They clank like skeletons and make an awful noise. Everything gets played out in the media which they currently aim to control and fight for.

India media group, a motley rag tag group of self serving media houses have realised that forays by telecom companies in their turf would seriously undermine their advertising revenues. Presently, the whole industry works on very opaque structures. No one knows the amount of money coming in, the methodology of the television rating points (TRP’s) and the fancy valuations of the media houses. Their commercial interest lies in the manipulating the “pubic opinion” even though informed debates is questionable entity.

On the other hand, telcos are fighting against the cap of 74% cap on the FDI which they enjoy and the media houses don’t. Currently, rules don’t allow more than 49% foreign ownership in the media; albeit much of the money that comes in is really questionable. For example, no one knows that how an unknown entity like Subash Chandra came from the middle of nowhere and latched on Indian cable TV boom to be the most visible face of Indian television. No one has done a “sting” on their sources of money.

As I mentioned earlier, both the media houses and the telecom companies are fighting for the advertising share. And local advertising is booming. Who would have imagined that there is a company making Dollar underwear had they not advertised in the media? Thanks to the reach of ‘Aaj Tak’ (which incidentally has the highest number of spots for dollar /amul underwear and tmt saria ads). Telecom companies would excite the media managers who would be in a position to latch on targetted advertising tailored to your preference.

Mr Ramachandran, you are not as innocent as you sound yourself out in the media. He asserts that the rules of engagement donot apply to the telecom companies as a whole because they are mere “carriers”.

Law is truly an ass. It works wonders for those who know how to twist it around and contort it for their own benefit. Lets see how this slugfest plays out in the coming months.

If I am not mistaken, TDSAT entertains applications from group of consumers if your interest is being compromised. I am seriously thinking of questioning the broadband policy and have TDSAT question TRAI about it’s ineffectual enforcement.

However, I would need time, a lawyer to interpret the rulings and someone with an understanding of TRAI act. I believe that there is some provision to make it work.

Remember, that this is in public interest and more the people, the better it is for us to get broadband that we deserve. I am sick of their promises and it’s time we exercise our right. I dont expect the media to help us because they are easily bought and sold.However, if someone from that industry is willing to help us, I would be more than happy.

Presently, I am based in Delhi. Would it be possible to get together and chalk out a plan? It would make sense to set up a wiki or collaborate. I know, after the initial enthusiasm, the interest might vain off. However, I am not keen to rest till this matter is sorted out in it’s entirety. I remember the time when the interested consumers got together to act as a pressure group and forced BSNL to introduce unlimited plans. We would now want to have all caps removed, definition of broadband to be minimum 2 Mbps, all restrictive slabs to be removed and charges for broadband access strictly on the basis of value added services.

These dodos have enough bandwidth to supply but they are creating artificial scarcity. This is totally against the free market economics and anti consumer. TRAI as a watchdog has clearly failed in it’s duty.

There is an NGO called as Telecom Watchdog. I don’t know about their origins. I believe that they would be willing to help the consumers and it would be worthwhile to argue the case in the court about the artificial caps for broadband access.

Let me know if this is possible. Empty your thoughts in the comments section.

Thanks in advance.

Wow. It’s called as kicking in between the telecom companies crotch. It would hurt them for sure.

TRAI has called for universal implementation of IPTV by the cable service providers. This means that cable companies would provide a direct competition to the telecom companies as far as voice services are concerned. If they are carrying the net to the customer premises, there is no way anyone could stop ultracheap VoIP calls and ineffect telephony service in the guise of IPTV. Plus, they could easily hire oodles of bandwidth from guys like Power Grid Corporation or the Railways and carry them to the end customer premises.

This means that telcos should shit in their pants because all there massive investments would not attract customers at all. I have argued that customers are actually loath to change their landlines and this provides a great oppurtunity to lock in brand new customers with all the lollies. Wireless is good in theory but then wireline can provide a better bandwidth.

Yet, the dickheads are sleeping soundly without realising the potential for the market with their ostrich like attitude. This is specially true for start up companies like Airtel who are clear laggards in the broadband space. BSNL is silently coursing ahead with about a million subscribers. If they play their cards sensibly, I am sure they have a winner at their hands. Unless of course, babus sitting there sell their soul to the devil.

It is this proactive attitude of TRAI that has found much appreciation here. Something surely has happened to TRAI and I have no clue as to how it has found it’s teeth. I am waiting for their salvos on broadband and many companies get going by selling their narrowband as speeds “upto 256 kbbps”. Of course, this is illegal and TRAI needs a kick in the bollocks to wake itself up. Earlier on they mandated a Do Not Disturb list to be maintained which clearly means that our numbers and private details were being sold to the tele marketeers. Not surprisingly, media has chosen not to anger it’s major advertiser and instead chose to keep mum about the whole issue.

Airtel is clearly a laggard and so is Reliance. Whither the oppurtunity of 100 mbps plans? Agreed, it was all hogwash by elder Ambani but the younger sibling is burning his cash on trying to size up the media. Telecom needs his attention and he ought to cough up cash in the wireline space to make himself relevant. Having a website dedicated in your own name is just to score a point over those who don’t have.

Is TRAI reading this blog? Then wake up and do something!