Rajesh S Kurup &Amp; Shivani Shinde In Mumbai

Stories by Rajesh S Kurup &Amp; Shivani Shinde In Mumbai

GSM foray to have limited impact on competitors

GSM foray to have limited impact on competitors

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2009

With the existing operators garnering the high-average revenue per user subscriber, new service providers like RCom has to look at new customers," Gartner principal research analyst Naresh Singh said.

Govt to check RCom's revenue reports

Govt to check RCom's revenue reports

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2009

The government has asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to speed up its responses on the allegations that Reliance Communications (RCom) has violated revenue reporting norms. The government will also appoint a special auditor to scrutinise RCom's books.

India-focused PEs to raise $24 billion in 2009

India-focused PEs to raise $24 billion in 2009

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2009

Meanwhile, 117 Pan-Asian private equity players - with India as focus -- aim to raise funds worth $59 billion, says UK-based Preqin, an alternative assets research and consultancy group. On a global platform, he said, majority of investors remain positive towards private equity. Aditya Birla Private Equity is an example.

Ex-CEOs join hands to set up novel firm

Ex-CEOs join hands to set up novel firm

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2009

Four former Indian CEOs - three of them with telecom companies and one from soft drinks major Coca-Cola - have come together to start an angel partner firm, the Phi Group. Interestingly, the group has roped in two former bosses of global telecom companies for its international foray.

Spice firms up plan for Satyam buy

Spice firms up plan for Satyam buy

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2009

Sends team to discuss share auction with Sebi today Satyam board to sell stake via auction.

Now, make free international calls

Now, make free international calls

Rediff.com   21 Jan 2009

You can make free phone calls to anywhere in the world now. An Italian software company - Seven Rings International - is launching its Voice over Internet Protocol service in the country that provides free international phone calls, instant messages (chat) and text messages.

Upaid case hearing not scheduled this week

Upaid case hearing not scheduled this week

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2009

The hearing of the forgery case filed by British mobile solution firm Upaid against Satyam Computer Services is not scheduled for hearing during this week.

Satyam fiasco: Raju is in Hyderabad

Satyam fiasco: Raju is in Hyderabad

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2009

The hearing of the forgery case filed by British mobile solution firm Upaid against Satyam Computer Services is not scheduled for hearing during this week. This means no Satyam official -- neither B Ramalinga Raju who stepped down as its chairman after admitting to a financial fraud nor any other top executive -- is in the US for the case. When contacted, a Satyam spokesperson confirmed the development and added that Raju was 'very much' in Hyderabad.

IT firms face payment delays

IT firms face payment delays

Rediff.com   29 Dec 2008

Information technology firms, which are already in trouble due to the slowdown in their key markets, are now facing payment delays. Many firms said collections cycles (receivables) are getting extended.

Trai seeks RCom plan to handle cable cuts

Trai seeks RCom plan to handle cable cuts

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2008

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has sought details of the arrangements made by Reliance Communications to restore bandwidth in case of submarine cable failure.

Some telcos want delay in 3G auction

Some telcos want delay in 3G auction

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2008

The 3G and broadband wireless access spectrum auction is running into further controversies with a section of telecom firms opposing the timing of the auction and internet companies planning to move the Prime Minister's Office.Even though Reliance Communications is ready with $1-billion investment for 3G rollout, it intends to focus on GSM rollout at the moment. The company is "receptive to the opinion that the 3G auctions should be held at a later date," a source said.

Internet connections will be slow till December 26

Internet connections will be slow till December 26

Rediff.com   23 Dec 2008

Slow internet connections will continue till Friday, even as restoration work on two cables out of the three that had severed a few days ago is under way. In India, the latency will continue till the end of the week, even for customers who have opted for redundancy bandwidth. For those who did not opt for redundancy bandwidth, the latency would be higher till the restoration.

GTL to buy back FCCBs, shelves acquisitions

GTL to buy back FCCBs, shelves acquisitions

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2008

Telecom infrastructure major GTL Infrastructure will use its Rs 2,200 crore cash reserves to buy back foreign currency convertible bonds.

DoT for dividend restrictions on new telecom cos

DoT for dividend restrictions on new telecom cos

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2008

However, this rule will not be applicable to companies holding licences for a period of three years, even if they acquire licences in other circles to expand their operations, according to sources close to the development. The suggestion was made by the DoT to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, which will decide on making it a regulation, along with other suggestions on the lock-in period put forward by the licensor.

Now, VCs to invest in rural tech

Now, VCs to invest in rural tech

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2008

Venture capitals in India, which traditionally invested in urban segments or technology sector, have begun investing in rural-centric technology firms. Avishkaar India Micro Venture Capital Fund, Acumen Fund, and Rural Innovations Network are showing increased focus on rural markets.

Start-ups bail out IITians facing placement blues

Start-ups bail out IITians facing placement blues

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2008

On the back of a global meltdown, big-ticket firms may not be flocking at the premier Indian Institute of Technology campuses. IITians, however, have not lost all hope. Many are looking at start-ups for their first jobs.

Tata Tele seeks lock-in period enforcement

Tata Tele seeks lock-in period enforcement

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2008

The move gains importance after two new telecom players -- Swan and Unitech -- sold stakes to foreign companies at high premiums after the allocation of spectrum. The Left parties had also accused Telecom Minister A Raja of underselling spectrum that cost the national exchequer around Rs 60,000 crore (Rs 600 billion).

Why your mobile phone will be more expensive

Why your mobile phone will be more expensive

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2008

Nokia has already increased prices of its base models by around 3-4 per cent. Industry analysts expect other manufacturers to follow suit. "The 25 per cent increase in the value of dollar vis-a-vis rupee (the dollar rose to Rs 50 this month from Rs 40 in March) has resulted in our import costs going up. This has compelled us to increase the prices of our old models launched during the last 6-9 months," said HTC (India) Country Head Ajay Sharma.

'India is a high-talent country'

'India is a high-talent country'

Rediff.com   19 Nov 2008

Ben Verwaayen, CEO, Alcatel-Lucent, does not consider India as a low-cost destination. Rather he does not like to use the word offshore in the context of India. "If it is just about cost then I would not have been in India but to some other low-cost country. For me, India is a high talent country," he adds. As the person who was heading British Telecom's operations before taking over Alcatel-Lucent, he has pushed over a billion dollar of outsourcing work to India.

Currency woes may hit IT firms' earnings

Currency woes may hit IT firms' earnings

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2008

The IT industry, which has already taken a hit of more than Rs 500 crore in the second quarter because of the appreciating dollar against the rupee, will now be hit by adverse cross-currency movements even as they attempt to boost the share of revenue from the UK and the Eurozone. Unfortunately, the hit will be despite attempts by software makers to step up hedging in the pound and the euro. The IT industry earns about 60 per cent of its revenue from the US.