Historically, public sector units were conceived of under the assumption that they will control the 'commanding heights' of the Indian economy, which were necessary for rapid industrial growth but where private investment was unwilling to enter.
BSNL, MTNL launch free night calling to win back consumers lost to mobile boom
India's largest telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam's dependence on routing its international long distance traffic through private players like Reliance, Videsh Sanchar Nigam
In a bonanza to its landline subscribers in urban areas, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has reduced the registration charges for new connections in urban areas from Rs 2000 to Rs 500.
The bids were slated to be opened on December 4. WiMAX or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access provides for wireless transmission of data and up to 75 Mb/sec speed. The 802.16d -- also frequently referred to as 'fixed WiMAX' has no support for mobility.
Expediting the launch of its international long distance service, state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam has signed an agreement on commercial and technical aspects with an overseas operator regarding exchange of traffic.
At the end of Dec, the government had Rs 47,273 crore in the USO fund, with annual accruals of about Rs 6,000 crore.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd will soon start negotiations with the Tata-controlled Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd to match the rates offered by other ILD operators like Data Access for routing its traffic.
The helpline 'KIRAN' (1800-599-0019) was launched by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot. The helpline will offer mental health rehabilitation services with the objective of early screening, first aid, psychological support, distress management, mental well being, promoting positive behaviour and psychological crisis management, the minister said.
According to software company Mavernir, the new virtualised networks would lead to a saving of 40 per cent in capex and 34 per cent in terms of lower operations cost for operators.
The call charges for distance beyond 100 km will be Rs 1.80 per minute in place of Rs 2.40 per minute earlier, the company's Chairman Prithipal Singh said in New Delhi.
The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd on Monday slashed international long distance tariffs by up to 70 per cent on account of the festive season, beginning October 21 mid-night to November 21.
Minister of State for IT and Communications Sachin Pilot would distribute 1,000 mobile handsets with BSNL connections to below poverty line families near Jaipur on Thursday, according to a BSNL official.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has worked out an elaborate plan for the development of telecommunications network along the ancient silk route following the recent Sino-Indian agreement on border trade through Nathula in East Sikkim.
Chinese telecom gear giant Huawei Technologies has sought permission for access to the government's 'Trusted Telecom Portal' which went live on June 15 so that it can share details about the telecom products which telecom service providers have agreed to buy from it. The move is significant as sources close to the development say that, according to Chinese telecom companies' interpretation, the new National Security Directive on the telecom sector does not in any way prohibit them from participating in the process of selling telecom equipment of any kind to private telcos. The firm is waiting for a response from the government. It declined to comment.
Claiming that Shah is getting "frustrated" by "poor turnout" at his rallies, Banerjee also alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is plotting conspiracies to kill her as her security director Vivek Sahay was removed by the Election Commission after she sustained injuries last week in Purba Medinipur's Nandigram.
The government believes heightened awareness among its staff could be the only effective way to counter attempts of foreign agencies.
Even after the rejection of its financial package of Rs 23,000 crore (Rs 230 billion) by the Cabinet, BSNL on Tuesday said it was hopeful that the proposal would eventually be accepted.
BSNL had earlier cancelled its tender for 5.5 million GSM lines and called for bids again after revising the guidelines, following an amendment in the licence conditions for security purposes.
As the nation woke up to images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi splashed across the front page of newspapers by Reliance Industries to announce the launch of its 4G services, Shiv Sena's Member of Parliament from South Mumbai, Arvind Sawant, was not impressed.
The abductors have demanded a ransom of Rs30 lakh for the release of J Lumkim, an official said.
Tensions between private telecom players and the government ratcheted up a notch after it was discovered that state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd was given additional spectrum of up to 10 MHz for GSM technology services in over 16 circles even as private competitors have been waiting to be allotted spectrum by the Department of Telecommunications since December 2006.
Memories of an era gone by are all that remains for telegraphists, considered the backbone of the historic 163-year-old telegram service, which bids its final adieu.
Higher secondary schools in the valley have been shut for over three weeks due to restrictions.
A total of 207 police bravery medals were declared by the Union government apart from 89 President's police medals for distinguished service and 650 police medals for meritorious service, as per a list published by the Union home ministry.
Markets across Kashmir remained shut for the 22nd consecutive day as shops and other business establishments were closed, while the public transport also was off the roads, the officials said.
Union leaders say that Raja only assured the members that a fresh tender for the second phase of the contract would be issued soon, but was unwilling to commit on other aspects of their demand.
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.
The government has given an option to telcos to pay back interest on dues through equity and also conveyed that it has no interest in acquiring any telecom company, a top official of debt-ridden Vodafone Idea has said. Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) managing director and CEO Ravinder Takkar in an interview to PTI said it is clear that the government wants the company to compete in the market and there should be at least three private service providers in the telecom sector. "I have had many many interactions across various parts of the government leading up to this announcement (telecom reforms).
The Sunil Bharti Mittal-led firm on Sunday approached its competitors to set up intra-circle roaming and other processes in the way it is done by the sector to respond to disasters.
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