New Delhi: To boost transparency and revive growth in the scandal-hit sector, the government on Thursday approved a new telecom policy that aims to ultimately abolish roaming charges, besides relaxing Internet telephony rules.The National Telecom Policy 2012, which replaces more than decade-old rules, was approved by the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
"The target is one nation full mobile number portability and working towards one nation free roaming," Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said.
Under the new policy, the government plans to remove roaming fees, allowing users to retain their numbers even if they move from one circle or zone to another.
However, consumers will have to wait for some time for this as the Department of Telecom will first work out modalities of the new scheme before it is brought into force.
"Number portability is going to be boon for consumers as they would be able to retain the number even though they migrate from one telecom circle to other... Abolishing roaming charges would be negative in short term for operators as they would lose roaming revenue," Deloitte Haskins & Sells Partner Hemant Joshi said.
However, in the long run, as usage would increase with no roaming charges might offset the revenue loss caused to the operators, he added.
The NTP will also separate telecom licences and spectrum, against the current practice of bundling them, and will charge a market-derived price for the airwaves.
Also, rules for Internet telephony would be relaxed under the new policy as it envisages increasing penetration of telecom services in rural area from current level of around 39 to 70 percent by 2017 and 100 per cent by the year 2020.
Under the new policy, broadband speed has been increased to minimum of 2 megabit per second (mbps). This change will come into force with immediate effect.
The NTP also aims to ease mergers and acquisition rules in the sector and seeks to refarm, or switch, spectrum bands "from time to time" to make way for new technologies.
The Cabinet has also cleared the point that pertains to encouraging domestic manufacturing of telecom equipment.
"Making India a global hub for manufacturing. Till the time we will not set up industry here...India will not be able to become become global. It is very important because along with this prices of device will also come down," he said.
The major details of the manufacturing telecom equipments are part of National Policy of Electronics, which Sibal said is expected to be approved within a month.
"Electronics manufacturing policy is hopefully going to be decided this month.. It will go to Cabinet soon," he said.
The Cabinet has approved NTP 2012 with five changes related to revenue generation objective, Spectrum Act and TRAI Act. The government has deleted Spectrum Act, which was proposed in the policy.
"Spectrum Act has been deleted as a policy matter we don't intend to have a spectrum act anymore," Sibal said.
On giving more powers to TRAI, the Cabinet has added that policy making function would remain with government and not the sectoral regulator.
"We just want to add that policy making function would, however, continue to remain with government, means TRAI will not make policy," Sibal said.
PTI
Sound Telecom Uses Call Monitoring Metrics to Honor Super Agent - TMCnet
This month, as Marvel’s Avengers have ruled the box office, superheroes are on the minds of many Americans. But sometimes people can be super without the ability to summon lightning or the benefit of a super soldier serum. In fact, by using techniques like 3rd party remote call monitoring, companies like Sound Telecom can recognize Super Agents – even when they don’t work for SHIELD.
Each month, Sound Telecom gives out the Super-Agent Award to the call center employee that has the highest quality score. This month, the race was ultra competitive, as the company had four agents with scores that topped 97 percent for the entire month. The winner of the award for April, however, was Phil Visnaw, whose score was a staggering 98.65 percent, though this is not a personal high for Vinsaw, as he has received scores of 100 percent more than once in his eleven years with the company.
Sound Telecom implemented the award several years ago in an effort to improve agent quality scores. Through a combination of monitoring metrics, including 3rd party remote call monitoring, customer feedback surveys and more, the company identifies agents with exemplary customer service skills and recognizes them with this award. In this way Sound has sought to ensure that every call is answered by a professional, friendly and courteous agent.
In 2008, Sound Telecom reorganized its call monitoring department. The purpose of the reorganization was to create a way to monitor calls in a more proactive fashion, keeping track of customer interactions in real time, getting quality ratings and feedback to agents as quickly as possible. The Super-Agent award was a large part of this initiative, which is focused on the three pillars of courtesy, professionalism and friendliness.
Edited by Amanda Ciccatelli
Telecom Commission to meet Thursday on TRAI recommendations - in.news.yahoo.com
New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) The Telecom Commission, the highest policy-making forum in the communications ministry, will meet Thursday to take a call on the sector regulator's controversial recommendations on spectrum auction which have made the industry come up in arms.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended, among other proposals, a reserve price of Rs.3,622 crore for 1 MHz pan-India spectrum, which is around 10 times higher than the price at which 2G licences were allocated in 2008 under then Telecom Minister A. Raja.
The proposals have been highly criticised by the operators and independent analysts alike. Calling TRAI's recommendations a 'death knell' for the industry, the operators have also warned of a 100 percent hike in tariffs if the proposals are accepted.
According to a study conducted by consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), telecom tariffs are expected to rise by 90 paise a minute in metros and 20-34 paise on an average across the country if the sector regulator's recommendations on spectrum pricing are accepted.
Following constant opposition from the industry, the Department of Telecom (DoT) had asked the regulator to review the recommendations. However, TRAI largely retained its proposals on high reserve price even in the revised paper.
The recommendation comes in the wake of the Feb 2 Supreme Court order cancelling 122 telecom licences issued in 2008.
Apple’s new iPad cleared for 3G use in China - UberGizmo (blog)
Unfortunately for those hoping for an LTE version, due to the lack of established LTE networks in China, the fastest speeds that these iPads will be able to obtain on a carrier’s network in China will most likely be limited to 3G. We have to admit that this clearance is slightly odd given Apple’s current legal battle with Proview over the iPad trademark, but either way if you’re looking forward to the 3G iPad in China, China Unicom (the official iPad carrier) will most likely be the carrier you’ll want to head to in order to get your hands on the tablet.
Related articles:iPad 2S/iPad 3 cases go on sale
iPad to be renamed in China?
iPad 2 comes to China with 3G this Wednesday
Seen at: thenextweb 
New telecom policy to scrap roaming charges; broadband speeds to increase - domain-b.com
The union cabinet today cleared the National Telecom Policy 2012, which among other things proposes to eliminate the ubiquitous 'roaming charges' where customers have to pay more for making calls while travelling. It also proposes to simplify mobile number portability (MNP), allowing a user to change his telecom operator while retaining the original phone number.
Although MNP was officially introduced well over a year back, the process remains so cumbersome that few users have made use of the facility, even though they may be dissatisfied with their present mobile service provider.
Telecommunications minister Kapil Sibal announced after the cabinet meeting that in all five changes were made in the original proposals, with the aim of providing mobile number portability and free roaming throughout the country.
However, he refused to provide a timeline for its implementation, saying these were only targets so far.
Customers cannot expect roaming charges to be abolished or number portability simplified in a hurry, as the department of telecommunications will have to work out modalities of the new schemes before they can be implemented.
Under the new policy, broadband speed has been increased to a minimum of 2 megabit per second (mbps). This change will come into force with immediate effect.
Proxicast's LAN-Cell 3 Mobile 3G/4G Router Enables and Unifies Mobile Vehicle-Based Data Application - PR-USA.net
Proxicast (http://www.proxicast.com)
Proxicast introduces its new LAN-Cell 3 Mobile 3G/4G VPN Router to address the ever increasing wide-area data communications needs of todays commercial vehicles. The LAN-Cell 3 provides vehicle-based mobile data applications with fast, reliable, cost-effective and secure wireless Internet access on any 3G/4G (LTE, HSPA+) network worldwide. The LAN Cell 3 is a commercial-grade mobile 3G/4G router that offers an all-in-one mobile solution and is excellent for mobile vehicle-based applications such as:
- Public Transit Buses, School Buses, Charter Buses & Motor Coaches
- Mobile Health Clinics, Ambulances & All Medical Vehicles
- Emergency EMS & First Responder Vehicles, Police Cars, Fire Trucks
- Commuter Trains, Light Rail & All Railroad Vehicles
- Public Safety Vehicles & Mobile Command Centers
- Barges, Ferries, Boats, Yachts, Ships & Other Marine Vessels
- Sales, Delivery & Service Truck/Automobile Fleets
- Military, Defense, Law Enforcement & Homeland Security
- Buses, Vans, Limos, RVs, Cars, Trucks & Trailers
- Mobile Point-of-Sale (POS), Kiosks, Digital Signs & Vending Systems
- Public Transportation Telemetry & In-Vehicle Hot-Spot
- Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots & Temporary Internet Access
- Field Broadcast Uplinks/Downlinks & Mobile Video Transmission
- Low Altitude Aviation, Surveillance Aircraft & Remote Drones
- Mobile Security, Video Surveillance & Covert Video
The LAN-Cell 3s flexible capabilities allow users to design, implement and manage high-speed mobile 3G/4G (LTE, HSPA+) in-vehicle applications to fit their requirements. For example, commercial vehicles often have multiple data applications and communications deployed onboard. Many public transit buses have been outfitted with several remote video surveillance cameras, vehicle telemetry units, real-time fare management and Internet service for passengers. The LAN-Cell 3 mobile router can combine communication links for all of these applications and devices into single stream utilizing one cellular data plan, saving thousands of dollars per year per vehicle. The LAN-Cell 3 can also automatically switch between 3G/4G cellular communication and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) where it is available, offering further cost savings and enhanced performance.
A vehicle does not always have wheels marine vessels are also platforms for mobile data applications. A number of our customers operate commercial barges and ferries on rivers, lakes and coastal waterways, says Jim Sabol, COO of Proxicast. These customers use Proxicasts 3G/4G products for applications such as telemetry, remote SCADA, updates to navigation/GPS systems, remote employee training, access to corporate network applications (email, repair orders, etc.) and even Wi-Fi Internet service for crew and passenger personal communications (even VOIP phones). Again, the LAN-Cell 3 can combine communication links for many applications and devices into single 3G/4G stream, saving thousands of dollars per year per vessel.
In the medical arena, Proxicast 3G/4G cellular networking products are helping to link mobile medical vehicles to health system data networks for improved patient care and reduced healthcare delivery costs. Mobile health clinic trailers providing services such as checkups, disease screening, mammography, medical imagining, dental, bloodmobile and laboratory services use LAN-Cell routers to access patient records and instantly send test results to doctors and hospitals. Emergency and disaster response vehicles use the LAN-Cell to provide a common interface to Ethernet, Cellular, Wi-Fi and satellite communications links with seamless switching among the best available network. Our mobile medical customers really value the ability to combine all their IP communications needs into a single LAN-Cell device, Says Mr. Sabol.
The LAN-Cell 3 supports 2G, 3G and 4G cellular modem standards, but LAN-Cell 3 is specifically designed to take advantage of the new high speed 4G (LTE, HSPA+) networks. It supports many of the currently available off-the-shelf 4G USB modems. With LTE and HSPA+ delivering speeds of up to 27 Mbps, many new high-bandwidth mobile applications such as remote video surveillance are now possible. The speed and lower latency of 4G networks enables HD video quality and higher frame-rates resulting in video feeds that are crisper and more lifelike.
Key advantages of the LAN-Cell 3 mobile router include:
- Open upgradable architecture - high speed 3G/4G USB modem slot and external antenna ports
- Supports LTE, HSPA+, EV-DO, 1x, HSPA, HSUPA, HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS USB modems
- Automatic fail-over between 3G/4G Cellular & Ethernet WAN
- Enterprise-Class 3G/4G router with full VPN client + server (IPsec & PPTP)
- Supports 25 simultaneous VPN tunnels with 3DES & AES encryption
- Compatible with Cisco, Juniper, SonicWall, and other VPN routers / software
- High speed Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) 2x2 MIMO - Max data rate 300Mbps
- Wi-Fi is available on the LAN and as a WAN client simultaneously
- (4) port 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN switch + (1) Ethernet WAN port
- Advanced SPI firewall, Quality-of-Service (QOS) & security functions
- Easy management with web Interface & SNMP management
- A rugged industrial-grade steel chassis and unique multi-function mounting base
- Patented USB Modem-LOCK secures USB modem in place
The LAN-Cell 3 mobile 3G/4G router is available for immediate delivery worldwide directly from Proxicast and select resellers. The LAN-Cell 3 is carrier independent, supports the new 4G (LTE, HSPA+) wireless standards, legacy 2G and 3G networks, and is user-upgradable to future cellular modem technologies.
About Proxicasts Family of 3G and 4G Routers
The Proxicast LAN-Cell family of professional-grade 3G routers and 4G routers (LTE, HSPA+) are high-performance, rugged and upgradeable. LAN-Cell routers can connect multiple Ethernet based computers and devices to a single cellular data account for primary or backup connectivity eliminating redundant cellular service for multiple devices. The PocketPORT is the worlds smallest 3G/4G USB Cellular Modem Bridge (mini router). Proxicast products are optimized for corporate, financial, video surveillance, security, mobile in vehicle applications (cars, trucks, buses, trains, boats), industrial automation, solar power, public transit, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) telemetry and SCADA. Popular applications include mobile video surveillance, construction site monitoring, PLCs and industrial controls, remote device data collection, traffic control, point-of-sale (POS), ATMs, mobile Wi-Fi hot-spots and more.
Proxicast products (3G routers, 4G routers, 3G/4G routers, LTE routers, HSPA+ routers, 3G modems, 4G modems, 3G/4G modems and LTE modems) are cellular carrier independent and use either PC-Card or USB cellular modem architecture - and can easily be upgraded. The LAN-Cell and PocketPORT support all major worldwide cellular (wireless) carriers including Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, AT&T Wireless, T Mobile, Rogers, Telus, Bell Mobility, Telcel, Orange, Vodafone, O2, Telstra and others. LAN-Cell and PocketPORT routers support 3G /4G modems made by Sierra Wireless, Novatel, Option, Pantech, Samsung, Huawei, ZTE and others.
About Proxicast
Proxicast designs and manufactures innovative, commercial-grade, rugged industrial, secure wireless communications equipment that enables customers to increase productivity, enhance security, improve operational efficiency and reduce on-going communication costs. Proxicast focuses on wireless equipment for use with all major worldwide cellular standards including (CDMA) EV-DO Rev-A, EV-DO Rev-0, 1xRTT (1x) and (GSM) LTE, HSPA+, HSPA, HSUPA, HSDPA, UMTS, W-CDMA, EDGE and GPRS on cellular carriers including Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, AT&T Wireless, T-Mobile, Rogers, Telus, Bell Mobility, Telcel, Orange, Vodafone, O2, Telstra and others. In 2003, Proxicast introduced the revolutionary and award winning, LAN Cell Mobile Gateway, the original cellular router. Proxicast is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is a privately-held corporation founded in 2000.
Press Contact
Jim Sabol
412-406-7068
Email: jim(dot)sabol(at)proxicast(dot)com
Press photos of the LAN-Cell 3 are available at: http://www.proxicast.com/lc3/LC3-gallery-pr.htm
For more information, visit Proxicasts web site at http://www.proxicast.com or
call 877-77PROXI / 877-777-7694 (U.S.) or 412-213-2477 (International)
Proxicast, LLC
312 Sunnyfield Drive, Suite 200
Glenshaw, PA 15116-1936 USA
Proxicast is a registered trademark of Proxicast, LLC. LAN-Cell, Modem-LOCK, PocketPORT are trademarks of Proxicast, LLC. All other brand, product and trade names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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