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Aug

27

The Kindle presents an Amazon Associates opportunity

Affiliate, Amazon, Apple, Ideas, Insights, Kindle, Mobile, Telecom, WiFi, iPhone, iPodTouch | Comments

Arrington on Techcrunch talks about the possibility of Amazon licensing its Kindle ebook reader hardware specs and trademark to third-party manufacturers: Read more




May

17

When Telecom & IT babus just don’t get the Market

Editorials, Internet, Policy, Telecom, india | Comments

For all who go to town declaring that India has an entrepreneur-friendly, liberalized Telecom sector, here’s a dampener. TRAI’s recommendations on “ Review of Internet Services“, a report dated May 10th 2007, show just how much (or little) babus in the ministry understand the Internet. We’re light-years away from a truly liberal Telecom policy, because the DoT hasn’t even grasped the concept of creating a free, healthy market. Read more




Jul

29

The Paradox of India’s Telecom Growth Story…

Editorials, Internet, Mobile, Policy, Telecom, Uncategorized | Comments

… is that while the country is the world’s second-fastest growing telecom markets (an astounding 5 million new connections per month), its adoption of high-end mobile technology is far behind the rest of the world. Here are two contrasting articles from BusinessWeek and The Financial Express, that highlight the growing divide between growth at the low end and the high end. Read more




May

19

Telcos are looking to play ISP - NYT

Internet, Predictions, Telecom | Comments

I wrote an opinion piece a while back about the battle between 3G and WiFi (that is, 802.11b/g/n v/s WCDMA/EDGE). To put it briefly, ISPs are increasingly getting households, businesses and cities connected via WiFi. At the same time, telcos are offering Internet access via mobile using 3G. Once they get ordinary devices (desktops, laptops) with 3G cards to access the Internet through their 3G networks, we’ve set the stage for a fierce turf battle between ISPs and Telecom Companies. Read more




Apr

26

Thoughts on mobile data access in India.

Editorials, Internet, Mobile, Policy, Telecom | Comments

It’s expensive:
I use the Airtel GPRS service very heavily. Because in Pune, it’s unlimited (in terms of volume and time) as long as I pay Rs. 150 per month. I use it for checking email, catching up on blogs, and using it as a Bluetooth modem for my Thinkpad so I can dial into my corporate network. It’s cheap, I’m connected, and I’m happy. Read more




Jan

18

3G v/s WiFi - Impending war between telcos and ISPs?

Internet, Policy, Predictions, Telecom | Comments

This announcement by Lenovo to include Cingular’s 3G implementation with its notebooks throws up some interesting questions. Right now, 3G only supports data transfer speeds of about 400-700kbps, and it is primarily used in high-end mobile smartphones. However, as this standard evolves, and it is able to support transfer speeds in Mbps, it’ll begin to compete with WiFi itself. Read more




Dec

11

When the state is in the business of running business.

Insights, Off-Topic, Policy, Telecom | Comments

India’s biggest problem today…
… is an interventionist State. Despite a brief start at reforms between 1991-93, the Government continues to be in the business of running businesses. Inevitably, when it is also the policy-maker, protectionist policies are bound to arise, and private players are bound to be put at a perennial disadvantage. Consider the Government’s decision on the 30th of November to deny private operators use of BSNL’s and MTNL’s “last mile” copper wire infrastructure. From the Economic Times: Read more




Feb

6

Thoughts on wireless Internet access in India

Editorials, PC, Policy, Telecom, WiFi | Comments

The Indian Express has two articles today showcasing the state of wireless Internet access in India. They could not be more contrasting.

One article talks about the burgeoning use of WiFi by the upper middle class, especially in Mumbai and Bangalore. It’s exciting to know that entire residential complexes (Hiranandani - the real big builders - are profiled in here) are being provided with ready-to-use wireless Internet access. Further, the major vendors of traditional Internet access are WiFi-aware, and WiFi-ready too. For instance, Hathway and AirTel are already offering WiFi installation services. And at least in the major cities - Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and Pune, malls, cafes and bookstores seem to have wireless access enabled. Judging by the prices they’ve quoted in the article, WiFi internet access doesn’t seem outrageously expensive too. Read more