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True Wireless Stereo Market Grows in India Courtesy of Budget Offerings

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 10:05 AM PDT

TWS Wired Bluetooth headsets are largely becoming a thing of the past as more and more people resort to Truly Wireless Stereo (TWS) headsets. The prices of TWS headsets in India are becoming more and more affordable thus allowing people to buy these and forcing the companies to innovate as well. As per the market research firm, Counterpoint, the Indian TWS market has grown by 68% year on year in the second quarter of FY 2021. The homegrown brands of India maintain the lead in this regard and the topmost name in the list is captured by boAt. As per the data provided by the IoT service of Counterpoint, boAt saw 426% year-over-year growth and a 37% share of the total shipments.

Lower Segment Major Boost for TWS

Some of the factors that worked in favour of boAt included aggressive marketing techniques, celebrity endorsements and its stacking of the inventory of Airdopes 131 during the Flipkart Big Savings Day sale. The second and third spot respectively was taken by OnePlus and Realme. Both the brands had the advantage of an existing user base in India with 12% and 10% share, respectively. Noise was the company that took the fourth spot on the list with 117% year-over-year growth and 8% share. As per Senior Research Analyst Anshika Jain, the low-cost segment in the TWS products has provided the required impetus for growth. There were also new entrants in the field which included names like Lava, Aiwa and TCL. Not only this, she said that in the next quarter launches by brands like Nothing Ear, Dizo and Micromax will also fill the market.

PLI Becoming a Big Factor Behind Indian Production

A big driving factor for the manufacturing of these products is the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme which is convincing the companies to set up their productions in India. While pTron is the first brand that has set up a made-in-India TWS line, Mivi is on the same footsteps. Aiwa is another brand that is likely to follow along in the same footsteps. As per the analysts, because of the Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 price point in TWS offerings, the market has grown by 60%.

Broadcasters Delay TRAI NTO Implementation On Back of Interconnect Offer Filing

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 09:04 AM PDT

Broadcasters Delay implementation TRAI NTO The National Tariff Order (NTO) post the latest Bombay ruling underwent a few more changes. As per the new rules, the broadcasters in the industry were required to publish their new prices and inform the same to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The regulator, besides looking at the telecom industry, also has reins over the DTH and broadcasting industry as well. However, the deadline, which has expired on August 12, has seen very little compliance from the broadcasters. As per the broadcasting companies, they need more time to file the Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO), and this is more time to take part in the process. It is also worth noting that the ruling of the court has not sat well with these companies.

Only One Point of the Tariff Order Struck Down

To roll back a little bit, the broadcasting companies have been opposed to the National Tariff Order rollout by TRAI since the beginning. The legal tussle for the same still continues in many High Courts across the country. In a very recent ruling by Bombay HC, the bench had upheld the constitutional validity of the NTO 2.0 brought forth by TRAI. The report comes from ET Telecom. However, using the doctrine of severability, the bench had struck down a part of the order on the grounds that it was arbitrary. The ruling was petitioned against by the broadcasters in the Supreme Court, which had refused to club the various cases firstly and secondly had outright refused to put a stay on order. This was on August 6, after which the next hearing is slated to be heard on August 18.

Broadcasters Opposed to New Tariff Regime

The telecom regulator and the broadcasters have been embroiled in this battle for long; while TRAI's argument says that the new tariff order has been put in place to check the transparency of the cable operators, MSOs, LCOs and DTH operators, the broadcasters argue that their subscription revenue has been badly hit by the move. The second iteration of the NTO, also known as NTO 2.0, caps the channel pricing at Rs 12, which is a low blow as compared to the already existing Rs 19 per month, max pricing allowed for channels. The Rs 130 NCF would allow 200 channels to the subscribers under the new regime.

Redmi Accidentally Posts Redmi 10 Blog Post, Revealing Key Details

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 07:48 AM PDT

Redmi Leaks and rumours have become a part of product launches, with leaksters using revealing key details of the smartphone prior to the launch, but, it is quite odd for the company that is launching a new product soon to reveal the entirety of the smartphone prior to the official launch, but, that is exactly what Xiaomi has done to its upcoming budget handset, the Redmi 10. Ahead of the launch of the Redmi 10, Xiaomi accidentally leaked the official blog post for the smartphone, but, thanks to the folks at Android Authority, we know a bit about what Redmi’s number series handset will bring, with the details hinting at a major upgrade over the rather dated Redmi 9. Before going through the specifications, it is worth noting that Redmi is finally shifting up the design for its regular number series handset, with the design being aesthetically similar to Xiaomi’s premium handsets.

Redmi 10: Leaked Specifications

The device will be available in three different hues, two matte options, namely Carbon Gray and Pebble White, with a rather shiny Sea Blue hue rounding off the available options. Coming to the specifications, the Redmi 10 will come with a massive upgrade to the screen, with the device featuring a 6.5-inch FHD+ resolution display with a refresh rate of 90Hz, with the interesting bit being that the display would house adaptive refresh rate, with the device automatically choosing the refresh rate depending on the situation. Performance-wise, the device will make use of the MediaTek Helio G88 chipset with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. There will be a rather large 5000 mAh battery with support for 18W charging, but the included charger will be a 22.5W unit. Optics wise, the Redmi 10 will be the first device from the Redmi base series to use a 50MP primary sensor, which would be a major upgrade over the Redmi 9’s 13MP shooter that was known for low-light issues. The camera array is topped off with an 8MP ultra-wide snapper, a 2MP macro sensor and a final 2MP depth sensor, with the selfie duties being handled by an 8MP snapper. Miscellaneous features include dual speakers, support for a headphone jack, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor with MIUI 12.5, probably with Android 11 out of the box. The blog post failed to reveal the pricing of the handset, but, Xiaomi would probably refrain from crossing the Redmi 9’s pricing, which is already subject to competition by the likes of Realme. When the device does launch, it will supposedly be offered in three variants, 4GB+64GB, 6GB+128GB and 4GB+128GB.

Stakeholders Not Happy With Movies Having Direct OTT Release

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 06:56 AM PDT

stakeholders-not-happy-movies-direct-ott-release Parallel release of movies on over-the-top (OTT) platforms and multiplexes is a "concept" that is "prevalent only in the US and some other western markets," says Kamal Gianchandani, chief executive officer at PVR Pictures. Gianchandani in the first quarter earnings call in late July, said that the "concept" of a "simultaneous release" is "not applicable to India." The CEO at PVR Pictures was responding to an analyst question on the recent trend set by Walt Disney and Warner Bros in releasing movies simultaneously on streaming platforms and in multiplex. The Walt Disney Company, a diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise and Warner Bros Pictures Group, a leading media and entertainment company in recent months followed a "hybrid exhibition model."

Simultaneous Movie Releases on Multiplex, OTT Platforms An "Experiment"

The model followed by the Walt Disney and Warner Bros saw the companies release several of its respective movies including Black Widow, a movie starring Scarlett Johansson on its respective OTT platforms and multiplex on the same day. Gianchandani highlighted that the HBO Max, a streaming platform run by Warner Bros is "not even available in India." Further, the PVR Pictures CEO said that Walt Disney has been "refraining from doing a day and date release in theaters and OTT platforms" in India, despite having its own OTT platform, the Disney+ Hotstar. "It is an experiment," Gianchandani said in the first quarter earnings call. "I think broadly most analysis are pointing out to cannibalizing of overall revenues to studios as in the sum of all parts would have been greater than what they are earning by doing a parallel release." Gianchandani said that the companies would have earned more revenue than "what they had earned" now, if "they had followed a window" between the multiplex and the OTT platforms. It has to be noted that Walt Disney’s upcoming release Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will have a theatrical release first followed by a release on its streaming platform. Similarly, Warner Bros will no longer release its major movies on its streaming platform on the same day as multiplex in 2022. The Walt Disney and the Warner Bros in the upcoming months will both have a 45 day window between the theatrical release and the streaming platform release. "So I think that also signals the fact that studios are not entirely happy with the results they have got over the last one year and what has happened over the last one year should be seen as an aberration, an experiment," Gianchandani said. Meanwhile, in India, several movies across multiple languages have been released directly on the OTT platforms in the past year, skipping theatrical release altogether. Gianchandani said the stakeholders including the talent associated with a movie that released directly on an OTT platform are "not happy." "When I say talent, I mean the actors, directors, the creative force behind a film," Gianchandani said. "They are not happy with these releases because they are finding the experience is not the same." The PVR Pictures CEO said that the movies released in cinemas will have a "different experience" as the "people tend to enjoy more because of the overall experience" in theatres. "So talent is not really happy, producers are also finding the commercial benefits are capped when you release it on OTT platform versus when you take it out theatrically," Gianchandani said. "I think everyone is moving towards the same conclusion that we need to have windows, theatrical needs to be the first platform to be where the film gets exposed and thereafter you need to follow it up with the other platforms."

Footfalls Set to Improve Soon Say Analysts

Crucially, multiple analysts including Edelweiss Research, a leading domestic institutional brokerage house "expect footfalls to improve" across the industry while also highlighting OTT platforms as "key risks." "With the second covid-19 wave impacting the sector, we expect footfalls to improve only once restrictions are removed and new movies are released," Edelweiss Research said in a report in late July. "Progress on vaccination drive too bodes well." However, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, an Indian diversified financial services firm said that the increasing "scale and traction of movie releases" on OTT platforms could transform the industry dynamics. "With the rising scale and traction of movie releases over OTT platforms since the pandemic, coupled with subscriber growth and even the strong reception by mainstream actors, the dynamics of the industry could change," Motilal Oswal said in its report in early August. "However, the management has indicated that this may change once normalcy returns."

HCL Chosen by Rogers Communications to Ensure Enhanced Operational Stability

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 06:53 AM PDT

HCL One of the leading global technology companies, HCL Technologies, known usually as HCL announced on Friday that Rogers Communications, which is a leading Canada-based telecom service provider and media company had selected the tech giant to support the operational stability excellence in business and operational support systems, as well as corporate IT system. This new multi-year agreement further adds to HCL's managed services partnership with Rogers that first started back in 2016. HCL has added that it would help to scale Rogers’ IT infra and workloads migrating to both the current public and private cloud-based infrastructure, as well as support the enterprise’s ongoing operations.

Why Is This Deal Significant?

HCL will also serve the current services provider, with the expanded contract also allowing HCL to invest in the next generation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ML (Machine Learning) to allow for the best practices, increased efficiency, all of which will provide Rogers Communications with the much-needed flexibility when it comes to the new era of technology and 5G. Vikram Virk, the VP of IT Operations at Rogers Communications stated that HCL had played a key role supporting the reliability of the company’s operations ever since 2016 and has since then provided tremendous value by enabling Rogers Communications to scale its IT operational efficiency and stability. He added that the company was pleased to renew and expand our strategic partnership with HCL to help support our customers." Anil Ganjoo, the Corporate Vice President of HCL Technologies added that, in line with the company’s vision, this new chapter in its relation with Rogers was an affirmation of our strategy in responding to customers' digital transformation journeys. By focusing on cloud, automation, AI, fast networks and more, Rogers can make sure that it meets the customers' current and future needs, he added. Joelien Jose, the Executive Vice President and Country Head of HCL Canada said that the company was excited to work with Rogers as it embarked on the next phase of its technology evolution to deliver leading performance and reliability, coupled with best-in-class customer experience. The Rogers partnership with HCL further validated its more than adequate investment in Canada, the most recent of which was the 350-seat digital acceleration centre located in Mississauga. For those of you unaware, HCL is known for its Mode 1-2-3 strategy, which is based on the deep-domain industry expertise, entrepreneurial culture of Ideapreneurship and client-centricity, enabling the businesses to transform into truly next-generation enterprises of the world.

JioPhone Next: New Info About Display and Software Surfaces Online

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 05:57 AM PDT

JioPhone Software and Display Reliance Jio has been able to add a behemoth number of subscribers to its base thanks to the JioPhone revolution. Now the Mukesh Ambani led telecom operator seems to be in the mood of topping it off with the launch of JioPhone Next. The phone, which was mentioned in the previous AGM of Reliance Jio, is also a strategic bet since it will aim to bring the 2G feature phone users onboard the 4G LTE network with the entry of a cheap hybrid Android device. However, until now, the JioPhone Next was clad in mystery. There have been talks about the software that the device will pack, but mostly, the hardware information of the JioPhone Next has remained elusive. But, now it seems that we have some new info about the JioPhone Next which is slated to be launched on September 10.

New Information About the JioPhone Next

XDA Developer's Mishaal Rahman has shared a tweet with the boot screen of the JioPhone Next device and revealed some technical information about the same. The boot screen of JioPhone Next comes with a tag of "created with Google", hinting towards the partnership with the tech giant. Also, as per Rahman, the phone comes with Google Duo out of the box, but it is not the usual run of the mill Android-Go enabled Google Duo. The Camera Go on the device is also enabled with a Snapchat integration.

JioPhone Next Hardware Specifications

When it comes to hardware, being in the hybrid range and successor of the JioPhone, we cannot practically expect the device to pack exceptionally powerful hardware. Some of the features touted by Reliance Jio include voice assistant, language translation, smart camera with AR filters, and more. Not only this, but inside the device, we find a Qualcomm 215 chipset which is used to power mostly entry-level devices. The software on the JioPhone Next is the Android 11 Go edition. Based on the boot screen, the resolution on the device has been expected to be 1440×720. Although the storage and memory information is not yet available but based on the fact that the device is mostly a budget phone, then practically the JioPhone Next will pack 2GB RAM and not more than 32GB storage.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Listed on Bluetooth SIG, Revealing Possible Launch Date

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 05:52 AM PDT

S20 FE It has been known for quite some time that Samsung was working on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, as part of its FE series of devices, which offer flagship-grade specifications without the hefty sum. The device would succeed the much appreciated S20 FE flagship, which propelled the S20 series quite a bit. Today, the upcoming Samsung flagship was spotted on the Bluetooth SIG website, providing some insight on an expected launch date and the model number. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE was spotted on the Bluetooth SIG site in two different filings, with both of these filings mentioning the S21 FE moniker, along with the SM-G990 model number.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Listing Reveals Possible Launch Date?

The filing reveals Bluetooth 5.0 support, which is probably correct, since Samsung’s latest foldables, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 are listed with the apt Bluetooth versions. The filing also mentions a dual-SIM variant, with the model number allotted being SM-G990B_DS, with the DS part being Samsung’s suffix for dual-SIM variants of its handsets. There is no other information to gain from this listing, but, something that is worth noting is that the S21 FE filing was done at the exact same time as the Galaxy Watch 4 series, Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3, possibly suggesting that the company might have planned to launch the latest flagship alongside these devices during the Unpacked Event on August 11. We are of course speculating since it is possible that the timing might have very little to do with the launch date, but, it is common for devices to surface at the same time on Bluetooth SIG if they are launched together, as was the case with the Poco F3 and X3 Pro and the entirety of the S21 series of devices from the Korean giant. Further reports from Korea have claimed that the upcoming handset was being delayed by the company due to either marketing or production-related issues, but, the accidental listing on the official Samsung Instagram account suggests that the launch is not quite far. In other Samsung related news, the company launched the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series, consisting of the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, both of which make use of the Exynos W920 chipset, which is the company’s take on Snapdragon Wear kind of chipsets. It will be interesting to see how the watch will do and, whether or not the product can take on Apple’s take on smartwatches, the Apple Watch, which is in its 6th generation.

Vodafone Idea MD Extends Gratitude to Subscribers and Lauds Vi Network

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 05:18 AM PDT

Vodafone Idea Vodafone Idea has not taken well, the order of the Supreme Court which comes after the petition to review the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) calculation. The Rs 58,254 crore dues that Vodafone Idea currently owes to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have been overestimated as per Vodafone Idea. Appealing again and again to the courts, Vodafone Idea has made attempts at correcting this figure and bringing it down to Rs 21,533 crore which is the correct figure as per the telecom operator. Amidst all of this hassle, Vi MD and CEO, Ravinder Takkar has come out with a statement thanking the telco's 270 million subscribers and expressing his gratitude.

Vi MD Extends Gratitude to Subscribers

The statement from Takkar comes at a very crucial time when conversations about Vodafone Idea going rampant are catching up the heat. However, what is peculiar and interesting at the same time about the statement is that Takkar's remarks do not mention anything about the crisis situation that Vodafone Idea finds itself in. On the contrary, after thanking the 270 million subscribers of Vodafone Idea, Takkar added that Vi will continue to offer superior services and best-in-class propositions to its subscribers. He also added that Vodafone Idea has expanded 4G coverage to 1 billion customers and the company also remains the top-rated fastest telco in India. Further, he added that the Vodafone Idea network is 5G-ready as well.

Many to Lose Jobs If Vodafone Idea Goes Bust

The company on the other hand had a very grim picture to paint in its remarks from a few days before in which it showed concerns about going "under". In its reply to the SC judgement, Vodafone Idea has maintained its fears of going bankrupt. Currently, the total dues on the telco's head remain at Rs 1.5 lakh crore to the DoT including spectrum deferred payments and AGR dues. Showing concerns about the financial health of the company it has already been said that if Vodafone Idea collapses 10,000 direct and 10,000 associate employees would also lose their jobs along with 1 lakh distributors and retailers. It is also said that Vodafone Idea's subscribers will be left "high and dry" in such a scenario.

Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL Best Prepaid Plans Under Rs 400

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 04:09 AM PDT

Prepaid Plans The competitive landscape of the Indian telecom industry is dominated by three private telecom operators that include Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea. One of the common features among the telcos is their prepaid plans. All the telcos are offering both affordable and premium range of prepaid plans to cater to the entertainment and work needs of subscribers. In this article, we will list the best-prepaid plans of Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea under Rs 400.

Reliance Jio Rs 399 Prepaid Plan

The Reliance Jio Rs 399 prepaid plan comes with a service validity of 56 days. Under the plan, Jio provides 1.5GB of internet data. Once the daily data limit is finished, the internet speed reduces to 64 Kbps. Additionally, users get voice calling benefits and 100 SMSes per day. Unfortunately, there is no OTT benefit packed with this plan. However, if users are willing to compromise the validity period to gain more internet data and OTT benefits, they can opt for Rs 401 prepaid plan. Under the plan, users will get 3GB of internet data per day for 28 days. Not only this, but they will also get an extra 6GB of internet data that makes the total data count 90GB. Additionally, users will get a subscription to Disney+Hotstar for one year.

Bharti Airtel Rs 349 Prepaid Plan

Bharti Airtel Rs 349 prepaid plan offers 2.5GB of internet data per day for 28 days. Once the FUP limit is reached, the internet speed is reduced. Truly unlimited calling benefits and 100 SMSes per day is also included in the prepaid plan. Additionally, Airtel offers Amazon Prime Membership along with Wynk Music free subscription, Rs 100 cashback on FASTag and more. Also, Airtel provides 3 months subscription to Apollo 24/7 circle and free online courses of Shaw Academy for one year.

Vodafone Idea Rs 399 Prepaid Plan

Vodafone Idea offers 1.5GB of internet data per day for 56 days. Also, unlimited calling benefits and 100 SMSes per day is included in the prepaid plan. Weekend data rollover facility and subscription to Vi Movies and TV are also offered to prepaid subscribers.

BSNL Rs 398 Prepaid Plan

The state-owned telco offers intriguing prepaid plans with calling and data benefits. The BSNL Rs 398 prepaid plan comes under the data voucher category, where users get unlimited data and voice calling benefits for 30 days. Additionally, users get 100 SMSes per day in the home and national roaming, including the MTNL network roaming area of Delhi and Mumbai.

BSNL Can Gain 2G Customers of Vi In Case of Bankruptcy

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 03:05 AM PDT

BSNL There is a fear amid the market that Vodafone Idea (Vi) might go bankrupt in case the telco doesn't get enough relief from the government or isn't able to find a new investor. This would hurt all the users on the telco's network as they will have to port their SIMs to other companies' networks. However, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) might benefit a lot from the bankruptcy of Vodafone Idea. This is because all of Vi's 2G users will shift to BSNL's networks because they won't be able to afford Airtel's increased tariff plans and shifting to Jio would mean they will have to buy a new smartphone.

BSNL Can Get a Flock of Users from Vodafone Idea

Airtel would increase the tariffs of its plans as soon as Vodafone Idea goes bankrupt. This is to ensure that only high average revenue per user (ARPU) customers join its networks. Jio might not see an influx of 2G users from Vi because it would require them to purchase a new smartphone which many won't. This will make BSNL the ideal choice for the users since the telco offers low-end plans and legacy network services. Jio still might be able to attract some new users with the launch of the JioPhone Next on September 10, 2021. For the unaware, JioPhone Next is a budget 4G smartphone developed in partnership with Google and Reliance Jio to offer the best of 4G and Android to Indian users at a very low cost. Bharti Airtel would also need to jump in here with an affordable 4G smartphone or subsidies on 4G smartphones for the 2G users of Vi to ensure that it doesn't stay behind Reliance Jio a lot. At the same time, the telcos will have to work on increasing their network capacity so that they can manage all the data demands by customers across the country.

Google Meet Gets New Features: Users Can Add Up To 25 Co-Hosts

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 01:46 AM PDT

Google Meet Gets New Features: Users Can Add Up To 25 Co-Hosts Google Meet, the video conferencing platform has hit the headlines as it lets users add as many as 25 co-hosts per meeting. Also, users can impose limitations on who can share their screen, mute all users, send chat messages and end meetings, claims a report by IANS. Through a post on the Workspace blog, Google stated that it is expanding the meeting moderation controls within Meet and introducing many high-requested features. As per the update from the company, these co-hosts can be allowed access and use the host controls as well.

New Google Meet Feature

From the Quick Access setting, users can easily control who can request permission to join a meeting. Earlier, the safety features were available only for the users of Google Workspace for Education. As Google Meet has got the new controls, users of the video chat app on both mobile and desktop can make use of these capabilities. The delegated co-hosts on Google Meet can handle controls such as launching polls, muting participants, and managing Q&As. This way, the host will get more time to focus on the discussions and guiding attendees through their presentations, added Google in the statement. When it is enabled, hosts of a meeting on Google Meet can limit who can share the screen, mute all participants with a single click, limit who can send chat messages and end the meeting for all participants. In the applicable Google Workspace editions, hosts of meetings can share hosting privileges with other participants of up to 25 per meeting. From the People panel, the host can grant them the necessary controls. By default, the Quick Access control will be enabled and it will let participants from the domain automatically join the meeting either from a desktop or mobile service and by dialing in. the Quick Access setting will be available for Google Workspace Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Business Standard, Business Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, and Teaching and Learning Upgrade customers. In the coming weeks, Google will come up with a setting for the admins that will let them control if the Host Management settings will be turned on or off by default, added Google.

Telecom Relief Package Should Not Include Floor Pricing Regime

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 01:27 AM PDT

Telecom Relief Package The concept of floor pricing might sound good to the ailing telecom operators, but it isn't in the best interests of the country. A floor price would restrict the entry of low-income customers to the 4G networks in India. Further, it would make the competition very stale since the operators won't be inclined to put efforts into getting high average revenue per user (ARPU) customers by enhancing their networks. In short, a floor price might make the operators a little lazy. Instead of adding a floor price regime to the relief package, the government should reduce statutory dues for the telcos.

Floor Pricing Won't Help the Country

Floor pricing would mean that customers would essentially have to pay more or a set amount for gaining access to network services. Whether the network quality is good or bad, the customers will have to pay a minimum amount that is feasible for the operators. This just sounds so wrong. It is basically pushing indirect cartalisation in the industry, which would make it nearly impossible for low-income customers to be able to afford network services. It would hurt the government's vision of a Digital India. Instead of a floor price, the government should focus on reducing the statutory dues for the operators, which is the reason for the industry being in a bad place today. The spectrum usage charges, the adjusted gross revenue dues, license fees, and more have caused more stress to the telcos than anything else. The answer to the telcos' financial problems is not floor pricing but the reduction of statutory dues. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has denied setting a floor price multiple times because the regulator understands its implications won't be good for the country in the long run. The relief package is in the works by the government; it will be interesting to see how the center decides to help the operators.

iQOO 8, iQOO 8 Pro to Arrive With 120W Fast Charging Feature

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 01:20 AM PDT

iQOO 8, iQOO 8 Pro To Arrive With 120W Fast Charging Feature The iQOO 8 is one of the upcoming smartphones that is hitting the tech headlines quite frequently. This smartphone is all set to go official in China on August 17 alongside the Pro model. As we are nearing the launch of this smartphone, the company is officially teasing both these models spilling the beans on some specifications. Notably, there will be two smartphones – iQOO 8 and iQOO 8 Pro. The Pro variant is said to arrive with BMW M Sport colorway. Confirming the same, the company teased the design of the device with the BMW M Sport livery. Now, fresh information regarding these upcoming smartphones has emerged online.

iQOO 8 120W Fast Charging

The latest teaser of the iQOO 8 and iQOO 8 Pro revealed by the company on Weibo hints that both smartphones will arrive with 120W fast charging support. The Pro model is likely to support 50W wireless fast charging as well as 10W reverse wireless charging. For the uninitiated, the iQOO 7 series models were launched with 120W fast charging in China but the Indian variants have 66W fast charging support.

iQOO 8 Expected Specifications

From the existing reports, the iQOO 8 series smartphones are expected to be launched with a Samsung E5 display with a 2K resolution. Under the hood, these smartphones are likely to use an octa-core flagship Snapdragon 888+ chipset along with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage space. Talking about the camera department, the iQOO 8 Pro is speculated to feature a 50 MP primary camera sensor accompanied by a 48 MP ultra-wide-angle lens. It is believed to flaunt a triple-camera setup but the tertiary sensor details are not known for now. Also, the iQOO 8 PRo's BMW M Sport colorway is seen clearly with an iconic tri-color strip at its rear.

iQOO 8 Series India Launch And Price Details

Going by the leaked details the iQOO 8 Pro is said to be priced at CNY 5,299 (Rs 60,700 approximately) for the variant with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage space. It has been hinted by a tipster that the iQOO 8 could be launched in India soon as the vanilla model of the Indian variant was spotted in the IMEI certification database.

Dish TV Q1 Profits Slashed to Rs 49.14 Crore

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 01:19 AM PDT

Dish TV When we think of top DTH players in the Indian market, Dish TV is one of the popular and preferred DTH service providers. Dish TV has been catering to the entertainment needs of consumers for years. Since the demand for entertainment platforms skyrocketed, the retention of DTH services inclined towards various other online platforms. In the latest revelation, Dish TV revealed its financial results for the first quarter and reported a 34.07% decline in the consolidated net profit to Rs 49.14 crore.  Last year, Dish TV reported a net profit of Rs 74.54 crore in the April-June quarter.

Total Expense of Dish TV Was Rs 672.80 Crore

Dish TV reported its total expenses of the quarter as Rs 672.80 crore, down 10.03% in Q1 against Rs 747.87 crore in the corresponding quarter. The revenue operations of the DTH service provider decreased to 12.51% to Rs 730.97 crore during the quarter. Anil Dua, CEO of Dish TV India Group, stated that the wrath of the pandemic was stressful for Dish TV. However, due to a variety of entertainment options, the service provider had to witness a decline in consumer spending on DTH services. He also stated that Dish TV is planning to restructure the distribution network with enhanced offers and incentives to lure customers.

Variety of Entertainment Options Have Surfaced for Digital Users

Earlier, the supremacy of DTH service was unbeatable because of the fewer entertainment alternatives. However, post-pandemic where staying at home became the new normal, the entertainment industry witnessed a massive increase in demand. Whether it was OTT platforms, YouTube or any other entertainment option, users had the option to pick the best option that would cater to their growing entertainment needs. Primarily, OTT platforms reaped most of the benefits from the pandemic and quarantine period. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Zee5, Sony LIV and many others released exciting movies and series to lure customers. Even though Dish TV faced backlash in the quarter because of entertainment alternatives, the service provider is gearing up to launch new offers to provide unmatched entertainment for modest prices.

Reliance Jio, Airtel Complete Spectrum Trading Agreement

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 12:48 AM PDT

Jio Airtel Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, two of the top telecom operators in India have concluded their spectrum trading deal. For the unaware, the telcos had announced about the trading deal earlier this year where Bharti Airtel had agreed to transfer the rights of its spectrum in the 800 MHz band in Delhi, Mumbai, and Andhra Pradesh to Reliance Jio. Today, a joint statement that came from Airtel said that the deal between the telcos is complete. Reliance Jio has completed the payment for the spectrum.

Reliance Jio Paid Rs 1,004.8 Crores to Bharti Airtel

The statement said that Reliance Jio has paid Rs 1,004.8 crores to Bharti Airtel for the proposed transfer. Reliance Jio has also assumed the future liabilities worth Rs 469.3 crores that are related to the spectrum. This is a win-win deal for both the operators. Bharti Airtel can use this money to pay off its upcoming dues instalment and also use it to expand and enhance its network. At the same time, with the additional spectrum in the 800 MHz band, Reliance Jio will be able to provide better network coverage both indoors and outdoors to its users living in Delhi, Mumbai, and Andhra Pradesh. Bharti Airtel had said that it would be selling 2.50 MHz of spectrum in Mumbai, 1.25 MHz in Delhi, and 3.75 MHz in Andhra Pradesh to Reliance Jio. The deal has also allowed Bharti Airtel to get rid of the extra spectrum along with some debt related to it. This deal between both the companies is a sign that regardless of all the tough competition and rivalry, the telcos can make rational decisions without getting egoistic about taking help from each other. This is a positive sign for the Indian telecom industry as well which is currently struggling financially and waiting for a relief package from the government. With the trading deal completed, Jio's network services are expected to improve further.

Airtel Xstream Box Upgrade Cost for Users

Posted: 13 Aug 2021 12:09 AM PDT

Airtel Xstream Box Upgrade Cost for Users The most popular hybrid Set-Top-Box based on Android TV, the Airtel Xstream Box is priced at Rs 2,499 for the new customers. If you are an existing Airtel Digital TV subscriber and you want to upgrade to the Xstream Box, then you will get it at a relatively affordable price. There are three options to upgrade with the first one offering only the Set-Top Box while the other two options bundle OTT subscriptions. Until 2019, Airtel offered the Android TV box as Airtel Internet TV before it was upgraded to Airtel Xstream Box. However, the service still offers Internet TV in many cities as the Xstream Box is limited only to some cities including Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Panchkula, Chandigarh and Mohali. The Airtel Xstream Box will let you stream content directly from Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video, in-built Chromecast for screen mirroring from your laptop, tablet or smartphone to your TV, and mobile gaming on TV with access to Google Play and Airtel Games. If you are interested in upgrading to the Airtel Xstream Box, then you should check out the upgrade offer available now from below.

Airtel Xstream Box Upgrade Offer

Firstly, the Basic upgrade plan will cost you Rs 2300, which is split into Rs 2,050 for the Set-Top Box and the installation charge of Rs 250. However, you need to keep in mind that this does not bundle OTT subscriptions and you need to pay separately for the same. The other two Airtel Xstream Box upgrade plans bundle OTT subscriptions. The first option will cost Rs 3,999 including Rs 2,050 for the Set-Top Box, Rs 250 as the installation charges and Rs 1,699 for the OTT subscriptions such as Disney+ Hotstar, Airtel Xstream Premium and ZEE5 Premium. Lastly, the expensive upgrade option is priced at Rs 4,699 as it bundles the Set-Top Box priced at Rs 2,050, the installation charges of Rs 250 and OTT subscriptions for a year worth Rs 2,399 that bundles content from Amazon Prime, ZEE5 Premium, Disney+ Hotstar VIP, and Airtel Xstream App Premium.

All Indians to Be Connected via Internet by 2025

Posted: 12 Aug 2021 11:02 PM PDT

All Indians To Be Connected Via Internet By 2025 The Indian government is targeting to connect all Indians to the internet by 2025 mostly via broadband of BharatNet. Also, it is eying to simplify cyber law to make it easy to do business and focus on high technology such as Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing, stated Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and IT. While addressing the Plenary on Digital – A boost to Indian Economy, which was held on the second day of the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) Annual Meeting 2021, he claimed that digitalization will play a major role in the Indian economy in the years to come.

Role Of Technology

He added that the Prime Minister has deeply invested in the capabilities and power of technology to transform governance by closing the gap that exists between the government and various departments and citizens and panchayats. This will enable them to overcome the restrictions of conventional working modes in silos. The minister went on elaborating that the role of technology has removed the necessity of intermediaries in the financial sector in recent years. This was possible with the complete transformation of the same and the impact caused by UPI. Those districts that never had contact with the Government of late could also get direct financial transfer during the pandemic. As per the Minister's envisage, 500 to 600 companies have over Rs 5,000 crore turnover in the coming three to five years. Notably, this turnover is expected only from 25 companies as of now. Furthermore, he urged the private sector to take the innovation ahead citing that data privacy is a fundamental right here unlike many other countries. Eventually, he stated that the Government is eying to bring the Data Protection Bill, which awaiting its approval with the Parliamentary Standing Committee. As per Kris Gopalakrishnan, Past President, CII and Co-Founder, Infosys Limited and Chairperson, Axilor Ventures Private Limited, the digital infrastructure, services on demand and governance and digital empowerment of citizens are the Digital India initiative's cornerstones that are envisioned by the Prime Minister. Also, Kiran Karnik Chairman, CII National Committee on e-commerce and former President, NASSCOM stated that we are on the right path to use new technologies be it IoT, AI or any other aspect of technology.

iPhone 13 Expected to Come With Bigger Batteries, mmWave 5G Support

Posted: 12 Aug 2021 10:27 PM PDT

Apple iPhone 13 Apple is expected to come out with the iPhone 13 series in September or October this year. The Cupertino tech giant might introduce multiple big changes in the iPhone 13 series that users have been requesting for years. As per leaks, the iPhone 13 series is expected to sport bigger batteries than any other iPhone in the past. This is good news for Apple fans who have been a little dejected with the battery performance of the iPhones. Further, the iPhone 13 series is expected to come with wider mmWave 5G support.

Apple A15 Bionic for iPhone 13 Series Might be 5nm+ Based

According to a leak from TrendMicro, the A15 Bionic chipset that is expected to come with the iPhone 13 series might be based on a 5nm+ process. Further, Apple might introduce mmWave 5G support for iPhones with the iPhone 13 series outside the USA as well. Moreover, with the bigger batteries that the iPhone 13 series devices might sport, users are also expected to see support for 25W fast-charging. The notch of the iPhone 13 series devices is expected to be smaller compared to the iPhone 12 smartphones. There's a chance that Apple might introduce a 1TB variant of the iPhone 13. The bigger battery and a faster-charging support for iPhones is very good to hear. The pricing of the devices should be similar to the iPhone 12 series launched in October last year. There's one more major upgrade that users might get with the iPhone 13 series and it is of a higher refresh rate display. Apple might use Samsung's LTPO display to offer support for up to 120Hz refresh rate with the iPhone 13 series smartphones. There's no saying how the iPhone 13 series will be affected by the chip shortage. But it is comforting to hear that Apple is addressing the requests of its fans and bringing upgraded hardware in the iPhone 13 series.

Apple Might Be in Talks With Korean Suppliers for Supposed Apple Car

Posted: 12 Aug 2021 08:34 PM PDT

Apple Car Tesla has played a key role in changing the automotive segment, for the better or for the worse, with the company’s auto-pilot mode being one of the biggest highlights for the products on offer. Tesla’s offerings offer a bit more than generic car brands, be it Hyundai, Mercedes or BMW. Apple too seems to have been irked by the car bug, since rumours regarding the Apple Car have been making the rounds since January of 2021, although, there is a lack of proper statements or tips that hint that the popular Apple Car was ready to move out of the concept stage. Apple has however continued to add to its fleet of self-driving electric vehicles being tested in California. The latest news, coming in from South Korea hints at Apple has had discussions with certain business partners and producers of EV components in Korea.

What Do We Know About the Apple Car?

This news was highlighted in the Korea Times, with a specific mention that Apple had been talking outside brands with which it engages due to the iPhone since it had talked to some partners in Korea. Certain companies whose names came out were SK Innovation, Hanwa and LG Electronics. It is also worth noting that SK Innovation is the EV battery side of the SK Group. This comes after Samsung had been in talks with several different automakers, with the first of them being Hyundai/Kia and Nissan, amongst a few others. But, there was no public statement confirming that talks were indeed held since none of the companies claimed the same. It would be quite interesting to see Apple’s take on a car, since far too little is known about Apple’s plans for an EV or an automotive entrant, since there is a lack of news in regards to commercial production plans, so, the Apple car could end up being a showcase rather than a launch, so we will have to wait and see what Apple does. In other Apple-related news, it was reported yesterday that Apple was changing its method of assembling its cameras on the iPhone, in order to reduce costs, by moving from multiple suppliers to industry giant Foxconn, a company that already has a history of working with the Cupertino based giant.

Bharti Airtel, Vi Rs 249 and Rs 219 Plans Ditto Same

Posted: 12 Aug 2021 06:34 PM PDT

Bharti Airtel Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea are largely known for offering the same kind of prepaid plans to the users. Usually, it is Bharti Airtel who leads the way with launching a certain kind of plan which then Vodafone Idea (Vi) follows by launching a pretty similar one. But there are two plans under Rs 300 which the companies offer, and they both come with ditto same benefits for the same price as well. So which plan should you choose in this case? Let's find out.

Bharti Airtel Rs 249, Rs 219 Plans

Bharti Airtel offers its Rs 249 and Rs 219 plans with 1.5GB and 1GB daily data. Both the plans come with truly unlimited voice calling and 100 SMS/day. The company offers these plans with a validity of 28 days, respectively. There are Airtel Thanks benefits offered with both the plans. There is only a Rs 30 difference between both the plans, and the Rs 249 plan offers 0.5GB more daily data than the Rs 219 plan. So the overall data offered with the Rs 219 plan is 28GB, and the Rs 249 plan is 42GB. Now let's take a look at the same two plans offered by Vodafone Idea.

Vodafone Idea Rs 249, Rs 219 Plans

Vodafone Idea offers its Rs 249 and Rs 219 plans with 1.5GB and 1GB daily data as well. The benefits offered by these plans include truly unlimited voice calling and 100 SMS/day. Both these plans also come with a validity of 28 days. However, there's a slight difference in the plans when it comes to additional benefits offered. First of all, with the Rs 219 plan, Vodafone Idea offers users an app/web exclusive offer with 2GB bonus data. Further, with the Rs 249 plan, users are also entitled to get the 'Binge All Night' offer from the company, which allows them to consume an unlimited amount of data without any constraints between 12 AM and 6 AM. The Vodafone Idea plans also come with an added over-the-top (OTT) benefit of Vi Movies & TV Classic. In comparison, Airtel plans come with a free OTT subscription of Airtel Xstream Premium. In case you are wondering which company's plan comes with more benefits, it is without any doubt Vodafone Idea's. But one thing which you should ensure before purchasing a plan is the kind of network service you want. Bharti Airtel's network has more reach and coverage in India when compared with the network of Vodafone Idea. So choose carefully before you select a plan and consider everything.

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