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• Poco Pop Buds Might Be a Rebranded Version of the Redmi AirDots 3 Pro
• Here’s How You Can Keep On Backing Up Photos to Google Photos From Tomorrow
• Reliance Jio and SEGA Collaborate To Offer Popular Games in India
• Bharti Airtel Just Deployed Additional 25 MHz Spectrum in Punjab
• Xiaomi’s HyperCharge Tech Can Full Charge a Phone in 8 Minutes
• Airtel Extends Free Vaccination More Than 80,000 Employees
• Telefonica Vivo Teams Up With AWS to Deploy 5G SA
• iQOO Z3 5G Might Be a Big Competition to Mi 10 Series
• 5G Auctions Announced for Croatia, Telecom Regulator Confirms
• Bharti Airtel Deployed Additional Spectrum in the North Eastern Part of India
• Realme X7 Max, Should You Buy or Wait?
• Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G Will Come Under Poco Branding in India
• BSNL Wants DoT’s Confirmation for Extending Telecom Services in Naxal Areas
• DoT Says Final Guidelines of PLI for Telecom in Final Stages
• MTNL Might Participate in 5G Trials, Where is BSNL?
• 802.11n Router and 802.11ac Router Differences Explained
• Android 12 Hints at Google’s Drastic Plans for Pixel Lineup
• Vodafone Idea Offers This Unique Smartphone Benefit

Poco Pop Buds Might Be a Rebranded Version of the Redmi AirDots 3 Pro Posted: 31 May 2021 09:54 AM PDT Poco, the Xiaomi sub-brand that rose to fame on the back of its Poco F1 device has been due for an audio-related launch, with the company stating that it might bring its Poco Pop Buds to India back in 2020. A year later, that seems to be a promise that might just be held up, as certain reports hint at the Poco Pop Buds being a rebrand of a recently launched Redmi earbud. For those of you unaware, Xiaomi recently unveiled the Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, in the country of China. The earbuds were recently listed on the Bluetooth SIG certification site, hinting at the chances of an intentional launch. Reports are suggesting that the device could be rebranded as the Redmi Buds 3 Pro or the Poco Pop Buds. As mentioned earlier, Poco had confirmed that it was working on a pair of truly wireless earphones but that was delayed due to the ongoing pandemic. We were all quite excited to see the company launch the product, as they were quite actively promoting the supposed moniker, but it got delayed to 2021. Now, Xiaomi has listed the earbuds with the model number TWSEJ01ZM on  SIG under three names Redmi AirDots 3 Pro, Redmi Buds 3 Pro and the Poco Pop Buds. Redmi AirDots 3 Pro Specifications Redmi AirDots 3 is priced at Yuan 349 or Rs 3,973 with availability in China starting from June 11. Do note that Poco has not yet confirmed the existence of the Poco Pop Buds, so they may not end up launching in India, but, if they do, they will probably launch it as Poco Pop Buds in the country. In terms of the international market, they will launch the Redmi AirDots 3 as the Redmi Earbuds 3 Pro, according to the same reports. When it does launch, you can expect it to feature 7.2mm drivers and come with support for Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The buds feature Bluetooth 5.2 that will help in connecting to smart devices. When it comes to the miscellaneous features, the AirDots 3 Pro feature an ultra-low latency mode, complete with a response time of 69ms. The Poco Pop Buds or the Redmi AirDots 3 can be connected to two smartphones at once allowing it to switch between different handsets in a seamless manner. Talking about the charging case, the case house a USB Type-C port to the bottom and offer Qi Wireless Charging.

Here’s How You Can Keep On Backing Up Photos to Google Photos From Tomorrow Posted: 31 May 2021 09:04 AM PDT Google’s deadline for unlimited, free storage of high-quality photos ends today, with Google Photos limiting the storage starting June 1, which is tomorrow. The images and videos that have been uploaded earlier will be exempted and will be omitted from the 15GB default storage that comes free with a Google account. This might be worrying to you if you have reached the limit or are close to it, so we will be listing out some ways to ensure that you can upload your pictures, at least for the time being. How to Keep On Uploading Images in Google Photos As mentioned above, if you have reached the limit of 15GB or are close to it and do not want to splurge on a paid plan as of now, there are certain options that you can make use of. The key of these options is to change the quality settings of the photos from original to low or medium and make use of the free up space tool that Google has introduced to make sure that unwanted pictures do not clutter your storage. This can be done by going to the Manage Storage section. Here is a detailed step-by-step tutorial on how to do so. Step 1:  Go to Google One Step 2: Select the option to Manage Storage or Free up account Storage. Step 3: Free up account storage from the option that is called Get your space back, present in a specific section. Step 4: Here you can easily see the deleted files from Google Drive as well as emails that have large-sized attachments including spam emails that can be cleared to create additional space. Step 5: Select the review option and free junk data. Now, in case you have reached the 15GB limit and need to get access to the Google Photos backup, here are the rates for the same. 1. 100GB This storage plan offered by Google is priced at Rs 130 a month, with a yearly plan for Rs 1300. The plan provides 100 GB storage as well as extra member benefits with the option to add family members, and access to Google experts. 2. 200GB: The second storage plan offered by Google is priced at Rs 210 a month and Rs 2100 for a year. It offers 200 GB of storage and extra member benefits complete with the option to add family members and access to key experts from Google. 3.2TB: The premium plan offered by Google is priced at Rs 650 a month and Rs 6500 for a whole year with additional benefits. Google also provides VPN services for this plan in the US, with a likely expansion for the same in India.

Reliance Jio and SEGA Collaborate To Offer Popular Games in India Posted: 31 May 2021 07:47 AM PDT Gaming has become increasingly common in recent years, with more and more users opting to spend on gaming consoles and handheld consoles to enjoy some premium tier gaming. The hype and restocking issues that are evident with Sony’s PlayStation 5 hint at how the overall gaming community has grown in the past couple of years. Despite this craze, the one thing that gaming has seen occur in recent years which was slightly unprecedented is the rise in mobile gamers. Due to games like PUBG and Call of Duty, the number of gamers who opt to play their favourite battle games and racing sims on their mobile devices has drastically increased. This has been quite useful, especially in these trying times, providing users with some much-required comfort and enjoyment. Now, Jio and SEGA Corporation, one of Japan’s biggest gaming companies are working together to offer the Indian gaming community games that will promise a fun-filled and refreshing experience. Which Games Should You Expect The first two games that are scheduled for the Indian market are called Sonic, The Hedgehog 2 and Streets of Rage 3, with both games being popular titles in regions like the US and Europe, both of which are major gaming hubs. In case you were wondering, users who are on Jio SIMs will get to experience the games from SEGA on their Jio-Set-Top-Box and their smartphones and other devices, allowing multi-platform gameplay. Users can get access to the games using Jio Games, with Jio Fiber users getting access to the games first. The first of these games, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is one of SEGA’s biggest games, featuring the gaming giant’s most iconic character, Sonic the Hedgehog. The speed and exhilaration of the game make it one of the best titles to have been on offer from the company. In contrast, Streets of Rage 3, better known in Japanese markets as Bare Knuckle 3 is one of SEGA’s biggest street fighting games, promising to offer bright and colourful graphics with rich characters and a dramatic storyline that will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat, providing some amazing gaming experience. This collaboration will be quite beneficial to the Indian market as a whole since a big corporation like SEGA partnering with Reliance Jio, India’s top telco could result in further brand associations in the future, which will not only propel the gaming segment in India to higher levels but also provide better ways of passing time to the concerned users.

Bharti Airtel Just Deployed Additional 25 MHz Spectrum in Punjab Posted: 31 May 2021 07:05 AM PDT Bharti Airtel has been on a spectrum deployment spree for quite some time now. The telecom operator has now deployed an additional spectrum in Punjab. Bharti Airtel added 25 MHz of spectrum in the state. It is a significant amount of spectrum deployment, and it will result in improved networks of the operator in the state. With the 25 MHz spectrum addition, Bharti Airtel now has spectrum holdings of 65 MHz in Punjab across several bands. The operator has the most amount of spectrum in the 2300 MHz band for providing excellent speeds to the users. Bharti Airtel 65 MHz Spectrum Breakdown in Punjab Bharti Airtel now has 65 MHz of spectrum in Punjab. Out of the 65 MHz, the operator's 40 MHz airwaves are in the 2300 MHz band, 15 MHz spectrum in the 1800 MHz band, and the remaining 10 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz band. With the deployment of 25 MHz of spectrum in the state, Bharti Airtel stands to improve the network services for its users quite significantly. The network of the telco will now have an increased capacity and will facilitate a better data experience for the user during peak hours. Manu Sood, Hub CEO, Upper North, Bharti Airtel, said that the operator is focused on bringing world-class network services for its users in the state. With a total of 65 MHz of spectrum in the state, Airtel will now be able to help users in connecting with each other and fulfil their data requirements seamlessly. But the telco's vision doesn't stop at 4G only. Bharti Airtel has kept 5G in mind while deploying the additional spectrum. The operator has also deployed advanced technologies and Carrier Aggregation for enhancing 4G services and, along with that, also installed tools such as pre-5G Massive MIMO. For the unaware, Bharti Airtel has over 11.53 million customers in Punjab. These customers won't face the same network congestion they used to during peak hours post the deployment of additional spectrum. Bharti Airtel will also leverage the spectrum deployed for providing 5G services in the future. Airtel has already deployed spectrum in key circles and regions of India, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and the North East. In the coming days, the operator might deploy more spectrum in other circles.

Xiaomi’s HyperCharge Tech Can Full Charge a Phone in 8 Minutes Posted: 31 May 2021 06:26 AM PDT Xiaomi has unveiled it as one of the fastest charging solutions in the smartphone industry globally. The company has introduced its HyperCharge tech, which is said to be the fastest charging solution in the entire market. The company claims that the new-fast charging tech is capable of charging a device from zero to 100% in just eight minutes. Yes! You read it correctly; Xiaomi also confirmed that the charging solution also offers wireless charging support at 120W. Its charging tech is capable of charging a device within 15minutes with 120W support. The company has also demonstrated the charging capabilities of the HyperCharge tech using a custom-built Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The device has a 4,000mAh battery under the hood, and the company claims to charge the device within eight minutes using the wired charger. Xiaomi Launched HyperCharge Tech Xiaomi showcased its fast charging technology, the HyperCharge Tech, with a custom made Mi 11 Pro equipped with a 4,000mAh battery. According to the demo, the device was charged from 0 to 50% in 3 minutes. The mobile manufacturing brands also claimed that the phone would be entirely juiced up within 8 minutes. Further, the company suggests that HyperCharge Tech can charge a device wirelessly within 15 minutes. The company is yet to reveal anything about the commercial release of the new charging device. Earlier, Xiaomi unveiled 120W wired and 80W wireless charging, but the company is yet to reveal the commercial availability and smartphones compatible with such fast charging tech. Handsets like the Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11 Pro, and the Redmi K40 come with a 67W fast charging support. It would be interesting to see when the company is planning to launch phones with 120W fast charging support. Do let us know your thoughts about the HyperCharge Tech in the comment section below. In other news, it has been reported that the company is planning to launch the Mi 11 Lite 4G smartphone in the Indian smartphone market. The smartphone flaunts a 6.55-inch full-HD+ display with a resolution of 1,080×2,400 pixels and 402ppi pixel density.

Airtel Extends Free Vaccination More Than 80,000 Employees Posted: 31 May 2021 04:55 AM PDT Bharti Airtel, the second-largest telecom operator in India, has announced that the company is expanding the free vaccination programme to 80,000 employees across 15,000 partners. This initiative is to prioritize the inoculation of staff who work as the front end of the company; this includes store staff and field executives who deal with customers and retails on a daily basis. Airtel has shared an email with all the partners stating that the company has joined its hands with Apollo Hospitals to vaccinate their employees and their dependent family members as well. Airtel Offering Free Vaccination According to the announcement, the drive is already in progress, and the camps are being set up in 35 cities across the country. The telecom operator is taking care of all the cost of the vaccination and making it free for all the employees. The company also suggests that the frontline staff can get vaccinated on their own, and Airtel will reimburse the cost subject to submission of the vaccination certificate and original bill. In a mail to partners, Airtel Circle CEOs stated that the company is extending this free vaccination service to all the frontline staff. As mentioned above, this drive will cover the vaccination for more than 80,000 Airtel employees; further, the Circle CEO requested all the partners and distributors to urge all the employees to take full advantage of the initiative and ensure that all the staff is vaccinated. The mail also suggests that the company has always gone the extra mile to take care of their partners and employees as they are an integral part of the Airtel family. This year the company has added a new COVID insurance cover to all frontline associates and partner employees, including all the Airtel store staff, service center employees, field sales executives, and more. Meanwhile, other news companies have reported that the company has deployed more spectrum in the North-Eastern part of the country. In the North East, Bharti Airtel has deployed 10 MHz of spectrum in the 2300 MHz band. This will help the network to boost the network capability in the North-East region and also in the remote areas of the state.

Telefonica Vivo Teams Up With AWS to Deploy 5G SA Posted: 31 May 2021 04:18 AM PDT Technocrats around the world are eyeing the development of 5G networks to open the doors of high-speed connectivity and reliable network. In the recent happenings around the 5G network, the mobile market leader in Brazil, Telefonica Brasil (Vivo), undergo various tests with Amazon Web Services (AWS) for the operation of the core of a 5G standalone network in the cloud. The results of the test were substantiated for the performance criterion of a 5G SA network. As reported in Teletime, the use of cloud core solution in the short term is a viable option for the growth of mobile networks in the face of urgent evolution to standalone networks (SA). Nokia, Mavenir and Oracle Technologies Were Used Even though the tests with Amazon Web Services was conducted in Brazil, they are valid for all the other operations of the Telefonica group. As reported by Developing Telecoms, the provision of standalone 5G functionality has been identified as a priority by Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency. The end-to-end system was validated with the help of Spirent Communications. The entity used its core network testing product to verify high-load testing and control plane functionality for user plane performance running in Amazon Web Services (AWS) South America region and AWS outputs. To make the test effective and efficient, technologies from Nokia, Mavenir and Oracle were used in the proof of concept with AWS. The final outcome of the tests revealed that Telefonica's Vivo could build its 5G core on Amazon Web Services (AWS) going forward, as one of the recent operators eyeing cloud infrastructure for standalone 5G. Telefonica Has Achevied Clear Milestones in 5G Plans Telefonica has been investing hardcore efforts to develop 5G and offer multiple benefits to its customer base that the technology has to offer. All the tests that recently had been carried out have cleared the path of a seamless 5G network. Not only this, but the latest project has helped Telefonica reach a clear milestone in its 5G plans in Brazil. The statement was marked by Cayetano Carbajo, who is the Director of Core, Service Platforms and Transportin Telefonica CTIO. He also stated that the development strategy of Telefonica has also reached a clear milestone where cloud-native 5G platforms allow a wide range of private and public infrastructure options.

iQOO Z3 5G Might Be a Big Competition to Mi 10 Series Posted: 31 May 2021 03:30 AM PDT iQOO Z3 5G is expected to launch in the Indian market soon in June; the company is yet to reveal anything about the launch date. However, the smartphone brand has already started teasing about the device on all its social media handles. We have also witnessed the handset in numerous leaks and renders. Now in the latest development, the company has listed the iQOO Z3 5G phone on the Amazon India website along with key specifications and a notify-me page. According to the report, it's going to be the first phone from the brand to arrive with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 768G chipset. Let's have a close look at the official Amazon India listing of the upcoming iQOO Z3 5G smartphone. iQOO Z3 5G Amazon Listing The Amazon India listing of the iQOO Z3 5G smartphone is confirmed to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 768G 5G mobile platform, built on an advanced 7nm processor. The smartphone will ship with an 8GB RAM stick for better performance along with a 3GB virtual RAM. The micro-site also listed the AnTuTu listing. According to the report, the smartphone has managed to score 450000+ points in the benchmark test. The company also claimed that it would unveil the Fully loaded Flash Charge technology on June 1st, and on June 2nd, it will reveal the camera specs of the phone. On June 3rd and 4th, the company will reveal the gaming capabilities and design and display of the phone respectively. Looking at this announcement, we can safely expect that the company might launch the smartphone before June 10th. Besides, the iQOO also confirmed that the smartphones from the brand would be serviced at the Vivo service centre across the country. There is a 24×7 helpline toll-free number that can be contacted for phone-related help. The company is also offering pick up and drop service to the buyers. Going with the specifications listed on Amazon India, it seems that the iQOO Z3 5G might be a good competition to the existing Xiaomi Mi 10 series. iQOO Z3 5G Specifications The iQOO Z3 5G comes with a 6.58-inch FHD+ LCD display with an aspect ratio of 20:9 and a 120Hz refresh rate display. It also has a waterdrop notch to accommodate a 16MP front camera setup for selfies and video calls. At the back, the handset features a triple-camera setup with the combination of 64MP Samsung ISOCELL GW3 primary sensor + 8MP ultra-wide lens + 2MP depth sensor. Under the hood, the iQOO Z3 5G is said to be fuelled by a 4,400mAh battery with 55W fast charging support with 55W fast charging support. The handset runs on Android 11-based iQOO UI 1.0 custom skin on top.

5G Auctions Announced for Croatia, Telecom Regulator Confirms Posted: 31 May 2021 02:54 AM PDT   A public auction has been launched to allocate the RF spectrum for fifth-generation (5G) mobile communications networks in the Republic of Croatia by its telecommunications regulator HAKOM. This auction adds Croatia's name to the list of countries that have started building 5G infrastructure for their population base. In effect of the ongoing pandemic situation, the auction would be conducted through electronic bidding. The requests to participate in the auction can be submitted until 11 June. Depending on different regions, frequency bands ranging from 700 MHz, 3600 MHz, 26 GHz, and 3600 MHz will be auctioned using different procedures. The licenses for access to these bands will be issued for a period of 15 years with an extension of up to 5 years in some cases. In the past, licenses for 5G technology valid until 2023 had been issued in regions like Medimurje and Varazdin counties. Thus, new licenses in these regions will now be issued for a shorter span of 13 years. More on the 5G auction in Croatia A competition strategy of simultaneous competition in more circles known as Simultaneous Multi-Round Auction(SMRA) would be implemented for the auction, according to a press release by HAKOM. An additional round of bidding through sealed bids will be conducted to determine the specific locations of the frequency blocks per bidder. The allocation of frequency bands will be done at a national level and regional levels in some parts. This will ensure that ample business opportunities are created for smaller, regional operators. It will also encourage diversity of services and provide the end customers with alternatives to choose from. Such allocations would promote healthy competition in the market rather than establishing monopolies of certain big players in the market. HAKOM noted that the introduction and implementation of 5G networks would act as one of the key factors to enable broadband access to all households and businesses in the country. It will ensure reliable communication with low latency and would connect a large number of devices to the network. The three biggest operators in Croatia, namely Hrvatski Telekom (HT), A1 Hrvatska, and Telemach Hrvatska, have reportedly already announced their interest in the auction along with other players in the market.

Bharti Airtel Deployed Additional Spectrum in the North Eastern Part of India Posted: 31 May 2021 02:01 AM PDT Bharti Airtel is going toe-to-toe with Reliance Jio in deploying additional spectrum around the country to improve network services. The second-largest telecom operator of India has deployed more spectrum in the North-Eastern part of the country now. With this move, the operator has deployed spectrum in several parts of the country in the recent weeks. In the North East, Bharti Airtel has deployed 10 MHz of spectrum in the 2300 MHz band. This will help the operator boost the network capacity and will further result in a better network experience for the users. Bharti Airtel Further Deployed Pre-5G Massive MIMO and Other Advanced Technologies Along with the additional spectrum, Bharti Airtel has further deployed advanced technologies to boost network services in the region. Technologies including 4G Advanced, Carrier Aggregation (CA), and pre-5G Massive MIMO have been deployed by Bharti Airtel in the region to bring the best out of its networks. With the deployment of an additional spectrum, Bharti Airtel is also gearing up to launch 5G networks in the country as soon as possible. The recent investments on the spectrum from Bharti Airtel aren't just to improve 4G, but also to become capable enough to launch 5G services using the existing airwaves. The telecom operator already has airwaves in diverse frequency bands, including 2300/2100/1800/900 MHz. With this spectrum portfolio, the telco has a 5G ready network. The Chief Executive Officer of Bharti Airtel (North East and Assam region), Sovan Mukherjee, said that the company is working aggressively in expanding its network in the North East to provide its users living in the region with world-class mobile connectivity services. It is worth noting that much recently, Bharti Airtel also deployed additional spectrum in the Assam region. In Assam, the telco added 10 MHz of spectrum in the 2300 MHz band. Overall, Bharti Airtel is strengthening its spectrum portfolio in the 2300 MHz band in North-Eastern India. With the addition of 10 MHz of spectrum in the 2300 MHz band, Airtel now has a total of 70 MHz spectrum across several bands in the North East. This makes Airtel the operator with the largest spectrum holdings in the region.

Realme X7 Max, Should You Buy or Wait? Posted: 31 May 2021 01:25 AM PDT Realme has just launched the rebranded Realme GT Neo 5G in India as the Realme X7 Max. The highlight of the device is that it has become the first smartphone in the country to sport the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC. It has multiple features and specifications that might make a user feel like he/she is handling a flagship smartphone. Right from its design to the power and performance, the device looks pretty premium. However, the question is, is it the right time to buy the device when OnePlus is going to announce the OnePlus Nord CE 5G. To understand this better, let's first take a look at what the Realme X7 Max comes with. Realme X7 Max Complete Specifications The Realme X7 Max is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC, which is a 5G capable chipset. The device is further coupled with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It will run on Realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11 out of the box. It has an amazing FHD+ AMOLED display which is 6.43-inches long and supports up to 120Hz of refresh rate and 360Hz of touch-sampling rate. The device comes with support for an in-display fingerprint sensor and has a punch-hole cutout at the top housing the selfie sensor. In the optics department, the device features a triple-camera setup at the rear. The primary sensor at the back is a 64MP IMX682 lens paired with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2MP depth sensor. At the front, there is a 16MP sensor for selfies and video calling. For connectivity, the device can support dual-5G SIM cards. It is worth noting that the Redmi X7 Max can support more 5G bands than the OnePlus 9 series. Let's take a look at all the bands it can support. 5G NR – N1/N28A/N40/N41/N77/N78/N79 (total 7 bands); 4G LTE FDD: B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B28A (8 bands); 4G TD-LTE: B34/B38/B39/B40/B41 (2515-2675MHz) (5 bands); 3G WCDMA: B1/B2/B4/B5/B6/B8/B19, and 2G GSM: 850/900/1800/1900. It can also support Wi-Fi 6 and dual-band Wi-Fi. The device packs a 4,500mAh battery and a 65W fast-charger inside the box. It also comes with a 3.5mm audio jack. Let's take a look at the pricing of the device. Realme X7 Max Price in India The Realme X7 Max has launched in two variants in India. The first variant with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage has launched for Rs 26,999, and the 12GB+256GB variant has launched for Rs 29,999. It will be available in three colours – Asteroid Black, Mercury Silver, and Milky Way. Now talking about whether or not you should wait for the OnePlus Nord CE 5G, the answer is, you definitely should. Since the device is launching on June 10, there isn't a lot of time left. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G might be available at a cheaper rate than the Realme X7 Max. However, one thing that we will be looking out for is the number of 5G bands the OnePlus CE 5G can support.

Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G Will Come Under Poco Branding in India Posted: 31 May 2021 12:53 AM PDT Xiaomi's spinoff brand Poco keeps launching smartphones that are rebranded Redmi devices. The Redmi Note 10 series was a hit in India due to its low pricing and cool specifications. There are Indian users who didn't purchase the Redmi Note 10 or Note 10 Pro because they were waiting for the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G's launch in India. However, as per a leak from Kacper Skrzypek on Twitter, the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G might launch under the Poco branding in India. Here's all you should know about this. Poco X3 GT Might be the Rebranded Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G There were some users who were wondering if the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G would launch as Poco F3 GT in India. However, the Poco F3 GT is reserved for the Redmi K40 Gaming Edition in India, and now, according to the leak, it can be expected that the Poco X3 GT will be the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G in India. The Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1100 SoC. Redmi could have gone with the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC for the smartphone; however, the use of the older generation chipset might be to bring 5G at a low cost to the consumers. Not only in India, but other international markets such as Indonesia and Turkey might get the device under Poco branding only. Since the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G has launched in China, we know what we can expect from the Poco X3 GT in terms of specifications. The device might come with a 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD display with support for 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate with support for a maximum brightness of 1100nits. The device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1100 SoC coupled with up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. The device is expected to run on MIUI 12 based on Android 11 out of the box. Further, it might pack a 5,000mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging. There might be a triple camera setup at the rear where the primary sensor is a 64MP lens paired with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. At the front, users might get a 16MP selfie sensor.

BSNL Wants DoT’s Confirmation for Extending Telecom Services in Naxal Areas Posted: 31 May 2021 12:21 AM PDT Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) wants confirmation from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on whether it should extend the telecom services in the Naxal hit areas of the country or not. As per a PTI report, the Home Ministry is also seeking to understand what decision the telecom department will go ahead with. The government pays out of its own pocket to keep the telecom services running in the Naxal hit areas so that the security forces and the police in the area can use the networks to communicate seamlessly. However, the telecom department has not said anything about the matter so far. BSNL Doesn't Want Any More Losses BSNL has to use its own resources for providing services in the Naxal hit areas. The state-run telco wants the clear stance of the telecom department on the matter so that it can decide whether it wants to shut down or continue the operations in the concerned locations. Ajay Bhalla, Union Home Secretary, said in a recent meeting that under no uncertain terms, these mobile towers and networks should remain active. This has led to the confusion of the future of the telecom services in the Naxal hit areas, and that is why the Home Ministry and BSNL want a clear stance of the DoT on the matter. Anshuli Arya, the administrator of the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), has received a letter about the decision of the Home Ministry. For the unaware, USOF is the pool of funds that the government generates through the Adjusted Gross Revenues (AGR) it charges from the telecom companies. DoT then uses this fund to provide telecom services and connectivity in rural areas and Naxal hit areas of the country where the private operators don't have any commercial benefit in providing services. In Chhattisgarh alone, over 2,200 telecom towers were installed by the government using the funds from USOF to ensure that the security services and state police get all the connectivity they need to communicate seamlessly. Looking at the recent developments, BSNL wants to understand whether the mobile towers in the concerned areas need to be kept active or not. The state-run telco has over 356 telecom sites in the Naxal affected areas, which it installed using its own resources.

DoT Says Final Guidelines of PLI for Telecom in Final Stages Posted: 30 May 2021 11:39 PM PDT The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said that the guidelines of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the telecom sector is in the final stages and will be released soon. It is because of the widespread of COVID-19 in the country that the telecom department couldn't come out with the guidelines sooner. According to an ET Telecom report, the telecom vendors are scared about losing crucial time of four months because of the government delays in coming out with the final guidelines. For the unaware, the PLI scheme for the telecom department had already come into effect on April 1, 2021. However, since the government hasn't come out with the final guidelines, it is resulting in delays in the manufacturing plans of the telecom vendors. DoT Says Basic Incentive Structure Already Announced The government official related to the matter said that DoT has already announced the incentive structure for the companies. In addition to that, the department also revealed the names of the interested companies that might be a part of the scheme. As per an executive, a look at the final guidelines revealed by the government is really important to understand the business case of the scheme. Accordingly, looking at the guidelines, businesses can decide on the targets they want to achieve. The vendors can lose out on as much as four months of crucial time because of the government delays. This will impact the target they want to achieve by the year-end. In February 2021, DoT had announced the PLI for the telecom sector of Rs 12,195 crore. The incentives for the companies are set between 4% to 6% if they hit the desired target set by the government. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) stand to gain a higher incentive of up to 7% if they reach their targets. To be a part of the scheme, the large companies have to invest a minimum amount of Rs 100 crore for manufacturing, and MSMEs have to invest a minimum amount of Rs 10 crore only. The PLI scheme for the telecom sector will boost the local productivity of network gear and will ensure that India can source its 5G equipment locally only. Major companies including Ciena, Foxconn, Samsung, Cisco and more are expected to be a part of the scheme.

MTNL Might Participate in 5G Trials, Where is BSNL? Posted: 30 May 2021 10:49 PM PDT Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the government-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), might participate in the 5G trials soon. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will provide the telco with the necessary spectrum for trials if it submits the fees that's required to get the permission. While MTNL might participate soon in the trials, the obvious question arises, where is BSNL? BSNL is currently pushing for the 4G tender and is trying to build a PAN-India 4G network. At present, BSNL has 4G VoLTE services in select parts of the country only. MTNL Will Partner Up With C-DoT for 5G Trials According to a PTI report, MTNL will be partnering up with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), a government telecommunications development body, for conducting the 5G trials. It is worth noting that MTNL operates its mobile network in only two cities of the country – Mumbai and New Delhi. Thus the state-run telco will be conducting its 5G trials in Delhi and an area near Najafgarh. But MTNL still hasn't received the spectrum from the DoT because it is yet to pay Rs 5,000 as the fees for permission. All the other operators, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, have been provided with the necessary spectrum. The telecom department has decided to provide the telcos with the airwaves in the 700 MHz band, 3.3 GHz – 3.6 GHz bands, and the mmWave bands (24.25 GHz – 28.5 GHz). Further, the government has asked the operators to also conduct 5G trials in the rural parts of the country. The operators have already decided on the companies that they will partner with to go ahead with the trials. As expected, the Chinese vendors have been left out of the process. Global vendors including Samsung, Nokia, Ericsson, and the Indian government's C-DoT will be helping the operators with the 5G trials. Reliance Jio is expected to conduct the trials using its proprietary technology as well as Samsung's technology. It is worth noting that the operators have been allocated the spectrum for 6 months to conduct the 5G trials. The operators will be conducting trials in major cities of the country, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Delhi.

802.11n Router and 802.11ac Router Differences Explained Posted: 30 May 2021 09:30 PM PDT A router is a device that sends the internet connection that you receive from your internet service provider to the various devices you use to access the internet. When it comes to the internet, choosing the latest router with the best features works hand in hand with your internet connection and plays an important role in the outcome. If you have your internet delivered through the latest technologies like fibre optic cables offering 5G speed but have an outdated router to convert that into the wireless network, you are probably not getting the most out of your internet connection. Routers have advanced over some time and have become more feature-driven. As the needs of the users have evolved, the routers we have in the market have become more suited to take care of those needs. 802.11n routers and 802.11ac routers are two different types of routers with some key distinctions. The 802.11n router The 802.11n router is the successor to the 802.11g/a router. It can deliver speeds of up to 600 Mbps and would be suitable for most use cases of the internet. If you are someone who accesses the internet to browse websites, checking emails and HD streaming with only a few devices connected to the router, then 802.11n could be the right choice for you. The 802.11ac router 802.11ac router is the successor to the 802.11 routers. With internet service providers being able to provide gigabit speeds thanks to the advancements of broadband technology, our routers also need to be upgraded to support these speeds. 802.11ac router, or the gigabit router as it’s popularly known, can deliver speeds of up to a few Gbps. These routers are best suited for users like 4K streaming, live gaming, live coding and other such data-intensive tasks. Here are a few key distinctions between these two routers in terms of their range and price. Range We have already mentioned above that the Ac router is capable of delivering much higher speeds as it's the successor to the 802.11n router. In terms of range, both routers basically offer the same range on paper. However, there are a few key differences. The 802.11n offers both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands, while the 802.11ac only uses the 5Ghz band. While higher bands are faster but have a lower range, the peak performance of 802.11ac is much better than the performance of 802.11n in the longer range. Price As the 802.11ac router is the latest and advanced version, it's no surprise that it is not only more expensive but also widely available in the market today. It is now found as a Wi-Fi standard, built-in every premium phones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs and also a few mid-range devices. Considering the benefits are way more of purchasing the 802.11ac as 5G is the future of internet speeds, the high price is justified if you look at it as an investment for the future.

Android 12 Hints at Google’s Drastic Plans for Pixel Lineup Posted: 30 May 2021 08:00 PM PDT We will soon get to see Google entering its sixth trial at making its own smartphone under the Pixel branding. The Pixel 6 leaks and rumours have been anything but boring, offering a look into a unique design and a quirky camera module. That does not guarantee a great device though, since the hardware is half of what makes a device good. Software is key and, Google being a software-related company, that should bode well for the device, right? Well, yes, Google is good, but it has come under scrutiny due to certain privacy issues, but, it has gotten a sort of a pass due to proper disclosure of the same. Let's not get carried away though, since, in terms of software, Android 12 seems to be a sign for good things to come. In case you missed it, Google recently announced Android 12, complete with a bold redesign that is being called Material You. It has been received with equal criticism and love, but, it is revolutionary and something different from Google, a company known for not taking risks. Do note that you should not get too excited about Android 12 coming in the same avatar that Google showcases, since most brands will opt to apply a skin on top, meaning that the Pixel will be one of the few devices featuring bone stock Android, which might not be a bad thing. Is Google Trying to Imitate Samsung? Well, not to point fingers, but, if you take a look at Material You and the new Android 12 UI and its elements as a whole, it is reminiscent of what Samsung offers with its One UI. This is quite obvious with the key design elements, from the colours to the customizability features to the larger icons. Now, for anyone who follows tech and consumer technology, it is common knowledge that Samsung is a segment leader, especially in terms of mobile phones. It has time and again proved its worth, by selling devices by truckloads, at times without having the best package. This is what got us thinking, because, the move to a more One UI like design might actually hint at Google believing in its Pixel lineup and wishing for it to be more popular than its current status in the market, be it in India or globally. Does Google Finally Care About The Pixel? Yes, at least according to us. Google trying to bring its UI closer to what Samsung has to offer shows that the company might be starting to actually care about the Pixel, to the point that it starts bringing profits and sells decently. Google has always been about being at the forefront and the top step, but this has never been the case with its Pixel lineup. The company had the intention and the will, but the likes of Samsung and Apple seem to have denied the same to the tech giant. Now, with a new UI and a rumoured plan to move to its own silicon and smartphone SoC, it seems that there is a new Google on the way, one that is willing to take the occasional risk, as is evident by the design leaks, in order to attain success. If we had to bet on Google, we would not think twice, since they seem to be the wild card that could disrupt the market in more ways than one.

Vodafone Idea Offers This Unique Smartphone Benefit Posted: 30 May 2021 06:32 PM PDT Regardless of what people think about Vodafone Idea (Vi), the company offers some of the best and unique prepaid plans to its 4G customers. Vi users can purchase one prepaid plan from the company that offers them an extended warranty of 1 year on their smartphones. In terms of other benefits, this plan wouldn't be the best one from the company. However, if you are looking for an extended warranty of 1 year on your smartphone, purchase this plan. Take a complete look at the Vodafone Idea prepaid plan that we are talking about ahead. Vodafone Idea Rs 819 Prepaid Plan Please don't confuse this prepaid plan with the Rs 801 plan from the telco. Both are completely different in terms of benefits; however, the validity provided by either of the plans is the same 84 days. Note that the 1 year extended warranty benefit is only applicable for users purchasing a Vivo smartphone. Users purchasing smartphones from other companies won't be eligible to receive the benefit. There are other terms and conditions related to the offer that you can go and find on the company's website. As for the other benefits, this plan comes with 2GB daily fair-usage-policy (FUP) data for the users. The plan also offers truly unlimited voice calling and 100 SMS/day to the users. As mentioned above, the plan comes with a validity of 84 days. There are other added benefits of 'Weekend Data Rollover' and 'Binge All Night'. This plan doesn't offer any over-the-top (OTT) benefits to the users; however, there is one benefit of Vi Movies & TV Classic clubbed. Honestly, if you are a new Vivo smartphone owner who hasn't damaged the device already, this offer might work well in your favour. Instead of buying the additional warranty for your smartphone, you can buy this plan. But, this plan absolutely has no purpose for an average user. Because, for a lower price of Rs 801, users get more benefits out of their plan, such as 3GB daily data instead of the 2GB daily data with this plan. The validity is also the same, and there is an added OTT benefit of Disney+ Hotstar VIP for one year, along with 48GB bonus data. To be honest, the number of people owning a Vivo smartphone and being a customer of the company might be too less for Vi to actually make an impact with this plan. Regardless, we as customers should never stop appreciating the innovation and benefits packed plans our telecom operators bring us.

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