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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Dial-up to DPI in 30 years: An Indian odyssey
India's transformation from a low‐density fixed telephony by the state monopoly in the 1990s to one of the world's largest and most dynamic mobile‐Internet ecosystems has been underpinned by infrastructure roll‐out, entrepreneurial zeal and rapid consumer adoption - shaped by visionary policies and innovative regulations, even if at times in response to a crisis. August 15, 1995 saw the launch of Internet services across six metros, days after the first mobile call in Kolkata on July 31. The rollercoaster experience over the past three decades offers useful cues and clues in the quest for Viksit Bharat by 2047. Monopoly to Market The National Telecom Policy, 1994 broke government's monopoly, promised a telephone in every village by 1997 and invited private investment. The handset cost Rs. 40,000, a one-minute mobile call was Rs. 16.40 for outgoing and Rs. 8.20 for incoming. Department of Telecommunications ( DoT ) was the policymaker and licensor, operator and regulator – all rolled into one. Though Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( TRAI ) was established in 1997, the private operators were gasping for breath by 1998 - defaulting both in network rollout and payment of license fees. March 1999 saw two significant developments – TRAI rationalised tariffs – upto 94% reduction, and the New Telecom Policy allowed migration to revenue-sharing model from fixed license fees, formalised 'Universal Service Obligation'. In 2003, TRAI put an end to the incoming call charges on mobile, leading to rapid adoption – thanks to other enablers - enhanced competition and bundling of devices. Internet, Broadband and Beyond November 1998 saw ISP licenses for one rupee per annum – blacklisting only Internet telephony in contrast to a short whitelist earlier including Archie and Veroinca! International bandwidth was augmented with multiple submarine cables. Internet telephony, albeit with restrictions, was also allowed in 2002. Established in 2003, National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) began online registration of '.in' domain names. While the ambitious targets for 2010 in the Broadband Policy, 2004, remained unfulfilled, growth was fuelled by 3G and 4G, following the spectrum auctions in 2010 and later. National Plans and Policies Galore In 2006, National e-Governance Action Plan proposed about 30 Mission Mode digitization projects– including Ministry of Corporate Affairs and passport. Digital India Programme , launched in 2015, expanded the scope further. Out of 2.65 lakh Gram Panchayats, 2.15 lakh have already been connected by Bharat Net. However, less than 3.5 lakh public Wi-Fi hotspots against the target of one crore under the National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP), 2018 could be due to wide availability and highly affordable tariffs for mobile data on 4G as well as 5G networks. Legacy and Legislation Recognizing 'convergence of both markets and technologies across telecom, IT, consumer electronics and media', NTP 1999 had underlined the need for a forward-looking law to replace the archaic laws of 1885 and 1933 vintage. After almost quarter century, The Telecommunications Act, 2023 did so even as its scope remained narrower than the Convergence Communications Bill, 2001 ,which had lapsed in 2004. It is noteworthy, however, that Right of Way remained one of the common motivations in 2023 just like it was in 1885. Though originally contemplated to support fixed line only, USO Fund scope was expanded to include mobile and Internet in 2006 even it remains overtly focused on supply-side interventions and underutilized with Rs. 80,000 crore in its corpus. Spectrum Management & Auctions Initially bundled with licenses, spectrum auction has become the norm, following the 2012 Supreme Court ruling. However, many chunks of spectrum remain unbid, while others are sold at reserved prices, indicating scope for significant improvement. In addition, there is demand for de-licensed additional bands for new versions of Wi-Fi and other applications. Aadhaar enrolment of 1.4 billion, more than half of global real-time digital payments on UPI, digital vaccination certificates on CoWin – these DPIs were impossible without robust telecom network. While India quickly adopted remote working – including Work From Home, telemedicine and distance education, the pandemic also highlighted the acute challenges faced by the unconnected ones – amplified further on account of disparities across gender, geography and generation. Carriage, Content and Conduct Telecom was for carriage of content – telegraphic messages to telephonic voice. However, the Internet – and, more importantly, the world wide web – enabled creation and collation, curation and circulation of content en masse. However, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the Ministry of Electronics & IT oversee regulation - implying overlaps and gaps. On the other hand, conduct is becoming more important – whether it is cybersecurity or data protection, competition or sustainability. India's tryst with mobile and Internet is a testament to bold policy and enabling regulations, technological advances and innovative business models. To drive the next wave of inclusive growth, the forthcoming policy should embrace convergence and restructure institutional architecture to corral and align 'All for Broadband', not just 'Broadband for All'. (DISCLAIMER: Views expressed are the author's personal.)
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Torrent Power plans Rs3,110cr investment in Nagpur, promises lower tariff & reliable supply
1 2 Nagpur: Torrent Power Limited (TPL) has submitted a comprehensive business plan seeking a power distribution licence for the city and its surrounding areas. The plan aims to modernise infrastructure, improve services and offer a power tariff lower than that of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL). The public hearing on granting a distribution licence to TPL is scheduled for Tuesday. As part of its proposal, TPL has committed to investing Rs3,110 crore over five years to create a state-of-the-art power distribution network that covers both the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) area and adjacent rural parts. These areas come under divisions such as Civil Lines, Congress Nagar, Gandhibaugh, and Mahal under NMC, and MIDC, Mouda, and Umred under rural areas. The company has assured that even the lowest-consumption consumers will be catered to, fulfilling the Universal Service Obligation (USO). According to the plan which The Times Of India has accessed, TPL aims to offer electricity at a 5-7% discount as compared to the existing tariffs of MSEDCL. This pricing strategy, combined with the promise of an uninterrupted, reliable power supply, is expected to be a game-changer for consumers across categories — residential, commercial and industrial. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo Power expert and former MSEB independent director, RB Goenka, said that having a parallel licensee would give much-needed competition to MSEDCL. "However, there are many queries which I would raise in the upcoming public hearing. The tariffs would be decided by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), but the TPL should not link it with MSEDCL's tariff as the latter also has to accommodate agricultural consumers and has to increase tariffs regularly. So, TPL must come up with its own tariff," said Goenka. Besides Goenka, several power experts have long demanded the need for a parallel licensee to end the monopoly of MSEDCL, which currently charges one of the highest power tariffs in the country. As per TPL, Nagpur currently faces a peak demand of over 1,000 MW, with residential users forming 86% of the consumer base. However, commercial and industrial users account for more than half of the power consumed. Torrent estimates that this demand will grow by 25% over the next five years. Annual electricity sales, which currently stand at 33 million units, are projected to touch 1,280 million units by the fifth year. To meet this demand, the company plans to lay a robust power infrastructure with underground cabling in city areas and a hybrid network in rural parts. TPL claimed that it will have a 100% underground network in urban areas, and a mix of 30% underground and 70% overhead in rural parts. Smart metering, SCADA automation, and GIS-based tracking are some of the advanced technologies the company plans to implement. While the company expects initial losses, with negative profit after tax figures in the first four years, TPL forecasts a turnaround by Year 5 with a net profit of Rs10 crore. High capital expenditure, improved operational efficiencies, and reduced distribution losses — from 6.65% in the first year to 6.2% in the fifth — are expected to drive this recovery. On the customer service front, TPL has promised 24x7 helplines, digital service centres branded as "Plug Points," mobile-based complaint resolution, and hassle-free online application systems for new connections and billing. The proposal is currently under review by MERC. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Bangkok Post
28-07-2025
- General
- Bangkok Post
Communication breakdown
Athipat Boonleang, a deaf gay rider, was on the way to deliver a parcel. Confused by the customer's location, she sent a text message to no avail. She contacted an online sign language interpretation service only to find that it is suspended. "Fortunately, a stranger helped me communicate by phone," she said. "But I am not lucky every time." Siriyada Prachayakanjana, a deaf transgender food vendor, had a medical appointment for hormone treatment. However, the online sign language interpretation service stalls and sign language interpreters are not available to accompany her either. "Without assistance, I struggle to read and understand medical terms [written on paper]. A blunder could affect my life," she said. For nearly two months, the suspension of this communication lifeline has impacted thousands of deaf individuals, including Athipat and Siriyada. The Thai Telecommunication Relay Service (TTRS) announced a hiatus on June 13, citing lack of funding from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC). According to the TTRS, there are around 1,200-1,600 calls per day or 450,000 calls per year. In the aftermath of its temporary closure, around 50 deaf people gathered at the NBTC earlier this month, calling for a renewal of the project. Wantanee Phantachat, director of the TTRS, told media that it has been delayed for two years. According to the Universal Service Obligation of the NBTC, the subcommittee has already given a green light and will forward it to the executive board in August. This incident is just the tip of the barrier of communication problems. As July marks Disability Pride Month, "change is needed to ensure inclusion of deaf people in our society. A sign language interpretation service should be integrated to increase their access to information", Chanakan Pittayapoovanai, manager for the Disability Service Centre (DSC), told Life. The DSC provides support to people with disabilities, including on-site sign language interpretation. Her organisation and the TTRS are under the Universal Foundation for Persons with Disabilities. Lack of communication support Chanakan explained how deaf individuals struggle to develop means of communication. Deaf children of deaf parents learn sign language at an early age, however, the situation is more complex for deaf children of hearing parents. As diagnosis is focused on the first group, hearing parents lose opportunities to raise kids properly until they notice signs of hearing loss. From her experience, some parents use cochlear implant surgery and speech training to improve their communication. "Following surgery, limitations may arise in some daily activities. Chances are surgery doesn't make a big difference. Hearing-impaired kids are treated like other hearing kids, when in fact their hearing is not fully restored," she said. Chanakan said "sign language is the most practical means of communication between hearing and deaf individuals". When it comes to Thai, most are not good at it because there are many registers. For example, while there is one sign for an act of eating, there are many eating-related words in Thai. Lastly, lip reading is very difficult. Chanakan said parents send deaf children to special schools due to lack of a communication method. Although deaf schools focus more on life skill development, students learn sign language and Thai. After graduation, their choices are limited to a certain number of universities that offer sign language support. Some may study in a mainstream environment, but still need support from hearing students and instructors. "When I studied sign language at Mahidol University, I tried to make sure that [on-site] interpretation was available in every activity, but I was often perceived as demanding," she recalled. In the past, the hearing-impaired had to book sign language interpreters to communicate in their stead. With the advent of the project-based TTRS, founded in 2011, the deaf can seek immediate help. After callers communicate using sign language, broadcasting staff translate it into spoken language for recipients and vice versa until the end of their conversation. "It is faster and more convenient for the deaf," she said. Chanakan said, however, her foundation is unable to bear financial burden of providing this service. Regardless of its closure, access to sign language interpretation should be the basic right of the deaf. "The TTRS should be established as a government organisation, not a project," she said. Shortage of sign language interpreters Chanakan said "we are tools for communicating needs of both sides", but "it is not a stable job". Only some organisations hire full-time sign language interpreters. Freelance workers find themselves in a precarious position. While interest in the field has grown, only a certain number of candidates fulfil the criteria for this profession. "This accounts for the decline in the number of sign language interpreters [from 500 to 200]," she said. In June, the minister of Social Development and Human Security, Varawut Silpa-archa, said more sign language interpreters will be employed to support around 430,000 hearing-impaired people nationwide. Currently, there are around 200 sign language interpreters registered with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, which is too small to meet demand. Only two universities offer a sign language interpretation programme. Mahidol University's Ratchasuda College offers a bachelor's degree programme, while Suan Dusit provides a one-year certificate programme. Challenges also remain in terms of interpreting in specialised fields. The situation is complicated when interpreters have to communicate new concepts to deaf people. Chanakan said their limited knowledge hinders the creation of new signs. "We don't know how to translate," she said. For example, when the concept of "transgender woman" did not yet have a sign, interpreters had to combine different signs to explain what this new term is. "It circles back to the same problem. Deaf people should receive support in their study of Thai to expand their knowledge. It will encourage the development of new signs and increase access to information," she said. At least 3,000 LGBTI people are registered with the Deaf Thai Rainbow Club. It has collaborated with the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand to create a new glossary. It takes a simpler conceptual approach, creating meaningful visual representation rather than finger-spelling. For example, the concept of "transgender woman" begins with touching the tip of the ear, moving the right hand down to the chest and holding fingertips together as if a flower folds inward. Chanakan urged policymakers to enforce sign language communication in hearing families to ensure that hearing-impaired children do not experience isolation. In addition, schools and universities must ensure that deaf students have access to education. Sign language should be established as an official language in public service. Also, inter- pretation jobs should have better security. "I came across a deaf foreigner who could answer this abstract question, 'what is your dream?'. I was surprised because most deaf Thais typically answer this question like doing true/false exams," she said.
Scottish Sun
27-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Huge change to Royal Mail deliveries from TOMORROW as part of massive shake-up
The major change is set to come into effect tomorrow - so be sure to read below to see how it could impact you SENDING A MESSAGE Huge change to Royal Mail deliveries from TOMORROW as part of massive shake-up Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ROYAL Mail is making a huge change to deliveries as part of a massive shake-up. Starting from tomorrow, Monday, July 28, second class letters will be delivered on alternate weekends and not on Saturday's. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 This table can help you understand what the change will look like Under current one-price-goes-everywhere USO rules the postal service has to deliver post six days a week, from Monday to Saturday. The Universal Service Obligation (USO) requires Royal Mail to deliver letters and parcels to all UK addresses at a uniform price, regardless of location. It also must drop off parcels on five days from Monday to Friday. The shake-up was revealed earlier this month, after Ofcom said reform was needed as people are sending less post. As a result, stamp prices keep rising and the cost of delivering letters goes up. The industry regulator said first-class mail should land on doorsteps six days a week. But starting from July 28, second-class letters will be delivered on alternate weekends. Letters will still be delivered within three working days of collection - Monday to Friday. The change follows a consultation with thousands of people and businesses from various organisations. Speaking at the time, Natalie Black, Ofcom's group director for networks and communications said reform of the postal service was "necessary". eBay Parcel Surprise: Rare Stamps Galore! It comes after a series of changes at the British postal service. In April, the cost of a first-class stamp went up by 5p, now costing £1.70. Second-class stamps rose by 2p to 87p. Meanwhile, posting a first-class large letter up to 100g now costs £3.15, up from £2.60. And first-class small parcels weighing up to 2kg rose from £4.79 to £4.99, while second-class jumped from £3.75 to £3.90. WHAT DO THE CHANGES MEAN? Ofcom has previously said affordability and reliability are more important to Royal Mail customers than the speed of delivery. But they do value having a next-day service for when they need to send the occasional urgent item. Ofcom will therefore continue to require the Royal Mail to deliver First Class letters the next working day, Monday to Saturday. It will also continue to cap the price of a second class stamp. But Ofcom said customers have told it that most letters are not urgent so they do not need six days a week delivery for the majority of letters. Ofcom believes that the changes will save Royal Mail between £250million and £425million a year. NO SERVICE DAYS ROYAL Mail operates round the clock throughout most of the year. But there are a handful of days when no delivery and collection services are offered: New Year's Day Good Friday Easter Monday Early May Bank Holiday Spring Bank Holiday Summer Bank Holiday Christmas Day Boxing Day The regulator is also making a small change to Royal Mail's existing delivery targets. Currently it needs to deliver 93% of all first class post the next day but this will be reduced to 90%. Meanwhile, 95% of all second class mail will now need to be delivered within three days - down from 98.5%. But many people have said they have experienced long delays where letters have taken weeks to arrive. To tackle this, Ofcom has set Royal Mail a new backstop that 99% of all mail has to be delivered no more than two days late. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
South Wales Guardian
10-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Royal Mail allowed to scrap second-class post on Saturdays
At the moment, the courier adheres to the current one-price-goes-anywhere principle of the Universal Service Obligation (USO), which means it must deliver post six days a week, from Monday to Saturday. However, new reforms will allow the firm to stop delivering second-class mail on Saturdays and, instead, deliver it on an alternative mid-week day. First-class stamps will remain unaffected by this change, with letters using these still being delivered six days a week. We're reforming the UK's postal service so it delivers what people need: ✅ First Class still next-day Mon-Sat 📆 Second Class: every other weekday 🛑 New delivery targets to cut long delays 💷 2nd class stamp price cap remains 🔗 Discussing the change, Natalie Black, Ofcom's group director for networks and communications, said: "These changes are in the best interests of consumers and businesses, as urgent reform of the postal service is necessary to give it the best chance of survival." 'But changing Royal Mail's obligations alone won't guarantee a better service – the company now has to play its part and implement this effectively. 'We'll be making sure Royal Mail is clear with its customers about what's happening, and passes the benefits of these changes on to them.' Other recent changes mean the company will have to deliver 90% of first-class mail next day, down from the current target of 93%, according to the BBC. 95% of second-class mail must be delivered within three days, a cut from the current 98.5%. There will also be a new target of 99% of mail being delivered no more than two days late to incentivise Royal Mail to cut down on long delays. The regulator has said that from July 28, Royal Mail will be allowed to axe the six-day-a-week delivery for second-class stamps.
