Surajeet Das Gupta &Amp; Priyanka Joshi In New Delhi

Stories by Surajeet Das Gupta &Amp; Priyanka Joshi In New Delhi

Bad times are good for m-banking

Bad times are good for m-banking

Rediff.com   22 Jun 2009

A recent KPMG survey highlights the huge potential for banks to grow their market with the rise in mobile phone subscribers in India. The most profound impact of mobile banking and payment services is that they provide the non-banking population with access to modern financial services, giving them tools to improve their living standards. Innovative m-banking services are fast arriving in the market.

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.

Satyam employees resent 'selective' pay hikes

Satyam employees resent 'selective' pay hikes

Rediff.com   11 Jun 2009

Some employees have alleged that close to 20 employees of the troubled Satyam Computer Services have been promoted to the I-1 and I-2 bands (representing assistant vice-president and vice-president levels) and also received a salary hike of 20-40 per cent. The timing has caused much resentment with some employees taking up the matter with the human resources department.

Getting caught in the 'web' of love

Getting caught in the 'web' of love

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2009

"Nearly 83 per cent Indians have an online friend. Netizens are fast opening up to newer technologies such as instant messaging, social networking and texting that are being used to strengthen relationships to keep kids, parents and grandparents connected," said David Freer, vice- president (consumer business -- APAC & Japan), Symantec.

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.

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.

The making of a freewheeling success story

The making of a freewheeling success story

Rediff.com   18 May 2009

Driven by their dream to start their own venture, they almost scandalised their families when they launched a company Tachyon in 2000, right after college with a paltry investment of Rs 400,000.

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.

Check out these magical mice

Check out these magical mice

Rediff.com   4 May 2009

If you have been using the same old mouse on your computer for a long time, then you might be surprised to learn the new features that a new mouse sports. Optical and laser technologies are fast replacing the rolling ball that used to adorn the underbelly of the old mouse.

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.

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).

Only 14% wi-fi networks secure

Only 14% wi-fi networks secure

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2009

According to a survey conducted by the Deloitte and Data Security Council of India, 37 per cent of wireless networks had no encryption at all, followed by 49 per cent using a lower-level protection like Wired Equivalent Privacy encryption and just 14 per cent using security layers like Wi-Fi Protected Areas (WPA and WPA2) to secure their networks.

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).

Disney launches comic books in India

Disney launches comic books in India

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2009

Disney Publishing Worldwide (India), a division of Walt Disney Company (India), has announced a licensing agreement with local publisher Junior Diamond to publish Disney comic books, both in English and Hindi.

What's in a name? Money!

What's in a name? Money!

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2009

You can make millions, if you are a celebrity and are willing to license your name to other people's business ventures.

Chennai tops in mobile penetration

Chennai tops in mobile penetration

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2009

Mumbai is a distant number two with 90 per cent, followed by Delhi at 83 per cent. The fourth metro, Kolkata, is way behind with 67 per cent. The four metros account for 16 per cent of the country's mobile subscriber base, but 25 per cent of the total revenue. That means their residents use their phones more and pay fatter bills than subscribers elsewhere in the country. This is the user profile that rings a bell for mobile phone marketers.

Now, customised election news on your TV

Now, customised election news on your TV

Rediff.com   13 Apr 2009

Now, watch customised election news on your TV. Big TV, a Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group venture, is launching election-based interactive services that will be provided by its content partner CNN-IBN.