating a diverse product range, but also to create relevant offerings appealing for the dynamic market. With this unique partnership with Airtel broadband service, we have gone a step beyond adding value to the ultimate PC experience that HP has to offer. As more and more consumers log onto the internet for e-commerce, entertainment and gaming, P2P sharing and for downloading applications, this tie up will enable the user to get more from his PC.
Under the offer, Airtel is offering customers buying any HP Compaq notebook an Airtel broadband connection at extremely pocket-friendly/ consumer-friendly terms that include Zero Security Deposit and Installation Fee, Free Wi-Fi connection and Discounts on Broadband Rental upto 14 months.
Source : EconomicTimes
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Net, broadband fail to catch up with mobile growth
NEW DELHI: The debate over Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum auctions and internet telephony comes at a time when international organizations and analysts are painting a starkly contrasting picture of the Indian telecom and IT sectors.
Recent International Telecommunication Union (ITU) data reveals that the success of India's telecom revolution is restricted to mobile voice with very little to showcase in fixed line and internet access, or high-speed broadband.
For a country that is the global IT and ITeS capital or the world's back office, its own internet penetration remains one of the lowest in the world. Forecasts are equally uninspiring, projecting high-speed internet access to remain abysmal till 2012.
Internet broadband penetration will limp along to eventually reach a measly 3.9 connections for every 100 citizens by 2012. Even though internet users may be multiple times higher, actual broadband penetration will not exceed 18.1 million at the beginning of the next decade.
In contrast, mobile telephony will add as many as 350 million subscribers during this five-year period to end at roughly 615 million by mid 2012.
These forecasts fall short of the government's conservative target of 20 million high-speed internet subscribers by 2010-end. India's broadband penetration is roughly 4.5 million subscribers. Even with a 300% growth rate over the next five years, the sector will fall short of the 50 million mark by 2012.
"The weak numbers can be attributed to a slew of policy failures including inadequacy of fixed line infrastructure, a barely profitable ISP (internet service provider) business, and low domestic PC penetration", says Rajesh Chharia, president, ISP Association of India. It is learnt that ISPs are actively considering a strong representation to the government on these issues.
Weak broadband penetration could severely slow down overall telecom growth, crippling India's ISPs in the process. It will also hurt ambitious government programmes, such as e-governance, e-commerce, telemedicine and e-education all of which are dependent on high-speed broadband internet access.
This gloomy environment has prompted telecom regulator TRAI to recommend internet telephony for ISPs as it believes this has the potential of becoming the killer application that will kickstart growth.
However, the uncertainty of DoT accepting TRAI's recommendations or succumbing to the interests of existing mobile operators to slap an additional entry fee for ISPs is a shadow over the sector.
DoT officials have been confusing, vacillating between welcoming TRAI's recommendations and airing level playing field concerns. "A policy overhaul to include concepts like shared PCs, enhanced scope of services and expanding e-governance applications is critical for the growth of the sector," says Naresh Ajwani, president, Sify Ltd.
Source : EconomicTimes
Recent International Telecommunication Union (ITU) data reveals that the success of India's telecom revolution is restricted to mobile voice with very little to showcase in fixed line and internet access, or high-speed broadband.
For a country that is the global IT and ITeS capital or the world's back office, its own internet penetration remains one of the lowest in the world. Forecasts are equally uninspiring, projecting high-speed internet access to remain abysmal till 2012.
Internet broadband penetration will limp along to eventually reach a measly 3.9 connections for every 100 citizens by 2012. Even though internet users may be multiple times higher, actual broadband penetration will not exceed 18.1 million at the beginning of the next decade.
In contrast, mobile telephony will add as many as 350 million subscribers during this five-year period to end at roughly 615 million by mid 2012.
These forecasts fall short of the government's conservative target of 20 million high-speed internet subscribers by 2010-end. India's broadband penetration is roughly 4.5 million subscribers. Even with a 300% growth rate over the next five years, the sector will fall short of the 50 million mark by 2012.
"The weak numbers can be attributed to a slew of policy failures including inadequacy of fixed line infrastructure, a barely profitable ISP (internet service provider) business, and low domestic PC penetration", says Rajesh Chharia, president, ISP Association of India. It is learnt that ISPs are actively considering a strong representation to the government on these issues.
Weak broadband penetration could severely slow down overall telecom growth, crippling India's ISPs in the process. It will also hurt ambitious government programmes, such as e-governance, e-commerce, telemedicine and e-education all of which are dependent on high-speed broadband internet access.
This gloomy environment has prompted telecom regulator TRAI to recommend internet telephony for ISPs as it believes this has the potential of becoming the killer application that will kickstart growth.
However, the uncertainty of DoT accepting TRAI's recommendations or succumbing to the interests of existing mobile operators to slap an additional entry fee for ISPs is a shadow over the sector.
DoT officials have been confusing, vacillating between welcoming TRAI's recommendations and airing level playing field concerns. "A policy overhaul to include concepts like shared PCs, enhanced scope of services and expanding e-governance applications is critical for the growth of the sector," says Naresh Ajwani, president, Sify Ltd.
Source : EconomicTimes
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
BSNL seeks franchisees for WiMax rollout
NEW DELHI: State-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), which has got spectrum for pan-India rollout of wireless broadband and WiMax services, will soon float expression of interest (EoI) for identifying potential franchisees for launching these services in 16 circles. BSNL will continue with the franchisee model for WiMax rollout in the country.
As first reported by ET, BSNL had already chosen US-based mobile WiMax systems provider Soma Networks as a franchisee to rollout WiMax services in three states including, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The alliance is expected to provide broadband data and voice services to more than 200 million people.
The deployment process in these states has already surpassed the deadline of August 15 this year, due to frequency issue, a BSNL source told ET. The current franchisee model has a revenue sharing structure of 70:30, with 70% of revenue reserved for the franchisee. This structure will differ from circle to circle, from state to state, according to the franchisee and the framework for bids, the BSNL executive added.
BSNL is also keen on following the franchisee model for rural WiMax deployment. It has floated a tender for 1,000 base transceiver station (BTS) and is expected to shortlist a potential player for deployment of 1 BTS by end of September this year. The operator expects to set up 500 BTSs by March 2009. BSNL has rights to 1,000 blocks.
With a rapidly growing middle class and highly educated population, India is seen as a country that will have enormous potential for broadband services. By deploying end-to-end mobile WiMax solution through franchisee model, BSNL will bring a full range of multimedia services to the entire country. India has 4.38 million broadband internet users as of June 2008, as per the latest report from telecom regulator Trai.
Source : EconomicTimes
As first reported by ET, BSNL had already chosen US-based mobile WiMax systems provider Soma Networks as a franchisee to rollout WiMax services in three states including, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The alliance is expected to provide broadband data and voice services to more than 200 million people.
The deployment process in these states has already surpassed the deadline of August 15 this year, due to frequency issue, a BSNL source told ET. The current franchisee model has a revenue sharing structure of 70:30, with 70% of revenue reserved for the franchisee. This structure will differ from circle to circle, from state to state, according to the franchisee and the framework for bids, the BSNL executive added.
BSNL is also keen on following the franchisee model for rural WiMax deployment. It has floated a tender for 1,000 base transceiver station (BTS) and is expected to shortlist a potential player for deployment of 1 BTS by end of September this year. The operator expects to set up 500 BTSs by March 2009. BSNL has rights to 1,000 blocks.
With a rapidly growing middle class and highly educated population, India is seen as a country that will have enormous potential for broadband services. By deploying end-to-end mobile WiMax solution through franchisee model, BSNL will bring a full range of multimedia services to the entire country. India has 4.38 million broadband internet users as of June 2008, as per the latest report from telecom regulator Trai.
Source : EconomicTimes
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Government to connect 5,000 blocks with broadband
NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday said it would connect 5,000 blocks through wireless broadband soon after the allocation of the third generation spectrum.
In a statement, the Department of Telecom (DoT) said this will be done with support from DoT's Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) after allocation of spectrum through an auction later this year.
Private players contribute five percent of their earnings to the USOF, which is aimed at promoting rural telephony.
The villages that come in the radius of 10 kilometres of the block headquarters will be connected, DoT said.
With this step, schools, public health centres, village panchayats and the community service centres (CSCs) meant to provide e-governance and data services to rural areas would be benefited.
Currently, the state-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) provides broadband to 1,000 blocks out of around 6,000 in the country.
Similarly, about 50,000 out of a proposed 100,000 CSCs are covered by BSNL broadband. DoT's new initiative is likely to cover the remaining blocks and all CSCs.
Besides, DoT also proposes to support wireline broadband by USOF wherever feasible, the statement added.
The government has held discussions with technology providers, telecom operators and Internet service providers for meeting its wireless broadband plan and to formalise the tender procedures, specifications and deliverable formulation, and benchmarks.
Source : EconomicTimes
In a statement, the Department of Telecom (DoT) said this will be done with support from DoT's Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) after allocation of spectrum through an auction later this year.
Private players contribute five percent of their earnings to the USOF, which is aimed at promoting rural telephony.
The villages that come in the radius of 10 kilometres of the block headquarters will be connected, DoT said.
With this step, schools, public health centres, village panchayats and the community service centres (CSCs) meant to provide e-governance and data services to rural areas would be benefited.
Currently, the state-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) provides broadband to 1,000 blocks out of around 6,000 in the country.
Similarly, about 50,000 out of a proposed 100,000 CSCs are covered by BSNL broadband. DoT's new initiative is likely to cover the remaining blocks and all CSCs.
Besides, DoT also proposes to support wireline broadband by USOF wherever feasible, the statement added.
The government has held discussions with technology providers, telecom operators and Internet service providers for meeting its wireless broadband plan and to formalise the tender procedures, specifications and deliverable formulation, and benchmarks.
Source : EconomicTimes
Sunday, August 31, 2008
World Phone forays into cable broadband internet services
NEW DELHI: World Phone Internet Services Pvt Ltd, India’s premier VoIP solutions provider, on Thursday announced its foray into cable broadband internet services for Delhi and the national capital region. Along with the launch of this new service, World Phone also announced the lowest tariff of Rs 95 per month for its potential users.
“With the launch of our new service with an affordable tag, we would be tapping the population in Delhi & NCR. We hope that with this price tag and the quality of service we will be able to garner at least 5000 subscriber in the first three months,” said Aditya Ahluwalia, chairman, World Phone Internet Services Pvt Ltd. “Lower monthly commitment would be a strong and bold step by World Phone for enhancing broadband penetration in masses,” he added.
World Phone has entered into agreement with the television cable operators across Delhi & NCR for providing this service. Customers subscribing to World Phone’s new monthly internet service tariff of Rs 95 will get a speed of up to 256 kbps with a 200 MB data download limit. As of now the services would be available in select areas only. After Delhi, World Phone plans to launch broadband in Mumbai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Kolkata in the coming months. It also has other plans like unlimited plan, hourly plan and data limit based plan to suit different requirements of internet users.
Another first from World Phone will be its pre-paid service, wherein one could buy recharge vouchers from the cable operator and start surfing.
Last year, World Phone became the first Indian internet service provider to announce the lowest possible tariff for its international call rates to the US, UK, Australia and Canada.
Source : EconomicTimes
“With the launch of our new service with an affordable tag, we would be tapping the population in Delhi & NCR. We hope that with this price tag and the quality of service we will be able to garner at least 5000 subscriber in the first three months,” said Aditya Ahluwalia, chairman, World Phone Internet Services Pvt Ltd. “Lower monthly commitment would be a strong and bold step by World Phone for enhancing broadband penetration in masses,” he added.
World Phone has entered into agreement with the television cable operators across Delhi & NCR for providing this service. Customers subscribing to World Phone’s new monthly internet service tariff of Rs 95 will get a speed of up to 256 kbps with a 200 MB data download limit. As of now the services would be available in select areas only. After Delhi, World Phone plans to launch broadband in Mumbai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Kolkata in the coming months. It also has other plans like unlimited plan, hourly plan and data limit based plan to suit different requirements of internet users.
Another first from World Phone will be its pre-paid service, wherein one could buy recharge vouchers from the cable operator and start surfing.
Last year, World Phone became the first Indian internet service provider to announce the lowest possible tariff for its international call rates to the US, UK, Australia and Canada.
Source : EconomicTimes
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Mobile Services on WIMAX - Internet Telephony to lift off in a big way!
Get ready to dial a new set of numbers in near future. WiMAX industry in the country received a major boost as the DoT has reportedly modified its policy on wireless broadband technologies including WiMAX services. For long, this medium stayed in the wings as mobile danced its way to glory in India. The earlier announced guidelines had specified that spectrum for broadband wireless can be used only for data services. However, the Telecom Commission, in its meeting on August 21 has taken a decision to remove the restriction.
Unfortunately, the new boost comes at a cost of increased reserve price for WiMAX spectrum in the auctioning process. The Commission now wants the base price to be 50 percent of the 3G base price as compared to earlier 25 percent. A pan-India WiMAX licence may now come at an estimated price of Rs 1010 crore.
It seems that such a decision did not go well with the existing GSM operators. A GSM industry representative echoed,
“The WiMax lobby had argued that reserve price should be lower to enable them to make broadband services affordable. If they are allowed to offer voice services also they should be treated at par with existing mobile operators bidding for 3G spectrum.”
Internet telephony will mean convergence of broadband for voice (calls), data (web surfing) and video (cable TV) for the masses. It will not only be a low cost option, but also a medium that can do much more than just web.
At present, telephony predominantly remains the main source of inter-business consultations and is widely considered a fundamental component in the on-going growth of effective customer service. The Internet today is changing every industry, with telephony being no exception. Traditional telephony is now being accompanied by IP based telephony in order to primarily reduce the cost of telecommunications and effectively provide more communication options.
Benefits of voice services over the internet :
The main advantage of Internet telephony is in the lowering of the costs. The only costs involved are in the setting up of the computer and the operating costs of a data network connection. And once this is in place, there is no additional charge for using it, unless of course the destination of the call is outside the IP network.
The integration of data network and voice can also reduce the number of lines needed to access both services.
Since voice and data can now share the same transfer channel, they can be combined, hence providing real-time applications such as interactive meetings, long-distance learning, and white-boarding. Multimedia applications can now be incorporated into commercial service more readily.
Wireless VoIP would mean that customers would have a single device for communication, unlike at present where we have a mobile, home phone and office handsets etc.
Well, it’s not all hunky dory for voice enabled WIMAX services. Here’s Why :
If you are using the Internet to make calls, then you cannot call up the emergency numbers since their location cannot be determined. For a user, this is one area that cannot be ignored - so this aspect is a major drawback of Internet telephony. Although emergency numbers are hardly as much regarded as in the west, it does provide a drawback.
Moreover, VoIP telephone services are mostly powered by mains electricity and shall turn to a brick in cases of load sheddings, just the way it is for cordless telephones.
Even though Internet Telephony is rapidly progressing, it still has some major issues with reliability and indeed sound quality to battle. These problems are primarily attributed to bandwidth limitation and current compression technology.
Security is obviously a major factor that has to be addressed. All the security problems we have faced with the internet would have to be faced again with VoIP. If it becomes more widely used it will become more attractive for hackers to attack Hackers could eavesdrop on conversations, interfere with audio streams, or disconnect, reroute or even answer other people’s phone calls.
Nonetheless, the decision of allowing voice telephony over the WIMAX networks is a very important step taken by the Department of Telecom in the direction of increased internet penetration and cheaper call rates which are already the cheapest in the world.
Source : WatBlog
Unfortunately, the new boost comes at a cost of increased reserve price for WiMAX spectrum in the auctioning process. The Commission now wants the base price to be 50 percent of the 3G base price as compared to earlier 25 percent. A pan-India WiMAX licence may now come at an estimated price of Rs 1010 crore.
It seems that such a decision did not go well with the existing GSM operators. A GSM industry representative echoed,
“The WiMax lobby had argued that reserve price should be lower to enable them to make broadband services affordable. If they are allowed to offer voice services also they should be treated at par with existing mobile operators bidding for 3G spectrum.”
Internet telephony will mean convergence of broadband for voice (calls), data (web surfing) and video (cable TV) for the masses. It will not only be a low cost option, but also a medium that can do much more than just web.
At present, telephony predominantly remains the main source of inter-business consultations and is widely considered a fundamental component in the on-going growth of effective customer service. The Internet today is changing every industry, with telephony being no exception. Traditional telephony is now being accompanied by IP based telephony in order to primarily reduce the cost of telecommunications and effectively provide more communication options.
Benefits of voice services over the internet :
The main advantage of Internet telephony is in the lowering of the costs. The only costs involved are in the setting up of the computer and the operating costs of a data network connection. And once this is in place, there is no additional charge for using it, unless of course the destination of the call is outside the IP network.
The integration of data network and voice can also reduce the number of lines needed to access both services.
Since voice and data can now share the same transfer channel, they can be combined, hence providing real-time applications such as interactive meetings, long-distance learning, and white-boarding. Multimedia applications can now be incorporated into commercial service more readily.
Wireless VoIP would mean that customers would have a single device for communication, unlike at present where we have a mobile, home phone and office handsets etc.
Well, it’s not all hunky dory for voice enabled WIMAX services. Here’s Why :
If you are using the Internet to make calls, then you cannot call up the emergency numbers since their location cannot be determined. For a user, this is one area that cannot be ignored - so this aspect is a major drawback of Internet telephony. Although emergency numbers are hardly as much regarded as in the west, it does provide a drawback.
Moreover, VoIP telephone services are mostly powered by mains electricity and shall turn to a brick in cases of load sheddings, just the way it is for cordless telephones.
Even though Internet Telephony is rapidly progressing, it still has some major issues with reliability and indeed sound quality to battle. These problems are primarily attributed to bandwidth limitation and current compression technology.
Security is obviously a major factor that has to be addressed. All the security problems we have faced with the internet would have to be faced again with VoIP. If it becomes more widely used it will become more attractive for hackers to attack Hackers could eavesdrop on conversations, interfere with audio streams, or disconnect, reroute or even answer other people’s phone calls.
Nonetheless, the decision of allowing voice telephony over the WIMAX networks is a very important step taken by the Department of Telecom in the direction of increased internet penetration and cheaper call rates which are already the cheapest in the world.
Source : WatBlog
Sify opens data centre in Mumbai
CHENNAI: Sify Technologies on Thursday opened a data centre at Airoli near Mumbai, eyeing higher demand for third-party server and storage service. A sum of Rs 150 crore will be pumped in for the new data centre, which is Sify’s fourth in the country. The investment was made through internal funding, company officials said.
“The demand for third-party service providers is going up as more companies want to outsource server and storage services. This is because maintaining servers is complex and heavy, so they prefer outsourcing such functions,” said PJ Nath, executive president, Sify Enterprise Services. Following the data centre near Mumbai, Sify will open two more, in Delhi and Bangalore, over the next couple of years.
Mr Nath further said that the Airoli data centre is part of the company’s strategy to create network and data centre infrastructure in India. This would enhance demand for services such as e-commerce, online banking and corporate ERP.
“The demand for third-party service providers is going up as more companies want to outsource server and storage services. This is because maintaining servers is complex and heavy, so they prefer outsourcing such functions,” said PJ Nath, executive president, Sify Enterprise Services. Following the data centre near Mumbai, Sify will open two more, in Delhi and Bangalore, over the next couple of years.
Mr Nath further said that the Airoli data centre is part of the company’s strategy to create network and data centre infrastructure in India. This would enhance demand for services such as e-commerce, online banking and corporate ERP.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Broadband (≥ 256 Kbps download) Growth for July' 08
Total Broadband subscribers base has reached 4.57 million by the end of July 2008 as compared to 4.38 million by the end of June 2008. Comparison table of broadband subscriber’s growth during corresponding periods of 2007 and 2008 is shown below:
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Source : http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/597/pr25aug08no73.pdf
Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!Source : http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/597/pr25aug08no73.pdf
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Intel in talks with telecom operators for WiMax rollout
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.
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.
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
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wipro's pizza box to make high-speed broadband cheaper
BANGALORE: Wipro Technologies’ research team is developing technology to help provide cheaper, high-speed broadband internet access. For this, the company has tied up with manufacturers to make the product overseas for sale in India and the global market. The equipment, to be located on customer premises, will allow broadband speeds of between 100 megabits per second (Mbps) and one gigabit per second (Gbps), with commercial launch expected next year, general manager (telecom) Manoj Dighe said.
The so-called pizza boxes that are under development work on digital subscriber line (DSL ) technology, can support an average of 24 customers with a speed of 100 Mbps to allow applications such as IPTV, and digital television services using internet technology. The ‘ONT,’ or optical network terminal boxes, support one user, with speeds of 100 Mbps to 1Gbps, he said.
The products will be manufactured by Wipro’s partners mainly in Europe and Taiwan with an investment of $70-80 million, Mr Dighe said, but declined to name them citing non-disclosure pacts. “We will be providing the software that will be the brain of the boxes. The products will help our tier-1 and tier-2 customers complement their portfolio. The production is not taking place in India because the margins here are low and manufacturing technology is lacking.” Wipro is aiming for sales of 200,000-300,000 ‘pizza boxes’ — to be distributed by tier-1 equipment vendors — in five years and up a million ONT boxes in 3-5 years.
“They will be cheaper, have right configuration for telecom service providers and help to bring down broadband rates,” Mr Dighe said.
He did not specify the cost of the equipment or by how much it would help bring down rates.
The research team is also looking to develop products in wireless space, including Femto cells, or smaller cellular base stations, and unified communications.
"The infrastructure is already there due to presence of major unified communication companies, but what is required is development of applications on these platforms."
Source : EconomicTimes
The so-called pizza boxes that are under development work on digital subscriber line (DSL ) technology, can support an average of 24 customers with a speed of 100 Mbps to allow applications such as IPTV, and digital television services using internet technology. The ‘ONT,’ or optical network terminal boxes, support one user, with speeds of 100 Mbps to 1Gbps, he said.
The products will be manufactured by Wipro’s partners mainly in Europe and Taiwan with an investment of $70-80 million, Mr Dighe said, but declined to name them citing non-disclosure pacts. “We will be providing the software that will be the brain of the boxes. The products will help our tier-1 and tier-2 customers complement their portfolio. The production is not taking place in India because the margins here are low and manufacturing technology is lacking.” Wipro is aiming for sales of 200,000-300,000 ‘pizza boxes’ — to be distributed by tier-1 equipment vendors — in five years and up a million ONT boxes in 3-5 years.
“They will be cheaper, have right configuration for telecom service providers and help to bring down broadband rates,” Mr Dighe said.
He did not specify the cost of the equipment or by how much it would help bring down rates.
The research team is also looking to develop products in wireless space, including Femto cells, or smaller cellular base stations, and unified communications.
"The infrastructure is already there due to presence of major unified communication companies, but what is required is development of applications on these platforms."
Source : EconomicTimes
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Blackberry, WiFi system come under security scanner
NEW DELHI: In what may spell trouble for Blackberry and wireless fidelity (WiFi) internet service providers, security agencies are likely to harden their stance for having a fool-proof mechanism in place at the earliest.
The move comes close on the heels of militants of Indian Mujahideen using the wireless fidelity (WiFi) to send an email minutes ahead of audacious Ahmedabad attack.
"We are seized of the matter and it would be taken up with appropriate authorities soon," a senior Home Ministry official said.
When asked about the Blackberry services which were a point of controversy between security agencies and Information and Technology department, the official said the ministry has pointed out its hazards and it was for them to act.
The official said the security agencies had pointed out that password protection should be introduced in every customer using the WiFi technology.
However, the recent hacking in its proxy server while sending the email ahead of the weekend blasts was a glaring violation of the same, sources in the union Home Ministry said, adding that the Department of Telecom may not have placed in stringent measures.
The security agencies, in the case of Blackberry, have asked Department of Telecom to ensure that traffic originating and terminating in India should not travel outside the country.
"There should be a single point of delivery system for the entire Blackberry traffic in India and the traffic originating and terminating in India should not travel outside," they said in a note to DoT.
The move comes close on the heels of militants of Indian Mujahideen using the wireless fidelity (WiFi) to send an email minutes ahead of audacious Ahmedabad attack.
"We are seized of the matter and it would be taken up with appropriate authorities soon," a senior Home Ministry official said.
When asked about the Blackberry services which were a point of controversy between security agencies and Information and Technology department, the official said the ministry has pointed out its hazards and it was for them to act.
The official said the security agencies had pointed out that password protection should be introduced in every customer using the WiFi technology.
However, the recent hacking in its proxy server while sending the email ahead of the weekend blasts was a glaring violation of the same, sources in the union Home Ministry said, adding that the Department of Telecom may not have placed in stringent measures.
The security agencies, in the case of Blackberry, have asked Department of Telecom to ensure that traffic originating and terminating in India should not travel outside the country.
"There should be a single point of delivery system for the entire Blackberry traffic in India and the traffic originating and terminating in India should not travel outside," they said in a note to DoT.
Raja may announce 3G, WiMax, MNP policy on Friday
NEW DELHI: After settling differences with telecom regulator TRAI on reserve price of spectrum, the Government is likely to announce the much-delayed 3G and Wi Max policy on Friday, sources said.
The announcement may come amid indications that at least 10 players would be issued 3G licenses as against five proposed earlier.
According to highly-placed sources, the government has about 60 MHz of spectrum (radio frequency) for the next generation (3G) mobile services and this can accommodate at least 10 players.
The differences between DoT and TRAI also delayed the 3G policy announcement. The political uncertainty following the Left parties withdrawing their support to the UPA government also played a part in the delay.
The other key proposal which is likely to see the light of day is Mobile Number Portability which will allow subscribers to retain the mobile number even after changing the service provider.
On 3G proposals, TRAI has already agreed to the proposals of DoT for hiking pan-India licence fee for third generation mobile services to Rs 2,200 crore and pan-India broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum, popularly known as WiMAX, to about 840 crore -- Rs 60 crore for five metros and category A circles, Rs 30 crore for category B and Rs 10 crore for category C circles).
DoT has also fixed the base price at Rs 160 crore for metros and category A circles, Rs 80 crore for category B, and Rs 30 crore for C circles, respectively for 3G spectrum auctions.
Source : EconomicTimes
The announcement may come amid indications that at least 10 players would be issued 3G licenses as against five proposed earlier.
According to highly-placed sources, the government has about 60 MHz of spectrum (radio frequency) for the next generation (3G) mobile services and this can accommodate at least 10 players.
The differences between DoT and TRAI also delayed the 3G policy announcement. The political uncertainty following the Left parties withdrawing their support to the UPA government also played a part in the delay.
The other key proposal which is likely to see the light of day is Mobile Number Portability which will allow subscribers to retain the mobile number even after changing the service provider.
On 3G proposals, TRAI has already agreed to the proposals of DoT for hiking pan-India licence fee for third generation mobile services to Rs 2,200 crore and pan-India broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum, popularly known as WiMAX, to about 840 crore -- Rs 60 crore for five metros and category A circles, Rs 30 crore for category B and Rs 10 crore for category C circles).
DoT has also fixed the base price at Rs 160 crore for metros and category A circles, Rs 80 crore for category B, and Rs 30 crore for C circles, respectively for 3G spectrum auctions.
Source : EconomicTimes
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Citywide WiFi Planned by BMC in a 50-Crore Plan For Mumbai
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has brought forward a plan, which, if implemented, would allow anyone to use WiFi on their compatible laptops or mobile phones. This initiative by the BMC is a public-private partnership of sorts, in which the BMC plans to cover the entire city with WiFi coverage, albeit not free.
Once the city is WiFi enabled, it will enable any user who has a WiFi enabled device to surf the web from any location in the city. Once he is connected, he will be able to move around in the city at his own will, without worrying about any wires. The project was only recently declared ‘technically feasible’ by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which is BMC’s consultant for their e-governance project too. The project, which has been in the pipeline for the last couple of years, was initially limited to the BMC Headquarters, ward offices, zonal offices and the civic hospitals.
The BMC plans to invite tenders in a month’s time for the project. According to the plan, BMC will only be responsible to erect the towers and the infrastructure required for the technology. The rest will be done by the service providers, who in turn will give a part of their profits to BMC. The details of the profit share have not been finalized yet. Revenue will be generated from the subscribers, although BMC maintains that this will be cheaper than other such services.
BMC is following Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal corporation who have planned the same in their area and the tenders for the same have already been floated. Anil Diggikar, Additional Municipal Commissioner for the BMC was quoted:
The BMC hopes to speed up its e-governance initiative with this move. Senior Officials from the governing body said that such a network would make it easy for the citizens to communicate with each other and the civic body, thus making communications easier and processing time shorter. Cyber experts, on the other hand, see this move from a different perspective. According to them, this would place Mumbai among the top technologically advanced cities in the world.
If the plan does indeed go through, it would be interesting to see how it would be implemented. According to me, it would really help if there was a single system of managing the service. Something on the lines of Mobile Recharge coupons should be implemented, wherein each user will have his own account and he is charged as per usage. We will also need to wait and see what speeds would be implemented along with the service.
But wait, if the city becomes WiFi enabled, what happens to the city’s WiMax providers?
Source : WATBlog
Once the city is WiFi enabled, it will enable any user who has a WiFi enabled device to surf the web from any location in the city. Once he is connected, he will be able to move around in the city at his own will, without worrying about any wires. The project was only recently declared ‘technically feasible’ by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which is BMC’s consultant for their e-governance project too. The project, which has been in the pipeline for the last couple of years, was initially limited to the BMC Headquarters, ward offices, zonal offices and the civic hospitals.
The BMC plans to invite tenders in a month’s time for the project. According to the plan, BMC will only be responsible to erect the towers and the infrastructure required for the technology. The rest will be done by the service providers, who in turn will give a part of their profits to BMC. The details of the profit share have not been finalized yet. Revenue will be generated from the subscribers, although BMC maintains that this will be cheaper than other such services.
BMC is following Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal corporation who have planned the same in their area and the tenders for the same have already been floated. Anil Diggikar, Additional Municipal Commissioner for the BMC was quoted:
In Mumbai, it will be a larger scheme (compared to Pimpri-Chinchwad) as the city covers an area of 437 sq km, almost three times greater than PCMC that is just 171 sq km. We do not have to spend anything, but we only have to set up the towers. The service providers will put in the money and some part of the profits they make will be given to the BMC”
The BMC hopes to speed up its e-governance initiative with this move. Senior Officials from the governing body said that such a network would make it easy for the citizens to communicate with each other and the civic body, thus making communications easier and processing time shorter. Cyber experts, on the other hand, see this move from a different perspective. According to them, this would place Mumbai among the top technologically advanced cities in the world.
If the plan does indeed go through, it would be interesting to see how it would be implemented. According to me, it would really help if there was a single system of managing the service. Something on the lines of Mobile Recharge coupons should be implemented, wherein each user will have his own account and he is charged as per usage. We will also need to wait and see what speeds would be implemented along with the service.
But wait, if the city becomes WiFi enabled, what happens to the city’s WiMax providers?
Source : WATBlog
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