PB Jayakumar And Rajesh S Kurup

Stories by PB Jayakumar And Rajesh S Kurup

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

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.

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.

Tough call for iPhone in India

Tough call for iPhone in India

Rediff.com   23 Jul 2008

Global mobile phone majors Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and others are offering a slew of products including touchscreen and music capable handsets in India to counter the might of Apple's iPhone, which is expected to hit the markets in September.

Etisalat out of Tata Teleservices stake talks

Etisalat out of Tata Teleservices stake talks

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2008

Etisalat, which is mulling an Indian foray, has since started discussions with several telecom companies including the Videocon Group's Datacom Solutions and Essar-controlled Loop Telecom for equity. Ravi Sharma, CEO of Datacom confirmed that Etilasat was one of the companies to which the company was talking but declined to offer details. Loop Telecom declined to comment.

Pesky calls continue to haunt mobile users

Pesky calls continue to haunt mobile users

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2008

On September 1, 2007, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India reigned in the 'don't call regime' with setting up of the NDNC. Subscribers had to register with the NDNC by calling the respective service provider and the marketing calls were to stop within the next 45 days. However, even after 10 months, unsolicited calls still haunt mobile users.

Dow Chem's $18 bn buy may hit RIL

Dow Chem's $18 bn buy may hit RIL

Rediff.com   11 Jul 2008

Dow Chemicals' acquisition of the Indian born billionnaire Raaj L Gupta headed speciality chemical company Rom and Haas for over $18 billion, is likely to impact its proposed joint venture with Reliance Industries (RIL) and expansion plans in India worth over $100 million.

Idea plans to invest Rs 647 cr in Mumbai

Idea plans to invest Rs 647 cr in Mumbai

Rediff.com   7 Jul 2008

Idea Cellular, an Aditya Birla group company, is investing around Rs 647 crore (Rs 6.47 billion) for the rollout of operations in the Mumbai circle. The operations are expected to commence in two months time.

RCom may get 20% fresh equity in MTN

RCom may get 20% fresh equity in MTN

Rediff.com   5 Jul 2008

Move to skirt public offer for S African telco.

MTN may extend deadline for talks with RCom

MTN may extend deadline for talks with RCom

Rediff.com   16 Jun 2008

A high-profile team from MTN is also expected to meet Reliance Industries Ltd next week to take stock of the situation. RCom had informed the bourses on May 26 that it has entered into exclusive negotiations with MTN for 45 days soon after the South African giant aborted its talks with the Sunil Mittal-controlled Bharti group. The deadline will end on July 8.

Spice may buy 39% stake in Sony TV

Spice may buy 39% stake in Sony TV

Rediff.com   16 Jun 2008

Flush with cash from his wireless telephony company's sale, industrialist B K Modi is negotiating to acquire 39 per cent stake in Indian television company, Multi Screen Media, earlier known as Sony Entertainment Television. Modi, who was earlier eyeing the 32 per cent stake held by Indian shareholders, is now looking at acquiring an additional 7 per cent held by trusts. He is also planning to re-brand the television channel as Sony Spice TV.