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• DoT Portal To Help Users Find Mobile Numbers Under Their Name
• TRAI Should Include Low-Bitrate Satellite Services in LF: SIA India
• WhatsApp Will Soon Allow Users to Control Playback Speed of Voice Messages
• Samsung’s Most Affordable 5G Phone Might Sport Dimensity 700 SoC
• GTPL Hathway Adds 230,000 Broadband Users, Users Consume 212GB Data Per Month
• BSNL Introduces International Roaming STVs Starting at Rs 895
• DoT Will Ask SpaceX To Apply For Necessary Permits
• Oppo A53s 5G Will Launch in India on April 27, All to Know
• Xiaomi Mi 11X and Mi 11X Pro Launched in India
• Mi 11 Ultra 5G and Mi QLED TV 75-inch Announced For India
• BSNL Could Offer Something Like One Airtel Plans, Would You Subscribe?
• 5G Obsession Is Ruining Smartphone Market of India
• Telefonica Uses Spectrum in 3.5 GHz Band for Offering 5G Services
• A1 Telekom Austria Accelerates 5G Rollout in CEE
• Excell Broadband Offers 2 Months Free Service on Long-Term Plans

DoT Portal To Help Users Find Mobile Numbers Under Their Name Posted: 23 Apr 2021 10:23 AM PDT Users can now find out how many mobile numbers are active under their name via a portal launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The address of the portal is – tafcop.dgtelecom.gov.in. This will make it very convenient for the users to find out if someone else is using a phone number under their name. Why Is This Portal Necessary? The main use case of this portal will be to allow users to check if someone else is using a mobile number under their name without their knowledge. This comes after several reports of incidents related to the unauthorized use of one's details by scammers and fraudsters for using SIM cards increased. The scammers would use the SIM card for illegal purposes, and the blame would go on the person whose name is registered on the database. According to the AP region’s Deputy Director-General of DoT, A. Robert Ravi, the site will help people identify the number of mobile connections that are issued under their name. People can then request the numbers to be blocked under their name but not used by them. He also mentioned that the number of mobile connections which can be issued to a single individual is restricted to nine, but more than nine connections are under operation in the name of certain users, with the portal being capable of streamlining the process of identification and eradication of such cases. As per an ET telecom report, the service will soon be extended to other circles in a phased manner, with users capable of checking this using an active number and OTP on the portal. Once a user does so, the department will alert the consumer via SMS informing them of the number of mobile numbers working under their name. The consumers can then visit the portal and report the numbers not under their name or unrequired so as to not have additional numbers under their name. After the action is taken by said user, the telecom service providers will either deactivate or block these numbers. Consumers will also be provided ticket IDs via which they will be able to track the progress of their complaint.

TRAI Should Include Low-Bitrate Satellite Services in LF: SIA India Posted: 23 Apr 2021 09:00 AM PDT SIA-India on Friday said that the existing licensing framework of India should include low bitrate satellite services with a relaxation of terminal-by-terminal fees when it comes to IoT (Internet of Things) so as to ensure success in India, as per a report by ETTelecom. What Are The Implications Of The Inclusion? In a statement released by Director-General of SIA-India, Anil Prakash, it is mentioned that individual terminal-by-terminal fees should be avoided whilst dealing with numerous ubiquitous user terminals that have similar technical and operational characteristics (with a blanket license approach being more suitable) This statement was in respect to TRAI's (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) consultation paper based on a "licensing framework” for connectivity based on satellite for low-bitrate applications. To add to this, the SatCom industry body also submitted that bands such as C-band, Ka-band, S-band and Ku-band should be utilised to provide satellite-based IoT connectivity to users. Furthermore, SIA-India also emphasised the permission that GEO (Geosynchronous equatorial orbit), MEO (medium earth orbit) and LEO (low-earth orbit) should be provided so as to get satellite-based low-bitrate connectivity. A statement reads that a hybrid model consisting of a low-power-wide-area network or LPWAN as well as satellite and Direct to satellite connectivity based models should be given permission to provide satellite connectivity for IoT devices as well as low-bitrate applications. SIA-India also added that the scope of the regulatory framework needs to extend so as to include broadband IoT applications due to the reason that each orbit consists of its own disadvantages and advantages. In relation to this, a statement released said that this policy should take into cognisance of competitive options that are meant for satellite IoT. Furthermore, with the advent of high throughput satellite systems within LEO, MEO and GEO satellite-based IoT applications might need higher bit rates coupled with lower latency. As of now, satellite-based broadband is given the status of being a new frontier that will bring developments within areas of soil, rural and urban development, agriculture, automation and education, among others. This, as per SIA-India, is achievable via the authorisation of commercial VSAT CUG services, which provisions data using VSAT terminals to CUG terminals.

WhatsApp Will Soon Allow Users to Control Playback Speed of Voice Messages Posted: 23 Apr 2021 08:30 AM PDT Popular networking application WhatsApp on Friday started rolling out a new update to its users who are a part of the beta version on Android. This update brings with it a key feature meant for the accessibility of users. The update consists of the ability to control the playback speeds for voice messages that are sent to users on WhatsApp. The update is available on the latest WhatsApp beta version (Version 2.21.9.4) for Android. However, the prior version, 2.21.9.3, also supports this new feature. Any user who is part of the beta update scheme from the Facebook-owned application will be able to make use of this feature. In case you wish to download the same, you can register for the beta testing ability via Google Playstore. iOS users, too, can avail download the beta version of the app via the App Store as well. WhatsApp Added Three Variable Speeds For Audio Playback Image credit – WABetainfo The feature was first spotted by WABetaInfo a month ago, as per a report by the organisation. WhatsApp has now added three variable speeds for the audio playback, that too with a new and updated UI. The beta users who have received this update will be able to test it via the playback symbol that comes with the voice message received. The three playback speeds on offer are 1x, 2x and 1.5x. Initially, the voice message will play at 1x like usual, but, when the user will tap on the icon that is designated for speed, it will begin changing. This will be based on taps, with one tap at 1x, the second tap increasing the speed to 1.5x and the third and final tap for 2x speeds. Do note, WhatsApp has not provided an option for slower audio message playbacks, so, for those of you waiting for a slower option, it seems you will have to wait a bit longer. For those unaware, iOS users cannot get this feature as of now since the beta phase with this specific update is limited to Android as of now, with no word on availability for iOS. A public beta is expected to be released soon.

Samsung’s Most Affordable 5G Phone Might Sport Dimensity 700 SoC Posted: 23 Apr 2021 07:59 AM PDT Samsung Galaxy A22 5G is expected to be the most affordable 5G smartphone by the South Korean tech giant. The device might launch very soon. A new Samsung device has recently been spotted on the Geekbench benchmarking website by SamMobile. The benchmarking platform reveals some of the specifications of the device which suggests that it might be the upcoming Galaxy A22 5G. Rumours online were that Samsung might offer the Galaxy A22 in both 4G and 5G variants. So it remains to be seen if the company will bring only 4G or 5G or both the variants to India. Let's take a look at the specifications revealed of the Galaxy A22 5G through the Geekbench listing. Samsung Galaxy A22 5G Specifications (Expected) The Samsung device that's been spotted at the Geekbench carries a model number SM-A226B and it is expected to be the Galaxy A22 5G. The listing reveals that it will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC and will run on Android 11 out of the box. Further the device is listed with 6GB of RAM. The listing reveals that the device scored 562 in single-core and 1,755 in multi-core tests. Earlier leaks of the device by @onleaks suggest that the Galaxy A22 5G is expected to sport a triple-camera setup at the rear and come with a 3.5mm audio jack. The device is expected to come with a 6.5-inch display. Further, the device has been tipped to sport a 48MP primary sensor paired with an 8MP secondary sensor and a 2MP additional sensor. Other rumours about the device suggest that it will be offered in two RAM configurations and in four different colours – Purple, Light Green, White, and Grey. Further, the device was also allegedly spotted on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) which means that it should come to India as well. Another leak by purported case suggests that the device will come with a quad-camera setup instead of the triple-camera setup. It will be worth the wait to see what exactly is Samsung cooking with the Galaxy A22 5G. There are plenty of other cheap 5G smartphones on offer in India such as the Realme 8 5G, Oppo A74 5G, OnePlus Nord, and more.

GTPL Hathway Adds 230,000 Broadband Users, Users Consume 212GB Data Per Month Posted: 23 Apr 2021 06:01 AM PDT ICICI Direct on Wednesday said that the "strong operating performance" registered by GTPL Hathway in the fourth quarter of 2021 financial year has been a "result of remarkable growth in the broadband segment." According to the report released by ICICI Direct, one of the largest retail broker and financial product distributors in India, GTPL Hathway's broadband segment registered "stupendous growth" while its cable TV business remained "stable." GTPL Hathway on April 16, 2021, announced the financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, with the company recording an 77% year-over-year (YoY) increase in its consolidated broadband revenue. The company said that the revenues from its broadband segment touched Rs 81.7 crore in its fourth quarter of the previous financial year. In the third quarter of the 2021 financial year, GTPL Hathway recorded Rs 77.8 crores from its broadband segment. GTPL Hathway Adds 230,000 Broadband Users in FY21 GTPL Hathway said that it added 230,000 net broadband users in the 2021 financial year with 45,000 net additions recorded in its fourth quarter. The company said that the data consumption per user touched 212GB per month as on March 2021 as compared to 162GB per month in March 2020, translating to an 31% YoY increase. GTPL Hathway said that the average revenue per user (ARPU) in the broadband segment touched Rs 445 for the 2021 financial year translating to an 5% YoY increase. Further, GTPL Hathway said that the consolidated subscription revenues from its cable TV segment touched Rs 266.5 crore in its fourth quarter of the 2021 financial year. In the third quarter of the previous financial year, GTPL Hathway recorded Rs 271.8 crores from its cable TV segment. "The highlight of FY21 was the growth in subscription revenues for both CATV and Broadband business, strong profitability, net-debt free status, geographical expansion, healthy balance sheet and improved return ratios," Anirudhsinh Jadeja, managing director of GTPL Hathway, said in a release. In its report, ICICI Direct highlighted that GTPL Hathway added 500,000 residential cable TV users in the 2021 financial year while losing "nearly same number" of commercial users "due to the pandemic." "The company maintained [a] target of 50% growth in cable TV subscribers over the next three years on the back of expansion in newer markets and also through inorganic route," ICICI Direct said in its report. "GTPL's hybrid STBs are expected to be launched in Q1FY22E." Turning Wireline Broadband Into Growth Driver In its investor presentation, GTPL Hathway said that it sees "growth opportunities" in the wireline broadband segment. The company said that the wireline broadband has a 6% penetration in India as compared to 80% in Japan, 70% in Eurozone and 55% in China. In late March, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) in its Telecom Subscription Data highlighted that the country has 22.67 million wireline broadband users as on January 31, 2021. In comparison, there were 734.94 million wireless broadband users in the same period. GTPL Hathway citing Trai Performance Indicators Report highlighted that India witnessed an 10% increase in the wireline broadband user base between the second quarter of the 2021 financial year and the fourth quarter of 2020 financial year. The company said that its wireline broadband user base increased 32% in the same period. The Trai Performance Indicators Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, highlighted that GTPL Hathway is the ninth largest internet service provider in India. The Trai report released in late January 2021, highlights that Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea are the top three internet service providers in India. The state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Atria Convergence Technologies, Hathway Cable and Datacom, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited and You Broadband were ahead of GTPL Hathway. Further, GTPL Hathway in its investor presentation said that it sees "growth opportunities" in the hybrid model that would enable the company to offer cable TV services as a "bundle." The hybrid bundle would include broadband and Over-the-Top (OTT) services with the company inking deals with "different service providers." GTPL Hathway also said that it would expand its footprint in its current markets and "venture into new markets through acquisitions and consolidations." The company is said to have a presence in over 800 towns across 15 states in India with a "significant presence" in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and the Northeast.

BSNL Introduces International Roaming STVs Starting at Rs 895 Posted: 23 Apr 2021 04:56 AM PDT Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has introduced new international roaming special tariff vouchers (STVs) starting at Rs 895. The state-run telecom operator announced the same via its Chennai Twitter handle. There are three new STVs, and all of them are for users travelling to Bhutan. All three vouchers are in effect starting today, i.e., March 23, 2021, meaning Indians travelling to Bhutan can recharge with these plans. Let's take a look at the three new international roaming STVs that BSNL has launched for users travelling to Bhutan. BSNL New International Roaming STVs BSNL is offering three new international roaming STVs for travellers going to Bhutan. The first voucher starts at Rs 895 (inclusive of GST). This voucher comes with a validity of 1 day and offers 200MB of data, after which each MB of data consumed will be charged Rs 1.8. Further, users get 40 minutes of free calling for making calls to people in India and local outgoing and incoming. Users also get 30 free SMS. Then the second voucher comes for Rs 2,895. This voucher is valid for 7 days and offers users 500MB free data, after which each MB of data consumed will cost Rs 1.8. Users are provided with 175 minutes of free voice calling, which includes calling to India or local outgoing or incoming. There are 50 free SMSes included in the voucher. Lastly, the third voucher costs Rs 4,865. This voucher comes with a validity of 28 days and offers 1GB of free data along after which each MB of data will cost Rs 1.8. Users get 100 free SMS and 260 minutes of free voice calling for calling to India and local outgoing or incoming. Once the free minutes are expired, users will have to pay Rs 10.4 per minute for any call back to India. The cost is the same for making outgoing local calls. However, for outgoing international calls, users will be charged Rs 54.6 per minute. For incoming calls, users will be charged Rs 4.1 per minute and Rs 2 per outgoing SMS. BSNL has said that these vouchers are only valid for users roaming into the network of Bhutan.

DoT Will Ask SpaceX To Apply For Necessary Permits Posted: 23 Apr 2021 04:22 AM PDT The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will soon ask SpaceX to apply for necessary permits before it can offer satellite internet services in India. According to an ET Telecom report, the telecom department will soon approach SpaceX for sharing its plans for providing services in India. This will help DoT determine if SpaceX could provide services with just one or both the VSAT (very small aperture terminal) and Internet Service Provider (ISP) license under the Unified License (UL). SpaceX Must Comply With Laws of India The official related to the matter said that the telecom department has no problems with SpaceX providing services in India. However, the company will have to adhere to all the rules and policies set by the government and obtain the necessary licenses before it can start providing services in the country. The telecom department will ask SpaceX to share details about its India plans and then will ask it to apply for the necessary licenses that are required as per law. SpaceX will offer its satellite internet services through Starlink, which will compete in India with other satcom companies, including Bharti owned OneWeb and Amazon's Project Kuiper. The DoT will also talk with the Department of Space (DoS) about whether SpaceX will need to secure landing rights for using signals of foreign satellites in India by applying to the National Space Program & Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). SpaceX was recently criticised by an industry body that represents OneWeb, Amazon, and Hughes. The industry body asked the government to stop SpaceX from selling its Starlink connection in India when it hasn't even received licenses and authorisation to provide services in the country. For the unaware, SpaceX has been offering Indians an option to pre-book a Starlink connection by paying $99 (approximately Rs 7,000). The company has assured the customers that their payment is completely refundable if they want to cancel their order. Thus, even if SpaceX isn't able to get the necessary licenses, the customers who paid for the pre-booking of the connection will be able to get their money back. Starlink's website says that it will start providing satellite internet services by the half of 2022. It will be interesting to see the developments on the same in the coming days.

Oppo A53s 5G Will Launch in India on April 27, All to Know Posted: 23 Apr 2021 03:54 AM PDT Oppo recently launched its cheapest 5G smartphone, Oppo A74 5G, in India. It launched for a price of Rs 17,990 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage variant. Now Oppo has confirmed the launch of another affordable 5G smartphone in India, namely Oppo A53s 5G. This time, Oppo is looking to price the device under Rs 15,000 to attract more customers its way. The Oppo A53s 5G is expected to be the rebranded Oppo A53 5G which launched in China in December 2020. Let's take a look at the expected specifications and price of the device. Oppo A53s 5G Specifications (Expected) The Oppo A53s 5G is expected to come with a fingerprint sensor mounted at the side of the device. The teaser poster released by the company suggests that it will don a triple-camera setup at the rear along with an LED flash in a rectangular module. It is expected to be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC, which would make it the second device in India after the Realme 8 5G to sport the chipset. It is worth noting that the Oppo A53 5G launched in China was powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 720 and had a different shape camera module at the rear. It might mean that the Indian variant of the Oppo A53 5G would come with some changes. Oppo said that the A53s would be big on memory and high on speed. Thus we expect that it might launch with 6GB RAM and 128/256GB internal storage variant. Further, the device might allow users to expand the storage with the help of an external microSD card. The teaser shows that Oppo A53s might come with a glossy finish at the rear and in a plain blue colour. There might be one or two other colour variants of the device as well. Oppo A53s Price (Expected) Oppo has teased that it will bring the Oppo A53s for less than Rs 15,000 in the Indian market. That will make the Oppo A53s one of the most affordable 5G smartphones in India. The launch of the device is slated for April 27, at 12 PM. The device will sell directly through Flipkart.

Xiaomi Mi 11X and Mi 11X Pro Launched in India Posted: 23 Apr 2021 02:21 AM PDT Xiaomi recently concluded its online event by launching multiple products, including the Mi 11 Ultra, Mi QLED TV 75-inch, Mi 11X, and Mi 11X Pro. The Mi 11X and Mi 11X Pro are targeted at the mid-range segment. The Mi 11X and Mi 11X Pro are the rebranded versions of the Redmi K40 and Redmi K40+. Both the devices have flagship chipsets that offer powerful performance, suiting the needs of gamers. There are plenty of similarities between the two. However, some small yet key differences bring a major difference at the end pricing of both the devices. Let's take a look at the specifications and price of the Xiaomi M11X and Mi 11X Pro. Xiaomi M11X and Mi 11X Pro Specifications The Xiaomi M11X and Mi 11X Pro both come with a 6.67-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels) E4 AMOLED display that supports 1300 nits maximum brightness, 120Hz refresh rate, 360Hz touch sampling rate, and a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The display of both the devices further comes with support for HDR10+ and SGS Eye Care Certification. The Xiaomi M11X is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC, while the Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 888 SoC. The Mi 11X offers up to 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage, while the Mi 11X Pro offers up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The Mi 11X comes with a triple-camera setup at the rear with a 48MP primary sensor, 8MP ultra-wide angle sensor, and a 5MP macro sensor. The Mi 11X Pro also has a triple camera setup at the rear, but it comes with a 108MP Samsung HM2 sensor paired with an 8MP ultra-wide angle sensor and a 5MP macro sensor. Both the devices are 5G supportive and pack a 4,520mAh battery with support for 33W wired-fast charging and 2.5W wired reverse charging. The frequency bands supported by both the devices are mentioned below. Mi 11X frequency bands — 5G: sub 6G: n77/n78; 4G: FDD-LTE: Band 1,3,5,7,8; 4G: TDD-LTE: Band 38, 40, 41; 3G: WCDMA Band 1,2,5,8; and 2G: GSM 850 900 1800 1900 MHz. Mi 11X Pro Frequency bands — 5G: sub 6G: n77/n78; 4G: LTE FDD: B1/3/5/7/8; 4G: LTE TDD: B38/40/41; 3G: WCDMA: B1/2/5/8; 2G: GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz. Xiaomi Mi 11X and Mi 11X Pro Price The Xiaomi Mi 11X has launched in two variants: 6GB+128GB for Rs 29,999 and 8GB+128GB for Rs 31,999. The Mi 11X Pro has launched launched in two variants – 8GB+128GB for Rs 39,990 and 8GB+256GB for Rs 41,999. Both the devices will be available in three colours – Cosmic Black, Celestial Silver, and Frosty White. The Mi 11X Pro's first sale will take place on April 24, at 12 PM, and Mi 11X's first sale will start from April 27 at 12 PM via the official website of Mi India and other retail channels of the company. At this price range, the Xiaomi M11X becomes a strong competitor for some Galaxy A series devices and OnePlus Nord, while the Mi 11X Pro will give stiff competition to the OnePlus 9 series and OnePlus 8T as well.

Mi 11 Ultra 5G and Mi QLED TV 75-inch Announced For India Posted: 23 Apr 2021 01:39 AM PDT Xiaomi has just announced the Mi 11 Ultra 5G and Mi QLED TV 75 in India. The Mi 11 Ultra comes as a high-end flagship smartphone that will be directly competing with the likes of the OnePlus 9 Pro, Vivo X60 Pro+, Samsung Galaxy S21+, and the iPhone 12. Further, the Mi QLED TV 75-inch launched in India will leverage the Quantum Dot technology for providing users with a high-quality viewing experience. In December last year, Xiaomi brought its first QLED TV in India, but it was a 55-inch model. The 75-inch QLED TV will cater to the needs of consumers who want a larger and better TV experience at their homes. Let's dive into the specifications and the prices of the new devices unveiled by Xiaomi. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra 5G Specifications The Mi 11 Ultra 5G is arguably the most powerful smartphone offered by Xiaomi in India to date. It comes with a '6.81-inch Quad-curved 120Hz WQHD (3200×1440 pixels) 2K' display. The device can support a maximum brightness of up to 1700 nits and a touch-sampling rate of up to 480Hz. It comes with an A+ rating from DisplayMate. The display further comes with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ and is protected by the covering of Gorilla Glass Victus. There is also a 1.1-inch AMOLED secondary touch display at the rear of the device with an always-on-display (AOD) function reflecting time, date, and notifications for the user. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC coupled with up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. It comes with the new GameTurbo 4.0 feature for delivering a superior gaming experience. The Mi 11 Ultra 5G comes with a quad-camera setup at the rear with a 50MP primary sensor, 48MP ultra-wide-angle sensor, and a 48MP telephone sensor with support for up to 120x digital zoom. There is a 20MP sensor at the front for clicking selfies. It is a 5G supportive device. The device can support these frequency bands – 5G: n1 / n3 / n5/ n7 /n8/ n20/ n28/ n38/ n40 /n41 /n77 / n78 / n79; 4G: FDD-LTE ?B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / B5 / B7 / B8 / B12 / B17 / B20 / B28/ B32 /B66; 4G: TDD-LTE?B38 / B40 / B41 / B42; 3G: WCDMA?B1 / B2 / B4 / B5 / B8; and 2G: GSM?850 / 900 / 1800 MHz. It is also IP68 rated, meaning it is water and dust resistant. The device packs a 5,000mAh battery with support for 67W wired and wireless fast-charging. It can further support 10W reverse wireless charging. The device weighs a massive 234 grams. Xiaomi Mi QLED TV 75-inch Specifications The Xiaomi Mi QLED TV 75-inch comes with a 97% screen-to-body ratio with aluminium alloy frames covering the TV. It has a new premium floating stand for adding a new dimension to the viewing experience of the user. The Mi QLED TV 75-inch sports a 4K QLED panel with support for 120Hz refresh rate in addition to Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG). It has premium 30W speakers with 6 drivers and supports Dolby Audio and DTS-HD for filling the complete room with stereo sound for adding to the premium experience of users. The soundbox of the TV is comprised of 2 full-range drivers, 2 tweeters, and 2 woofers. The Mi QLED TV 75-inch runs on the latest version of PatchWall UI based on Android TV 10. The Smart TV is powered by a flagship 64bit quad-core A55 processor coupled with Mali G52 MP2 graphics and 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. It can also support voice commands. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra 5G and Mi QLED TV 75-inch Price The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra 5G is priced at Rs 69,990 for its sole 12GB+256GB variant. The device will be available in Black and White colours. The first sale of the device will start soon, and the company is allowing users to choose the 'notify me' option on its website. The Xiaomi Mi QLED TV 75-inch is priced at Rs 1,19,999. It will be available on Flipkart and the official Mi India website from April 27, at 12 PM.

BSNL Could Offer Something Like One Airtel Plans, Would You Subscribe? Posted: 23 Apr 2021 12:35 AM PDT Every now and then, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) announces promotional offers for attracting new customers and retaining old ones. The state-run telco has been very creative with its offers lately. BSNL offers several kinds of services, including broadband and calling services. Under broadband, the telco offers both the old generation DSL connections and the new generation fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connections with the Bharat Fibre plans. Then, users can subscribe to its 3G mobile services, also 4G in select regions. Can BSNL club all these services into one plan and offer something like One Airtel plans to its users? Would it help the telco in the long run? More importantly, would you subscribe to such an offering from the telco? What Would Interest Users Under BSNL's Clubbed Services Offer If BSNL were to offer something like One Airtel, it could club its mobile connectivity services (3G/4G) with the Bharat Fibre plans. The users would also be eligible to get a free landline connection with their Bharat Fibre connection. But the pricing of BSNL's clubbed services plan must be far lesser than what Airtel offers. Airtel's entry-level One Airtel plan comes for Rs 899 and offers 2 mobile connections to the users with 75GB of data, unlimited voice calling, and an Xstream Box recharged with a channel pack worth Rs 350. Compared to this, BSNL could offer its entry-level clubbed services plan for Rs 699 with 2 mobile connections and a Bharat Fibre connection with its 'Fibre Basic' plan that costs Rs 449/month and offers up to 30 Mbps speed and 3,300GB data. The 2 mobile connections could come in with 100GB data, unlimited voice calling, and 100 SMS/day. Since BSNL doesn't have a Direct-to-Home (DTH) arm, it will have to compensate its highly-priced clubbed services plans with more data, more connections, and a higher speed fiber broadband plan. There is one more thing that BSNL can do. Since Airtel users get an automatic subscription to Airtel Thanks and its benefits, BSNL could also offer a free Disney+ Hotstar, Eros Now, and Zing subscription with its highly-priced clubbed services plans. One Airtel's most expensive plan comes for Rs 1,999. This plan offers 3 mobile connections, 75GB data, unlimited voice calling, an Xstream Box with a channel pack worth Rs 424 and a free fiber broadband connection with a 200 Mbps plan and unlimited data + landline connection. Against this, if BSNL were to offer a clubbed services plan for Rs 1,599 with 4 mobile connections, 150GB data, unlimited voice calling, 100 SMS/day, a fiber broadband connection with a 200 Mbps plan (with free Disney+ Hotstar Premium) and 3,300GB data + landline connection, which telco's plan would you go for? The only thing that would be against BSNL's plans is its nearly non-existent 4G services. The telco is working on introducing 4G services across India soon. However, with a fiber broadband connection and 4 mobile connections, the Rs 1,599 offering would not be a bad deal. Note that this is just a 'question', and we haven't received any hint from BSNL or any other relevant authorities that such plans will be coming. But it is worth wondering, what if BSNL offered such plans? Would it be good for the telco's revenues, and just how many people would jump to grab the offer?

5G Obsession Is Ruining Smartphone Market of India Posted: 22 Apr 2021 11:19 PM PDT 5G, a term so beautiful even Tim Cook went on stage and said it, along with other Apple employees who made the event that unveiled the company's first 5G based portfolio sound like an advertisement for the new network technology. While 5G is the next best thing, the tech market in India needs to stop obsessing on a feature that will not be arriving anytime soon, focusing its market reach and development on other key aspects of a device, be it hardware or software. Why, may you ask? Some products in the market are appearing with the prospect of providing 5G to consumers, but the path that the company takes in doing so might not be one users would wish to trod on. Why Is This Obsession Getting Out Of Hand? Some of you, prior to reading this article, might bring up the rational argument of "the brand knows what is right, they must know something to trod down this path", well, yes. However, consumers are buying 5G phones without being able to use them or showcase their capabilities, much like a Ferrari that a buyer may own but is not allowed to use unless on a specific race track, with the race track here being years down the road. Enough with the automotive connections for now; coming back to the point, devices that offer 5G as of now feature the N78 bands, alongside some other bands. These are technically capable of providing access to 5G, but if we look at when 5G might launch, with the pace of technological advancement, these products will be long outdated by the time a proper rollout is done in India. Alongside this, some companies are involved in the rat race of pricing, key among which are Realme and Redmi/Mi. They are usually trading blows to see who is the one to offer the cheapest 5G, with the promise of future security when it comes to usage. As of the day of writing this article, Realme now has three devices around the Rs 20k and below segment, with the cheapest of them being priced at Rs 15k. To get this technology to such a low rate, these companies often make major downgrades so as to keep costs low. In the case of the Realme 8 5G, the device offers a slightly downgraded display (in a way) to its 4G variant, a worse set of cameras with a lack of versatility, slower charging, and some other infractions, all for the promise of providing 5G, without any concrete evidence that a customer can test as of now. Furthermore, certain brands might even skimp on key aspects such as charging and battery size ( a phenomenon yet to take place), and with 5G in other countries, we see a massive decrease in overall battery life. Factor in the time it will take for a proper rollout; by then, turning on 5G would mean instant drain for your smartphone. When Can We Clearly See 5G Rollout in India? Whilst Airtel had tested 5G in the city of Hyderabad, it did mention that spectrum sales and auctions were yet to take place, and it is quite some time till we can clearly see 5G up and running in India. Even Jio, one of India's top telecom providers, mentioned that a rollout might be possible in the latter half of 2021, but due to the second wave of Covid, we might see a delay. Even if all goes according to plan, the company mentioned that it might take around 2 to 5 years for 5G to get a proper rollout in India, and by then, most of the devices being launched even today will be unusable if not properly outdated. What Can Brands Do? If we look at it from a brand's perspective, the 5G branding might lead to sales, but rather than focus on 5G and bands that might be outdated by the time we see a proper rollout; the companies could try to focus their resources on better enhancing 4G capabilities and working on other aspects of a smartphone. At the end of the day, however, it is the company that decides and whatever they will decide is the way the industry will move towards.

Telefonica Uses Spectrum in 3.5 GHz Band for Offering 5G Services Posted: 22 Apr 2021 09:30 PM PDT The renowned telecom operator of Spain, Telefonica, has expanded the coverage of its 5G network to over 80% of the population as of the end of the first quarter of 2021. As revealed in a release, the telecom giant marked that its 5G network currently reaches nearly 1,253 towns and cities across Spain. As reported by RCR Wireless, Telefonica has already installed more than 4,300 nodes that offer network coverage to more than 37 million subscribers. Telefonica also revealed that during the first quarter of 2021, the deployment has focused on finishing the coverage in the provinces deployed last year and connecting new cities with more than 20,000 population. Telefonica Launched 5G Service in September 2020 Tracing back to the initial development of the 5G footprint, Telefonica rolled out 5G services back in September 2020. With a wider perspective and dedicated workforce, Telefonica deployed 5G services in nearly 921 towns and cities, covering an area of 75% of the Spanish population by the end of 2020. To develop the 5G footprint, the telco uses the spectrum in the 3.5 GHz and 1.8-2.1 GHz bands. The Spanish government also expects to award the spectrum in the 700 MHz bands for the deployment of 5G in the first quarter of FY 2021. Telefonica Deploys 5G NSA and DSS Technology The telecom operator currently blends the deployment of 5G NSA and Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS). Not only this but, Telefonica also expects to use the 5G NSA network when the technology is fully available after the standardization. Tracing back to the previous initiatives, the telco has signed commercial deals with European vendors Ericsson and Nokia to supply the equipment and services for the 5G launch. Orange Expects to Expand 5G Network to Reach 90% of Population by 2022 As stated in a previous press report, rival operator Orange is already offering 5G services in 298 towns and cities in 38 provinces with a population coverage of 23%. The telecom operator also expects to expand the 5G footprint to reach 90% of the population by the end of 2022. Orange also uses a combination of 5G NSA and Dynamic Spectrum Sharing Technologies. The telco also used the equipment delivered by European telecom vendor Ericsson to launch 5G commercial services in Spain.

A1 Telekom Austria Accelerates 5G Rollout in CEE Posted: 22 Apr 2021 08:00 PM PDT The digital service and communications solutions provider A1 Telekom Austria Group is planning to accelerate its 5G rollout plans in Central and Eastern Europe. The company has already made impactful investments for the 5G footprint across various territories. As reported by Developing Telecoms, A1 Telekom Austria Group has acquired the spectrum in Slovenia for 42.4 million Euros. Not only this, but the entity has been rewarded with a 5G license in Bulgaria in the 3.6 GHz spectrum for 2.4 million Euros. A1 Telekom Austria Group has been acquiring spectrum across various nations to accelerate the pace of 5G development and provide high-speed internet access to users. A1 Telekom Austria Strives to Utilise Potential of Digital Technologies Alejandro Plater, who is the COO of A1 Telekom Austria, explained the strategic moves at CEE and stated that the entity is working with the core strategy to utilise the potential of digital technologies for sustainable positive future opportunities. The vast importance of system-critical digital infrastructure such as the A1 Telekom Austria Group for social and economic development has been known before the Covid-19 crisis. He also stated that all these reasons are crucial for the entity to accelerate the 5G rollout plans for top class network infrastructure in future. A1 Telekom has Installed 1000 New 5G Sites into Operation A1 Telekom has been working hard to deploy the 5G sites for providing a high-speed network to its users. Since the beginning of the year, A1 has nearly deployed 1000 new 5G sites to bring high-speed broadband services to both urban and rural provinces. Together with the largest fibre network of Australia that already extends about 61,000 km, the A1 5GigaNet combines and provides the best broadband technologies. In the same period, A1 Slovenia has acquired multiple spectrum bands that will be valid for 15 years. The entire funding for the spectrum acquisition will be done by the current cash flow of A1 Telekom Austria Group. Dejan Turk, CEO Cluster Serbia and Slovenia, said that the rollout and future developments of the powerful A1 network would aid the digitalisation of Slovenian society. The network will open the door to future technologies such as e-health, cloud gaming, autonomous driving and more.

Excell Broadband Offers 2 Months Free Service on Long-Term Plans Posted: 22 Apr 2021 06:32 PM PDT Excell Broadband is an internet service provider (ISP) based out of Hyderabad, India. The company has been providing broadband services since 1998. It only offers four plans, out of which two plans come with the same speed but different fair usage policy (FUP) data limits. The three-speed plans which Excell Broadband offers its users are – 60 Mbps, 100 Mbps, and 150 Mbps. If you are wondering why anyone would be interested in going with Excell Broadband if they can get services of Airtel Xstream Fiber or JioFiber, well, just look at the benefits and the prices of the plans mentioned below. Excell Broadband Fiber Internet Plans Excell offers four plans, namely, 'Smart', 'Essential', 'Ultimate', and 'Preferred'. The first two plans, 'Smart' and 'Essential’, offer 60 Mbps speed to the users. The other two plans, 'Ultimate’ and 'Preferred', offers 100 Mbps and 150 Mbps speeds, respectively. The difference between the 'Smart' plan and 'Essential' plan is the amount of FUP data they offer. The 'Smart' plan offers users 400GB of data while the 'Essential' plan offers 800GB of data. Once the FUP data is consumed, the internet speed will drop to 1 Mbps with both the plans. The monthly rental of the 'Smart' plan is Rs 499, and the 'Essential' plan is Rs 599. Further, the 'Ultimate' plan offers users 100 Mbps speeds. This plan comes with 1,500GB of FUP data. Post consumption of FUP data, the internet speed drops to 2 Mbps. The monthly rental of the 'Ultimate' plan is Rs 799. Lastly, the most expensive and the best offering from Excell Broadband, the 'Preferred' plan, comes for a monthly rental of Rs 1,199. It offers users 150 Mbps speed with 3,000GB FUP data. This plan also reduces the internet speed to 2 Mbps once the FUP data is consumed. However, users receive more benefits when they go for the semi-annual (6 months) or annual (12 months) plans of the company. All four plans are available for the long term. Any plan purchased for 6 months will provide users with 1 month of free services and 100GB bonus data. Further, any plan purchased for 12 months will provide users with 2 months of free services and 100GB bonus data. The 100GB bonus data will be added on top of the FUP limit of the plan every month. Note that none of the prices mentioned above includes GST. Excell Broadband allows users to go through data usage analytics to understand their data consumption pattern. On top of that, users don't have to pay anything extra to install the connection. Users get a free Wi-Fi router as well. But the company has said that free installation and a free router is subject to availability. Anyway, if you are thinking of getting a router for the connection on your own, you should consider purchasing a dual-band Wi-Fi router. It will allow you to connect with dual channels – 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz for more convenient use of the internet. The company also offers an app that the users can download from both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Excell Broadband promises 99% service uptime with round the clock customer service.

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