A round up of the top telecom news of the week.
GSM telcos add 3.79 million rural subscribers
Telecom operators added 3.79 million subscribers in rural areas in October to take the overall rural base to 311.33 million, says a new report from Cellular Operators Authority in India (COAI). Airtel added the maximum subscribers (99.11 million). Check out the full report in the slides below
Ericsson's new tech to beat frequency crisis
Ericsson is reportedly working on a new technology that allows communication services to move across frequencies and technology standards. The new technology is expected to help telecom operators deal with frequency shortage, especially those holding multiple bands. Ericsson's technology makes it possible for a call to be completed in multiple bands – this means a call be can be sent in one network and get response in another. Source: Economic Times
Govt in favour of data tariff reduction
While speaking at the recently held Broadband Tech India 2014, Shri AK Bhargava, Advisor (Technology), Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications & IT, Government of India said that Government of India is in favor of reducing data tariff, as the country is getting ready for 3G and 4G spectrum auctions.
The announcement comes as the Department of Telecommunications is preparing to roll out spectrum auctions, which is expected to intensify the competition between service providers, which may push up spectrum prices.
“With the increase in the availability of spectrum, data service will explode as fiber to site is being laid simultaneously. This will result in more public-private projects which will meet the needs of all sections of the society,” said Mr. Shyam P Mardikar, Chief-Strategy, Architecture & Engineering, Bharti Airtel.
Also read: 4G in India: Challenges and opportunities
“Due to the emergence of wireless mobility as the single largest factor in the Indian telecom industry, we will witness a growth of 35 to 45 percent in voice and data traffic,” said Mr. Rajan Mathews, Director-General, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). “As a balancing act, the USO Fund contribution should be reduced to one per cent of revenues instead of the current five per cent,” he added.
Airtel launches myPlan Family
Airtel launched a new plan for postpaid users allowing them customize plans depending on their family’s usage preferences and requirements. Users can share benefits of the plan with up to 5 of their family members. Customers can customize and manage postpaid plans for their entire family by choosing a rental plan (from a bouquet of 3 rental options), select myPacks and add family members (at a convenience fee of Rs. 99 per account per month).
The rental plan options costs Rs.799/-, Rs.999/- and Rs.1599/- and allow 35, 50 and 90 myPack units respectively. Customers can also top up their plan with myBoosters to enjoy custom-made additional benefits.
Airtel 3G services now available in Odisha
Airtel expanded its 3G services in Odisha circle. Airtel 3G will be available to customers in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Brahmapur, Keonjhar, Jajpur Road, Jajpur Town and Paradip.Airtel 3G services will available at prices starting as low as Rs. 27.
Reliance Communications and Ericsson sign nationwide Managed Services contract
RCom has signed a seven-year full-scope managed services agreement with Ericsson to operate and manage their wireline and wireless networks across India. Ericsson will also take over responsibility for the field maintenance, network operations and operational planning of Reliance Communications’ 2G, CDMA and 3G mobile networks.
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