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• Samsung’s Upcoming Z Fold 3 Could Come With an In-Display Selfie Snapper
• Telcos ARPUs Drop Due to Lack of IUC Despite Strong Quarter
• Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G With Dimensity 1100 SoC and 5000mAh Battery Launched
• Faster Delivery of SATCOM Services Now Possible Due to New DoT Rules
• Battlegrounds Mobile India Tipped to Launch in the Third Week of June
• Samsung and OPTAGE Teams Up to Build Japan’s Private 5G Network
• Nokia C20 Plus Appears on Geekbench Listing Ahead of Launch
• Reliance Jio and Itel Bring New Smartphone Offer For Users
• Indian Telecom Infrastructure Not Sufficient to Run 4G
• Oppo Reno6 Z 5G Spotted on NBTC Certification Ahead of Launch
• Singtel Partnered With Samsung to Launch 5G SA Network
• iQOO Z3 Might Become India’s First Snapdragon 768G Powered Smartphone
• Ericsson Helps Optus With a Voice Call Over 5G SA Network
• Reliance Jio Adds 20 MHz of Spectrum in Kerala
• Vodafone Idea Offering 10 Minutes of Free Voice Calling
• Here’s How You Can Get the Most Out of Your Internet Connection
• Should You Buy Into the Curved Display Hype
• Reliance Jio and Airtel Broadband Plans That Are Not for Everyone

Samsung’s Upcoming Z Fold 3 Could Come With an In-Display Selfie Snapper Posted: 26 May 2021 08:29 AM PDT Samsung launched its Fold series of devices a couple of years ago, with the company stating that it would revolutionise modern tech. The Fold did feature some quality-controlled issues, all of which were fixed with the Z Fold2, a refined version of the Fold. Now, as per leaks and rumours, Samsung is gearing up to launch the Galaxy Z Fold3. Given that the Z Fold2 featured a good set of cameras that were at par with the regular flagships on offer, it might interest you to know that as per certain leaks, the Z Fold3 will supposedly feature an under-display camera for the front-facing camera that is housed towards the interior of the device. What Do We Know About The Galaxy Z Fold3 As per leaks by renowned leakster @FrontTron, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 is supposedly going to feature an under-display camera to the front of the device with the leakster revealing the details of the five cameras that will be featured on the Samsung Z Fold3. The first of these five cameras will be a 16MP module that will be of the under-display variety instead of featuring a notch or a punch-hole to the top. This could be related to a tech that was showcased by Samsung at the SID 2021 exhibition with the trademark name Under Panel Camera or UPC. Interestingly, there will be a second selfie camera on the device, towards the outer side of the device which can be used when the device is closed shut. This camera will feature a 10MP sensor of the punch-hole variety. It is still unknown why Samsung is opting for a single in-display cam. Towards the rear of the device is where the tech advancements start fading away, as the leakster mentions that the device will come with a triple camera stack to the back consisting of a couple of 12MP sensors and a 2X telephoto lens. Certain other rumours have stated that the device might feature a 6.2-inch external display whilst the inner display might be 7.5-inches in size, both of which are rumoured to offer 120Hz refresh rates. The inner display might also feature support for the S-Pen, but it will not replace the Note, since the device will lack a capsule or housing area for the pen.

Telcos ARPUs Drop Due to Lack of IUC Despite Strong Quarter Posted: 26 May 2021 07:55 AM PDT Earlier this year, the interconnect usage charge or IUC was withdrawn, which also resulted in dragging down the average revenue per user or ARPU of major telecom companies. This comes as a bit of surprise since most of them had reported major user additions during the January-March quarter, as per India Ratings and Research. As per the data released by TRAI or the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, the country’s subscriber base for wireless networking grew by approximately 8.3 million to reach a  total of 1,168 million users for the month of February, which, incidentally is the highest addition to have taken place during the last year and a half as per the rating firm in a note. Specifics revealed that Vi or Vodafone Idea, a telco that has been consistently losing its subscribers was able to report a growth in subscribers for the first time in the month of February, with the last instance of such a growth having occurred way back in the month of October in 2019, almost 2 years ago. What Else Does The Data Reveal According to the data, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd added a net amount of 4.3 million subscribers, closely followed by Bharti Airtel's 3.7 million with a major gap to Vi, at  0.70 million. A statement from the rating firm states that the sliding voice tariffs, growing data tariffs and increasing data usage per subscriber, as well as the increasing data subscribers when it comes to the overall subscriber base coupled with reducing tariff differentials amongst the telcos over the span of the last one year, is a sign that indicates that the industry is moving forward, towards a higher average revenue per user (ARPU) regime. Do note that the ARPU of telcos was reduced in 4QFY21 most primarily due to a reduction in the IUC charges to Rs 0 per minute with effect from January, down from Rs 0.06. Airtel's ARPU saw a dip from Rs 166 in the previous quarter to Rs 145 in Q4 with Jio reporting a drop from Rs 151 to Rs 138. The agency states that the movement in ARPU needs to be monitored over the span of the next two or three quarters. In terms of the 5G spectrum auction, it stated that there are still multiple variables and unknowns that need to be addressed in order to ensure the successful implementation of the 5G technology in India, from a reserve price for 5G auctions to incremental users and ARPU and capex that will be incurred by the telcos. Ind-Ra stated that the Department of Telecom is already considering a cut when it comes to the base price of 5G airwaves and the 700MHz band as well as a lesser upfront payment.

Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G With Dimensity 1100 SoC and 5000mAh Battery Launched Posted: 26 May 2021 07:10 AM PDT Redmi is Xiaomi's sub-brand that has popularised itself in the budget smartphone segment of the market. Redmi has launched its new Note 10 5G device in China as planned. The lineup would include two handsets, namely the Redmi Note 10 5G and Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G. In this article, we'll tell you everything there is to know about the Pro version of the device. Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G Specifications Contrary to the rumours, Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G is a completely redesigned handset compared to its 4G versions Redmi Note 10 Pro and Pro Max. The 4G counterparts sold outside China also lack features compared to their new 5G version. The only thing the 4G version of the device sports better is the AMOLED display missing from the 5G variant for the Chinese market. First things first, the front of the device has a 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD panel with a resolution of 2400×1080 pixels. It has a smooth 120Hz refresh rate with a 240Hz touch sampling rate and a punch-hole style selfie camera situated in the top centre. The display is also capable of the dynamic refresh rate feature specifically known as the six-stage refresh rate function. This function enables the display to refresh at either 30Hz, 48Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz based on the content. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G's display has a maximum brightness of 450 nits. Talking about all that's inside the device, it is powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 1100 SoC. It comes with up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 256GB of Internal UFS 3.1 storage. It runs the MIUI 12.5 with Android 11 out of the box. The device has a dedicated quadruple cooling system to keep the temperatures in control. It runs on a 5000 mAh battery supported with a 67W charger in the box. The charger is capable of charging the device fully in 42 minutes. The camera department is a triple camera setup with a 64MP wide lens, 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro camera. It features a 16MP camera in the front for selfies and video calls. This camera system is a downgrade from the one featured in Redmi Note 10 Pro and Pro max offered in international markets. In terms of connectivity, Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G supports dual-SIM, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and NFC 3.0. It is IP53 rated and sports a fingerprint sensor on the side and USB Type-C. It lacks some sweet but forgotten slots like a 3.5MM jack and an expandable microSD card slot. Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G Price The newly launched 5G device by Redmi comes in three colour options called Magic Green, Moon Soul and Star Yern. It comes in three different combinations of RAM and Internal memory. The base version comes with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage and is priced at ¥1,599 or $250. The second variant comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, priced at ¥1,799 or $281. The top variant with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage is priced at ¥1,999 or $313. The handset sale is scheduled to start from June 01, 2021, where the base variant will be sold at a discounted price of ¥1,499 or $234.

Faster Delivery of SATCOM Services Now Possible Due to New DoT Rules Posted: 26 May 2021 06:48 AM PDT Tech companies around the world, in collaboration with satellite companies, have recently come out in favour of the easing of interface standards by the government according to a report by ET Telecom. The companies have come out stating that it would be removing multiple artificial barriers to speed up bandwidth speeds and enable the delivery of affordable satellite dependent broadband and broadcasting services in the country. For those of you wondering, the Telecom Engineering Centre or TEC which is the technical wing of the DoT or Department of Telecommunications recently decided to remove technical barriers which, when in place were inhibiting the antenna sizes,  satellite service speeds as well as the usage of spectrum bands, resulting in the optimal deployment of modern satcom technologies. Why Are The New Rules Important The new rules will also allow for easy deployment of smaller antennae systems that will basically reduce the space required by a satcom operator as well as power and cost elements in turn resulting in making satellite broadband services more affordable. As per a statement by the President of Broadband Forum India, Mr TV Ramachandran, the new and modernised specifications announced by the government will result in the removal of erstwhile restrictions which also inhibited the use of modern satcom technologies, as well as help, deliver significant benefits to end-consumers by way of high capacity, high-speed broadband, and better quality services. These developments come at a time when Bharti-backed OneWeb and SpaceX Technologies by Elon Musk are preparing to launch high-speed internet services in India by next year by making use of their respective low earth orbit (LEO) global satellite constellations. As per the new rules, the DoT's technical wing has allowed for the deployment of satellite broadband, broadcasting services on the high-capacity Ka-band apart from the traditional C & KU bands. The easing of the standards is also in a bid to complement the DoTs probable decision that will allow VSAT satcom providers to offer satellite backhaul connectivity to telcos who can make sure that mobile broadband coverage can be provided to consumers living in both rural and remote areas. Once this is approved, major telcos such as Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio will be able to make use of satellite backhaul solutions provided by VSAT operators to provide both 4G and 5G services as well as Wi-Fi-based fast broadband services in rural regions that lack mobile towers and fibre networks.

Battlegrounds Mobile India Tipped to Launch in the Third Week of June Posted: 26 May 2021 06:08 AM PDT Krafton is yet to reveal the release date of the most awaited Battlegrounds Mobile India online mobile game. In the previous reports, it has been expected that the company might launch the game sometime in June. However, there was no certainty about the exact launch date of the game title. The game is already up for pre-registration for Android users, while the iOS version is still waiting for the green light from the officials. In the latest development, the content creator Abhijeet Andhare aka Ghatak the Battlegrounds Mobile India is tipped to launch in the third week of June. Here are some insights into the latest leak about BIM. Battlegrounds Mobile India Expected Launch According to the Twitter post shared by Ghatak suggests that Battleground Mobile India is going to arrive in the third week of June. Though Ghatak is not a popular tipster he is a coach of esports pros like Jonathan Amaral who has officially collaborated with Krafton to promote the game in India. Going with the previous leaks the developers are expected to launch the game on June 10th, which is said to be a solar eclipse. The official game teaser has shown the solar eclipse which might be hinting at a June 10th launch. Since these are just rumours and the company is yet to reveal anything, do take this information with a pinch of salt and wait for the official launch. Krafton has already shared some of the teasers of the game. Recently, the company has tweeted a teaser poster that features a portion of the Sanhok map suggesting that BIM might retain the map at the launch. At the time of the announcement of the game, the company made it clear that it is offering the game to users with high privacy and data security features. The company has promised that it will work with its partners to ensure that the data of the users are kept safe at each stage. A couple of days back the game developers have shared another post suggesting a new map will be 'Erangle' and not 'Erangel'. The Erangle map is expected to retain almost everything from the previous game.

Samsung and OPTAGE Teams Up to Build Japan’s Private 5G Network Posted: 26 May 2021 05:30 AM PDT Samsung Electronics has announced today that they will be implementing a dedicated private 5G network along with OPTAGE Inc., which is a Japanese Service Provider. This collaboration between the two companies would deploy a real-time video monitoring system at a plant facility in Japan. More on the Private 5G solution by Samsung Cameras located throughout the plant and multiple devices will transmit 4K Ultra-HD based live-streaming videos supported by the private 5G network. With the motive of conducting site maintenance from a control centre, the video will be transmitted to a remote maintenance system. This will not only eliminate the need for technician visits at accessible points in the plant but also ensure early detection of failures, improved productivity and efficiency. Samsung is an established name in the 5G space, and these 5G solutions will act as a resilient backbone to the plant's private network. The solutions provided by Samsung would include end-to-end 5G solutions that consist of its latest radios, baseband unit and Compact Core. Samsung's Compact Core provides organisations with an advanced 5G core solution. It runs on single server hardware and is typically ideal for environments with limited footprints and resources. This Compact Core is cloud-native and fully containerized. Private 5G Networks Have Immense Potential: Samsung Satoshi Iwao, Vice President and Head of Network Division at Samsung Electronics Japan, commented on the project by saying that Samsung is proud to leverage their private 5G network solutions to provide new 5G use cases and services. He further noted that these solutions boost productivity and safety for various organisations. Samsung believes that private 5G networks have immense potential and are ready-made to transform the organisation landscape. He added that Samsung looks forward to continuing their collaboration with OPTAGE to support private 5G network expansion in Japan. Samsung has become a pioneer in successfully delivering 5G end-to-end solutions, including chipsets, radios and core. With a market-leading product portfolio, and ongoing research and development, Samsung leads the market to advance 5G networks from fully virtualized RAN and Core to private network solutions and AI-powered automation tools. It is presently delivering network solutions to mobile operators that provide connectivity to millions of customers around the globe.

Nokia C20 Plus Appears on Geekbench Listing Ahead of Launch Posted: 26 May 2021 04:51 AM PDT At the beginning of this year, Nokia expanded its smartphone portfolio with the launch of mid-range and budget segment smartphones. Nokia introduced the C series handsets that include the Nokia C10 and the C20. It seems that the company is now planning to launch more devices in the C-series in the global market. According to the reports, Nokia is gearing up to unveil the C20 Plus, and ahead of the launch, the handset has also appeared on the Geekbench website. The listing does reveal some of the vital information about the handset, including the processor and software details. Let's take a closer look at the Geekbench listing of the upcoming Nokia C20 Plus. Nokia C20 Plus Geekbench Listing It seems that HMD Global is soon going to take off the wraps from the Nokia C20 Plus. Today the handset has surfaced on the Geekbench certification website revealing some major specifications. According to the listing, the upcoming Nokia smartphone might ship with an octa-core Unisoc processor codenamed Sirius. The handset is said to be backed by 3GB RAM as per the document. On the software front, the Nokia C20 Plus is expected to run on Android 11 out of the box. Further, the listing revealed that the Nokia C20 Plus has managed to score 126 points in the single-core test and 476 points in the multi-core test. Looking at the score, we can safely expect that the handset might fall in the budget segment. Going with the previous leaks, the Nokia C20 Plus is tipped to launch with a dual-camera setup placed at the top centre of the rear panel. The circular camera module of the device is said to feature the camera sensors and an LED flash. Reports also claimed that the Nokia C20 Plus would pack a massive 5,000mAh battery under the hood to deliver a better battery life. The handset is also tipped to have a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. Do note that all the information about the upcoming Nokia C20 Plus smartphone is yet to be confirmed by the company. We can expect some more information about the handset moving forward. It's advisable to take this piece of information with a grain of salt and wait for the official announcement.

Reliance Jio and Itel Bring New Smartphone Offer For Users Posted: 26 May 2021 04:36 AM PDT Reliance Jio has time and again partnered with smartphone manufacturers to roll out recharge and discount offers for the users. The telco has now partnered with Itel to provide one such similar offer to its users. Under the offer, users will be able to purchase the Itel A23 Pro for a discounted price and, along with that, will also be eligible to receive recharge benefits worth Rs 3,000. Reliance Jio Itel A23 Pro Offer Users who purchase the Itel A23 Pro from MyJio Stores, Reliance Digital Stores, and the online website of Reliance Digital will be able to get the smartphone at Rs 3,899 instead of its original MRP of Rs 4,999. It is a feature phone that aims to help people looking for an affordable way to upgrade to 4G services. Along with the discount, users will also be eligible to receive recharge benefits worth Rs 3,000 from Reliance Jio. The Rs 3,000 recharge benefit will come for the users in the form of several vouchers that will be applicable on select recharge coupons worth Rs 249 or more. The offer will be applicable for both the new and the old users of the telco. The Itel A23 Pro will go on sale in India starting June 1, 2021. Let's take a look at the specifications of the smartphone. Itel A23 Pro Specifications The device will come with a 5-inch display with support for 480*854 pixels resolution. It will have a single camera sensor at the rear with a 2MP lens and a VGA selfie sensor with a soft flash. It will be powered by the UNISOC SC9832E quad-core 1.4 GHz processor coupled with up to 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. Users will be able to expand the internal storage up to 32GB with the help of an external microSD card. The device will pack a 2,400mAh battery and will run on Android 10 Go Edition out of the box. It will be able to support 4G VoLTE and will further support face unlock, which is quite brilliant for a device of its price. It will be available for the users in two colours – Sapphire Blue and Lake Blue. As mentioned above, it will be available for Jio users at a special price of Rs 3,899.

Indian Telecom Infrastructure Not Sufficient to Run 4G Posted: 26 May 2021 03:56 AM PDT India's existing telecom network network infrastructure "just isn’t sufficient to run 4G networks," says Rod Smith, executive vice president at American Tower. Smith in the JP Morgan 49th Annual Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference on Monday said that the company is witnessing a "large number" of new tower sites built in India and Africa. In 2020, American Tower is said to have constructed around 5900 new sites across its markets with the majority reported to have been in the Indian market. In late April, the company in its first quarter earning presentation said that it expects to construct 6500 new sites across its markets. American Tower is said to own and operate over 76,000 sites across India as of March 31, 2021. Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio are said to be the telecom operators engaged with American Tower in India. Carrier Investments Has Not Slowed Down in India: ATC EVP Smith said that the company has not witnessed a "slowdown in carrier investments due to the pandemic" despite India being "hit probably the hardest." "So, throughout the pandemic we are guiding towards 6500 new builds this year and about 4500 of those will come in India," Smith said in the JP Morgan 49th Annual Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference. The American Tower EVP said that India will continue to witness the "densification" of the telecom networks. "So, again in India it is a place where the current infrastructure is just not capable of supporting the kind of coverage capacity and quality that the subscribers demand on a 4G network," Smith said. Similar sentiments were earlier shared by Vivek Raina, the chief executive officer at Excitel in an interview with TelecomTalk in February. Raina said that the call drop issues and the "poor" quality of service (QoS) experienced by the telecom users in India are "primarily attributed to the country's low investment in fiber and backhaul infrastructure." "The fact that less than 20% of the towers in India are backhauled compared with an average of 80% in countries like the US, China, and Korea emphasizes the need for an effective policy that gives due importance to fiber deployments," Raina said. The Excitel CEO said that the fiber networks are the "most viable medium" to offer enhanced data capacity and enhance the voice calling quality. "Industry reports reveal that India currently deploys an average of 15 million kilometres of fibre every year whereas current demands indicate it needs to increase to at least 50 million kilometres per year," Raina said. American Tower Witnessing "Little Bit of A Slowdown" Due to COVID Lockdowns in India Meanwhile, Smith said that the company is "working with charitable foundations that are supporting India." The American Tower EVP said "many" of the company employees have "donated money to India relief funds around COVID" and that American Tower is "matching that as well." "So in India, there was some significant lockdowns, same thing in Brazil, we are seeing a little bit of a slowdown in terms of new build," Smith said. In late April, Tom Bartlett, president of American Tower in the first quarter earnings call also said that there could be "some timing issues associated" with the building of new tower sites. The American Tower president is "certain" that the new tower sites will be built by the company but highlighted that the "timing" will be an issue. "Clearly lives saved is more important than towers built, so there could be some timing issues there," Bartlett said in the first quarter earnings call. In a release on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that the country recorded 208,921 Covid cases in the past 24 hour period. In early May, the country recorded over 400,000 daily Covid cases, with the release on Wednesday highlighting that the country recorded less than 300,000 daily news for "ten consecutive days now." It has to be noted that multiple regions across India including Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are under lockdown until May 31, 2021. Further, certain regions including Karnataka and Rajasthan have already announced the extension of lockdown until June 7 and June 8 respectively.

Oppo Reno6 Z 5G Spotted on NBTC Certification Ahead of Launch Posted: 26 May 2021 02:41 AM PDT Oppo is all set to launch its Reno6 series in the home country tomorrow, as per the official confirmation. The upcoming smartphone series will include the Reno6, Reno6 Pro, and the Reno6 Pro+. The company is also expected to launch the Reno6 Z 5G smartphone that comes with model number CPH2237. In the latest development, the smartphone has been listed on Thailand’s NBTC with the same model number hinting towards an imminent launch. Recently the handset was also listed on Malaysia’s SIRIM certification website, revealing some of the details. Let's have a detailed look at the latest listing of the Reno6 Z 5G smartphone. Oppo Reno6 Z 5G NBTC Listing According to Thailand’s NBTC certification site, the Reno6 Z 5G was listed on the website with model number CPH2237. The listing didn't reveal much about the handset, but it has been confirmed to be the predecessor of Reno5 Z. Besides, no information about the smartphone has been revealed in terms of specifications and features. To know more about the Reno6 Z 5G, we need to wait until tomorrow’s launch. Meanwhile, the latest report from TechRadar has confirmed that the Oppo Reno 6 series is going to launch in India in July. However, it’s still uncertain which phones are going to debut in the Indian market. Oppo launches the four devices in the Reno 5 series – Oppo Reno5 4G, Oppo Reno5 5G, Oppo Reno5 Pro 5G, and Oppo Reno5 Pro+ 5G. It seems that only Oppo Reno5 Pro 5G makes its way to India; we can expect the same considering the previous launch. Oppo Reno6 Specifications Thanks to the certification websites, we get to know some details about the specifications of the Oppo Reno6 series. According to the report, the Reno6 will arrive with a flat back design similar to the iPhone 12. On the other hand, the Reno6 Pro and Reno6 Pro+ is expected to launch with a curved design. All three devices are said to feature a punch-hole camera setup to make room for the selfie camera sensor. The Reno6 Pro+ is tipped to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC and packs a 50MP quad-camera setup with IMX766 primary sensor. At the same time, the Reno6 Pro model is said to draw power from an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC. The smartphone might feature a 64MP quad-rear camera setup with an LED flash.

Singtel Partnered With Samsung to Launch 5G SA Network Posted: 26 May 2021 02:00 AM PDT Singtel, a major telecom operator based out of Singapore, has launched its 5G standalone (SA) network in the country. The company partnered with Samsung to launch the 5G SA. With the help of the 5G SA network, users living in Singapore will be able to do more with their mobile networks than just connect with each other. The Asian carrier said that 5G SA will bring applications such as real-time immersive entertainment, massive Internet-of-Things (IoT) connections, and self-driving cars to life. The 5G SA networks of Singtel are running on the 3.5 GHz spectrum. 5G SA of Singtel Will Enable Innovations in Singapore Anna Yip, CEO, Consumer Singapore at Singtel, said that the customers of the telco would be the first ones in the world to experience the benefits which 5G SA can deliver. Yip said that Singtel is offering Singapore its fastest and most powerful 5G network. She further said that now customers won't have to worry about streaming videos in 4K quality, nor will they have to wait or face delays to share their favourite moments and memories with their loved ones. With the help of the 5G SA network of Singtel, all of the old worries will be laid to rest, and the consumers can do almost everything they used to and more with better speeds and experience a new digital world altogether. Yip said that the 5G SA network of Singtel would enable innovation not only in the telecom industry of the country but will also contribute to the other industries of the nation. For now, Singtel said that customers of the telco living in the 5G network coverage area of the company could enjoy 5G SA only if they own a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. It is the only smartphone that has received the exclusive beta release for 5G SA software. Singtel has already deployed a 5G SA network over 1,000 sites across the country in strategic locations where there would be a high need for faster networks right away. As more handset manufacturers roll out 5G SA support software for their users, more people will be able to use Singtel's 5G SA. It is worth noting that Singtel had already launched its 5G non-standalone (NSA) networks in the country using spectrum in the 28 GHz mmWave band.

iQOO Z3 Might Become India’s First Snapdragon 768G Powered Smartphone Posted: 26 May 2021 12:46 AM PDT iQOO is a Chinese smartphone brand that recently launched the iQOO 7 smartphone series in India. Now the company is expected to launch another smartphone in the country, namely iQOO Z3. The special thing about this smartphone is that it is expected to launch with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 768G, which was launched earlier this month itself. It will become the first smartphone in the country to launch with the said chipset. The information comes directly through a report from Moneycontrol. iQOO Z3 Specifications (Expected) The iQOO Z3 has already launched in the company's home country China. Thus the device is largely expected to launch with the same specifications for the Indian market as well. The Moneycontrol report mentions that the company still hasn't fixated on a launch date yet. However, the device is expected to launch in the first half of June 2021. Mukul Sharma, a famous Indian tipster, has also said that the iQOO Z series smartphones might launch in India in the month of June. If the device is indeed powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 768G, it will also be a 5G smartphone. iQOO might launch the device under Rs 30,000 since this SoC from Qualcomm is expected to be featured in the mid-range devices to make 5G affordable. It is worth noting that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 768G will be an upgrade over the Snapdragon 765G that already powers popular smartphones such as the OnePlus Nord in India. As for the specifications of the device, the smartphone might retain its 6.58-inch FHD+ display with support for 120Hz refresh rate from the variant that was launched in China. Further, the device might come with a triple-camera setup at the rear with a 64MP primary sensor paired with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle sensor and a 2MP macro sensor. The company hasn't said anything officially about the device or the Z series for India. But given the leaks and reports circulating online, an official statement from iQOO might be around the corner. The iQOO Z3, if launched anywhere near the Rs 25,000 mark, will become tough competition for the upcoming OnePlus Nord 2/CE and the other Samsung mid-range devices in the same price segment.

Ericsson Helps Optus With a Voice Call Over 5G SA Network Posted: 26 May 2021 12:11 AM PDT Ericsson is one of the largest telecom gear vendors across the world. It is a European company that has helped multiple telecom operators around the globe in rolling out new generation networks for decades now. The European vendor also has ties with telecom companies in Australia. One of the largest network operators in Australia, Optus, recently took the help of Ericsson in its 5G tests involving SA (standalone) networks. Not only Ericsson, but Oppo, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, also played an important role on the 5G test of Optus. Optus Takes Ericsson's and Oppo's Help for 5G Optus recently announced that it has successfully carried out a voice call leveraging the 5G SA (standalone) network. For the same, the operator had partnered with Ericsson and Oppo. For making the voice call successful, Ericsson offered its RAN (Radio Access Network) technology, Cloud IMS, and cloud-native dual-mode 5G core for SA networks technology. The call was made on the network of Optus using the telco's Evolved Packet System Fallback (EPS-FB) tech. Not ignoring one of the most important aspects of the test, the voice call was made through Oppo's Find X3 Pro 5G smartphone. Optus believes that when it offers the EPS-FB technology commercially, customers of the telco would be able to make voice calls and utilise 5G networks on SA mode on their smartphones. Lambo Kanagaratnam, Managing Director of Optus, said that the future of 5G in Australia lies on the SA networks. This is because SA networks combined with advanced technology will only let users and the country see the true potential of 5G networks. Kanagaratnam further said that Optus is paving the way for innovation in 5G in Australia, and the telco would ensure that its customers get the best and most authentic 5G experience in the nation. The same views on 5G SA networks are shared by Martin Wiktorin, Ericsson's Head of Global Customer Unit Singtel. Wiktorin said that 5G SA networks would help Optus in unlocking new opportunities for its customers and enable the delivery of more immersive and richer technology experience for future 5G applications. He said that Ericsson is very happy to help Optus with the development of its 5G SA networks in the country.

Reliance Jio Adds 20 MHz of Spectrum in Kerala Posted: 25 May 2021 11:08 PM PDT Reliance Jio is the number one telecom operator of the country for a reason. The telco has just deployed additional spectrum in the state of Kerala to enhance the quality of telecom services in the area. Jio has been enhancing its spectrum portfolio in multiple states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. It looks like the telco is focusing on the Southern India quite heavily by doubling its spectrum holding in the above-mentioned states to enhance the quality of networks that its users living in the concerned telecom areas get. Now Jio has deployed a total of 20 MHz of spectrum in Kerala across multiple bands. Reliance Jio Deploys 20 MHz of Spectrum in Kerala It is worth noting that Reliance Jio had acquired 5 MHz of spectrum in the 850 MHz band, 5 MHz of spectrum in the 1800 MHz band, and 10 MHz of spectrum in the 2300 MHz band in Kerala in the recently held auctions. The telco had said that it had further acquired the right to use the spectrum across 22 telecom circles of the country. Jio has deployed the concerned spectrum across its 12,000+ sites present in the state. Post the deployment of the spectrum, the bandwidth provided by the network in the 850 MHz and 1800 MHz bands has doubled, and the bandwidth in the 2300 MHz band has improved by 25%. This will allow Reliance Jio users in the state to leverage better 4G networks for connecting with the world. The said move should reduce the network congestion effects during peak hours, and the enhanced bandwidth and connectivity will allow users working and learning from home to get a seamless network experience. For the unaware, Reliance Jio has over 10.3 million subscribers in the state. Since the numbers are only expected to grow from here, the move from the telco can be termed as timely. Jio is aiming to expand its 4G networks by 15% in Kerala in 2021. The telco's low tariffs and great coverage makes it an attractive option for the operators not only in Kerala but around the country. Jio is expected to deploy more spectrum in other states of the country in the coming days.

Vodafone Idea Offering 10 Minutes of Free Voice Calling Posted: 25 May 2021 10:32 PM PDT Vodafone Idea (Vi) is texting users about 10 minutes of free voice calling that they are eligible to receive. However, there is a chance that this could be a region-specific thing. One of our community members received the text from Vi, who lives in the Madhya Pradesh & Chattisgarh telecom circle. As per the text, the telecom operator is offering 10 minutes of free voice calling for the next 10 days to the user. However, there might be a catch to the offer. 10 Minutes of Free Voice Calling Might be For Connecting With Vi Numbers Only The company in the text says that the user gets 10 minutes of free voice calling on any Vi number. Now there is no specification whether the user can call 'from' any Vi number to any other operator's number or whether the free call is only applicable when the user is calling 'to' a Vi number. However it is, the 10 minutes of free calling is being provided by Vodafone Idea (Vi), and it is a good thing given the pandemic situation in the country. People who don't know how to recharge online or can hardly step out to meet their regular vendor can now relax for a few more days and make the important calls without worrying about not recharging. If you haven't received the free 10 minutes voice calling voucher from the telco, it might mean that it is for select users. However, this is not the only thing that Vi is doing for the users to help them with the pandemic. Vi Offering this Pack for Free Vi is also offering its Rs 49 pack for free to its low-income customers in the country. In addition to this, the company is doubling the benefits of the Rs 79 pack so that the user doesn't face any shortage of minutes or data when he/she is trying to connect with his/her loved ones. With the free Rs 49 pack, Vi users will be eligible to get the regular benefits of the plan, which include Rs 38 worth of talktime and 100MB of data for 28 days. The Rs 79 pack, on the other hand, comes with double benefits now, which are talktime of Rs 128 and 200MB data for 28 days.

Here’s How You Can Get the Most Out of Your Internet Connection Posted: 25 May 2021 09:30 PM PDT The Internet has become a part of everything we do throughout the day. It has become the source of entertainment, news, a platform to assist us in working remotely, learn about anything in the world. The number of applications and uses of the internet is very high. That being said, a slow internet connection is an irritating barrier between us achieving everything we want through the internet. When you get an internet connection, there are a number of issues that can result in slow internet speed. While some of them are not easily diagnosable, there are a number of things you can do to fix the issue with speed. Upgrade Your Router When it comes to a wireless internet connection, a router plays an important role. All your internet traffic goes through the router. It not only enhances the user experience but also assists in delivering high-speed internet. When you get a Wi-Fi connection for your home or office, it’s most likely that multiple devices connect to the router and use one single internet connection. The router can also handle so much pressure from multiple devices. Thus, one should always make sure that they are using the latest and the most advanced Wi-Fi routers available in the market. This will ensure that the router is compatible with the latest technology of internet connection and capable of delivering high-speed internet to your devices. Finding the Right Spot for Your Router You may have noticed that even when you have an internet connection at home, you might not get the same levels of connectivity throughout the house. This is because the higher the frequency the lower is the wavelength. What this means for you is that if you want high-speed internet, the range of your router will reduce subsequently. The 5 Ghz frequency has a range of only 5 to 10 meters. This makes the placement of the router a very important aspect. The lower the connectivity, the lower will be the speed you receive. It is ideal to place the router mounted high on the wall and centrally located in the house. Such a placement will ensure unobstructed, great coverage throughout your home. Be Aware of the Devices Connected We know that it is very tempting to connect more and more devices flawlessly with a wireless internet connection. However, doing so subsequently reduces your internet speed. The more devices connected to a single internet connection, the more speed gets divided and distributed amongst all those internet hungry devices. To overcome and avoid this, one should always be aware of the devices connected to their internet connection. First off, make sure that no one other than the people intended is connected to your internet connection. Once that is done, make sure that no device that is not using the internet is connected. This will just be an additional burden for your router even though the device is not in use. Keep Your SSID Private The Internet has become so important in our lives that some people would not think twice before connecting to someone else's internet connection to access the internet. This not only reduces your internet speed but also is a privacy threat as a lot of information can be accessed if connected to your internet connection. The firmware setting in your router would have an option to hide your SSID. You can toggle that option to ensure that someone who doesn't know your Wi-Fi name, cannot connect to your network. In addition to this, you can also enable WPA or WPA2 password protection that offers a high level of security.

Should You Buy Into the Curved Display Hype Posted: 25 May 2021 08:00 PM PDT Devices with curved displays had come under much flack in recent months, despite being tipped as the next best thing when it came to the smartphone display. This technological advancement, upon launch, became quite controversial to the point that certain companies went back to flat displays. To some, they might seem more flashy and attractive, whist to some, they make look odd. Despite both sides making rational points, you might be confused as to whether or not you should buy into the curved smartphone display hype. If you too were perplexed about this, fret not, as we will list out the pros and cons of a curved display and whether or not they make sense. Before we begin, you might be interested to know that the first proper implementation of the curved display on a well-known smartphone came through Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge. Since its inception, the concept has gone through multiple changes, with steeper curves and better durability. Pros Of a Curved Display The most important reason for people liking curved displays isn’t the innovation or the functionality; it is actually the design. Yes, looks are subjective, but to most people, the curved display seems much more premium. There are certain devices that manage to look good with flat edges, such as the iPhone, but most of them lose out to curved displays that seem to drop off at the edge. Another positive of the curved display is the amount of depth that you feel holding the device. With a curved phone, it is much easier to tap the buttons with your thumbs. Holding a phone horizontally during gaming sessions or watching content is also easier since the balance and overall weight seems a bit less and, during longer sessions of usage, you can feel the difference quite well. Accessibility features are also capable of being used with curved displays. The most common of these features is the lighting up of the edges of the device to notify the user of any notification or message, allowing them to know that there is a notification on their device from a distance. One can also make use of volume controls from these edges, as is the case with Huawei’s Mate 40 pro. Are There Any Cons? Of course, there are certain devices that have too much of a curve, which impacts certain use cases of the device. At times, too steep of a curve can lead to the content on the screen bleeding away without any proper end, and, for certain unoptimised applications, the overall content to be displayed might be glitchy. Certain devices also have poor sensors for their curved displays, as was the case with the OnePlus 8 Pro, since multiple reports stated that the sides were prone to accidental touches. This is not the best feature, especially in terms of convenience. These displays are also much less durable and tougher to fix, so it is quite cumbersome to take care of a phone with a curved display. In the end, there are pros and cons to this kind of display, but it ultimately comes down to what a user wants. If they want a less fragile and basic device, they will most probably get a device sporting a flat display. For those of you looking for a premium hand feel and certain accessibility features to the side, the curved displays might be more attractive.

Reliance Jio and Airtel Broadband Plans That Are Not for Everyone Posted: 25 May 2021 06:30 PM PDT Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel both offer a ton of broadband plans to their users. However, not every plan is made for everyone. There are a few plans that are only used by a select or a very small percentage of consumers. We are talking about the broadband plans from Jio and Airtel because both the companies have a very strong presence in India when it comes to fibre services. Further, both the companies provide plans that are largely similar to each other with variable differences. Let's take a look at the broadband plans from the two companies that are not for everyone. ' Reliance Jio Broadband Plans Not For Everyone Jio offers a ton of broadband plans. The company offers three plans that are not for everyone. These plans cost Rs 2,499, Rs 3,999, and Rs 8,499 per month and provide 500 Mbps and 1 Gbps speeds respectively. All of these plans come with unlimited data (3.3TB), where the Rs 8,499 plan offers 6.6TB data. There are over-the-top (OTT) benefits included in each of the plans. These are no average OTT subscriptions. Users get Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar VIP, Amazon Prime Video, and more for one year. Further, there is free voice calling included in the connection as well. Bharti Airtel Broadband Plans Not For Everyone There's only one broadband plan that Bharti Airtel offers that comes under the category of not for everyone. This plan is the 'VIP' plan that costs Rs 3,999 per month. Users get unlimited data (3.3TB) with this plan and a free voice calling connection. This plan from Airtel comes with 1 Gbps speed symmetrical speeds. Airtel users also get OTT benefits with broadband plans. The OTT benefits include Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar VIP, Airtel Xstream, and there other Airtel Thanks benefits as well. Note that neither the plans from Reliance Jio nor Bharti Airtel include GST in their pricing, so at the time of the payment, users will have to pay 18% more. Why are These Broadband Plans Not for Everyone? These broadband plans are not for everyone because of the kind of utility they offer. Almost every average home/user would maximum need a download/upload speed of 300 Mbps from his/her broadband connection. Even if there are multiple people connected to the same Wi-Fi network, the 300 Mbps plan can handle all the data load. The 500 Mbps and 1 Gbps plans from either of the companies are mostly purchased by businesses or offices that need heavy internet round the clock to keep their business going. It is hardly ever seen that a normal consumer with average data needs would ever go for a 500 Mbps or 1 Gbps broadband plan.

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