DoT is even considering measures to urge private telecom operators to bring down their dependence on Chinese-made telecom equipment.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd launched on Thursday its multi-play service offering Internet Protocol television and video-on-demand to its broadband customers.
All the integrated private telecom operators like Bharti, Reliance are targeting high as well as mass market broadband subscribers to shore up their non-telephony revenues. BSNL operates all over the country, except in Delhi and Mumbai.
Three telecom companies - Spanco Telesystems and Solutions, TVS Interconnect Systems (a TVS group firm) and Acme Tele Power - have emerged as the front-runners for state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd's (BSNL) Rs 30,000-crore infrastructure contract.
Soma Networks, a US-based provider of mobile Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) products and services, plans to launch compact WiMAX-enabled devices in India within six months.
An internal committee of Department of Telecom had alleged that Bharti Airtel had continued to route national and international calls as local calls under a scheme till 2005 despite being told to stop it in 2003.
The government on Thursday cleared changes to the current channel down-linking guidelines to allow broadcasters to provide content to telecom service providers for Internet Protocol TV.
Country's top telecom service provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited on Friday welcomed the government decision to introduce mobile number portability saying it would make the sector more competitive. The government, on November 12, announced its decision to allow mobile users in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai to switch their service provider while retaining the same number.
The proposed merger between two state-run telecom giants -- Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited -- might have hit a roadblock, but both the companies plan to synergise their operations across the country.
State-run telecom service provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has placed an advance purchase order with Huawei of China on mobile equipment for 20 million GSM lines in the south zone. The PSU is also in advanced negotiations with Ericsson for the north and east zone.
"The aim is to build a network of around 30,000 broadband kiosks across India within a period of two years. We will set up the kiosks through franchisee in rural areas," a senior BSNL official said on Monday.
The company aims to roll out wireless broadband connectivity through WiMax technology commercially this year, especially in urban areas. Initially, it will start its operations in three states -- Maharashtra (excluding Mumbai), Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
An Indian firm Vavasi Telecom is trying to rope in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited to pick up a stake in Zain.
Call blocking is one facility that telecom service providers claim is only for the chosen few, for instance the celebrities. Not withstanding its niche appeal, service providers in the country are in various stages of implementing the technology.
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.
BSNL, MTNL respond to Vavasi despite advice to the contrary
Telecommunication services provider Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd and global microprocessor manufacturer Advanced Micro Devices on Thursday launched personal Internet communicator, a consumer device that offers managed Internet access to end-users.
The government is planning to divest its residual 26.12 per cent equity in the Tata-owned Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd, now called Tata Communications. It is unlikely, however, that the government will decide to sell its entire residual stake in the stock market before it resolves the issue of the surplus land of around 773 acres that was kept outside the disinvestment process.
The scheme, 'Maharashtra-Goa Unlimited', is being launched from August 1, Chief General Manager, BSNL Maharashtra Circle, Chandraprakash told reporters in Nagpur on Monday.
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 company is in advanced stages of negotiations with four cellular operators and is expected to announce a couple of deals soon.
The Department of Telecommunications is considering a proposal to allocate spectrum, the radio frequencies that enable wireless communications, for third-generation or 3G services to state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd ahead of other operators. The move is expected to frustrate private players since this will give BSNL and MTNL a head-start in rolling out high-value 3G services that offer video calls, music downloads and games.
BSNL started rolling out 3G services in north and east zones in February 2009, gradually expanding it to 113 cities. It had garnered a total subscriber base of 10,733 during the first four months itself. Initially, there was less coverage in the cities. That was gradually improved to cover entire cities. Also, at the time of the launch, only four services were available -- video calling, video conferencing, mobile TV and mobile broadband.
Whatever the figure, it is obvious that the IPO will now have to be put on the backburner, after the company's disastrous results. The estimates are that when the company finally declares its accounts for 2008-09, it will be left with a profit of a few hundred crore rupees, down from over Rs 3,000 crore (Rs 30 billion) in the previous year (and that was less than half that in the year before).
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd will launch by next month end its broadband service, ADSL, in Kolkata to provide cable television and video-on-demand.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has received permission to offer CDMA services across the country (except Delhi and Mumbai) under the crossover technology policy. Under the policy, existing GSM operators are allowed to offer CDMA service and vice versa within the same licence after paying a fee.BSNL is the third company after Reliance Communications (which is in CDMA and wanted to operate GSM service) and Tata Teleservices (similar to Reliance) which has been given licences
"Private players are going only in those areas where there is a big market, whereas rural areas are by and large connected by BSNL. We are adding 20 million new lines this year to cover maximum foot print," minister of state for telecom Sachin Pilot said during the Question Hour.
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.
Swedish telecom firm Telia has shortlisted two Indian telcos to buyout its controlling stake in the Sri Lankan subsidiary, Suntel, officials said on Friday.
Ordyn bagged the contract after qualifying in a competitive bidding process in which global giants such as Huawei Technologies, ZTE, HFCL, IComm and Arasor took part.
Trai has suggested abolition of ADC on private operators. This move will make telecom services more affordable.
A VSNL statement at the Bombay Stock Exchange said that the completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions precedent and is expected to be over in next few weeks.
Dispute over Telecom Regulator's power regarding interconnectivity agreements between telecom operators reached the Supreme Court,
Passing an interim order, Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal also directed BSNL to restore RCom's inter- connection within 48 hours of such payment. TDSAT Chairman Justice Arun Kumar said: "I am of a view that the petitioner (Rcom) should deposit an amount of 65 per cent of disputed claim in one week and respondent should restore the connection with 48 hours of the deposit."
Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd has posted a net profit of Rs 818 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002 as compared to Rs 1379 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2001.
Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd has acquired the narrowband and broadband businesses of Dishnet's Internet service provider division for Rs 270 crore.
The Tata-controlled Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited has come under sharp criticism from American companies who have complained about the restrictive policies adopted by it on international bandwidth access.
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