Anindita Dey &Amp; Rajesh S Kurup In Mumbai

Stories by Anindita Dey &Amp; Rajesh S Kurup In Mumbai

GSM foray to have limited impact on competitors

GSM foray to have limited impact on competitors

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2009

With the existing operators garnering the high-average revenue per user subscriber, new service providers like RCom has to look at new customers," Gartner principal research analyst Naresh Singh said.

Govt to check RCom's revenue reports

Govt to check RCom's revenue reports

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2009

The government has asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to speed up its responses on the allegations that Reliance Communications (RCom) has violated revenue reporting norms. The government will also appoint a special auditor to scrutinise RCom's books.

ITC-Sheraton ruling holds hope for hoteliers

ITC-Sheraton ruling holds hope for hoteliers

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2009

International hoteliers operating in the country through sales agreements with Indian hotels can expect some relief after the Delhi High Court ruled on January 30 that income paid by the Indian partner to its foreign counterpart is exempt from tax since it cannot be considered royalty or technical fees. The ruling in favour of US-based Sheraton International Inc was in response to an appeal filed by the Income Tax Department challenging the service agreement.

Ex-CEOs join hands to set up novel firm

Ex-CEOs join hands to set up novel firm

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2009

Four former Indian CEOs - three of them with telecom companies and one from soft drinks major Coca-Cola - have come together to start an angel partner firm, the Phi Group. Interestingly, the group has roped in two former bosses of global telecom companies for its international foray.

Spice firms up plan for Satyam buy

Spice firms up plan for Satyam buy

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2009

Sends team to discuss share auction with Sebi today Satyam board to sell stake via auction.

Banks face Rs 12k cr pension liability

Banks face Rs 12k cr pension liability

Rediff.com   28 Jan 2009

When AS-15 became operative in 2006, the initial estimate for additional pension provisioning was estimated at Rs 6,000 crore. However, the latest wage revision may bring in an additional 275,000 bank employees who opted for PF. Banks may also provide for the pension liabilities of 65,000 employees who have retired but have been seeking resort to the defined pension scheme since 1996. This will require additional provisioning of Rs 6,000 crore.

Now, make free international calls

Now, make free international calls

Rediff.com   21 Jan 2009

You can make free phone calls to anywhere in the world now. An Italian software company - Seven Rings International - is launching its Voice over Internet Protocol service in the country that provides free international phone calls, instant messages (chat) and text messages.

<I>WSJ</I> gets nod for facsimile edition in India

WSJ gets nod for facsimile edition in India

Rediff.com   14 Jan 2009

While the ministry sources clarified that the overall policy for fax editions is still under review, this proposal has been given approval on a case-to-case basis in FIPB's meeting held last week. The proposal was turned down twice earlier pending the review but the company had applied to FIPB under deferred proposal agenda in its meeting on January 9.

Sebi to probe buyback, M&As

Sebi to probe buyback, M&As

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2009

Official sources said the 2000-01 acquisitions -- notably the high-profile purchase of web portal India World Communications from Rajesh Jain for Rs 499 crore (Rs 4.99 billion) -- by Satyam Infoway could mark the start of the company siphoning funds overseas under the guise of acquiring companies. Satyam Infoway was merged with Satyam Computers in 2002.

Upaid case hearing not scheduled this week

Upaid case hearing not scheduled this week

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2009

The hearing of the forgery case filed by British mobile solution firm Upaid against Satyam Computer Services is not scheduled for hearing during this week.

Satyam fiasco: Raju is in Hyderabad

Satyam fiasco: Raju is in Hyderabad

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2009

The hearing of the forgery case filed by British mobile solution firm Upaid against Satyam Computer Services is not scheduled for hearing during this week. This means no Satyam official -- neither B Ramalinga Raju who stepped down as its chairman after admitting to a financial fraud nor any other top executive -- is in the US for the case. When contacted, a Satyam spokesperson confirmed the development and added that Raju was 'very much' in Hyderabad.

New mechanism for financing NBFCs

New mechanism for financing NBFCs

Rediff.com   2 Jan 2009

The government is considering setting up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for financing of non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) following the reluctance of banks and mutual funds to make available funds for the sector.

Trai seeks RCom plan to handle cable cuts

Trai seeks RCom plan to handle cable cuts

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2008

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has sought details of the arrangements made by Reliance Communications to restore bandwidth in case of submarine cable failure.

Cut tobacco FDI to 74%: DIPP

Cut tobacco FDI to 74%: DIPP

Rediff.com   25 Dec 2008

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion in the Commerce Ministry proposes to scale back the Foreign Direct Investment ceiling for the tobacco industry from 100 to 74 per cent and insert a caveat that cigarettes manufactured in the new ventures or in upgraded facilities must be mainly for consumption outside India.Sources said the department, which is responsible for the policy on FDI, is finalising a cabinet note aimed at comprehensive review of the tobacco policy.

Sebi finds no violation by Satyam

Sebi finds no violation by Satyam

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2008

Unlikely to launch formal probe into IT firm's Maytas move.

Some telcos want delay in 3G auction

Some telcos want delay in 3G auction

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2008

The 3G and broadband wireless access spectrum auction is running into further controversies with a section of telecom firms opposing the timing of the auction and internet companies planning to move the Prime Minister's Office.Even though Reliance Communications is ready with $1-billion investment for 3G rollout, it intends to focus on GSM rollout at the moment. The company is "receptive to the opinion that the 3G auctions should be held at a later date," a source said.

Internet connections will be slow till December 26

Internet connections will be slow till December 26

Rediff.com   23 Dec 2008

Slow internet connections will continue till Friday, even as restoration work on two cables out of the three that had severed a few days ago is under way. In India, the latency will continue till the end of the week, even for customers who have opted for redundancy bandwidth. For those who did not opt for redundancy bandwidth, the latency would be higher till the restoration.

Bad asset norms may be relaxed

Bad asset norms may be relaxed

Rediff.com   23 Dec 2008

The Reserve Bank of India has started a review of the non-performing asset or bad loan classification norms to ease the flow of credit to corporate groups.The move follows a reference from the government and is aimed at relaxing the norms temporarily to enable companies to access funds during the economic downturn that is putting pressure on cash flows and repayment capabilities.The review has been sought by the finance ministry following appeals from various industries.

FIPB sets aside L&T objections, clears Ralf Schnei

FIPB sets aside L&T objections, clears Ralf Schnei

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2008

The Foreign Investment Promotion Board has cleared a proposal by German plastic moulding major Ralf Schneider to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in India, setting aside objections raised by its former Indian partner Larsen & Toubro under Press Note 1 of the Foreign Direct Investment policy.

Advance tax collections send early warning signals

Advance tax collections send early warning signals

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2008

Most private firms see lower pay-outs; govt banks save the day.