7.1 mn Subscribers Added in June
More than 7.1 mn new telephone subscribers were added during the
month of June 2007. This brings the total number of telephones in the country to
more than 225.22 mn, whereas the total number of subscribers till June 2006 was
153.18 mn, ie a growth of 47% during July 2006 — June 2007. The GSM segment
has shown an increase of 5.39 mn during the month of June 2007. The growth of
broadband connections improved further, about 2.43 mn broadband connections were
provided.
Sasken Revenue Up 41%
Sasken Communication Technologies has announced its consolidated results for
the first quarter ended June 30, 2007. It registered consolidated revenues of Rs
128.37 crore, up 41%. Consolidated profit after tax was Rs 6.39 crore, a
decreases of 31%. The company announced that eight new customers have been added
during the quarter. Rajiv Mody, chairman and CEO, was recently awarded
Technovator of the year award by VOICE&DATA.
MIH to Invest $12.3 mn
MIH India, part of the multi-million dollar media conglomerate, Naspers, has
announced a strategic investment into mobile VAS company ACL Wireless. MIH India
has picked up 30% stake the company. The total value of the investment from MIH's
end is $12.3 mn. This strategic investment will enable MIH owned ibibo.com to
make inroads into the growing Indian mobile VAS market.
MAUJ Mobile Joins BREW
MAUJ has announced that the company has signed on to develop mobile content
for QUALCOMM's BREW. As part of this agreement, MAUJ will develop BREW
applications such as video ringtones and location based services, as well as 'm-Premiere,'
an application that allows users to preview and buy mobile content through a
rich user interface. As part of this initiative, MAUJ will also introduce some
of its popular games to BREW. Comprehensive and targeted BREW Signature
Solutions offer reduced time-to-market and lower capital investment for
companies providing mobile products and services.
Alcatel-Lucent Bags RCom Order
Alcatel-Lucent has been awarded an IP-based next-generation, CDMA,
and GSM network contract valued at more than $400 mn from Reliance
Communications. This contract will enable Reliance Communications to expand its
wireless network to more than 20,000 towns and 600,000 villages. Under the
contract, Alcatel-Lucent will upgrade Reliance's CDMA and GSM network with
additional mobile switching centers and base stations.
BSNL Launches LBS
Telenity has announced that BSNL has successfully launched location-based
services (LBS) on Telenity's Canvas(R) Location Enabling Server. BSNL becomes
the first operator to make the personalized value added LBS available to mobile
customers in India. The following LBS are soft launched in the east zone of BSNL's
network-Real Time Fleet and Asset Management, Friend Finder, LBS
advertisement, and LBS chatting service.
BT Supports NDTV's Expansion
BT's media and broadcast sector has inked an agreement with NDTV to
be its global network supplier, enabling them to distribute to BskyB and Direct
TV in the UK and US respectively. BT will carry the live NDTV news bulletins to
multiple platforms. BT presently downlinks the signal at locations in the UK
from the PAS 10 satellite, and then carries it over its Media—IP network to
BskyB's platform in the UK. This also includes bringing the signal to the BT
Tower and making it fit for the US viewer.
E-Gov Through Mobile
SCO Group, a provider of UNIX software technology and mobile services, has
announced that the Madhya Pradesh government has selected SCO mobile server as
the platform for developing and deploying government services to more than 60 mn
citizens. The pilot project using SCO mobile server enables electronic
provisioning of services and access to government information using a cell phone
over the cell carrier network. Nearly every citizen in Indore will gain
electronic access to services and information.
NIOS Collaborates with Cisco
Cisco has announced that it is collaborating with the National
Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to begin the Cisco Networking Academy Program
in ten accredited vocational institutes across the country, including one in
Northeast India. Each of these institutes, called a Cisco Local Academy, will
provide PC hardware and networking information technology essentials to around
100 students each year. Each Local Academy will receive comprehensive training,
the Networking Academy curriculum and technical support from Cisco.
Rittal to Set-up Second Facility
Rittal India has announced their plan to invest further in India to the tune
of 20 mn. Rittal is planning to start a second manufacturing location in India.
Rittal sales in India is about 50 mn, and its product range includes large
enclosures for electrical and automation, enclosure climate control, power
distribution components, Ri4 Power, networking and server enclosures, outdoor
enclosures for telecom and other applications.
Idea Cellular Revenue Rs 14,776 mn
Idea Cellular has announced its un-audited results for the 1st
quarter ended June 30, 2007.
The consolidated revenue for the quarter is Rs 14,776 mn, up 64%, and EBITDA
is Rs 5,131 mn, up by 69% y-o-y. Idea ended the quarter with a subscriber base
of 16.13 mn, adding 2.12 mn subscribers during the quarter. In its current
eleven service areas of operation, Idea consolidated its subscriber market share
from 14.9% at the end of March 2007 to 15.4% at the end of June 2007.
Servion Joins Hands with Cisco
Servion Global Solutions and Cisco have inked a strategic agreement to
jointly deliver IP-based Unified Communications solutions to enterprises
globally. As a pre-requisite to this strategic relationship, Servion has
achieved accreditation as a Cisco Advanced Technology Partner. This partnership
intends to utilize Cisco's technologies combined with Servion's expertise in
the CIM domain to help organizations integrate, optimize, and simplify existing
and future investments in CIM technologies.
Blue Coat Opens India Subsidiary
Blue Coat Systems has opened its first subsidiary in India with an
office located in New Delhi. Blue Coat solution offerings in India are available
through its sole distributor Virtual NetComm and partner resellers. Blue Coat
ProxySG appliances provide Web security, policy control, and acceleration of
content and applications at an organization's headquarters, branch offices and
data centers. Its software-based SG Client provides security, policy control,
and acceleration to individual employees working remotely from the enterprise
network.
World's Largest Wi-Fi Network
SmartBridges and SREI are combining their expertise to provide low-cost
technology enabled Common Service Centers (CSCs) in West Bengal. In an agreement
signed between the two parties, SmartBridges will provide the wireless
infrastructure and project expertise to set up 4,937 CSCs in fourteen districts
of West Bengal, while SREI will manage these centers and develop a
self-sustaining business model.
Airtel-Nokia $900 mn Deal
Bharti Airtel and Nokia Siemens have signed a MoU for a $900 mn expansion
contract across Airtel's mobile, fixed, and intelligent network platforms.
Nokia Siemens will expand Airtel's GSM network in eight circles; its NLD and
ILD network with 1.8 mn NGN ports, and its international calling card prepaid
service capacity by 4.5 mn news users. The GSM and NGN expansions are planned
over two years and the international calling cards expansion over three years.
Nokia Siemens to Invest $100 mn
Nokia Siemens Networks has announced its plans to invest $100 mn in
India over the next three years. Investment will include setting up a proposed
telecommunication equipment manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu for wireless
network equipment, new offices across various cities, additional development of
an existing R&D center, and expanding the Global Networks Solution Center.
Airtel Introduces GPS Service
Bharti Airtel has announced the launch of GPS based navigation application
on mobile handsets in collaboration with Wayfinder Systems AB of Sweden. The
application turns the compatible mobile phone into a complete GPS-based
navigation system with detailed maps and points-of-interest of a number of
cities in India. The navigation system provides all users with continuously
updated, real-time content, and geographical data via the wireless network using
EDGE/GPRS.
Telsima Secures Debt of $25 mn
Telsima has announced that it has secured up to $25 mn working capital debt
financing. SVB Silicon Valley Bank, based in Santa Clara, California, provided
the debt facility. Telsima will deploy this working capital debt to speed up the
supply of Telsima StarMAX family of products to its customers through enhanced
performance and increased generating capacity. Telsima won multiple,
multi-million dollar contracts from
tier -1 operators in 2007 for rolling out their WiMax networks in India.
Cisco Announces UCS 6.0
Cisco has announced new products and applications that allow
organizations to use their network as a platform for more effective and more
personalized business collaboration. Cisco Unified Communications system 6.0 is
a comprehensive communications system for voice, video, and data. This new
release introduces capabilities that will improve the productivity of mobile
employees and cost-effectively deliver Unified Communications to small and
medium-sized businesses.
TRAI Establishes Consumer Fund
TRAI has released a regulation called "Telecommunication Consumers
Education and Protection Fund Regulations, 2007". As per the regulation, a
Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund shall be established
by the TRAI for the telecom consumers' awareness and education. Telecom
service providers, who may have charged their subscribers any amount in excess
of the rates of telecommunication service, which could not be refunded and lying
unclaimed, will be transferred to the credit of the fund.
Huawei Bags RCL Contract
Reliance Communications has awarded a network expansion contract
worth over $200 mn to Huawei. Huawei will supply and provide services for CDMA
& GSM base stations, including BSC (Base Station Controller) and switches,
and help to create first class all-IP Next Generation Network infrastructure.
The contract will play a significant role in Reliance Communications' planned
rollout of its pan-India CDMA and GSM network expansion, that seeks to extend
its next generation, integrated convergent digital network to over 20,000 towns
and 600,000 villages.
Cisco Unveils Strategic Roadmap
Cisco has unveiled a multi-pronged strategic roadmap to tap the
rapidly growing market for IT and networking of small and medium businesses in
India. The strategy includes focusing on new customized SMB products/solutions
and financing schemes like the recently launched Easy Lease program for SMBs. To
increase awareness of its products and programs among these businesses, Cisco
will continue to invest heavily in partner enablement and 'Network on Wheels'
campaign.
MTNL Gets Refund from IT Dept
Income tax department has refunded Rs 1461.68 crore to MTNL. Both
MTNL and income tax department were engaged in lengthy litigation for the past
several years with respect to the issue of the license fee and 80IA deduction.
The income tax appellate tribunal has accepted the views that license fee is an
operational expenditure and allowable at par with the operators. Further an
estimated amount of Rs 2,000 crore is yet to be refunded by the income tax
department on account of license fee and 80IA.
Tata Elxsi's Mobile TV Middleware
Tata Elxsi demonstrated its capabilities at the first ever OMA BCAST v.1.0
standards interoperability test camp by the Broadcast Mobile Convergence Forum (BMCOFORUM)
held in Berlin recently. Tata Elxsi demonstrated it's middleware's support
for OMA BCAST service guide profile on the client end for various service guide
server providers. BMCOFORUM organized a five-day intensive interoperability test
camp, providing a platform and open environment for mobile TV solution
providers.
Mittal Donates Rs 4 Cr
In response to the call made by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India
to industry captains to moderate their compensation and participate in community
programs, Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman and managing director, Bharti Airtel has
decided to donate a significant part of his salary bonus towards education of
underprivileged children in the villages. Bharti Foundation, the corporate
social responsibility arm of Bharti Enterprises, will administer the donation.
AppLabs Announces Re-brand
AppLabs has announced the launch of its new look brand. The new brand, which
aims to take AppLabs into the next stage of its status as a truly international
business, will be instrumental in ensuring that all three regions-the US,
Europe, and India-are aligned to deliver excellence globally. This theme is
conveyed in the strapline 'no doubt about it, and in the sunrise, which is in
the brochure, website, and represented in the logo, signifying consistency,
reliability, and confidence.
Jersey Airtel Launches Services
Jersey Airtel, a subsidiary of the Bharti group, has launched its
mobile services in Jersey. The company will offer market-leading products and
services under the Airtel-Vodafone brand to customers on the Island over its
full 2G, 3G and HSDPA enhanced network. The new services include voice mail
services, which allow voice mail messages to be accessed through a customer's
email, a missed call alert service, and an e-bill service.
Kirusa Closes $10 mn Financing
Kirusa has closed $10 mn Series C financing. The funding is led by Helion
Venture Partners and Nexus India Capital. Kirusa holds a patent from the United
States Patent and Trademark Office for its 'Voice SMS' technology. As a
result of the investment, Ashish Gupta, managing director at Helion; and Naren
Gupta, managing director at Nexus, have joined Kirusa's board. Among others,
Tata Teleservices, Idea Cellular, BPL Mobile, and MTNL are Kirusa's partners.
Bharti's Contract for Ericsson
Bharti Airtel has awarded Ericsson an estimated $2 bn expansion contract,
including expansion of its GSM/EDGE network and providing capacity management.
This is one of Ericsson's largest deals to date. Ericsson will design, plan,
deploy, optimize and manage Bharti Airtel's GSM network across 15 circles in
India as well as for its pan-India prepaid (IN) platform across 23 circles.
Ericsson will also deliver pan-India Integrated Device Management Solutions,
enabling usage of advanced data services by all mobile customers across retail
and enterprise segments.
Reliance Telecom Sells 5%
Reliance Communications has announced that a group of leading
international investors across the US, Europe, and Asia have agreed to purchase
5% of the equity share capital of its 100% owned tower company, Reliance Telecom
Infrastructure, at an equity value of $6.75 bn. The transaction will result in a
cash inflow of Rs 1,400 crore. The company has announced plans listing of RTIL
in the near future. JPMorgan acted as the exclusive financial advisor on this
transaction.