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MTNL posts "Keep Out!" sign on its 3G network
Government-controlled Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) just went live with the 3G network we've known was coming since December. All good, right? Not quite. The telecom firm is crying foul to the Department of Telecom, as it currently suspects that someone, somewhere is experimenting on its 3G spectrum. Reportedly, the unauthorized testing has caused disturbances for MTNL subscribers, and according to a company official, the disturbance miraculously stops every time the DoT visits the area to investigate. Sounds like an M. Night Shyamalan movie or something, doesn't it?
MTNL brings India the 3G love it's been missing out on
The Indian government controlled Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) is bringing to India something much of the world has been enjoying for years: 3G. That's right, as of this week, select parts of Delhi -- Connaught Place, Sanchar Bhawan, Rajaji Marg, India Gate, Pragati Maidan, Delhi Gate and Minto Road in particular -- can tap into those lightning fast 3G speeds that we've grown so accustomed to elsewhere, and if all goes to plan, 3G will hit Mumbai and Chennai "early next year." Also of note, the extra G is being made available gratis for now, but it's expected that a tariff will be implemented once it gets customers' hooked. And hooked you'll be.[Via PCWorld]
MTNL and Aksh Optifibre announce FTTH, HDTV services in India
We already knew that MTNL was looking to expand its IPTV services from Mumbai to more parts of India, and now we're seeing progress towards completion. Thanks to a recent tie-up between said company and Aksh Optifibre, FTTH (fiber to the home) and HDTV services will be delivered to Indians in desperate need of more high-def. Unfortunately, the announcement doesn't mention when or where the services will be expanded, but hopefully we'll be given more insight on the whole deal real soon.
MTNL brings IPTV to Mumbai, could expand to more parts of India
Shortly after hearing that Sun Direct TV was bringing MPEG-4 satellite service to India, state-owned Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) has announced that Mumbai residents can now get entertained via IPTV. Additionally, the outfit is talking with BSNL to take IPTV to more cities in the nation, and it will be charging Rs 499 per month without any extra fee for the set-top-box. Best of all, MTNL is mulling the idea of providing two undisclosed HD channels in Delhi and Mumbai, though we're not sure when it would launch said content if the idea gets the all important thumbs-up.
Novatium's $113 netPC offered to internet-deprived MTNL customers
While it's not quite free, folks in India that are having a hard time securing a PC (let alone an internet connection) will soon have another alternative. Reportedly, Novatium's stripped-down ₨4,500 ($113) netPC, which will be "connected to a centralized server in the locality by MTNL," will act like a dumb terminal in users' homes. Consequently, applications will all be stored outside of the actual PC, but customers will be allowed 2GB of remote storage and access to the internet, the latter of which will require "a small monthly fee." To promote the offering, the firms are touting the system as one that is immune to traditional viruses and provides a low total cost of ownership, and buyers can even choose whether they'd like to work on Windows or Linux. Sorry, Mac lovers.[Thanks, Jagannath A.]
India could get free 2Mbps broadband internet by 2009
Entire cities getting free WiFi used to be quite the sensation, but now the real hotness is in connecting up an entire nation. According to IndiaTimes, the government is proposing that all citizens of India receive complimentary 2Mbps internet by 2009, and the service would be provided by the state-owned BSNL and MTNL. Officials backing the plan are hoping that giving all residents access to high-speed internet would "boost economic activity" as the citywide free WiFi implementations apparently have in America. The nation's department of telecom will purportedly be laying "an extensive optic cable network across the country, permitting the resale of bandwidth, setting up web hosting facilities within the country, and asking all internet service providers to connect to the National Internet Exchange of India." Unsurprisingly, this issue has created very polarized camps, as consumers cheer on the idea, current telecom providers are shaking at the mere thought of all future telephone calls being converted into free VoIP dialogue.[Via Slashdot]
