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• OnePlus 9RT India Price, Specifications Leaked Due to Accidental Listing on E-Commerce Website
• Xiaomi 11T Pro Key Specification and Price Details Surfaces Ahead of India Launch
• Indians Spent One-Third of Daily Waking Hours on Mobile Phones in 2021: App Annie Report
• COAI Applauds the Notification of RoW Policy by Karnataka Government
• Kodak HD LED TV Official CA and 7XPRO Will be Available on Flipkart at Amazing Prices
• Vodafone Idea Upgrading Backbone Networks With Ciena to Prepare for 5G
• Samsung Galaxy M33 5G, Galaxy A33 5G, Galaxy A53 5G Spotted on BIS, India Launch Imminent
• Samsung Exynos 2200 May Make Its Debut With Galaxy S22 Smartphones
• Tagg Verve Active Launched in India for Very Affordable Price
• Vodafone Idea, Airtel 2GB Daily Data Plans for 84 Days Only Costs Rs 10 Per Day
• BSNL Says Not Enough Data or Ready Ecosystem for Use of 600 MHz Spectrum
• Apple iPhone 14 Might Not be Just Expensive, But Also a Game Changer
• Alliance Broadband 150 Mbps Plan Might be Better Than BSNL’s Same Offering
• Bharti Airtel Two Excellent Prepaid Plans for Short-Term Users
• India Won’t See Any New PSUs in the Telecom Sector
• 100 Mbps Broadband Plans for Local Businesses
• iPhone 14 Lineup Will Cost Approx Rs 7000 More than its Predecessors
• OnePlus 10 Pro Spotted on BIS and Bluetooth SIG Certification Sites Hinting Towards Indian Launch
• Branching Out of 5G Satellite Bands Can Incur Huge Losses for India: SIA
• WhatsApp Users Will Soon be Able to Hear Voice Notes in the Background

OnePlus 9RT India Price, Specifications Leaked Due to Accidental Listing on E-Commerce Website Posted: 13 Jan 2022 08:13 AM PST One of the most awaited devices OnePlus 9RT is all set to make its India launch on January 14 as mentioned on the official website of OnePlus. The affordable flagship smartphone from the company will make its debut just days after the smartphone manufacturer launched its OnePlus 10 Pro device in China. OnePlus 9RT has already been launched in China last year with a Snapdragon 888 chipset. As of now, even though the specifications of the device were available, there was no information available on the pricing of the device in India. However, a recent listing on an e-commerce website might have revealed information on the device just a day before the launch. Information on Pricing of OnePlus 9RT According to a MySmartPrice report, the OnePlus 9RT was recently listed on the website of Sangeetha Mobiles which suggests that the device could be launched in India at a starting price of Rs 42,999 for its 8GB RAM with 128GB onboard storage variant. On the other hand, the 12GB RAM with 256GB of internal storage could also be launched by the company for Rs 46,999. The listing also suggests that the device will be available in two colour options – Black and Silver. Specifications for OnePlus 9RT Talking about the specifications of the upcoming OnePlus 9RT 5G, the device might have similar specs as the OnePlus 9RT launched in China in October of 2021. The OnePlus 9RT in China came with a display featuring 6.62-inch full-HD+ (1,080×2,400 pixels) Samsung E4 AMOLED display with a 20:9 aspect ratio and up to 120Hz refresh rate. The device is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 chipset and will have 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The camera module on the handset features a triple rear camera setup. The setup includes a 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 primary sensor, a 16-megapixel secondary sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro shooter. OnePlus 9RT 5G features a 16-megapixel Sony IMX471 selfie shooter as well. The storage space offered by the device is 256GB of UFS 3.1. The handset will also be backed by a powerful 4500mAh dual-cell battery and will support Warp Charge 65T fast charging technology.

Xiaomi 11T Pro Key Specification and Price Details Surfaces Ahead of India Launch Posted: 13 Jan 2022 07:21 AM PST Xiaomi 11i and Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge smartphones were recently launched in India by the Chinese smartphone giant. During the end of the launch event for the Xiaomi 11i series in India, the company had teased a new smartphone dubbed as "Hyperphone" to arrive in the country. Now storage variants and a key specification of the Xiaomi 11T Pro which is touted by the company as Hyperphone has been tipped before its launch on January 19. The handset is set to come in three RAM storage variants at launch. The Hyperphone is expected to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G SoC and will feature speakers tuned by a renowned audio equipment manufacturer. According to a report from MySmartPrice, Xiaomi 11T Pro will have three storage variants – 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, and 12GB + 256GB. Furthermore, the report mentions that the handset will feature speakers tuned by Harman Kardon. Moreover, has also been tipped that the upcoming Xiaomi 11T Pro will cost somewhere between Rs 40,000 and Rs 50,000 in India. Expected Specifications for Xiaomi 11T Pro Xiaomi 11T Pro which is being branded as Hyperphone for India is set to launch on January 19, and a listing on Amazon suggests that the device will come with a display featuring a 10-bit AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The device is set to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G SoC. The listing also mentions that the upcoming smartphone will get 120W Xiaomi HyperCharge fast charging technology capable of charging the device in just 17 minutes. The above-mentioned features are identical to the features that came with the European version of the device. If the trend is followed, Xiaomi 11T Pro can come featuring a triple rear camera setup that is headlined by a 108MP primary camera along with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera and a 5MP telemacro camera. The front of the device could feature a 16MP camera for selfies. Connectivity options on the device can be expected to include 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.2, GPS/ A-GPS, NFC, IR blaster, and a USB Type-C port.

Indians Spent One-Third of Daily Waking Hours on Mobile Phones in 2021: App Annie Report Posted: 13 Jan 2022 06:51 AM PST Are we becoming more dependent on mobile phones? According to State of Mobile Report published by a mobile app data and analytics platform App Annie, that might be the case. In 2021, Indians spent a staggering 4.8 hours a day on mobile phones. The data was collated by considering the statistics from the top 10 mobile markets worldwide. The users spent 3.8 trillion hours on various mobile devices last year. Considering the statistics in India, mobile phone users spent nearly an average of 4.7 hours on mobile daily in 2021. In 2019, this was 3.7 hours per day, and in 2020, the data was 4.5 hours per day. We can easily attribute the increase of screen time in 2020 and 2021 to the pandemic when most people were constraint to their homes. Some nations such as Brazil, South Korea and Indonesia reported more than 5 hours per day on mobile apps last year. India ranks second in terms of app downloads The publishers worldwide released 2 million new apps and games in 2021, taking the total count of apps and games released on iOS and Google Play Store to over 21 million. Google Play Store accounts for 77% of the apps and game released in 2021. Across both platforms, games accounted for 15% of all new releases. 230 billion new app downloads were recorded in terms of downloads, which is a 5% y-o-y increase. Further bifurcation reveals that more than 4,35,000 apps were downloaded per minute in 2021. India ranked second in terms of hours spent on mobile and app downloads. When the gameplay of payments shifted to e-wallets, over $320,000 were spent on app stores every minute in 2021. That's nearly a 20% increase from 2020. The total app store spending for 2021 was estimated at $170 billion. Mobile gaming grew to $116 billion, with a preference for hyper-casual games such as 'Bridge Race' and 'Hair Challenge'. 2021 also saw some exciting gaming titles such as 'Pokémon Unite' and 'PUBG: New State' making gains in downloads and usage. Mobile shopping naturally increased in the pandemic, which reached 100 billion hours in 2021, up by 18% y-o-y. People did not miss out the dating apps in 2021! The consumer spending on dating apps crossed $4.2 billion in 2021, a 55% increase from 2019. Major markets that recorded high on dating apps include the US, Japan, the UK and China. India saw declining consumer spending on dating apps, but it is still 18% higher when compared to 2018.

COAI Applauds the Notification of RoW Policy by Karnataka Government Posted: 13 Jan 2022 06:19 AM PST Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which is the leading representative body for the Indian telecommunications industry, has shown appreciation for the notification of the RoW Policy on Urban Municipal Corporation by the Government of Karnataka. The new bylaws will be applicable to all city areas, Municipal Councils, Town Municipal Councils, Town Panchayats and areas under the Jurisdiction of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The policy includes telecom towers as well as aerial and underground Optical Fibre Cable (OFC). The Need of the RoW Policy The RoW policy issues guidelines which mandate a one-time fee to meet administrative expenses for the installation of Telecom Tower & Aerial OFC deployment, which is set at Rs 10,000 per Application (Tower & Aerial OFC), whereas for the deployment of Optical fibre, the one-time fee will be Rs 1,000 per KM OFC (underground) and for the deployment of Cell on Wheel (CoW) (Micro Site/Small Cell, IBS) it will be Rs 2,000 per application. The policy helps in enhancing the digital connectivity across Urban Municipal Corporation and other areas of Karnataka with the deployment of Tower, Underground OFC, Aerial OFC, CoW, Micro Site, Small Cell, IBS and more. This RoW policy is necessary to expand the broadband connectivity pan-India in order to provide internet & broadband services to the citizens as well as improve connectivity & capacity. This will result in an enhanced quality of the mobile services and ultimately help in forming a robust Telecom/Digital Infrastructure in the State. The Director-General of COAI, Lt. Gen. Dr SP Kochhar, said in a statement that COAI is thankful to the Karnataka government for notifying RoW Policy on Urban Municipal Corporation. He further urged the government to commence implementation of the same at all levels. He said that this would help in the speedy roll-out of telecom infrastructure while boosting the direct and indirect jobs associated with the roll-out of telecom infrastructure across the State. One cannot deny the need for the telecom industry in today's time. Telecom services are a public utility and are crucial for providing a robust network of mobile towers to boost connectivity and improve the overall socio-economic development of the country. To make the country more digitally advanced, it is necessary to develop a robust and secure state-of-the-art telecommunication network providing seamless coverage. Telecom services were a boon during the unprecedented events that took place with the widespread pandemic and the country going into lockdown. It is necessary to have a sturdy telecom industry with a robust network of mobile towers ensuring enhanced connectivity and bridging the gap of the digital divide in the country.

Kodak HD LED TV Official CA and 7XPRO Will be Available on Flipkart at Amazing Prices Posted: 13 Jan 2022 05:02 AM PST With India's one of the most prestigious events, Republic Day, just around the corner, Flipkart Big Savings Day is all set to begin, and Kodak HD LED TV is set to announce great deals for customers. The brand will be offering amazing discounts on its official Android Kodak CA and 7XPRO series, with prices starting from just Rs 7,499. The sale is all set to commence from January 17, 2022, and be live until January 22,  2022. The major attraction during the sale will be 24inch, 32inch, 43inch, and 55inch TV models from the CA series. CA and 7XPRO Series Details The models under the 7XPRO series operate on an ARM Cortex A53 processor and have an Android interface. The connectivity options on the Smart TV includes USB 2.0, HDMI 3, and Bluetooth v. 5.0, accessible through a user-friendly remote control. The Smart TVs also feature a Bezel-less display and digital noise filter. In addition to this, users also get access to an unmatchable cinematic experience at amazing prices. The TVs have more than 6000 Plus Apps and Games like Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, ZEE5, Sony LIV, Google Play Store with 500,000 Plus TV Shows. Users can also find added device supports with these TVs for speakers, headphones, game controllers, mouse and keyboards that can really ensure an engaging and enhanced user experience. On the other hand, the bezel-less Kodak CA series comes featuring a 4K HDR10 display, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS TruSurround. Connectivity options on the device include USB 2.0, HDMI ARC/CEC, and Bluetooth v.5.0 (latest version) with a user-friendly remote. The device supports the Android 10 interface, and users can get seamless access to Google Assistant. Kodak TV offers a better viewing experience for the users as these Android televisions are coupled with Chromecast. Amazing Offers at Upcoming Flipkart Sale Talking about the upcoming Flipkart sale, the CEO of Super Plastronics Pvt Ltd, a Kodak brand licensee, Mr Avneet Singh Marwah, said in a statement that the brand is launching its biggest sale ever on its television unit to thank its customer base. He added that these deals offer our customers the best-in-class TV viewing experience at affordable prices. In addition to this, talking about the current scenario where cases of the new variant are rising, he also requested the customers to stay inside and stay safe during these harsh environments. As far as pricing is concerned, the sale will feature a 24HDX100S model at a price of Rs 7,499. Some of the prominent models of the company will also be available at discounted prices. Users can get the 32HDX7XPRO model for Rs 12,499, 43CAPRO5022 for Rs 26,499 and the recently launched 55UHDX7XPROBL for an offer price of Rs 33,999. Apart from these, a lot of other TV units will be available for slashed off prices during the Flipkart Big Savings Day sale.

Vodafone Idea Upgrading Backbone Networks With Ciena to Prepare for 5G Posted: 13 Jan 2022 04:01 AM PST Vodafone Idea (Vi) is upgrading or revamping its backbone network with Ciena by deploying industry-leading 5G coherent optical solutions. The telco's new 300G/400G backbone network increases performance and scale in a cost and energy-efficient manner to help enterprises, content players, and consumers with embracing their digital experience across India. Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Vodafone Idea, said Vi customers/subscribers will be able to experience world-class highly available, scalable connectivity and realise the benefits of the cloud, IoT, and 5G in future as the telco prepares a future-fit network with Ciena. The demand for data requires a resilient and high-capacity network that can thrive not only today but for the years to come, added Singh. Ciena Helping Vodafone Idea to Prepare for 5G "Increasing and changing traffic patterns across India requires new levels of capacity, flexibility, resiliency, and programmability. With broader network coverage and faster broadband made possible by Ciena, Vi maximises fibre capacity and network efficiencies to prepare for 5G," said the telco in a release. Ryan Perera, Vice President and General Manager, Ciena India said that due to the competitive environment today, telecom companies such as Vodafone Idea require a high performing network with maximum agility at a lower cost per bit. Vodafone Idea has deployed Ciena's 6500 packet-optical platforms powered by WaveLogic 5 Extreme for high speed 300G/400G services which is also upgradable to 800G. The telco can also gain access to analytical insights to optimise network performance and enhance the customers' digital experiences with Ciena's Manage, Control and Plan (MCP) domain controller. Vodafone Idea has already partnered with several companies and startups to develop 5G solutions and use-cases. The telco has been able to achieve a peak download speed of 4.2 Gbps using mmWave spectrum and upload speeds of up to 200 Mbps. India is expected to see live 5G networks in 13 major cities by August 15, 2022.

Samsung Galaxy M33 5G, Galaxy A33 5G, Galaxy A53 5G Spotted on BIS, India Launch Imminent Posted: 13 Jan 2022 03:35 AM PST Samsung Galaxy M33 5G Three of the upcoming smartphones from South Korean tech giant Samsung have been spotted at the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Samsung Galaxy M33 5G, Galaxy A33 5G and Galaxy A53 5G are the three devices that are scheduled to make their debut in India and several rumours about the handsets have surfaced online. The smartphones will be the updates to the M-series and A-series from Samsung for the year 2022. Samsung is yet to announce any details regarding the devices, but few specifications have been leaked in the recent past providing some details. According to a report from MySmartPrice, the soon-to-be-launched handsets from the company – Samsung Galaxy M33 5G, Galaxy A33 5G and Galaxy A53 5G have been spotted on the BIS website. On the certification site, Samsung Galaxy M33 5G is listed with the model number SM-M336BU/DS whereas Galaxy A33 5G and Galaxy A53 5G can be found with model number SM-A336E/DS and SM-A536E/DS, respectively. The listing hints towards an impending launch of handsets in India. Mentioned below are the expected specifications for the upcoming devices from Samsung. Samsung Galaxy M33 5G Specs As reported previously, Samsung Galaxy M33 5G was spotted on Geekbench as well with the same model number SM-M336BU. The listing suggested that the device is powered by an Exynos 1200 chipset. Samsung Galaxy M33 5G is said to feature Android 12-based One UI 4.0 skin out-of-the-box with 6GB of RAM. Additionally, the camera module of the device is said to feature a quadruple rear camera setup. The primary camera of the device could be a 64MP sensor while the details of the other three cameras are still not known. Samsung Galaxy A33 5G Specs It is speculated that Samsung Galaxy A33 5G will come with a display featuring a 6.4-inch full-HD+ Super AMOLED with a hole-punch for the selfie camera. Renders leaked in the past have suggested that the device might come featuring a quadruple rear camera setup consisting of a 48MP primary camera and a 13MP selfie shooter. It is expected that the device will be backed by a 5000mAh battery and will have an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The connectivity option of a 3.5mm headphone jack has also been tipped for the handset. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G Specs Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is also expected to be powered by an Exynos 1200 SoC for the Indian version. Previous rumours have suggested that Samsung Galaxy A53 5G will have a similar design to its previous version Samsung Galaxy A52 which would mean that the former will come with a punch-hole display with a bezel-less design. It is also speculated that the device will come featuring an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The camera module of the device will feature a quadruple rear camera setup which could be headlined by a 48MP camera. The smartphone could also come with a 5000mAh battery and an in-display fingerprint scanner.

Samsung Exynos 2200 May Make Its Debut With Galaxy S22 Smartphones Posted: 13 Jan 2022 02:09 AM PST Samsung Exynos 2200, which was anticipated to make its debut earlier this month, would launch at the end of this month. The smartphone maker would release the same alongside Galaxy S22 smartphones. Compared to Exynos 2100, the upcoming Exynos 2200 variant may deliver an upgraded user experience and improved performance. It would also solve the issue of overheating found in Exynos 2100, an issue reported for a few users. Exynos 2200 would feature a GPU developed by AMD to take on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Samsung usually uses Mali GPUs in its Exynos chips, but they are known to offer only nominal quality graphics over the Adreno GPUs available on Qualcomm SoCs. In 2021, Samsung confirmed that it is working with AMD to develop a next-generation mobile GPU in its next flagship Exynos SoC. It will be based on AMD’s RDA 2 graphics architecture. There were reports of production issues and performance hurdles with Samsung Exynos 2200, which the company refused in a statement given to South Korean news outlet Business Korea. A Samsung official reportedly said that the new GPU was expected to resolve the problems of the Exynos 2100 chip, according to the report by Business Korea. Earlier in January, Samsung released teasers on its official social media handles, citing the launch on January 11. The company withdrew the teasers later when the delivery got delayed. Samsung's usual practice is to release the new Exynos chips ahead of unveiling Samsung's flagship phones. Indian Samsung Galaxy S22 may feature Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip The wide anticipation is that Samsung will use the Exynos 2200 SoC on the Galaxy S22 series for Europe and South Korea. However, the phones designed for Asian markets, including India and China, and for the US would come with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. The recent reports surfacing online hint that Samsung will host its Galaxy Unpacking event on February 8. Samsung Galaxy S22 series is likely to appear on the said date. There are a couple of Samsung phones to release including, the vanilla Galaxy S22 alongside the Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Tagg Verve Active Launched in India for Very Affordable Price Posted: 13 Jan 2022 01:04 AM PST Tagg, a consumer electronics brand, has just announced a new smartwatch for the Indian market, namely Tagg Verve Active. It is a budget offering from the company that is meant to reach a large scale of customers and allow them to get a smartwatch experience without overspending. The highlights of the Tagg Verve Active aren't just limited to its price but also the features that it brings to the table. Let's check out the complete specifications and price of the Tagg Verve Active in India. Tagg Verve Active Specifications in India The Tagg Verve Active is a sports smartwatch that will come with a 1.7-inch LCD screen with support for 240 x 280 pixels resolution. The display will be able to support up to 500nits of maximum brightness and also offers an 80% screen-to-body ratio. Through the companion mobile application, users can customise the watch face anytime they want. The straps are interchangeable so that users can always get a fresh look when they want. There's a button at the side of the smartwatch to help with the navigation. Since it just weighs 38 grams, the smartwatch should feel like a breeze on your wrists. The Tagg Verve Active comes with IP68 certification, which means it is water and dust resistant. It comes with a SpO2 monitor, heart rate sensor, body temperature tracking, and blood pressure mapping too. Further, users can track their deep sleep and light sleep cycles with this affordable smartwatch. There are over 24 sports modes that this smartwatch can support, and it is geared for people who want to stay fit. In a single charge, the Tagg Verve Active can deliver a performance of 8 days. Tagg Verve Active Price in India The Tagg Verve Active has launched for a price of Rs 3,999 in India. It will be available for customers from January 14, 2022, via Flipkart. Users can purchase the smartwatch in five different colours, including Grey, Green, Black, Purple and Gold.

Vodafone Idea, Airtel 2GB Daily Data Plans for 84 Days Only Costs Rs 10 Per Day Posted: 13 Jan 2022 12:45 AM PST While the telecom operators have increased the tariffs of prepaid plans, there are many who believe that the cost of mobile plans has become unfeasible. But that's a one-sided truth. No disrespect to people living in harsh conditions who genuinely can't afford the 4G mobile services. Both Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel offer their 2GB daily data prepaid plan for Rs 839 now. Before the prepaid tariff hike, it was somewhere around Rs 700 for the same plans. Paying Rs 839 as a lump-sum amount can feel psychologically heavy, but if broken down, the payment comes to approximately Rs 10 per day. The Rs 839 prepaid plan for 84 days means you are effectively paying almost Rs 10 each day for mobile services. It doesn't look like much now, does it? Vodafone Idea, Airtel Rs 839 Plans Offer a Total of 168GB of Data Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel both offer 168GB of data with their Rs 839 prepaid plans. This means each GB of data is costing Rs 5 approximately to the customers. Not just data, but with these plans, users get truly unlimited voice calling and 100 SMS/day as well. Both the telcos also bundle in additional offers for the consumers. Bharti Airtel offers Airtel Thanks benefits which include things such as a free one month trial of Amazon Prime Video Mobile Edition, Wynk Music, FASTag cashback, Shaw Academy, Airtel Xstream Premium and more. At the same time, Vodafone Idea offers customers additional benefits such as Binge All Night, Weekend Data Rollover, and Data Delights. There is also an over-the-top (OTT) subscription of Vi Movies & TV Classic bundled with the Rs 839 plan of Vodafone Idea. For the unaware, Data Delights is a new offer introduced by Vodafone Idea after the prepaid tariff hikes. It offers consumers an additional 2GB of monthly data that can be redeemed as 1GB for each day, two times a month.

BSNL Says Not Enough Data or Ready Ecosystem for Use of 600 MHz Spectrum Posted: 12 Jan 2022 11:36 PM PST Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), in its response to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) consultation paper on "Auction of Spectrum in Frequency Bands Identified for IMT|5G", said that the ecosystem for the 600 MHz spectrum band is not ready yet. The state-run telco noted that it would be the first time that frequencies in the 526-698 MHz would be put to auction for the telcos. BSNL said that there isn't enough data available globally to comment on whether this band is required. "As per Para 3.36 of TRAI CP has indicated that these bands are to be put to auction for the first time. Globally also, only a few jurisdictions have concluded spectrum auctions for wireless services in this band. Thus, there is a constraint of both national and international level data for this band," said BSNL. BSNL Doubtful Whether 600 MHz Spectrum Can Bring Value Proposition for TSPs The state-run telco expressed its concerns related to the value proposition that the 600 MHz spectrum can bring for the telecom service providers (TSPs). It is worth noting that airwaves in the 700 MHz band have already not seen any takers, and thus what can 600 MHz frequencies do more here is unclear. BSNL said that airwaves in the 526-617 MHz should not be put for auction right now as the concerned band plans haven't been defined by the International Telecom Union (ITU) or the 3GPP, so far. There is no ready ecosystem for International Mobile Telecommunication (ITM) available for these bands so far. "It is too early to comment whether the proposed band in case put for auctions will be able to generate the value proposition for TSPs, as since spectrum available in 700 MHz band has remain unsold for the last five years, and important natural resource could not be utilised so far," the state-run telco told TRAI. BSNL said that the proposed spectrum band could be made available for the auction next to the 2022 auctions. "For the 526-698 MHz bands, it may require considerable time for development of ecosystem. The spectrum in coverage band i.e. in 700 MHz band is already lying un-utilised for the last five years. The government should introduce new bands gradually for which the ecosystem is developed or it is likely to get developed in near future," BSNL added. The state-run telco didn't deny the benefits and the power of the 600 MHz band spectrum. It could be definitely deployed by the telcos to improve rural coverage, which would help with the removal of the rural-urban digital divide. The pricing of the spectrum will play a key role if and when the government decides to make the 600 MHz spectrum available for the TSPs. The reason that the 700 MHz band spectrum saw no takers was the high-reserve price.

Apple iPhone 14 Might Not be Just Expensive, But Also a Game Changer Posted: 12 Jan 2022 10:32 PM PST Image Renders Credit – Ian Zelbo Apple, the premium consumer tech company, is expected to launch the iPhone 14 series later this year. On Wednesday, reports were making rounds that the iPhone 14 series would be at least $100 more expensive than the current iPhone 13 lineup. Regardless of that, if Apple can find a way to let go of the ugly notch, that extra $100 would serve the purpose well. Ross Young, a credible tipster, has revealed that the iPhone 14 series devices will finally ditch the notch and have a hole + pill design. But the display design change might be only limited to the Pro models of the iPhone 14 series. The two holes would carry the necessary sensors and the front-facing camera for video calls and selfies. iPhone 14 Series Might Feature Devices Without the Notch It would be the first time that Apple would launch a completely touch-screen smartphone without any physical buttons and without a notch. Since the iPhone X series, Apple has launched smartphones with a notch on top. While the size of the notch got considerably smaller with the iPhone 13 series, it wasn't enough to be invisible, and, god, many people find it very ugly. Apple is expected to launch four smartphones in the iPhone 14 series — iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone Pro, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. We might not get to see a mini iPhone this time. While the standard iPhone 14 device is expected to have a similar starting price, the iPhone 14 Pro models are expected to be priced at least $100 more than the current ones. With the iPhone 14 series, we might get to see 120Hz refresh rate on all the devices, even the regular models in the series, and the A16 SoC will be out in the market as well. More rumours and renders of the upcoming iPhone 14 series should be out soon, so stay tuned!

Alliance Broadband 150 Mbps Plan Might be Better Than BSNL’s Same Offering Posted: 12 Jan 2022 09:03 PM PST Alliance Broadband, a regional broadband service provider based out of Kolkata offers consumers a 150 Mbps broadband plan. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) recently introduced a Rs 949 broadband plan with 150 Mbps speed offering as well. Both the companies offer their plans with multiple over-the-top (OTT) benefits and at almost the same price. So whose plan is better? Let's find out. Alliance Broadband 150 Mbps Broadband Plan Alliance Broadband's 150 Mbps plan comes with truly unlimited data for Rs 1,000. The company says that there is no fair usage policy (FUP) limit applicable to the plan. Users also get access to multiple OTT benefits including Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLIV, ZEE5, Hoichoi, AddaTimes, Hungama, Voot Select, Eros Now, Aao NXT, Epic On, and ShemarooMe. When users recharge with this plan for six months, they also get three months of Amazon Prime membership for free. BSNL 150 Mbps Broadband Plan Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) offers its 150 Mbps broadband plan for Rs 949. However, unlike Alliance Broadband's plan, here, the consumers don't get unlimited data. With BSNL's 150 Mbps plan, users get 2TB of monthly data and beyond the consumption of FUP data, the internet speed for the users drop to 10 Mbps. The company also offers a free fixed-line voice calling connection. For new users, the company is also offering up to Rs 500 discount on the first month's bill. The OTT benefits included with this plan are ZEE5 Premium, SonyLIV Premium, Voot, and Yupp TV-Live. BSNL offers way less OTT benefits with its plans. Further, there's a FUP limit of 2TB. The pricing of both the plans is almost the same, so Alliance's plan is a little better here. However, Alliance Broadband is not present everywhere, but BSNL is almost available in all regions of the country. Between the two, if Alliance Broadband is available in your area, it would make for the better option.

Bharti Airtel Two Excellent Prepaid Plans for Short-Term Users Posted: 12 Jan 2022 08:20 PM PST While Bharti Airtel offers slightly more expensive prepaid plans than its rival Reliance Jio, the telco is also known for offering pretty great services. The second-largest telco in the country has two excellent prepaid plans in its portfolio of offerings for short-term users. From short-term, we mean 28 days. The 28 days plans saw a significant tariff hike, and while they have become expensive, they still offer a lot of value to the customers. Let's take a look at the two prepaid plans from Bharti Airtel that come with 28 days of validity and are excellent options for consumers. Bharti Airtel Rs 265 Prepaid Plan If you are not a very heavy data user or you live with a broadband connection at your home, this 1GB daily data prepaid plan from Bharti Airtel can make a lot of sense to you. It is available at Rs 265 and has a validity of 28 days. With this plan, users get 100 SMS/day, 1GB of daily data, and truly unlimited voice calling. Post consumption of the daily fair-usage-policy (FUP) data, the internet speed for the user will drop to 64 Kbps. Bharti Airtel Rs 299 Prepaid Plan Bharti Airtel also offers a Rs 299 prepaid plan to the customers for 28 days. This plan ships with 1.5GB of daily data, 100 SMS/day, and truly unlimited voice calling. Here as well, post-consumption of daily FUP data, the internet speed would go down to 64 Kbps. This plan is exactly the same as the Rs 265 plan but offers 0.5GB of more data every day. Both the prepaid plans also bundle in Airtel Thanks benefits for the customers. For the unaware, Airtel Thanks benefits include a free one month trial of Amazon Prime Video Mobile Edition, Free Hello Tunes, and Wynk Music. With all these benefits, these two prepaid plans from Airtel become excellent options for short-term users.

India Won’t See Any New PSUs in the Telecom Sector Posted: 12 Jan 2022 07:04 PM PST The public sector units (PSU) in the telecom sector will be limited to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), at least for the foreseeable future. Recently, Vodafone Idea and Tata Teleservices accepted the option of converting their statutory liabilities into equity for the government. With Vodafone Idea, the government is expected to become the largest equity shareholder in the company post equity conversion. This got many people worried about how the telco would perform or whether it will turn into a PSU. The Government of India (GoI) has come out with a FAQ for clearing the doubts that many people have. Private Telcos Will Keep Running the Business The government has clearly said that the businesses will continue as professionally run private companies. These businesses will not turn into PSUs, and the government can sell the shares it has at an appropriate time and thereby receive the amounts due. The move of taking equity in these private companies against the dues would help with reviving the sector to its fullest potential. The Indian government had announced a relief package last year in September with an aim to improve the cash flow situation of the telcos. It had also offered them the option to convert their deferred liabilities interest dues into equity for the centre. Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio had turned down the offer of giving equity to the government, while Vodafone Idea and Tata Teleservices had accepted the equity conversion. This removes any potential threat to Vodafone Idea as a going concern, at least for the medium-term. Vodafone Idea needs to focus on improving mobile networks and reaching more places to add new customers. The government has firmly said that it is not looking to interfere with the businesses of the telcos. But how silent a partner the government will be in is something that only time will tell.

100 Mbps Broadband Plans for Local Businesses Posted: 12 Jan 2022 05:39 PM PST Ever since the pandemic has hit the world, the demand for internet connectivity has gone up manifold. On the other hand, the number of new local businesses or new start-ups has been rising constantly in the country. Most of these businesses require workspaces in order to hash out the work process. Since most of the world has gone online, these businesses also need seamless connectivity across multiple devices in order to ease out the workflow. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country provide a lot of plans that are suitable just for this situation. The plans are available up to 1 Gbps, however, it might not be economically ideal for local businesses. Most of these businesses look for plans that are affordable as well as offers adequate internet speed. Mentioned below are the 100 Mbps broadband plans offered by some of the major ISPs in the country that are apt for new or existing local businesses. The 'Standard' Pack from Airtel Airtel Xstream Fiber can provide high-speed internet up to 1 Gbps, however, the telco offers some comparatively affordable plans yet provides effective internet speed. Local businesses or new start-ups can rely on the brand as using Fibre Optic internet connection Airtel allows one of the fastest broadband connections. users can get access to the 'Standard' pack which provides 100 Mbps of internet speed at a monthly cost of Rs 799 exclusive of taxes. Users get 3.3TB or 3300GB of monthly fair-usage-policy (FUP) data with this plan. Excitel – 100 Mbps Plan One of the growing brands in India, Excitel uses European technology to offer seamless and consistent performance. The 100 Mbps plan from Excitel comes at different price tags and durations to cater to user convenience. The Fiber First from Excitel provides users with a 100 Mbps plan for a month at Rs 699. Users can also get the plan for 3 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months for Rs 565, Rs 508, Rs 490, Rs 424 and Rs 399 respectively. However, the 9-month plan is available for only new subscribers to the service. Moreover, the plans from Excitel are truly unlimited and no FUP data limit is levied upon. JioFiber 100 Mbps Plans One of the most reliable service providers in India, JioFiber offers a 100 Mbps internet speed data plan at the price of Rs 699 for a validity period of 30 days. The FUP limit set on this plan is 3300Gb or 3.3TB. Users get access to symmetrical upload and download speeds of 100 Mbps with this plan. The efficient services and reliable connectivity offered by JioFiber makes it a preferable choice for local businesses that are just starting out and even the pre-existing ones. 100 Mbps Broadband Plans from BSNL The state-owned telco BSNL under Bharat Fibre Broadband provides exciting plans for its users who want to opt for 100 Mbps of internet speed. BSNL offers two 100 Mbps plans namely, SuperStar Premium-1 and Fibre Value plan. SuperStar Premium-1 and Fibre Value plans offer 100 Mbps of internet speed at the cost of Rs 749 and Rs 799 per month respectively. FUP data limit set on the SuperStar Premium-1 plan is 1000GB whereas on the Fibre Value plan is 3300GB. It is to be kept in mind that all these packs are exclusive of GST and customers can also get an annual 100 Mbps pack for Rs 9,588. The 100 Mbps Plan from ACT The Internet Service Provider based in Bengaluru provides a 100 Mbps unlimited data plan called Rapid Plus. Users can get a Rapid Plus pack from the provider at a monthly cost of Rs 985. The FUP data limit levied is 1000GB post which the internet works at speed of 512 Kbps. Users can also get free trials to some of the Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms and various add-ons with these packs. It is to be noted that this plan is for the city of Bengaluru, and it may vary across the country.

iPhone 14 Lineup Will Cost Approx Rs 7000 More than its Predecessors Posted: 12 Jan 2022 07:53 AM PST A recent report from a tipster suggests that the pricing of iPhone 14 might begin about $100 higher than that of iPhone 13. This amounts to somewhere around Rs 7,400. He also went on to claim that there might be a difference of $100 between the iPhone 14 MAX and iPhone 14 Pro models because of a massive difference in production costs. Unconnectedly, a mock-up image of the iPhone 14 has been shared by a developer where the pill-shaped cut-out on the top can be seen. Recent rumours have suggested that iPhone may feature face ID under the display with the introduction of a hole-punch cut-out. Information on Upcoming iPhone 14 Series The information regarding the pricing of the smartphone was made by tipster LeaksApplePro, which has stated via a tweet that the iPhone 14 will start at $799 which is roughly Rs 59,000, iPhone 14 Max starting price will be set at $899 which is approximately Rs. 66,400, iPhone 14 Pro will sell at a starting price of $1,099 which is about Rs 81,200, and the top-end iPhone 14 Pro Max will cost customers $1,199 that amounts to somewhere around Rs 88,600. However, it is unknown as of now which will model will be the iPhone 14 MAX as there's no such model available in iPhone 13 lineup. In comparison to this, the iPhone 13 mini price started at $699 which is approximately Rs 51,600, iPhone 13 prices started at $799 that amounts to somewhere around Rs 59,000, iPhone 13 Pro starts at a price of $999 which is roughly Rs 73,800, and iPhone 13 Pro Max prices started at $1,099 which is about Rs 81,200. In separate news, a developer, Jeff Grossman has made a tweet where he has shared a mock-up image of iPhone 14 where a pill-shaped hole-punch cut out is visible. There already have been multiple reports suggesting that the iPhone 14 lineup will be launched with a hole-punch cut-out design and renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo talked about this feature in March of last year. In addition to this, reports have also claimed that Apple iPhone 14 series will feature under the display face ID.

OnePlus 10 Pro Spotted on BIS and Bluetooth SIG Certification Sites Hinting Towards Indian Launch Posted: 12 Jan 2022 06:39 AM PST Just a day after the launch of the much-awaited device OnePlus 10 Pro in China, the reports of the handset being spotted on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Bluetooth SIG certification websites have emerged. The device was launched in China on Tuesday after weeks of speculations regarding the device and now the spotting on the BIS website hints towards an instantaneous launch in India as well. OnePlus 10 Pro comes with Qualcomm's latest and most powerful chipset as well as features a triple rear camera setup tuned by Hasselblad. It has also been announced by the Chinese smartphone giant in separate news that the latest OnePlus 10 Pro will also be the official smartphone for a professional e-sports tournament. The report regarding the OnePlus 10 Pro comes in from tipster Ankit who claims that the smartphone was spotted on both Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Bluetooth SIG certification websites with model number NE2211. The listings on these websites don't reveal many details about the handset but the mention on the BIS website claims an Indian launch of the device soon. Unconnectedly, OnePlus has also announced via a Weibo post that the OnePlus 10 Pro will be the official device for the upcoming PEL Peace Elite Professional League 2022 which happens to be one of the major esports leagues in China. Specifications Details for OnePlus 10 Pro In its recent launch in China, the OnePlus 10 Pro came with a display featuring a 6.7-inch QHD+ (1,440×3,216 pixels) curved AMOLED display with a 20.1:9 aspect ratio and a dynamic refresh rate ranging between 1Hz and 120Hz. The display has a peak brightness of 1300nits and features a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for an added layer of protection. The device has dual nano SIM slots and is powered by Android 12 with ColorOS 12.1 on top. The handset features Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen1 chipset paired up with 12GB of RAM. The device offers internal storage of 256GB. As far as camera module is considered, the OnePlus 10 Pro comes with a triple rear camera setup headlined by a 48MP primary sensor along with a 50MP ultra-wide-angle sensor and an 8MP telephoto sensor. The device also features optical image stabilisation (OIS) support. The front of the device sports a 32MP selfie shooter. The device is backed by a 5,000mAh battery and supports 80W Super Flash Charge wired charging and 50W Wireless Flash Charge technology.

Branching Out of 5G Satellite Bands Can Incur Huge Losses for India: SIA Posted: 12 Jan 2022 05:53 AM PST India is all set for the auction and allocation of the 5G spectrum this year as the process has been initiated by the regulatory authority. The Satcom Industry Association (SIA-India) has said in a statement on Wednesday that the branching out of the satellite bands for the upcoming 5G auction is potentially going to cause a huge $184.6 billion loss to the country. SIA-India also stated that it will result in Indian citizens not receiving the benefits of high-demand, advanced satellite broadband services and risk lost GDP increases per annum to India's economy of up to $184.6 billion by 2030. Recommendations from SIA-India SIA-India is representing body for satellite operators, satellite systems, launch vehicles and ground and terminal equipment manufacturers. The international trend for identifying the best possible use of the spectrum is rationally planning the spectrum used for different applications to scrutinise the alternative uses. The Director-General of SIA-India Anil Prakash said in a statement that it is crucial to recognise the current scenario in terms of spectrum supply and demand, which will help in implementing more balanced spectrum auctions. There have been several reports that suggest the initiation of a 5G spectrum auction in India in 2022. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has also informed the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) about the submission of 5G spectrum pricing in March 2022. This hints towards a timeline of July-August this year for the auctions to happen. SIA-India talked about the loss of the C-band spectrum in the 3.6-3.67 GHz band and how it could impact the ecosystem of the entire Rs 700 billion Indian broadcasting industry. The association also said that it is crucial that the 5G advances should not be limited to terrestrial networks. SIA-India also requested TRAI in its submitted report to include the mmWave spectrum in one of the internationally coordinated 24.25-27.5 GHz spectrum only in any of the 5G/IMT auctions. In its argument, SIA-India mentioned that the three private telecom operators account for about 90% of the market, which would result in them securing 80-90 MHz. This will leave the government-owned operators with 30-60 MHz which makes the remainder of the market. SIA India also said in its report that providing excess spectrum for 5G enhances the risk of the spectrum being unsold or maybe underutilised by terrestrial providers at the cost of other providers such as Satellite Operators. Thus, it is crucial to ensure that 5G operations undertaken in the country do not cause hindrance to the services provided by existing satellite operations in any way. Otherwise, it could result in massive regulatory failure for India and even loss of potential economic opportunities.

WhatsApp Users Will Soon be Able to Hear Voice Notes in the Background Posted: 12 Jan 2022 05:05 AM PST One feature that WhatsApp missed was the provision to listen to the voice messages in the background. Now WhatsApp appears to be on the verge of introducing it, which would allow users to listen to voice chats or recordings in the background, rather than being limited to the chat window. So far, users can only listen to WhatsApp voice chats if they keep the associated chat window open. The voice conversation will be reset to the beginning when you do the same. The new feature, according to WABetaInfo, will allow users to browse between chat windows while listening to a voice chat, rather than being limited to one screen. The users on WhatsApp are now unable to switch chat windows. Allowing the voice conversations in the background would encourage more people to utilise the network for voice interactions. However, it is vital to note that the said feature will not allow users to exit the app while the voice note plays in the background. WhatsApp is Enhancing Voice Features in its Recent Releases WhatsApp has been improving its voice conversations continually for some time now. The application launched a feature to alter the speed of voice notes. The base feature allows the users to listen to voice recordings at the normal speed at which they are recorded. However, the enhancement allowed users to listen to audio notes at 1.5x or 2x the speed of the voices. In addition, WhatsApp introduced a feature for the users to preview their voice messages before sending, one of the most recent enhancements. Overall, the text-based platform seems to be bringing novelty to its voice capabilities. WhatsApp’s whole feature set has been continuously expanding. One of the newest things that have been found in its beta stage is additional search filters for WhatsApp for Business. The latter is a move by the service to monetise the platform, which is also one of the most widely used apps on the planet. The WhatsApp voice note background play feature is also in the beta phase, but its increasing appearance signals that it will be included in the app’s release shortly. WhatsApp for iOS beta version 22.1.72 users seem to be using the feature currently. Indian users, too, can anticipate its arrival soon.

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