News for 'Next Billion Users'

Have bike-sharing firms hit a dead end in India?

Have bike-sharing firms hit a dead end in India?

Rediff.com11 Mar 2019

In India, many cities lack bicycle lanes and proper pavements. This, coupled with heavily congested roads, creates a danger to cyclists. Furthermore, the low costs of bicycles may make it more economical to buy than to rent.

Paytm makes history; IPO oversubscribed 1.89 times

Paytm makes history; IPO oversubscribed 1.89 times

Rediff.com10 Nov 2021

Paytm's Rs 18,300 crore IPO was oversubscribed 1.89 times on the last day of India's biggest share sale on Wednesday, making it one of the country's most valued companies. The initial public offering of Paytm's parent company One97 Communications Ltd received bids for 9.14 crore equity shares against the offer size of 4.83 crore shares, according to information available from stock exchanges. While the portion set aside for retail investors was oversubscribed early, institutional buyers including FIIs flooded the share sale with offers on Wednesday, seeking 2.79 times the number of shares reserved for them.

Answer queries or face ban: Govt to Tiktok, Helo

Answer queries or face ban: Govt to Tiktok, Helo

Rediff.com19 Jul 2019

Tiktok and Helo in a joint statement said they have plans to invest $1 billion over the period of next three years to develop technology infrastructure and owns responsibility of local community.

Online ad market to touch over Rs 3,500 cr by March 2015

Online ad market to touch over Rs 3,500 cr by March 2015

Rediff.com3 Sep 2014

The online ad segment is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 25 per cent between FY'2011 to FY'2013.

Jio designed to help India lead fourth industrial revolution: Mukesh Ambani

Jio designed to help India lead fourth industrial revolution: Mukesh Ambani

Rediff.com8 Oct 2020

Having missed most of the first three industrial revolutions, India has its chance to lead the fourth industrial revolution through a convergence of its IT prowess, ultra-high-speed internet connectivity and affordable smart devices, billionaire Mukesh Ambani said on Thursday. The richest Indian, who heads the nation's most valuable company Reliance Industries, said his group's telecom and digital unit Jio was conceived to provide the key ingredients needed to lead the fourth industrial revolution.

New tech battlegrounds pitch East against West

New tech battlegrounds pitch East against West

Rediff.com9 Jan 2015

More opportunity awaits in India, thanks to decent economic growth with a rising middle class that's just discovering the web through smartphones

Sunil Mittal's $2 bn gamble on space

Sunil Mittal's $2 bn gamble on space

Rediff.com18 Dec 2020

Bharti Global is planning to put up more satellites and has set a stiff deadline to launch commercial Internet services by October in the UK, Alaska, northern Russia and northern Europe.

Facebook bets big on IPO, seeks to raise $5 bn

Facebook bets big on IPO, seeks to raise $5 bn

Rediff.com2 Feb 2012

Seeking to raise $5 billion, social networking giant Facebook has filed for its long awaited initial public offering.

Forget Aadhaar, protect your phone first

Forget Aadhaar, protect your phone first

Rediff.com25 Jan 2018

From your fingerprint to most private images and financial info -- all your privacy is under constant threat from hackers.

Tim Cook has to face Sundar Pichai's googly to win India

Tim Cook has to face Sundar Pichai's googly to win India

Rediff.com27 Oct 2016

iPhone will have to break Android's domination to make India the next China for Apple

MySmartPrice: Your guide to bag the best discounts and deals online

MySmartPrice: Your guide to bag the best discounts and deals online

Rediff.com1 Oct 2014

MySmartPrice has been growing about 100 per cent a year and is profitable.

How two 21-year olds plan to make Bharat Swachh

How two 21-year olds plan to make Bharat Swachh

Rediff.com23 Feb 2016

With the help of technology and a billion citizens, two engineering students are on a mission to make India clean.

'Made in India' iPhone 12 soon as manufacturers get govt's nod

'Made in India' iPhone 12 soon as manufacturers get govt's nod

Rediff.com7 Oct 2020

The US tech major is planning to begin local production of its upcoming iPhone 12 by next April - within six months of its launch.

After Ola, Flipkart, now Mobikwik founder guns for Paytm

After Ola, Flipkart, now Mobikwik founder guns for Paytm

Rediff.com14 Dec 2016

Accuses foreign-funded competition of 'capital dumping' to capture market, bats for stronger regulations for sector.

Byju's pips Ola as India's 3rd largest Unicorn

Byju's pips Ola as India's 3rd largest Unicorn

Rediff.com10 Jan 2020

Byju's has emerged as the leader in the Indian education-tech sector. They are pioneering technology shaping the future of learning for millions of school students in India.

Facebook to expand video ads to 7 countries outside US

Facebook to expand video ads to 7 countries outside US

Rediff.com22 May 2014

The move marks a significant ramping up of one of Facebook's most closely watched new advertising products, which analysts believe could help the Internet company capture a bigger slice of lucrative brand advertising budgets.

Boom or bust: Can India defy global digital advertising trends?

Boom or bust: Can India defy global digital advertising trends?

Rediff.com6 Apr 2018

Will the warning shots from giants like Unilever and P&G break digital growth?

As data hacks rise, firms turn to bug bounty hunters

As data hacks rise, firms turn to bug bounty hunters

Rediff.com22 Jun 2021

Bug bounty hunters or independent ethical hackers are certified cybersecurity professionals or security researchers who crawl the web, scanning the systems for gaps through which hackers can sneak in and alert the companies, says Shivani Shinde.

Will Apple's gamble with new iPhones work?

Will Apple's gamble with new iPhones work?

Rediff.com9 Sep 2015

Fears of Chinese economic troubles and slowing iPhone demand vaporized more than $100 billion of the company's value since mid-July, reducing its market capitalization to $630 billion.

Snapdeal buys Freecharge in mobile transactions push

Snapdeal buys Freecharge in mobile transactions push

Rediff.com8 Apr 2015

Snapdeal said on Wednesday it bought online mobile recharge firm Freecharge for an undisclosed amount.

For PayTM CEO, the ATM crisis is boom time

For PayTM CEO, the ATM crisis is boom time

Rediff.com23 Nov 2016

Sleep has been a casualty for Vijay Shekhar Sharma, whose wallet company Paytm has a user base of close to 150 million and is working 20 hours a day.

With CEO shakeup, Twitter under pressure to please advertisers

With CEO shakeup, Twitter under pressure to please advertisers

Rediff.com15 Jun 2015

Adam Bain, the company's president and head of revenue, has emerged as an early favorite.

How Virtual reality is taking shape in the start-up world

How Virtual reality is taking shape in the start-up world

Rediff.com14 Jul 2016

In Mumbai, Xenium, an interactive digital agency, is launching a VR lounge later this month.

How Virtual reality is taking shape in the start-up world

How Virtual reality is taking shape in the start-up world

Rediff.com14 Jul 2016

In Mumbai, Xenium, an interactive digital agency, is launching a VR lounge later this month.

E-commerce catches on despite concerns

E-commerce catches on despite concerns

Rediff.com19 Oct 2007

Despite being an over Rs 7,000 crore (Rs 70 billion) sector, e-commerce is not the main driver of internet usage. In fact, it comprises only 4 per cent of internet usage.

Zomato's blockbuster listing boosts start-up ecosystem

Zomato's blockbuster listing boosts start-up ecosystem

Rediff.com24 Jul 2021

For large start-ups the US market is considered to be a preferred destination, as Indian investors were seen as hesitant to pay the kind of valuation private equity investors or the US markets pay. However, Zomato's listing has quashed these notions.

Hurt by higher expenses, Reliance net drops 7% in Q1

Hurt by higher expenses, Reliance net drops 7% in Q1

Rediff.com23 Jul 2021

Reliance Industries Ltd on Friday reported a 7 per cent drop in its June quarter net profit as retail business got hit by the second wave of COVID infections.

Facebook's Zuckerberg breaks silence on data breach, admits to mistakes

Facebook's Zuckerberg breaks silence on data breach, admits to mistakes

Rediff.com22 Mar 2018

The social media giant's CEO announced that it will change how it shares data with third-party apps.

China gets nod for dam on Brahmaputra as 14th 5-year plan is cleared

China gets nod for dam on Brahmaputra as 14th 5-year plan is cleared

Rediff.com11 Mar 2021

China's parliament on Thursday adopted the 14th Five-Year Plan, the mega blueprint containing billions of dollars worth of projects, including the controversial hydropower project on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet close to the Arunachal Pradesh border over which India has raised concerns.

Facebook's IPO by Apr-Jun 2012

Facebook's IPO by Apr-Jun 2012

Rediff.com29 Nov 2011

Facebook, which has about 800 million users worldwide, is currently in 'internal discussions' with US regulator Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the timing of its initial public offering, the Wall Street Journal quoted people familiar with the matter as saying.

Govt spending Rs 14,500 crore on airports before 'privatising' them

Govt spending Rs 14,500 crore on airports before 'privatising' them

Rediff.com1 Oct 2021

With six airports handed over to the Adani group for 50 years, the government is now all set to hand over another 25 airports to private players in a bid to 'monetise' them. Official figures reveal that since 2017-18, the government has spent and will be spending Rs 14,500 crore on significantly revamping infrastructure at most of these airports before handing them over to private players. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which operates these airports for the government, has spent billions of rupees in building new terminal buildings, runways, reinforcing taxiways, upgrading aircraft landing systems, radars and a host of other heavy duty and capital intensive infrastructure works.

What happens if India bans Chinese smartphones

What happens if India bans Chinese smartphones

Rediff.com21 Oct 2020

Chinese mobile brands are deeply entrenched in the Indian market. A move to bar them may send a bold diplomatic message. But its cost for the local industry is anybody's guess. In the event that Chinese brands face curbs, two handset makers - Samsung and Apple - squarely stand to gain.

Challenging times for Vodafone Idea

Challenging times for Vodafone Idea

Rediff.com23 Apr 2019

'Vodafone Idea has losses running over Rs 10,000 crore in the last four quarters.' 'It has long-term debt of about Rs 1.15 trillion.' 'Even post-issue, the debt service numbers won't be good,' points out Devangshu Datta.

Mark Zuckerberg brings free Internet to Colombia

Mark Zuckerberg brings free Internet to Colombia

Rediff.com15 Jan 2015

Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg launched a free Internet application in Colombia on Wednesday as part of a drive to bring developing markets online, but remained mute on when and if the company would look to move into China.

Netflix-ication of print media in India?

Netflix-ication of print media in India?

Rediff.com24 Feb 2021

Monetising online readership, a deeper focus on content and getting revenue from the reader are ways to make the business future-proof, observes Vanita Kohli-Khandekar.

Why you may see less fake news this election season

Why you may see less fake news this election season

Rediff.com26 Jan 2019

The updated election ads policy for India will require advertisers to provide a 'pre-certificate' issued by the EC or anyone authorised by the poll panel, for each ad. Further, Google will verify the identity of advertisers before their election ads run on its platforms, reports Peerzada Abrar.

Apple cuts App Store commission to 15% for small businesses

Apple cuts App Store commission to 15% for small businesses

Rediff.com18 Nov 2020

Tech giant Apple on Wednesday said it has slashed its App Store commission by half to 15 per cent for small businesses earning up to $1 million (about Rs 7.4 crore) per year on the platform. In the past, tech majors Apple and Google have been criticised for the high commissions charged from app developers. Apple, in a statement, said the new developer programme will accelerate innovation and help small businesses and independent developers propel their businesses forward with the next generation of groundbreaking apps on the App Store.

In Digital India, SAAS firms are lapping up young execcutives

In Digital India, SAAS firms are lapping up young execcutives

Rediff.com23 Oct 2020

Indian firms selling SAAS products have got a bonanza as companies meet, manage and sell remotely. The top five firms - Zoho, Freshworks HighRadius, Druva, and Icertis - account for 33 per cent of the market share. Chennai, India's SAAS centre, alone generates $1 billion in annual revenue. Yuvraj Malik explains how these companies are planning their next phase of growth.

RIL's Jio investment is a credit negative: Moody's

RIL's Jio investment is a credit negative: Moody's

Rediff.com23 Jun 2014

Reliance Industries Ltd is expected to invest Rs 30,000 crore (Rs 300 billion), of the total Rs 70,000 crore (Rs 700 billion) announced, in its telecom arm Reliance Jio Infocomm over the next two years, credit rating firm Moody's said on Monday. The investment in the telecom business is a credit negative for RIL because RJio will not generate any EBITDA (an indicator of cash flows) for at least next 12 months, it said. Moody's added however that RJio will be a formidable competitor in the sector making it a credit negative for top telecom operators already in the field. "Based on RIL's March 2014 annual report, we estimate that it has already invested about Rs 400 billion (Rs 40,000 crore) in Reliance Jio, and we expect RIL to invest the next Rs 300 billion in Reliance Jio over the next two years," Moody's Investors Service said in a statement. RIL recently announced that it will launch commercial 4G telecom service of RJio in 2015 entailing investment of Rs 70,000 crore. RIL has said that RJio will initially cover about 5,000 towns and cities accounting for over 90 per cent of urban India, as well as over 215,000 villages in India and the target is to expand this to over 600,000 villages. Moody's said RJio will be a "formidable competitor in India's telecom sector" as it will enter the business with financial muscle. RJio's entry into highly competitive telecom sector is also credit negative for incumbent mobile operators and market leaders Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India because "it will undoubtedly result in intensified competition that will lead to declines in average revenue per user and margins". But, it also said that strong spectrum holding of incumbents; existing large subscriber-bases and well- established brand equity; offering 2G and 3G services (apart from 4G services being launched) as well as marketing and distribution architecture mitigate much of the near-term competitive threat from Reliance Jio for them. "Furthermore, given issues of language and literacy, large parts of rural India remain a substantially voice-based market where near-term demand for 4G services may be muted," Moody's said.

Facebook India's 1st employee signs off; monetisation remains a challenge

Facebook India's 1st employee signs off; monetisation remains a challenge

Rediff.com15 Feb 2016

During her tenure, Facebook's users in the country have grown from 8 million to 138 million, making India its second largest market after the US