1G Solution for a 3G World (Premium) - View Free Sample
With the introduction of expensive 3G in 2011 and 4G in 2012 in India, here is an effective application which will help one to stay connected at reasonably less cost. 2011 started with a lot of anticipation around the onset of 3G and recent introduction of 4G--how they would change the mobile landscape. There was a heightened sense of anxiety, and common perception was that the game-changing technology would forever alter the way users used their phones. After all, 3G itself was arriving after a very long wait and tremendous investments into spectrum. Although talking of 4G is too early now, but as far as 3G is concerned, in hindsight, it turned out to be a bit of an anti-climax. What did not happen overnight is the explosive proliferation of the mobile internet. I was fortunate to witness this whole cycle play out in both Egypt and Indonesia, not so long ago, in exactly the same fashion. Of course, 3G means better data speed for existing data users but that literally touches only one in 10 mobile users in India today. The IAMAI report pegs mobile data users at 46 mn, while mobile users are over 600 mn.

Why Smartphones will make a difference in Advertising (Premium) - View Free Sample
A recent study conducted by Google and IPSOS indicates that India will soon be a 'mobile first' nation for communication. The challenge of advertising on mobile platforms is the most over-rated concern in the digital advertising domain in India. While presence of brands on digital media has only been increasing every year, along with spends, mobile advertising garners a rather negligible share in the total advertising pie. As per recent industry estimates, mobile advertising constitutes not more than 1% share of the total ad spends in the Rs 266 crores advertising industry. An obvious reason for this is slow adoption of smartphone and mobile internet in India. As per data released in the third quarter of 2011, the smartphone market in India was not growing over a 6% rate. However, a recent study conducted by Google in association with IPSOS continues to rely heavily on the potential of mobile media, which is arguably the only omnipotent multi-media device in India.

TRAI Tariff Order aligns but at what cost (Premium) - View Free Sample
In the run-up to the first cable TV digitization deadline of June 30, 2012 for metros, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) latest order specifying tariffs and setting other norms for smooth implementation of the process has stirred up a hornet's nest. While the TRAI order is certainly a good move to streamline matters in the direction of digitization, most industry stakeholders have been busy trying to dissect each clause to see how it impacts their business. Even as the broadcast industry is shocked by the diktat of a uniform, legalized carriage fee structure, Multi System Operators (MSOs) find they have a lot of responsibility on their hands. The consumer, meanwhile, is empowered to pick and pay for channels of his choice.

Will TRAI heavyhandedness derail Indian Telecom (Premium) - View Free Sample
Everything was going well for Indian telecom, but then came 2012. First, the Supreme Court judgement on cancellation of 122 2G licenses slapped the smiles off the operators' faces. And then came Trai's 'Recommendations on Auction of Spectrum'. It will not just further decelerate the industry, but all the hard work done by the policy makers, regulators, and operators in the last 18 years will also go for a toss! The telecom industry is still seeking answers, but hardly any are coming forth. There is a big silence on the whole spectrum auction salvo launched by Trai. It is time for the policy makers and the government machinery to wake up and take corrective measures, and quickly, before it snowballs into a major disaster for the government. Correct measures taken now will go a long way in helping the industry recover and move forward, and regain its lost glory. It will also help build back the government's image, reeling under a "policy paralysis", with the world watching us so closely.