No Cheap 3G By Private Operators In India?

Telecom Operators and Mobile Service users are going crazy with the advent of 3G Mobile Services by Private Operators which is soon going to rip off the telecom market with a boom.

Now we all know that Tata Docomo is the first private operator who has launched its 3G Mobile and Data services in 9 telecom circles now every other operator is in the race to grab the second spot.

Two days back when the Tata Docomo 3G Life Tariff Plans came out operators threw water over mobile users who had hopes of “cheap tariff” for 3G Mobile services in India (see the comments/views in our earlier post on Tata Docomo 3G Life Tariff Plans) , yesterday Bharti Airtel whispered the same thing over its upcoming 3G services so over all its crystal clear that 3G service is not going to be as cheap as State run telecom operators BSNL/MTNL offing in India.

While most people cross their fingers for a cheaper 3G services by private operators, more specifically cheaper wireless data services, experts and service providers or 3G operators saying something different as 3G licences came at a huge cost and operators will not offer 3G services at cheap rate.

In a media statement, Mr. Sanjay Kapoor, CEO – India and South Asia, Bharti Airtel, quoted “There is no possibility of any tariff war in 3G Mobile and Data services as all the operators have shelled out high prices for bagging 3G spectrum. It was unlikely that there would be a tariff war in 3G space under rational circumstances; Irrationality can never be explained.”

Airtel has successfully bid for 3G spectrum in 13 telecom circles across India and is rolling out state-of-the-art networks in these geographies. These 13 telecom circles also includes key metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad, which account for 21% of all data traffic in the country and are expected to have the strongest uptake of 3G services.

Apart from the Tata Docomo and Airtel, other private operators like Vodafone, Idea, Reliance, Aircel and S Tel also lined up to launch the 3G services by the end of 2010 or Q1 of 2011.

So still the “HOPE” is there !! Lets wait for few more days to see who matches the state run BSNL/MTNL’s 3G Tariff or provide the “affordable 3G” to the mobile service users in India.

But what you say readers we are eager to hear all are welcome to post their comments/views below – THANKS!!!

If MNP ( Mobile Number Portability) Arrives Which Operator Will You Board?

From 2G Life to 3G Life and soon to Mobile Number Portability.

Indian telecom market is experiencing a new revolutionary wave as telecom operators are gearing up for the launch of 3G Services and with count down for MNP begins its evident that Market share will be re shuffled.

By now many of them might have made their minds to switch to your favorite mobile operator.

So what will be your preferred new operator when Mobile Number Portability (MNP) arrives, why you will switch network and also most importantly don’t forget to mention the telecom circle you belong to while commenting.

Hoping that Mobile operators too will read your feed back and will definitely do a bit to retain you as their customer by considering your feedback!, the least we can expect!

TRAI Releases Consultation Paper On Blocking Of IMEI Of Lost/Stolen Mobile

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has released a consultation paper on Issues relating to blocking of IMEI for lost-stolen mobile handsets.

The mobile phone theft is a serious concern to the consumers, specially because of valuable personal data is stored in it .Presently,there is no mechanism in place to block a mobile phone in case if it is lost.

In 2004, TRAI had initiated a preliminary consultation process on the issue. However, at that time, a number of service providers were not having the capability to track/block the handset in their network.Therefore, the matter was not proceeded further.

In order to revisit this issue the TRAI has issued this consultation paper, which brings out various issues relating to blocking of mobile handset.

Tata Photon Plus Now Comes With MP3 & FM

Tata Teleservices Limited today announced the launch of Tata Photon Plus MP3 Device which offers a host of music features like MP3, Radio and recording along with Internet Surfing.

The new device combines the benefit of wireless internet connectivity and music. Customers will also get a free 2GB micro-SD card for data storage.

Using the new device one will get uninterrupted internet connectivity, secondly the new device can also be used as MP3 or users can access FM radio while it is unplugged.

The device is available for both post-paid and pre-paid customers and is priced at Rs. 3199.The device packaging will also have a complimentary Hungama music voucher that will give the customers an access to unlimited music download for a month from the date of activation.

Nokia India Offer Ovi Music Shorties – The Latest 500 Songs In 90 seconds

An absolute treat for music lovers, Ovi Music Store, Nokia’s popular music service has introduced the “Ovi Music Shorties” offer in exclusive association with VAS and content provider Hungama. Ideal for music lovers and enthusiasts on the move, the exclusive offer gives music lovers an opportunity to download 500 popular songs in 90 seconds format from the Ovi Music Store.

With the new shorter format, Nokia’s Ovi Music Shorties will help consumers enjoy a greater variety of music through the quicker and easier downloads.

The offer will be available for download starting this week and will feature popular songs like All izz well – 3 Idiots, Aapka Kya Hoga Janab E Ali (Dhanno) – Housefull, Jai Ho – Slumdog Millionaire, Mere Haath Mein – Fanna, Pee Loon Hoto Ki Sargam – Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, Soni De Nakhre – Partner, Munni Badnaam Hui Darling – Dabaang. The offer will be available on all genres of music only to the Ovi Music users in India.

The exclusive Ovi Music Shorties offer is yet another example of Nokia’s constant innovation to anticipate and cater to changing consumer trends and preferences.

Tata DOCOMO, the GSM arm of Tata Teleservices Limited today announced that the Video Call and Data charges for its 3G mobile services (3G Life) in 9 telecom circles across India. The Tata Docomo 3G Video Call will cost 0.66 paisa per second.

The 3G Data plan for prepaid users starts from Rs. 350 valid for 30 Days while post-paid 3G Life Plan starts from Rs. 500. All the 3G Life services plan comes with bundled tariff that include data, Voice and Video calls.

For example with the monthly 3G Life Pack of Rs. 2000 the subscriber would get 5000 minutes for Voice / Video calls, along with High Speed Data usage of up to 2GB per month.

All purchases and recharges of Tata Docomo 3G services done before 31 December 2010 will get an additional 100 MB of free data per month for the first two months, as an invitation offer.

TTSL also announced High Speed Unlimited 3G Data Card Plan for Rs. 2,000 wherein subscriber would get 15 GB of data usage at a speed of 21.1 Mbps and beyond 15 GB would be free 3G with lower speed of 128 kbps.

Tata Docomo 3G services available in all the nine Circles where it has the 3G license—Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, UP (West), Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra-Goa.

Small Screen 3G Life Tariff Plans: Anytime Anywhere Call and Data Usage Plans Tata DOCOMO’s Small Screen Plan works best for mobile phone users who need both 3G voice and high-speed data connectivity. The plan offers customers a combination of voice minutesand data usage, with simplicity & transparency in both PostPay and PrePay.

Price	Free Local/ STD Call Benefits (Per Month)	Free Data Usage
Rs. 500	750 min	250 MB
Rs. 750	1250 min	500 MB
Rs. 1000	2000 min	1 GB
Rs. 2000	5000 min	2 GB
These minutes can be used for ALL local, STD and outgoing roaming calls—all calls are on a per-second pulse The options are designed at various price points to cater to different consumption levels The above voice call minutes and 3G Data plans have a validity of 30 days Plans available in both PostPay and PrePay, so customers can choose their payment preference In addition, there is also a plan available only on Prepay for Rs. 350. This has 500 minutes (Local+STD) and 150 MB of 3G Data

Small Screen Plans—3G Data Top-ups : Tata DOCOMO is also offering basic data packs for customers who want to try out 3G, and for those who want to top up on their above plans, or wish not to take the bundled plans as described above. The Data Top Up of Rs. 200 comes with 200 MB while Rs. 500 will provide 650 MB free usage.These Top-ups have a validity of 30 days each.The Top-ups are available in both PostPay and PrePay, so customers can choose their payment preference. In addition, there is also a Top-up available only on Prepay for Rs. 90. This has 100 MB of 3G Data with a validity of 7 days and is offered as a trial pack

Worry-Free Unlimited Plans :

The consumption of data on high-end devices such as Tablets is high, while voice usage is negligible. Keeping this in mind, some customers are concerned about exceeding data limits and incurring high spends. It is keeping this factor in mind that the Company is offering Worry-Free Unlimited Plans—for those customers who want to enjoy 3G connectivity at blazing-fast speeds without worrying about high bills.

Speed	Postpaid Rental	Prepaid RCV	Free Data	Post Free Usage at Lower Speed	Validity
3.6 Mbps	Rs. 1000	Rs. 1000	5 GB	FREE at 128 kbps speed	30 days
3.6 Mbps	Rs. 1250	Rs. 1250	10 GB	FREE at 128 kbps speed	30 days
7.2 Mbps	Rs. 1275	Rs. 1275	5 GB	FREE at 128 kbps speed	30 days
7.2 Mbps	Rs. 1500	Rs. 1500	10 GB	FREE at 128 kbps speed	30 days
21.1 Mbps	Rs. 2000	NA	15 GB	FREE at 128 kbps speed	30 days
Note: All above plans will be available with effect from 10 November 2010

Basic 3 G Plans :

Speed	Postpaid (Rental)	Prepaid (RCV)	Free Data	Validity
3.6 Mbps	Rs. 500	Rs. 500	650 MB	30 Days
3.6 Mbps	Rs. 750	Rs. 750	2 GB	30 days

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