China marches on

It is quite amazing to see how China is making huge strides in the Telecom sector and it has to do with the Government's vision. China has over 550Million Internet users with 75% accounting from Mobile users.  Close to one million Chinese mobile Apps were launched in 2012. Local Smartphone mobile brands are the Top selling much higher than the global brands. Not surprisingly China is also the largest mobile phone maker in the world.

Transforming Education

This article "Transforming Education" appeared as an editorial page article in the New Indian Express. While avaiability of affordable mobile gadgets like Tablets and better data connectivity is being improved, the latest trend interms of MOOC could play a key role in developing and delivery courses( content).

The educated class will benefit from the MOOC revolution with out any government intervention. But government's attention is need in addressing the semi literate/illiterate poulation.

Pl click on the link Transforming Education or click on the image for viewing the print replica.

Should Smartphone Makers Embrace a Single or Multiple OS Strategy?

Pic source: Wired

This article I co-authored with Andrew Till on the constant challenge faced by Mobile Handset OEMs has appeared in WIRED/Insights  on 7th Dec 2012

Should the OEMs look at Apple-like approach or a multi-OS approach. The article looks at the pros and cons of both approaches. We argue that innovation will be the  single most important parameter to be considered. We also argue that the Open OS are not really “Open”. The entry barrier for new platform is very high.  

Please click on Should Smartphone Makers Embrace a Single or Multiple OS Strategy? or on the picture to read the article

 

Government should protect mobile consumers

This article authored by me has appeared in the Financial express on 20th Nov 2012. While there are quite a few theories around why the 2G auction failed, it is increasingly clear that the Government needs to be less aggressive and help in overall welfare of the consumers for sustaining the Mobile revolution and the vision stated in the NTP-2012.

 

Please click on Government should protect mobile consumers OR click/Right click on the image for print replica

Too greedy (2G)Auction?

So the auction has finally ended, fetching only 10K crore as against the target of  30K to 40K. This auction ended in 2 days as against over 30 days during the 3G auction. Almost all the telcos are bleeding and things are going to get worse. Are we staring at M&As to rescue the Telcos?

More auctions on the anvil (1) The unsold spectrum in this auction , (2) Spectrum not put-up for auction from the orginal  122 quashed licencess (3)  Refarming of 900Mhz

Perhaps time for the Goverment and the regulator to serioulsy re-look at the mechanism used for arriving at the base price for auctions.
 

Time for India to Innovate

This article  "Time for India to Innovate" authored by me appeared as a lead article in the Editorial page of the New Indian Express on 1st Oct 2012. There is an urgent need for strengthening India's eductaion system in-order to spur innovation.

Please click on the link Time for India to Innovate or click on the image for viewing the Print replica  

BSNL's active mobile users only 50%

The latest TRAI report suggests that BSNL has only about 50% active subscribers ( taken from the VLR database). MTNL is even worse - less than 40%.. While the other big boys like Airtel,Vodafone etc are close to 90%.

The national average is about 77%. This means out the 900+ Million Mobile subscibers, only 700Million subscribers are "active"

Either BSNL should look at ways of improving the active subscribers and maybe learn from the large private Telcos, else in order to improve efficiency of the Spectrum usage [Such a scarce resource] , BSNL should share the spectrum with the Private Telcos.  Shouldnt TRAI/DOT be monitoring VLR data?

Slow Motion Development

This article written by me appeared as a lead article in the Editorial page of New Indian Express on 30th Aug 2012.

The article compares China and India interms of basic infrastructure and looks at some reasons for India's Slow motion development interms of communication,Roads/Rail and Power. Please click on the link Slow Motion Development or click on the image for Print replica

Free Roaming - At what cost?

This article titled "Free roaming - At what cost?" that I have co-authored with Dr V Sridhar has appeared in the July issue  of Voice & Data.


The article discusses about the recent announcement of free roaming in the NTP 2012 - Telecom Policy 2012; discusses the economics of intra and inter-circle roaming; the effect of free roaming for voice and data subscribers; the possible increase in data usage charges due to free roaming ; and possible market developments including increase in Wi-Fi hotspots in the country.


Please click Free Roaming - At what cost? to read the web version. Alternatively, please click on the images to view  print replica.



Key Highlights:

• Domestic Roaming contributes to 6 to 8% of the Operators' revenue
• Multi SIM mobiles are reducing hte relevance of roaming
• Free roaming is prevalent in advanced economies
• EU has been struggling with high data roaming
• Lack of 3G roaming regulation could be a matter of opertaors' dispute
• Subscribers might end up paying more than current rate

Mobile phone radiation affects you: What's the govt doing?




Image Source: Rediff

 

This article authored by me on the Government’s inaction in curbing mobile radiation has appeared in Rediff Business / Columns.

Awareness among the public is abysmally low. The Government plans to enforce stringent measures from Sep 2012. It will be interesting to see how these measures are implemented. Finally, assuming healthcare is of immense importance, it boils down to Government’s resolve in addressing the issue. The article also suggests a few areas the Government should focus on, in order to minimize the harmful effect.

Please click on  the link Mobile phone radiation affects you: What's the govt doing? OR please click on the image

Free roaming?

How many times have you noticed that your operator ( Even a big one! ) without coverage in some places in your circle (state)  while another operator   has decent coverage. Ideally your operator should provide seamless coverage through the other network - This is called Intra circle roaming. But this is not implemented as it is not mandated by the regulator.

The recent NTP-2012 announcement on free inter circle roaming  ( between different states) is obviously good news for subscribers. The timeline for implementing is awaited. National roaming accounts for 6 to 7% of Operators' revenue. Why will operators let go this revenue just like that?

Will call rates go up across the board? very likely. However the regulator could come-up with a sliding rate plan and bring the charges to zero eventually.

What will happen to data roaming ? Here maybe we should take a leaf out of Europe where the EU has mandated a gradual decrease in roaming charges over a period of time. EU has also mandated ceiling charges for Wholesale ( rate agreement between two operators)  and retail rates.

Surge in mobile Non-voice usage still a distant dream

With the advent of 3G in India, it was expected that the uptake in mobile broadband would surge making the Telcos happy. But that is not quite the case. A recent TRAI report states that the non-voice revenue is only 11% of the overall revenue from the telcos. Of this 7% comes from SMS.  While Singapore leads the non-voice revenue with over 30%, US,China,Korea and Japan are not far behind.

With most operators opting for drastic reduction in 3G tarriff  , lets hope for a decent uptake. But until we improve basics education  and e-education, mass adoption will be a challenge.