News for 'Voice and Data'

'It's Like Being Handed A Formula 1 Race Car, But Choosing To Walk'

'It's Like Being Handed A Formula 1 Race Car, But Choosing To Walk'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2025

'The choice is clear: We either embrace this transformation and cement our global leadership, or hesitate, lose ground, and fade into irrelevance.'

Traditional ties with US are over: Canadian PM's big remark

Traditional ties with US are over: Canadian PM's big remark

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

In a dramatic shift in Canada's foreign policy, Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday declared that the long-standing economic and security relationship between Canada and the United States has ended, responding to US President Donald Trump's announcement of new auto tariffs that could severely impact Canada's economy, Politico reported.

179 killed as South Korean plane crashes on runway; 2 rescued

179 killed as South Korean plane crashes on runway; 2 rescued

Rediff.com29 Dec 2024

After a passenger jet with 181 people on board burst into flames after veering off the runway and colliding with a wall at an airport in South Korea's Muan County on Sunday, authorities believe all but two onboard are feared to have been killed, Yonhap News Agency reported.

TikTok has interfered in polls, including India: US senators

TikTok has interfered in polls, including India: US senators

Rediff.com16 Jan 2025

US senators have alleged that TikTok, owned by the Chinese Communist Party, has interfered in elections of various countries, including India, and called for extending the deadline for a ban on the platform in the US. They applauded India's ban on the social media platform, citing concerns about Chinese propaganda and data harvesting. Lawmakers, including Democrats and Republicans, introduced legislation to delay the ban by 270 days, arguing it would allow for a more thorough review of the implications and potential alternatives to a ban. They also criticized the rushed nature of the ban and its potential impact on free speech and the livelihoods of American users.

Tech disrupting traditional industries, warn biz leaders

Tech disrupting traditional industries, warn biz leaders

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Technology is rapidly reshaping industries that have long been rooted in tradition, driving a wave of innovation that is transforming everything from finance, banking, steel to manufacturing.

Now Alexa will respond in Bachchan's voice

Now Alexa will respond in Bachchan's voice

Rediff.com4 Oct 2020

Every word spoken by "Alexa Bachchan" is computer-generated, not a recording.

BSNL walks out as surprise winner of July tariff battle

BSNL walks out as surprise winner of July tariff battle

Rediff.com23 Sep 2024

After continuously bleeding subscribers for nearly two years, state-owned telecom services provider BSNL added 2.9 million users in July when its private-sector rivals raised tariffs by nearly 20 per cent. With BSNL keeping tariffs unchanged, many subscribers using entry-level plans shifted from Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi), said analysts.

New data law: Alexa, Google Home may stop speaking

New data law: Alexa, Google Home may stop speaking

Rediff.com18 Dec 2019

In the worst-case scenario, it will be next to impossible for tech companies like Amazon and Google to run any service that requires user biometrics.

Are Trump and Musk Dismantling American Democracy?

Are Trump and Musk Dismantling American Democracy?

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

We the people are left in the wind, waiting on the whims of an unengaged president and an oligarch with a nearly bottomless wallet, observes Sree Sreenivasan.

Norms for voice BPOs eased to make India global outsourcing hub

Norms for voice BPOs eased to make India global outsourcing hub

Rediff.com23 Jun 2021

To cement India's position as a preferred global outsourcing destination, the government on Wednesday liberalised guidelines for voice-based BPOs removing the distinction between domestic and international units as well as permitting interconnectivity between all types of OSP centres. Broadly, the rules would allow global companies, say an airline, with a voice-based centre in India to now serve global and domestic customers with common telecom resources, something that required dedicated, separate infrastructure previously. Moreover, the restrictions on data interconnectivity between any BPO (business process outsourcing) centre of the same company, a group company or any unrelated company has been done away with, allowing for massive flexibility in resource management for BPO operations.

'Plane Was Completely Destroyed'

'Plane Was Completely Destroyed'

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

'After the plane collided with the wall, passengers were thrown out of the aircraft.'

Jio announces free domestic voice calls from Jan 1 as IUC regime ends

Jio announces free domestic voice calls from Jan 1 as IUC regime ends

Rediff.com31 Dec 2020

With the interconnect usage charges (IUC) regime for domestic voice calls coming to an end, Reliance Jio on Thursday said that all calls from its network to other networks anywhere in India will be free from January 1, 2021. As per the telecom regulator's directions, 'Bill and Keep' regime is being implemented in the country from January 1, 2021, thereby ending IUC charges for all domestic voice calls, it said in a statement.

Data Protection Bill panel gets 5th extension till Winter Session

Data Protection Bill panel gets 5th extension till Winter Session

Rediff.com23 Jul 2021

The JCP was constituted in the Lok Sabha in December 2019 and was expected to submit its report in the Budget Session.

Jio mobile tariff to go up by 12-27% from Jul 3

Jio mobile tariff to go up by 12-27% from Jul 3

Rediff.com27 Jun 2024

Reliance Jio, India's top telecom operator, announced a 12-27 per cent hike in mobile tariffs -- the first in two and half years, setting the stage for other operators like Vodafone Idea to raise charges. The company has also restricted the access of unlimited free 5G services for customers. The hike comes immediately after the spectrum auction, as per the anticipation of sector experts.

OBC quota: Maha seeks 2011 census data from Centre

OBC quota: Maha seeks 2011 census data from Centre

Rediff.com5 Jul 2021

The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution urging the Centre to provide the 2011 census data to enable the State Backward Class Commission to prepare an empirical data of the OBC population, in a bid to restore political reservations for its members in local bodies.

5 Workplace Changes You Will See in 2025

5 Workplace Changes You Will See in 2025

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

Workplaces of 2025 will be defined by a deep focus on people-first values, inclusivity, and sustainable growth, foresees Sonica Aron, founder of Marching Sheep.

Alexa, can I trust you with my data?

Alexa, can I trust you with my data?

Rediff.com21 May 2018

One of the key concerns for non-users of voice assistants is trust.

Covid blues: Data surge, 4G transition save telcos

Covid blues: Data surge, 4G transition save telcos

Rediff.com28 Jul 2020

Among other segments, home broadband subscriptions have picked up and the virtual private network service, too, increased by around 15 per cent.

Why Wayanad's Landslide Survivors Are Protesting

Why Wayanad's Landslide Survivors Are Protesting

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

In the months immediately following the 2024 tragedy, reporting on the landslide per se had been a straightforward affair. On one side was death and destruction. On the other side, survivors and the business of survival. It was black and white. What direction to take was clear. Rehabilitation in comparison, felt like a complex situation. One that is fraught with shades of grey. As grey as human life, explains Shyam G Menon.

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

It was a protest which held a mirror to the government of a state taking pride in its commitment to democracy, gender equality and social indices.One person, who in his employed days had known governments and political parties at close quarters, told me that public perception of how the Kerala government handled the ASHA workers' strike had been terrible, reports Shyam G Menon.

Will RJio's be hit by Airtel's unlimited voice call offer?

Will RJio's be hit by Airtel's unlimited voice call offer?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2016

Under another plan, it will offer unlimited voice calling along with 100 SMS per day, 5GB 3G/4G data and free subscription to Wynk Music and Wynk Movies for Rs 1,599

Jio users to be charged for voice calls for the first time

Jio users to be charged for voice calls for the first time

Rediff.com9 Oct 2019

Jio to charge users 6 paisa/min for voice calls made to rival phone networks. However, these charges are not applicable on calls made by Jio users to other Jio phones and to landline phones and calls made using WhatsApp, FaceTime and other such platforms.

How To Stay Safe From UPI Frauds

How To Stay Safe From UPI Frauds

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

Link your UPI app to a separate bank account or wallet that has only a limited sum.

Airtel, Vi to raise mobile tariff by 10-24% from first week of July

Airtel, Vi to raise mobile tariff by 10-24% from first week of July

Rediff.com28 Jun 2024

Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea will roll out revised mobile service tariffs increasing rates in the range of 10-24 per cent from the first week of July. Bharti Airtel announced a 10-21 per cent hike in prepaid and postpaid mobile tariffs from July 3, a day after larger rival Reliance Jio announced an increase in rates. Later in the day, loss-making telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) also announced its plan to raise mobile tariffs by 11-24 per cent from July 4.

Vi starts upgrading 3G subscribers to 4G

Vi starts upgrading 3G subscribers to 4G

Rediff.com28 Sep 2020

Vi will continue to offer basic voice data services to its 2G users.

Telcos face a new challenge: More voice calls, but less revenue

Telcos face a new challenge: More voice calls, but less revenue

Rediff.com10 Feb 2019

From spending a little less than three hours on making voice calls, Indians are spending well over 5 hours. So, while people make more calls, they are spending less than ever, reports Romita Majumdar.

65% polling in Maha; Maoist-hit Gadchiroli beats Mumbai's voter turnout

65% polling in Maha; Maoist-hit Gadchiroli beats Mumbai's voter turnout

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 58.22 per cent till 5 pm on Wednesday in the elections to the 288-member state legislative assembly, with Gadchiroli district logging more than 69 per cent voting, poll officials said.

Hike to offer free voice calls to users

Hike to offer free voice calls to users

Rediff.com28 Jan 2015

Homegrown chat application Hike messenger on Wednesday said it will offer free voice calls to its users over 2G, 3G and wi-fi services across the globe in over 200 countries.

'We want to be trust marker for the fintech industry'

'We want to be trust marker for the fintech industry'

Rediff.com28 Sep 2024

'So, we would work with our members to ensure that we as an SRO create some sort of due diligence for fintechs.'

INDIA leaders to meet EC tomorrow seeking release of voter turnout figures

INDIA leaders to meet EC tomorrow seeking release of voter turnout figures

Rediff.com8 May 2024

The leaders will also raise the issue of alleged "use of religious symbols" by the Bharatiya Janata Party in their campaign, they said.

GenAI Debuts In Lok Sabha Polls

GenAI Debuts In Lok Sabha Polls

Rediff.com30 Mar 2024

'This Lok Sabha election is more of a trial for GenAI content.'

Trump 47: Disruptor Or Savvy Dealmaker?

Trump 47: Disruptor Or Savvy Dealmaker?

Rediff.com21 Jan 2025

Donald Trump's exaggerated opinion of his dealmaking capacity can get him into trouble, observes R Sriram.

CTRL Review: Masterful Thriller

CTRL Review: Masterful Thriller

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

Sukanya Verma recommends watching CTRL on a computer for an eerie, immersive, real-time experience.

Does govt plan to junk MTNL, BSNL merger?

Does govt plan to junk MTNL, BSNL merger?

Rediff.com13 Jul 2024

The government is considering the option of handing over operations of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) to BSNL through an agreement, instead of pursuing a merger route, a source privy to the development said. A final call on this is likely to be taken in a month's time. The source said the option of handing over debt-laden MTNL's operations to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) through an agreement is being looked into.

5 years of Reliance Jio: Disruption to Data Revolution

5 years of Reliance Jio: Disruption to Data Revolution

Rediff.com21 Sep 2021

'There is no doubt at all that Jio's disruption of the mobile broadband market was a turning point for India's digital economy.'

Rogue robocallers behind Trai's bid to dial up rules against spam

Rogue robocallers behind Trai's bid to dial up rules against spam

Rediff.com5 Sep 2024

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (Trai's) latest push to review its existing spam regulations and expand the definition of "commercial communications" is driven by an urgent need to tighten controls on autodialers or robocallers, and bulk messaging, according to official sources. This move, they said, comes in response to a surge in complaints against unregistered telemarketers (UTMs), which soared to 750,000 in just the first half of 2024, underscoring the necessity for a comprehensive overhaul of the government's anti-spam measures. Last week, Trai released a consultation paper aimed at revisiting the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018), the government's legal framework against spam.

India to revisit Covishield dosage interval based on current data

India to revisit Covishield dosage interval based on current data

Rediff.com16 Jun 2021

The decision to increase the gap between two doses of Covishield from 4-6 weeks to 12-16 weeks was based on scientific decision and there was no dissenting voice among the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation members.

Ireland believe they can beat India

Ireland believe they can beat India

Rediff.com5 Jun 2024

The Irish defeated Pakistan less than a month ago, and their propensity to surprise major opponents is something India should be concerned about.

Youth Are 83% Of The Unemployed

Youth Are 83% Of The Unemployed

Rediff.com3 Jun 2024

'The youth is stressed and students are depressed.'

Ambani unveils growth roadmap for Reliance

Ambani unveils growth roadmap for Reliance

Rediff.com29 Aug 2024

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani on Thursday unveiled the next phase of growth at Reliance Industries Ltd, with retail and telecom worth over $100 billion each, doubling revenues and pre-tax profit in 3-4 years, new energy business becoming profitable by 2031, and core oil and chemical business continuing to be the robust growth engine. The sprawling conglomerate with interests in refining, oil and gas, petrochemicals, telecom, retail, and media is on track to more than double in size before the end of the decade, Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance, told company shareholders.