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If you are regular reader of this blog, then you are aware of the cold war between Hutchison and Essar in Hutch. Here are some of the recent developments. Essar group obtains permission from the FIPB to increase stake in the venture as a Foreign Investor – Smartest Move. EssarContinue Reading

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The real answer to why Ratan Tata is proposing change in 2G spectrum allocation is because Airtel plans to launch Mobile TV and other 3G applications on existing networks. The GSM operators are in a bliss with easy availability of equipment to run 3G services on 2G and 2.5G networks. The Tata group which powersContinue Reading

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In: Broadband, Telecom

The WiMax forum (closed forum, a lobby) has warned the Telecom Regulator that India may miss the bus on WiMax broadband if it fails to allocate the necessary spectrum in 2.5 to 2.69 GHz for these services. According to the Indian broadband wireless access policy, TRAI has set aside spectrum in the rangeContinue Reading

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The Telecom Regulator delegated the job of evaluating QoS of Mobile service providers to TUV South Asia. Here are the excerpts of the 182 page report released by TRAI [PDF] Drive Test: Parameters – Call Drop, Setup and Voice Quality.In Metro Circles, MTNL is the worst performer failing to meetContinue Reading

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In: Telecom

Early August I had written about Toll Free Number incompatability between various operators. Every operator was allowed to have its own 1-800 series, but the number reachable from a phone within its own network only. Companies like Dell opted for a Toll free number on BSNL network due to the number of subscribers BSNL hasContinue Reading

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The Wi-Fi bug has bitten the Indian Railways at a time when it is still struggling to provide clean drinking water & waiting room, freedom from cockroach etc. (forget comfort and luxury) for passengers. After testing wi-fi within railway coaches, it has now opted for an ambitious project to wifi enable – create Hotspots inContinue Reading

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Time for some self praise ? Indeed 🙂 While I was tracking the Essar’s Foreign Investment decision, I had a call from one of my acquainted friends who alerted me about Mark Mobius’ (Templeton’s Emerging Market Head) investment ideas in the Indian telecom sector. According to my friend, Mobius said that, heContinue Reading

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The Ruias managed Essar group already holds 33% stake in Hutchison Essar, while Hutchison Whampoa holds 52%. Essar currently holds 6.19% through Essar Mauritius. This evening Essar got an approval from the FIPB to increase its stake by means of foreign holdings from 6.19% to 22% which will take FDI in the joint venture to theContinue Reading