Infosys to invest $33.9 million in Kerala

Infosys Technologies, the second largest IT company of India, is expanding its operations in Kerala, the southern coastal state, with the state government allotting 50 acres of land to the company in the new Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram. The company intends to invest $11.3 million (Rs 50 crore) in Thiruvananthapuram with a capacity to seat 1,250 software professionals. In the second and third phases, Infosys will invest an additional $22.6 million (Rs 100 crore) in the campus to increase its capacity further by 2,500 seats.

(Ref: Business Standard, January 16, 2006)

Andhra Pradesh woos IT companies

The south Indian state Andhra Pradesh is considering to promote seven or eight Special Economic Zones (SEZ) exclusively for information technology and IT-enabled services. Mr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh announced his government’s intention to the SEZs. The state has witnessed 65% growth in the IT sector as against the national average of 35% last year.

(Ref: Tribune, January 13, 2006)

The recent changes in the patents laws in India have caused dramatic increase in the number of software patents applications. About 2,000 applications were filed in India in the last one-year, the same as in the three years from 2000 to 2003. Of the 2,000 applications, multinational companies filed 85% applications. While the department of information technology has constituted a five-member team to study the sudden increase in the number of patents applications, patents experts say this makes India a hub of innovation in technology.

(Ref: Business Standard, January 04, 2006)

TRAI seeks monthly data on international call traffic

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has directed telecom operators to report international long distance (ILD) traffic minutes every month. The directive is aimed at curbing the gray market calls and ensuring that the traffic of legitimate international call providers is not under-reported.

(Ref: Business Line, January 21, 2006)

HC clips Trai’s wings; upholds TDSAT view

The Delhi high court has held that the regulation on issues like access deficit charge and interconnection issued by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) were mere decisions on which the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) was empowered to adjudicate. The high court judgment clarified, “the appellate authority is specifically empowered to hear and dispose of appeals against directions, decisions and orders of Trai,”

(Ref: Financial Express, January 20, 2006)

Well's mobile, TDSAT tells Reliance Info

The telecom tribunal TDSAT has held that Reliance Infocomm’s fixed wireless phone services are equivalent to “limited” mobile services. And that it has to pay up Access Deficit Charge, and other relevant charges, like all other private cellular operators. Reliance Infocomm is the largest CDMA mobile and fixed phone operator of India. The tribunal recently gave a similar ruling against the second largest CDMA operator Tata Teleservices, which has already filed an appeal in the Supreme Court.

(Ref: Business Standard, January 19, 2006)

Lifetime validity comes under TRAI scanner; data sought

Telecom regulator TRAI has asked all operators who have announced a lifetime validity scheme for mobile services, to provide data relating to traffic, cost and revenue. TRAI has sought the data to examine the sustainability and viability of these schemes. The authority had earlier given a clean chit to Tata Teleservices’ plan of two-year validity on a pre-paid card after examining the relevant traffic data of the service provider.

(Ref: Zeenews.com, January 12, 2006)

TRAI moots cable TV telephony

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has mooted the proposal to open up the Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) that can enable cable TV operators to offer voice services in direct competition to telecom operators. The cable operators have already started offering data services along with broadcast TV.

(Ref: Business Line, January 04, 2006)

TRAI Issues consultation paper on convergence in broadcasting and telecom

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a consultation paper proposing that single operators be allowed to provide all services under a common license. The consultation paper invites comments from the various stakeholders to suggest how to bring licensing, registration powers, and regulatory mechanism for the telecom, IT and the broadcast sectors under a common framework.

(Ref: Zeenews.com, January 02, 2006)

TRAI panel proposes 74% FDI in cable TV operations

The Committee on Broadband and Telephony over Cable TV Network formed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended allowing 74% foreign direct investment (FDI) in cable TV operations. The committee has suggested to bring the cable TV on equal footing with the policies related to telecom operators.

(Ref: Business Line, January 02, 2006)

Newspapers can publish foreign articles: HC

The Delhi High Court has stuck down the government circular that restricted the Indian newspapers and magazines from publishing foreign syndicated articles up to only 20%. It ruled that the restriction is contrary to the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Fundamental Rights enumerated in the constitution. Justice Vikramjit Sen observed in his order that freedom of press need not be tested on nationality.

(Ref: Business Standard, January 20, 2006)