The government is engaged in talks with telecom firms for a launch of commercial 5G services in some cities by Independence Day and has assured them that spectrum auction will take place in April-May, providing them a three to four-month window for the rollout. A top executive of a leading telecom gear company said the deadline was feasible in some cases. "It can be achieved in some cities as it will take us 4-6 weeks to deploy a network, once the equipment or components have reached India.
As many as 2,000 chips are annually designed in India by semi-conductor and fabless companies, Intel India managing director Prakash Mallya said in a conversation with Business Standard. Mallya was reiterating the importance of India in the semi-conductor sweepstakes. "As much as 90 per cent of the semi-conductor companies have a design footprint in India.
With the spectrum auction now delayed till at least next May, the expected 5G orders for telecom equipment have not been sealed, the companies point out. Surajeet Das Gupta reports.
Even as worldwide smartphone sales touched 115 million units in the third quarter, a rise of 42 per cent compared to the year-ago period, the growth in sales dropped to seven per cent compared to the second quarter, says research firm Gartner.
Lumia 630 is no exception although this time the shape is more flat and blocky than usual.
The device is being labelled as the phone for 'selfies and skype'.
World's largest mobile handsets maker Nokia on Thursday launched its most advanced smartphone in the latest 'Communicator' series aimed at business people.
Microsoft has launched the Lumia 830, 735 and 730, priced at 330 euros (about Rs 26,190), 219 euros (about Rs 17,370) and 199 euros (about Rs 15,800), respectively, as it tries to build on its acquisition of Nokia's mobile division earlier this year.
Most Indian IT firms work as system integrators for Huawei and though the exposure is very less as of now, the potential is more due to 5G roll out. As pressure to keep the Chinese firm out of the 5G network grows, other global firms, including Japan's NEC, South Korea's Samsung, Finland's Nokia and Sweden's Ericssion are increasing their investments to grab more market share in the telecom sector.
The announcement quells fears among some telcos that Chinese players might be banned from participating in 5G trials and roll outs.
Tax problems and unfavourable WTO agreements are making Tamil Nadu's electronics corridor less attractive to companies.
Microsoft had acquired Nokia's phone business for $7.2 billion two years ago under its then CEO, Steve Ballmer.
Given the security dilemma prevailing between India and China, India should curb the operation of Chinese telecom companies in India, asserts Dr Rup Narayan Das.
HCL Technologies on Monday said its founder Shiv Nadar will take on the role of Chairman Emeritus and Strategic Advisor to the company's board. Nadar, chief strategy officer and managing director of the company, on completing 76 years of age, has tendered his resignation as the MD as well as the Director with effect from close of business hours on July 19, according to a regulatory filing. "In order to continue to benefit from his vast knowledge, experience, and wisdom in an advisory role, the Board of Directors in its meeting held today, after considering the recommendations of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee, has approved the appointment of Shri Shiv Nadar as the 'Chairman Emeritus and Strategic Advisor to the Board' for a term of five years with effect from July 20, 2021," it added.
Consumers can expect a 5G launch in the country soon. Telecom companies (telcos) say if auctions take place on time - the target is July - they would be able to offer some services in a few cities by the end of this year and a full roll-out from 2023. But the question is: will 5G turn the tables for telcos financially? Will average revenue per user (ARPU) improve? Will mobile consumers upgrade to 5G quickly and pay more? Will the expanded functions that 5G enables drum up sufficient revenues? In simple terms, will telcos make more money?
'It has taken us 15 years to get to where we are. It obviously doesn't happen overnight.'
The company is planning to invest Rs 1,100 crore in the new mobile phone manufacturing facility.
A lot of hype has been generated ahead of the launch of iPhone, which would be available at Rs 31,000 a piece for the 8Gb memory model and Rs 36,100 for 16GB from the stroke of midnight on Thursday. Leading service providers Vodafone-Essar and Bharti Airtel, who have been accepting bookings from customers, have said the response has been extremely good.
Huawei came under a cloud after allegations that the firm's electronic and telecom devices helped China spy on US corporations and agencies.
Nokia, Airtel sign deal to push commercials to mobile websites. Accessing the Internet on mobile phones is no longer a novelty. For most professionals, it is a necessity. So, mobile websites, also known as .mobi sites, have emerged as the latest advertising opportunity.
The development comes at a time when growing tension in US-China trade ties is forcing companies to explore alternative manufacturing sites in order to derisk operations.
There were close to 20 million 3G-enabled handsets in use last year. With the handset replacement market expected to reach 70 per cent this year (According to BCG research), device manufacturers are expected to introduce affordable 3G handsets.
History of electronics indicates that no company, nor any nation for that matter, has been able to cement pole position and maintain it through several cycles. he death of its iconic promoter, Lee Kun-hee, raises questions over how long the chaebol can maintain its gigantic footprint in the global electronics industry, says Devangshu Datta.
The top five most trusted brands are Samsung Mobiles, Sony, LG, Nokia and Tata.
Apart from the growing adoption of the internet in the country, brands are drawn to the agility of the medium, its targeted and data driven approach and the increasing cost of offline channels for sales and distribution.
Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal has expressed hope that the government and regulators will step in to ensure the sector remains a viable place for continued investments and asserted that the industry requires "long overdue" support to maintain its current 3+1 structure. In the latest annual report of Airtel, Mittal said as the sector's role in the economy becomes more pervasive, its challenges loom larger. Issues such as unsustainable pricing and low returns in a highly capital-intensive environment, coupled with legacy legal issues, "have extracted their toll", Mittal observed.
As advertising reaches a cacophonous pitch, as it does every year around this time, brands say they are finding newer and more effective ways to reach their audiences.
Several factors have held India back. One is DoT policy somersaults and lack of clarity on whether to or not to ban Chinese gear makers.
It has invested $2 billion and spent $200 million on its R&D centre in Bengaluru, the largest such centre outside China where some core technologies are under development.
The move comes against the backdrop of the US and some of its allies banning the purchase of Chinese telecom gear over security concerns and pressuring other countries to follow suit.
As much as Rs 8,000 crore worth of mobile phones in this segment - out of a total of Rs 15,000 crore - come into the country through the grey market. The government imposed the duty on these phones primarily to encourage domestic production but the strategy has failed as the bulk of high end mobile phones are currently imported.
Ideal for those who like to watch videos on the go, the 625 is a solid phone packed with a lot of features to attract users.
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.
Ashish Narsale lists the features of the phones that are the rage this festive season.
A fleet of cutting-edge premium handsets have been lined up by OnePlus, Google, Huawei and Nokia.
We look at some smartphones that are loaded with useful features and give some punch, and at the same time go easy on your pocket.
The revival of feature phones in India is driven by low-cost access to the internet, but the 'dumb phones' are learning to get smart and create a niche, says Veer Arjun Singh.
Cellphone maker Motorola Inc is in talks with Nokia Siemens Networks to sell its wireless- networking business for $1.2 billion, a media report said.