The transaction shall mark a significant strategic milestone for SAR Televenture as it will consolidates its position in India’s rapidly expanding telecom infrastructure sector and expects to strengthens its operational footprint across the southern region of the country.
 

Strategic Rationale and Synergies

The acquisition of Blue Lotus Support Services and Whitefield Communications aligns seamlessly with SAR Televenture’s core business strategy of delivering integrated telecom infrastructure solutions, including tower management, fiber deployment, and network maintenance. Both acquired entities bring robust operational expertise, established client relationships, and proven execution capabilities in the telecom services domain.
 

The integration of these businesses is expected to generate substantial operational synergies through enhanced resource utilization, cost efficiencies, and an expanded service portfolio. SAR Televenture anticipates that the combined entity will benefit from shared infrastructure, optimized logistics, and unified management systems - contributing to higher operational efficiency and service excellence. Consequently, combines entity will get a total of 4,50,000 aprx additional retail customer base in addition to the existing 4,00,000 lacs customer base.   
 

Geographical Expansion in Key Southern Markets

This acquisition also marks SAR Televenture’s strategic entry into high-growth markets across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. These states are witnessing significant acceleration in data usage and 5G network rollouts, making them critical regions for telecom infrastructure expansion. With Fusionnet Web Services Private Limited presence in Northern India, the acquisition will bring SAR Tele on PAN India Level. 
 

Commenting on the development, Mr. Rahul Sahdev, Managing Director, SAR Televenture Limited, said, “The acquisition of Blue Lotus Support Services and Whitefield Communications represents a natural progression in our growth journey. It enables SAR Televenture to strengthen its southern operations, enhance our service delivery capacity, and capitalize on emerging opportunities in India’s evolving digital and 5G ecosystem. The resulting synergies will reinforce our commitment to operational excellence and long-term value creation for all stakeholders.”
 

Enhancing Capabilities and Long-Term Value

The transaction is expected to augment SAR Televenture’s service capabilities in key domains such as fiber network management, tower infrastructure, and managed services, while creating a scalable platform to support future expansion. The integration of skilled human capital, combined with advanced technological capabilities, positions the company to deliver end-to-end solutions to telecom operators and enterprise clients nationwide.
 

The acquisition underscores SAR Televenture’s strategic intent to drive sustainable growth, deepen its market presence, and contribute meaningfully to the development of India’s digital infrastructure ecosystem.

SAR Televenture Limited is pleased to announce the signing of a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with L&T Finance Limited for the acquisition of its 19.93% stake in Tikona Infinet Private Limited for a total consideration of Rs. 149.50 crore.
 

This acquisition will further consolidate SAR Televenture’s shareholding in Tikona, reinforcing its long-term strategic vision and commitment to the broadband and digital infrastructure sector. Under the terms of the SPA and subject to necessary regulatory approvals, Rs. 30.00 crore will be paid upfront, with the balance consideration being settled through a share swap, at the same price offered under the earlier SPA executed with the majority shareholders of Tikona.
 

The transaction brings paving the way for Tikona’s next phase of growth under a simplified and unified shareholding structure. It reflects the collaborative approach adopted by all stakeholders to achieve a stable and forward-looking outcome for the company.
 

About SAR Televenture Limited
SAR Televenture Limited is a rapidly growing telecom infrastructure and digital connectivity company with a focus on building and leasing telecom towers, fiber optic deployment, and Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) solutions. With a vision to accelerate India’s digital transformation, SAR Televenture is committed to innovation, operational excellence, and creating long-term value for its stakeholders.

Manoj Tandon, RailTel, Sanjay Agrawal, DCPW, Vivek Banzal, BSNL, Shashi Dharan, Bharat Exhibitions, Sachin Deshpande, Tata Play Fiber, Kiran Kuchi, IIT Hyderabad, Anil Tandan, BIF
 

Chief Guest of the Summit, Shri Vivek Banzal, Director (CFA), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. said in his speech, “BSNL is more than a telecom provider—it’s a digital enabler. As India moves toward Broadband for All, BSNL’s infrastructure, affordability, and rural reach make it indispensable. Convergence of all technologies is the mantra ahead, we need to reach every nook and corner of the country. This is the only way ahead for our country, India. Indian connectivity, penetrating all geographical boundaries is something that we as operators focus on. When the whole of India is connected, it is connected in the truest sense.”
 

Guest of Honour of the Summit, Shri Sanjay Agrawal, Director, Directorate of Coordination Police Wireless (DCPW), Ministry of Home Affairs spoke during his speech, “The Ministry of Home Affairs is embracing this transformation. From digital identity verification to online passport services, broadband is revolutionizing how we deliver public services. Initiatives like PM-WANI and Digital Bharat Nidhi are helping bridge the urban-rural divide by funding infrastructure in underserved areas. As we expand digital access, we must also ensure cybersecurity, data protection, and digital literacy. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 is a step in the right direction. But laws must be matched with awareness and infrastructure."
 

Mr. Puneet Garg, President and Group Wireline CTO, Reliance Jio in his operator keynote address was heard quoting, “In the digital age, connectivity is the cornerstone of progress. Fast, reliable internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. At Jio Fiber, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. Our mission is simple: to deliver world-class broadband to every corner of India. With Jio Fiber and now Jio AirFiber, we’re extending our reach to areas where traditional infrastructure cannot, helping bridge the digital divide. Prioritizing health and enabling government-led services, our solutions ensure connectivity even in the most remote parts of the country.”
 

Mr. Rahul Vatts, Director – OneWeb India and Chief Regulatory Officer, Bharti Airtel in his operator address was heard quoting, “Satellite broadband is rapidly emerging as a transformative solution for internet connectivity in India, especially in remote and underserved regions. Bharti Airtel is making significant moves in the satellite broadband space in India, positioning itself as a key player through strategic partnerships and joint ventures.”
 

Prof. Kiran Kuchi, Founder of WiSig Networks and Professor at IIT Hyderabad, said during the summit, "We are witnessing a convergence of multiple technologies, especially in the infrastructure sector. 5G and Wi-Fi have converged at the network site, which is quite mind-boggling. BharatNet, along with complementary technologies and fiber-to-the-home initiatives, are key to achieving last-mile connectivity."
 

Another speaker, Mr. Sachin Deshpande, CTO, Tata Play Fiber shared in his special address, “Tata Play Fiber is more than a service—it’s a commitment to digital empowerment. We’re expanding across cities and towns, ensuring that every household, every business, and every learner has access to world-class internet. In today’s digital-first world, connectivity is no longer a convenience—it’s a necessity. Whether it’s a student attending online classes, a professional working remotely, or a family streaming their favorite shows, fast and reliable internet is the backbone of modern life, as network is hygiene. Customer experience is the imperative, so that service capabilities are enhanced, for example incorporation of AI.”

Shri Manoj Tandon, Director (Project, Operations & Maintenance), RailTel Corporation of India Ltd in his special address said, “What makes broadband connectivity truly impactful is its reach. Over 50% of our RailWire subscribers are from semi-urban and rural areas—regions where traditional broadband often fails to penetrate. We’re not just connecting individuals; we’re empowering entire communities. Telecom growth fuels national progress—let’s work together towards a meaningful broadband mission."

“RANext is at the forefront of building digital infrastructure and enabling future-ready connectivity. As smart cities and buildings become the need of the hour in India and globally, what RANext is doing in this context is not just business, but providing connectivity solutions that are paving the way forward for the industry. Our solutions are not only building the backbone of FTTx and other wireless solutions in India but also laying the foundation for a digitally empowered future,” said Mr. Gopa Kumar Krishna, Chief Executive Officer, RANext Technologies.

During his welcome address, Mr. Shashi Dharan, Managing Director of Bharat Exhibitions, said, "India is entering a new era of connectivity. As we all know, satellite broadband is coming to India! With the necessary permits and clearances secured, the government is now finalizing the terms for spectrum allocation. Commercial services are expected to commence by November or December 2025."

Other eminent panelists and speakers from multiple industry verticals included, Shri Arun Agrawal, DDG (Satellite), Department of Telecommunications, Smt. Padma Jaiswal, IAS, Secretary to Government to the state & Union Territories and Secretary, Government of Puducherry, Mr. Sanjay Kawale, Manager - Products, Commscope India Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Rajesh Kaul, Founder & Director, LMES iConnectWe, Mr. Vivek Narayan, Former DDG DS, DoT, Shri R. Shakya, Addl. DG, Haryana LSA & Circle Head, Department of Telecommunications, Mr. Laxminarayan R. Bhat, Head of Product Management, Astrome Technologies, Shri Khandagale Dhammapal Anil, Director (Satellite Finance), Wireless Planning & Finance Wing, Department of Telecommunications, Mr. Alok Gupta, Founder & CEO, Pyramid Cyber Security & Forensics, Mr. Debashish Bhattacharya, Sr. Dy. Director General, Broadband India Forum (BIF), Shri Ram Sajiwan Singh, DDG (IOT), Telecommunication Engineering Centre, Mr. Vinish Bawa, Partner & Telecom Sector Leader, PwC India, Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd), Director General, Indian Space Association (ISpA), Mr. Yugal Kishore Sharma, Founder & CEO, MyNEXT Broadband Services, Mr. Dharmender Khajuria, National Head - Network Partnerships, Bharti Airtel , Mr. Rajiv Mehla, Chief Business Officer, RANext Technologies and Mr. Sanjay Kawale, Manager - Products, Commscope India Pvt. Ltd.

The Summit was supported and partnered by WiSig Networks, Commscope, RANext Technologies, Techspire Services, 6D Technologies, Astrome Technologies, LMES iConnectWe, Shaildhar Telecom, Saartek, Syrotech Networks, Communications Today, The Marcom Avenue, ITU-APT Foundation of India, Indian Space Association and Broadband India Forum.

Truecaller and Zepto Partner to Power Trusted Engagement from Onboarding to Delivery in Quick Commerce

Through Truecaller’s Customer Experience Solutions, this collaboration aims to elevate user engagement at every stage of the Zepto journey—from onboarding to doorstep delivery. By leveraging Truecaller’s suite of advanced communication capabilities, Zepto ensures that every user interaction, be it order confirmations, delivery coordination, or support queries is trusted, contextual, and secure.

Using Truecaller’s Verified Business Caller ID, Zepto displays its brand name, logo, and a verified badge during calls, enabling users to instantly recognize and respond confidently, enhancing trust and reducing friction in critical moments of customer interaction.

To further enhance customer engagement or communication effectiveness, Zepto leverages Truecaller’s advanced Customer Experience capabilities like Call Reason to add context to calls, Video Caller ID to deliver branded visuals before a call connects, and the Call Me Back feature, which empowers users to reconnect conveniently, especially valuable for missed delivery or onboarding calls.

Going a step further, Zepto has implemented Verified Campaigns to unlock personalized, high-impact targeted outreach via branded calls and SMS. This enables the brand to connect and engage with high-intent users in a contextual and trusted manner.

At the onboarding stage of the Zepto user journey, Truecaller’s SDK powers a 1-tap, OTP-less login for Zepto and Zepto Cafe, reducing friction at sign-up, minimizing drop-offs, and accelerating conversions during peak demand periods. Commenting on the partnership, Kaivalya Vohra, Co-Founder, Zepto, said, “In the fast-moving world of quick commerce, trusted communication is foundational to every successful transaction. Whether it’s coordinating deliveries or engaging with users, every interaction must be secure, seamless, and reliable. Our partnership with Truecaller enables us to further safeguard these connections through verified communication channels, enhancing both user trust and operational efficiency. Together, we’re reinforcing our commitment to building a safer, more dependable q-commerce experience.”

Speaking about the collaboration, Priyam Bose, Global Head, GTM & Developer Products at Truecaller, said, “Zepto’s promise of speed, convenience, and reliability aligns perfectly with Truecaller’s mission to power trusted and contextual communication at scale. Through our Customer Experience Solutions, we enable Zepto to deliver seamless experiences from secure onboarding to fulfillment while ensuring every interaction is anchored in trust. We’re excited to partner with Zepto as they continue redefining urban convenience in India.”

Truecaller’s Customer Experience Solution is trusted by more than 2500+ businesses globally. It delivers enhanced communication capabilities that promote brand recognition, build trust, and safeguard customers from scams and fraud.

About Zepto
Founded in 2021 by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, Zepto is on a mission to save you time - making every second count towards life's real joys. Our platform has revolutionised rapid commerce in India with cutting-edge technology and strategically optimised delivery hubs. Zepto offers an extensive range of 45,000+ products, from fresh groceries to electronics, beauty essentials, apparels, toys and more, delivering across 80+ cities in 10 minutes*. Zepto Cafe extends our commitment to convenience, featuring a curated menu of over 200 fresh items.

Reach out for any further queries or media assistance: Zepto@prpundithavasred.com.

About Truecaller

Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 450 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and close to 56 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2024 alone. The company has been headquartered in Stockholm since 2009 and has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021. Visit www.truecaller.com for more information.

India's largest technology showcase, the 32nd Convergence India and 10th Smart Cities India expo, is an initiative by Exhibitions India Group (EIG) that focuses on transformative technologies and solutions shaping India’s future by creating an ecosystem that supports initiatives such as ‘Digital India, ‘‘Make in India,’ and the ‘Smart Cities Mission’.
 

32nd Convergence India & 10th Smart Cities India Expo 2025
 

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, inaugurated the expo. In a special address, the Hon’ble Minister said, “Today, AI is driving our economy. India’s future is connected with technological growth, so we need to push more research and innovations. The good news is that we boast the highest number of young engineers driving innovations and futuristic technologies."
 

Under the theme “Imagining an AI-Driven Future Today: Innovating for a Better Tomorrow,” the event was a technological extravaganza and the epicentre of hectic activity, with thousands of visitors and delegates exploring technologies and innovations. They also had the opportunity to experience world-class gadgets, including drones, robotics, AR/VR glasses, mobile and digital gaming devices, etc. Meanwhile, the Smart City Pavilion offered an impressive lineup of smart city projects that deliver quality results and enhance millions of citizens’ lives.
 

Ms. Chandrika Behl, Managing Director, Exhibitions India Group, said, “This expo has played a pivotal role in fostering technological upgradation and national development, besides promoting an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem across the country. We are the foremost platform for businesses, especially startups, in the Digitech space and have launched several brands that have grown to achieve international acclaim. Taking a cue from the industry’s mood at this year’s show, we will continue providing wholesome opportunities to companies and allow them to thrive and emerge as global brands.”
 

In addition to product launches, investor meets and collaborations, the venue hosted approx. 40 conference sessions ranging from a wide gambit of subjects. These sessions facilitated discussions between industry representatives, innovators, think tanks, and academia on the latest developments and market trends impacting new-age technologies. Moreover, the industry’s future looks bright, with several ministry representatives participating in these discussions!
 

Besides, strong representation from the Ministry of Electronics & IT, including Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary & CEO India AI Mission; Sanket Bhondve, Joint Secretary; and Panneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO, Startup Hub; Sanjeev Shankar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of IB, and A. Dhanalakshmi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Science & Technology, also participated in constructive interactions, proving the Government’s resolve to guide the industry. While interacting with delegates during a conference session focused on Artificial Intelligence, Abhishek Singh observed, “We are building AI-based applications in key sectors that can be scaled, rolled out and deployed at scale. The AI policy alignment opens doors for new tools to detect data bias, machine learning, detecting deepfakes, and watermarking AI-generated content.”
 

Prominent entrepreneurs such as Aman Gupta (Co-founder & CMO, boAt), journalist Barkha Dutt and Ankur Warikoo, founder of WebVeda, also engaged in deliberations, offering insights into India’s thriving startup ecosystem. During a Fireside Chat session, Aman Gupta said, “The new India is dreaming big. However, Indian brands should not target to be affordable but aspirational. They should also have a competitive mindset.” Talking about the qualities that a successful entrepreneur should have, he shared, “Find your passion and follow it wholeheartedly. Keep yourself grounded, and don’t get carried away. My mantra is - be efficient and take responsibilities seriously.”
 

Among the highlights were the Investors Pitch competition in the Startup arena that had 10 startups showcase innovative ideas to a distinguished jury. Products and ideas were shared across domains such as healthcare, farming, and safety. Fuselage Innovation, an agri-tech startup from Kerala, emerged as the winner. It received the Prem Behl’s Excellence Award, a cash prize of Rs. 1 Lakh from Exhibition India, and a fully funded participation in the reputed GITEX Dubai and GITEX Morocco, besides guaranteed pitch slots at the Supernova Challenge 2025 in Berlin.
 

The highly popular Fintech and Smart Cities awards drew a large number of nominations. The Smart Cities awards were given under categories such as Best Use of AI for Urban Development, Best Smart Energy Solution, Digital Inclusion and Citizen Engagement, Innovation in Urban Mobility, etc. Some Fintech awards categories included Best Global Use of AI in FinTech, Best Digital Lending Solution, FinTech for Financial Inclusion, Best Fintech Leader, etc. Meanwhile, the first Mobile India awards were introduced as an extension of the Mobile India Expo to celebrate the outstanding contributions of companies and individuals towards revolutionising the sector.
 

Notably, Russia-based Alfa Bank bagged awards in two categories: Global Leader in Fintech and Best Global Use of AI in FinTech. Sharing his thoughts upon receiving the award, Alexey Kashirin, Head of the Advanced Analytics Department, said, “I am grateful to the FinTech India Innovation Awards for appreciating our bank’s contribution to innovation development. India is not just a global technology leader, but also one of Russia’s key partners.”
 

About Convergence India

Since 1992, Convergence India has heralded the telecom and digital revolution in India. It is India's largest technology showcase event, providing a platform to showcase ‘Brand India’ by supporting the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ campaigns. Convergence India is at the forefront of promoting technological advancements in Telecom, Satcom, Broadcast, Wired & Wireless technologies, 5G & 6G networks and IT solutions.

About Smart Cities India

The Smart Cities India expo displays India’s emerging modernisation and development landscape that aims to deliver better citizen-centric services across the country. The expo showcases the integration of transformative technologies with the key pillars of urban development, i.e., green buildings, rooftop solar, renewable & clean energy, clean environment, clean water, water conservation, urban mobility, and the use of smart ICT solutions for optimising resources that make cities smart and sustainable.

Ecom Express Partners with Truecaller for Business

In the fast-paced e-commerce and logistics industry, effective communication plays a crucial role in enhancing customer experience and delivery efficiency. Ecom Express, which serves thousands of online sellers, D2C brands, and e-commerce marketplaces, is leveraging Truecaller’s trusted communication solutions to minimize call rejection rates and provide greater transparency to its customers.

Leveraging Truecaller Verified Business Caller ID as part of the Customer Experience solution, Ecom Express ensures that its customers can instantly recognize verified calls through brand elements such as the company name, logo, a verified green badge, and a category name. This verification reduces instances of missed or ignored calls due to a lack of trust, thereby improving response rates and operational efficiency.

Ecom Express has implemented Truecaller’s CX capabilities, such as Call Reason, which allows customers to view the context of an incoming call in advance. This feature adds another layer of transparency to logistics communications, ensuring that customers are well-informed about their deliveries, pickups, or return requests.

The partnership also leverages Business Profile capability as part of the Customer Experience solution, allowing Ecom Express to share authentic business information with Truecaller users. This includes showcasing their brand elements, social links, business details, and selected brand imagery, all of which contribute to bolstering customer trust and brand engagement.

Commenting on the partnership, Amit Choudhary, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Ecom Express said; “As long-standing partners with Truecaller, our focus remains on continuously enhancing the customer experience. This collaboration allows us to foster greater trust and transparency in our communications, ensuring that our customers receive timely, reliable, and seamless service. We are committed to delivering a high level of satisfaction by making every interaction with Ecom Express more efficient and customer-centric.”

Speaking about the collaboration, Priyam Bose, Global Head, GTM & Developer Products, Truecaller, said: “Truecaller is committed to making business communication safer, more efficient, and more trusted. We are delighted to collaborate with Ecom Express, a leader in logistics solutions, to enhance their customer interactions with our Customer Experience solutions. Together, we aim to set a new benchmark in secure and transparent communication within the logistics industry.”

With over 2,500 businesses across India and global markets benefiting from Truecaller’s Verified Business Caller ID, this partnership reinforces Ecom Express’s commitment to leveraging technology for seamless, customer-centric logistics solutions. By leveraging Truecaller’s Customer Experience Solution, Ecom Express continues to strengthen its position as a trusted logistics partner in the Indian e-commerce ecosystem.

About Ecom Express

Ecom Express Limited is a leading end-to-end technology enabled logistics solutions provider to the Indian retail and e-commerce industry. Ecom Express uses cutting-edge technology and automated solutions to enable end-to-end logistics and supply chain solutions across India serving several pin codes throughout India. The company provides first-mile pickup, processing, network operation, last mile delivery, reverse logistics and returns management under its flagship service – Ecom Express Services (EXS). The company also offers a complete suite of supply chain, storage, and fulfillment solutions under its service line – Ecom Fulfillment Services (EFS). The company has delivered nearly 2 billion shipments to 97% of Indian households. The company has robust technology, AI/ML and data sciences capabilities supporting proprietary tech-stack and dedicated supply chain environment for reliable customer experience.

For more information, please visit: ecomexpress.in.

About Truecaller

Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 433 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and close to 56 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2024 alone. The company is headquartered in Stockholm since 2009 and has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021.

Visit www.truecaller.com for more information.

For more information, please visit: business.truecaller.com

iPhone Users Now Get The Full Truecaller Experience with New Live Caller ID

This is made possible by Apple’s Live Caller ID Lookup framework, developed especially for apps like Truecaller to provide live caller ID in a privacy-preserving way. This API uses state-of-the-art homomorphic encryption and Truecaller is the first in the world to deploy this at scale for Caller ID.

A Powerful Truecaller Experience: Now on iPhone

Truecaller has now been in the business of filtering unwanted communication for 15 years. This update can leverage Truecaller’s latest AI capabilities and global database to identify as many calls as possible. It can ensure that no call goes unidentified on iOS as long as Truecaller has any information about it.

In addition, the latest update includes something that Truecaller iOS users have been requesting for a long time: automatic blocking of spam calls. Other improvements include the ability to search for previously identified calls, going as far back as 2,000 previous numbers in the Recents list in the Phone app.

Finally, Truecaller on iPhone now includes the ability to subscribe for a Premium Family plan. With Family Plan, you can share all Truecaller Premium benefits with up to four additional people at a low monthly or annual price.

How to enable Truecaller on iOS 18.2

1. Make sure you are on Truecaller for iPhone version 14.0 or later.

2. Open iPhone Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification.

3. Here, enable all Truecaller switches and open the Truecaller app again.

Rishit Jhunjhunwala, CEO, Truecaller said, “We are excited to bring the full power of Truecaller to iPhone. We see tremendous potential and growth in our iPhone user base and parity with Truecaller’s Android experience has been top of their wishlist. This update does that and more while preserving privacy for all calling activity.”   

All the new features will be made available for Truecaller Premium users. Free users on iOS will continue to enjoy ad-supported number search and caller ID of Verified Businesses.
 

Auto blocking of spam is available globally & the new Caller ID will be rolled out starting today. It will be available to all users across the world within the coming days. You can watch the product video here.

About Truecaller

Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 433 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and close to 46 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2023 alone. The company is headquartered in Stockholm since 2009 and has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021.
Visit www.truecaller.com for more information. 

BSNL collaborates with OTT Play

1. Intranet TV (BiTV) Over Mobile

In a first of its kind, BSNL’s Intranet TV (BiTV) brings over 300 live TV channels, including premium channels, to mobile users in Puducherry, free of cost. Delivered in partnership with OTTplay, as a pilot service, launched in Puducherry, showcases BSNL’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge entertainment into everyday life. This service delivers high-quality entertainment, making digital content easily accessible to all BSNL mobile users, irrespective of their plans; at no cost to all its customers of Pondicherry.

Why Choose BiTV?

• Unlimited Entertainment: Apart from live TV, enjoy movies, web series, and documentaries in multiple languages, all at no cost.

• Seamless Technology: Powered by BSNL’s secure mobile intranet, BiTV ensures uninterrupted streaming with exceptional video quality.

• Future Expansion: After Puducherry, BiTV will be rolled out to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand in January 2025, with nationwide availability planned soon.

BSNL CMD’s Thought: “With BiTV, through our partners, BSNL is giving every customer the power to access entertainment on the go, ‘anytime, anywhere’,  free of cost, irrespective of the plan they are,  making it a perfect alternative to the outdated PRBT systems; by combining cutting-edge technology with top-tier content. BSNL will be one of the first telecom service provider to revolutionize its old PRBT by offering this groundbreaking service.”

Co-founder and CEO of OTTplay, shared: "With new BiTV innovation, we’re proud to bring world-class entertainment to BSNL customers across India. Together, we’re unlocking the magic of cinema and entertainment across genres, languages, and regions and redefining how BSNL customers experience digital entertainment in India." OTTplay Premium is an OTT aggregator which provides content from 37 premier OTT platforms and 500+ live TV channels which are personalized based on each user’s unique preferences.

2. BSNL’s National Wi-Fi Roaming Facility in Manadipattu Village

BSNL had introduced an innovative BSNL Wi-Fi roaming facility across the country in October 2024. Manadipattu becomes the second village in India to be fully Wi-Fi enabled, as BSNL extends its National Wi-Fi Roaming Facility to rural areas. This innovative service connects both BSNL and non-BSNL customers through a seamless network of Wi-Fi hotspots. Both BSNL and non-BSNL customers can enjoy uninterrupted internet access. The customer however will have to sent his consent to activate the service.

How It Works for Customers:

• BSNL FTTH Customers: 

• Access your home internet from any BSNL Wi-Fi hotspot or any BSNL FTTH connection nationwide—only your home data account is charged.

• Use Wi-Fi at public spots or even other BSNL FTTH homes. (Customers need to provide one time consent for reciprocal use of these connections across the country)

• BSNL Mobile Users: In addition to BSNL FTTH consumers, we are also extending this seamless high speed Wi Fi connectivity to even BSNL mobile customers also. Even all BSNL mobile users, can 

• Connect to BSNL Wi-Fi hotspots directly via your mobile plan. One-time registration makes logging in simple and fast.

• Extend your mobile data usage to BSNL FTTH networks for high-speed downloads.

• In addition, BSNL mobile users can login to any FTTH home connections automatically and will be able to use high speed internet connectivity.

• Non-BSNL Users: 

• Access BSNL’s high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots and BSNL FTTH points/ FTTH home connections by paying through UPI, ensuring fast internet for all.

CMD’s Thought: “BSNL’s National Wi-Fi Roaming is a leap forward in bridging the rural-urban divide, empowering every Indian with affordable, high-speed internet access; across the country.”

3. IFTV Launch in Puducherry  

BSNL’s Intranet Fibre-based TV (IFTV), first launched nationwide in October 2024, is now available to all FTTH customers in Puducherry. Offering over 500 live TV channels, this service is entirely free, leveraging BSNL’s robust FTTH network. All BSNL FTTH customers will be able to avail of this service, free of cost. The customer will have to sent his consent to activate the service.

Key Features of IFTV:

• No-Cost Access: Customers enjoy premium entertainment without additional fees.

• Superior Streaming: Powered by BSNL’s robust FTTH network, ensuring smooth, high-definition streaming.

• Customer Consent: Activate IFTV with a simple opt-in process for complete control.

CMD’s Thought: “The IFTV launch redefines entertainment for BSNL’s FTTH customers, delivering unparalleled value and making every connection an experience to remember; in terms of entertainment; at no cost to its customers.”

Transforming Digital India

BSNL’s new services highlight its unwavering commitment to digital inclusion and innovation. From seamless connectivity to rich entertainment, BSNL is paving the way for a digitally connected India where every citizen has access to quality services, anytime and anywhere. 

Probuds, the audio sub-brand of Lava International Ltd., India’s leading homegrown smartphone brand introduced Probuds T24, offering a “doped” audio experience at a price of Rs. 1,299. Designed for those struggling with the challenges of multi-device connectivity, the Probuds T24 is a game-changer for seamless multitasking. In the mid-level segment, it delivers superior quality and an enhanced everyday experience, whether you're making calls, consuming content on the go, or enjoying podcasts, videos, and music. Probuds T24 is launched with a retail first strategy for an exclusive on-ground experience across retail outlets and e-store for convenience. Available in five color variants, the product will be introduced in phases starting December 06^th, 2024.

Probuds T24

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Satya Sati Business Head - Accessories, Lava International Ltd., said, “Our endeavor with the Accessories business has been to address industry gaps through consumer insight and push the boundaries of innovation to create quality products and offer an enhanced experience across product catalogue. The mid-segment in the audio industry is under catered, where we believe T24 will fill in the gap. We have grown steadfast this year and remain committed to expand our product line up with quality and value.”

Product Features:

Dopamine-Induced Audio Experience

Probuds T24 is powered by 10mm drivers, delivering a “doped” sound experience with high bass polyurethane diaphragm speaker that elevates music listening to new heights. Equipped with quad-mic ENC, it ensures crystal-clear conversations.

Advanced Bluetooth Chipset

The Probuds T24 is equipped with the advanced Jieli JL7006F8 Bluetooth chipset IC, ensuring robust performance and reliable connectivity. Bluetooth V5.4 provides seamless and stable pairing with your devices, while an ultra-low latency of just 35ms offers a rush-filled gaming experience

Exceptional Play Time and Dual Device Pairing
The Probuds T24 offers up to 45 hours of playtime with its powerful 500mAh battery and fast charging capabilities. A quick 10-minute charge delivers an impressive 150 minutes of playtime, ensuring minimal downtime. For multitaskers, the dual device pairing feature provides seamless connectivity between your laptop and mobile, allowing you to stay connected and entertained without interruption.

Price and Availability

Probuds T24, priced at Rs. 1,299, will be available in five color variants namely Herb Green, Venom Black, Dope Blue, Trippy Macaw, Snake White. It will hit key retail markets starting December 06^th, 2024, with an online launch on Lava’s e-store.

Spec Sheet:

About Probuds

Probuds, the audio sub-brand of Lava comprises of neckbands, earbuds and wired earphones. Embodying Lava’s philosophy of Make in India, the product catalogue is conceptualized, designed and manufactured at brand’s Noida plant. Currently the catalogue features products across neckbands, ear buds and wired earphones.

About Lava International Limited

#ProudlyIndian | Made in India, Made for India

Lava International Limited, headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, is a pioneering mobile handset and solutions company in India, founded in 2009 with the vision to empower individuals. The company's corporate office and manufacturing facility, equipped with a production capacity of 42.52 million handsets per annum, are strategically located in Noida. Lava's commitment to innovation is reflected in its two state-of-the-art research and development centers in Noida, housing dedicated teams in software and hardware design. The company's extensive nationwide presence is facilitated by a robust retail network of 1.65 Lakh retailers, directly served by over 1000 distributors, and supported by a vast after-sales service network of 800+ professionally managed service centers. The brand has a global presence in 20+ countries.

Beyond smartphones, Lava is expanding its product portfolio to include smartwatches, Neckbands, Probuds, and an extended True Wireless Stereo (TWS) segment. The brand's credibility is underscored by being ranked the 'Most Trustworthy Brand' in the CMR Retail Sentiment Index.

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The addition of Redington Limited furthers GTDC's continued global expansion initiative, including the appointment of former Microsoft, IBM and Compaq executive Ananth Lazarus to build out its Asia-Pacific operations earlier this year. Today's announcement illustrates the organization's commitment to the region as it prepares to host its inaugural Summit APJ conference November 18^th -19^th in Singapore.
 

"Distribution empowers the greater IT community, and APJ offers tremendous growth opportunities for vendors and other channel partners," emphasizes GTDC CEO Frank Vitagliano. "Adding a technology leader like Redington Limited to GTDC's membership provides us with greater insight into the unique needs of this community while giving their team access to industry-leading research, data intelligence, training and a variety of other programs. Our channel-enablement efforts grow stronger as we expand into new regions and develop more industry-empowering initiatives and resources."
 

Redington is a renowned entity in the region and has received many accolades for its commitment to the technology community, workforce and civic efforts over the years. Most recently, the organization was awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, which reflects its efforts with environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.
 

"Joining GTDC represents another significant milestone," says V.S. Hariharan, Group CEO of Redington Limited. "This membership aligns with our commitment to driving innovation and delivering exceptional value to our partners. By leveraging GTDC's extensive network and resources, along with our expertise in the technology distribution industry, we look forward to contributing to the council's mission of fostering growth and excellence in the global technology distribution sector."
 

With the addition of Redington, the GTDC member community consists of 22 technology distributors spanning North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

About the GTDC

The Global Technology Distribution Council is the industry consortium representing the world's leading tech distributors. GTDC members drive an estimated $160 billion in annual worldwide sales of products, services and solutions through diverse business channels. GTDC conferences support the development and expansion of strategic supply-chain partnerships that continually address the fast-changing marketplace needs of vendors, end customers and distributors. GTDC members include AB S.A (WSE: ABPL), Arrow Electronics (NYSE: ARW), CMS Distribution, Computer Gross Italia (MI: SES), D&H Distributing, ELKO, Esprinet (PRT.MI), Exclusive Networks (EPA: EXN), Exertis, Infinigate, Ingram Micro, Intcomex, Logicom (CSE:LOG), Mindware, Redington Limited, Siewert & Kau, SiS Technologies (HKSE: 0529), Tarsus, TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX), TIM AG, VSTECS Holdings and Westcon-Comstor.
 

About Redington Limited

Redington Limited (NSE: REDINGTON), a leading technology solutions provider and a Fortune India 500 company, empowers businesses in their digital transformation journeys by addressing technology friction - the gap between innovation and adoption. With its presence across 40 markets, 450+ brand associations, and 55,000+ channel partners, Redington enables seamless and end-to-end distribution for all categories of IT/ITeS, Telecom, Lifestyle, and Solar products in India, Singapore, South Asia, Middle East, Africa and Turkey. Through its focus on innovation and partnerships, Redington remains a trusted distributor of products, services, and solutions across the globe.

Left to Right: Shashi Dharan, Bharat Exhibitions, TV Ramachandran, BIF, A Robert J Ravi, DoT, Sanjeev Kumar, TCIL, S Krishnan, MeitY, Lt Gen Dr SP Kochhar, COAI, Sandeep Saxena, Nokia, Ashwani Rana, BIF

In this backdrop, Bharat Exhibitions organized the second edition of BHARAT 6G 2024 International Conference & Exhibition on 15^th of May 2024 at Hotel Le-Meridien, New Delhi. Key leaders, innovators, developers, and experts from all industry verticals converged to share their thoughts, experiences and predictions for the “6G standardization and deployment in India”.

The conference started with the Plenary Panel Discussion on the topic: Research and Standardization Roadmaps for 6G. Distinguished guests included Mr. T.V. Ramachandran, President, BIF, who gave the welcome speech. “6G standards will bring and mandate a new much-elevated baseline performance for both the networks and the devices. Recent 5G-advanced have developed many different capabilities on energy efficiency, on uplink performance, on coverage enhancements and more,” he said. He also stressed on the extensive research conducted on 6G standards. “India will go places,” he harnessed.

Shri A. Robert Jerard Ravi, DDG (SRI), DoT presided over the session as the session chair. “India is preparing for the arrival of 6G wireless technology, with commercial deployment to be expected by 2030. We are actively working on standardizations in various verticals within the country. Can we have 6G run network in India that is our vision,” he stated.

Shri S. K. Marwaha, Scientist G & Group Coordinator, MeitY, “We have already working in standard research in some educational institutions within the country. Our industry collaboration and operators should come together more actively to make things work things work efficiently,” he mentioned in his speech.

Prof. Kiran Kuchi, Dean – R & D, IIT, Hyderabad, “I would like to thank DoT and MEITY for active co-operation in standards development. We need to increase our output. Time is right for 6G, funding is the key now,” he stressed upon.

Shri AK Mittal, Advisor, TSDSI, mentioned his speech, “India’s active role in 5G and 6G standardization has increased interest in India's technological breakthroughs, with countries such as the United States expressing a strong desire to receive India's cutting-edge 6G technology. We are taking Indian requirements and Indian innovations to global standards organizations.”

Mr. Pradeep Bhardwaj, Sr. Strategy Director & Head of Industry Standards, Syniverse, in his speech emphasized, “In 4G we spent 48 months, what did we did in 5G, 27 months, we rolled out 5G standards, we should have taken more time, as it is affecting each and every domain in the world now. The key is how we approach the new way of life, set new standards and now we are seeing results.”

Mr. Dinesh Chand Sharma, Director – Standards & Public Policy, SESEI said, “It’s a great time for 6G standardizations. Participation has gone up. Start-ups are playing a major role in helping 6G standardizations. We need to have a funding mechanism for this, a consortium is always there for collaboration, and we just need to push it more.”

The session was then open up to questions and answers among the participants.

Inaugural Session: Network Evolution beyond 5G & India’s Vision for 6G

Chief Guest, Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India captivated the audience during Inaugural Session of the Bharat 6G 2024 conference. He mentioned, “Both 5G and 6G roll outs happen simultaneously, we at the Govt level are trying our level best. We are setting standards, connecting with players, and bringing in all key components together so that everything functions across all sectors. It is a national goal for us, and we are on the right track”. He further added, that ‘6G has the potential to enhance India’s digital economy’ and that it will lead to data proliferation and provide better input for AI to be used. “All industry leaders should come together,” he stressed upon.

Mr. Ashwani Rana, Vice President, BIF gave the introductory address. In his speech he mentioned, “Lot of activities are taking place in 6G standardization and implementation. Evolution of networks is quite exciting for a country like India, with diverse background. AI, ML, IoT will play pivotal role in 6G deployment within the country.”

Mr. Shyam Mardikar, Group Chief Technology Officer - Mobility, Reliance Jio was the next to speak. He mentioned, “The role of 6G in cementing India’s digital leadership. The 6G Core must support exceedingly dense telecom networks given the high frequency bands the network will use. Moreover, 6G must be backward compatible with 5G and 4G. JPL is therefore working on evolving the core network so that all the telecom generations – 4G, 5G, and 6G – can interwork.”

Lt. Gen. Dr. S.P. Kochhar, Director General, COAI in his special address was heard saying, “I would like to congratulate the Govt, DoT for a speeder roll outs. An amalagamation of information technology is the need of the hour. Networks, Data, Speed and Applications, are key components and the dynamics of these will add to the success and application of 5G and beyond.”

Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman and MD, TCIL stressed on the importance of 6G or high speed internet facilities in rural areas. During COVID, healthcare centers were highly impacted by connectivity. Financial or digitalization of the banking system is the most important, homeland security too needs to be mentioned in this regard.

Mr. Sandeep Saxena, Head of Technology & Solutions (Mobile Networks) India, NOKIA delivered the Industry Address. He touched upon the economic aspect vis a vis network connectivity in India.  He said, “In the 6G era, the digital, physical and human world will seamlessly fuse to trigger extrasensory experiences. Intelligent knowledge systems will be combined with robust computation capabilities to make humans endlessly more efficient and redefine how we live, work and take care of the planet. Even though there is still a lot of innovation in 5G with the Nokia Bell Labs has already begun the research work on 6G to make it commercially available by 2030.”

Mr. Shashi Dharan, Managing Director, Bharat Exhibitions delivered the Vote of Thanks. In his speech he said, “India is already moving beyond the deployment of 5G technology to create and install its faster and superior successor: the sixth generation of telecom networks, or 6G. The Bharat 6G Vision, is a strategy to create 6G technology in India by 2030. The objective of this vision is to create and deploy 6G network technologies that provide secure, intelligent, and pervasive connectivity, enabling people all over the world to live better lives. This might be a game changer for the Indian economy.”

The conference had other segments like 2 Technical Sessions and a Panel Discussion throughout the day.

Other eminent speakers who spoke during the conference were Mr. Jeevan Talegaonkar, Vice President, Reliance Jio; Mr. Vikesh Sharma, Head of Radio Technology, NOKIA India; Mr. Pradeep Bhardwaj, Sr. Strategy Director & Head of Industry Standards, Syniverse; Mr. Saurabh Mittal, Vice President (Network R&D), Bharti Airtel; Mr. Mahesh Basavaraju, Market Segment Manager – Wireless Communications, Rohde & Schwarz;  Mr. Rohit Kumar, Head of Research & Development, CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd; Mr. Vikalp Dutt, Director RAN Sales Engineering, Mavenir Systems; Mr. Sanjay Kumar, General Manager & Project Director, TCIL; Mr. Soumen Bhowmik, Assistant Manager - IX, National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI); Mr. Manoj Gurnani, Head of Strategy & Technology, NOKIA India; Mr. Dharmender Khajuria, National Head - Network Partnerships, Bharti Airtel.

6G and India: A Glimpse

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT)'s efforts in 6G standardization have successfully resulted in the adoption of ubiquitous connectivity, ubiquitous intelligence, and sustainability as the key elements of the 6G technology. India's 6G vision aims to introduce 6G technology in the country by 2030.

The summit was supported by Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications (DOT),  Bharat 6G Alliance,  ETSI,  COAI, ITU-APT Foundation of India and Partnered by Nokia, Syniverse, Rohde & Schwarz, CSC e-Governance Services, NIXI, Mavenir, C-DOT, TCIL, Anritsu, Khushi Communications,  SyRotech Networks,  Communications Today and Broadband India Forum.

Airtel, a leading telecom services provider in India, recently concluded 'SheCodes,' an annual hackathon hosted in collaboration with TechGig, the country’s largest developer community. The campaign aimed at championing and elevating female talent within the tech industry, announcing the top winning students who, along with prizes, will get placement opportunities to work with India's leading tech giant.
 

Airtel and TechGig Conclude 1st Edition of 'She Codes'​

The coding competition, which ran from April 16th to May 2nd, 2024, aimed at recruiting young technical leaders in the Network and Digital domains of Airtel. A total of 4,104 registered participants took part in three rounds that tested their domain expertise, problem-solving abilities, and agility. Through a series of challenges, participants showcased their coding prowess and innovative thinking.
 

The grand finale, held on May 1st, 2024, at the Airtel head office in Gurugram, saw the top teams compete for the top prizes. Subsequently, finalists underwent interviews for potential positions at Airtel. The shortlisted candidates will join Airtel in July 2025.
 

The following winners were announced: Ananya Bansal, Sanya Mahajan, Vanshika Khurana, and Suhana Khandelwal as part of the team Network-X.
 

Sanjay Goyal, Business Head of TechGig, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Our partnership with Airtel represents a significant step towards empowering talented coders. Through this campaign, we aim to bridge the gender gap in the tech community and create a brighter future for Indian female talent.”
 

Amrita Padda, Chief People Officer at Airtel, highlighted the company's commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech sector, saying, "We are immensely proud of the overwhelming response and enthusiasm we received for ‘SheCodes’. This initiative not only underlines our commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity but also serves as a platform to identify and nurture the next generation of female tech leaders."
 

In total, 20 students secured placements at Airtel as a result of the campaign.

“We have had a very successful collaboration with Tanla since 2022. We are now able to deepen the partnership in India which is positive for us, for Tanla and for enterprises that can distribute messages to end customers in a more reliable, modern and cost efficient way. The new partnership with strengthened collaboration ensures growing usage of the platform and opportunities to serve more business customers via Tanla’s network. We are committed to this partnership with Tanla and to scale up volumes,” says Alan Mamedi, CEO and Co-founder of Truecaller.
 

The partnership aims to help businesses reach out to more than 260 million active users of Truecaller in India with relevant messages that include rich media and engaging content. Business messages can include images, video and even documents while at the same time offering benefits for businesses like lower costs, faster deliveries and better insights unlike traditional SMS.
 

The platform offers both one and two-way communication capabilities as well as the ability to communicate with audiences using rich media formats like photos, videos and documents with a diverse set of functionalities including phone numbers, hyperlinks, and delivery & read receipts, to make it a best-in-class messaging experience that results in increased conversion and higher ROI for brands.
 

Commenting on the partnership, Uday Reddy, Founder Chairman & CEO of Tanla, said, "Our exclusive partnership with Truecaller since 2022 has been highly successful. We are excited to partner with Truecaller and provide customized solutions to enterprises by leveraging business messaging capabilities and rich media."
 

In Truecaller, revenues from Business Messaging are reported within Truecaller fastest growing revenue stream Truecaller for Business (TfB). From inception in early 2021 TfB has grown to an annual run rate of revenues of about 200 million SEK with the Verified Business offering with more than 2500 connected enterprises, Business Messaging and the newly launched risk- and fraud protection products. Business Messaging has together with Verified Business been an important revenue driver in 2023 and with the extended partnership that scales up the business messaging product further this is expected to continue in 2024 and onwards.
 

About Truecaller
Truecaller (TRUE B) is the leading global platform for verifying contacts and blocking unwanted communication. We enable safe and relevant conversations between people and make it efficient for businesses to connect with consumers. Fraud and unwanted communication are endemic to digital economies, especially in emerging markets. We are on a mission to build trust in communication. Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for more than 374 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch. Headquartered in Stockholm. Since 2009, we are a Co-founder led, entrepreneurial company with a highly experienced management team. Truecaller has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since 8 October 2021.

For more information, please visit corporate.truecaller.com.
 

About Tanla

Tanla transforms the way the world collaborates and communicates through innovative CPaaS solutions. Founded in 1999, it was the first company to develop and deploy A2P SMSC in India. Today, as one of the world’s largest CPaaS players, it processes more than 800 billion interactions annually and about 63% of India’s A2P SMS traffic is processed through Trubloq, making it the world’s largest Blockchain use case. Wisely, our patented enterprise grade platform offers private, secure, and trusted experiences for enterprises and mobile carriers. Tanla Platforms Limited is headquartered in Hyderabad. Tanla is listed on two national exchanges, the NSE and BSE, (NSE: TANLA; BSE:532790) and included in prestigious indices such as the Nifty 500 and BSE 500, Nifty Digital Index, FTSE Russell and MSCI.

L to R - Saurabh Mittal (Airtel), Ambassador of Finland to India H.E. Kimmo Lahdevirta, Harkaran Sachdev (Ekaga), Lalit Chowdhary (Lightstorm) & Vijayanand Choudhary (STL)

Finland is considered to be the technology superpower and it has always been on the forefront of being the global technology leader. The Finnish Ambassador to India, Honorable Ambassador Kimmo Lahdevirta, opened the event with an overview of Finland's status as a leader in technology innovation and Finnish companies’ partnerships with global players to drive growth and reinvention. The Ambassador also highlighted opportunities for collaboration and trade between the two countries, and expressed his enthusiasm for the event. He stated that, ‘The collaboration between Finland and India is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation and growth. As we look to the future, the role of system integrators in driving international growth for Finnish companies will be instrumental for their success.’

Leaders from some of the prominent Indian companies like Airtel, Sterlite Technologies, Lightstorm, PowerTel, TCS, Hexaware Technologies, Spectra among others were in attendance. Eminent industry experts Mr.Saurabh Mittal (VP & Head, Standards and Tech Ecosystem, Airtel), Mr.Vijayanand Choudhary (Global Head - SCM, STL), Mr.Lalit Chowdhary (CTIO, Lightstorm) participated in the panel discussion which was moderated by Mr.Harkaran Sachdev (Founder & Group CEO, Ekaga). 

The Industry Panel and the industry leaders present at the event had a common consensus that Cloud is the way forward and both existing as well as upcoming organizations are aligned to the Digital First approach for operational efficiency as well as faster time to market. A very interesting fact also came into limelight; when it comes to asset value creation, the enterprises will still opt for large OEMs, however when it comes to innovation, the ‘Size of the company’ does not matter, instead ‘Solution is the key’. Furthermore, as the world becomes more connected and networks continue to evolve, Enterprise Data Security has taken a drivers seat. Every organization is diving a little deeper into the security foundations and are looking at these platform deployments to prevent various kinds of cyber threats.

Ms.Gitta Perez, Country Director - Business Finland added, ‘Our partnership with India mirrors our collective aspiration for innovation and progress. As we gaze into the future, the pivotal role of system integrators in accelerating the global growth of Finnish firms is undeniable.’

The Business Finland Team provided an overview of their efforts in supporting the global expansion of Finnish companies. They also highlighted investment opportunities available in Finland and how Indian entities can leverage them to their benefit. The event served as a catalyst for collaborative efforts that will drive innovation and global partnerships, said Robin Singh, leader of SI program at Business Finland. 

About Business Finland
Business Finland identifies business opportunities for Finnish companies in India and globally. They also advise and guide Finnish SMEs in their internationalization plans, actions and possible challenges in the Indian market.

About Ekaga
Ekaga is a services company exploiting the paths for global innovators by assisting them in every aspect for their international market needs in the emerging markets. Market Entry & Consulting, Managed Services, Project Monitoring as a service and setting up Centers of Collaboration for large enterprises are among their key services.

Website: www.ekaga.com.

Shashi Dharan, MD, Bharat Exhibitions, C.S Rao, Chairman, QuadGen, RK Pathak, DG, Bharat 6G Alliance, A. Robert J. Ravi, DDG (S-R-I), DoT, Tri Hoang, Chairman, Ai20x, Nguyen Tien Long, Head of Sales, VHT

The conference held on the 9th of January at the Le-Meridian, New Delhi, was focussed on accomplishing this very objective of reliable, affordable, and always available 5G broadband services to rural and sub-urban segments of India. The Bharat 5G Mission event was focussed on the articulation of the techno-commercial value of the available end to end industry standard 5G solutions to cater to Rural 5G broadband & 5G Private Networks for manufacturing, agriculture, university campus, mining & transportation sectors.
 

“From the government side, we are coming out with different policies and enabling policies. We recently started rolling around 100 5G use-case labs across the country. These labs could be slowly expanded into what we call ecosystem labs,” said Shri A. Robert Jerard Ravi, DDG (Standards – R&D Innovation, DoT, Ministry of Communications.

By 2026, we might have a lot of product line in place The other growth area that we are looking at is small captive networks of non-public networks, that is also growing in a big way – like mining. What is the effect? There we will see a sensing communication network. That will be the steppingstone for 6G sensing networks,” he further added.

The driving force behind Bharat 5G Mission was the commitment to provide affordable 5G services without compromising on the Quality of Experience (QoE) and Service Level Agreement (SLA) norms. This visionary initiative recognizes the importance of inclusive digital access, especially in rural and suburban areas, and strives to make advanced connectivity accessible to all.

"We are excited to embark on this journey with Viettel High Tech (VHT) and Ai20X. This partnership represents a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering excellence and innovation to our customers. Together, we will shape the future of 5G/4G Telco Product & Services Portfolio," said Dr C.S. Rao Chairman & Co-founder of QuadGen.

The mission's core focus is on deploying state-of-the-art technology across the entire spectrum, ensuring robust and reliable connectivity. The end-to-end solutions not only promise blazing fast internet speeds but also aim to address the unique challenges of rural and suburban landscapes.

"Viettel High Tech is thrilled to join forces with QuadGen and Ai20X. This partnership aligns with our vision to continuously evolve and provide Telecom Equipment Products & Solutions. Together, we will create a winning combination that benefits our customers and stakeholders," said Nguyen Tien Long, Head of Global Sales, VHT.

A key highlight of Bharat 5G Mission 2024 is its emphasis on affordability. The mission seeks to make 5G services accessible to the masses by providing cost-effective solutions. This includes a strategic pricing model for equipment and services, making it economically viable for the Rural and Sub-Urban strata of the subscriber landscape.

“Ai20X is proud of being part of the QuadGen and Viettel partnership that brings innovations to communication infrastructure and services. Ai20X plans to help elevate this partnership not only for delivering innovative solutions, but also bringing in additional partners and extending the services to other markets,” said Tri Hoang, Chairman and CEO of Ai20X.

The event witnessed industry leaders, policymakers, and technology experts coming together to applaud this bold initiative. As India prepares to embrace the era of 5G, Bharat 5G Mission 2024 stands as a testament to the nation's commitment to technological inclusivity and ensuring that every citizen can reap the benefits of a connected and empowered future.

Prune: One Stop Solution for Mobile Connectivity
 

Prune acknowledges the challenges users encounter in managing their connectivity needs, be it for travel, business, or leisure. Recognizing importance of reliable and hassle-free connectivity, Prune presents an easy solution for all these services in one accessible platform, catering to both local and international connectivity needs.
 

Highlights of Prune's Offerings:

1. India’s First Digital Telecom Store: Prune offers SIM cards with extensive coverage all over the globe. These SIM cards plans are suitable for various usage patterns, ensuring users stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges. Prune provides SIM cards for all the network operators.

2. E-SIM Services: Embracing technological advancements, Prune offers e-SIM services for more than 190 countries, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards. Users can seamlessly install and activate their e-SIMs, ensuring a convenient and efficient connectivity experience while traveling abroad.

3. Compare Prices: Prune's platform allows users to compare prices between different smartphones ensuring they make informed choices based on their specific requirements.

4. KYC Activation: Prune streamlines the Know Your Customer (KYC) activation process for E-SIMs, offering a quick installation

5. Bill Payment Services: Recognizing the inconvenience of managing multiple bills, Prune collaborates with Bharat Bill Pay to streamline bill payments. Users can conveniently pay their bills, manage subscriptions, and track usage, all through Prune's platform.

6. Customer support: Prune takes pride in its user-centric approach, offering dedicated 24/7 customer support to assist with any inquiries, ensuring users receive the support they need whenever they need it.

Prune is not just a service provider; our mission is to simplify the way people connect, ensuring seamless connectivity wherever you go. Whether you are a frequent traveler, a remote worker, or someone who values staying connected, Prune has the solution for you.

Prune's comprehensive offerings mark a significant step forward in the telecommunications industry, providing users with an easy and affordable way to stay connected wherever they go. With laying its main focus on E-sim, Prune is filling the gaps as users don’t need to rely much on international roaming while travelling abroad. With a commitment to innovation, accessibility, and customer satisfaction, Prune is poised to revolutionize the way people experience connectivity.

Founder of Prune, Mr. Vivek Malhotra, said, "Prune’s aim is to make global telecom communication effortless, efficient, and affordable. As India’s first digital telecommunication platform, Prune is shaping the future of the telecommunication industry. With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, Prune is committed to breaking down barriers and keeping the world connected."

For more information, please visit: www.prune.co.in.

Lava International Limited, India's leading end-to-end mobile handset and handset solutions company today announced the appointment of Mr. Sunil Raina as the Whole Time Director. Mr. Raina will assume the role of Interim Managing Director with immediate effect, following approval by the Company’s board in its meeting on November 06, 2023.

Mr. Sunil Raina

With an overall experience of more than two decades, he has been an integral part of Lava International for the past thirteen years, previously serving as the President and Business Head.

A distinguished thought leader known for his strategic acumen and focused approach, Mr. Raina leads Lava’s operations, ensuring that the company continues to innovate and grow while maintaining its commitment to “Make in India”. He has an extensive experience in marketing strategy, product development, communications, sales and distribution functions along with extensive industry knowledge and leadership skills.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Raina said, “We are in fast paced growth phase of our brand journey and we see a great opportunity ahead. I'm pleased to take on this role and eager to contribute to Lava's continued success through consistent innovation and delivering exceptional quality to our consumers."

Mr. Raina has played a pivotal role in driving exponential growth of Lava’s business for the last 5 years in his capacity as the President and Business Head. Under his leadership, Lava has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing smartphone brands. He has successfully introduced unique products like Lava Agni, Blaze and Yuva series, significantly elevating the brand’s value proposition for customers and fostering brand loyalty.

He has previously worked at India’s leading telecom companies like Tata Teleservices, Airtel, Reliance Communications, and Uninor. Outside the boardroom, he is a fitness enthusiast, finding inspiration in music, sports and other activities.

1. Objectives of Govt. of India/CVC and overview of Vigilance Awareness Week 2023 by Sh. Naresh Khanna, Addl. DGT Punjab LSA, Deptt. of Telecom.

2. DOT HQs views on Vigilance from Sh. Aditya Singh, Dir (VM), followed by a

3. Lecture by Ms Nitika Asstt. Dir. Genl. (Compliance) from Punjab LSA on EMF awareness to dispel the myths on radiation from Telecom Towers and lastly,

4. Lecture from Sh. Vaibhav Jain, Asstt. Dir. Genl. (Security) from Punjab LSA on Cyber Crime/Frauds and Cyber Hygiene Awareness.

5. Lecture from Dr Prem Ojha On Role of technology evolution in progress of country.

There was an audience of more than 100 persons including students and faculty from Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, employees of M/s NetPlus, ISP and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) of Punjab viz. M/s Airtel, Jio and BSNL.

The objective of Vigilance Awareness Week is to sensitize the public against the menace of corruption and reaffirm our commitment to fight corruption at all levels and from all walks of life.

Launched in the year 2022, Vodex is a GenAI-powered outbound calling solution in a human voice built for the businesses of today, offering consistent scalable customer engagement over phone calls. The platform supports almost 96 languages to support customer interaction in an outbound call scenario. Vodex can be used for lead qualification, sales and marketing calls, abandoned cart calls, appointment confirmation calls, customer feedback and many other use cases. Vodex can even send SMS and WhatsApp messages autonomously and can transfer calls to human agents when required disrupting the way businesses are going to be done in the times to come. 
 

Within a short span of time since its inception, Vodex has been able to assist over 10 businesses in India and over 21 businesses in North America for a booked order of over $750 K in a $300-billion call center market.
 

On the launch of Vodex 2.0, Anshul Shrivastava, Founder and CEO of Vodex, said, "With Vodex 2.0, we are ushering in a new era of B2C businesses. Our mission is to empower businesses with cutting-edge technology that not only saves them money and time but also enhances their revenue potential. We are thrilled to be at the forefront of this transformation."
 

Unlike its competitors, Vodex uses Advance Generative AI Technology, multilingual capabilities, integration with third party tools like CRMs, human-like interaction, scalability, faster outreach, as well as cost effective pricing to overcome challenges of Data Privacy and Security, Scalability, and integration for B2C segment. The upgraded version will have:
 

1. SUPPORTS 96 LANGUAGES – English to Spanish take your pick.

2. REAL TIME CALL TRANSFER – Interested Customer? Transfer the call to your agents.

3. SMS INTEGRATION – Send a message after the call.

4. REAL TIME ANALYTICS – Customer said yes I am interested or no I am not – data available immediately after the call.

5. END TO END GENERATIVE AI – Completely Generative AI based conversations.

6. VOICEMAIL DETECTION – Leave a message or cut the call both options are available.

Kumar Saurav, Co-founder & CTO, Vodex explains, “Our commitment to innovation sets us apart. Vodex 2.0 incorporates advanced Generative AI technology, multilingual capabilities, seamless integration with third-party tools like CRMs, human-like interactions, scalability, faster outreach, and cost-effective pricing. We've addressed the challenges of data privacy and security, integration, and scalability head-on to deliver an unparalleled solution for the businesses worldwide.”
 

Since its launch just one year ago, Vodex already eyeing a 1Mn dollar worth of orders in this year itself Vodex has ambitious plans, eyeing a revenue target of over $10 mil by next year year-end.
 

About Vodex

Vodex is a Bangalore-based SaaS platform specializing in Generative AI outbound calling solutions for B2C businesses. Founded in 2022, Vodex has quickly become a leader in the industry, delivering cutting-edge technology to enhance customer engagement and drive revenue growth. With Vodex 2.0, the company is set to revolutionize B2c businesses, setting new standards in efficiency and profitability.

Mr. Jacxine Fernandez (VP – Information Security & ICT Governance, BIAL), Mr. Abdulkarim AlDabbagh (CTO, ACES-Neutral Host), Mr. Sultan Al Mashouq ( General Manager, ACES), His Excellency Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha (Minister of Communications and Information Technology - Saudi Arabia), Dr.Akram A. Aburas (Founder & CEO, ACES Group), Mr. Selvam K M (Vice President – ICT, BIAL), Mohammed N. Mazher (Managing Director, ACES India), Mr. Mohammed Azhar (Manager, ACES India)

ACES India is proud to provide the Neutral Host Mobile Infrastructure Service across different areas of the airport, including Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Taj Hotel, Multi-modal transport hub, Taj Hotel Expansion, Ancillary buildings (cargo terminal, retail and dining areas) and the upcoming entertainment and dining facilities. The airport was the Skytrax-2022 award-winning “Best Regional Airport in India and South Asia”.

H.E Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha, expressed his pride in seeing ACES, a Saudi Digital Neutral Host company making rapid advances internationally and recognized the company’s remarkable achievements in the Indian telecommunications market. He also applauded ACES’s R&D initiatives, including in 5G, Software development and other ORAN activities. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, the Ministry has pledged to support ACES as one the Kingdoms fastest growing and rising companies.

During the visit, ACES CEO Dr. Akram Aburas proudly showcased the company’s state-of-the-art Mobile Infrastructure and In-Building Mobile solution (4G and 5G ready) at the Bangalore airport. He expressed pride in serving passengers at one of the fastest-growing airports in the world, the busiest airport in South India and the third largest in India. He also expressed confidence in ACES potential to become one of the leading Digital Telecom Infrastructure companies in India.

A senior management team from Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) welcomed the Ministry’s delegation and expressed BIAL’s satisfaction with ACES’ commitment, performance and services at the airport. 

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information, established in 1926, is responsible for the communications and information technology sector in the Kingdom. His Excellency Alswaha was appointed as Minister on 23 April 2017.

For more information, please visit: www.mcit.gov.sa/en.

ACES India Private Limited based in India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Company ACES. ACES is one of the leading International Digital Infrastructure company in Middle East, South East Asia and Europe. Several important projects have already been implemented, most notably the expansion of the Holy Mosque in Makkah, Riyadh Metro Project, Jeddah Airport, Riyadh Airport, MASAR and other international projects like Bangalore Airport, Surat Diamond Bourse, Taj Hotel and several other.

For more information, please visit: www.aces-co.com.

Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport), has the unique distinction of being the first Greenfield Airport in India established on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This heralded a revolution in Indian aviation as more airports in the Country were privatised thereafter. BLR Airport commenced operations on May 24, 2008 – 33 months from the start of construction. The Airport has seen unprecedented growth in passenger volumes having served over 33 million passengers in 2019, and becoming the one of fastest-growing Airports in the world. As the busiest Airport in South India and the third largest in the Country, BLR Airport achieved a significant milestone in June 2022 by crossing the 250 million passenger mark since the launch of its operations or Airport Opening Day (AOD). The airport’s newest addition, the state-of-the-art Terminal 2 of BLR Airport was inaugurated by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi on November 11, 2022.

For more information, please visit: www.bengaluruairport.com

Polarin helps enterprises transform their businesses by providing them with agility, scalability and visibility, to consume instantaneous network services with complete transparency. This enables them to access and utilize them on-demand in a simple and efficient manner as they would consume any other Cloud service. This is done by eliminating the cumbersome process of months of network setup and multiple partner onboardings, thereby allowing faster GTM execution.

“Partnerships are the fundamental pillar for Lightstorm’s presence in the mid-market segment and our relationship with SupertronVAD provides more value to that pillar to form a strong foundation and a powerful ecosystem to maximize Polarin’s outreach. Polarin is a product we have designed and built closely keeping customer pain points in mind, and we are extremely excited to bring it to the market,” said Prasanna C, General Manager & Head of Business, Polarin by Lightstorm.

This partnership aims to expand the outreach of the Polarin platform, by fostering GTM activities targeted to mid-market customers across an array of industries. The strong foundation that Lightstorm has set in the digital infrastructure industry, coupled with SupertronVAD’s Pan India presence with 36 Branch offices across 37 states and UTS, covering 712 districts with a team of over 650 employees, apart its Singapore and Dubai operations and in-depth knowledge of the Indian market, will facilitate easy access of these solutions to customers.

“We are thrilled to announce our exclusive partnership with Lightstorm, a globally established organization. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our journey as it brings an innovative and future ready NaaS offering to our portfolio,” said Debraj Dam, Chief of VAD (Value Added Distribution Venture), SupertronVAD.

By joining forces, we aim to provide our channels and customers with exceptional opportunities in the digital transformation space. As Network as a Service (NaaS) market size is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.9% from 2022 to 2030 and we are feeling great to be part of such unique offering for the first time in India. We expect NaaS to become an important and, someday, the only way to design, build, scale, and manage network interconnections for every organisation be it small, medium, or large enterprises. Adopting NaaS not only provides flexibility but it furthermore adds business value through scalability, agility and pushes a transition from CAPEX to OPEX for network infrastructure.

About Polarin by Lightstorm

Polarin™ is an interconnection network platform offering from Lightstorm that enables seamless connectivity between data centers, hybrid and multi-cloud environments, internet exchanges, and SaaS applications like Microsoft Office 365. With Polarin™, organizations can effortlessly scale their networks while ensuring high availability, low latency and 100% uptime, delivering a transformative customer experience. Experience unparalleled performance and agility with Polarin™ and empower your digital infrastructure for the future. Visit www.polarin.lightstorm.net for more information.

About Lightstorm

Lightstorm is building infrastructure for hyperscale networking across Asia Pacific and the Middle East to accelerate the region's growth and spur innovation in the digital economy. It is building a first-of-its-kind utility-grade resilient fiber network, SmartNet, in several countries in the region. A trusted partner of several Fortune 500 companies, Lightstorm is creating a robust foundation of digital infrastructure to create new sources of value and differentiation for businesses.

For more information, visit www.lightstorm.net. You can also connect with Lightstorm’s experts on LinkedIn.

About SupertronVAD

Established in 1993, Supertron Electronics Pvt. Ltd. [SEPL], is one of the premium Indian IT distributors with an ISO 9001:2015 Quality certification. Supertron ventured into technology Value Added Distribution Venture [SEPL-VAD], in July 2019 with a prime focus in Unified Communication, AVS (Audio, Video and Surveillance) and DCS (Data Centre and Storage), Cloud and serices domain. We are focusing on a consultative approach to understand and work together with System Integrator as well as their Customer by providing unique solutions based on future technology deployment of Audio, Visual, Video, Data, Software define Application, IoT and its management offerings. Supertron VAD has a strong foothold in the entire pan India region with a professional having deep knowledge of products, services, and markets. The company has an India presence with 36 branch offices and warehouses and 19 satellite offices across 37 states and UTs covering 712 districts with 650 plus employees and a strong network of 27 service locations in India and expanding globally with its Singapore and Dubai locations.

For more information contact: lightstorm.vad@supertronindia.com, www.supertronindia.com/vad.

Ameyo XTRM is the only software in India equipped with a pan-India Unified License Virtual Network Operator (UL-VNO) and offers fully-compliant bundled telephony services as per telecommunications regulations. Consequently, it is quick to deploy and does not require implementing or updating legacy infrastructure to begin incorporating it into CX practices. It can help enterprises move their software and telecom infrastructure completely on cloud in a compliant way enabling agents to work from anywhere. This will help enterprises consolidate communication management processes into a single platform. Companies will now be able to stay cost-effective while scaling up their customer engagement rapidly and reliably. 

The cloud contact center market is undergoing significant transformation, with Gartner predicting that by 2024, 85% of customer support operations will be driven by cloud-based infrastructure, up from less than 20% in 2019. The growth is influenced by increasing migration from on-premise to cloud models in emerging markets, as well as a proclivity towards AI-based interactive tools for quick customer resolution. 

According to a CMO Pulse Report launched by Exotel, surveying 263 marketing leaders, customer retention over acquisition emerged as one of the most prominent marketing themes for 2023. As loyalty begins to hold the ultimate priority for brands across sectors, Ameyo XTRM presents enterprises an opportunity to implement massive reforms towards customer engagement, increasing customer satisfaction scores, decreasing support costs and scaling support volumes for rapid resolution. 

“Building upon the promise of the cloud, we’re delighted to launch Ameyo XTRM to support the digital transformation of companies across sectors, implementing a reliable, flexible, and scalable solution to modernize their customer support capabilities,” said Shivakumar Ganesan, Co-founder & CEO, Exotel. He added, “with the additional ability to offer fully regulatory compliant cloud calling, over time, Exotel has emerged as one of the few key players in India providing a truly unified solution for customer engagement. The launch is just a precursor to expanding our capabilities, adopting and incorporating emerging technologies and capabilities in our product suite.” 

About Exotel 

Exotel is the emerging market’s leading full stack customer engagement platform and business-focused virtual telecom operator. Exotel has also recently received a virtual telecom operator license to offer cost-effective end-to-end VoIP telephony services, making the company a 100% compliant cloud calling operator. Exotel was founded in 2011 and has an impressive cloud-based product suite that drives 70 million conversations every day for more than 6000 businesses in India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Today, the omnichannel contact center, communication API suite, and conversational AI platform from Exotel help some of the fastest-growing businesses in emerging countries manage their customer engagement. They have a $50 million ARR and a $100 million Series D funding round.

Exotel has won The ET StartUp Awards 2022 under the Comeback Kid category. 

For more information, please visit exotel.com.

The 13^th edition of the India Digital Awards ceremony was held on February 21, 2023, concluding the two-day-long 17^th edition of India’s oldest and largest digital conference, the India Digital Summit. The awards were given away in 57 categories, recognizing, 360 degrees, the brightest and the best, individuals as well as enterprises, in India’s digital ecosystem.

The IDA jury in judging Mr. Kamath as the Digital Person of the Year recognized his stellar contribution to the ‘promotion of internet and/or mobile services in India’ through the work of his company, Zerodha, a leading Indian financial services company, which has ‘rendered significant developments in the digital domain in terms of reach, accessibility, convenience and acceptance with proven results’. Just approaching his mid-40s, Mr. Kamath is already a name to reckon with in his field.

E-grocery start-up Zepto received the feather of the Digital Start-up of the Year in its hat for demonstrating ‘commendable growth in its operations at a brisk pace and promises to make it big in the industry in near future’. Founded in 2021, the start-up company already has a presence across 10 major cities in India and delivers more than 5000 products. Zepto has also introduced a cafe offering that allows customers to order coffee, tea, and other café items, along with their groceries. 

Out of several other categories of the IDA, another key category is the Digital Agency of the Year, which is given away in three sub-categories: gold, silver and bronze. This category is awarded to agencies, which have won an award or have been shortlisted in multiple categories, scoring points for various parameters. Interactive Avenues - A Reprise Network Company, took away the Gold. Silver went to Kinnect. Mindshare and Affinity Global Advertising won the bronze jointly.

Interactive Avenues, which won the gold prize, is India’s leading full-service digital marketing company, which offers a comprehensive range of services including media, programmatic, data & analytics, e-commerce, paid search, social media, SEO, ORM, creative and web development.

Silver winner Kinnect is a full-service digital marketing agency which offers various services such as creative strategy and social media, media, video production, influencer outreach, Web and SEO, and online reputation management.

Out of the two bronze winners, Mindshare is a media services company that accelerates ‘good growth’ for its clients in the age of transformation, defining good growth as business growth that is enduring and sustainable whilst also helping to shape society and the world for the better. Affinity Global Advertising is an ad tech company, which creates user engagement products for digital media, with a particular focus on user experience.  

For a complete list of the 13^th IDA categories and winners please visit: 13th India Digital Awards (iamaiawards.in)

About IAMAI

Established in 2004, the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is a not-for-profit industry body and the country's only organization representing the digital services industry with over 400 Indian and multinational corporations as its members, which include established companies in diverse sectors of the digital ecosystem as well as start-ups. Its mandate is to expand and enhance the online and mobile value-added services sectors. It is dedicated to presenting a unified voice of the businesses it represents to the government, investors, consumers and other stakeholders. IAMAI represents varied sectors such as online gaming, digital advertising, digital entertainment, TravelTech, digital payments, Fintech, digital commerce, Edutech, Healthtech, Agritech, blockchain, Big data, ML, AI & IoT, AR/ VR, LogisticsTech and so on.

Ajay Batheja, MD, iAcuity Telco
 

iAcuity Telco products and solutions are designed with years of research, innovation, and expertise, using advanced techniques for collecting, filtering, curating, and analyzing vast amounts of data. This enables communication service providers to make informed decisions and improve operational efficiency, reduce fraud, comply with regulatory security requirements, provide secured connectivity and maximize revenue.

iAcuity Telco will showcase a range of products and solutions redefining the future of technology like 5G-ready scalable, secure interception, log management solutions and advanced carrier grade SD-WAN platform to help comply customer service providers with regulatory provisions. iAcuity will be at Booth No.:12, Stand 5A83 (India Pavilion), Hall No. 5.

Ajay Batheja, Managing Director, iAcuity Telco said, “With cyber-frauds in the telecom sector increasing it is imperative that the authorities, CSPs are equipped with rightful solutions to tackle this rapidly growing issue. We are elated to participate in the MWC Barcelona 2023 for the first time and would like to keep the momentum going in coming years as well.” 

MWC Barcelona is the largest and the most influential annual event for the connectivity ecosystem. Its participants include all leading global mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology providers, vendors. This year it will focus on the upcoming trends and themes of the connectivity industry like 5G Acceleration, Reality+ (Immersive technology), OpenNet, FinTech, Digital Everything (expansion of Digital Technology). The event attracts people representing the top global companies, international governments and trailblazing tech businesses every year. 

• 74% marketers confirm that enhancing and optimizing CX is their #1 priority for 2023

• Marketers focus is on customer retention over acquisition to fuel growth in 2023, further confirming the need to prioritize CX for brand retention and loyalty

• 45% of marketers say that their brands will compete on the basis of CX in the next 2 years

• Developing a customer-first culture within organizations is a challenge however that hinders CX roll out, say marketers

With traditional brand marketing losing luster thanks to digital disruption, the customer is now in charge. In a digital world, it is simply not enough for businesses to be able to compete on price or product features alone. Customer Experience (CX) is becoming the key differentiator in a digital world, and the currency to drive brand loyalty, reduce churn and boost revenues.

Customer Experience - The New Battleground in 2023

To assess the current state of adoption of CX, organizational challenges in CX implementation, current and desired usage of various omnichannel tools and marketer priorities for 2023, Exotel conducted a survey with Indian marketers. Exotel is the emerging market’s leading full stack customer engagement platform comprising a suite of communications APIs, omnichannel contact center (Ameyo) and Conversational AI platform (Cogno AI) in the Cloud.

Without a doubt, customer experience is the new competitive battleground

A majority, 65% of marketers surveyed agree with the statement that customer experience is the new and next competitive battleground. In fact, 45% state that their brand will compete, either completely or nearly completely, on the basis of CX over the next two years.

It’s no surprise then that a focus to enhance customer experience emerges as the #1 priority, with 74% of marketers surveyed listing this as their #1 priority for 2023. Other priorities in order of importance are improving the omnichannel experience (70%), employer branding (69%), followed by a focus on sustainability initiatives (68%), and a strategy for immersive platforms such as Metaverse (67%).

Rather than acquisition, Marketers are focusing on customer retention

Given the concerns of an economic recession in 2023, brands are doubling down on engaging their existing customer base. With loyalty getting harder to come by because consumers have a lot more choices today, marketers are choosing to enhance and strengthen their customer engagement, working closely with the Customer Experience teams, to build lasting connections with customers. This is validated by the survey by Exotel. To drive business, 63% of marketers surveyed said they are looking at increasing adoption of existing products, or introducing newer products to existing customers.

WhatsApp is the most important CX channel

India is WhatsApp biggest market with 487.5 million WhatsApp users in 2022. It’s no surprise that 86% of marketers surveyed say that WhatsApp is the most important customer service channel. One out of every 2 marketers say that it is a part of their CX journey and 26% say its usage is critical to their business. 9% say they have recently integrated the channel as a part of their CX journey, and are already reaping the benefits..
 

Usage of other CX tools in order of deployment is SMS at 33%, Call center at 27% and chatbots at 26%, among the marketers surveyed.

Organizational and behavioral challenges to CX roll out

The desire to prioritize CX comes with real-world challenges. Marketers surveyed, 40% cite driving a customer-centric culture and understanding CX platform capabilities as the challenges that they face in designing an optimal CX journey. Other challenges include measuring CX effectiveness and impact and collaborating cross-functionally within the organization.

Adopting a customer-centric marketing approach is not an easy task, despite its importance in the scheme of things. While 51% of marketers surveyed say that keeping the customer at the center of every decision is a behavior that is challenging to drive within the organization, 34% of marketers cite the lack of involvement of senior leaders to demonstrate customer centricity top down to being an impediment in authentically driving customer centricity into the organizations DNA.

Udit Agarwal, VP & Global Head of Marketing, Exotel, said, “To stand out against the competition and deliver additional value to customers, organizations need to adopt a unified approach for conducting and tracking customer engagement. Building a comprehensive understanding of the entire customer journey and the data collected from all interactions will result in valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences. Through investing in improvements towards the customer experience, one can ultimately reap a positive return on investment in a digital market. Exotel's full-stack engagement platform assists organizations in building customer relationships, which is the most valuable currency in today's business world.”

“Organizations will necessarily need to lead from a customer-centric position. With economic uncertainty persisting, 2023 looks set to be another challenging year for businesses. Organizations will need a comprehensive view of the full customer journey across all interaction data to yield deep insights about their customers and design optimal CX journeys to connect more closely with their customers and anticipate behaviors. Those organizations that invest in experience enhancements to solidify customer relationships will be poised to receive positive ROI in a digital world where customers are spoilt for choice. Customer relationships is the #1 currency that Exotel helps organizations accrue through its full stack engagement platform,” said Angira Agrawal, Global SVP, GTM and Strategy, Exotel.

Methodology

Exotel received responses from 263 marketers in an online survey that was conducted at the start of 2023. CMOs, VP Marketing, and Chief Customer Experience Officers responded to this survey from mid to large organizations across verticals of Tech, BFSI, E-commerce, Telecom, and automotive.

About Exotel

Exotel is the emerging market’s leading full stack customer engagement platform and business-focused virtual telecom operator. Incorporated in 2011, Exotel’s world-class cloud-based product suite powers 50 million engagements daily for over 6000 companies in India, SE Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Today, some of the fastest-growing companies in the emerging markets (Ola, Swiggy, Flipkart, GoJek, Byju’s, Urban Company, HDFC Bank, Zomato, Oyo, etc.,) manage their customer engagement with Exotel’s omnichannel contact centre, a suite of communication APIs and conversational AI platform over the cloud. They’re a $100 million Series D funded company with $50 million in ARR.

For more information, please visit www.exotel.com.

Participants of the Conference on Telecommunication Development and Digitalization in the Arctic discussed the implementation of digital technologies in the Arctic at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The event was held as part of the plan for the main events of the Russian Federation’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021-2023, with the Roscongress Foundation acting as operator.

Conference on Telecommunication Development and Digitalization in the Arctic

“The main priority of Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council and our programme is the sustainable development of the Arctic region, which involves the development of telecommunications as a factor capable of improving quality of life, well-being, and prosperity. It will also make public services, remote medicine, and healthcare more accessible,” Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Arctic Senior Officials Nikolay Korchunov said.

He stressed that Russia’s Arctic zone needed high-quality communication infrastructure and high-speed internet, and the Northern Sea Route needed to be digitalized. “The task of providing the Arctic with reliable communications networks is not straightforward: the distances that must be covered are huge. Public-private partnerships and the principles of corporate responsibility are also a must,” Korchunov said.

According to Northern Sea Route Directorate of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Deputy Director Maxim Kulinko, the digitalization of the Northern Sea Route is a matter of state technological sovereignty. It is currently underway: RUB 3.8 billion from the budget and RUB 1.4 billion of extra-budgetary funds were secured in 2021. “We are working actively at present, funding has been secured and fully synchronised across all processes,” Kulinko said.

According to Space Communications General Director Alexey Volin, the only option for the vast majority of the Arctic is satellite communications, and satellite communications are famously expensive and bandwidth is limited in comparison to fibre-optic alternatives. Even so, it is capable of meeting the Arctic’s basic social and commercial needs, he concluded.

The conference was also attended by Andrey Kuropyatnikov, Chief Executive Officer, Morsviazsputnik, and Alexander Loginov, Vice President, Director of the Far Eastern Macroregional Branch, Rostelecom, who spoke about building telecommunications infrastructure; Anatoly Semenov, Minister of Innovations, Digital Development and Communication Technologies of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), who spoke about the success of the digitalization process in the region; and Sergey Sergushev, Deputy General Director for Logistics, Russian Post, who spoke about a project to introduce unmanned aerial cargo delivery to the Arctic region.

Digitalization is one of the most important priorities for development in Russia’s Arctic zone until 2035. Digital technology will provide jobs to residents of the Arctic and reduce the outflow of people from the region. In turn, telemedicine projects promise to modernize primary healthcare in the remote regions of the Arctic zone.

Priorities of the Russian Federation’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021-2023 include sustainable development of the Arctic and prosperity and progress for the people of the North, including indigenous peoples. In the context of support for the indigenous peoples of the Arctic, Russia intends to promote projects and initiatives for the digitalization of remote Arctic settlements and reindeer herding farms by improving the reliability and efficiency of satellite navigation systems in the Arctic. Furthermore, access to education in remote areas is vital to ensuring sustainable development and improving the quality and standard of life in the Arctic.
 

Reference information

Official social media accounts of Russia’s chairmanship in the Arctic Council:

VKontakte: vk.com/arctic_on

Twitter: twitter.com/ArcticON1

Telegram: t.me/arcticonofficial

Weibo: weibo.com/u/7728847725

WeChat ID: arcticonofficial

The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented non-financial development institution and a major organizer of nationwide and international conventions; exhibitions; and business, public, youth, sporting, and cultural events. It was established in pursuance of a decision by the President of the Russian Federation. 

The Foundation was established in 2007 with the aim of facilitating the development of Russia’s economic potential, promoting its national interests, and strengthening the country’s image. One of the roles of the Foundation is to comprehensively evaluate, analyse, and cover issues on the Russian and global economic agendas. It also offers administrative services, provides promotional support for business projects and attracting investment, helps foster social entrepreneurship and charitable initiatives. 

Each year, the Foundation’s events draw participants from 208 countries and territories, with more than 15,000 media representatives working on-site at Roscongress’ various venues. The Foundation benefits from analytical and professional expertise provided by 5,000 people working in Russia and abroad. 

The Foundation works alongside various UN departments and other international organizations, and is building multi-format cooperation with 166 economic partners, including industrialists’ and entrepreneurs’ unions, financial, trade, and business associations from 76 countries worldwide, and 154 Russian public organizations, federal and legislative agencies, and federal subjects. 

The Roscongress Foundation has Telegram channels in Russian - t.me/, English - t.me/, and Spanish - t.me/.

Official website and Information and Analytical System of the Roscongress Foundation: roscongress.org.

“We are honored to receive such favorable recognitions from ISG in categories we value highly at HARMAN DTS,” said David Owens, Senior Vice President, Digital Transformation Solutions at HARMAN. “These recognitions underscore our commitment to delivering Life-ware, a human-centric innovation approach that blends physical and digital solutions to ensure dynamic, meaningful solutions. We are proud to build better products for people by looking beyond the technology to focus on how a product will prioritize human needs and expectations to improve everyday experiences of the person who uses it.”
 

This new research study, which involves over 270 digital engineering technology and service providers, examines the rapidly evolving digital engineering services market, and how service providers embraced technologies like AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, IoT, 5G and other technologies to support their enterprise customers. 
 

“HARMAN DTS offers design expertise and experience in quality control of integrated software/hardware solutions,” said Ralf Steck, Lead Analyst, ISG Research. “With its internal design team, Huemen, HARMAN DTS offers UX/CX design expertise, especially in integrated solutions.”
 

HARMAN DTS received this recognition because of key differentiators including its intelligent, human-centric innovation process, its meticulous testing procedures, and its approach which blends hardware and software together seamlessly. 
 

More detail on HARMAN’s differentiators that earned this recognition are:

• Thinking Hardware and Software Together: HARMAN DTS has extensive experience in industrial and user experience design, development, engineering, testing and production ramp-up of integrated products. 

• Intelligent Innovations: Analysts acknowledged that HARMAN DTS has leveraged machine learning and AI for more than 10 years to design compelling user interfaces with natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision. 

• Testing as a Key to Quality: Importantly, ISG also recognized the extensive testing process from HARMAN DTS. In the area of human-machine interaction in particular, extensive testing is necessary to find logistical breaks and enable improvements.

• Design-Led Approach: Huemen, HARMAN DTS delivers significant UX/CX design expertise, especially in integrated solutions. Combined, these acknowledgements demonstrate the strength, innovation, and vision for HARMAN DTS.

In addition, HARMAN DTS was recognized for its integrated customer/user engagement and design and development. This honor is attributed to HARMAN DTS’s unique life-ware approach and ability to blend the physical and digital to make technology more dynamic in order to serve ever-changing human needs through intelligent automation and automated and manual quality assurance.

For more information on HARMAN DTS and Life-ware, please visit services.harman.com. 

About ISG

ISG (Information Services Group) (Nasdaq: III) is a leading global technology research and advisory firm. A trusted business partner to more than 700 clients, including 75 of the top 100 enterprises in the world, ISG is committed to helping corporations, public sector organizations, and service and technology providers achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm specializes in digital transformation services, including automation, cloud and data analytics; sourcing advisory; managed governance and risk services; network carrier services; technology strategy and operations design; change management; market intelligence and technology research and analysis. Founded in 2006, and based in Stamford, Conn., ISG employs more than 1,300 professionals operating in more than 20 countries - a global team known for its innovative thinking, market influence, deep industry and technology expertise, and world-class research and analytical capabilities based on the industry’s most comprehensive marketplace data.

For more information, please visit: www.isg-one.com. 

About HARMAN Digital Transformation Solutions (DTS)

HARMAN’s Digital Transformation Solutions (DTS) is a strategic business unit dedicated in blending the physical and digital to make technology more dynamic in order to serve the ever-changing human needs. Leveraging our unique Life-ware approach, our team of over 7,000 employees, spread across 12 countries in 45+ locations, with their expertise across hardware, software, and industry domains are transforming everyday experiences for our 200 clients globally. Compliant and certified with international standard/ management system EN 9100:2018 / AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2013, ISO 13485:2016 and appraised at CMMI-DEV 2.0 ML5, HARMAN DTS aims towards helping customers deliver a holistic experience to their customers - through the convergence of digital, cross channel user experience, cloud, mobility, insightful data, and internet-of-things backed by scalable underlying IT platforms. Healthcare, Communications, and Industrial being our key focus areas, we have made significant investments into this space. Leveraging our global delivery approach, IPs, platforms and people, we deploy next generation technology platforms across industries, offer cost savings and deliver innovative solutions to help our clients on their digital journey.

To know more, please visit services.harman.com.

About HARMAN

HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In March 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

© 2022 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson are trademarks of HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries. AKG is a trademark of AKG Acoustics GmbH, registered in the United States and/or other countries. Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.

Exicom Technologies LLP conferred with an award for 'Fastest Growing Indian Company Excellence Award' by the Indian Economic Development & Research Association (IERDA)

Exicom showcased its revolutionary mesh airborne communications capabilities at the Drone Festival of India 2022 held at Pragati Maidan. Exicom Technologies has focussed to understand and address the communication challenges faced by our Armed Forces and Security Services while operating as a networked force in remote areas and inhospitable terrains. The main challenges were logistics and cost of ab-initio setting up a communication infrastructure in underdeveloped areas, inadequacy of wireless bandwidth to support ISR and data applications achieving line of sight, commonality in network that supports wide range of applications/entities on ground or aerial bound.

The requirement was for an infrastructure-less, high-capacity, mesh network that rolls out as the entities move. Considering all aspects high-capacity MANET that is host-less, can roll out at ground speeds of around 80 Kmph and aerial sub-sonic speeds, has excellent LPI/LPD and NLOS was found to be a time-tested solution. Exicom is providing high-capacity, Multi-Channel, Mesh MANET to meet the Indian requirements. The versatility of the solution is that it was suitable for multiple applications like Mechanised Forces, Special Forces, Covert Operations CI/CT, UAVs, robotics, RPVs, EW applications, Infantry Field LAN, IP services in field, Video Conferencing, Attack Hepters Drone Swarms, Sniper operations live feed for go - no go commands, drones in covert role and more. 
 

Team Exicom at the Drone Festival of India, 2022

To enhance its ranges, considerable R&D has been carried out by Exicom and a novel light weight roller tube mast system with height to weight ration of under 2 Kg per meter height and payload capacity of 10 to 15 Kgs at wind speeds of 60 Kmph, has been developed. This capability is unmatched. R&D on circular polarized antenna, NLOS, COFDM and Multichannel with MIMO extends the ranges many folds. 

The system has a simple network algorithm that gives in routing features in otherwise a flat LAN Mesh. Features like Interference Avoidance System, AES 256 FIPS certified encryption ensures survivability and security in hostile environments. Yet it provides plug and play features to all authorised entities of the mesh.

OFF Grid High-capacity MANET is a unique communication system with BW of 80 Mbps, 120+ nodes and power output ranging from 100 mW to 20W and weight from 100g to 10 Kgs. Exicom Technologies (India) LLP has brought about a revolution in MANET under Make II category of MoD.

Upcoming features of Truecaller for Android users

Commenting on the upcoming developments, Rishit Jhunjhunwala, Chief Product Officer and Managing Director, Truecaller India, said, “The constant feedback we receive from our users has always helped us innovate and serve better. With a host of upcoming additions, we are promising exciting times ahead for our Android users globally. These features will not only offer an efficient and safe communication experience but will also give users more power and the ability to exercise greater control over their communication and important data.”

Passcode lock for Messages

Here’s a look at the upcoming features of Truecaller:

• Voice Call Launcher - Voice Call Launcher is an easy way to find all of your contacts who are available to talk on Truecaller Voice. With just one tap, you can connect with your loved ones and enjoy free, high definition, VoIP-based calling.

• Passcode lock for SMS - You asked and we delivered! If you want to ensure the privacy of your text messages, you will soon be able to use passcode lock to add an additional layer of security for this personal data. If your device supports biometric or fingerprint authentication, you will be able to use that too. There’s no better way to make sure that sensitive information is kept safe from prying eyes.

• Enhanced Call Logs - Considering that calls are the primary medium for businesses and the need for access to call logs from previous days, Truecaller has optimized the call logs that enables and supports upto 6400 entries as compared to 1000 entries in the last version    

• Improved Call Reason - Now, It's possible to add a Call reason during the Call itself. If your call is not accepted by Callee and still the phone is ringing, Truecaller lets you add an Instant Call Reason. Some of the predefined Call reasons are “Its’ important”, “Can we Talk?" Additionally, one can go type any customized call reason of their choice

• Face Filters for Video Caller ID - To make the calling experience more exciting and personalized, Truecaller has added built-in templates, aiming to create a more personalized and unique calling experience. The selfie and the VR powered filters will give another boost to be more creative and give the opportunity to elevate Video Caller ID with a range of those amazing face filters

Truecaller’s vision is to enable users to take charge of their conversations, engage with their peers with efficiency and make the most of the virtual world that is the internet. The new features in the app promise to be exciting additions for today's generation as they are not only functional tools but are also a timesaver and safe to use in a fast-paced world.

About Truecaller

We enable safe and relevant conversations between people and make it efficient for businesses to connect with consumers. Fraud and unwanted communication are endemic to digital economies, especially in emerging markets. We are on a mission to build trust in communication. Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 310 million active users, with half a billion downloads since launch and close to 38 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2021. Headquartered in Stockholm, since 2009, we are a Co-founder-led, entrepreneurial company, with a highly experienced management team. Truecaller has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since 8 October 2021.

For more information, please visit corporate.truecaller.com.

Truecaller is pleased to announce an exclusive partnership with Tanla at MWC’22, Barcelona. Truecaller Business Messaging will be exclusively powered by Tanla’s Wisely CPaaS platform. Wisely is one of the world’s largest blockchain-enabled CPaaS platforms, secured by e2e cryptographic encryption.

Truecaller, as the leading global platform for verifying contacts and blocking unwanted communication, brings with it a wide array of advanced messaging capabilities and a strong base of 300 Million monthly active users. The partnership between these two best-in-class technology innovators will provide distinctive digital experiences for customers via a secure, reliable and user-friendly platform.

The aim is to help businesses reach out to their customers with relevant messages that include rich media and engaging content. Business messages can include images, video, location pins and even documents while at the same time offering benefits for businesses like lower costs, faster deliveries and better analytics unlike traditional SMS services. 

Commenting on the partnership, Nami Zarringhalam, Co-founder of Truecaller, said, “Our partnership with Tanla is a step ahead to offer a simple and effective communication platform for businesses. Tanla and Truecaller will bring in critically-important capabilities and is a partnership of two leading companies bringing their innovation platforms together to help enterprises connect with their customers with content that matters. It overcomes the drawbacks of traditional communication solutions and has the potential to transform the digital engagement landscape. We are committed to deepen this partnership as we expand ahead and hoping to serve our users better.”

The rich user interface will offer both one and two-way communication capabilities with a diverse set of functionalities including phone numbers, hyperlinks and delivery & read receipts. Advanced media features like images, video, location, and document sharing functionalities have been incorporated to make it a best-in-class user experience and will no doubt also result in increased conversion and higher RoI for brands. In addition, the solution is a plug-and-play cloud model which ensures easy scalability.

“The Wisely - Truecaller business partnership is another step in our pursuit to provide best-in-class solutions to our enterprise customers. Together with Truecaller, we are enabling enterprises to create more relevant, secure and rich digital experiences with a personal touch. We are thrilled to partner with Truecaller and are confident of achieving impact at scale,” said Uday Reddy, Chairman & CEO of Tanla Platforms Limited.

Wisely - Truecaller is witnessing excellent momentum having already onboarded marquee customers such as leading private banks, DTH providers, retail stores etc. for their early access program and who have expressed their enthusiasm on partnering on this journey. The solution is relevant across all customer facing industries such as banking, e-commerce, travel, retail and other digital services.

Tanla and Truecaller are confident that this partnership marks the beginning of a newS era of digital engagement which will bring brands and users closer.

About Truecaller
Truecaller enables safe and relevant conversations between people to make it efficient for businesses to connect with consumers. Fraud and unwanted communication are endemic to digital economies, especially in emerging markets. Truecaller is on a mission to build trust in communication. Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 300 million active users, with half a billion downloads since launch and close to 38 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2021. Headquartered in Stockholm, since 2009, it is a Co-founder-led, entrepreneurial company, with a highly experienced management team. Truecaller has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since 8 October 2021.

For more information, please visit corporate.truecaller.com.

About Tanla
Tanla transforms the way the world collaborates and communicates through innovative CPaaS solutions. Founded in 1999, it was the first company to develop and deploy A2P SMSC in India. Today, as one of the world’s largest CPaaS players, it processes more than 800 billion interactions annually and about 63% of India’s A2P SMS traffic is processed through Trubloq, making it the world’s largest Blockchain use case. Wisely, our patented enterprise grade platform offers private, secure, and trusted experiences for enterprises and mobile carriers. Tanla Platforms Limited is headquartered in Hyderabad. Tanla is listed on two national exchanges, the NSE and BSE, (NSE: TANLA; BSE:532790) and included in prestigious indices such as the Nifty 500 and BSE 500, Nifty Digital Index, FTSE Russell and MSCI.

Truecaller to acquire Israeli app CallHero

You can also read more about CallHero and the technology behind it on our blog

“CallHero gives the user intelligent support in handling incoming calls with the help of an AI-based assistant who answers the call. The conversation between the caller and the assistant is visible in text-based format, live in the app. This service will help our users prioritize what is relevant and important without having to talk. The technology that CallHero is going to strengthen our offering. The service will start in the US first since that’s where CallHero operated but our ambition is of course to roll out the service in all our markets, including India. CallHero today has a well-developed advanced functionality for iPhone users, which is important in the western world, but also a valuable complement to our work to make Truecaller more efficient and user-friendly for both iPhone and Android users worldwide," said Alan Mamedi, CEO and Co-founder of Truecaller.

CallHero Joins Truecaller

Watch a short video about CallHero here

The agreed purchase price amounts to USD 4.5 million, of which USD 2.6 million will be paid in cash upon completion of the acquisition and USD 1.9 million through newly issued shares in Truecaller. The purpose of the issue of new shares is to strengthen the long-term commitment to Truecaller for certain key persons at CallHero. In addition, a potential additional purchase price of a maximum of USD 2 million will be paid, provided that certain goals are achieved for a period of up to four years after the transaction is completed. Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2022. The acquisition will be financed through existing cash and newly issued shares in Truecaller AB. The acquisition is primarily a technology and competence acquisition and is not considered to have a material impact on the results in 2022.
 

For more information, please contact: press@truecaller.com.

About Truecaller

We enable safe and relevant conversations between people and make it efficient for businesses to connect with consumers. Fraud and unwanted communication are endemic to digital economies, especially in emerging markets. We are on a mission to build trust in communication. Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 300 million active users, with half a billion downloads since launch and close to 38 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2021. Headquartered in Stockholm, since 2009, we are a Co-founder-led, entrepreneurial company, with a highly experienced management team. Truecaller has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since 8 October 2021.

For more information, please visit corporate.truecaller.com.

HFCL in its wholly-owned subsidiary in the Netherlands has onboarded Mr. Andrew Westerman as the Vice President of International Sales, Communication Products to lead the sales and business development for the communication products in global markets.

HFCL has also onboarded Mr. Rajesh Jain as the Executive President of the EPC Projects Business.

To strengthen its R&D capability HFCL has onboarded Mr. Santanu Bhattacharyya as the Vice President and Head of FPGA Engineering.

Mr. Andrew Westerman, Vice President of International Sales, Communication Products

Mr. Andrew Westerman, joins HFCL as the Vice President - International Sales, Communication Products. Andrew has more than three decades of experience in pre-sales, business development, transmission and networking. Prior to joining HFCL, Andrew was the Head of Sales, EMEA Region, Mimosa by Airspan where he was responsible for managing and growing direct sales through service providers along with indirect sales. Having held several leadership positions in renowned organizations like Ceragon Networks, Ericsson and ICO Global Communications, Andrew will focus on sales and business development for HFCL’s entire range of Communication Products in the international market. His appointment will further strengthen the global leadership team of HFCL.

The Company had also recently onboarded Dr. Peter A Weimann as the CTO of Optical Fiber Cable business and Mr. Jochen Arms as the Vice-President - Sales for the European DACH Region for Optical Fiber Cables.

Mr. Rajesh Jain, Executive President, EPC Projects Business

Mr. Rajesh Jain, has joined as the Executive President – Telecom EPC Projects Business. His appointment will help HFCL grow its EPC projects business in both the national and international markets. An MBA, Rajesh has over 26 years of experience in varied business sectors, such as Telecom & Power, EPC and O&M Projects. He has held senior business and cross functional leadership positions in his career and built strong relationships with key stakeholders in Government, PSUs and corporate sector. Prior to joining HFCL, Rajesh was associated with A2Z Infra Engineering Limited, as CEO & Whole Time Director and has previously worked with Teracom Limited, Surana Telecom, MPI Group and Vindhya Telelinks Limited.

 Mr. Santanu Bhattacharyya, Vice President and Head of FPGA Engineering

Mr. Santanu Bhattacharyya has joined as the Vice President - Head of FPGA Engineering. His appointment will help HFCL address the tremendous opportunities in the 5G space and to build HFCL’s products for the global telecom markets. An industry expert in R&D with over three decades of experience, Santanu is an M.Tech. in Communications Engineering from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Initially having worked as a research engineer with CDOT, he has worked with organizations like Transwitch, Solarflare, and most recently with Xilinx, where his role was of the Design Engineering Director. His primary responsibility was leading the Smart NIC development in Xilinx working in collaboration with the global teams at Xilinx.

Mr. Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director, HFCL

Commenting on strengthening the leadership team, Mr. Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director, HFCL said, “Having made a mark on the Indian telecom sector, HFCL aims to expand its leadership into new geographies, new markets, and new products. The 5G and EPC sector offer plethora of possibilities and opportunities for an organization like ours, and we aim to make the most of it. I’m delighted to welcome onboard the three industry veterans, who will bring us further closer towards our goal to attain a manifold growth in our international business, and lead to HFCL become a partner of choice for marquee clients in India and abroad.

I welcome Mr. Andrew Westerman who would be instrumental in scaling up the Communication Products business internationally. I also take this opportunity to welcome Mr. Rajesh Jain and Mr. Santanu Bhattacharya in their new roles. I am confident that together we will capitalise on the upcoming growth opportunity in this decade of digital transformation that we are seeing across industry verticals.”

About HFCL

HFCL Limited is a leading technology enterprise engaged in manufacturing of high-end Transmission and Access Equipment, Optical Fiber, Optical Fiber Cables (OFC) and is specialized in setting up modern communication network for Telecom Service Providers, Railways and Defence.

The Company has state-of-the-art Optical Fiber and Optical Fiber Cable manufacturing plants at Hyderabad, Optical Fiber Cable manufacturing plant in Goa and in its subsidiary i.e. HTL Limited at Chennai along with FRP and ARP Rod manufacturing plant in its subsidiary at Hosur.

The Company’s in-house Centre for Excellence in Research located at Gurgaon & Bengaluru along with invested R&D Houses and other collaborators at different locations in India and abroad, innovate futuristic range of technology products and solutions. Some of the newly developed products through R&D are Wi-Fi Systems, Unlicensed Band Radios, Switches, Electronic Fuses, Electro optic devices, and Video Management Systems. There is a suite of products under development, which include Software Defined Radios, Routers, PON, 5G Transport and Radio products, Wi-Fi 6 access points, Point-to-multipoint Radios and Ground Surveillance Radars among others.

Visit www.hfcl.com for more information.

Vikram Sinha

PT Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison Tbk offers data communication, broadband, messaging, voice calling, roaming, and networking services. Serving consumers and businesses across Indonesia, the company aims to deliver the leading data experience through a broad range of content and services via its advanced, data-centric mobile and fixed networks.

Sources close to Vikram Sinha quipped, “For long now, Indians have been playing a focal role in the success of technology powerhouses globally. Vikram leading the operations at PT Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison Tbk, is a huge testament to that trajectory and pride of India. This is an exciting period for the telecommunications sector, which is undergoing significant changes, and Vikram’s experience will surely contribute to making the company achieve a good turnover in the years to come.”

Previously, In the Ooredoo Group, Vikram was placed in several countries. In his position as Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo in 2017, Vikram was posted in the Maldives. Then moved to Myanmar in 2018 still in the same position. After serving in the market, Vikram had to carry out his duties and was transferred to Indonesia as Director & Chief Operating Officer of Indosat Ooredoo in 2019. 

About Indosat Ooredoo
Indosat Ooredoo (IDX: ISAT), a member of Ooredoo Group, is building Indonesia’s leading digital telco, enabling access and greater connectivity for everybody and every business. Indosat Ooredoo aspires to enrich the lives of Indonesians in the digital world. The Company reported 60 million mobile customers as of 1Q 2021 and operates 66,313 4G BTS covers nearly 90% of the population.

About CK Hutchison

Listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (CK Hutchison) is a multinational conglomerate committed to innovation and technology with businesses spanning the globe. With operations in about 50 countries and 300,000 employees worldwide, CK Hutchison has four core businesses - ports and related services, retail, infrastructure and telecommunications.

CK Hutchison reported turnover of approximately HKD404 billion (US$52 billion) for the year ended 31 December 2020.

For more information, please visit www.ckh.com.hk.

FASTagPro is helping vehicles to zip through toll plazas with their 2 minute FASTag recharge process

FASTag, is an electronic toll collection system jointly managed by the NHAI & the NPCI. FASTag works on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology & is a credit-card sized sticker, pasted on the windscreen of the vehicle so that the sensors can read it for toll payments, and you can cross the toll plazas without stopping. Toll is automatically deducted from the FASTag account & you receive an SMS alert for each transaction.

Vinay Modi

But when it comes to recharging the FASTag, customer experience has not been very good. Lack of knowledge on how to recharge the FASTag, is one of the biggest hindrances. Payment of double tolls, FASTag blacklisting, unnecessary loss of time, etc. are common issues faced by users with low FASTag balance. In addition to this, fraudsters exploiting users in such situations add to the problems. Although there are several providers who provide FASTag recharge services, many of them do not facilitate recharging all FASTags. Most of them require users to login and provide either the TAG Id or the Wallet Id - which becomes hard to remember when one is on the move. Sometimes non-responsive online payments can create a great disturbance in an emergency.

SevenM Technologies Private Limited, an EdTech/FinTech startup from Kolkata, has launched FASTagPro, which is an easy access FASTag recharging portal and a one stop solution to any bank FASTag recharge. FASTagPro helps you to recharge any FASTag without logging in. It helps you recharge your FASTag in just under two minutes. You can add balance to you FASTag even if you are a few kilometers away from a Toll Plaza with FASTagPro. There is no need for a minimum balance in your wallet to use FASTagPro. FASTagPro enables you to make the process faster. It supports all methods of payment systems. It also eliminates the hustle of remembering the details of your FASTag account. You just need to provide your Vehicle Number and your mobile number and FASTagPro will do the rest. FASTagPro does not store your OTPs, Bank accounts or card details. It does not call to ask for any such details either. This makes FASTagPro experience very user-friendly & safe. FASTagPro has already garnered the attention of over 6 lakh FASTag users. So, enjoy the journey on the go with FASTagPro.

For more information contact Email: info@sevenm.in

About SevenM Technologies Private Limited

We are an EdTech/FinTech startup from Kolkata, India & have grown good since our inception. We are a team of young people, committed to building customer-centric and affordable products. Our offerings include solutions for sectors like Education, Hospitality & Finance respectively. The company also provides solutions for other verticals such as Manufacturing, Retail, Distribution, and Health care. We operate majorly in the domestic market along with customers from abroad, including Africa, Singapore, and UAE.

We are an ISO 9001:2015 certified, Govt. of India (DPIIT) recognized startup and have over 12 years of experience in making useful applications, we have a customer base of various team sizes, locations and needs.

Our goal is simple; to create excellent products that make your business shine and our egos soar. We're small enough to take real pride in every job we do, yet agile enough to take on projects of all sizes. ‘Bring it’, as they say in those terrible films.

You can contact SevenM Technologies Private Limited at:

• Call: +91 33 4001 0000

• Email: info@admitek.com | info@fastagpro.com

• Website: admitek.com | fastagpro.com

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/sevenm-technologies-private-limited.

Desh ka Truecaller

Truecaller is now actively protecting more than 20 crore Indians from spam, scams, frauds, and harassment. It is this trust that has led the brand to launch the “Desh ka Truecaller” campaign. India is the company’s home market and this campaign aims to strengthen the brand’s connection with its Indian users and reinforce the company's commitment to make India spam free. The campaign launch is also accompanied by the launch of India-specific handles for Twitter and Instagram.

Desh ka Truecaller

The campaign is crafted around the thought that most relationships in India are based on trust. No matter how independent and learned we become, we still look for opinions of our friends, families, and confidants before deciding on something. It is a part of our DNA to put trust in something only after thorough scrutinization. Whether it’s looking to the third umpire for a verdict, to your parents for their nod of approval on choosing the right life partner - the word of someone you trust helps you know you’ve made the right decision in defining moments in life.

Truecaller provides its valuable and efficient services to over 200 million people in India creating a safe communication environment.

Desh Ka Truecaller - 20 crore bhartiyon ka bharosa

YouTube Link - youtu.be/IZoMCtePmA4

Commenting on the launch, Manan Shah, Director of Marketing, Truecaller India said, “India is our home market and our community has always been like our North Star, guiding us and helping us grow rapidly by spreading a positive word of mouth for us. It gives us great pride that more than 20 crore Indians trust us, which is nearly half of the number of cell phone users in India. The message of this campaign is that of trust and to reassure people using Truecaller that we will continue to keep their communications safe and efficient.”

The film has been curated by Mind Fluid, an agency partner of Truecaller. The idea came out of the long association that the brand has had with India and its people. Through a duo of films and a host of digital and outdoor creatives, the campaign follows the stories of people across generations and endearing everyday real-life instances, and how Truecaller’s solutions helps them ‘take the right call’

Commenting on the new campaign, Harita Rao, Creative Director at Mind Fluid said, “There are many Indias in India - full of stories, full of insights. And Truecaller as a brand has been built around these stories and insights. And that is what Desh ka Truecaller is all about – little anecdotes from life. Our hearts swell with warmth and there was a constant smile on our faces while creating Desh ka Truecaller.”

Handles

Twitter: @truecaller_in

Instagram: @truecaller.india

About Truecaller

We enable safe and relevant conversations between people and make it efficient for businesses to connect with their consumers. Fraud and unwanted communication are endemic to digital economies, especially in emerging markets. We are on a mission to build trust in communication. Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for close to 280 million active users, with half a billion downloads since launch and 30 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked. Headquartered in Stockholm, since 2009, we are a Co-founder-led, entrepreneurial company, with a highly experienced management team.

Mr. Krishnan Nagarajan, CEO, Unified Voice, bags ‘India 500 Most Promising IT Company Award 2021’ for Quality Excellence from Benchmark Trust

Unified Voice is recognised for its outstanding contribution in quality and excellence in customer satisfaction. The criteria taken into account to adjudge Unified Voice as the winner included: continuous quality improvements and process strategies and methodologies followed in delivering services and responding to customer queries. 

The company provides innovative voice and advanced real time communication services over the public and private IP networks mainly to IT and ITeS companies who need reliable, secure and cost effective communication solutions to serve their international customers. Currently, Unified Voice has over 3500 enterprise customers for its flagship offering: managed Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. 

The company has recently launched a mobile app, a ‘softphone’ application for enterprise customers, available at Playstore as Unifiedvoice, and at Apple Appstore as ‘Unifiedvoice Softphone’. Customers can use the app also for video, SMS service, email and efax. The apps have over 1,000 customers. At present, Unified Voice is the only licensed internet service provider and internet telephony services provider to come up with a mobile-app for VoIP services from India. 

Benchmark Trust strives to create a platform for best performing MSMEs and give them due recognition (India 5000 and India 500 series of awards) for their hard work. The award categories include IT companies, best CEOs, start-ups, best brands, women achievers, quality excellence, and Intellectual Property leadership.

Commenting about Unified Voice winning an India 500 award, Mr. H. Vekaria, Director General, Benchmark Trust, said, “We are excited to award Unified Voice for its excellence in customer services. In a market that is dominated by unorganized and unlicensed players, Unified Voice is the lone entity to provide end-to-end solutions in VoIP based on the license it has to operate in over 11 Indian cities. Its customer relationship is exceptional with the data showing instant response from its 60+ qualified technical and customer relations team. We wish Unified Voice all the best with its future endeavours.”
 

On getting the award from India 5000 organisation, Mr. Krishnan Nagarajan, CEO, Unified Voice, said, “It is a great honour to get a recognition from India 5000, especially in the area of customer relations, something which is close to our heart and which is what motivates the whole team. We thank the organisers for bestowing us with this coveted accolade. At this special moment, we rededicate our commitment to assure innovative voice and advanced real time communication services over the public and private IP Network to our customers at highly competitive rates.” 

Unified Voice provides voice and data communication solutions involving strategic international hubs and destinations worldwide using our own extensive switching and network infrastructure to route traffic in the most efficient and cost-effective ways possible. Unified Voice is operating in 11 cities in India. It has offices in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Pune. It is in the process of opening offices in Hyderabad and Noida. By the end of 2022, the company is expected to have 100+ employees.

For more details, please visit: www.unifiedvoice.in.

One smartphone maker that won’t take up the Sonde technology anytime soon: Apple, which develops its own chips. But Liu points out how the tech giant is removing some of the roadblocks that have long hampered advanced voice-based technologies. At the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, Apple announced that its voice-activated assistant Siri will process speech entirely on devices, allowing many requests to be completed without access to the internet, cutting out the cloud connection currently needed for even basic Siri queries.

On-device processing could speed up the analysis of voice recordings and helps ensure the privacy of the captured data, which has long been a concern around voice-controlled features. Removing friction from the experience, Liu argued, could open the door for wider adoption of the vocal technologies like the biomarker system Sonde has been developing and illustrates the potential value of building its tech natively into smartphones.

“What it means is that throughout the day, as you speak into the phone for Siri or for whatever you use your voice, your smartphone turns into a fitness tracker via voice,” said Liu. “You’re basically able to use your smartphone as if it were your Apple Watch, as if it were your Fitbit wristband, as if it was your Oura ring. But you don’t need those devices. That is to me, the biggest game changer that [on-device] processing allows.”

Beyond its ambitions to sell to phone manufacturers, Sonde will soon detail a consumer app that allows users to track the progression of their mental fitness. Sonde has also created tools so that third-party mental health apps can easily incorporate its biomarkers to track how well treatments are working. The company has explored using its biomarkers to help pharmaceutical companies develop drugs. It says it has16 partners using its technology.

As it aims to stand out, Sonde’s integration with Qualcomm chips provides a high-profile partner that could boost its reach. Qualcomm will soon begin marketing the tech to manufacturers who are anxious to stay ahead of Apple, which, given its focus on health and voice, may also have a similar feature in the offing.

While these organizations extensively contribute towards both employment generation and global GDP; they also drive change through their products and offerings. While almost every MSME has been significantly contributing towards this, ‘Tech MSMEs’ that provide products and services through the use of Information and communication technologies (ICTs) do it even more actively. The rise of new technologies has created momentum for tech MSMEs, which have become important actors at the local, national, and global level.

It is a notable fact is that there has been a significant increase in the number of MSMEs and startups and the trend has gained massive momentum during the pandemic. A number of factors including employment crunch, delayed salaries and most importantly government initiatives like ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ gave these startups the requisite push. While in urban areas, this is can be attributed to the availability, and accessibility of technology, the internet, and increased use of social media; in rural areas, it is still a budding concept but has been enormously picking up pace ever since COVID-19 entered our lives.

Due to the adoption of ‘Digital India’ initiatives, digitization is foraying into the rural areas as well and this has facilitated the rise of small and mid-size businesses in rural cities of India too. Technological advancements and the myriad of communication tools has allowed to aid in this trend. A profound division of SMS Country, Telebu is India’s first UCaaS company. The firm offers software solutions as a service to businesses through a bouquet of products on a subscription model with no strings attached. Being a hub of seven major enterprise communication products including Grptalk, TelebuJoin, TelebuPing, TelebuHub, TelebuPop, TelebuBlocks and SMS; Telebu’s key objective is to offer easy to use and reliable communication solutions to Startups, SME’s, Enterprise & Government Organizations and thereby enhance their functioning.

Pioneer in the UCaaS and telecommunications industry, Telebu has listed the key observations and insights about how telecommunications has proved to be a game changer for startups and MSMEs in the country. The recently published report reiterates the trends and changes that ruled small and medium enterprise segment and how communication tools revamped the scenario. The findings of the report are based on the observations recorded by Telebu over the span of one year.

Highlights of the report are as follows:

• Technology has been at the forefront of success for many MSME’s and startups ever since the onset of the global pandemic 

• Real-time unified communication technologies and audio conferencing technologies have enabled remote work 

• Call centre suites and conversational technologies are enabling MSME’s and startups to create a more personalized customer experience. Call centre suites and video conferencing technologies are also transforming the educational and healthcare industry 

• Cloud computing has given MSMEs the ability to run their business everywhere, and serve any market

• MSMEs are capitalizing on data analytics to examine existing customer insights and adjust offering accordingly

Remote working is a trend that has received massive acceptance ever since the pandemic hit us. While the trend was a common sight in metropolitan cities, owing to the pandemic, it also made its way into the non-metro cities. Though the country has been demonstrating impressive functioning of WFH culture till now, certain challenges including lack of proper technological infrastructure at homes, poor internet connectivity and limited communication tools that were a cause of concern initially cannot be ignored. As the report suggests, innovative technologies deployed by various telecommunications company came to the rescue. They led to a digital transformation by enabling smooth remote working with their technologies. Amidst this, a consistent rise in the number of MSMEs and startups opting for idiosyncratic technologies to support smooth remote working has been observed in the last one year. In the past year, telecom companies have seen an influx of inquiries from several MSME and startups from a variety of industries including Real Estate, Supply Chain & Logistics, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Education, FMCG, Retail, Health Care, BFSI, IT/ITes, Energy, Mining & Metals, Aviation, Biotech etc. 

Another observation made in the past year was personalized customer experience. Telecommunications firms and tools are laying a path for MSMEs and Startups to enhance customer experience with the help of technology. Digital technologies are allowing companies to enhance the way they interact with customers at every stage of the customer journey. They are positively increasing buyer’s engagement and perception of the brand with the help of various conversation marketing tools available in the market.

In this pandemic time, where social distancing is the new normal and business travels are suffering a setback, conversation marketing tools and complete call centre suites are enabling global customer support. Some of the ways it is being used are:

1. 24X7 communication support

2. Multiple language support

3. Data collection: These technologies are helping companies maintain data records that can be utilized in the future for analyzing consumer intent and preferences

There are single-window software products available in the market that are loaded with all the tools and applications one need’s to manage an inbound, outbound or blended call centre on the cloud or onsite is helping the company manage queries and build better relationships.

Furthermore, Cloud computing has given MSMEs the ability to run their business everywhere, and serve any market. Because cloud applications are now available on a pay-as-you-go or pay-as-you-grow basis, startups and MSMEs have had the opportunity to grow. On top of it, cloud computing has also given them the ability to function and hire remotely.

Data analytics is another prominent tool deployed by the telecom players to help the startups and MSMEs. MSMEs are capitalizing on data analytics to examine existing customer insights and adjust offering accordingly. Additionally, ever since the modern cloud has become affordable, business intelligence solutions are being used by several MSME and startups for the betterment of their offerings. Infact, the telecom players have seen several companies requesting them for usage data insights to enhance their internal and external communication.

Not just this, data analytics is also being used to improve customer experience. Many companies are using in-depth real-time knowledge to understand buying behaviour and enhance services being provided.

Summing up the year gone by and the industrial changes being introduced, Mr. Satya Yeramsetti, Founder & CEO, Telebu, said, “The past year has been a year full of unexpected happenings, eventually giving rise to a number of new innovations. The patterns that were predominant in the past have continued defining the previous year too. Voice Recognition on a Video Call, Improved Privacy & Security settings, Virtual Events & Conferences with Augmented Reality, Improved Collaboration Capabilities and Integrations to Applications/ App/Bots/ Social Streaming Platforms are few of the trends that are providing the required impetus for the startup and MSME industry.”

The Virgin Mobile’s Saudi firm FRiENDi Package which is for the expat population of KSA, is all set to launch a fin-tech product called ‘FRiENDi PAY’ for its subscribers to remit money to their home. It is said to be the first fintech product to be launched by the telecom company.
 

Vowels & FRiENDi PAY
 

There are thousands of expats from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other countries that remit money every year from Saudi Arabia. Interestingly, the majority of them are from India. FRiENDi PAY has joined its hands with The Saudi Investment Bank (SAIB) that will enable subscribers to send money via its application.
 

Sharing about FRiENDi PAY, Business Development Head, Middle East and Asia, Suchika Bagrodia said, “We are privileged to have them onboard. Together, we wish to achieve greater heights and make the launch a success in the KSA region."
 

Bagrodia further said, “We are catering with branding, ideation and designing for the client. We were hired in April to work on the launch campaign of FRiENDi PAY. Also, we worked on devising a communication campaign for the launch of this application. After finalising the launch creatives, we have been hired for the complete launch creative work on a monthly retainer basis. We are currently working on various ad formats in various languages.”
 

Having served more than 200 clients in the last year 6 years across India, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and other Middle East regions, Vowels was awarded as the most promising advertising agency by Silicon India in 2019. The company is headed by Geet Bagrodia, who is the Chief Brand Strategist having a varied experience of more than a decade in the creative industry.
 

Vowels offers branding solutions to companies going through a change like expansion, merger, inception, and other deep-rooted business problems and goals. The firm believes brands are driven by purpose and it carefully creates them customer centric.
 

“After profiling the desired customers, we give brands their vision, mission, and values while thoroughly creating the brand personality and attributes, finally giving shape to verbal expressions like the brand story, voice, and tone, etc and design the visual identity like logo, packaging, and online platforms,” said Suchika.

Mavenir’s collaboration with AWS allows Communications Service Providers (CSPs) to deploy Mavenir’s market leading 4G and 5G products and applications with AWS’s computing infrastructure, state of the art container deployment and management technologies, and big data analytics services. The solution is designed to scale and leverages the same tools and technologies offered by AWS to enterprise applications today. These tools are the backbone for visibility and automation for any AWS-based offering and generally referred to as Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). This translates to offloading some of the telco application business to cloud functions, reducing complexity and putting service providers at par with organizations enjoying cost savings from cloud migrations without losing insight, performance, and control on their networks.

Another key element from this collaboration is the enablement of Private Networks and Edge deployments on AWS, powered by Mavenir’s Digital Enablement platform. With a digital app store for enterprise and various industry 4.0 applications such as IVA, AR/VR, IIoT and Robotics control, Mavenir’s Edge AI application suite is empowering an ecosystem of developers, service providers, partners, and enterprises to create and deploy applications in AWS to power digitalization and industry 4.0 with 5G.

This collaboration also lowers the network deployment time and cost for MNOs and enterprises equally fulfilling use cases of either adding 5G and edge capabilities to an existing network or a greenfield 4G/5G network launch leveraging public clouds.

“The collaboration with Mavenir and AWS allows us to build out our 5G network and messaging platforms in a true cloud-native manner, harnessing the speed and agility that the AWS cloud brings along with Mavenir’s expertise in deploying and operating cloud-native network functions,” said Sidd Chenumolu, Vice President of Technology Development, DISH.

“Together, we will enable our customers to take full advantage of the potential of 5G, reimagining wireless connectivity and giving our customers the ability to customize their network experience.”

“Working with AWS enables us to bring new customer-focused 5G use cases and 5G deployments to the market faster and with unique capabilities to realize true 5G potential,” said Bejoy Pankajakshan, Mavenir’s Chief Strategy Officer. “Mavenir’s solutions are designed to support full public cloud as well as hybrid cloud deployments.”

“We’re delighted to collaborate with Mavenir to offer voice and messaging solutions for core network and RAN customers along with AI/ML solutions for orchestration and observability,” said Amir Rao, General Manager Telco Solution Portfolio and Tech Alliances, AWS. “Together, we are providing true cloud native benefits to CSP customers, combining Mavenir’s expertise in the NFV market with the global scale of the AWS infrastructure to meet industry challenges of agility, scaling, slicing, and resiliency.”

Mavenir’s 4G and 5G deployments on AWS provides unique capabilities, including:

1. Integration of Mavenir’s cloud-native Open RAN (vDU, vCU-CP, vCU-UP), Converged 4G/5G Packet Core, IMS, and Messaging with Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (Amazon EKS) anywhere supporting AWS Outposts.

2. Use of AWS platform services and tools to deploy and manage cloud native network functions.

3. Options for existing deployments to migrate Mavenir’s IMS core, voice, and messaging solutions to Amazon EKS and Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) infrastructure.

4. Mavenir’s Orchestration and Network Slicing solutions to manage hybrid cloud workloads running on AWS.

5. Adoption of AWS for centrally managed telco workloads on far-edge, network edge and core simultaneously.

6. Deployment of Mavenir’s standards compliant observability framework, RIC, NWDAF, AIOps and Analytics platform in AWS to collect the data from various AWS nodes in a centrally managed data lake and process the data using AI/ML for network wide insights and optimization.

7. Integration of Mavenir’s telecom adaptation layer (Telco PaaS) as a common open source-based platform adaptation layer designed for telco specific workloads to support various carrier grade requirements on top of Amazon EKS and AWS PaaS functions.

About Mavenir

Mavenir is building the future of networks and pioneering advanced technology, focusing on the vision of a single, software-based automated network that runs on any cloud. As the industry's only end-to-end, cloud-native network software provider, Mavenir is focused on transforming the way the world connects, accelerating software network transformation for 250+ Communications Service Providers in over 120 countries, which serve more than 50% of the world’s subscribers.

For more information, please visit www.mavenir.com.

Optiemus Infracom Limited already holds 80.09% of the total equity share capital of Optiemus Electronics Limited. Earlier on December 18^th, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company considered and approved the decision to strengthen ownership and control. After the acquisition (19.91%), OEL has become Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Optiemus Infracom Limited.

Also, after acquiring remaining shares, the Joint Venture Agreement, entered into by the Company with Wistron Corporation has also been ceased to be effective.

On completion of the acquisition, Mr. Ashok Kumar Gupta, Chairman, Optiemus Infracom said, “This acquisition is aimed to drive value creation for all the stakeholders by strengthening the ownership and work towards enhancing the brand image of Optiemus. It will also help us in foraying into new business verticals besides building up the existing business verticals. This will result in to mitigation of associated business risk and achievement of greater financial flexibility and earnings.”

About Optiemus Electronics Limited

Optiemus Electronics Limited (‘OEL') is engaged into the business of manufacturing of telecom products in India. It provides a complete end-to-end solution to global and Indian brands encompassing world class manufacturing infrastructure, distribution, retail and after sales. The current manufacturing facility of Optiemus Electronics is located in Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh. With sizeable investments lined up, OEL aimed to further enhance its manufacturing and design capabilities. OEL has managed to win the trust of many local as well as global brands, due to its commitment towards Quality, Timely Delivery, Flexibility as well as Customer Satisfaction.

As customers spend increasingly more time on their mobile apps, curating an effortless mobile experience that seamlessly blends into the overall channel mix has become critical to winning a greater share in the market. Whether we look at the B2B ecosystem or B2C, service-intensive industries have managed to accessorize their principal and latent services alike through their mobile apps. However, what remains to be done, is making these services accessible to the customer - accessible in the same manner as the fingerprint scanners that have managed to eliminate the need to key-in passwords and pins to unlock our mobiles.

Avijit Biswas, Co-founder and CEO, Bayestree

While companies are rushing to create and onload their services onto their mobile apps, the customer is often left at crossroads without signboards - hunting through menus hidden within menus. In the process of discovering a service, how many times are we left decoding the basis of categorization that is at play in this design - that fails to obliterate doubts in discerning customers’ minds.

Maybe the sales and revenue analytics took the statistics too far, and masked usability under the umbrella of an add-on service.

How many times have we walked the support menu top to bottom and then back to top again – searching for the elusive reason that got us there in the first place. Did someone check the drivers behind the cases created on the CRM? Or is the analysis too focused on the top 10 and the rest are caught in the proverbial pareto trap.

Remember the first time you reached out to the app of a service provider when you needed something different? If you have forgotten it may be worth observing a first time swimming through the category-decoding game that nearly every app plays thru this menu. Why can’t I just write in free text that I need last month’s account statement or I would like to add my daughter as a beneficiary under IMPS?

Dismal app experience has led new gen users hunting for neobanks that sell a seamless digital experience in many countries and we may not be very far behind. However, banking isn’t in the spotlight alone – there are close contenders from the telecom industry too, where the appification of services has caused users to spend significant time in figuring out service request options hidden inside complicated multi-menus that earlier took a mere phone call to the service desk. The online retail experience deserves a mention too. Surely there could be more intelligent responses than ‘Couldn’t find what you were looking for’. Netflix never accepts that they do not have what we are looking for and instead recommends what Netflix believes are ‘similar’ ones.

Just think about how many times we managed to spot the page that we wanted to access through a sitemap? Moreover, an app-map seems to beat the concept of appifying altogether. Clearly, the sitemap-inspired app-map is a poor cousin to the physical maps in the shopping malls. But the pressing question remains - how can the customer find their way out without losing patience - or worse, their mind - in the process of finding the password change option for the router at their home, their usage report, or the menu that allowed them to alter some account setting on your app?

Perhaps the menus aren’t as big a problem as the category-decoding that forms the precursor to successfully finding that damned option on the mobile app! Menus are here to stay, and if your business is thriving, then get bigger. What’s needed, however, is that help-desk that effortlessly directed you to the fine dining outlet outside the food court in that shopping mall. Now, imagine a voice-powered intelligent search that could list the menu option that your customer was frantically looking for, as they spoke while their other hand was looking for a charger in their bag, or keying the pin at the ATM, or frantically unpacking their dinner after a busy day!

If there 39 menu options then all that’s needed is a powerful AI capability that can decode free text (and may be even emojis and mixed language expressions) and route the user to one of those.

Biologically, mobile engagement comes at a cost for homo sapiens - it’s time that businesses valued it so, rather than tracking engagement by counting the minutes that customers spend on apps - maybe they were cursing the design and simultaneously looking at a competing service that claimed to solve exactly the same problem. Plugging in the right machine learning technology (its available already and should require no coding at all) could do the trick.

Until then I am going back John Buchan’s 1915 classic and I am sure Netflix will offer ‘Titles related to’ and never say ‘Couldn’t find what you were looking for’.

This article is written by Avijit Biswas, Co-founder and CEO, Bayestree

AI and machine learning (ML) in mobile network infrastructure is expected to lower costs by automating functions that typically require human interaction and to speed new revenue generating service offerings, becoming increasingly important as edge, open radio access networks (Open RAN), and 5G cores get deployed.

Mavenir’s AI and Analytics portfolio includes solutions designed to analyze and derive inferences from vast amounts of unstructured data to automate networks, achieve cost savings, and build out 5G use cases. Many Industry 4.0 use cases such as Intelligent Video Analytics and AR/VR are enabled by 5G that require AI-driven inferences at the edge. Mavenir’s portfolio includes these AI-enabled applications for Network Automation, Intelligent Operations, EdgeAI, and Network Security.

1. Network Automation: Mavenir’s RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) and Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) follow the specifications introduced by the O-RAN Alliance and 3GPP and operate as the heart of a network automation vision. The RIC and NWDAF enable the network to dynamically adapt to traffic conditions using machine learning (ML)-based algorithms and applications that can be deployed in any network in a multi-vendor environment. Mavenir’s containerized RIC and NWDAF product capabilities include:

• Non-RT RIC: designed to host advanced ML algorithms (rApps) to optimize network performance and train ML models using long-term RAN data for dynamic and adaptive policy for RAN performance optimization.

• Near-RT RIC: designed to host trained AI/ML models (xApps) to infer and control O-RAN functional elements in near-real time.

• NWDAF: designed to ingest data from 5G standalone (SA) network functions and to provide various analytics and intelligence services for smart network operation.

2. Intelligent Operations: By automating network operational processes with AI and analytics solutions, operators should be able to substantially reduce the cost and time from traditional, more labor-intensive methods such as drive testing, log inspection, troubleshooting, and manual calibration. With AI-based prediction engines, operators can achieve intelligent capacity planning and reduce the possibility of large-scale network outages. With anomaly detection capability, operators can uncover underlying network faults that are not easily visible. This AI-driven Operations (AIOps) solution using ML techniques plays a key role in reducing operating expenses and gives operators complete control over their networks.

3. 5G EdgeAI: Mavenir’s 5G EdgeAI solution includes Intelligent Video Analytics that can support myriad of use cases from facial recognition to anomaly detection for smart city and industry 4.0 use cases. Next generation of AR/VR applications are accelerated and enhanced by this edge platform. Large number of sensor data gets analyzed and actions are taken in a matter of milliseconds by the edge Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) analytics application.

“AI is the key driver for Industry 4.0, providing real-time insights & control of industrial processes. Low latency, high density of 5G are also enablers, so in essence, the combination of 5G and AI = Industry 4.0,” said Kuntal Chowdhury, SVP and GM, Mavenir AI and Analytics Business Unit. “While Mavenir’s AI and Analytics solutions are now available as standalone solutions, we have been offering intelligent insights as integrated solutions to Tier 1 customers around the world for years. Currently over 200 systems are deployed in more than 80 customer networks and our solutions process and analyze billions of records per day, offering real-time/near-real-time insights to optimize network performance with little to no human intervention.”

4. Network security: As new vulnerabilities arise, Mavenir’s Fraud Management and Security Suite protect the network in real-time with predictive analytics and ML. The Real-Time Fraud Management and Security analytics is leveraging unique ML algorithms and a specifically designed framework suited to manage the volume, velocity, and variety of structured and unstructured data over wireless networks. 

“Mavenir Security and Anti-Fraud Solutions based on AI/ML are taking care of on-going revenue savings at Telefónica Argentina,” says Diego Quevedo, Core Network Solution Design Lead, Telefónica Argentina. “We are in close cooperation with Mavenir to ensure the up-to-date protection of our network.”

“Mavenir’s approach of applying Real-Time Machine Learning technology to protect key operator services and revenue has been highly valued by customers,” said Ilia Abramov, VP and GM, Mavenir Security BU. “New threats raised in the recent years and increasing attack vectors on Mobile Network Services have been successfully detected and blocked though our installed base. The increased level of trust of our AI/ML technology has been confirmed with substantial growth in additional network implementations in the last year.”

“Leveraging our deep AI/ML knowledge and advanced capabilities enables Communications Service Providers to optimize, automate and advance their mobile networks for the future of 5G,” said BG Kumar, President, Mavenir’s Communications Services Business Group. “Network automation and service protection driven by AI/ML are core capabilities of Mavenir and one of the highest priorities of our customers, and we are proud to provide this solution set to enable them to realize their vision.”

Mavenir’s AI/ML and Analytics solutions and Fraud/Security solutions are deployed at multiple Tier 1 operator networks across North America, EMEA, and APAC regions. Additionally, Mavenir is dedicated to continuous AI/ML innovation through the R&D Center of Excellence in Brno, Czech Republic, and R&D in Richardson TX and Bangalore, India.

About Mavenir

Mavenir is the industry's only end-to-end, cloud-native Network Software and Solutions/Systems Integration Provider, focused on accelerating software network transformation. Mavenir offers a comprehensive end-to-end product portfolio across every layer of the network infrastructure stack for communications service providers and enterprises. From 5G application layers (VoLTE, Messaging) to Packet Core and RAN, Security, Edge Analytics and AI, Mavenir leads the way in evolved, cloud-native networking solutions enabling innovative and secure experiences for end users.

Leveraging innovations in Mobile Core with IMS (VoLTE, VoWiFi, Advanced Messaging/RCS), and Packet Core (vEPC, 5G Core) as well as Radio Access/Edge (OpenRAN), Private Networks, as well as Mobile Services and Applications such as Digital Enablement. Mavenir accelerates digital network transformation for more than 250+ CSP customers in over 120 countries, which serve over 50% of the world’s subscribers. www.mavenir.com.

11th Edition of Aegis Graham Bell Awards (Virtual)
 

At the event, Hon’ble Union Cabinet Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister in Ministry of Jal Shakti and Hon’ble Minister of State Shri. Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), recognized 8 talented students from all over India, who were provided with a 100% scholarship to study Post Graduate Program (PGP) in Data Science; PGP in Applied AI, Machine Learning & Deep Learning and PGP in Cyber Security from Aegis School of Data Science & Cyber Security in association with IBM.
 

Hon'ble Union Cabinet Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, virtually addressed the innovators and organizers and said “I would like to congratulate the winners and finalists of the 11^th AGBA and would also like to thank the Aegis School of Business, Data Science and Cyber Security that have not only encouraged new talents who are working for India but have created a robust avenue for their growth and continuity. I also congratulate the Jury members who have identified and short listed upcoming individuals in the field of education, ICT, AI, Data Science, health governance, MSME, Agriculture, etc and who are enriching the lives of lakhs of Indians through their valuable contributions and taking India towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
 

Hon'ble Minister of State Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi said, “I congratulate you all who have organized the award and the award winners who are the future of India and are expected to create history. I m sure I may not inspire you, but I am inspired by you. This is a great tribute to the scientist Alexander Graham Bell, the father of telephony and thank you to all the supporting Minitrial partners of AGBA. Technology explosion is taking place every day and I am sure these young innovators will create history and not only run after jobs but will create jobs with their limitless potentiality. I congratulate all the young innovative minds and young innovators and students.”
 

Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) said, "I congratulate all the 8 winners of Aegis Graham Bell National Talent Hunt Phase 1, 2021. I hope all of them will create great startups, become great entrepreneurs and provide jobs rather than seeking jobs.”
 

The winners and finalists of the 11^th AGBA
 

Winners

Innovative Telecom Solution - Jio Platforms (Jio Coverage Platform); Artificial Intelligence powered innovation for Telecom - Vodafone Idea (AI Powered Telecom Network operation and maintenance); 5G innovation - Jio Platforms (Cloud native 5G core); Innovation in Telecom Infrastructure - ATC India (Flexible Solar panels on Telecom Monopole structure); Innovative Mobile App for Consumers - Public App (latest updates of your city through short videos); Artificial Intelligence powered innovation for Life Science - LivNSense Technologies (AI-Powered Digital Chemical Reactors); Combat COVID-19 with Artificial Intelligence - St. Luke Health System (Leveraging Data and AI to Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic); Innovation in Cloud - Moglix (iCAT a “Made in India” cloud SaaS innovation); Innovation in Data Science - Rubiscape (A Comprehensive data science platform with no coding); Innovation in Artificial Intelligence - Logically (Misinformation and the Indian Election) and Devnagri (AI-powered Human Translation Platform); Innovation in Cyber Security - Unisys (Stealth (core)™); Innovation in Blockchain - AVA Labs (Avalanche Protocol); Innovation in FinTech - Khatabook (Digitally Enabling Bharat’s MSME Segment); Innovation in AgTech - Urdhvam (Borecharger); Innovation in EdTech - Analyttica Datalab (Analyttica Datalab LEAPS); Artificial Intelligence powered innovation for Retail - IBM (Fabric AI for Supplychain) and Stylumia (Trend Forecasting & Demand Sensing).

Innovative diagnostic solutions - OncoStem Diagnostics (CanAssist Breast); Innovation in Internet of Things - Dozee (India 1^st Contactless Health Tracker); Innovative preventive measures to Combat COVID-19 - Navork innovations (Avran); Innovative remote working solutions - VMware (VMware Workspace One); Innovative lockdown management solution for Corporate - Birlasoft (intelliOpen); Innovative logistics management solutions - Shadowfax (detecting masks and sanitizers in selfies); Innovative medical equipment - Nocca Robotics (High flow oxygen therapy device); Innovative digital transformation - HDFC Life (Computer Vision at HDFC Life); Innovation in Transport Tech - Swiggy (Combination of AI) and Anil Goel’s Ways - Next Generation Tolling Platform; Innovation in Renewable Energy - Energy Vault (Gravity Energy Storage); Innovation in Enterprise Automation - Codegrip (Automated Code Review Tool); Innovation in Enterprise Solution - Quintype (Quintype Platform); AI powered innovation for Enterprise - Zensar (Vinci : Zensar’s AIOps platform); Jury Choice Award - Skyroot Aerospace (Vikram Launch Vehicle Series) and Amal World (Smart hygience for Women with Autism & handicaped during COVID-19) and Planys Technologies (Underwater Robots/Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for asset).
 

Finalists

Innovative Telecom Solution - Cisco and Sterlite Technologies Limited; Artificial Intelligence powered innovation for Telecom - Jio Platforms; 5G innovation - Cellwize and PureSoftware; Innovation in Telecom Infrastructure - ATC India and Parallel Wireless; Innovative Mobile App for Consumers - Mitron TV and Atmanirbhar app; Artificial Intelligence powered innovation for Life Science - Larsen & Toubro Infotech; Combat COVID-19 with Artificial Intelligence – Quantiphi and Salcit Technologies; Innovation in Cloud - Vmware and Zensar; Innovation in Data Science - Thoucentric Labs (PrediQ) and Thoucentric Labs (PriceVision); Innovation in Artificial Intelligence - Entropik Technologies; Innovation in Cyber Security - Siemens and ST Telemedia Global Data Centres; Innovation in Blockchain - Jio Platforms; Innovation in FinTech - CityCash and inVOID; Innovation in AgTech - FarmERP and Eggoz; Innovation in EdTech - Entropik Technologies and Testbook; Artificial Intelligence powered innovation for Retail - SAP Labs India; Innovative diagnostic solutions - Agappe Diagnostics and Briota Technologies; Innovation in Internet of Things - Nokia and Tata Communication; Innovative preventive measures to Combat COVID-19 - PraanaPoorna Collective and Mariam Tek; Innovative remote working solutions - Wipro and Zensar; Innovative lockdown management solution for Corporate - Wipro and LTI; Innovative logistics management solutions - SAP Labs India and Pitney Bowes; Innovative medical equipment - Bliss N Style and Absstem Technologies; Innovative digital transformation - Oppo & One Click Technologies and Zensar; Innovation in Transport Tech - Anil Goel’s Wayz - Next Generation Mobility Platform; Innovation in Renewable Energy - Chakr Innovation and Sistema Bio; Innovation in Enterprise Automation - Grene Robotics and Jio Platforms; Innovation in Enterprise Solution - Moglix and Airtel Business; AI powered innovation for Enterprise - Icertis and Siemens.
 

The eight students who were provided with a 100% scholarship:
 

Bhupesh Daheria, CEO of Aegis School of Data Science, Cyber Security and Telecom and Founder of AGBA said, “I would like to thank the Jury to put in efforts to identify and short list the winners and finalists and the way the award has been identified by the Juries who have come from academia, Government, industry stalwarts, top institutions to identify the winners transparently without any biases. Congratulation to all the winners and even to the finalists who have done great innovations. Also, extending my gratitude to Ministry partners and other partners who have supported the 11^th AGBA.”
 

From mUni Campus, Ameeya Mehta, President, mUni Campus Inc USA, Daljeet Saran, Director, Alliance & Strategy, mUni Campus Inc USA and Manish Chhajed, Founder, SEP Ventures presented the mUni Campus seagull gift coupons to fight the talent acquisition need in today’s age.
 

About Aegis School of Business Data Science, Cyber Security and Telecommunication

Aegis School of Business, Data Science, Cyber Security and Telecommunication was founded in the year 2002 with support from Bharti Airtel to develop cross functional technology leaders. In 2015, Aegis and IBM collaborated to launch, India’s first Post Graduate Program (PGP) in Data Science, Business Analytics and Big Data and later in 2017 PGP in Cyber Security. These programs are jointly certified and delivered by Aegis School of Business in association with IBM. Aegis is the number one school of Data Science.

For more information, please contact, Shweta Chavan | Corporate Communications | shweta.c@aegis.edu.in | +91-8433969263

VideoMeet - Made in India, Videoconferencing Application
 

Talking about the increasing adoption of virtual platforms, Dr. Ajay Data, Founder of VideoMeet, said, “People have realized the benefits of virtual platforms as it helps the people or corporate get in touch with each other irrespective of the geographical locations. These platforms have made business meetings much more comfortable and save a lot of time and energy. We are constantly working on upgrading our platform to enhance the experience of the users.”
 

Throwing light on the scale of virtual video conferences being held on the platform, Dr. Data revealed that 60 percent of the meetings are held by a group of two to four people, 25 percent of the conferences witness a gathering of four to 10 people, while 15 percent conference has the participation of 10 or more people. “The ease of arranging the conferences has made people utilize the facilities more. Earlier, the meetings of smaller groups used to take place over conference calls where absence of physical aspect used to hamper the smooth flow of the meeting; but now, with the facility of virtual video conferences, the outcome of these meetings, including 100+ people meetings are also turning out to be fruitful,” added Dr. Data.
 

It has also been noticed that more than 70 percent of the virtual conference users fall in the age group of 18-40 years, 15 percent are in the age group of 40-50 years, and the rest 15 percent belong to age group of below 18 years or above 50 years. Analysing the figures, Dr. Data said, “From the data, it is clear that working professionals are utilizing the facilities more than others. The older generation has yet to get comfortable with the technology, but they are fast catching up looking at the ease of interacting despite physical boundaries.”
 

VideoMeet, ever since its inception in March 2020, has recorded lakhs of minutes of the conference, minutes of webinars with over millions of participants pan-India attending the conference. The application has registered a growth in the numbers of downloads and user base. The application was developed as a part of Made in India Video Conferencing Innovation Challenge organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It was in the list of Top 10 contenders and was rewarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the esteemed ministry. The application plans to expand its servers in four states - Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat.

Enhancing affordability in device financing, the partnership unlocks ease of 4G access for Vi^TM customers, by enabling them to get a smartphone of their choice and an annual or half yearly Vi^TM prepaid recharge plan at zero down payment and Easy EMI’s from BFL.

As part of the partnership the EMI will be calculated basis the total billed amount including the price of the smartphone and the recharge. Thereafter, the amount will be divided into 6 to 12 monthly instalments to derive the EMI amount.

If customers opt for the INR 1197 Vi^TM Pre-paid recharge for 6 months tenure, the EMI amount required to be paid by the customer will be INR 200 instead of INR 249 open market recharges. In case, a customer opts for the annual Vi^TM recharge variant priced at INR 2399 for 12-months tenure, EMI amount required to be paid by customer is INR 200 instead of INR 299 open market recharges thereby giving customers significant savings. Here the customer gets the unique advantage of being able to save by paying the amount on affordable EMI’s.

As part of the bundled offering, Vi^TM customers choosing the pre-paid recharge with a validity of 6 months, can get Unlimited Voice benefits along with 1.5 Gb Data/day at INR 1197. Similarly, customers selecting for 12 months recharge validity, will get 2 Gb Data/day along with Unlimited Voice benefits at a profitable INR 2399. Both the proposition also offers 100 free SMS and free national roaming, against the recharge at the time of purchasing the device.

Commenting on the partnership, Avneesh Khosla, Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone Idea Limited said, “Enabling a better tomorrow for our consumers is at the core of our philosophy. We have a strong 4G network which covers 1 Bn Indians and we aim to unlock 4G access for all our customers. As COVID has fast tracked digital adoption, a smartphone has become a necessity in today’s digital society. Vodafone Idea is delighted to partner with Bajaj Finance Ltd. to equip our consumers with easy access to enjoy the benefits of the GIGAnet network. This partnership, with its unique financing solution, enables ease of ownership of a smartphone of their choice and the convenience of a worry-free recharge pack; allowing consumers to seamlessly enjoy the benefits of the Digital era.” 

Customer can avail this hassle-free finance in 2392 locations of operations of Bajaj Finance Ltd. through the vast Point-of-Sale (PoS) network of 70000+. Vi^TM customers will be able to walk into any PoS and upgrade their smartphone.

Speaking about the alliance, Manish Jain, Senior Executive Vice President, Bajaj Finance Ltd. said, “It is our constant endeavour to bring to our customers more and more unique affordability offerings. This partnership offers a first of its kind proposition to help a new mobile customer get unmatched comprehensive savings.”

Vodafone Idea’s partnership with Bajaj Finance Limited has been forged with the aim of providing easy access to the best handsets for our customers also allowing them to experience the benefits offered by GIGAnet from Vi^TM- India’s fastest and most consistent 4G network, as certified by Ookla.

About Vodafone Idea Limited

Vodafone Idea Limited is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group partnership. It is India’s leading telecom service provider. The Company provides pan India Voice and Data services across 2G, 3G and 4G platform. With the large spectrum portfolio to support the growing demand for data and voice, the company is committed to deliver delightful customer experiences and contribute towards creating a truly ‘Digital India’ by enabling millions of citizens to connect and build a better tomorrow. The Company is developing infrastructure to introduce newer and smarter technologies, making both retail and enterprise customers future ready with innovative offerings, conveniently accessible through an ecosystem of digital channels as well as extensive on-ground presence. The Company is listed on National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India.

The company offers products and services to its customers in India under the TM Brand name “Vi”.

For more information, please visit: www.MyVi.in and www.vodafoneidea.com.

Twitter - @VodaIdea_NEWS

About Bajaj Finance Limited

Bajaj Finance Limited, the lending company of Bajaj Finserv group, is one of the most diversified NBFCs in the Indian market catering to more than 44 million customers across the country. Headquartered in Pune, the company’s product offering includes Consumer Durable Loans, Lifestyle Finance, Lifecare Finance, Digital Product Finance, Personal Loans, Loan against Property, Small Business Loans, Home loans, Credit Cards, Two-wheeler and Three-wheeler Loans, Commercial lending/SME Loans, Loan against Securities and Rural Finance which includes Gold Loans and Vehicle Refinancing Loans along with Fixed Deposits. Bajaj Finance Limited prides itself on holding the highest credit rating of FAAA/Stable for any NBFC in the country today.

To know more, please visit: www.bajajfinserv.in.

This new ‘Made in India’ Solution, which is indigenously developed by Skylo, will connect with BSNL’s satellite ground infrastructure and provide PAN-India coverage, including Indian seas. The coverage will be so vast that it will not leave any dark patch within the boundary of India, from Kashmir &Ladakh to Kanyakumari, and from Gujarat to the North East, including the Indian seas.

Shri P. K. Purwar, CMD, BSNL, said, “The solution is in line with BSNL’s vision to leverage technology to provide affordable and innovative telecom services and products across customers segments.” He further added, “Skylo would also help provide critical data for the logistics sector to enable effective distribution of COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 and will be a big contributor in service to the nation.”

Shri Parthsarathi Trivedi, CEO and Co-founder, Skylo, said, “For centuries, industries, including agriculture, railways and fisheries, have been operating offline, and have not had the opportunity to take full advantage of the latest advancements in AI& IoT - until today. This is the world's first satellite-based NB-IoT network and I am proud to launch this capability India first to transform lives and our domestic industries.”

Shri Vivek Banzal, Director (CFA), BSNL Board, said, “Successful POCs have already been conducted by BSNL and Skylo in India and we will soon approach various user groups before the New Year 2021 begins.”

This breakthrough announcement is very timely because it comes during the ongoing Indian Mobile Congress 2020. This new technology supports the Department of Telecom and NITI Aayog’s plan of bringing indigenous IoT connectivity to India’s core sectors. Examples of where this technology has already been tested successfully include, Indian Railways, fishing vessels, and enabling connected vehicles across India.

A small, smart, incredibly rugged box, the Skylo ‘User Terminal’ interfaces with sensors and transmits data to the Skylo Network and into people’s hands. The accompanying Data Platform provides an immersive, visual, experience for industry-specific applications on mobile or desktop. It gives users the ability to take immediate and appropriate action, no matter where they are. This new digital machine connectivity layer will serve as a complement to smartphone-centric mobile & Wi-Fi networks, and covers India’s full geography to bring online new applications for the first time. 

grptalk is the world's largest Audio Conferencing service provider which can connect more than 50,000 people on a single call at the same time. The upcoming elections have increased business prospects for us. Wherever there are a large number of people on a call or target consumer, parties need solutions like grptalk. For the Bihar elections, Telebu’s multiple products are being leveraged by leading political parties and adopted by many party workers. grptalk helps party workers on their daily work and understanding of the situation on a day to day basis from all the individuals at one go. Party workers have to coordinate before the election and they need to have a lot of digital rallies that are visual and audio. That is a large gathering that parties need to reach out.

Political parties are using grptalk to organize such virtual rallies. These audio rallies also help the leaders share their message to 50,000+ people on a single call. Telebu products help conduct polls for political parties to identify the right candidate. Missed call services are also very popular amongst political parties. These services help them get insights based on public opinion. Voter Identification and verification campaigns help gather support for elections manifestos and identify burning issues. It is helping them plan the focused campaigning areas by understanding the ground situation from the party workers. Broadcast campaigns also remind the public to vote, deliver personalised messages from leaders. Telebu is also offering IVRS, TelebuJoin (webinar/video meetings) and grievance redressal system (TelebuHub) that helps in getting the manifesto of the party directly sent to the voters, area specific strategizing and messages targeted on the segment or consumer sharing what the candidate is going to do also can be send to the voters with his voice and videos, which is added personalization.

The grptalk app helps political parties to organize a maximum of eight rallies and allows connecting at least 10-50,000+ people in each rally. It also guarantees to pledge to vote for elections. The audio conferencing app helps them to make all the workers to enroll voters for MLC elections. It is considered as the best tool to connect all the party workers of the constituency. It guides them for their daily work and helps in understanding the situation on a day to day basis from all the individuals at one go. It is also used to plan the focused campaigning areas by understanding the ground situation from the party workers.

Speaking about the business, role in elections and future, Mr. Satya Yeramsetti, CEO Telebu said, “The rise in demand of grptalk services made us realize the high demand and potential in the Indian market. We had a successful campaign in the previously held Telangana elections as well. Grptalk is the world's only application which connects over 50,000+ people on a single call at the same time which gives us an edge over our competitors. This feature is very useful for political parties and they are using it efficiently.” 

“The upcoming election in Bihar was a perfect opportunity for us to increase business prospects. We are looking at expanding our services portfolio and already have a gamut of solutions that can be instrumental for parties to hold campaigns, get polls, get authentic surveys and hold party meetings with a large gathering and all. To support the current demand in the segment, we are also looking at expanding our team strength and increasing our headcount by 20-25% in next quarter,” Satya added. 

grptalk is a mobile and web-based audio conferencing app that lets you connect 10-50,000+ people in less than 30 seconds. It enables ‘instant conferencing’ and gives you complete control and visibility of the call. The app also has more than 80,000 active users connected to it. Telebu offers grptalk services for political parties to connect with their party workers and plan a strategy for the elections. 

About Telebu

Telebu has a unique strategy. It does not cater to a single market, but multiple markets simultaneously. These can broadly be called the Team Communication, Team Collaboration, and Customer Communication markets. Put together the size of these markets will reach $150 billion by 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic has created another segment called the "work from home or Virtual Office segment". Over the next five years, Telebu expects to capture ten per cent of this soon to be $350 million market. Telebu has offices in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Delhi NCR. It also has offices in Gulf Coast Countries including UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait. Telebu employs more than 400 people. It serves more than 100,000 customers and more than 3,000 enterprises. Among Telebu’s customers are ten political organisations.

Global organizations continue to put their customers’ cardholder data at risk due to a lack of long term payment security strategy and execution, flags the newly released Verizon Business 2020 Payment Security Report (2020 PSR). With many companies struggling to retain qualified CISOs or security managers, the lack of long-term security thinking is severely impacting sustained compliance within the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Safe & unsafe connections to COVID-19 related domains

Payment data remains one of the most sought after and lucrative targets by cybercriminals with 9 out of 10 data breaches being financially motivated, as highlighted by the recent Verizon Business 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report (2020 DBIR). Within the retail sector alone, 99 percent of security incidents analyzed by the 2020 DBIR were focused on acquiring payment data for criminal use.

The 2020 PSR found that on average only 27.9 percent of global organizations maintained full compliance with the PCI DSS, which was developed to help businesses that offer card payment facilities protect their payment systems from breaches and theft of cardholder data. More concerning, this is the third successive year that a decline in compliance has occurred with a 27.5 percentage point drop since compliance peaked in 2016 (as seen in the 2017 PSR).

“Unfortunately we see many businesses lacking the resources and commitment from senior business leaders to support long-term data security and compliance initiatives. This is unacceptable,” said Sampath Sowmyanarayan, President, Global Enterprise, Verizon Business. “The recent coronavirus pandemic has driven consumers away from the traditional use of cash to contactless methods of payment with payment cards as well as mobile devices. This has generated more electronic payment data and consumers trust businesses to safeguard their information. Payment security has to be seen as an on-going business priority by all companies that handle any payment data, they have a fundamental responsibility to their customers, suppliers and consumers.” 

Additional findings within the 2020 PSR shine a spotlight on security testing where only a little more than half of the organizations (51.9 percent) successfully test security systems and processes as well as unmonitored system access and where approximately two-thirds of all businesses track and monitor access to business critical systems adequately. In addition, only 7 out of 10 financial institutions (70.6 percent) maintain essential perimeter security controls.

“This report is a welcome wake-up call to organizations that strong leadership is required to address failures to adequately manage payment security. The Verizon Business report aligns well with Omdia’s view that the alignment of security strategy with organizational strategy is essential for organizations to maintain compliance, in this case with PCI DSS 3.2.1 to provide appropriate levels of payment security. It makes clear that long-term data security and compliance combines the responsibilities of a number of roles, including the Chief Information Security Officer, the Chief Risk Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer, which Omdia concurs with,” comments Maxine Holt, Senior Research Director at Omdia (previously known as Ovum).

Lack of compliance impacts all businesses regardless of size

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) were flagged as having their own unique struggles with securing payment data. While smaller businesses generally have less card data to process and store than larger businesses, they have fewer resources and smaller budgets for security, impacting the resources available to maintain compliance with PCI DSS. Often the measures needed to protect sensitive payment card data are perceived as too time-consuming and costly by these smaller organizations, but as the likelihood of a data breach for SMBs remains high it is imperative that PCI DSS compliance is maintained.

The on-going CISO challenge

The report also explores the challenges CISOs face in designing, implementing and maintaining an effective and sustainable security strategy, and how these can ultimately contribute to the breakdown of compliance and data security management. These problems were not found to be technological in nature, but as a result of organizational weaknesses which could be resolved by more mature management skills including creating formalized processes; building a business model for security as well as defining a sound security strategy with operating models and frameworks.

About the Verizon Business 2020 Payment Security Report

Verizon has published the Payment Security Report (PSR) since 2010, the first-ever study on the actual value and performance of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The report is based on global data gathered by PCI DSS qualified security assessors (QSAs) from Verizon and other five external contributors.

USP Studios has a strong footprint in India that continues to grow. The content creator has a global subscriber base of over 130 million and commands over 2.5 Billion views per month. An industry leader, USP Studios continues to produce original content and unique animated character IPs that pre-school kids can relate and connect with. Jio’s partnership with USP Studios will further amplify the accessibility and availability of USP Studios content for kids across India and in the language of their choice.

On adding content that caters to pre-schoolers, Akash Ambani said, “We are extremely excited on this partnership with USP Studios that has helped us expand our offerings for kids and pre-schoolers. At Jio, we are focused on expanding our content library to suit the needs of our consumers across all ages. USP Studios is a domain expert and a leader in its category. Through this partnership, we are sure that parents will have a new way to keep their kids engaged and make screen time more meaningful with content that is educative and enriching.”

Speaking on expanding presence in the digital ecosystem, Uday Singh Phoolka, Founder, USP Studios said, “Providing kids with content that is differentiated and resourceful is at the heart of what we do at USP Studios. Over the last 6 years, we have built an edutainment ecosystem consisting of IPs with interesting and engaging characters and channels that have had a lasting and positive impact on toddlers, kids as well as parents. While we have been reaching out to over 130+ million subscribers, we believe it’s time that we further expand this reach to the next 100 million in India and our partnership with Jio will help us achieve this goal. Jio has been a true gamechanger in how India has been accessing content. It has not only reduced costs, but has opened up new avenues in terms of how consumers access content. We are extremely excited on this partnership with Jio and are certain that both kids and parents across India will benefit from this association.”

About USP Studios

With over 60+ Billion total views on YouTube alone, kids and fans are tuning in around the world every day to watch their favourite cartoons and educational songs from USP Studios that strengthens its fan base with over 2.5 Billion views per month from its over 130+ Million subscribers. In just 6 years, they have over 50+ animated character IP’s helping them that has been watched for over 3+ Billion hours. USP studios promises to form a bond with both the parents and the kids who are an audience to their content, with over 36 languages.

USP Studios are a favorite of kids all over the world, creating meaningful content for pre-schoolers that engages, entertains and educates children all over the world. USP Studios brings their unique brand of ‘Edutainment’ content targeted at pre-schoolers and with more than 60+ billion views and 130+ million subscribers across their channels around the world they are clearly connecting with kids in a brand new way that they can’t get enough of.

A few of USP Studios popular IPs include Bob The Train, Supremes, Boom Buddies, Little Treehouse, Farmees, Junior Squad, Baby Toot Toot, Kids Tv, Kids Channel, Kids Tv India, Kids Channel India, Loconuts and many more. UPS Studios content is currently available on YouTube and other leading OTT Platforms. www.uspstudios.co