India's next 100 Million subscribers!

According to a recent TRAI report, rural tele-density is about 12% while urban tele-density is 82%. China , for instance has more than 35% rural tele-density!
Next 100 OR 200 Million subscribers should indeed come from Rural and Semi-urban India! Operators will have to make innovative pitches to attract the rural India. Although the sentiment is negative due to the global recession and deflation here, I believe there is enough scope for growth in rural India. Operators need to pray for Adequate rainfall this year and the coming years :)

Will 3G make Biz Sense?

At the outset, I would like to thank my good friend B.S Murthy, CEO of leadership Capital and Mr Dilip, Editor at Deccan Herald for their support!!!

At least for the last 6 months, I have been wondering how 3G would fare in India. It was a wonderful experience right from my thought to write an article followed by gathering data, analysing and coming up with the draft version. Dr Sridhar ( a veteran of over 75 articles) helped in "weaving" the story together. The initial version was about 800 words and then we raised it to 998 words. Perhaps the only time I kept a close watch on the Word count provided in MS word:-) I must admit stuffing in "English" was not an easy task. It was absolutely unbelievable to see that the article (including title) getting published as-is unedited!!!
The response has been tremendous. Thanks to all the people who have sent their appreciation on the article. It is indeed a great feeling when you get appreciation mails from Unknown people. Definitely motivates me to try to write more articles.

Most of friends were more interested to know about the girl in the picture. Boyz will remain Boyz:-). BTW, let me re-assure all my friends that I had no role to play in choosing the picture.. Apparently, the editor spent a couple of hours in deciding the picture. Awesome.... eh...phone? :)

Click on the above image to read the article as printed OR follow the the link Will 3G make Biz Sense for e-version.

What next?

BSNL launches 3G

BSNL soft launching 3G will definitely get the other operators furious. The delay in Auctioning process and yet allowing BSNL to launch may give BSNL some undue advantage. This is true especially if the operators are allowed to roll out only in 2010.