Arup Roychoudhury And Mansi Taneja

Stories by Arup Roychoudhury And Mansi Taneja

Operators to pay more for 2G

Operators to pay more for 2G

Rediff.com   11 May 2010

Operators with more than 6.2 MHz of spectrum in GSM will have to cough up more if the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has its way. Trai is recommending sweeping changes in the country's telecom landscape by replacing the current subscriber-based allocation of 2G spectrum.

Chinese co mulls handset factory in India by 2012

Chinese co mulls handset factory in India by 2012

Rediff.com   10 May 2010

Huawei, as well as ZTE, has of late shown interest in setting up a manufacturing facility in India.

 Mobile number portability gets delayed

Mobile number portability gets delayed

Rediff.com   7 May 2010

The government will miss the June 30 deadline to implement nationwide mobile number portability, as telecom public sectors MTNL and BSNL, and a new operator Uninor, are not ready with equipment.

Chinese telecom companies 'Indianising' management

Chinese telecom companies 'Indianising' management

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2010

Leading Chinese telecom equipment manufacturers, Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and ZTE Corporation, have launched an aggressive 'Indianisation' drive. The two companies are replacing Chinese nationals with Indians on their board of directors. The move is seen as an attempt by the companies to change the public perception in India, where Chinese firms are often viewed with suspicion. This would also make it easy for the firms to do business in India.

3G auction begins, may go into 2nd round

3G auction begins, may go into 2nd round

Rediff.com   9 Apr 2010

The much-awaited auction for 3G spectrum has begun. Top telecom operators including Bharti, Vodafone, Idea, RCom and Tatas are in the fray.

Ministerial group to take call on BSNL divestment

Ministerial group to take call on BSNL divestment

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2010

The government is likely to set up a Group of Ministers (GOM) to take a final decision on divesting stake in the telecommunications company, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.

BSNL readies Rs 14,000 crore war chest

BSNL readies Rs 14,000 crore war chest

Rediff.com   29 Mar 2010

Half the money, to be invested over the next 12 months, will be used to expand its mobile network.

3G bids: Uncertainty=foreign telcos' absence?

3G bids: Uncertainty=foreign telcos' absence?

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2010

Only those foreign companies with an existing presence in Indian telecom finally put in bids for the 3G auction. The last date for applications was March 19.

BSNL may open up lines for pvt firms

BSNL may open up lines for pvt firms

Rediff.com   18 Mar 2010

In a move that could revolutionise internet access for millions, state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is considering opening up its last mile local loop (fixed copper lines) for broadband services to private players.

Pitroda panel suggestions on BSNL: DoT worried

Pitroda panel suggestions on BSNL: DoT worried

Rediff.com   12 Mar 2010

The recommendations include divestment of 30 per cent government equity in BSNL, reducing the company's workforce by a third, and cancelling the telecom equipment order for 93 million GSM lines, replacing it with network outsourcing deals.

BSNL clears 30% divestment

BSNL clears 30% divestment

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2010

Subject to Union government approval, the board of state-owned telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd on Thursday cleared a proposal for the divestment of 30 per cent government equity in it, as suggested by a committee set up under Sam Pitroda, the prime minister's telecom and infrastructure advisor.

Brazil tracking India's 3G auction course

Brazil tracking India's 3G auction course

Rediff.com   8 Mar 2010

India's controversial 3G auction has attracted the attention from some very unusual quarters.

BSNL tender: Huawei to lose 10% business in India

BSNL tender: Huawei to lose 10% business in India

Rediff.com   8 Mar 2010

BSNL would have accounted for revenues of $250 million this year.

BSNL should reduce its staff: Pitroda panel

BSNL should reduce its staff: Pitroda panel

Rediff.com   4 Mar 2010

A committee headed by Sam Pitroda, advisor to the Prime Minister, has suggested that state-run telecom major Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd should retire or transfer about 100,000 of its employees through measures such as a voluntary retirement scheme. This is a third of BSNL's total employee strength, of 300,000 across the country.To improve organisational performance and employee productivity substantially, BSNL should induct young talent in all spaces.

BSNL seeks change in tender norms from MoD

BSNL seeks change in tender norms from MoD

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2010

State-run telecom major Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has written to the defence ministry to amend the conditions for floating tenders, including having own manufacturing facility in India, for setting up alternative communications network for defence forces."We have written to the defence ministry for change in tender conditions as some companies have said that the current conditions are very strict," said a senior BSNL official.

BSNL mulls pvt placement as IPO hopes fade

BSNL mulls pvt placement as IPO hopes fade

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2010

With hopes of raising funds through an initial public offer (IPO) or selling a stake to a strategic investor fading due to stiff opposition from the unions, the government is working on a proposal for a private placement of shares for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), India's fifth-largest telecom company,

BSNL, MTNL ready to meet March 31 deadline for MNP

BSNL, MTNL ready to meet March 31 deadline for MNP

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2010

Subscriber needs to pay Rs 19 for the service.

MTNL revives bid to enter overseas markets

MTNL revives bid to enter overseas markets

Rediff.com   27 Jan 2010

This move comes after the appointment of the company's new chairman and managing director Kuldip Singh.

Sign up for do-call, shun telemarketers

Sign up for do-call, shun telemarketers

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2010

After the failure of the Do-not-call registry, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India now plans to try out Do-call registry to curb unnecessary telemarketing calls.

Sanjay Kapoor, the man behind Airtel's success

Sanjay Kapoor, the man behind Airtel's success

Rediff.com   15 Jan 2010

Sanjay Kapoor is the man handpicked by Sunil Mittal, the founder promoter of Bharti Enterprises, to get the next 100 million subscribers for the group's mobile telephony arm, Bharti Airtel. In the space of just a year, Kapoor has been promoted a second time.