Bangalore is swalpa kahi, jasthi sihi

This light weight article about Bangalore appeared in the Indian Express on 29th July 2013. The title translates as Bangalore being sweet city with a tinge of bitterness :-)

Pl click the Link or click/rightclick the image to view the print replica
 

India's sub-standard engineering colleges

This article authored by me , on improving Engineering education in the country has appeared in the Hindu Business line editorial page on 11th June 2013. About 7 lakh engineering graduates pass out every year, but less than 40% land in proper jobs. The article argues that the Engineering education is heavily tilted towards IT and an urgent need grow beyond , through a broader framework with Industry participation.
Please click on India's sub-standard engineering colleges or click (right click) on the image for viewing the print replica

And now paisafication of Data

The recent advertisment from Airtel -  1 Rupee Video download , perhaps indicates the moved among the Mobile Internet users. The Telcos are happier with much better data ARPU.

Reports suggest Mobile internet usage has increased over 80% in the smaller towns. The traffic is more on Search and Social Networking sites.  3G effect? Certainly not. It is the good old 2G ( Edge - 2,5G)

Sample this: India has over 150Million Internet subscribers.  Teh internet penetration is just about 12%. Compare this with 50% in China. So, it should not be long before we see video download for one paisa. There are two questions - (1) Will the Indian network be able to handle huge increase in  data traffic (2) Will 4G overshadow 3G
 

Wrist Watches - The next big gadget?

Wristwatches have been around for many decades now and there are niche segments for Sports, Youth, Luxury watches etc. But this market did not witness the unprecidented boom seen in the Mobile/Smartphone space as traditionally a watch is a watch!

All that is expcted to change with wearable gadgets as arch rivals Apple and Samsung trying to out smart each other in this space.

A recent report says that consumers expect the wristwatch to function like a phone -  read email,  text messages, Making/recieving calls etc.

Honestly, I cannot imagine all these multi functions on a wristwtach. But interfacing with the connected devices universe that we live-in ( phones/car infotainment system, Home entertainment etc),   may result in Smart Watches,  a new segment!!

 

Don't let Doordarshan die

This article authored by me appeared in  The Hindu Business Line Opinion page on 18th Feb 2013. 
 

The article tries to argue that India’s public service broadcaster DD is not  ready to embrace the BBC Model yet. DD must work towards winning the trust of its viewers. Government funding should be reduced, DD must find ways of generating revenue and sustaining.  Imposing annual TV Licence charge on households is not a good idea. Why should public pay for poor quality. Long term planning and execution need – Make it a Navratna company. Create an alternate Public service provider to intensify competition.

 

Please click on the link Don't let Doordarshan die or please click on the image for print replica.



 

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?