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ANAND PARTHASARATHY’S TECH BLOG |
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| The real losers in the 2G case: We, the people |
Depending on which newspaper you read, the extraordinary intervention of India’s Supreme Court into the realm of executive decision making, last week, saw between 66 and 83 million Indian mobile phone service subscribers, facing a swift disconnect for no fault of their own. |
They had made the mistake of choosing as their service provider, one of nine companies whose 122 licences to offer 2G mobile services was effectively cancelled by the apex court’s decision. Various government flunkies who were possibly selected on the basis of their thick skins or nonexistent qualities of sensitivity, came on television to dismiss these hapless innocents as ‘ just 5 percent’ of the total number of India-based mobile phone users… collateral damage seemingly, in the ongoing ugly controversies that have bedevilled the entire cellular phone business in India for nearly two years now.
The court seemed to be saying: The inconvenience and break in service that will be suffered by 80 million Indians, is a necessary price to pay, to clean up the mess that is the telecom industry and its governance.
Nor did the learned judges seem overly bothered about the appalling message that was being sent out to reputed international telecom companies who have invested in Indian service ventures in good faith and now suddenly find themselves cast in the role of villains and business baddies. The Bench which delivered the verdict in what is now known as the “2G Case”, believes the process put in place by government, four years ago to select mobile service providers was flawed. It thinks an auction should have been held which would have earned the government many more millions in revenue for the wireless spectrum, it made available.
Such is the state of demoralization in government as well as in industry , that no one has the courage of one’s own convictions – or the guts to stand up and say: “Sorry M’lords, You are right to find and fix fraud where ever it occurs. Indeed, no one else, seems to be doing it! But with respect, the solution you have ordered – an auction to the highest bidders -- is not necessarily the only sensible one for this business and for this country. There is a strong case to be made for keeping in mind the real goal of bringing affordable connectivity to every single Indian citizen. This is not always achieved by squeezing telecom providers for all that they can afford to pay, even before they roll out services. It may well be that there are other mechanisms, where telecom providers are selected for their track record rather than just the size of their piggy banks. Your judgment, with respect, has brought a big hammer to crush an insect – and in the process it will visit needless misery on millions of innocent Indian customers. It will ultimately kick up the price of their communication service, for all Indians and set back the goal of connectivity for all.”
In an environment where the executive arm of government is battered by scandals and revelations, our courts have stepped into gray areas of governance. We are grateful that they have been there as our last resort for justice. But if our courts assume ( albeit reluctantly) the role of technological czars and decision makers, they might – just might -- lead us into professionally untenable roads. And as always the aam janatha – the lay Indian citizen will pay the price. |
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IT HAPPENED IN INDIA |
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As Facebook goes public, India emerges as its largest, fastest growing community outside the US. With 43.49 million users it now home to the largest Facebook user base outside the US(152 million). It has just overtaken Indonesia with 43.1 million. The India growth has been phenomenal, doubling in just one year. http://www.indiatechonline.com/facebook-in-india-664.php
India bets a billion dollars to regain supercomputing clout
Indian Prime Minister: “We are examining a proposal to build national capacity and capability in supercomputing which will be implemented by the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore at an estimated cost of Rs. 5000 crore.” http://www.indiatechonline.com/it-happened-in-india.php?id=654
TCS sets up centre in heart of US Silicon Valley India’s biggest IT services, consulting and business solutions firm, Tata Consultancy Services has opened a Customer Collaboration Centre in heart of the US Silicon Valley in Santa Clara, California. http://www.indiatechonline.com/tcs-sets-up-centre-in-santa-clara-662.php
Mobile app, Mundu TV a hit with 6 million downloads Indian talent driven and Cupertino ( California)-based mobile and desktop solutions provider Geodesic, says its popular mobile television application, Mundu TV has crossed the milestone of six million downloads since its launch in 2011. http://www.indiatechonline.com/it-happened-in-india.php?id=660
These overseas Indians made IT big http://www.indiatechonline.com/it-happened-in-india.php?id=647
UTV, now a Disney entity India’s leading television and movie production house, UTV, has become a Walt Disney company. http://www.indiatechonline.com/it-happened-in-india.php?id=663
Energy grids and meters set to get smart in India ndia is poised to enter the small club of nations who have ‘smartened’ their energy distribution systems. The government has announced an investment of Rs 5 billion for smart grids, with 8 pilots across the country. http://www.indiatechonline.com/it-happened-in-india.php?id=661
IT People 1: GE veteran Gopi Katragadda, to head India Tech Centre.
http://www.indiatechonline.com/gopi-katragadda,-to-head--ge--india-tech-centre-79.php
IT People 2: B.D.Park to head Samsung India. http://www.indiatechonline.com/it-people.php?id=76
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IT’S FOR YOU… IT NEWS YOU CAN USE |
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AVAILABLE IN INDIA: PRODUCT REVIEW |
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Mercury mTab Neo has 3G SIM support Computer peripherals leader Kobian, has launched a new tablet PC in India, incorporating 3G SIM access. This will overcome one of the main hassles of trying to access the Net through a tablet – availability of WiFi access. http://www.indiatechonline.com/mercury-mtab-neo-has-3g-sim-support-122.php
AOC USB monitor e1649Fwu: Look Ma, no power cable! Now, a useful PC monitor that needs just one connection – through USB for both signal and power – that’s what the AOC USB Monitor brings to India The 15.6 inch has full HD specs @ 60 Hz; supports Windows XP/Vista/7, MacOSX and Linux; is light weight ( just under 1 kg) ultra thin at a whisker over 1 cm thick and consumes just 8 watts, http://www.indiatechonline.com/aoc--usb-monitor-e1649fwu-121.php |
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INDIA IT… THE NUMBERS THIS WEEK |
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Retail rules in Indian enterprise spending: Gartner Large manufacturing, government-and state-owned enterprises, communications and financial services to see best growth.Mumbai,January 26, 2012 —Indian enterprise IT spending across all industry markets is forecast to surpass $39 billion in 2012, a 10.3 percent increase from 2011 spending of $36 billion, according to Gartner. http://www.indiatechonline.com/indian-enterprise-spending-forecast-2012-15--gartner-122.php
And all the numbers in our exclusive India ITsnapshot:
http://indiatechonline.com/snapshot.php |
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EVENT WATCH |
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Mobile World Asia 2012 mHealth, Mobile Advertising, Mobile Enterprise, Mobile Cloud, Augmented Reality, mPublishing, Mobile TV, Mobile Money, etc.
Shanghai, Feb 21-23 2012 http://www.szwgroup.com/2012/mobile/
SecureIT 2012 New Delhi, March 1 2012, Claridges Hotel
Discussing the latest trends, practices and developments in information security, border security, homeland security and data security. http://secureit.eletsonline.com/
Asia Pacific ICT Summit 2012 Singapore, March 13-14 2012, Marina Bay Sands
The theme for 2012 summit: “Success with Digital Engagement” aims to provide invaluable insights on the ever-changing ICT business landscape and how disruptive technology changes the way in business engagement and collaboration. http://www.apicts.com/
See also http://www.indiatechonline.com/asia-pacific-ict-summit-2012-384.php
Healthcare IT Innovation Summit 2012 Singapore, March 14-15 2012, Marina Mandarin
The theme: “Technology-driven quality care for improved patient safety.” http://healthcareit.questexevents.net/
FICCI Frames 2012 Mumbai, March 14-16 2012, Renaissance, Powai
Premier Indian media and entertainment conference http://www.ficci-frames.com
Kerala State Business Excellence Awards Kochi, March 17 2011
Organised by Cochin Herald and Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry http://www.cochinherald.com/
Convergence India 2012 South ASIA’s largest IT show
New Delhi March 21-23 2012 http://www.convergenceindia.org/
InfoSecurity World Exhibition and Conference incorporating three other dedicated showcases: Data Storage Showcase 2012, Cloud Computing Showcase 2012, andSoftware Development Showcase 2012
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Putra World Trade Centre March 21-22 2012 http://www.infosecurityworld.net/
Mobile Payments and NFC World Summit 2012 Hong Kong, April 19-20 2012, Eaton Smart Hong Kong
Encompassing: Mobile Payments, NFC Technologies, Mobile Money Transfer & Mobile Remittance, Mobile Banking, Banking the Unbanked & Microfinance Services & Sustainable Mobile Payments Services
http://www.symphonyglobal.com/index.php/event/page/mobile_payments_nfc_world_summit_2012/overview Legal EyeforTravel’s 9th Travel Distribution Asia Summit Singapore May 9-10th, 2012, Raffles City Convention Centre
Distribution,Marketing, Social Media and Mobile strategies from more 70 industry leading experts
http://events.eyefortravel.com/travel-distribution-summit-asia/index.shtml
Legal Technology 2012 Kuala Lumpur, June 14-15 2012, Putra World Trade Centre.
While every other business in the Asia Pacific region are relying heavily on the technology to stay ahead of the game, legal business will have no exception to the rules.Legal practitioners in the region are now fully ready to adopt, adapt and advance
http://www.legaltech-ap.com/
CommunicAsia 2012 Singapore June 19-22 2012, Marina Bay Sands
Asia’s largest integrated ICT event
http://www.communicasia.com/
Are you organising an upcoming conference or trade show in the Middle East/Asia/Pac region that will interest the Indian infotech community? Send us the details in a mail to feedback@indiatechonline.com with Event Watch in the subject line and we will be happy to feature it in this section.
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TECHIES TIMEPASS |
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For just Rs 3000.. HP Wi-Fi mouse eliminates USB receiver dongle
HP has launched in India, the industry’s first, Wi-Fi Mobile Mouse which does away with the need to plug a USB receiver into the PC or laptop: it directly uses the PC's WiFi receiver. The mouse instantly reconnects during each use and operates without interference from other wireless devices.The HP Wi-Fi Mobile Mouse also offers: Up to nine months of battery life – more than twice the battery life of comparable Bluetooth models
Five customizable buttons allow users to create shortcuts for common actions such as cut, paste, undo and redo.A smooth, four-way-tilt scroll wheel to improve control while scrolling up and down or side to side. The mouse works up to 10m from the PC ( question: why would any one want to use a mouse, 10 m away from a PC?!). The mouse is available in India for Rs. 2999.
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POSTED 2012-02-06
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