BSNL aims to mop up Rs 3k cr revenue from enterprise biz

BD Narayankar

New Delhi, June 27 (PTI) Loss-making telecom PSU BSNL today said it aims to garner a revenue of Rs 3,000 crore from enterprise business during the current fiscal.

"We are already doing business with so many corporates in a structured manner and are hopeful of garnering revenues of at least Rs 3,000 crore this fiscal (FY'11-12) from our enterprise business," BSNL CMD R K Upadhyay said.

Apart from doing business with many corporates, BSNL is working out plans to work in synergy with its sister concern MTNL to mop up revenues.

"We are working out strategies that will benefit both MTNL and BSNL. In fact, we are already in business with MTNL so far as enterprise value (EV) segment is concerned," he added.

BSNL, once the country's flagship telecom company, posted a net loss of Rs 1,823 crore on revenue of Rs 32,046 crore in 2009-2010. The company had net profit of over Rs 10,000 crore in 2005-06.

The company also aims to generate revenues from its huge land and network assets, which is one of the largest in the country. "We are also looking to unlock the value of our idle real estate, which will again be helpful to make our bottomline positive," Upadhyay added.

The state-run service provider has over 50,000 towers across India. BSNL has tower sharing pacts with many private telecom operators.

"We have already started renting out our towers to private operators wherever feasible to generate revenues in order to make our bottomline healthy," Upadhyay said.

Further, BSNL plans to mop up revenue by setting up six Internet Data Centres (IDCs) under brand name "One Cloud". It plans to provide a whole lot of hosted services such as software as service (SAS), platform as service (PAS), infrastructure as service (IAS) through the IDCs.

"We probably will commission first two IDCs at Faridabad and Ludhiana in July. Remaining IDCs will be commissioned in September. These IDCs will be installed on BSNL premises," Upadhyay added.

In its projections to the government, BSNL is expected to post a net loss of Rs 2,725 crore on revenue of Rs 31,738 crore during 2010-11 and the loss is expected to narrow to Rs 623 crore on revenue of Rs 36,569 crore during the current fiscal year (2011-12).

Links:

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/bsnl-aims-to-moprs-3k-cr-revenueenterprise-biz_560456.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/telecom/BSNL-eyes-Rs-3000cr-revenue-from-enterprise-biz/articleshow/9012725.cms

http://www.indian4ever.com/2011/06/27/bsnl-aims-to-mop-up-3000-crore-revenue-2/

http://www.anhourago.in/show.aspx?l=8737145

http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/BSNL_aims_to_mop_up_Rs_3000_cr_revenue_from_enterprise_business-nid-85256.html

MTNL ties up with Atom Technologies for bill payment

BD Narayankar

New Delhi, June 22 (PTI) Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) today said it has tied up with Atom Technologies, a leading provider of m-Commerce solutions, for enabling its customers to make bill payments through mobile or landline phones.

MTNL provides telecom services to over 17 lakh customers across Mumbai. This service offers the convenience to a vast number of customers to make their bill payments instantly through phones using their credit cards.

The benefit of this facility is that payments are instantaneous and can be made anytime and anywhere - from home, office or while travelling - through any of the MTNL phones, the company said in a statement here.

The atom platform provides a secure and automated environment to end customers with complete assurance of protection of their credit card details. Atom is the largest m-Commerce solutions provider in the country with over 80% market share for its IVR solution.

Till date, atom has processed more than Rs 2,000 crore worth of transactions on its platform. Its clientele comprise of 400 plus best associates throughout the industry and include corporates, government utilities, travel and tourism firms, insurance companies etc.

Links:

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/mtnl-ties-up-with-atom-technologies-for-bill-payment/734536.html

http://www.mydigitalfc.com/telecommunication/mtnl-ties-atom-technologies-bill-payment-333

http://www.livemint.com/2011/06/22194224/MTNL-ties-up-with-Atom-Technol.html

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/mtnl-ties-upatom-technologies-for-bill-payment_559438.html

http://www.ptinews.com/news/1702064_MTNL-ties-up-with-Atom-Technologies-for-bill-payment-

No decision yet on offering VRS to BSNL employees

BD Narayankar and Anmol Khurana

New Delhi, June 24 (PTI) Loss-making telecom PSU BSNL has said that no decision has been taken so far to offer voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) to its employees who are nearing the age of retirement.

The Telecom Ministry is understood to have asked BSNL to reduce its workforce by 50,000 as one of the measures to become profitable.

"No decision has been taken by any authority as yet to give VRS to the employees of the organisation," a BSNL source said.

The huge workforce has been eating into the revenues of BSNL, resulting in huge outflow of cash from the country's exchequer pocket. BSNL has a workforce of about 3,57,000 personnel. BSNL, once the country's flagship telecom company, posted a net loss of Rs 1,823 crore on revenue of Rs 32,046 crore in 2009-2010. The company had a net profit of over Rs 10,000
crore in 2005-06.

In fact Sam Pitroda, advisor to the Prime Minister on infrastructure, had also suggested BSNL to downsize its workforce by about 100,000, prompting the employees unions to threaten agitations.

Last month, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal had said the government is committed to turn around BSNL in the next six months. BSNL labour union have been opposing the recommendations by Sam Pitroda Committee to retrench one lakh employees through VRS and to reduce the retirement age from 60 to 58.

Earlier, BSNL had informed Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE) that it expects to turn profitable in the year through March 2013, but projects a net loss for the just-ended fiscal year and the ongoing year that began on April 1.

The company expects to post a net loss of Rs 2,725 crore on revenue of Rs 31,738 crore for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, and the loss is expected to narrow down to Rs 623 crore on revenue of Rs 36,569 crore during the current fiscal year (2011-12 fiscal).

Earlier, DoT had also directed another loss-making sister concern firm MTNL to work on reducing staff. MTNL, which offers telecom services in Delhi and Mumbai, has asked DoT to clear a VRS to be offered to 15,000 employees in the current financial year, a third of its workforce

Links:

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/nodecisionyetonofferingvrstobsnlemployees_560087.html

http://in.news.yahoo.com/no-decision-yet-offering-vrs-bsnl-employees-113100240.html

Leading Indian IT firms bid to acquire UK-based Misys

BD Narayankar & Anmol Khurana

New Delhi, June 23 (PTI) UK-based software product vendor Misys, which is looking for a potential buyer, today confirmed that it has received preliminary bids from many companies that may or may not lead to an offer, but declined to identify the firms showing interest.

According to media reports many Indian companies including Wipro, TCS and HCL, are in race to acquire the company.

"Misys has received a preliminary approach which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company. The approach is for the whole company," Misys said in an emailed response to PTI.

Misys sells software products to banking, treasury and capital markets, has over 1,200 customers, including the world''s top 50 banks. The firm employs around 4,000 people and generated group revenues of 782 million pounds in 2010, a growth of 13 per cent over the previous year.

However, the firm said, "Misys does not comment on rumours and market speculation, therefore, unable to respond in more detail to your questions at this time."

The international media is reporting that American firms Sungard, Fidelity National Information services, Fiserv and FIS Global were some of the frontrunners in the bidding race.

FIS Global confirms it approached Misys about possible cash buyout offer.

Misys already has a strong system integration partnership with HCL. According to a report, Misys had already opened its books to a US suitor with a bid of above 450 pence a share. The company has a market value of 1.4 billion pounds.

Links:

http://in.news.yahoo.com/leading-indian-firms-bid-acquire-uk-based-misys-133100569.html

'India Should Adopt No Nonsensical Approach on Terror'

B D Narayankar
PTI | New Delhi | Jun 20, 2011
Asking the government to assess the possibility of dismantling the terror infrastructure in Pakistan, BJP today questioned why India could not undertake an operation like the one carried out by the US in Abottabad to kill Osama bin Laden.

BJP senior leader Venkaiah Naidu asked the government to adopt a "no nonsensical" approach to tackle the menace of cross-border terrorism, Maoism and insurgency in the North-Eastern region.

"If US can eliminate Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, then what prevents India from going into the Pakistan side to dismantle terror infrastructure. I am not pleading, but posing a question to the international community," Naidu said while addressing the INDESEC 2011.

Naidu further alleged that terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen were in touch with ISI which is dealing with underworld elements through Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Shakeel and other groups.

Suggesting remedy to tackle terrorism, Naidu said the central government and the opposition should create international opinion to isolate Pakistan and bring pressure on the international community to dismantle terror infrastructure in Pakistan.

Naidu said Pakistan, which joined hands with the US to fight terrorism on its western borders, was supporting terrorism in Kashmir.

Blaming Centre and the media for treating the Maoist menace as a socio-economic problem, Naidu said both the agencies have failed to understand that Maoism was a political movement which wanted to capture power through the barrel of the gun.

"If we do not understand the motive of the Maoist movement, we will be failing in our responsibilities," he said.

Naidu also said human rights must work for common masses, not for ideologically-committed people who want to capture power through the barrel of the gun.

"These organisations are open ground for administering underground elements," he said.

Talking about insurgency in north-eastern region, Naidu said the government should take stern action to disarm insurgent groups like NSCN-IM and NSCN-K.

"We have to put down weapon-carrying people with iron hands. They are impairing the development of north-eastern region," he said.

Naidu also said the Centre should take strict measures to check fake currency. "People who are pumping in fake currency through hawala and other channels should be traced and punished," he added.

Links:

http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?725469

http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/no-nonsensical-approach-on-terrorism-bjp_714004.html

http://www.centralchronicle.com/viewnews.asp?articleID=62748

HTC to launch Flyer in India soon

B D Narayankar and Stuti Roy

New Delhi, June 16 (PTI) The competition is heating up for 'tablets' in India, with Taiwanese handset maker now bringing its 'Flyer' to India in the next few weeks. "HTC Flyer will be launched shortly, in the next couple of weeks," HTC Corporation President (South Asia) Lennard Hoornik said.

HTC Flyer's competitors in India include Samsung's Galaxy Tab, Blackberry Playbook, Motorola Xoom and the Apple iPad. The seven-inch touch screen tablet has a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. It has 1GB of RAM and an in-built memory of 16GB and a 5 megapixel camera. Though the company declined to comment on the pricing, it maintained that it would be "competitive with other devices".

Blackberry Playbook is expected to be launched in the country by the end of the month (pricing not announced), while Apple iPad (priced at about Rs 29,500) and Samung's Galaxy Tab (about Rs 26,000) are already available here. The price of the PlayBook in India could range between Rs 22,000 and Rs 32,000, depending upon its storage capacity, from 16 GB to 64 GB. Globally, PlayBook is available at USD 499, USD 599 and USD 699 for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions, respectively.

Since the launch of Apple's iPad, the tablet market is witnessing huge competition, with new contenders launching their devices. Apple's rival in the computing space, Dell had launched the 'Streak' last year in India, while homegrown telecom handset makers like Spice and Olive have also launched similar devices at much lower price points.

According to analysts, sales in the tablet PC segment in India are expected to touch one million units over the next 12 months. With 3G (high-speed internet services) being rolled out aggressively, the opportunity has only expanded, they said.

Links:

http://gadgets.ndtv.com/shownews.aspx?id=GADEN20110178036&Sec=NEWS

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/personal-tech/gadgets-special/HTC-Flyer-coming-to-India/articleshow/8886838.cms

http://www.mydigitalfc.com/companies/tablet-war-hots-htc-now-bring-flyer-india-912

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/tablet-war-hots-up-htc-to-now-bring-flier-to-india/articleshow/8878544.cms

HTC Sensation launched in India at Rs 32,700

B D Narayankar and Stuti Roy

New Delhi, June 16 (PTI): Taiwanese handset maker HTC launched its Android-based smartphone, Sensation, in the Indian market, priced at Rs 32,700 to take on the likes of Apple's iPhone 4 and Samsung's Galaxy S II.

The smartphone features Qualcomm's 1.2 Ghz Snapdragon processor, which will enhance the computing speed of the device.

"We have strong plan to penetrate into the Indian market in the next one to two years and want to be a leading brand in smart phone market in India. Products like these will help us in consolidating our position here," HTC Corporation president (South Asia Pacific) Lennard Hoornik told reporters here.


The handset is equipped with a 4.3-inch touch screen and an eight megapixel camera. The handset also comes with an 'instant camera capture' feature, which offers faster shutter speed allowing users to click photographs faster.

Asked about the challenges the company faces in smart phone market in India, Hoornik said though this is a huge market, it would take some time to reach out to the entire market.

According to industry estimates, current smartphone sales are about five million a year, and it is expected to grow to about 8 million units in annual sales next year.

Growing smartphones sales are expected to get a further fillip with the roll out of 3G services in the country. 3G services, which offer high-speed Internet access, have already been doled out by operators like Bharti airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Aircel.

India is the world's second-largest market, after China, for telecom services with 826.93 million subscribers at the end of April, 2011.

US-based Apple has launched its iPhone 4 in India and rivals Nokia, Samsung and LG are also introducing newer smartphones to stay ahead in the heated smartphone race.

Links:

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/htc-sensation-launched-in-india-at-rs-32700/159996-11.html

92.7 BIG FM Delhi to air Bollywood-laced content

By BD Narayankar

New Delhi, June 9 (PTI): 92.7 BIG FM, the radio arm of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd, launched its new positioning here today with fresh content and a format, which will give the daily dose of Bollywood in the most naughty and edgy way.

The new positioning will give the station a distinct sound, away from the clutter of other radio stations in Delhi. “We will be the only station to give Delhi audience their daily dose of Bollywood in the most naughty and edgy way,” 92.7 BIG FM Delhi radio operations head Sudha Sadhanand said.

The biggest, most secretly-guarded and scandalous Bollywood secrets will be unveiled by RJ Vidhi from 7-11 am every morning on the station’s breakfast show Dilli Ki Metro. Big Bollywood stars in their own voice will exclusively let RJ Vidhi know their side of the story on love, life and relationships.

As part of the new positioning, Bollywood’s hitherto unknown secrets about stars and stardom, several innovative edgy segments in the breakfast show – Dilli ki Metro like Khul ke bol, Imagine kar na and Cheaters have been introduced and new shows post breakfast show such as the Gossip Queen of Bollywood: The Pammi Aunty Show, One on One with Ali and Emotional Achaar with RJs Zainab and Apar will take the tempo ahead.

The new positioning Bollywood Secrets is at present being promoted through a 360 degree campaign in Delhi. The four week campaign has a mix of static and transit outdoor media, print, online, SMS based communication, metro stations branding etc.

Links

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/marketing/article2090446.ece

China may pip India in R&D globalisation mkt: Zinnov

By BD Naraynkar

New Delhi, June 8 (PTI) With the Chinese government providing tax benefits and financial incentives, China's R&D globalisation market is likely to overtake India soon, warns Zinnov.

According to Zinnov, the current MNC research and development (R&D) globalisation market for India is USD 7.75 billion, while that of China is USD 7.65 billion.

Zinnov Management Consulting Manager (Consulting) Praveen Bhadada said, "Our study indicates that the Chinese R&D market market is growing at a fast clip and soon is likely to overtake India."

Bhadada said China was providing various tax benefits and financial incentives for MNCs conducting R&D in their country. "Some provinces in China are giving 3,500 yuans per person to MNCs to impart training to freshers," he added.

Bhadada further said China was providing local tax exemptions and giving preferential treatment in terms of granting land and medical help. "It is giving customs duty exemption on imported equipments that are not available in China," he added.

China also plans to invest 2.5 per cent of its GDP in R&D by 2020 from 1.45 per cent in 2006, Bhadada said.

Raising alarm on China's rapid growth rate in investments, Bhadada said investments in China have grown at 15.9 per cent in last three years despite recession, whereas investments in India is growing at 10.5 per cent. "In China 1000 MNCs are conducting R&D compared to India which boasts of close to 700 MNCs conducting R&D," he said.

However, India still retains its advantage of cost arbitrage. While an MNC spends on an average about USD 50,400 per person annually in China, in India the cost comes to USD 39,500.

"India needs to move away from the cost arbitrage factor. Focus needs to be on identifying opportunities for innovation and adding value. Also government needs to play a more proactive role in promoting investment in R&D in the country," he said.

The total talent pool in R&D in India is about 1.96 lakh compared to 1.52 lakh in China. However, fresh talent pool suitable for R&D is 45,000 in India and 56,000 in China, the study said.

Bhadada said China is also witnessing rapid expansion of secondary locations as the fast pace of infrastructure development made investment in smaller areas like Shenzhen, Dalian, Wuxi, Nanjing and Chengdu among others offer good opportunities.

Links:

http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5197654

Vertex bets big on domestic BPO market

By BD Narayankar and Stuti Roy

Jun 07 , New Delhi (PTI): UK-based BPO firm Vertex today said it will increase its headcount in the country to 20,000 employees over the next two years as it ramps up its operations in India.

The Vertex group, which had acquired domestic player Shell Transource last year, has about 6,000 people on its payroll (post-acquisition).

"The acquisition has helped Vertex emerge as a significant player in the domestic market. Going ahead, we have major expansion plans as part of which we will have 11,000-13,000 people by September next year," Vertex Group CEO Paul Sweeny told reporters here.

This will be increased to 20,000 people by September 2013, he added.

Vertex also expects its revenues from India to cross $100 million (about Rs 450 crore) by end of 2013, but Sweeny declined to comment on the current revenue figures.

"Over the last six months, we have had significant growth with nine big wins, which includes three of the top five telecom majors in India," Vertex India MD and CEO Keshav Gaur said.

He added that the clients spanned sectors like telecom, financial services, utilities, government, FMCG and retail.

In the government vertical, the company has been empanelled by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for enrolling people, apart from contracts from the tax department and utility companies.

Talking about the business opportunuties here, Sweeny said, "There is a huge potential in the domestic sector. The growth rate here is better than other counutries".

He added that the domestic market for BPOs has grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 35 per cent.

"New sectors like retail, media and DTH will drive the growth further and these factors will help boost our confidence in the Indian market," Gaur said.

Links:

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-06-07/news/29629789_1_shell-transource-growth-rate-new-sectors

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-07/outsourcing/29628801_1_shell-transource-growth-rate-new-sectors