11 Tuesday Jun 2013
Posted in Telecom
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As per the data released by the TRAI, during the three months from January to March 2013, BSNL & MTNL have increased their market share. At the same time, the market share of Bharti Airtel has reduced during the period. however, the market shares of Idea as also Vodafone have increased.
BSNL and MTNL have to put maximum efforts to continue the improvement and better performance.
10 Monday Jun 2013
Posted in Telecom
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The TRAI has once again warned the telecom companies against allowing unsolicited SMSs to subscribers in their network by the telemarketers, against which large number of complaints are received from the users. This is not only harassment to the users, but some time they are charged also for unsolicited services.
The TRAI has taken a strong stand and has issued an order stating that the telephone connections given to these telemarketers will be disconnected immediately on the first complaint itself against them. Further they will be blacklisted for two years. During this period not only the particular telco, but even no other telco can give connection to the blacklisted companies.
TRAI has announced that complaints against such unsolicited calls should be sent by SMS to 1909 ” the unsolicited commercial communication, XXX.. dd/mm/yy”, where XXX.. is the ten digit telephone number or header the SMS, from which the unsolicited SMS has originated.
The latest decision will be somewhat relief to the harassed subscribers. But, however, the crafty telemarketers and telcos will surely find out some other methods to fleece the workers and maximise their profits.
06 Thursday Jun 2013
Posted in Telecom
While speaking at a function at IIT Rourkee, Kapil Sibal, Communication Minister emphasised the need for hiring top scientists in institutions like IIT. He stated the need for IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) in the field of technology. He also stated the need for desired pay scales.
“Pick up research people of excellence from around the world. Bring them into your institutions. We now have system put in place that allows you to do that. Give them the scales of salary that you want…Young Indians around the world are very keen to come back to India,” Communications Minister said.
I am very happy that the Minister has been frank enough to say the above. But what is happening in his own Ministry, Communications? What is the present position of the C-DOT, which was one of the best R&D institutions in the country, which invented and installed the C-DOT exchanges throughout the country, which still works efficiently. Are sufficient funds allotted to it, at least now? How many young engineers have left it in the last two decades?
Let us hope that the MInister will implement his own words in his own ministry. Let him also take necessary steps to modernise the BSNL Telecom Factories which will help in manufacturing many equipments required for telecom services. ITI is another PSU which can be revived.
06 Thursday Jun 2013
Posted in Telecom
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It is reported by PTI that the government may introduce Unified Licensing regime in telecom sector that will enable the users to get mobile, landline, DTH and cable TV services from a single service provider without the latter necessarily owning the full infrastructure. The Secretary, Telecom M.F.Farooqui said that the unified licence is likely to come within a month. According to the proposal operators will be able to provide all telecom services with one licence. However, spectrum licence will be separate.
It is felt that the users will get benefit out of the new decision. However, the details are yet to be understood.
05 Wednesday Jun 2013
Posted in Telecom
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As we have pointed out a few days back, the Cabinet has expeditiously cleared the Communication Ministry proposal to erect 2199 mobile towers in the naxal affected areas in the nine states of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.
The project will be entrusted to BSNL for implementation within one year. An amount of Rs. 3,046.12 crore will be allotted for this project from the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
BSNL should take this project as a challenge and ensure that it is completed within the stipulated period. BSNL has to show to the country that it and not the private telcos are there to defend the country, when it is in difficulty or when it is facing security risks.
05 Wednesday Jun 2013
Posted in Telecom
The penalties being imposed on the private telcos for various violations of rules and regulations as well as cheating of the government are going to be softened after the complaints by the telcos to the government and specially to the Communications Minister. This was only expected from the government who wants to bestow all favours on the private companies in the name of bringing in more investment. The Idea Cellular, Vodafone, Airtel, Tata etc. are going to benefit from the relaxed position of the DOT. Further it will encourage them to continue the malpractices, well knowing that they can get out of it.
01 Saturday Jun 2013
Posted in Telecom
The Communications Minister Kapil Sibal has stated that mobile companies will have to pay penalty of Rs. 10 lakh, instead of the present 5 lakhs for breach of radiation norms of mobile towers. The radiation permissible level since 1 September 2012 was lowered to 0.45 watts per square metre. The mobile companies have to abide by the same.
But the question arises. Penalties are fixed for many violations, illegal roaming, manipulating SLD calls to local calls to avoid tax/revenue sharing, providing mobile connections without verification, not providing connections in villages/rural areas as per licencing conditions etc.etc. But who pays these penalties? Either the companies go to court or pressurise the DOT/Minister to relax it and get favourable decisions. The companies are going scot-free even violating all conditions.
Instead of the name sake penalties, the licence of these companies should be immediately cancelled, which only will compel them to abide by the rules of the land. But we need not expect the present government to take any such action. All in the name of increasing investments and allowing to maximise profits of the private companies.
31 Friday May 2013
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The central government has cleared the long pending proposal of erecting 2199 towers in the naxal affected areas in A.P., Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, M.P.,Odisha, UP and W.Bengal in order to cover the so far not-covered areas by mobile connections. The proposal has been pending for some years. The recent drastic attack by the naxalites and killing of senior leaders of Congress in Chattisgarh have woken up the sleeping ministry which took the decision now.
The 3,046.12 crore project will be funded from USOF and no tender need be floated. BSNL will be entrusted with the work. Of course, the government very well know that no private telco will take up this dangerous task in the naxalite areas.
BSNL is dedicated to the nation and it will take up the responsibility. The Government should remember that it is only BSNL which it can depend upon any emergency and security of the nation and the people.
31 Friday May 2013
Posted in Telecom
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The DoT has suggested to the government to increase the penalty for illegal phone tapping from the present Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 crore. The increased illegal activities of phone tapping has been on the increase resulting in much complaints.
DOT has proposed the higher penalty to be included in the proposed ‘Right to Privacy Bill’ which the government in preparing. This proposal is welcome. But at the same time it also should be ensured that even the government should not tap the telephones, except in case of national security etc.
31 Friday May 2013
Posted in Telecom
MTNL, the telecom PSU providing services in the metropolitan cities of Delhi and Mumbai, has posted a loss of Rs. 1,985.93 crore for the financial year 2012-13. This is more than the loss posted in 2011-12, which was Rs. 1,236.99 crore. MTNL is in loss for the last four years.
BSNL management has stated that the loss is due to the increased salary expenses of the employees. The employee expenses increased from Rs.1,236.99 last year to Rs. 1,927.33 crore this year. But this argument is faulty since it is normal for the salary increase in every year due to increments, pension contribution paid to the government etc. How can any management think that salary will not increase.
The real issue is that the revenue has not increased. It is the responsibility of the management to ensure that the business improves as also the revenue. The management has utterly failed in this and hence the loss. Further the government has been squeezing the company by imposing high charges for spectrum and increased contribution to pension by taking the maximum of the pay scale for calculation of the pension contribution to the government. Further the arrears to be collected are huge and probably a good amount will be due from the Central and State governments.
Whatever are the reasons for the loss, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the PSU is supported financially for its revival. Of course, the workers have got a major role for improving the services to the people.
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