Posts made by Amitav Sengupta

The US tech giant Apple demanded the Indian government to provide it with some special tax incentives to set up iPhone manufacturing unit in the country. However, the Trade Minister Nirmala Sitharaman may not make any exceptions for the tech giant.

No Special Incentives to Apple:

As a part of expansion, Apple wants to open its own stores across the country. In reply, the Modi-led government asked the US Company to manufacture some of the components. In a bid to boost the iPhone sales in India, Apple agreed to set up the Indian manufacturing and sought tax concessions including lower import and manufacturing duties.

If we would remember, Apple CEO Tim Cook officially disclosed that the company has plans to enter the Indian manufacturing and retail space. However, if it needs to open the direct retail stores, the company should source at least 30% of the components locally. And thus, Apple wants the Indian government to offer special tax incentives for investments in SEZ to make iPhone handsets locally.

The Minister of State for Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman expressed that if India were to agree to any special considerations, it would be applicable to all smartphone makers, and not just Apple. The Apple’s file is sent to the revenue department and the inter-ministerial panel of the trade, electronics and finance ministry would take a final decision.

Apple Wants Only Business?

Confirming the news, the American giant declined to comment. It is to remind that India refused to allow Apple’s proposal to import and sell refurbished handsets in India. And the company has been asked to support PM Narendra Modi’s Make-in-India campaign.

Beijing-headquartered electronic giant, LeEco has got an upgraded variant for its old phone. The company has even expanded its e-commerce partnership to Snapdeal. Till now, the availability of the old product was limited to offline stores and was priced at ₹11999.

LeEco has revamped its marketing strategy and included Snapdeal as a part of its multi-platform strategy. The new upgraded variant of LeEco Le 2 bears the same specs as the old one, except for a 3GB RAM and 64GB internal storage space.

As per the report, LeEco Le 2 comes in Rose Gold and Gold color variants and will be priced at ₹13,999 with Snapdeal. If the reports are to be believed then one would be surprised to find a higher pricing of ₹15999 on Flipkart.

LeEco Le 2 Specifications:

Coming to the specifications, the LeEco Le 2 sports a 5.5-inch full HD IPS display. Powered by a 1.8GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor and 3GB RAM, the LeEco Le 2 has 64GB storage space, all this in an all metal body. The smartphone features a 16-megapixel primary camera and an 8-megapixel camera for selfies.

Backed by a non-removable 3000mAh battery, the LeEco Le 2 runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS with eUI skin on top. Connectivity wise, the smartphone supports 4G LTE, dual-SIM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB Type-C port etc.

The company claims that Le2 is the first smartphone to add the world’s first CDLA standard for end-to-end lossless digital music transmission. It has got blue light filter technology to eliminate eye fatigue. Apart from the launch offers at Snapdeal, one can access premium video content including 3.5million songs, LIVE TV channels etc.

Though Android 7.0 Nougat has been released quite a long ago, it is still slowly making its way. Currently, only a few smartphones have got the promised update. The latest to join the list is OnePlus 3and OnePlus 3T smartphones.

Android 7.0 Nougat Based OxygenOS 4.0 Update:

The official roll-out of Android 7.0 Nougat update is confirmed by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei on December 31. As it is an incremental update, the new smartphones will receive OxygenOS 4.0 update in a phase-wise manner. Depending up on the handset and region, the OTA update may take a while. If you can’t wait and ready to take some risk, then you can also install the Open Beta 1 update of OxygenOS 4.0 software manually.

There’s no official information about the availability of the update for the OnePlus 2 smartphone. If you are the owner of OnePlus 3T, then you might be elated with this latest Android 7.0 Nougat based OxygenOs 4.0 update. With high-end specs and affordable price tag, this flagship phone can even take over the premium devices like the Google Pixel and Apple iPhone 7.

Here’s the complete change log for the update:

• Android 7.0 Nougat update
• New Notifications Design
• New Settings Menu Design
• Multi-Window View
• Notification Direct Reply
• Custom DPI Support
• Added Status Bar Icon Options
• Improved Shelf Customization

Re: Telenor in Talks with Idea Cellular to Sell Indian Unit without Actual Payout

The Norway-based telecom giant Telenor is in talks with India’s number one telecom operator Bharti Airtel to sell its Indian businesses for $350 million. As per the reports, Bharti Airtel will take over half of Telenor India’s liabilities and whereas the remaining half would be borne by the parent company.

Now Bharti Airtel Looking for Telenor India:

If the reports are to be believed, the deal would be closed by this month-end. Thanks to the entry of Reliance Jio, the telecom map of India has undergone several changes. With limited spectrum holdings, Telenor India has been pushed to specific areas and thus the company is looking for a safe exit India.

With demonetisation, when the country is transforming its economy into a cashless society, the larger telecom carriers are expanding 4G services on a war footing basis. Incidentally, Telenor India didn’t participate in spectrum auctions held in October 2016 and is not ready to expand operations.

Though Telenor holds 1800MHz Band 3 spectrum airwaves in seven circles, it has limited its services to six circles only. The telecom service provider is yet to start it’s commercial operations in Assam. Currently, Telenor India operates in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Goa, Uttar Pradesh (East) and, Uttar Pradesh (West) and Uttarakhand telecom circles.

Will Telenor Succeed or Not?

A fortnight ago, we reported that Telenor India is in talks with Idea Cellular for a cashless sale without an actual payout. Telenor owes close to ₹1900 crore to the Indian government for delayed payments in the spectrum and about ₹1800 crore to various financial institutions as debt.

Also Read: Telenor in Talks with Idea Cellular to Sell Indian Unit without Actual Payout

With 53 million subscribers, Telenor India is known to offer low-cost voice and data services in all its telecom circles. The company has a 4G presence in 27 towns and has plans to expand its high-speed data services in 10 more towns in coming weeks.

The global search giant Google has enabled carrier billing service for Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India on Google Play store. Incidentally, Idea Cellular is the first telecom service provider to partner with Google India for their payment methods on the Google Play Store.

Carrier Billing Partnerships:

With this move, the subscribers can now pay for Apps and other digital content including books, movies, songs on Google Play Store using Airtel and Vodafone carrier bills. Currently, the purchasing has other options including credit and debit cards, net banking, gift cards, redeem code, and direct carrier billing on Idea. Any purchase activity will be reflected on your carrier account after 15 minutes. However, this support is limited only to postpaid subscribers.

Announcing the launch, Mr. Sameer Samat, Vice President – Product Management, Google, said: “Plus, the Play Store will be expanding to new platforms, including wearable devices, virtual reality headsets, and Google’s Chromebook laptops. “What we are excited about is giving developers that single entry point for more and more of the computing ecosystem,”

Though this feature of carrier billing to postpaid mobiles is available in several countries, it has got a late entry in India. Probably, Idea Cellular has got partnerships with both Google and Microsoft for their mobile app store.

The eCommerce portal Snapdeal has started delivering Reliance Jio SIM cards at the customer’s doorstep. As of now this initiative is under test phase but Snapdeal’s customers have received the email for the same. Snapdeal has confirmed that the customers need not pay any cost for the delivery of the SIM cards.

Snapdeal – Reliance Jio Partnership:

All the Reliance Jio SIM cards will have Jio’s Happy New Year Offer under which the subscribers can enjoy unlimited voice calls, data, SMS and free access to Jio Apps till March 31, 2017. As per the webpage at Snapdeal, the users have to register their contact details and address of the location.

The user has to select the time slot of the delivery of Jio SIM and share the promo code and Aadhar Number for instant activation of Jio SIM card.

The Reliance Jio representative or Snapdeal Home Delivery executive will activate the JIO SIM’s immediately with ‘Happy New Year Offer’. As of now, this home delivery of Reliance Jio SIM cards is only limited to the select customers of Snapdeal but sooner or later this would be open to all customers.

What’s Your Opinion on Jio SIMs Home Delivery?

Though this home delivery concept is not new, Reliance Jio has already got its own invite-based doorstep delivery setup but is limited to the select towns and cities. The timing of Snapdeal’s home delivery of Jio SIM will definitely add fuel to the incumbent’s agony.

Bharti Airtel has even taken a legal route complaining TRAI as a mute spectator. Let’s watch how this Snapdeal-Reliance Jio tie-up will shape in the future.

As a part of its commitment for network up-gradation, Bharti Airtel rolled out its 4G services in Durgapur in the state of West Bengal. Incidentally, Durgapur is the third largest city in West Bengal and Bharti Airtel has deployed 4G services through dual spectrum bands of 2300MHz and 1800MHz.

The country’s largest telecom network operator, Bharti Airtel has deployed Carrier Aggregation (4G-Advanced) technology that offers data speeds of up to 135Mbps on compatible handsets. By using dual spectrum bands of TF LTE 2300 MHz and FD-LTE 1800 MHz, Bharti Airtel can now deliver high-speed data on 4G advanced network.

Addressing the 4G launch, Mr. Ajai Puri, Director – Operations (India & South Asia), Bharti Airtel, said: “We are delighted to launch our 4G services in Durgapur using the latest Carrier Aggregation technology. We look forward to inviting our data savvy customers to enjoy high-speed internet on Airtel 4G network anywhere, without having to pay anything additional.”

Free Voice Calling Benefit:

Bharti Airtel has announced a bunch of inaugural offers on 4G data. On any new 4G enabled handset, the Airtel subscriber can avail 10GB of 4G data for just ₹255.. Under this plan, 1GB 4G data will be credited instantly and the additional 9GB of 4G data should be claimed through the installation of MyAirtel App. Currently, the subscribers can make a maximum of 3 recharges within 90 days of this offer.

Similarly, the company has offered two new bundled packs for unlimited voice calling benefits. With ₹148 pack, Airtel subscribers can make free voice calling within their Airtel network and get 300MB 4G data with a validity of 28 days. However, on the ₹345 pack, the users can make unlimited voice calls across any network in India and get 1GB of 4G data with a validity of 28 days.

Project Leap - 4G Upgrade:

In postpaid segment, Bharti Airtel has Infinity Plans starting from ₹799 to offer unlimited voice calls (local, STD and roaming) with 2GB 4G/3G data. The company has unveiled some advance rental plans to avail 4G handsets free of cost. It’s to recap that Bharti Airtel will expand its 4G footprint as a part of Project Leap being taken over with an investment of ₹60,000 crores over the next three years.

Vodafone India extended its 4G footprint in West Bengal by rolling out SuperNet 4G services in 4 districts namely Alipurduar, Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, and Purulia. The telecom company has been aggressively deploying its 4G services in Bengal circle using 1800 MHz spectrum band.

Vodafone 4G Offers:

Starting from Siliguri, the Vodafone India has introduced its SuperNet 4G services in the 4 major districts of West Bengal in the last 10 days. Currently, the teleco has provided 4G services in 17 towns in the Bengal circle and the company expects to continue its rhythm in the coming months.

As an introductory offer, Vodafone India has announced a free upgrade to 4G. The customers with a new 4G handset can claim 10GB of 4G data at a price of ₹251. Moreover, the heavy data users can enjoy Double Data benefit of 20GB of 4G data at ₹955. On select data packs (greater than 1GB), the Vodafone India subscribers can enjoy double data benefit.

Addressing the launch of 4G services, Mr. Arvinder Singh Sachdev, Business Head-West Bengal Circle, Vodafone India, said: “West Bengal is a strong leadership market for Vodafone India and as the leading telecom service provider, our over 18 million customers have a lot to look forward to. We are proud to have achieved a great feat of launching our SuperNet 4G services in 4 major cities in a short span of 10 days. With this, we have covered all the major towns in the circle.”

Upgrade or Perish!

Vodafone India now invites the data savvy customers in Bengal telecom circle to enjoy the best mobile internet experience with its affordable 4G data packs. The company is committed to expanding its SuperNet 4G services to 1000 towns and cities across India by the end of the year. In fact, the teleco is forced to speed up its 4G expansion process due to the ongoing stiff competition in the telecom sector.

Re: Lenovo Phab 2 Smartphone with 6.4’’ Display Coming Soon on Flipkart

Lenovo has just now launched Phab 2 smartphone in the Indian market. As per the launch, it will be available starting from 9th December on Flipkart and priced at ₹11,999.

Lenovo Phab 2 Specs:

I usually do not put any repetition in my post. Just want to add some extra info. As per my findings, the device doesn’t come with a Corning Gorilla protection but instead is equipped with a hardened glass layer. Moreover, the HD display offers a pixel density of just 229ppi, which can be a letdown while watching media.

Unlike the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, this new handset lacks Google Tango support. However, the integration of Dolby Atmos and Triple Array Microphone with Active Noise-Cancellation support makes video watching a thrilling experience. Though Lenovo Phab 2 runs on Android Marshmallow, the Chinese tech giant has confirmed that the smartphone will get Android Nougat update pretty soon.

What’s Your Opinion?

Personally, I’m not in favor of bigger screens but the next big innovation in smartphones is certainly bigger specs. This smartphone will definitely cater the needs of movie lovers.

Aircel, Maxis Communications-owned Indian mobile network operator, launched a value for money offer, FRC149 in Kolkata. As per the new voucher, the Aircel subscribers can enjoy free on-net calling (both local and STD) for 30 days, free 300 minutes to off-net calls (both local and STD) for 60 days and free 1GB 3G data with a validity of 60 days.

Fully Loaded Combo Packs:

Addressing the launch of the new offer, Mr. Anil Gupta, Regional Manager, East Aircel, said, “Aircel recognizes the trend of customers becoming a multi-service user hence it becomes imperative to introduce fully loaded combo packs which are a solution to their evolving communication needs.”

This offer is designed exclusively for the new customers in Kolkata circle. Moreover, the leftover or unused talk time and 3G data can be carry forwarded to the next month without any charges. Through this FRC149, the Aircel subscriber can enjoy all local and STD calls at 1 paisa per second for a period of 90 days.

Apart from the new FRC149, Aircel has also introduced RC147 meant for existing customers. With this RC147, the subscribers can enjoy free on-net calls and 300 minutes for off-net calls with a validity of 30 days. That means, with FRC149 you get an extra 1GB of 3G data for being the new customer. With no mention of 3G data on RC147, one has to separately recharge the data pack. Leaving that aside, the new product of Aircel will definitely make you stay connected with near and dear ones.

Telcom companies waiving off mobile banking charges till Dec 31, 2016, is a good move to facilitate the use of electronic banking without incurring any additional cost. At present, a charge is being levied by telecom operators for the mobile banking, which is commonly known as USSD charge (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data).

Hope it would reduce difficulty to the common man as there is a large number of the population using feature phones to access electronic banking facility. An awareness should be created among sabziwalas, autowalas, rickshaw walas, etc.

The eCommerce portal, Flipkart has announced that it sold more than 1 million units of Xiaomi Redmi 3S and Redmi 3S Prime in less than 4 months of the smartphone’s launch. This record makes the Redmi 3S the best selling on the Flipkart platform. This is to remind that till September, Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 was considered to be the best selling phone with over 2.3 million units.

1Million Redmi3S On Flipkart Contest!

Launched in August, Xiaomi Redmi 3S series attracted more buyers on the company website via flash sales. Later, the smartphone was made public through Flipkart too. Through its vast distribution network, Flipkart could sell 1 million units of Redmi 3S and 3S Prime in over 700 towns and cities in India. On its Twitter platform, the company has started offering ₹10,000 Electronic Gift Voucher (EGV) to two winners.

Always Attractive for Younger Generation:

The stupendous success of Xiaomi Redmi 3S series is due to its premium features at a pocket-friendly price. By going through the sales pattern of Redmi series, one can clearly observe that it is the most popular among first-time buyers and the younger generation. Incidentally, Xiaomi has won hearts, brand loyalty and been rated a 4.2 star in the below 12K smartphones segment.

Redmi 3S Specifications:

The Xiaomi Redmi 3S and Redmi 3S Prime have the same design and features except in terms of RAM, storage space, and a biometric sensor. Both the handsets sports 5-inch HD display, powered by Snapdragon 430 octa-core processor and have a 13-megapixel rear camera and 5-megapixel front camera for selfies. Redmi 3S is equipped with 2GB RAM/16GB onboard storage and Redmi 3S Prime with 3GB RAM/32GB inbuilt storage expandable up to 128GB via microSD card. Powered by a massive 4,000mAh battery, the smartphones offer 4G dual-SIM VoLTE connectivity.

Priced at ₹6,999 and ₹8,999, Xiaomi Redmi 3S and 3S Prime clearly standout providing great value for money. Addressing the achievement, Mr. Ajay Yadav, VP-Mobiles, Flipkart, said “The nationwide customer acceptance and positive reviews is a validation of all round efforts to build a value proposition for our customers and giving them with a fulfilling shopping experience. With this milestone, we have significantly strengthened our offerings in the premium yet affordable mobiles category, and will continue with the momentum to scale greater heights.”

Scale up Operations:

Though the company has fierce competition with other Chinese manufacturers like Lenovo and OPPO, Xiaomi has managed to get 8.4 percent market share as of September 2016. Meanwhile, Flipkart plans to build a profitable grocery business apart from fashion and electronics.

Re: BSNL Offers 80GB of 3G Data for ₹4498 with One Year Validity

Endless conversations start with namaskar … kem che … namaste … namaskkaram … salaam … vanakkam … adaab … Sata srī akāla … prannam … !!!

Let’s celebrate World Hello Day by communicating world peace instead of settling conflicts by the use of force. :slight_smile: