Telephone jammers will be introduced this year at the centres for medical entrance examination. This, officials said, will be done in coordination with the state police and revenue department to prevent irregularities. Last year, extensive use of bluetooth devices was reported at several medical entrance test centres.
"We will ensure that the sensitive centres of Kurnool, Kadapa and Tirupati are closely monitored. Security will be tight and police will guard these centres in mufti," said D N Reddy, vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University (JNTU).
With the syllabus for this year's Eamcet remaining unchanged, officials said that they have made representations to the AICTE chairman to stick to the schedule announced for starting classes. The qualifying marks this year too stands at 25 per cent.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Software may replace mobile phone towers
Software may replace mobile phone towers
Scientists have developed a new mobile technology which they claim is set to improve calls during disasters by allowing the transmission of signals with -out nearby cell phone towers.
An international team, led by Flinders University, has created the software which can run on "off-theshelf" mobile phones and allow them to relay calls for one phone to another -- without the presence of mobile phone towers in the vicinity –– before re-connecting with an operating mobile phone tower.
"Our technology allows the signal from the working towers to be relayed into areas lacking signal, allowing calls in and out of affected areas. What is amazing is that we have programmed fairly ordinary mobile telephones to perform this function, without using any specialised hardware," Dr Paul Gardner-Stephen, who led the team, said. He added: "We are excited about the potential of our technology to help at the time of crisis. We are committed to make the technology freely available.
"Any telephone carrier or handset manufacturer that wishes to incorporate our technology into their products is free to do so, and indeed we would be delighted to assist them in that process."
The technology also has the potential to dramatically improve mobile telephone coverage in many rural and remote locations where a signal is available only from limited locations in a community or with a frustratingly weak signal, say the scientists.
"Phones running our software relay calls between themselves. If even just one of those can see a cell tower, then calls can be with any of the phones, thus sustaining communications in affected areas. A balloon is not necessary; a phone running our software at any vantage point can suffice," he said. AGENCIES
An international team, led by Flinders University, has created the software which can run on "off-theshelf" mobile phones and allow them to relay calls for one phone to another -- without the presence of mobile phone towers in the vicinity –– before re-connecting with an operating mobile phone tower.
"Our technology allows the signal from the working towers to be relayed into areas lacking signal, allowing calls in and out of affected areas. What is amazing is that we have programmed fairly ordinary mobile telephones to perform this function, without using any specialised hardware," Dr Paul Gardner-Stephen, who led the team, said. He added: "We are excited about the potential of our technology to help at the time of crisis. We are committed to make the technology freely available.
"Any telephone carrier or handset manufacturer that wishes to incorporate our technology into their products is free to do so, and indeed we would be delighted to assist them in that process."
The technology also has the potential to dramatically improve mobile telephone coverage in many rural and remote locations where a signal is available only from limited locations in a community or with a frustratingly weak signal, say the scientists.
"Phones running our software relay calls between themselves. If even just one of those can see a cell tower, then calls can be with any of the phones, thus sustaining communications in affected areas. A balloon is not necessary; a phone running our software at any vantage point can suffice," he said. AGENCIES
Eamcet forms from February 14
Eamcet forms from February 14
The AP State Council for Higher Education on Saturday announced the sale of Eamcet application forms from February 14 to April 8 at head post offices, main Andhra Bank branches and eSeva centres. The last date for submission of filled-in application forms is March 16. However, the forms can also be obtained from the convener's office from April 9 to May 5 with payment of late fee. This year, Eamcet is scheduled to be held on May 8.
With the syllabus for this year's Eamcet remaining unchanged, officials said that they have made representations to the AICTE chairman to stick to the schedule announced for starting classes. The qualifying marks this year too stands at 25 per cent.
While candidates can submit applications with a late fine of Rs 5,000 till April 25, those submitting it by May 5 have to pay a fine of Rs 10,000.
Candidates submitting their forms with late fees (either with Rs 5,000 or Rs 10,000) will have to appear for the Eamcet only at centres in twin cities, unlike previous years.
While candidates can submit applications with a late fine of Rs 5,000 till April 25, those submitting it by May 5 have to pay a fine of Rs 10,000.
Candidates submitting their forms with late fees (either with Rs 5,000 or Rs 10,000) will have to appear for the Eamcet only at centres in twin cities, unlike previous years.
Basmati rice losing fragrance?
its from timesofindia....
Basmati rice losing fragrance?
Global Warming Affecting Its Size Too, Say Scientists
A small experiment by Indian agriculture scientists point to the enormous effect global warming could have on the fragrant basmati rice. Basmati, Sanskrit for the fragrant one, may lose not just its aroma but the famously long grains may get shorter, scientists claim.
H Pathak, principal investigator of Indian Agricultural Research Institute's Climate Change Challenge Programme, told TOI that the Tarawari basmati grown in the institute's research fields in Delhi did not grow long enough and wasn't as fragrant as they should have been when cooked.
He said global warming may be to blame for the disappointing basmati produced in the 2006-2007 experiment. Temperatures that year crossed 26 degree Celsius in September when basmati begins to flower and, 15 to 20 days later, when the grain begins to fill out, because of which a shrivelling of the grain was seen.
The extra heat, he said, prevented the food stored by the crop from travelling to the grain. Consequently, it failed to grow to the right length. The heat also destroyed fatty acids stored in the grain, a key requirement for basmati to give off its distinctive fragrance when cooked.
No studies have been done in the field so far but if true, global warming may have enormous implications for India's prized rice crop.
But Dalel Singh, who heads Haryana Agricultural University's Rice Research Station at Kaul, says his scientists have not observed the phenomenon.
Pathak explains this away as only a matter of time and the simple fact that a Tarawari basmati crop will only be affected in a year when temperatures cross 26 degrees Celsius. The IARI experiment grew Tarawari basmati, which is farmed in Haryana and western UP.
Pathak says temperatures in the 700 acres that make up the IARI campus in the heart of Delhi are similar to those in Haryana and western UP and therefore, what the scientists saw at IARI will be replicated in Tarawari basmati-growing areas.
Pathak says the best solution would be to bring planting dates forward, so that high temperatures in September don't affect the crop.
H Pathak, principal investigator of Indian Agricultural Research Institute's Climate Change Challenge Programme, told TOI that the Tarawari basmati grown in the institute's research fields in Delhi did not grow long enough and wasn't as fragrant as they should have been when cooked.
He said global warming may be to blame for the disappointing basmati produced in the 2006-2007 experiment. Temperatures that year crossed 26 degree Celsius in September when basmati begins to flower and, 15 to 20 days later, when the grain begins to fill out, because of which a shrivelling of the grain was seen.
The extra heat, he said, prevented the food stored by the crop from travelling to the grain. Consequently, it failed to grow to the right length. The heat also destroyed fatty acids stored in the grain, a key requirement for basmati to give off its distinctive fragrance when cooked.
No studies have been done in the field so far but if true, global warming may have enormous implications for India's prized rice crop.
But Dalel Singh, who heads Haryana Agricultural University's Rice Research Station at Kaul, says his scientists have not observed the phenomenon.
Pathak explains this away as only a matter of time and the simple fact that a Tarawari basmati crop will only be affected in a year when temperatures cross 26 degrees Celsius. The IARI experiment grew Tarawari basmati, which is farmed in Haryana and western UP.
Pathak says temperatures in the 700 acres that make up the IARI campus in the heart of Delhi are similar to those in Haryana and western UP and therefore, what the scientists saw at IARI will be replicated in Tarawari basmati-growing areas.
Pathak says the best solution would be to bring planting dates forward, so that high temperatures in September don't affect the crop.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Lifting of curbs on Isro, DRDO ...
source:http://epaper.timesofindia.com
The United States on 24th Jan (Monday) removed several Indian
government defense-related companies, including four subsidiaries each
of DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organisation) and Isro
(Indian Space Research Organization), from the so-called entity list,
in an effort to drive hi-tech trade and forge closer strategic ties
with India.
With this, the 13-year old squeeze on export of high-tech,
dual-use items to the Indian defence and space entities, imposed after
India's nuclear tests in 1998, comes to an end. "Today's action marks
a significant milestone in reinforcing the US-India strategic
partnership and moving forward with export control reforms that will
facilitate high technology trade and cooperation," US commerce
secretary Gary Locke said.The lifting of curbs, described by the
administration as the first steps to implement the export control
policy initiatives announced by president Obama and Indian prime
minister Manmohan Singh on November 8, 2010.
The government-run companies that have been relieved from the
onerous curbs on US exports include Bharat Dynamics Ltd(BDL), which
makes India's missiles and munitions; four subsidiaries of DRDO
(Armament Research and Development Establishment,Defense Research and
Development Lab, Missile Research and Development Complex and Solid
State Physics Laboratory) and four subsidiaries of Isro (Liquid
Propulsion Systems Center, Solid Propel ant Space Booster Plant,
Sriarikota Space Center and Vikram Sarabhai Space Center.
Removing the nine organizations from the entity list eliminates a
license requirement specific to the companies, and results in the
removed companies being treated the same way as any other destination
in India for export licensing purposes, US officials explained. Most
import requests by the Indian entities were considered on a
case-bycase basis, with presumption of denial changing to assumption
of approval as ties improved after the tense months that followed the
nuclear tests.
Now, it would appear the relaxation of export controls is aimed at
more than just ginning up hi-tech trade and American exports. The US
commerce department's bureau of industry and security (BIS) on Monday
published a federal register notice which updates the export
administration regulations (EAR) relating to India in several ways.
They include not just lifting curbs on the Indian entities, but also
removing India from several country groups in the EAR. Countries that
figure in EAR include China, Pakistan, Russia, and in some instances,
even Israel.
The United States on 24th Jan (Monday) removed several Indian
government defense-related companies, including four subsidiaries each
of DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organisation) and Isro
(Indian Space Research Organization), from the so-called entity list,
in an effort to drive hi-tech trade and forge closer strategic ties
with India.
With this, the 13-year old squeeze on export of high-tech,
dual-use items to the Indian defence and space entities, imposed after
India's nuclear tests in 1998, comes to an end. "Today's action marks
a significant milestone in reinforcing the US-India strategic
partnership and moving forward with export control reforms that will
facilitate high technology trade and cooperation," US commerce
secretary Gary Locke said.The lifting of curbs, described by the
administration as the first steps to implement the export control
policy initiatives announced by president Obama and Indian prime
minister Manmohan Singh on November 8, 2010.
The government-run companies that have been relieved from the
onerous curbs on US exports include Bharat Dynamics Ltd(BDL), which
makes India's missiles and munitions; four subsidiaries of DRDO
(Armament Research and Development Establishment,Defense Research and
Development Lab, Missile Research and Development Complex and Solid
State Physics Laboratory) and four subsidiaries of Isro (Liquid
Propulsion Systems Center, Solid Propel ant Space Booster Plant,
Sriarikota Space Center and Vikram Sarabhai Space Center.
Removing the nine organizations from the entity list eliminates a
license requirement specific to the companies, and results in the
removed companies being treated the same way as any other destination
in India for export licensing purposes, US officials explained. Most
import requests by the Indian entities were considered on a
case-bycase basis, with presumption of denial changing to assumption
of approval as ties improved after the tense months that followed the
nuclear tests.
Now, it would appear the relaxation of export controls is aimed at
more than just ginning up hi-tech trade and American exports. The US
commerce department's bureau of industry and security (BIS) on Monday
published a federal register notice which updates the export
administration regulations (EAR) relating to India in several ways.
They include not just lifting curbs on the Indian entities, but also
removing India from several country groups in the EAR. Countries that
figure in EAR include China, Pakistan, Russia, and in some instances,
even Israel.
Highest Railway station in India
Highest Railway station in India
Ghum (Spelt Ghoom) is a small hilly locality in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region of West Bengal, India.
Ghum railway station of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the highest railway station in India.
It is situated at an altitude of 7,407 ft.
The place is the home of the Ghum Monastery and the Batasia Loop, a bend of the Darjeeling Himalayan railway.
The Train passes through Siliguri town, Siliguri Junction, Sukna, Rangtong, Chunbatti, Tindharia, Gayabari, Mahanadi, Kurseong, Tung, Sonada, Ghum and reaches Darjeeling. The beginning point is New Jalpaiguri.
Apple iPad launched in India
Apple iPad launched in India !!
Apple's iPad has finally hit the Indian market, with the gadget's official launch in the country today.
iPad will now be available in India for prices starting at Rs. 27,900 (Wi-Fi, 16GB) to Rs. 44,900 (Wi-Fi + 3G, 64GB), according to Source.
In all, six versions of the iPad would be available in the country in Apple stores with 16GB, 32GB and 64GB memory space in Wi-fi and Wi-Fi + 3G versions.
State run telecom operator BSNL has announced dedicated 3G plans for the iPad at Rs. 999 (unlimited monthly usage), Rs. 599 (6GB free per month, 1p/10 kb after free usage) and Rs. 99 (unlimited daily usage). Other telcos are also expected to launch tariff plans specifically for iPad.
Apple's current porfolio in India includes its Macbooks, iPhone and iPod.
ICC 2011 World Cup Teams and Schedule
ICC 2011 World Cup Teams and Schedule
ICC 2011 Cricket World Cup will be held during February and March 2011 at Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. The co-hosts Bangladesh will clash with India in the inaugural match which has to take place on 19 February 2011 at Sher e Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Bangladesh.
Groups:
A: Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada, Kenya
B: India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands
| Date | Match Details | Time | Venue | ||
| GMT | IST | Ground | City | ||
| Feb 19 -- Sat | Bangladesh v India, 1st Match, Group B | 8:30 | 14:00 | Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium | Dhaka |
| Feb 20 -- Sun | New Zealand v Kenya, 2nd Match,Group A | 4:00 | 9:30 | MA. Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai |
| Feb 20 -- Sun | Sri Lanka v Canada, 3rd Match,Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | Hambantota International Cricket | Hambantota |
| Feb 21 -- Mon | Australia v Zimbabwe, 4th Match,Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | Sardar Patel Stadium | Ahmedabad |
| Feb 22 -- Tue | England v Netherlands, 5th Match, Group B | 9:00 | 14:30 | Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium | Nagpur |
| Feb 23 -- Wed | Pakistan v Kenya, 6th Match,Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | Hambantota International Cricket | Hambantota |
| Feb 24 -- Thu | South Africa v West Indies, 7th Match, Group B | 9:00 | 14:30 | Feroz Shah Kotla | Delhi |
| Feb 25 -- Fri | Bangladesh v Ireland, 8th Match, Group B | 3:30 | 9:00 | Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium | Dhaka |
| Feb 25 -- Fri | Australia v New Zealand, 9th Match, Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium | Nagpur |
| Feb 26 -- Sat | Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 10th Match,Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | R. Premadasa Stadium | Colombo |
| Feb 27 -- Sun | India v England, 11th Match, Group B | 9:00 | 14:30 | Eden Gardens | Kolkata |
| Feb 28 -- Mon | Zimbabwe v Canada, 12th Match,Group A | 4:00 | 9:30 | Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium | Nagpur |
| Feb 28 -- Mon | West Indies v Netherlands, 13th Match, Group B | 9:00 | 14:30 | Feroz Shah Kotla | Delhi |
| Mar 01 -- Tue | Sri Lanka v Kenya, 14th Match,Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | R. Premadasa Stadium | Colombo |
| Mar 02 -- Wed | England v Ireland, 15th Match, Group B | 9:00 | 14:30 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru |
| Mar 03 -- Thu | South Africa v Netherlands, 16th Match, Group B | 4:00 | 9:30 | Punjab Cricket Association Stadium | Chandigarh |
| Mar 03 -- Thu | Pakistan v Canada, 17th Match,Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | R. Premadasa Stadium | Colombo |
| Mar 04 -- Fri | New Zealand v Zimbabwe, 18th Match, Group A | 4:00 | 9:30 | Sardar Patel Stadium | Ahmedabad |
| Mar 04 -- Fri | Bangladesh v West Indies, 19th Match, Group B | 8:30 | 14:00 | Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium | Dhaka |
| Mar 05 -- Sat | Sri Lanka v Australia, 20th Match,Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | R. Premadasa Stadium | Colombo |
| Mar 06 -- Sun | England v South Africa, 21st Match, Group B | 4:00 | 9:30 | MA. Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai |
| Mar 06 -- Sun | India v Ireland, 22nd Match, Group B | 9:00 | 14:30 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru |
| Mar 07 -- Mon | Kenya v Canada, 23rd Match,Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | Feroz Shah Kotla | Delhi |
| Mar 08 -- Tue | Pakistan v New Zealand, 24th Match, Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium | Pallekele |
| Mar 09 -- Wed | India v Netherlands, 25th Match, Group B | 9:00 | 14:30 | Feroz Shah Kotla | Delhi |
| Mar 10 -- Thu | Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, 26th Match, Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium | Pallekele |
| Mar 11 -- Fri | West Indies v Ireland, 27th Match, Group B | 4:00 | 9:30 | Punjab Cricket Association Stadium | Chandigarh |
| Mar 11 -- Fri | Bangladesh v England, 28th Match, Group B | 8:30 | 14:00 | Chitagong Divisional Stadium | ChitagongDivision |
| Mar 12 -- Sat | India v South Africa, 29th Match, Group B | 9:00 | 14:30 | Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium | Nagpur |
| Mar 13 -- Sun | New Zealand v Canada, 30th Match, Group A | 4:00 | 9:30 | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai |
| Mar 13 -- Sun | Australia v Kenya, 31st Match,Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru |
| Mar 14 -- Mon | Bangladesh v Netherlands, 32nd Match, Group B | 3:30 | 9:00 | Chitagong Divisional Stadium | ChitagongDivision |
| Mar 14 -- Mon | Pakistan v Zimbabwe, 33rd Match, Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium | Pallekele |
| Mar 15 -- Tue | South Africa v Ireland, 34th Match, Group B | 9:00 | 14:30 | Eden Gardens | Kolkata |
| Mar 16 -- Wed | Australia v Canada, 35th Match,Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru |
| Mar 17 -- Thu | England v West Indies, 36th Match, Group B | 9:00 | 14:30 | MA. Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai |
| Mar 18 -- Fri | Ireland v Netherlands, 37th Match, Group B | 4:00 | 9:30 | Eden Gardens | Kolkata |
| Mar 18 -- Fri | Sri Lanka v New Zealand, 38th Match, Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai |
| Mar 19 -- Sat | Bangladesh v South Africa, 39th Match, Group B | 3:30 | 9:00 | Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium | Dhaka |
| Mar 19 -- Sat | Australia v Pakistan, 40th Match,Group A | 9:00 | 14:30 | R. Premadasa Stadium | Colombo |
| Mar 20 -- Sun | Zimbabwe v Kenya, 41st Match,Group A | 4:00 | 9:30 | Eden Gardens | Kolkata |
| Mar 20 -- Sun | India v West Indies, 42nd Match, Group B | 9:00 | 14:30 | MA. Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai |
| Mar 23 -- Wed | TBC v TBC, First quarter-final | 8:30 | 14:00 | Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium | Dhaka |
| Mar 24 -- Thu | TBC v TBC, Second quarter-final | 9:00 | 14:30 | Sardar Patel Stadium | Ahmedabad |
| Mar 25 -- Fri | TBC v TBC, Third quarter-final | 8:30 | 14:00 | Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium | Dhaka |
| Mar 26 -- Sat | TBC v TBC, Fourth quarter-final | 9:00 | 14:30 | R. Premadasa Stadium | Colombo |
| Mar 29 -- Tue | TBC v TBC, First semi-final | 9:00 | 14:30 | R. Premadasa Stadium | Colombo |
| Mar 30 -- Wed | TBC v TBC, Second semi-final | 9:00 | 14:30 | Punjab Cricket Association Stadium | Chandigarh |
| Apr 02 -- Sat | TBC v TBC, Final | 9:00 | 14:30 | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai |
Friday, January 28, 2011
Interesting Facts - (Human Blood)
Interesting Facts - (Human Blood)
2.5 trillion number of blood cells are present in blood
2.5 billion number of times the heart beats without resting during a 70 year lifetime
1 billion number of oxygen molecules of hemoglobin are present in a red blood cell
250 million number of molecules of hemoglobin are present inside a red blood cell
1,50,000 km is the total length of the body's blood vessels
120 days is a lifespan of a red blood cell
99% is the proportion of all blood cells that are red blood cells
5 litres of blood is present in an average adult's body
2.5 billion number of times the heart beats without resting during a 70 year lifetime
1 billion number of oxygen molecules of hemoglobin are present in a red blood cell
250 million number of molecules of hemoglobin are present inside a red blood cell
1,50,000 km is the total length of the body's blood vessels
120 days is a lifespan of a red blood cell
99% is the proportion of all blood cells that are red blood cells
5 litres of blood is present in an average adult's body
January 29, 2011 Castrol Cricketer of the Year
| Castrol Indian Cricket of the Year | Sachin Tendulkar |
| ODI Cricketer of the Year | M.S.Dhoni |
| Test Cricketer of the Year | Sachin Tendulkar |
| Batsman of the Year | Virender Sehwag |
| Bowler of the Year | Harbhajan Singh |
| Special achievement award for Highest number of catches in Tests | Rahul Dravid |
| Impact Cricketer | Yusuf Pathan |
| Lifetime Achievement in cricket award | Mohinder Amarnath |
| Junior Cricketer of the Year | Jaydev Unadkat |
Monday, January 24, 2011
Mobile number portability (MNP) opens war for Post paid users mainly
Profitability of Indian cellular service providers is likely to be squeezed further following mobile number portability (MNP), triggering a short-term spike in subscribers switching service providers, which will force operators to spend more on attracting and retaining customers, say analysts.
Analysts estimate the rate of subscriber churn at 6-8% among pre-paid subscribers, who make up nearly 95% of India's 700 million mobile phone connections, and 1-3% among post-paid subscribers.
The 5% subscriber base of post-paid subscribers contributes about 20% of revenues for larger telecom players. That's the prize money various mobile operators are going to fight over — to win the post-paid subscribers.
Some operators such as Tata Teleservices and Reliance Communications (RCom) are at particular risk of losing subscribers as they still operate a CDMA technology-based network, though both the players also operate GSM networks.
The only other CDMA operator in the country is MTS India, a new operator.
In India, GSM is the mainstream technology platform for mobile telephony, with nearly 85% of subscribers being on GSM networks.
At the time of going to the press, DNA was yet to get responses from RCom.
A spokesperson for Tata Tele did not respond to calls and messages.
For the 109 million or so CDMA subscribers in India, the incentive to move to GSM comes from a wider choice of handsets as well as service providers.
Given the smaller CDMA subscriber population, the choice of handsets available here is very limited.
Mobile number portability will "expose it (Reliance Communications) to the risk of losing CDMA subscribers, who so far had limited options," Rajiv Sharma and Harbhajan Singh, analysts with HSBC Securities and Capital Markets, said in a January 11 note.
Goldman Sachs also believes Tata Tele and RCom are at risk of losing their CDMA subscribers once MNP is implemented nationally.
Along with mass market ad campaigns, some large operators are learnt to have launched targeted strategies to poach high value corporate customers from rivals.
"We expect a near-term increase in S&M (sales and marketing) costs, network expenses, and churn rates. We do not expect a meaningful proportion of corporate subscribers moving from incumbents to new entrants," Goldman Sachs analysts Sachin Salgaonkar, Piyush Mubayi and Paras Mehta wrote in a January 18 note to clients.
Operators are likely to respond by bringing down post-paid tariffs, which are currently about 25% higher than pre-paid call rates.
According to the Goldman Sachs analysts, such post-paid tariff reduction could put "5%-8% of Bharti's (Airtel) earnings at risk."
Besides the revenue loss from lower tariffs, mobile service providers will also be forced to spend more to stay in the race, in a market that is not only among the fastest growing telecom markets in the world, but also the most competitive one, with at least 10 operators slugging it out in every telecom circle.
"We expect MNP to increase the cost structure of all the players as they will need to spend more on improving their quality of service and customer care," said Amit K Khire of Ambit Capital.
Pan-India operators such as Idea Cellular and Vodafone Essar have already started advertising and marketing campaign to educate potential subscribers about number portability and hopefully woo them over to their own networks.
The boldest move yet has came from Loop Mobile, a regional operator in Mumbai, that went beyond the talk by offering to compensate subscribers for every dropped call.
"We declare that for every Call Drop that subscribers experience, we at Loop Mobile shall compensate them," the company said in statement on Wednesday.
"For every confirmed call drop, we will reimburse the customer 50 paise," S Mahadevan, chief operating officer for Loop Mobile told DNA.
Being one of the oldest operators in Mumbai circle - the only circle where Loop Mobile operates - the company's legacy high end customers is an obvious prey for larger national operators.
Such measures, to both attract customers and retain customers take its toll on profitability according to rating agency ICRA Ltd, especially given that tariff levels are already extremely low.
"Higher customer acquisition and retention costs coupled with declining tariffs is likely to affect the profitability of telecom operators post implementation of MNP," ICRA said in a client note on Tuesday.
"Under such a scenario, telecom operators with stronger financial profile would be better placed to cope with the increasing competitive intensity."
Analysts estimate the rate of subscriber churn at 6-8% among pre-paid subscribers, who make up nearly 95% of India's 700 million mobile phone connections, and 1-3% among post-paid subscribers.
The 5% subscriber base of post-paid subscribers contributes about 20% of revenues for larger telecom players. That's the prize money various mobile operators are going to fight over — to win the post-paid subscribers.
Some operators such as Tata Teleservices and Reliance Communications (RCom) are at particular risk of losing subscribers as they still operate a CDMA technology-based network, though both the players also operate GSM networks.
The only other CDMA operator in the country is MTS India, a new operator.
In India, GSM is the mainstream technology platform for mobile telephony, with nearly 85% of subscribers being on GSM networks.
At the time of going to the press, DNA was yet to get responses from RCom.
A spokesperson for Tata Tele did not respond to calls and messages.
For the 109 million or so CDMA subscribers in India, the incentive to move to GSM comes from a wider choice of handsets as well as service providers.
Given the smaller CDMA subscriber population, the choice of handsets available here is very limited.
Mobile number portability will "expose it (Reliance Communications) to the risk of losing CDMA subscribers, who so far had limited options," Rajiv Sharma and Harbhajan Singh, analysts with HSBC Securities and Capital Markets, said in a January 11 note.
Goldman Sachs also believes Tata Tele and RCom are at risk of losing their CDMA subscribers once MNP is implemented nationally.
Along with mass market ad campaigns, some large operators are learnt to have launched targeted strategies to poach high value corporate customers from rivals.
"We expect a near-term increase in S&M (sales and marketing) costs, network expenses, and churn rates. We do not expect a meaningful proportion of corporate subscribers moving from incumbents to new entrants," Goldman Sachs analysts Sachin Salgaonkar, Piyush Mubayi and Paras Mehta wrote in a January 18 note to clients.
Operators are likely to respond by bringing down post-paid tariffs, which are currently about 25% higher than pre-paid call rates.
According to the Goldman Sachs analysts, such post-paid tariff reduction could put "5%-8% of Bharti's (Airtel) earnings at risk."
Besides the revenue loss from lower tariffs, mobile service providers will also be forced to spend more to stay in the race, in a market that is not only among the fastest growing telecom markets in the world, but also the most competitive one, with at least 10 operators slugging it out in every telecom circle.
"We expect MNP to increase the cost structure of all the players as they will need to spend more on improving their quality of service and customer care," said Amit K Khire of Ambit Capital.
Pan-India operators such as Idea Cellular and Vodafone Essar have already started advertising and marketing campaign to educate potential subscribers about number portability and hopefully woo them over to their own networks.
The boldest move yet has came from Loop Mobile, a regional operator in Mumbai, that went beyond the talk by offering to compensate subscribers for every dropped call.
"We declare that for every Call Drop that subscribers experience, we at Loop Mobile shall compensate them," the company said in statement on Wednesday.
"For every confirmed call drop, we will reimburse the customer 50 paise," S Mahadevan, chief operating officer for Loop Mobile told DNA.
Being one of the oldest operators in Mumbai circle - the only circle where Loop Mobile operates - the company's legacy high end customers is an obvious prey for larger national operators.
Such measures, to both attract customers and retain customers take its toll on profitability according to rating agency ICRA Ltd, especially given that tariff levels are already extremely low.
"Higher customer acquisition and retention costs coupled with declining tariffs is likely to affect the profitability of telecom operators post implementation of MNP," ICRA said in a client note on Tuesday.
"Under such a scenario, telecom operators with stronger financial profile would be better placed to cope with the increasing competitive intensity."
Saturday, January 22, 2011
some Interesting things or news.
" The oldest world in the english language is TOWN"
" India has the II largest pool of scientiest and engeneers in the world"
" You share your birthday within at least 9 other million people in the world"
" Sabeer bhatia is the founder & creator of homail world no. 1 web"
" Tom sietas world record to hold their breath 15 minute 2 second"
"Money notes not made from paper, it is made mostly from a special blend of cotton and linen.
"Just about 3 people are born every second, and about 1.3333 people die every second."
"According to oxford english dictionary the largest word "PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPICSILICOVALCANOKONIOSIS"
" The cigarette lighter was invented before the matches"
" Yoga has its origins in india and has existed for over 5,000 year"
"Dolphins sleep with one eye open"
"The largest employer in the word is the Indian Railway Employing over a million people"
" India has the largest number of post-office in the world"
" Cheess was invented in India"
" India exports software in 90 countries"
" Canada is an Indian word an Indian word meaning "Big Village"
" There are more than 10,000 varieties of tomatoes"
" There are two words in the English language that have all 5 vowels in order: ABSTEMIOUS and FACETIOUS"
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