The incumbents had a cosy oligopoly. Their talk plans were similar with no real service differentiator. The new players have changed the equation with “per second plans”. The best part is, according to media reports, is that the monopoly of the COAI (the rag tag motley group of lame assholes) has been called into question.

Calling the COAI as “assholes” is only a reflection of the personal opinion brought about by frustration because of their intense lobbying to delay any customer friendly initiative. After the broadband thingy is sorted out, I would be pressing TRAI for any information to make the telecom companies more responsive. Plus, to find out as to why they permitted the minute plans as existed before and ask them for any compensation if not in monetary terms but force the companies for any excess talk time etc etc.

This maybe a loud thinking but then we should get our money’s worth. It took a lot of time to get Vodafone to work and improve upon their services.

Wait and watch. I feel that the best is about to begin as yet. Let’s wait for the mobile number portability and the magic. The ‘revolution’ my dear friends has come NOW.

Tags: Airtel, Assholes, Broadband, COAI, Incumbents, India, Media, Mobile, Mobile Number Portability, Telecommunications India, TRAI, Vodafone, Vodafone India

Department of Telecom (may your tribe decrease!) has recently awarded the spectrum to new players. They did that with aplomb and a lot of hoopla. Mishra ji, of TRAI fame, was needlessly fingered, perhaps by COAI (after being induced by post retirement lollies) that the whole process of awarding spectrum was unfair. So far, there has been no clearity about the methodology to award the spectrum to new players. However, entry of new players is surely going to worry the existing players.

In any case, it would make perfect business sense to cartelise because any fall in the prices would affect all the players together. The new players lack the required experience in rolling out services barring a few established players. Who would pay for the cost of advertisements, getting clearances from local authorites, setting up towers, ordering telecom equipment and the works. I believe that it would be introduction with bundled handsets and in order to survive in the metros, the new companies would play their “better network” card. The value added services are a passe’. Anyone with enough balls and brains would pimp for wireless internet and invest wisely in walled portals; imagine the convenience to shop from your handset and pay via SMS. It would require a generational shift in the way we live and work; nevertheless demand can be created and sustained.

Another wave of cheaper handsets would hit Indian shores. The much hyped Google’s initiative called as Android would pave way for better internet experience and with falling prices of smart phones, it would be an excellent platform for new handsets and better net applications.

I was surprised to see Reliance advertising for mobile blog applications. This is surely a brave thing to do; though their portal sucks. They can’t even get their web pages coded properly to conform to the standards. However, with steep prices per SMS, I wonder how many suckers would like to air their thoughts. I am sure that it would loose it’s steam soon. Or unless, Mr Money bags really wants to burn up huge pile of cash anyway advertising.

One burning question. Would the entry of new players really lower the prices? TRAI has mandated the phasing out the Access Deficit Charge payable to BSNL. In effect, that would make the calls cheaper if the existing players decide to pass on the benefits to the subscribers. I have my doubts about that because BSNL would go down fighting as the access deficit charge reflects in it’s annual profits; some MBAs (see I told you, I dont like them) conceal it as “earnings”. The new players would want to recoup their expenses and play the volume game. I doubt, really really doubt that the claimed 25paise for the local call would ever materialise. It’s like pulling out the rabbits from the hat and then claiming it’s magic.

Lets wait and watch.

Tags: Access Deficit Charge, Advertisement, Advertising, android, author, BSNL, COAI, Department of Telecom, Google, handsets, I hate MBA's, India, Internet, Mobile, Reliance, SMS, Spectrum, Telecommunications India, TRAI, Value Added Services, walled garden, Wireless

Delhi High Court has said no to stay the spectrum allocation. It’s a resounding defeat for the COAI (the motley group of morons) and decided to press ahead with Reliance’s claims of having the right for dual licence. Further details on rediff story here. I am quite sure that an out of court settlement would be reached anytime soon. It would not be profitable for either party to indulge in costly legal battles and manage the nosy media either way.

In another significant draft notification from TRAI they have allowed for up to 74% if FDI in mobile TV. The details are sketchy but then let’s not bother. These fossilised morons are up to no good anyway. Still, the fact remains that mobile TV would be a reality and I am sure that a lot among you would be keenly watching midnight hour on fashion tv.

Tags: COAI, India, Media, Mobile, Rediff, Reliance, Spectrum, Telecommunications India, Telecommunications India, TRAI