B G Shirsat &Amp; Rajesh S Kurup In Mumbai

Stories by B G Shirsat &Amp; Rajesh S Kurup In Mumbai

RCom to launch cheapest smartphone @ 10K

RCom to launch cheapest smartphone @ 10K

Rediff.com   7 Nov 2008

At present, the cheapest business phone (with personal digital assistants) is priced at Rs 15,000, while high-end phones are available around Rs 13,000.

Companies see slower order book growth

Companies see slower order book growth

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2008

The global credit crisis has slowed order growth of Indian construction and engineering companies, indicating that several big projects, planned earlier, are being pushed back either for lack of capital, or because they have become unviable now.

More companies show fall in profit in Q2

More companies show fall in profit in Q2

Rediff.com   27 Oct 2008

The tide for Indian firms seems to be turning. As much as 41 per cent of companies announcing their second-quarter results have registered a drop in profit.

Thinning Q2 margins cloud buoyant sales

Thinning Q2 margins cloud buoyant sales

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2008

Sales of 137 firms up 29.7%, but operating margins dip.

In India, only 10 pc Wi-Fi networks are safe

In India, only 10 pc Wi-Fi networks are safe

Rediff.com   24 Sep 2008

If you are a wireless (read Wi-Fi) internet user, you could easily be the next victim of a terrorist who accesses your computer to send emails, which can get you into trouble with authorities as was the case with some users in Mumbai.

Your cell phone calls might get cheaper!

Your cell phone calls might get cheaper!

Rediff.com   19 Sep 2008

Interconnect user charges are paid by one telecom service provider to another for enabling calls from one network to the other. The present interconnect charge of 30 paise per incoming minute was fixed in 2003. The price was considered high even then. Now, with equipment prices falling, a revision was called for, said industry analysts.

BSNL lets Ericsson use Hewlett-Packard solutions

BSNL lets Ericsson use Hewlett-Packard solutions

Rediff.com   19 Sep 2008

This is contrary to the BSNL technical committee's earlier approval to use the DR solutions of US-based Sun Microsystems and EMC Corporation. According to vendors close to the development, HP's DR solutions were not mentioned in the original purchase order issued to Ericsson, the main bidder.

Vodafone fears Essar may further dilute BPL stake

Vodafone fears Essar may further dilute BPL stake

Rediff.com   11 Sep 2008

The Ruias and other promoters own a 99.99 per cent stake through various companies in BPL Mobile Communications. They have already toned it down to 82.4 per cent, sources close to the development said. Now, the group is looking at further bringing it down to less than 70 per cent. This will make BPL Mobile Communications a shell company and diminish its values making its shares 'worthless,' says Vodafone.

Vodafone accuses Essar of altering BPL shr capital

Vodafone accuses Essar of altering BPL shr capital

Rediff.com   10 Sep 2008

The dispute between Vodafone and the Ruia-owned Essar Group, its 33 per cent partners in Vodafone-Essar, over ownership of BPL Mobile deepened this week after the UK-based telecom major alleged that Essar had altered the share structure of the Mumbai service provider in violation of a 2006 agreement

Capex spends may drop by 30% in FY09

Capex spends may drop by 30% in FY09

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2008

After four years of growth at 40 per cent or more, capital expenditure (capex) by India Inc in the current financial year (2008-09) may drop almost 30 per cent.

Foreign firms' 3G quality may suffer for want of s

Foreign firms' 3G quality may suffer for want of s

Rediff.com   30 Aug 2008

Foreign operators may fail to provide quality 3G services, unlike their Indian counterparts, as the Department of Telecommunications is offering spectrum in tranches of 5 MHz, which is insufficient for starting operations.

R-ADAG outsources call centre operations

R-ADAG outsources call centre operations

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2008

The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group has awarded a 5-year outsourcing contract to a Delhi-based call centre, Caretel Infotech, a part of Dalmiya group, for about Rs 300 crore.

Apple to unveil iTune Store soon

Apple to unveil iTune Store soon

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2008

Apple, the US consumer electronics and software company, is close to opening its iTune Store in India. iTune Store, the world's most popular online entertainment store, offers songs, movies, TV shows, podcasts, audiobooks and iPod games.

Mumbai braces for mobile services battle

Mumbai braces for mobile services battle

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2008

With at least seven more mobile service providers planning to launch operations in the Mumbai circle, following in the footsteps of GSM player Idea Cellular, the market is slated to become the country's most competitive and fierce telecom zone.

FII stake in Indian firms dips to 18.8%

FII stake in Indian firms dips to 18.8%

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2008

The combined stake of foreign institutional investors in the top 500 Indian companies has dropped to a two-year low of 18.18 per cent as on June 30, 2008 from a high of 19.86 per cent in the corresponding period a year ago.

Modi starts talks with SET's shareholders

Modi starts talks with SET's shareholders

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2008

The negotiations were shelved following a difference of opinion on prices. "We intend to close both the deals by September," said a highly-placed source with MCorp, the holding company for B K Modi's group of companies.

Kuwait telco begins talks for Indian buys

Kuwait telco begins talks for Indian buys

Rediff.com   9 Aug 2008

Mobile Telecommunications Company (Zain), the third largest telecom operator in West Asia and a leading operator in Africa, has initiated talks with several Indian telecom service providers to buy stakes.

DoT rejects plea for leniency on service rollout

DoT rejects plea for leniency on service rollout

Rediff.com   6 Aug 2008

In a move that will not augur well for companies which have been awarded 2G licences recently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has rejected proposals by new telecom entrants for a relaxation of rollout obligations.

Apple still not singing the right tune in India

Apple still not singing the right tune in India

Rediff.com   4 Aug 2008

In India, Apple users purchase entertainment content from other websites, at times from legitimate portals, but mostly end up buying pirated content in India.

Datacom Solutions has big plans

Datacom Solutions has big plans

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2008

Consumer durables major Videocon Industries' subsidiary Datacom Solutions, which has received telecom licences to begin pan-India operations, is planning to commence network rollout starting August 15 and services by year-end, becoming one of the first newcomers to launch operations.