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• BSNL Might Get Another Relief Package from the Government
• Apple MR Headset Is Likely to Use 96W USB-C Power Adapter as 14-Inch MacBook Pro
• Google Could Bring Tap to Transfer Feature With the Release of Android 13
• Tata Teleservices Follows Vi in Giving Govt Equity Against Interest Dues
• Nokia Lite Earbuds BH-205 and Nokia Wired Buds WB 101 Launched in India
• Realme 9i Launches With Snapdragon 680 Chipset – Specifications and Pricing
• Vodafone Idea VoWi-Fi Calling Service Now Extended to Haryana
• Is BSNL, Vodafone Idea Merger Possible Now? Here’s What You Should Know
• Vodafone Idea Business Will Only Sustain With Govt’s Definitive Plan for Revival: JSA
• Vodafone Idea Raises Rs 5000 Crore from Banks to Pay NCD Instalments
• How Much Internet Speed Do You Really Need? Factors to Consider
• Vodafone Idea Beats Expectations, Accepts to Give Equity to Govt
• Vi Family Postpaid Plans Offer These Benefits
• WhatsApp Business is Releasing Advanced Search Options on Beta
• Vivo Y33T Launched in India With Snapdragon 680 Chipset at Rs 18,990
• 5G Spectrum Prices Should be Kept Reasonable for Telecom Operators: IAFI
• Blackberry Phone With 5G Support and Keyboard to Arrive Soon
• Global Chip Shortage Will Prevail in 2022 but Wouldn’t Worsen

BSNL Might Get Another Relief Package from the Government Posted: 11 Jan 2022 06:19 AM PST It hasn't been long since the last relief package of Rs 70,000 crore was announced for the state-run telecom company, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Now, at the dawn of 2022, the government is mulling about another relief package for the telco. As per a FinancialExpress report, preliminary talks between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and BSNL officials regarding the same have already started. What Will Be the New Relief Package Focused on and What Happened to the Earlier Relief Package? As mentioned above, the telecom operator received a Rs 70,000 crore relief package back in 2019. Out of this money, around Rs 29,937 crore was used for the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for employees aged 50 and above. The VRS has helped the telco save around Rs 7,000 crore in employee costs. Talking about the new revival package, it would help the telco in addressing the recent issues raised by the company. BSNL had raised concerns about the high cost of homegrown 4G deployment and for the same was looking for Rs 37,105 crore from the government. Further, the telcos' revenue market share has fallen because of the absence of 4G networks PAN India. There are administrative costs as well which the new relief package would help with. In FY21, BSNL's revenues fell by 2% YoY to Rs 18,595 crore. But at the same time, the company was able to narrow its losses by almost 50% to Rs 7,441 crore in FY21 as compared to Rs 15,449 crore in FY20. A large reason for this was the reduced cost in the employees’ department. BSNL is going to require a lot of help from the government for achieving a timely 4G rollout. The state-run telco plans to install one lakh indigenously developed 4G sites which would require Rs 12,500 crore and another Rs 5,000 crore for other expenses such as fiberisation, IT systems, and transmission network equipment.

Apple MR Headset Is Likely to Use 96W USB-C Power Adapter as 14-Inch MacBook Pro Posted: 11 Jan 2022 05:33 AM PST While Apple is widely expected to unveil its first mixed reality headset, the latest rumour from Apple tipster Ming-Chi Kuo hints that the device could be as powerful as a 14-inch MacBook Pro. According to the release note from Kuo, Apple AR/VR headset will use the same 96W USB-C power adapter as that of the MacBook Pro. Kuo also reinstated that the new Apple headset will feature two processors — one 5nm chip and one 4nm chip — each manufactured by TSMC, the Apple chipmaker. In the first week of January 2022, Kuo revealed that Apple's mixed reality headset would comprise '3P pancake lenses' with a folded design. The design would enable the light to reflect back and forth between the lenses and the display. The Apple headset may come in a curved visor made of soft mesh material and changeable headbands. Ming-Chi Kuo further hinted that the Apple headset would pack advanced sensors capable of tracking advanced hand gesture detection and 3D sensors for face detection. Face detection technology integrated with the Apple Mixed Reality (MR) headset could be more advanced than the one Apple uses for Face ID on iPhones and iPads. It is likely to accurately identify voice control, eye-tracking, iris recognition, skin detection, spatial detection and facial expression detection. Apple headset may appear at WWDC in June For those who are yet to pick up information about Apple headset, the device is a widely anticipated creation in the tech world as it clubs the magic of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in one device, making it a 'mixed reality headset.' According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple mixed reality headset will be meant for 'bursts of gaming, communication and content consumption' and not for everyday use. Tech-giant's latest innovation may not depend on the idea of a completely virtual world, which contrasts with Meta's (former Facebook) concept of the metaverse. Bloomberg had earlier hinted that Apple MR headset price could be in the range of $2000 and might target developers in the initial phase. Apple is expected to showcase the headset, or at least a render of it, at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

Google Could Bring Tap to Transfer Feature With the Release of Android 13 Posted: 11 Jan 2022 05:29 AM PST There is still plenty of time before Android 13 becomes available, but recent rumours have surfaced online providing details of new audio and media-related features which might be in development in Google's next version of the operating software for smartphones. It is speculated that Google is developing a new feature that will allow the users to move media playback between devices. This feature might be quite like Apple's handsoff feature which allows users of the iPhone smartphones to transfer media or receive from Apple's HomePod speakers. It is also rumoured that Google might be developing a new design for the operating system’s output picker for media for the upcoming Android 13. The MTT Feature A report from Android Police displays a mock-up of a new UI of a "Media Tap to Transfer" (MTT). The workflow reveals that Google developing a feature that will inform users on their Android devices of available audio devices nearby. The sending device is termed as "Media Cast Sender" whereas the receiving device is termed as "Media Cast Receiver." The report further suggests that the feature might be brought to use Google’s Casting protocol used in its Chromecast devices and the smart speakers offered by the tech giant. In addition to this, the demo shared by Android Police also shows an interface where a screen-chip is visible advising a user to move closer to the device in order to play audio. This hints towards the fact that the feature on Android 13 might use hardware on users' devices such as Ultra-wideband (UWB) chip or Near Field Communication (NFC) as suggested in the report. As mentioned above, Apple sports an identical feature called the Handoff feature where it provides transfer of media playback to and from its HomePod Speakers. It is yet to be discovered that the new feature will be available only on Google devices or other smartphones as well. All being said, it is still a few months before Android 13 releases and it’s hard to tell whether the new version will come with the MTT feature. Google might even decide to delay the release of the feature just as it did with the scrolling screenshot feature which wasn't ready to be released with Android 11.

Tata Teleservices Follows Vi in Giving Govt Equity Against Interest Dues Posted: 11 Jan 2022 04:31 AM PST Tata Teleservices has announced that it will be opting for the voluntary option of paying the interest on the deferred adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues by offering the government equity against it. The telecommunications company had earlier also opted for the four-year moratorium on the AGR dues. With this move, Tata Teleservices won't have to worry about paying the interest on deferred dues anymore, which would have made for a considerable amount over the four years. Tata Teleservices Might Have to Give Up 9.5% of the Company to Govt In a filing at the regulatory exchanges, Tata Teleservices said that the net present value (NPV) of the interest is expected to be approximately Rs 850 crore, subject to the confirmation by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Further, the filing said that the average price of the company's shares at the relevant date of August 14, 2021, as per the calculation method provided in DoT's Communication, works out to be Rs 41.50 per share, also subject to the final confirmation from the telecom department. If the conversion happens, the current shareholders of the company would be diluted, and the government is expected to hold approximately 9.5% of the company. Vodafone Idea (Vi), also in a regulatory filing earlier today, announced that it is accepting the option of converting the pending interest dues related to the spectrum into equity for the government. As per Vi's estimates, the government would end up owning 35.8% of the company if the equity conversion takes place. This would dilute the current promoters, including the Vodafone Group Plc and the Aditya Birla Group majorly which would then only own 28.5% and 17.8% of the company, respectively. The Indian government would effectively become the single largest equity holder of Vodafone Idea, a private telecom operator. The government's interest in getting all this equity of a private telecom company seems to be a little strange as it already has struggling telecom ventures in the form of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL).

Nokia Lite Earbuds BH-205 and Nokia Wired Buds WB 101 Launched in India Posted: 11 Jan 2022 03:23 AM PST Nokia Lite Earbuds BH-205 and Nokia Wired Buds WB 101 has just been launched in India. The newly launched Truly Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds from Nokia come with a battery life of up to 36 hours including the backup charging case. The wired buds from Nokia on the other hand feature a tangle-free cable with an audio jack and a cable clip. The newly launched earbuds on January 11 have now joined the portfolio of HMD Global's audio accessories which also includes Nokia Power Earbuds Lite and Nokia True Wireless Earbuds. Specifications for Nokia Lite Earbuds BH-205 The newly launched wireless earbuds from Nokia feature 6mm drivers and the company has claimed that the device will offer studio-tuned audio quality. In addition to this, both the earbuds can also be used individually as the device has the feature to shift automatically to mono audio when only one earbud is in use. The wearable feature Bluetooth v5.0 connectivity. The newly launched TWS earbuds also support Google Voice Assistant and Siri for voice commands. Both the earbuds are backed by a 40mAh battery each allowing for six hours of playback with a single charge. The case on the other hand has a 400mAh battery offering additional 30 hours. However, the new Nokia Lite Earbuds BH-205 do not support Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Specifications for Nokia Wired Buds WB 101 The new wired earbuds launched by Nokia feature an angular design and feature 10mm drivers. The earbuds feature a tangle-free cable and an audio jack angled at 135 degrees for durability. The device also sports an in-line microphone for voice calls along with control options for music playback. HMD Global has informed that the newly launched Nokia Wired Buds WB 101 support Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri for voice commands. The wired earbuds provide Passive Noise Isolation and also feature a clip to secure the earphones when on the move. Price and Availability Talking about the pricing of the devices in India, Nokia Lite Earbuds BH-205 have been launched at a price tag of Rs 2,799 and feature a solo colour option – Charcoal Black. The TWS earbuds will be available for purchase via online and offline retail stores as well as on the official website of Nokia. On the other hand, Nokia Wired Buds WB 101 have been priced at Rs 299 and come in four colour options – Black, White, Red and Blue. Just like the wireless earbuds, Nokia Wired Buds WB 101 will also be available for purchase via Nokia's website, e-commerce platforms and offline retail stores.

Realme 9i Launches With Snapdragon 680 Chipset – Specifications and Pricing Posted: 11 Jan 2022 02:18 AM PST After multiple leaks and rumours surrounding the device, Realme 9i has finally been launched in Vietnam and has also become the first Realme device from the 9 series to go official. Realme 9i is the latest mid ranging device from the Chinese smartphone manufacturer, which comes in two distinct colour options. The handset comes with a recognisable design with a punch-hole cut out for a selfie camera and a triple rear camera setup on the back. The cameras on the back are arranged in a rectangular camera module. The device features a processor from Qualcomm and is Android 11 powered. Mentioned below are the specifications and prices for the latest Realme smartphone. Specifications of Realme 9i As far as the specs of the device are considered, Realme 9i comes with a display featuring a 6.6-inch full-HD+ (2,400×1,080 pixels) IPS LCD display with a refresh rate of 90Hz and a peak brightness of 480nits. The device runs on Realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11 and has dual nano SIM slots. It features a Snapdragon 680 chipset based on the 6nm processor which is combined with the usual 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM, which is virtually expandable up to 11GB. Additionally, the handset also features onboard storage of 128GB that can be expanded up to 1TB via a microSD card. Talking about the camera module of the device, Realme 9i features a triple rear camera setup headlined by a 50MP primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture and Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) along with a 2MP macro camera with an f/2.2 lens, and a 2MP monochrome camera with an f/2.4 lens for portrait images. The front of the device features a 16MP selfie snapper. The device is backed by a 5,000mAh battery and supports 33W fast charge technology. Connectivity options on the device include 4G, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and USB Type-C port for charging, and the device also features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Price and Availability The newly launched Realme 9i has been priced at VND 6,290,000 in Vietnam, which is roughly around Rs 20,500. The device is available in a solo 6GB + 128GB storage variant and comes in two distinct colour options – Prism Black and Prism Blue. A Realme 9i moniker was spotted recently on a Realme India store, hinting towards an India launch of the device. However, the company hasn't officially confirmed the launch of the smartphone in any other region including India.

Vodafone Idea VoWi-Fi Calling Service Now Extended to Haryana Posted: 11 Jan 2022 01:11 AM PST Vodafone Idea VoWi-Fi calling service is now supported in Haryana. It will be available for both prepaid and postpaid customers living in the state. Haryana has become the twelfth state or region to receive support for Vodafone Idea Wi-Fi calling service. The telco has been working on expanding the support for Wi-Fi calling services in all regions of India, and it is a great way to counter the problem of network coverage indoors. What Are the Regions Where Vodafone Idea VoWi-Fi Service Is Available? Vodafone Idea VoWi-Fi service is available in the following regions – Delhi, Kolkata, Gujarat, Rajasthan, UP East, Rest of Bengal, UPW, Punjab, Maharashtra & Goa, Mumbai and Haryana. The company is working on expanding the support for service to other areas of the country as soon as possible. Even Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio offer VoWi-Fi calling services to consumers in different parts of the country. Note that for using VoWi-Fi calling, users need an active voice calling plan along with a strong Wi-Fi network and a smartphone that supports the service. There are no additional charges for using Wi-Fi calling. You can use Vodafone Idea's VoWi-Fi calling service for making international calls as well. With VoWi-Fi calling, even if the network signal strength is weak inside your home, using the Wi-Fi's signals, you can get a crystal clear voice calling experience. As mentioned above, only select smartphones support Vodafone Idea's VoWi-Fi calling service. To check whether or not your smartphone supports it, refer to the telco's website or customer care. While Wi-Fi calling does not require the use of mobile signals, you can't put your phone on Flight mode and make calls using Wi-Fi. Your smartphone should be connected to the mobile network of the telco. Wi-Fi calling support comes with almost every new decent smartphone in the market.

Is BSNL, Vodafone Idea Merger Possible Now? Here’s What You Should Know Posted: 11 Jan 2022 12:22 AM PST Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been struggling for more than a decade now to operate the telecom services business in India. At the same time, Vodafone and Idea's merged entity — Vodafone Idea (Vi) has been trying to stay afloat in the stiff competition of India's telecom industry. Private operators including Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have only been profitable amongst all the operators, which, to be frank, aren't many! With Vodafone Idea's board accepting the conversion of statuary debt to equity for the government and the centre most likely to hold the maximum stake in the telco post equity conversion, is there a place for BSNL and Vodafone Idea merger? Government Might Create a Merged Entity and Find a Purchaser The Indian government is trying to get rid of loss-making assets. Air India is a classic and strong example of this. There could be a motive of merging Vodafone Idea and BSNL and then selling it as a merged entity to another private group. Earlier, Kumar Mangalam Birla had already shared his intention of selling his stake in Vodafone Idea to the government. But the government wasn't interested in that. It wouldn't have been a good deal for the government as Vi has accumulated a mountain of debt on its shoulders. The centre wouldn't have liked to upgrade from one loss-making telco to two loss-making telcos. It will be a financial mess for the government if it tries to run both the telcos together. However, one alternative for this could be that the government merges both the entities and offers it as a package to a new buyer. Tony Verghese, Partner, J Sagar Associates (JSA), said whether the government would combine the businesses of BSNL and Vodafone Idea looking for a new purchaser remains to be seen. However long-shot it is, this is something that will certainly walk in the minds of consumers.

Vodafone Idea Business Will Only Sustain With Govt’s Definitive Plan for Revival: JSA Posted: 10 Jan 2022 10:45 PM PST Vodafone Idea (Vi) recently announced that it would be opting for the conversion of debt into equity for the government. This move has been termed as surprising by Tony Verghese, Partner, J Sagar Associates (JSA). In a statement, Verghese said that this move from the telco is very unexpected and surprising. "The move of conversion to equity, of its debts relating to interest due on spectrum in favour of the Government, by Vodafone Idea is indeed very surprising and unexpected," said Verghese. Vodafone Idea Will Stay Afloat for Sometime Because of This Move With the dues significantly reducing for the telco after the conversion of debt to equity for the government, Vodafone Idea will be able to sail through the competition and stay afloat for quite some time. However, from a long-term viewpoint, the dilution of the current stakeholders and the government getting a bigger equity piece in the company is something that needs to be considered. "It is unlikely that the business will sustain a long period unless the Government comes out with a definitive plan of reviving the business of Vodafone Idea in consultation with the existing shareholders," said Verghese. There's another way this move could go. The Indian government might merge Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Vodafone Idea (Vi) and then look for a purchaser in the future. "Whether the Government may contemplate a move of combining the businesses of Vodafone Idea with BSNL, such as a merger and thereafter looking for a purchaser, is something that remains to be seen, given that the BSNL auctions have hit several roadblocks over the last few years," Verghese added. While the BSNL and Vi merger seems like a long shot, it is something that will be playing around in the minds of a lot of people. At the time of writing, Vodafone Idea stock is trading 13.47% in the negative on Tuesday morning at Rs 12.85.

Vodafone Idea Raises Rs 5000 Crore from Banks to Pay NCD Instalments Posted: 10 Jan 2022 08:46 PM PST Vodafone Idea (Vi), the joint venture between the Vodafone Group Plc and the Aditya Birla Group, has reportedly raised Rs 5000 crore as a short-term loan from the banks including HDFC Bank, IDFC Bank, the State Bank of India (SBI), Union Bank of India, and IndusInd. The telco has to pay two dues in two instalments to the non-convertible debenture (NCD) holders by February 2022. According to an ET Telecom report, the total amount due is Rs 4500 crore, out of which Vi will pay Rs 1,500 crore in early January 2022, while the remaining Rs 3000 crore will pay paid in February 2022. Vodafone Idea Likely to Pay 6.5% to 8.5% Interest on the Loan The short-term loan taken by the company is expected to be cleared within one year, and the interest due on that should come around 6.5% to 8.5%, depending on the individual banks. Vodafone Idea is also looking to raise funds through equity, and this money could be utilised to pay off this short-term loan to the bank. The telco is talking with global investors and has been trying to raise funds through equity for a long-time. Further, in an interesting development, Vodafone Idea's board has accepted the conversion of interest dues related to spectrum instalments and other spectrum dues into equity for the government. This is a surprising move from the telco as it had a better cash flow with the moratorium on payments, and with expected fundraise in the future, it could have paid off the dues. The government is said to have the largest share amongst all the promoters after the equity conversion. The Indian government will own about 35.8% of the company, while Vodafone Group and the Aditya Birla Group will own 28.5% and 17.8% stake in the telco, respectively. How will this affect the telco’s business is something that we will have to wait and see.

How Much Internet Speed Do You Really Need? Factors to Consider Posted: 10 Jan 2022 08:18 PM PST Whether you plan to take an internet connection at your home or make a shift to a new place, choosing the right internet plan can be challenging. Service providers provide several guides on their blogs, but most of them upsell the benefits of having faster internet at home, which in reality, may not require. The ultimate goal in choosing an internet plan is to opt for a plan that would provide sufficient internet speed for the devices at home. This choice can differ from one home to another. To say, a house where geriatrics parents live, who watch the TV and occasionally make video calls, may require a considerably lower plan than a household where hardcore gamers reside. This article intends to break down various aspects of choosing how much internet speed one may need. According to the Federal Communications Commission, any speed faster than 25 Megabits per second is classified as 'advanced service.' However, this has to be amended considering that more people have started working from home, watching smart TVs, and being smart homes. Currently, it serves as a baseline for determining fast and slow internet speed. At all costs, if the household uses the internet every day, it will require a plan that offers something higher than 25 Mbps. With our consumption increasing rapidly, it makes sense to choose a speed closer to 100Mbps. Faster Internet May Not Guarantee Fast Internet Several factors determine the internet speed at a location. Despite having a high-speed internet connection, aspects like network congestion, interference from other networks or a poor router can result in slow internet. Number of Devices and People Using the Network A significant factor to consider while choosing an internet connection for your place is the number of devices and users residing there. The household may have just two residents, but there could be 15 devices that utilize the internet. It also depends on the usage type. If the household is dependent on OTT streaming 24 x 7 and does video calls every day, you may need to opt for a higher plan. While choosing the plan, the subscriber should ensure that the internet speed has the required bandwidth to cover all of them. Internet download speeds of 100 Mbps or higher are often counted as faster internet as they can manage multiple activities for multiple users at once without creating major disruptions. Fibre optics internet is an optimal choice for speed consistency. Upload vs Download Speed Upload speed shows you how fast you can send data out to the internet. On the other hand, Download speed tells you how quickly you can pull data from the internet. Upload speed and download speed together decide the internet speed. People working from home may need to consider this since they will keep having data to upload and go through multiple Zoom calls all day long. Many telecoms provide less upload speed than download speed. Aware of Data Caps While choosing an internet plan, you may come across data caps. These are the data usage limits prescribed by the internet service provider. For data-heavy uses like streaming video or gaming, the user may consume more data and hitting the data cap indicates additional payment. Lower speed plans may come with tighter data limits. If the user cannot identify such bits and pieces of information from the plans listed on the telecom service provider’s website, it is always advisable to ask the ISP and clarify the aspects before finalizing the plan.

Vodafone Idea Beats Expectations, Accepts to Give Equity to Govt Posted: 10 Jan 2022 07:45 PM PST Vodafone Idea (Vi), the third-largest telecom operator in the country, is reportedly going to convert the full amount of interest dues related to the spectrum auction instalments as well as spectrum dues into equity for the Indian government. According to a Reuters report, the telco's board approved for the move. With this, the current promoters will own a lesser stake in the company than the government. Post the conversion of dues into equity; the Indian government will own about 35.8% of the outstanding shares of the company. The Vodafone group's share will fall down to 28.5%, while the Aditya Birla Group will own about 17.8% of the company. Vodafone Idea's Move a Surprising One The telco's move to accept and give such a large part of its equity to the government is a little surprising. Vodafone Idea's cash flow situation had improved significantly from the announcement of the relief package by the government. Further, the telco was also expected to move ahead with fundraising activities which should have helped with making new investments and reducing debt. But now, Vodafone Idea's equity is also going to be owned by the Indian government. This means that the company will stay in the market now. How the government ownership will affect the company remains to be seen. Vodafone Idea needs to find the rhythm and start adding new subscribers, without which its success in the market is going to be very hard. Vi already has the smallest subscriber market share and revenue market share amongst all the private telcos. Bharti Airtel recently announced that it wouldn't be converting the dues into equity for the government. Airtel has good enough business that it can pay off the debt to the government in a very comfortable manner and also invest in networks at the same time. A lot of things might change for Vodafone Idea post the acceptance of converting dues into equity for the government.

Vi Family Postpaid Plans Offer These Benefits Posted: 10 Jan 2022 05:34 PM PST There has been a constant surge in demand for the internet in the country for a while now and it’s ever-growing. People not only want good internet connectivity but also offers that can benefit them in more than one way. Telcos in the country have been providing multiple plans bundled up with offers to satisfy the need of the users. While some users might prefer to go for the prepaid plans while subscribing for their mobile services, some on the other hand might as well go for postpaid plans. One of the key players in the Indian telecom market – Vodafone Idea offers individual postpaid plans as well as postpaid plans for families. Mentioned below are the family postpaid plans offered by Vodafone Idea or Vi with all the added benefits that come along and the details you need to know. Family Postpaid Plans from Vi Vi offers a total of five family postpaid plans. The first plan on the list comes at a cost of Rs 699 which offers connections for two members. The plan offers a total of 80GB of data with 40GB for the primary connections as well as the secondary. Users can get up to 200GB of rollover data along with 3000 SMS/month. Along with unlimited local, STD and national roaming voice calls, the only additional benefit that comes along with this plan is access to Vi Movies and TV. The next postpaid plan offered by Vi comes at a price tag of Rs 999 a month. For Rs 999, Vi offers connections for up to 3 family members. The plan offers a total of 220GB of data with up to 200GB of rollover data per month. The primary connection gets a total of 140GB while the other two secondary connections receive 40GB of data. The plan also offers unlimited local, STD and national roaming voice calls with 3000 SMS/month for both primary and secondary connections. Additional benefits on the plan include access to a one-year Amazon Prime worth Rs 1,499 as well as a subscription to OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar mobile for one year. Users also get access to Vi Movies and TV. Next is a postpaid plan that comes at a price tag of Rs 1,299 and offers a total of five connections. The data offered with this plan is 300GB with 140GB for the primary connection and 40GB of data for each of the secondary connections. Users also receive up to 200GB of rollover data along with unlimited local, STD and national roaming voice calls with 3000 SMS/month. Additional benefits for this plan is the same as the benefits included with Rs 999 plan. The last two plans on the list are RedX family postpaid plans offered by Vi. For a price tag of Rs 1,699, a month Vi offers a postpaid plan that comes with truly unlimited data. The plan offers connectivity for 3 family members and the primary as well as secondary connections receive unlimited data and voice calls along with 3000 SMS/month. The other RedX plan from Vi comes at a cost of Rs 2,299 a month and offers connectivity for 5 members. This plan as well offers truly unlimited data along with unlimited voice calls and 3000 SMS/month. As far as added benefits are considered, both the RedX plans come bundled up with multiple OTT subscriptions and more. Users can get access to a year-long subscription to Netflix on TV and Mobile at no additional cost. The plans also offer a subscription to one year of Amazon Prime worth Rs 1,499 as well as a Disney+ Hotstar mobile subscription for one year worth Rs 499. In addition to this, the RedX plans also offer Access to International & Domestic airport lounges at no extra cost. This access is available four times a year which includes one international travel. Users also get a 7-day international roaming pack worth Rs 2,999.

WhatsApp Business is Releasing Advanced Search Options on Beta Posted: 10 Jan 2022 08:39 AM PST The social media messaging and online business platform WhatsApp always keeps bringing in new updates and features to enhance the experience of its users. Now, the recent reports have revealed that WhatsApp Business is working on an update that will allow users to filter their searches and easily find messages that are sent by people in their contacts list and others. This update is currently under testing and the advanced search filters would also help businesses look at all unread messages on the app at once. The New Update from WhatsApp The report comes in from WhatsApp beta tracker WABetaInfo, which has stated that WhatsApp is releasing a new beta version for both Android and iOS devices that will bring in three different advanced search filters and the search options will be Contacts, Non-contacts, and Unread. The updated search filters will allow the users of WhatsApp Business to have a faster glance at the messages received by them from their contacts, unknown numbers, or unread messages all at once. In addition to this, the advanced search option will also allow users to try searching for things in particular such as searching for the chats where their contacts have sent a photo or video. To explain the update a bit better, WABetaInfo has also shared a screenshot of the upcoming update. The screenshot features a WhatsApp Business interface on an Android device. However, the sources suggest that the new feature is also being released on WhatsApp Business beta for iOS devices. Moreover, much like the advanced search options for WhatsApp Business, rumours are that WhatsApp is also testing for enhanced search options that will allow users to filter the nearby business searches and the said filters include a restaurant, grocery stores, apparel, and clothing. Apart from business-focused updates, there have also been talks about WhatsApp working on a feature that will enable the group administrators to link their groups to a community on iOS. Not much is known as of now about this update, but it is rumoured that the particular group may also have read-only access for everyone except group admins. WhatsApp also released notification related updates for iOS devices just last week.

Vivo Y33T Launched in India With Snapdragon 680 Chipset at Rs 18,990 Posted: 10 Jan 2022 06:58 AM PST The smartphone giant Vivo has launched a new smartphone in India – the Vivo Y33T on Monday, January 10. The new smartphone from Vivo comes with a few tweaks and upgrades over Vivo Y21T which was launched in India last week. The new upgrades on the handset include a selfie camera with higher resolution and more RAM onboard. The new Vivo Y33T comes in two colour options and retains the waterdrop-style display notch from Vivo Y21T. The device also features a triple rear camera just as the handset launched by the company last week. Specifications for Vivo Y33T Talking about the specs of the newly launched Vivo Y33T, the device comes with a display featuring a 6.58-inch full-HD+ (1,080×2,408 pixels) in-cell display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The device features a dual nano-SIM slot and operates on Android 12 with FunTouch OS 12 on top. Under the hood, the smartphone features an octa-core Snapdragon 680 chipset paired up with 8GB of RAM. Vivo Y21T in comparison was launched with 4GB of RAM. Moreover, the RAM on Vivo Y33T is virtually expandable up to 4GB via the in-built storage. Talking about the camera module of the device, Vivo Y33T features a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 50MP primary camera with an f/1.8 lens along with a 2MP depth sensor and a 2MP macro shooter. The front of the device features a 16MP selfie shooter with an f/2.0 lens. This is unlike the Vivo Y21T smartphone which sported an 8MP selfie snapper with an f/1.8 lens. The newly launched device features an internal storage of 128GB that is also expandable via an SD card up to 1TB. Sensory systems onboard include an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, magnetometer, and proximity sensor. The handset also features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Connectivity options on the new Vivo Y33T include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v5.0, GPS/ A-GPS, FM radio, and a USB Type-C port. The device is backed by a 5000mAh battery and supports 18W fast charge technology. Price and Availability The new Vivo Y33T in India is available in only one storage variant featuring 8GB RAM with 128GB of internal storage which has been priced at Rs 18,990. The two-colour options on the handset include Midday Dream and Mirror Black. Interested buyers can purchase the device from January 10 itself via e-commerce websites such as Amazon, Flipkart, Vivo India E-Store, Paytm, Tata, Bajaj Finserv EMI Store as well as offline stores.

5G Spectrum Prices Should be Kept Reasonable for Telecom Operators: IAFI Posted: 10 Jan 2022 06:46 AM PST A non-profit telecom industry association, ITU-APT Foundation of India or IAFI in a statement has recommended that the prices of the 5G spectrum whether it is below 6 GHz band or millimetre-wave (mmWave) bands above 24 GHz, should be kept reasonable for telecom operators. It also recommended that the prices of the 5G spectrum for telecom operators should be lesser in comparison to other parts of the globe. The recommendation from IAFI came in with its submission to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)'s consultation paper on spectrum auction for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)/5G. The Recommendation from IAFI to TRAI According to a report from ET Telecom, in the submission, IAFI talked about the 700 MHz band and recommended that the reserve price for 700 MHz should be Rs 500 crores for the nationwide spectrum per MHz whereas for C-band it should be Rs 100 crores. It also suggested that the reserved price for the mmWave band should be Rs 80 crores per 10 MHz nationwide spectrum. IAFI went on to stress in its submission on the previously failed auctions of 700 MHz frequencies. The auction held in February 2021 for 700 MHz witnessed the reserve price set at about $ 1.89 per MHz per POP (adjusted for PPP). This reserve price was about 34 times more than the internationally set reserved price of $ 0.05 and higher than the mean winning bid price of the entire globe – $ 0.54 as well. Furthermore, the association also stated that the recommended reserve price for the C-band spectrum by the regulatory body is too high in comparison to the prices set globally. In India, the reserve price for the C-band spectrum has been recommended as $0.05 per MHz per POP which is a lot more than the prices witnessed in the recently held spectrum auctions around the world. Earlier, TRAI had asked for the views of stakeholders regarding the 5G spectrum bands auction. The super-efficient 600 MHz band and the millimetre spectrum in the 24.25 GHz to 28.5 GHz band have been included as a part of the 5G spectrum auctions. In addition to this, airwaves in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 180 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz and 3.3 GHz to 3.67 GHz have also been kept as a potential option. IAFI, however, has also recommended in its submission to TRAI that the bands from 526 MHz to 612 MHz should not be put up for auction as it requires a further detailed discussion in India as well as in ITU and APT.

Blackberry Phone With 5G Support and Keyboard to Arrive Soon Posted: 10 Jan 2022 05:17 AM PST As a relief to millions of Blackberry enthusiasts, OnwardMobility has announced that a new Blackberry phone is on the card for 2022. In a blog post titled 'Contrary to popular belief, we are not dead', the Texas-based partner of Blackberry said that it is launching an 'ultra-secure 5G enterprise smartphone with keyboard'. Earlier, OnwardMobility announced that it would launch a Blackberry 5G in the first half of 2021, a promise that did not surface. According to the company, it 'encountered various delays preventing shipping the phone in 2021.' Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related market struggles, the justification for the delay seems logical. The market leaders including Samsung, Google and Apple were affected by the scenario. In its blog post, OnwardMobility further apologized for the delay in delivery and promised more regular updates starting this month. Recently, BlackBerry announced that it is shutting down the support for its devices, OS, email and messaging services and other assorted software. When the official confirmation came up on January 4, the widespread assumption was that the brand might not resurface. In its official confirmation, Blackberry said that it is stopping all supports provided for its classic devices running BlackBerry 10, 7.1 OS and earlier. This indicated that the older devices not running on Android will no longer be able to use data, access the internet, send text messages, or make calls. The last version of the Blackberry operating system was launched in 2013. Blackberry tried touchscreens and slide-out keyboard models, all with little success. Blackberry 5G May Feature Android OS Considering that the brand shut down its OS, the upcoming Blackberry 5G could run on the Android 12 platform. There is no further information available about the specifications of the device. Hopefully, the company may shed light on the features later this month. The New Blackberry 5G phone is expected to debut in multiple markets, including Asia, North America and Europe. Several Blackberry phones were launched under the TCL brand from 2016 to 2018. The license with TCL ended in 2020. Whether the new partnership with OnwardMobility can make a difference remains to be seen.

Global Chip Shortage Will Prevail in 2022 but Wouldn’t Worsen Posted: 10 Jan 2022 04:56 AM PST Rising cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has swept the world off its feet and seemingly is going to affect the global chip market as well. The credit rating firm Moody's has said that the ongoing global chip shortage will continue to prevail in 2022 as well, however, the situation wouldn't get worse. It is expected that there might be a few production disruptions, but the situation is anticipated to remain in control all thanks to the greater vaccination status in the chip markets as well as an enhanced supply chain management by the chip-producing companies. The Reason Behind the Chip Shortage and Current Scenario The imbalance in the chip market began when the pandemic hit the world as supply was greatly affected due to the closing of factories and demand surged because of a shift in remote work culture. The imbalance between supply and demand worsened with time. The situation of global chip shortage majorly deteriorated during the spread of Delta variant in 2021 which affected the countries such as Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Korea which are some of the major semiconductor suppliers in the world. At that point in time, only about a quarter of the population in these countries was fully vaccinated. The report from Moody's reviewed by ET Telecom suggests that the situation wouldn't go as bad as it did during mid-2021 as more than half of the population in these countries are now vaccinated. The initial wave of Covid-19 severely impacted the chip supply market because of their production model. Many of the chip suppliers followed the just-in-time manufacturing method and found themselves unprepared to deal with the shortage in supply of raw materials and other key factors such as chips and electronic components that hinder production. However, learning from their mistakes companies are now focusing on maintaining inventories and are exploring other sources to keep the production intact. According to the report, over the period of last one year, capital expenditure from companies has grown 15% and the prices have also been rising which is necessary to level the soaring demand. The scenario has turned out to be highly beneficial for the chip manufacturers as sales have gone up by a significant 25% in 2021. However, the growth is expected to be moderated this year with only a 10% surge expected in total sales. With major chip manufacturing countries looking to expand domestically as well, India has also announced a scheme to attract semiconductor manufacturers to open labs in India.

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