Kausik Datta &Amp; Rajesh S Kurup

Stories by Kausik Datta &Amp; Rajesh S Kurup

RCom slashes GSM call rates by 30%

RCom slashes GSM call rates by 30%

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2007

The company recently received permission to launch GSM services within its existing license and is awaiting allocation of spectrum, the radio frequency that enables wireless communications, from the government. CDMA and GSM services cannot be operated on the same spectrum.

Mobile ads to overtake Internet advertising

Mobile ads to overtake Internet advertising

Rediff.com   30 Oct 2007

Though in its infancy in India, mobile advertising is emerging as the biggest competitor to Internet advertising. It might even cannibalise online advertising, states a new study by global analysis firm Thomas Weisel International. India's online advertising is expected to reach an inflection point by 2009-end - a time when mobile advertising is predicted to grow at a scorching pace.

Dubai co queers Tata pitch for Orient-Express

Dubai co queers Tata pitch for Orient-Express

Rediff.com   24 Oct 2007

Dubai Holding, an investment firm of the Dubai government, has threatened to come out with an open offer for Orient-Express Hotels if the Tata group acquires a significant stake in the hotel chain. This comes exactly a month after the Tata group's Indian Hotels Company bought 10 per cent and expressed interest in striking a deal which was turned down by Orient-Express.

3 Tata firms begin CEO search

3 Tata firms begin CEO search

Rediff.com   12 Oct 2007

The top slots at three Tata companies -- Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Consultancy Services -- will be up for grabs in two years with incumbents Ravi Kant, B Muthuraman and S Ramadorai due to retire in 2009.

Intra-state calls to get cheaper

Intra-state calls to get cheaper

Rediff.com   11 Oct 2007

Telecom subscribers in the country can now make intra-state call at the rate of a local call, with the state-owned telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) extending its group-dialing facility to private operators. Group dialing facility enables local dialing within a state by pre-fixing `95' to the receiver's number.

IFCI suitors worried about stake stability

IFCI suitors worried about stake stability

Rediff.com   11 Oct 2007

Interested parties are concerned about the possibility of 24 domestic banks and six financial institutions converting to equity Rs 1,480 crore worth of zero-coupon debentures to which they subscribed in 2002-03.

Telecom aspirants dial up tower firms

Telecom aspirants dial up tower firms

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2007

Wannabe telecom operators will take a while to know whether they have passed the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's test. But that hasn't stopped them from taking the next step: tying up with infrastructure providers such as tower operators for rolling out their nation-wide operations.

Why the Bajaj brothers are at war

Why the Bajaj brothers are at war

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2007

Even as the Bajaj imbroglio comes up for hearing before the Company Law Board (CLB) on October 23, there is every indication that this might turn out to be the longest-running family feud of all times.

No more unwanted calls, hooray!

No more unwanted calls, hooray!

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2007

Call blocking is one facility that telecom service providers claim is only for the chosen few, for instance the celebrities. Not withstanding its niche appeal, service providers in the country are in various stages of implementing the technology.

Now you can block calls for Rs 99!

Now you can block calls for Rs 99!

Rediff.com   5 Oct 2007

A user can list certain numbers with the operator from which he does not want to receive calls, and calls from these numbers would be blocked. Around 10-15 numbers can be blocked, while the caller will get a "busy tone or a recorded message".

How to call abroad from coin-operated PCOs

How to call abroad from coin-operated PCOs

Rediff.com   2 Oct 2007

Companies like state-owned Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited, Tata Teleservices Limited, Reliance Communications and Bharti Airtel are rolling out coin-operated PCOs that will support international calls across the country.

Tata Tele plans $200 m FCCB issue

Tata Tele plans $200 m FCCB issue

Rediff.com   28 Sep 2007

Confirming this, Chief Financial Officer S Venkatesan said that the company has passed an enabling resolution to raise around $200 million from foreign investors either through an FCCB or a private placement.

Telecom windfall: Govt to reap Rs 15,000 cr

Telecom windfall: Govt to reap Rs 15,000 cr

Rediff.com   22 Sep 2007

In financial year 2006-07, the exchequer earned Rs 2,090 crore (Rs 20.90 billion) as spectrum charges and Rs 6,360 crore (Rs 63.60 billion) as licence fees.

Advertisers try out bluetooth

Advertisers try out bluetooth

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2007

Apart from Caf Coffee Day, companies like Pantaloon, Levi's and Pepsi among others are also offering goodies through bluetooth that can be downloaded free-of-cost.

Tax tops Vodafone board meet agenda

Tax tops Vodafone board meet agenda

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2007

The board of GSM service provider Vodafone-Essar is expected to discuss the income tax issue at its meeting to be held on Friday.

'IAS is still the tops'

'IAS is still the tops'

Rediff.com   18 Sep 2007

Despite all its problems, V Thulasidas, head of the merged Air India-Indian Airlines, feels the elite cadre provides the most challenging environment.

Govt to roll out single levy in telecom soon

Govt to roll out single levy in telecom soon

Rediff.com   17 Sep 2007

The Department of Telecommunications, which has been mandated to simplify the multifarious levies, would introduce the new regime in phases.

DoT tells GSM cos to make full use of spectrum

DoT tells GSM cos to make full use of spectrum

Rediff.com   15 Sep 2007

DoT is also planning to carry out verification on operators' premises to check the technologies they employ.

Ess Dee to buy Alcan arm

Ess Dee to buy Alcan arm

Rediff.com   14 Sep 2007

Essel Propack, Amcore other contenders for $1bn deal.

Rs 5 lakh crore to bolster steel sector

Rs 5 lakh crore to bolster steel sector

Rediff.com   11 Sep 2007

The Indian steel industry is poised to witness an investment of more than Rs 5 lakh crore (Rs billion), which is over six times the total money ploughed into the sector since independence.