Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Qualcomm Moderated Thread - please read rules before posting -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: foundation who wrote (30754)	1/5/2003 8:50:51 PM
From: Jon Koplik	Respond to of 196584

India/Interconnect row with mobile players — Basic operators seek Mahajan help Hindu Business Line Our Bureau NEW DELHI, Jan. 5 THE private basic service operators have sought the intervention of the Union Communications Minister, Mr Pramod Mahajan, to ensure that the cellular mobile service providers (CMSP) reach suitable interconnection agreements with them. In a letter to the Minister, Mr S.C. Khanna , Secretary General, Association of Basic Telecom Operators (ABTO) has pointed out that the denial of interconnection by the cellular operators is violative of the basic rights of the consumers to be able to freely connect and talk to subscribers on any other network. This is also against the very spirit of NTP '99. "We appreciate that you understand the importance of interconnection and have also stated that interconnection is a mandatory requirement and cannot be denied by anyone. We fully support your understanding of this issue and it is in line with the terms and conditions of the cellular licence agreement,'' Mr Khanna has written. Pointing out that as per the cellular licence agreement clause 27.5 notes: ``It shall be mandatory for cellular service providers to provide interconnection to all eligible telecom service providers as well as NLD serviced providers whereby the subscribers shall have a free choice to make inter-circle/international long distance calls through NLD service provider... " Basic service operators who have launched services recently require interconnection with cellular operators in order to ensure universal utility and availability of telecom services. While the basic operators have already initiated discussions, the cellular operators have been stalling it for several months. "Evidently by refusing access to a bottleneck facility within their control, the cellular operators are illegally blocking customers of WLL from benefiting fully from the telecom revolution sweeping the country. This is also contrary to all the Government policy and regulatory principles. We submit that this stand being taken by the private cellular industry is arbitrary, illegal and anti-competitive and would adversely affect the growth and rollout of services. It is also totally anti-consumer,'' Mr Khanna has noted. Further while denying interconnection to new operators, CMSPs have now started making unsustainable financial demands on even those of the other members of ABTO who already had signed interconnection agreements earlier. While some members have already lodged complaints with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), there seem to be no early resolution in sight, he noted. "We submit that this is anti-competitive and reflective of the behaviour of a dominant operator who is misusing its significant market pressure. We are left with no choice but to seek your kind intervention in the matter in order to ensure that the development of basic telecom facilities in the country is not held to ransom to the unreasonable demands and anti-competitive behaviour of CMSPs,'' Mr Khanna has said. Copyright © 2003, The Hindu Business Line thehindubusinessline.com

To: foundation who wrote (30754)	1/6/2003 7:49:46 AM
From: foundation	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 196584

Hutchison Expects UK 3G Launch In First Quarter Monday January 6, 5:41 am ET LONDON -(Dow Jones)- The U.K. mobile operator controlled by Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. expects to launch its third-generation, or 3G, service in the first quarter of this year, a spokesman said. The company had earlier hoped to launch it before the end of 2002 but had declined to give an exact date. Spokesman Matt Peacock told Dow Jones Newswires Monday that the company wanted "commercial rollout in the first quarter of this year." However, he added: "There's no precise date set, internally or externally. We are close - but not there yet." The service will use the brand name "Three" and has been conducting so-called "ambient advertising" over the holiday period, including projecting its brand on prominent buildings in London and paying people to attend nightclubs with its brand tattooed on their heads. In the U.K., Hutchison owns 65% of Hutchison 3G U.K. Ltd., with NTT DoCoMo Inc. holding 20% and KPN Mobile NV (N.KPM) 15%. The partners paid GBP4.38 billion, or EUR6.9 billion, for their license. biz.yahoo.com ========== LOL! Close... to what?