Telecom Tuesday: 4G Talks, BSNL Enterprise Unit , Mobile Entertainment and More…

TRAI To Start The Process For 4G

You have to give it to the telecom regulator TRAI for its ability to make headlines day in and day out.The 3G spectrum allocation is yet to materialize and is continuously getting delayed.Yes, the government is playing its true self too by poking its nose, but could someone tell TRAI not to go overboard with their announcements.Seemingly TRAI wants to start the process for the fourth generation(4G) technology.TRAI is going to come out with a consultation paper to discuss the issues related to 4G technology with the industry players.

One would wonder what TRAI is thinking, however according to TRAI chairman, its all about foresight

3G has been delayed badly … I don’t want 4G or LTE (Long Term Evolution) to meet the same fate. Other countries are catching up with the 4G and that is why we are taking advance action (Source: PTI)

Yes sir, other countries are catching up with the 4G because they have been able to execute their network upgrades phase wise and the 3G market has already matured.With no signs of 3G in near future, i sure do not understand what TRAI is trying to establish starting discussions on 4G.

Could it be that by headlining 4G , TRAI is trying to hide the 3G troubles which are not settling down.If TRAI actually has its priorities set to discuss 4G, 3G might get delayed further courtesy the government unless TRAI intends to bypass 3G and give the Indian Telecommunication a direct upgrade to 4G :-)

BSNL invites bids from IT companies For Supporting Its Enterprise Unit

Now, this is interesting.When the telecom operators are still ramping up their infrastructure to allow Mobile Number Portability, BSNL is actually seeking bids from IT vendors to support its Enterprise Business Unit.BSNL has actually released a RFI(Request For Information) to IT vendors to bid for providing IT solutions to BSNL’s enterprise plan.

BSNL intends to capture and monitor the information related to enterprise customers for various functions like lead management, quote management, service fulfilment, Incentive management, Single billing, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) etc. To fulfil these requirements, BSNL proposes to procure IT Support System for enterprise business unit, on CAPEX/OPEX model with the condition that it will be installed in BSNL premises.

BSNL currently uses a gamut of CRM applications ranging from SIEBEL,SAP etc. To ensure efficiency for its enterprise customers, it intends to upgrade to a single standalone enterprise package and integrate other applications with it.The RFI is available on the BSNL site here

The strategy is clearly to enhance the experience for its enterprise customers which makes up a sizable business for BSNL.It is actually heartening to see that BSNL is keen to adopt technology and offer efficient solutions for its customers.

In other telecom news,

Balaji Telefilms , the production house most known for its soap operas is now targeting the burgeoning Mobile Application market.Balaji wants to enter the mobile entertainment space by launching fiction and non-fiction space.Mobile TV is growing big time and the participation of an Indian production house signifies the potential of Mobile TV.

Idea Cellular is contemplating selling its stake in Indus Towers.Idea holds a 16% stake which is valued at $600-800 million.Indus towers was a joint venture between Idea, Vodafone and Bharti with a holding of 16-42-42 each.

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Author: Ankit Agarwal

Ankit Agarwal is an ERP Consultant by profession, a wannabe entrepreneur and stock market stalker by passion. You can follow him on twitter @ankit_a

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Tagged as: 3g market, 4g, BSNL, consultation paper, enterprise plan, network upgrades, spectrum allocation, telecom operators, telecom regulator, term evolution