Surajeet Das Gupta &Amp; Leslie D'Monte

Stories by Surajeet Das Gupta &Amp; Leslie D'Monte

Tata Teleservices: In search of a USP

Tata Teleservices: In search of a USP

Rediff.com   30 Jun 2009

Tata Teleservices' GSM innings is likely to be a tough one despite its innovative offerings and tie-up with the Japanese market leader, NTT DOCOMO.

FIPB says Press Notes 2, 4 can't be retrospective

FIPB says Press Notes 2, 4 can't be retrospective

Rediff.com   30 Jun 2009

The Foreign Investment Promotion Board has made it clear that Press Notes 2 and 4 issued in February 2009, which changed the way indirect foreign equity would be treated in calculating foreign investment levels in Indian corporations, cannot take effect retrospectively for proposals before the board.

Mahindra-Satyam: Two-in-one advantage?

Mahindra-Satyam: Two-in-one advantage?

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2009

Tech Mahindra considered a couple of options -- keep the Satyam name or replace it entirely. But research said Satyam still reflected critical strengths that were recognised and valued by customers. "By combining it with the well-known and highly-regarded Mahindra name, we are able to convey a stronger message more credibly: that Mahindra Satyam has the resources, talent and resolve to ensure a steady performance," says T Hari, its the marketing and communications head.

DIPP clears Bharti, Tata Tele proposals

DIPP clears Bharti, Tata Tele proposals

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2009

The clearances are for three proposals submitted to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board by Bharti Telemedia, which offers direct-to-home television services, Tata Teleservices, in which Japan's DoCoMo has picked up 27.3 per cent equity, and SKR BPO Services, which has made downstream investments in Sparsh BPO. Press notes 2 and 4, issued in February this year, changed the way indirect foreign equity is treated while computing the total foreign investment.

RCom, China Mobile in tie-up talks

RCom, China Mobile in tie-up talks

Rediff.com   22 Jun 2009

In February, Wang Jianzhou, China Mobile's chairman and CEO, told Business Standard at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the company was keen to expand to India. China Mobile has over 450 million subscribers. RCom, which offers CDMA mobile telecom services and started GSM services a few months ago, has over 70 million customers. An RCom spokesperson declined to comment and an email query to China Mobile was unanswered.

DoT may ring in up to 12 operators for 3G

DoT may ring in up to 12 operators for 3G

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2009

The sole exception would be the Rajasthan circle (which can accommodate only two operators). The West Bengal and North-East circles would be able to accommodate only four operators. The numbers are based on the latest note prepared by the DoT. The availability of spectrum is a key element that determines the auction price of spectrum. Higher availability means a lower price.

Now, DEA questions Press Notes 2 & 4

Now, DEA questions Press Notes 2 & 4

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2009

For the second time since Press Note 2 and 4 were issued in February 2009, the Department of Economic Affairs in the finance ministry has raised questions on their implementation, this time over an application before the Foreign Investment Promotion Board.

Novartis may revise open offer price

Novartis may revise open offer price

Rediff.com   28 May 2009

The company is likely to increase buy-back offer from Rs 351 to Rs 425-450. The open offer price is likely to be revised from the earlier Rs 351 to between Rs 425 and Rs 450, as the current share prices of Novartis India are above the present open offer price, the sources added.

Caught in the web; draft rules stir hornet's nest

Caught in the web; draft rules stir hornet's nest

Rediff.com   25 May 2009

The IT Amendment Act, 2008, if notified, will give the government blanket power to block news portals and other sites for 'offensive' content.

Bharti to launch sub-Rs 8,000 Net PC

Bharti to launch sub-Rs 8,000 Net PC

Rediff.com   22 May 2009

The Airtel Net PC is a plug-and-play online computer, inclusive of a 15-inch LCD monitor, keyboard, mouse and Nivio companion (which enables the PC to connect to a backend Linux-run server for storage and applications) and priced at Rs 7,999 exclusively for Airtel broadband customers.

Plan to divest 10% in BSNL may be revived

Plan to divest 10% in BSNL may be revived

Rediff.com   21 May 2009

The BSNL board had last year approved a plan under which the government would divest 10 per cent of its shares to the public. But opposition from the unions backed by the Left parties -- which supported the United Progressive Alliance in the last Parliament -- had stalled the process. That opposition has abated, now that the Left is no longer a factor in the current ruling alliance.

Bharti Airtel's big dream

Bharti Airtel's big dream

Rediff.com   18 May 2009

It's celebration time for Bharti Airtel, which last week became the third telecom brand in the world to cross the magic 100 million-subscriber mark in a single country. The gap between Airtel and its nearest competitor, Vodafone, is now about 26 million subscribers.

Your air ticket will get cheaper

Your air ticket will get cheaper

Rediff.com   14 May 2009

Jet Airways, Kingfisher shift flights to low-cost platforms; experts expect a fare war. "Every year, airlines come up with cheap fares in the summer season, but not like this year. I had never seen airlines offering 50 per cent cash-back offers. Now with Jet Konnect and Kingfisher Red, there are more flights to the routes where LCCs used to dominate," says Bhawna Agarwal, co-founder and head of air business, Yatra.com.

Govt may raise viability funding for NHDP 5

Govt may raise viability funding for NHDP 5

Rediff.com   4 May 2009

The government has decided to raise the viability gap funding (VGF) for certain projects under the fifth phase of the National Highway Development Project (NHDP V), owing to poor response to the first few projects put up for bids in December last year.

Reliance Big TV plans to divest 49% in DTH arm

Reliance Big TV plans to divest 49% in DTH arm

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2009

To expand its services in the five-player private direct-to-home market, Reliance Big TV Ltd, the promoter of Big TV DTH services of the Reliance ADA Group, plans to sell up to 49 per cent to foreign private equity companies and global DTH players.

Sebi mulls legal action against Pyramid promoters

Sebi mulls legal action against Pyramid promoters

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2009

Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is understood to be contemplating legal action against P S Saminathan, managing director and one of the promoters of Pyramid Saimira Theatre (PSTL), and Nirmal N Kotecha, another promoter of the company.

Why Air India chief lost his job

Why Air India chief lost his job

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2009

With Arvind Jadhav, principal secretary, in the department of infrastructure development of the Karnataka government, emerging as the frontrunner in the race to replace Raghu Menon as the chairman and managing director of the state-owned National Aviation Company of India Ltd (Nacil), which runs Air India, informed sources said Menon lost the coveted job because of his opposition to the airline's proposed joint venture with Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS).

Top 4 IT firms continue to face the slowdown heat

Top 4 IT firms continue to face the slowdown heat

Rediff.com   23 Apr 2009

Wipro sees a silver lining in Q1; others say recovery by 2009-end.

Should the Satyam name be retained?

Should the Satyam name be retained?

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2009

The jury is still out on whether Tech Mahindra should retain the Satyam name. Srinivasan Swamy, CMD, R K Swamy BBDO, says. "Brand Satyam took a beating for only one reason -- accounting irregularities by its erstwhile chairman. The employees were not even aware of the fraud. The company's core values and foundation have not been impacted." The task for the new management, he believes, is to retain its clients and people and the brand image would get resurrected.

Govt to ensure Satyam flock stays intact

Govt to ensure Satyam flock stays intact

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2009

The agreement with the new owners of Satyam Computer Services will incorporate restrictions to prevent mass retrenchment of employees, according to a top functionary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).