Reliance Cuts its ISD Rates

Reliance Infocomm (RIL) has announced an across-the-board reduction in ISD tariffs by 45 per cent to 69 per cent for all calls to USA, Canada, Europe and the Middle East.

The reduced rates are applicable across all plans and schemes under both post paid and prepaid categories. In effect Reliance says its customers are the privileged ones to possibly be able to make the cheapest international calls from the country.

The ISD rates for calls to USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia and to fixed phones in Europe will now be Rs 6 per minute, down from the earlier Rs 14.25 per minute - under all One Nation Plans. In case of other plans, ISD rates have been cut down from the previous up to Rs 14.25 per minute to Rs 7.20 per minute.

International calls to the Middle East, the Gulf and Africa will now be charged at Rs 8 per minute vis-a-vis the earlier Rs 17.25 per minute - under One Nation Plans. As regards other plans, ISD rates have been brought down to Rs 9.99 per minute, from the previous up to Rs 19.99 per minute.

S P Shukla, president - wireless, Reliance Infocomm, said, "We are proud to lead the way in reducing the transactional cost for
Indians who are interacting with the world more and more. The ISD call
rates have now come down below the levels STD rates were a few years back. The indirect economic value added to the economy of the country by this rate reduction is much more than actual rates itself."

Reliance One world One Number

Reliance Infocomm (RIL) has launched the 1World.1Number seamless inter-standard international roaming service, featuring a single number on international CDMA and GSM networks.

In effect the caller line identification of Reliance customers will remain the same, even if they happen to be roaming on a GSM network - for instance in Europe.

With the new service, Reliance subscribers will not have to resort to call-forwarding whilst traveling from a CDMA to a GSM network and vice versa.

RIL says that with 11 major CDMA networks and 340 GSM networks under the 1World.1Number umbrella, it can qualify as the numero uno service provider in terms of offering the widest international roaming coverage at the lowest possible roaming rates.

For Reliance customers traveling abroad, they can subscribe to this new service at any of the Reliance WebWorlds. Customers will be provided with a SIM Card which together with a suitable GSM handset will enable them to roam on GSM networks. CDMA handsets can be used for roaming on CDMA networks.

Apple Anounces iPod Hi-Fi

Among a slew of products - Apple Computer has announced its iPod Hi-Fi, touting it as a high-fidelity speaker system which works seamlessly with the iPod to redefine the home stereo system.

Apple Computer says that its iPod Hi-Fi offers a superlative sound experience in an all-in-one design. The iPod Hi-Fi includes two custom-designed wide-range speakers, and a tuned ported bass system, making for reduced vibration and better sound quality. The device is powered from a wall socket or by six D-cell batteries, and can be controlled using the Apple Remote.

The Hi-Fi sports features such as handles for easy transportation of the stereo; removable front grille with precision-mounting clips; and touch-sensitive volume control buttons.

Hi-Fi incorporates seamless integration with all iPods via a dock connector; and includes features like Tone Control, Large Album Art mode and volume mirroring. It has a dual-purpose 3.5-mm auxiliary input which accepts either analog or digital signals for easy connection to a wide range of audio sources.

Steve Jobs, CEO, Apple Computer, said, "Apple is reinventing the home stereo with the new iPod Hi-Fi, the first iPod accessory that adds true high-fidelity sound quality to the iPod. iPod Hi-Fi s unrivaled acoustic performance and stunning design is at home in any room in the house."

Along with its iPod Hi-Fi, Apple has introduced a new leather case meant for the fifth generation iPod and all iPod nano models - made of fine hand-crafted Italian leather.

The iPod Hi-Fi is available from all Apple Authorized Resellers for Rs 27,700; and ships along with a removable grille, an AC power cord, ten Universal Dock adapters and the Apple Remote.

The leather case for iPods - both 30GB and 60GB models as also for the iPod nano is available for Rs 6,200 per piece.

Bharti Signed Deal with Nortel

MUMBAI: Bharti Tele-Ventures has entered into a five-year managed services agreement with Nortel to host contact center services for the subscribers of Bharti's Airtel GSM mobile, broadband and fixed line services.

According to a Bharati statement, Nortel will create a Network Operations Center (NOC) in New Delhi that would provide network design, integration, support and maintenance services for Bharti's contact center architecture.

A 24x7 'virtual storefront' voice portal based on Nortel's interactive voice response (IVR) solution will form the basis for Bharti's new contact center operation.

Calling a single number from anywhere in India, Bharti's wireless and wireline customers will be able to speak in English, Hindi, or four other regional languages to complete routine transactions and subscribe to new services while the system interacts with them in a natural, conversational manner.

Nortel has also designed the architecture for future interactive video response capability.

Bharti has also designed with Nortel an innovative 'per call' approach to paying for Nortel's hosted services, linking its contact center cost structure to network traffic, service levels and customer growth.

The Nortel solution also includes virtualization of the contact center infrastructure, world-class technology for call forecasting, call routing, call prioritization, multimedia, unified messaging, and IP-enabled video.

Airtel Goes Classical

In a step guaranteed to bring cheer to classical music fans, Airtel has made available to its subscribers more than hundred pieces of the choicest classical music from some of the country's best known exponents in the form of Ring Tones and Hello Tunes. The company says this is the first time such a rich variety of the country's classical music fare has been made available on the mobile music platform.

Speaking at the occasion, Hemant Sachdev, director - marketing and communications, Bharti Tele-Ventures, said that with Airtel Music Maestros, the company is promoting the country s rich classical music tradition and extending its reach from a niche audience to a much wider audience.

The chosen classical items comprise genres like Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti, Kajri, Kheyal, Bandish, et al, by stalwarts such as Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Ustad Zakir Hussain, among others.

In order to avail the new service, Airtel subscribers can either call 678-517 to download the selection as Hello Tunes; or they can call 646-517 or alternatively log onto Airtel's live! WAP portal in order to download as Ringtones.

In another initiative, Airtel has launched Easy Music wherein subscribers can access up to 18,000 songs in 20 different languages. Subscribers need to simply walk into any Airtel Easy Music outlet, make their choice, and the retailer will download the song onto their phones.

Walky with FM TATA

Tata Indicom introduces for the first time in India -
Mobility with Entertainment
Introducing for the first time in India “Walky with FM”
Choice of 10 FM stations
Available at an attractive entry cost of Rs 1999/- New Delhi, March 2006: Tata Indicom, India’s premier telecom service provider today pioneered another initiative in the desktop phone category. For the first time ever in India, phone users can now enjoy listening to their favourite FM station exclusively on Tata Indicom “Walky with FM”. Available on the Axesstel P830 instrument, Tata Indicom “Walky with FM” is targeted at housewives, shopkeepers, and the youth segment.
Tata Indicom is the dominant and consistent leader in the desktop phone category. Keeping in line with this, the new Tata Indicom ‘Walky with FM’ brings to its customers their favourite FM stations with a host of features. Additionally customers have a choice of 10 programmable radio stations, which can be automatically or manually adjusted. Besides, customers can also has the option of setting their Morning Alarm ring tone to the FM channel of their choice.
The Tata Indicom “Walky with FM ” has been introduced at an attractive price point of Rs. 1999/- with no extra charges for FM. Besides, existing customers can exchange their existing Walky instruments by paying a one-time, non-refundable charge of Rs. 1000/-. Further attractive HOME 2 Mobile tariffs on Walky make the overall package extremely attractive.
The new Stylish Walky - Axesstel P830 is an extension of the increasing popularity and ‘overwhelming customer response’ of the Tata Indicom desktop phone service across India. It offers a variety of benefits and power packed features like 12 polyphonic ringtones to choose from, dual speaker phone system, Internet capability, group messaging to 20 multiple destinations, internal phonebook supporting upto 99 entries, large screen with backlight and dual language menu.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr.Vinayak Deshpande, President Enterprise BU, Tata Teleservices said, “The launch of Tata Indicom Walky with FM for the first time ever in India is an extension of our commitment to continuously innovate and offer a host of novel features on ‘Walky’ to our customers. With the new Tata Indicom Walky with FM we wish to redefine the entertainment space in the country. We are confident and optimistic that our new ‘Walky with FM’ will receive tremendous response from the market.
The market response to our Walky product has been very positive and we see tremendous growth potential in this category. With the launch of Walky with FM, we plan to address a much wider market and consolidate our leadership position in this category.” Mr. Deshpande added.
Tata Indicom was the first to launch CDMA-based Fixed Wireless Service in the country. As the service operates on Tata Indicom CDMA wireless platform, it offers several advantages over the landline, as it does not require any physical wiring for last mile connectivity. Hence customers can expect instant connections (as it eliminates the need for cables to be laid), the ability to retain the same phone number within the city for customers who shift residence/office, better security and all weather proof (unaffected by rains / harsh climatic conditions) service.
Around the globe, manufacturers had considered Fixed Wireless Service as a dead product. But after the success of Tata Indicom Fixed Wireless Service in India, today international vendors are investing money and are taking interest in Research and Development (R&D) on Fixed Wireless Service.

Familier with One India get Introduced to One World with TATA

Tata Indicom to shortly launch International Roaming
‘One World One Number’
First telecom service provider in the world to launch a single T-SIM product for International Roaming
One Number Across The World - Customers can roam while using the same Tata Indicom number
Tata Indicom post paid customers can roam in 186 countries New Delhi, March 11, 2006: In a major initiative, Tata Indicom, India’s premier telecom service provider in India, today announced that the company would be soon launching International Roaming Services ‘One World One Number’ across 186 countries.
With the forthcoming launch of One World One Number International Roaming Service Tata Indicom will become the first telecom service provider in the world to launch a single T-SIM product for International Roaming. Customers will be able to enjoy both CDMA & GSM services without having to change their number by switching between the two networks freely with only one dual mode T-SIM.
Besides, pan-India National Roaming in over 2500 towns Tata Indicom customers will be able to roam internationally in 186 countries across 291 GSM roaming partner and few CDMA partners.
Tata Indicom One World One Number facility not only fills the gap where CDMA roaming is not available in Europe, Middle East, Africa and some parts of Asia but will also allow a post paid customer the benefit of receiving and sending SMS and voice mail service.
Mr. Darryl Green, CEO Tata Teleservices said, “We are proud to announce that we are pioneering yet another initiative in the telecom industry that will benefit all our customers who travel abroad. With the launch of One World One Number International Roaming Service we have tried to bring the world closer. We are confident and optimistic that this service will get a tremendous response. The One World One Number Service offers the customers a unique service which will connect them across the globe.”
The Tata Indicom International Roaming Service allows friends, family members, business associates and clients to reach you at home and abroad using the same Tata Indicom mobile number when in home network or when roaming abroad. This service is available for 186 countries, 291 GSM roaming partners and 5 CDMA partners.
Tata Teleservices has succeeded in building a substantial presence in the country’s telecom space, and is all set to redefine the existing benchmarks of the telecom service category in India through marketing innovations and introduction of new generation value-added services. The Tata Indicom brand name spans across retail, enterprise, wholesale as well as international services offered by the telecom services arms. Today TTSL is committed to providing the best services to all its the customers and making Tata Indicom the preferred choice of millions of customers across the country.

Oracle today introduced Oracle Business Intelligence Suite, open, standards-based software designed for all users and business processes throughout the enterprise. Oracle Business Intelligence Suite unites Oracle's business intelligence (BI) middleware with Siebel Business Analytics.

“When combined with Oracle E-Business Suite, Oracle's PeopleSoft Enterprise, Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, Oracle's Siebel prebuilt analytic applications, the Oracle Business Intelligence Suite addresses the complete spectrum of BI and analytical requirements facing customers today, including historical, real-time and forward-looking insight, with data integration, and management,” an Oracle statement said.

The suite, along with other software components of Oracle Applications, Oracle Database, and Oracle Fusion Middleware, delivers enterprise-wide business intelligence that is “hot-pluggable” into existing operational systems.

racle Business Intelligence Suite Standard Edition offers pre-integrated BI infrastructure software and tools for an Oracle environment. Oracle Business Intelligence Suite Standard Edition One is designed as a specialized offering for small and medium businesses (SMBs). Oracle Business Intelligence Suite Enterprise and Standard Editions are available today. The Oracle Business Intelligence Suite Standard Edition One offering is planned for availability in the next fiscal year.

Oracle Business Intelligence Suite Enterprise and Standard Editions are generally available today. Oracle Business Intelligence Suite Enterprise Edition is priced at $1,500 per named user. Oracle Business Intelligence Suite Standard Edition is priced at $400 per named user.

Oracle Business Intelligence Suite Standard Edition One is priced at $25,000 and is planned for availability in the next fiscal year.

Fresh on the heels of a delay in broad availability of Windows Vista, Microsoft confirmed late Thursday that it is also pushing the mainstream launch of Office 2007 to next year.

As with Vista, Microsoft hopes to finish the code for Office 2007 this year and make it available to some large businesses by the end of December.

Microsoft announced the Vista delay Tuesday. With the twin push backs, the PC industry's holiday season is shaping up to be quite different than the one originally expected. Microsoft has said it doesn't expect the Vista delay to dent PC sales in the fourth quarter, but analysts have largely disagreed.

Microsoft is making major changes with the new Office, which will feature all-new XML-based file formats as well as a completely overhauled user interface, among other changes.

By pushing out the Office launch date, however, Microsoft will regain the ability to launch the two products in tandem. Microsoft had been planning a massive fourth quarter launch for the products.

Earlier on Thursday, Microsoft announced it was naming Office head honcho Steven Sinofsky to head a new Windows and Windows Live development group. Microsoft said Sinofsky will work with Microsoft Business Division President Jeff Raikes in the coming weeks to help determine who will lead the Office business after his move.

The change in launch timing for Office 2007 was noted earlier Thursday by Jupiter Research analyst Joe Wilcox on his Microsoft Monitor blog.

Microsoft in November had released an initial test version of Office 2007, then known by its Office 12 code name. A broader test version is planned for this spring.