Mansi Taneja And Surajeet Das Gupta

Stories by Mansi Taneja And Surajeet Das Gupta

BSNL, MTNL chiefs may come from private sector

BSNL, MTNL chiefs may come from private sector

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2010

The department of telecommunications has agreed to set up a search committee to look for new chairmen and managing directors for both, as suggested by the Sam Pitroda-led committee on the organsiation's revamp.

New diktat for BlackBerry service providers

New diktat for BlackBerry service providers

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2010

DoT will call operators offering such services within a few days to discuss the issue and make it clear that they may not be left with any option but direct stopping of the services.

Telecom panel hesitates on Pitroda dose for BSNL

Telecom panel hesitates on Pitroda dose for BSNL

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2010

An attempt is to be made over the next month to get over the opposition of staff unions to the Pitroda Committee recommendations on the revamp of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), the state telecom network outside Mumbai and Delhi.

R-Power plans 8,000-Mw plant in Gujarat

R-Power plans 8,000-Mw plant in Gujarat

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2010

Reliance Power (R-Power), a Reliance-Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) company, is close to finalising a gas-based power plant in Gujarat with a capacity of 7,000 Mw to 8,000 Mw. This would entail an investment of around Rs 30,000 crore, based on investment levels that are normally required for power projects at present.

Govt may get access to foreign firms' networks

Govt may get access to foreign firms' networks

Rediff.com   2 Jul 2010

The department of information and technology (DIT) is considering an amendment in the Information Technology Act (IT Act) to facilitate this move, according to an internal note prepared by the department of telecommunications (DoT).

Govt moots retail sector watchdog

Govt moots retail sector watchdog

Rediff.com   1 Jul 2010

The Centre is mulling over creation of an independent body to regulate the country's vast retail sector. The retail regulatory authority would ensure a level playing field for indigenous retail traders if the government opens the sector to more foreign participation. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Food has convened a meeting on July 8 in Delhi to discuss this and other proposals and chart a comprehensive plan for the sector, according to the agenda paper of the meeting.

MTN in talks to buy stake in Loop

MTN in talks to buy stake in Loop

Rediff.com   28 Jun 2010

Loop Telecom has been looking for a strategic investor for some time now and people close to the development said the telecom operator was willing to sell up to 45 per cent stake in the firm.

PMO refers 2g issue to EGoM

PMO refers 2g issue to EGoM

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2010

The decision had been communicated to the department of telecommunications, a senior official of the department told Business Standard.

PowerGrid's bidding norms to hit Chinese vendors

PowerGrid's bidding norms to hit Chinese vendors

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2010

In what could close the doors for import of Chinese equipment in power transmission, state-run Power Grid Corporation is making it mandatory for suppliers to have manufacturing facilities in India within three years. The company's board is likely to approve the proposal in its meeting on July 2.

Top firms in race for Team India sponsorship

Top firms in race for Team India sponsorship

Rediff.com   29 May 2010

Leading Indian companies are considering whether to bid for the India cricket team sponsorship for the next three years. The deadline for doing so is Saturday.

DoT-defence ministry row may hit 3G rollout

DoT-defence ministry row may hit 3G rollout

Rediff.com   25 May 2010

Fresh trouble seems to be brewing between the defence ministry and the Department of Telecommunications over spectrum and this could put a question mark on the launch of third generation telephony services in the country by March next year.

2G licence renewal may cost telcos Rs 1 lakh crore

2G licence renewal may cost telcos Rs 1 lakh crore

Rediff.com   21 May 2010

Eleven telcos, whose licences will expire between 2014 and 2021, will have to pay this 13-figure sum if the government accepts the telecom regulator's proposal of pricing second generation radio airwaves on the basis of prices determined at the just-concluded auction of third generation spectrum.

Power ministry may take NTPC case to EGoM

Power ministry may take NTPC case to EGoM

Rediff.com   18 May 2010

With the government making a distinction between the privately-run Reliance Natural Resources Ltd and the government-run NTPC Ltd in relation with the gas dispute with Reliance Industries Ltd, the ministry of power is likely to take up NTPC's case with the Empowered Group of Ministers.

DoT may reject Trai's 2G pricing move

DoT may reject Trai's 2G pricing move

Rediff.com   18 May 2010

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is likely to reject the telecom regulator's proposal to charge operators holding excess spectrum at a rate determined on the basis of the ongoing 3G bids.

3G rollout: Telcos may have to raise Rs 50,000 cr

3G rollout: Telcos may have to raise Rs 50,000 cr

Rediff.com   17 May 2010

The money constitutes nearly 26 per cent of the total domestic borrowing of the Indian corporate sector in 2008-09.

New norms have left enough scope for M&As: Trai

New norms have left enough scope for M&As: Trai

Rediff.com   15 May 2010

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) chairman J S Sarma said his recommendation to tweak the existing norms for mergers and acquisitions aims to prevent the union of two big companies or a big and a medium-sized operator, but it provides enough scope for mergers between others.

India Inc bats for Chinese telcos

India Inc bats for Chinese telcos

Rediff.com   14 May 2010

Indian telecom operators came out in open support of Chinese equipment makers, saying the government cannot deprive Indian consumers of the cutting-edge technology which these companies offer by denying security clearance to them.

New 2G norms to make govt richer by Rs 11,200 cr

New 2G norms to make govt richer by Rs 11,200 cr

Rediff.com   12 May 2010

Operators Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone-Essar, Aircel, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd and Idea Cellular might have to fork out over Rs 11,200 crore for having spectrum beyond 6.2 MHz, if the government accepts the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) recommendations.

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.

Maruti asks component suppliers to reduce costs

Maruti asks component suppliers to reduce costs

Rediff.com   10 May 2010

Maruti Suzuki has asked its 200-odd vendors to cut their component costs by three per cent across the board in this financial year.