As you read this, India is celebrating the victory of ‘net neutrality’ over evil plans by Facebook and telecom companies to convert the Internet into a walled garden where they allow only those websites who pay monies to them. And you can’t be blamed for it either. But guess what, the telcos are not crying […]
The Internet and Mobile Association of India welcomed the Indian telecom regulator’s move to ban differential pricing of data based on the type and source of content. “This ruling vindicates the associations stand on the issue. The internet Start-up eco-system and the internet user community are delighted,” it said. Taking a long-term view, the Telecom […]
Bharti Airtel said it is refarming its GSM spectrum to launch 3G services on 900 MHz in six circles including Mumbai, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Assam. Mumbai was the first off the block, where it launched ‘premium 3G’ services a year ago. It is currently in the process of carving out 3G blocks from […]
One of the most keenly fought battles during the Telecom Regulatory Authority’s consultation over upcoming spectrum auction has been won by Reliance Jio. On the losing side are India’s top two operators — Bharti Airtel and Vodafone. The battle was on the question of whether or not Reliance Jio should be allowed to top up […]
Following Star TV and Sony, Zee TV has also come out strongly against any move to allow telecom operators to charge websites for content viewed by their consumers over the Internet. At present, any person is free to start a website, app or any other content service on the Internet, and telecom providers like Bharti […]
Last year, when Bharti Airtel tried to block voice calling apps, everyone thought it was aimed at WhatsApp. But as it turns out, the move could also have been aimed at a new feature from Reliance Jio that ensures that you can make calls using RJio’s phone number using rivals’ networks. The Mukesh Ambani-owned telecom […]
After Star TV, Sony Pictures Networks India — which runs several popular TV channels — has raised a red flag against any move to splinter the Internet into free and paid. “Differential pricing leads to restriction of access to information. It enables TSPs to play the role of gate-keepers to the internet where they are […]
This week saw the beginning of something interesting. Airtel, India’s biggest telecom company and the biggest rival of Reliance Jio, cut its 4G prices in select circles. The new tariff basically doubles the data on offer for each recharge till Rs 850 with the result that you now get 10 GB for Rs 850, instead of […]
According to media reports, Reliance Communications will convert nearly all of its CDMA spectrum into 4G spectrum by paying around Rs 7,000 cr to the government, and then sell it to Reliance Jio for Rs 4,500. Some are perplexed as to why a company would pay so much to the government to free up its spectrum and […]
Broker Credit Suisse sees all the major telecom companies of India making an attempt to buy fresh 4G spectrum in the upcoming auctions expected to take place in March. Despite making contrary noises, the telcos are likely to buy airwaves as it is a ‘once-in-20-years’ opportunity, the broker said in a note to clients. According […]
Railwire, the broadband arm of Indian Railways, has started operations in hundreds of cities across India ahead of the launch of Reliance Jio and is offering tariff that are less than half that of its main existing competitor BSNL. For example, BSNL offers only 8 GB of data at 4 Mbps speed for Rs 999 […]
For years, India’s telecom operators have taken the government repeatedly to task over ‘hoarding’ spectrum, not releasing it on time etc.. However, with recent auctions giving some of them a competitive advantage, many of these operators are now asking the government to postpone the upcoming 700 MHz auctions – slated to be the biggest India will ever see. As part […]
Idea Cellular, the country’s third biggest telecom operator and holder of 4G spectrum, is offering 1 GB of 4G data in 190 cities spread over eight states as part of a ‘pre-book’ offer. The scheme is applicable only to those who have Idea phone numbers. Subscribers will have to also change their SIMs to a […]
Data prices in India are about to crash, going by trickling information about tariff plans of upcoming operator Reliance Jio. The Reliance Industries company, which will launch it 4G services on Dec 28, will be pricing its 10 GB pack at around Rs 600 per month, according to a retailer. UPDATE: Jio may be launching […]
Idea Cellular, holder of the biggest amount of 4G spectrum in the 1800 MHz band, has opened registration for its 4G service in over 150 cities across eight of 12 circles where it plans to launch the service. These eight circles are the four southern states, Punjab & Haryana in the north and Orissa and […]
Reliance Jio will announce the launch of its 4G services in India by the end of this month, but it will take a few more days after that for the operator’s SIM cards to be available in stores, according to company sources. “We’ve been told that there will be a press conference on 28th, announcing […]
Back in 2011, when 3G services were starting to be launched, there would be new announcements every three or four weeks from each operator on new tariff plans. Some would offer ‘free 3G’ along with voice recharge, some would offer combo plans, some heavy usage plans such as 10 GB for Rs 999 and so […]
To counter the tremendous threat posed by Reliance Jio, the biggest telecom company in India Bharti Airtel has launched a massive network transformation program called Project Leap. “Aimed at perceptibly improving network quality and delivering the best customer experience, this strategic project will see an investment of Rs. 60,000 crore in the next 3 years,” […]
Bharti Enterprises is rolling out a first of its kind corporate initiative to provide legal assistance & aid and awareness and literacy to underprivileged undertrials across the country and will help the undertrials by paying the bail and surety amounts in exceptional cases. Bharti Airtel will provide an annual grant of Rs.10 Crores on an ongoing basis towards this initiative. Sunil Bharti […]
Reliance Jio, the telecom arm of Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Industries, is likely to launch its 4G services any time from January to March next year, and will pose a credible challenge to incumbents, driving out weaker operators, Fitch Ratings said. “Jio’s product is likely to gain traction – given the intention to launch an integrated […]
