Global mobile industry to grow to $1.9 trillion by 2015

The global mobile industry is expected to grow to $1.9 trillion by 2015 from the current $1.5 trillion level. 

Revenues of service providers will continue to contribute a major chunk, with their share growing to $1.1 trillion from $984 billion at present, a research conducted by GSM Association (GSMA) said. 

"The mobile communications industry is creating a connected economy across the globe, through network investment, job creation and contributions to public funding," GSMA Director General Anne Bouverot said in a statement. 

Over the next four years, the mobile industry will invest $793 billion in capital and contribute $2.7 trillion to public funding globally, the research added. 

As per the research, the global subscriber base is estimated to increase to 4.6 billion, while the number of mobile connections would reach 9.1 billion by 2015. 

At present, 3.6 billion mobile subscribers account for 6.6 billion connections globally. 

"Clearly, the mobile industry is success story. Perhaps more powerful, though, is how mobile is transforming adjacent industries, such as education, healthcare, payments and transactions, transportation and utilities. Mobile is connecting the world as no other technology has before," Bouverot added. 

In terms of employment too, the communications industry would continue to be a major component. 

From a workforce of eight million at present, GSMA expects the number to grow to about 10 million globally by 2015. 

The mobile industry is also fuelling the growth of local economies. 

Citing World Bank estimates, GSMA said a 10 per cent increase in mobile penetration drives a 0.6 per cent increase in a developed country's GDP and a 0.81 per cent increase a developing country's GDP. 

In low-to-middle income countries, a 10 per cent increase in mobile broadband penetration yields a 1.4 per cent increase in GDP, GSMA said. 

"As an industry, we will build the connected economy, while ensuring interoperability of services across operators, networks and countries," Bouverot added. 

In a separate study, GSMA said it expects connected devices like mobile phones, tablet PCs and consumer applications to create a business impact worth of $4.5 trillion by 2020. 

Conducted in collaboration with Machina Research, the study projects revenues from sale of connected devices and related services to be worth $2.5 trillion by 2020, of which $1.2 trillion could be addressed by mobile operators.

Dow Chemicals appointed Stratfor to spy on Bhopal activists: WikiLeaks

Whistleblowing website WikiLeakstoday began publishing more than five million confidential emails from US-based intelligence firm Stratfor, the anti-secrecy group said. 

The messages, which date from between July 2004 and December 2011, will reveal Stratfor's "web of informers, pay-off structure, payment-laundering techniques and psychological methods," claimed a WikiLeaks press release. 

"The material shows how a private intelligence agency works, and how they target individuals for their corporate and government clients," added the press release. 

The messages show that Dow Chemicals used Stratfor to monitor and analyse the online activities of activists seeking redress for the 1984 Dow Chemical/Union Carbide gas disaster in Bhopal. 

The online organisation claims to have proof of the firm's confidential links to large corporations, such as Bhopal's Dow Chemical Co and Lockheed Martin and government agencies, including the US Department of Homeland Security, the US Marines and the US Defense Intelligence Agency. 

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is currently in Britain fighting extradition to Sweden where he is wanted for questioning on rape and sexual assault allegations, and WikiLeaks has long expressed concern that if he is sent to Sweden, Stockholm would quickly send him on to theUnited States. 

Washington is eager to lay hands on the founder after the organisation's publication of hundreds of thousands of classified US diplomatic files. 

WikiLeaks promises that the latest leak will highlight Stratfor's attempts to "subvert" the website and expose the US's attempts to "attack" Assange. 

Stratfor, which was founded by George Friedman in 1996, describes itself as "a subscription-based provider of geopolitical analysis." 

"Unlike traditional news outlets, Stratfor uses a unique, intelligence-based approach to gathering information via rigorous open-source monitoring and a global network of human sources," according to the Texas-based firm's website. 

The company promises subscribers will "gain a thorough understanding of international affairs, including what's happening, why it's happening, and what will happen next." 

WikiLeaks predicts that the significance of the emails will only become clear over the next few weeks as its 25 media partners and the public sift through the raft of messages. 

Its media partners include Rolling Stone magazine, The Hindu newspaper and Italy's La Repubblica. 

The group claims to have found evidence that Stratfor gave a complimentary membership toPakistan general Hamid Gul, former head of Pakistan's ISI intelligence service, who, according to US diplomatic cables, planned an IED attack against international forces in Afghanistan in 2006. 

The group also alleges it has proof that Stratfor monitored and analysed the online activities of activists seeking redress for the 1984 Dow Chemical/Union Carbide gas disaster in Bhopal, India.

Bradley Manning, the man suspected of turning over a massive cache of classified US documents to the secret-spilling site, on Thursday declined to enter a plea at his arraignment. 

Manning, a 24-year-old US army private, is charged with 22 counts in connection with one of the biggest intelligence breaches in US history. 

WikiLeaks was due to hold a press conference at London's Frontline Club later today.

Sensex falls over 450 pts, posts sharpest fall in 5 mths

 

The BSE Sensex dropped 2.7 percent on Monday to post its biggest fall in five months, as high oil prices due to escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear programme renewed worries about domestic inflation.

Index heavyweight Reliance Industries, top private sector lender ICICI Bank, and Infosys, the country's No. 2 software services provider, led the fall, losing a combined 184 points on the benchmark.

The main 30-share BSE index fell 477.82 points to 17,445.75, with 28 of its components declining. The index is still up 13 percent this year, on foreign fund inflows of about $5.5 billion.

"Our expectation for inflation and interest rates to come down depends a lot on crude oil prices. If the latter does not come down, then inflation will not come down and rates won't fall," said Deven Choksey, CEO of brokerage K R Choksey.

Brent crude fell back below $125 after prices had surged to 10-month highs as tensions over Iran's disputed nuclear programme raised fears of supply disruptions.

"We believe oil prices remain the biggest concern at the moment, as they have ramifications for many other structural macro issues," Macquarie said in a report, adding oil prices can deteriorate current account and fiscal deficit, thereby putting pressure on the rupee.

"They tend to impact inflation with a 3-4-month lag and can prematurely derail the rate-easing cycle; third, they can increase input cost pressures and keep corporate operating margins subdued for some more time," the report on Friday said.

The BSE banking index fell nearly 4 percent on worries high inflation could make it difficult for the central bank to cut interest rates. State Bank of India fell 3.8 percent, while rival ICICI Bank lost 4.7 percent.

Energy conglomerate Reliance Industries fell 4.7 percent to 781.45 rupees, while Infosys closed down 2.2 percent at 2,883.35 rupees.

The interest-rate sensitive auto sector was among the biggest losers, with top two-wheeled vehicles maker Hero MotoCorp falling 6.8 percent, while Bajaj Auto (BAJA.NS) ended 3.2 percent down.

Top car maker Maruti Suzuki ended 2.2 percent lower and tractor cum sports utility vehicle maker Mahindra and Mahindra closed down 4.6 percent.

The benchmark real estate sector index lost 5.3 percent, with India's largest listed developer DLFfalling 5.3 percent, while shares in HDIL dropped 8.1 percent.

The 50-share NSE index shed 2.73 percent to end at 5,281.20.

"We are in a correction phase...but markets should invite buying back at 5,200 levels on the Nifty," Choksey said.

"But if crude oil price shows a nasty up move, then even 5,200 level for the Nifty may not hold the fort," he added.

In the broader market, there were 6.6 losers for every single gainer on total volumes of about 867 million shares.

World stocks as measured by MSCI fell 0.5 percent, while emerging equities were down 1.03 percent.

STOCKS THAT MOVED

* Shares in Indian miner Sesa Goa (SESA.NS) fell more than 10 percent on Monday after parent Vedanta Resources (VED.L) decided to merge the company with group firm Sterlite Industries and set a swap ratio of three Sesa Goa shares for five Sterlite shares.

* Oracle Financial Services Software Ltd fell as much as 5.45 percent after the information technology solutions provider said it was not aware of any delisting of its shares by its U.S.-based parent.

TOP 3 BY VOLUME

* Lanco Infra with 88.3 million shares

* Sterlite Industries with 34.9 million shares

* IFCI Ltd with 34.2 million shares

Finmeccanica denies wrongdoing in India deal

 

Finmeccanica denied any wrongdoing over a 560 million euros helicopter deal after Indian authorities launched a corruption probe into the contract which sent shares in the Italian defence and aerospace group reeling.

Shares in Finmeccanica slumped as much as 8.5 percent to a six-day low. By 1327 GMT, the stock was down 5.6 percent at 3.92 euros, featuring among the top losers.

Defence Minister A. K. Antony has ordered a probe into the purchase of 12 helicopters from Finmeccanica unit AgustaWestland because of alleged irregularities, two defence ministry sources said, declining to be identified.

The sources said government officials could be involved in taking kickbacks for changing the terms and conditions of the deal in favour of the company.

"AgustaWestland is not involved in any irregularity concerning the supply of helicopters in India. No notice related to the investigations has been served," Finmeccanica said.

The probe is a fresh challenge for chairman and chief executive Giuseppe Orsi who has been tasked with rebuilding the group's reputation after a corruption probe forced out former boss Pier Francesco Guarguaglini.

The state-controlled group is involved in a long-running probe centering on accusations of false invoices and slush funds to pay bribes.

Guarguaglini and his wife Marina Grossi, who was chief executive of Finmeccanica subsidiary Selex Sistemi Integrati, are both under investigation as part of the probe. Both deny wrongdoing.

Orsi was at the helm of AgustaWestland when the Indian helicopters contract was signed two years ago.

Italian daily Il Messaggero said Italian magistrates investigating Finmeccanica's international operations allege that price increases in contracts may have allowed the group to set aside funds used to pay bribes.

Separately, AgustaWestland said the helicopter contract had undergone no price increases and instead it was awarded after the company lowered the value of its initial bid.

The contract refers to 12 AW101 helicopters and was awarded to AgustaWestland after a comprehensive evaluation, it said. Negotiations lasted 17 months to February 2010.

US lawmakers upset over Iraq buying basmati from India

US Congress members from the largest rice-growing states are on warpath, asking Iraq to resume buying US long-grain rice, instead of from India. 

"We liberated their country for one thing," said Texas representative Ted Poe. "We would think they would consider the US in trade since we spent billions of dollars not only to liberate their country, but to rebuild their infrastructure." 

Twelve congressmen have fired off a letter to Iraq's trade minister Khair Alla Babaker earlier this week pressing him to get Iraqis back on the American long-grain variety. 


The letter said that there was a 77 per cent drop in rice sales to Iraq between 2010 and 2011, even though "not long ago, Iraq represented the largest market for US rice." 

The Iraqi grain board has said it decided to buy cheaper basmati rice from India. Baghdad hasn't bought US rice since late 2010. 

Iraq's trade ministry has said that much of the shift is a function of the Iraqi public preferring India's basmati rice, which the US doesn't produce. 

There is no law keeping the US out of Iraq's rice market, but American farmers simply aren't growing the right kind of rice for the Iraqi dinner plate. 

The Iraqi move comes as US farmers struggle with drought, unusual heat, rising production costs, dropping prices and a shrinking export market. 

The 12 legislators from Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas and Virginia say the rice industry has worked closely with Iraq to develop a relationship, including conducting meetings and workshops with Iraqi grain board officials, and touring with them at US rice fields and mills.

India no more a polio-endemic country: WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has removed India from the list of polio-endemic countries, suggesting that the wild polio virus had been totally eliminated from the environment. The disease paralysed thousands of children every year for several decades.

This announcement was made by Health and Family Planning Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here at the Polio Summit 2012 in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, amidst a thunderous applause. The feat came after India successfully completed an entire year without an incidence of polio.

Mr. Azad said he received a letter from the United Nations body stating that the “WHO has taken India's name off the list of polio endemic countries in view of the remarkable progress that we have made during the past one year.”

However, India will have to remain polio free for two more years before it is declared polio-free by the WHO.

There were only four countries in the WHO endemic list, including Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan. India reported its last polio case on January 13, 2011 in West Bengal. In 2009, it reported 741 polio cases, more than anywhere else in the world. In 2010 only 42 cases were reported against 1.5 lakh in 1985.

“We are greatly encouraged by the splendid progress that we have made during the last one year. We are aware that we cannot drop our guard,” Mr Azad said while drawing attention to the persistent risks of indigenous transmission and importations from other endemic countries.

“We have, therefore, put in place an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan across the country. Under this plan, there is going to be zero tolerance for any new polio case and such a case will be declared as a public health emergency,” the Minister said.

Rapid response teams have already been formed in all States to respond to any polio case. In addition, we have alerted all the States bordering the neighbouring countries to strengthen surveillance for early detection of any imported polio virus. Special booths have been established on the Wagah border and the Attari train station in Punjab, and the Munabao train station in Rajasthan to ensure that all children under the age of 5 coming from across the border are given polio drops.

Reaffirming India's commitment to achieving full immunisation, Dr. Singh said the real credit should go to to the 23 lakh volunteers who repeatedly vaccinated children even in the most remote areas often in very bad weather conditions. “We must ensure every child, rich or poor, whether living in Ladakh or in Delhi, has equal access to the best immunisation.”

Dr. Singh also emphasised the need for providing nutritious food, safe drinking water, proper sanitation and education, in addition to universal access to safe vaccines.

Recounting how India reached the first step for becoming a polio-free country, Mr. Azad said 27 per cent of the global expenditure on polio eradication came from the country's domestic resources. More than 99 per cent coverage of children in the two remaining endemic States of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh was unprecedented, not witnessed anywhere else in the world on such a large scale.

WHO Assistant Director-General (Polio) Bruce Aylward delivered WHO Director-General Margaret Chan's letter to India, which states: “WHO will remove India from the list of endemic countries with polio virus.”

Mr. Aylward said: “It is an incredible achievement” which has come about due to the perseverance of Indian government and its people. “India's success has inspired the world.”

History of Indian Tricolor

"A flag is a necessity for all nations. Millions have died for it. It is no doubt a kind of idolatry which would be a sin to destroy. For, a flag represents an Ideal The unfurling of the Union Jack evokes in the English breast sentiments whose strength it is difficult to measure. The Stars and Stripes mean a world to the Americans. The Star and the Crescent will call forth the best bravery in Islam."

"It will be necessary for us Indians Muslims, Christians Jews, Parsis, and all others to whom India is their home-to recognize a common flag to live and to die for."

- Mahatma Gandhi

Every free nation of the world has its own flag. It is a symbol of a free country. The National Flag of India was designed by Pingali Venkayyaand and adopted in its present form during the meeting of Constituent Assembly held on the 22 July 1947, a few days before India's independence from the British on 15 August, 1947. It served as the national flag of the Dominion of India between 15 August 1947 and 26 January 1950 and that of the Republic of India thereafter. In India, the term "tricolour" refers to the Indian national flag.

The National flag of India is a horizontal tricolor of deep saffron (kesari) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. The ratio of width of the flag to its length is two to three. In the centre of the white band is a navy blue wheel which represents the chakra. Its design is that of the wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Its diameter approximates to the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes.

Evolution of the Tricolour

It is really amazing to see the various changes that our National Flag went through since its first inception. It was discovered or recognised during our national struggle for freedom. The evolution of the Indian National Flag sailed through many vicissitudes to arrive at what it is today. In one way it reflects the political developments in the nation. Some of the historical milestones in the evolution of our National Flag involve the following:

Unofficial flag of India
in 1906


The Berlin committee
flag, first raised by
Bhikaiji Cama in 1907


The flag used during the
Home Rule movement
in 1917


The flag unofficially
adopted in 1921


The flag adopted in 1931.
This flag was also the
battle ensign of the
Indian National Army


The present Tricolour
flag of India

The first national flag in India is said to have been hoisted on August 7, 1906, in the Parsee Bagan Square (Green Park) in Calcutta now Kolkata. The flag was composed of three horizontal strips of red, yellow and green.

The second flag was hoisted in Paris by Madame Cama and her band of exiled revolutionaries in 1907 (according to some inl9OS). This was very similar to the first flag except that the top strip had only one lotus but seven stars denoting the Saptarishi. This flag was also exhibited at a socialist conference in Berlin.

The third flag went up in 1917 when our political struggle had taken a definite turn. Dr. Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak hoisted it during the Home rule movement. This flag had five red and four green horizontal strips arranged alternately, with seven stars in the saptarishi configuration super-imposed on them. In the left-hand top corner (the pole end) was the Union Jack. There was also a white crescent and star in one corner.

During the session of the All India Congress Committee which met at Bezwada in 1921 (now Vijayawada) an Andhra youth prepared a flag and took it to Gandhiji. It was made up of two colours-red and green-representing the two major communities i.e. Hindus and Muslims. Gandhiji suggested the addition of a white strip to represent the remaining communities of India and the spinning wheel to symbolise progress of the Nation.

The year 1931 was a landmark in the history of the flag. A resolution was passed adopting a tricolor flag as our national flag. This flag, the forbear of the present one, was saffron, white and green with Mahatma Gandhi's spinning wheel at the center. It was, however, clearly stated that it bore no communal significance and was to be interpreted thus.

On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly adopted it as Free India National Flag. After the advent of Independence, the colours and their significance remained the same. Only the Dharma Charkha of Emperor Asoka was adopted in place of the spinning wheel as the emblem on the flag. Thus, the tricolour flag of the Congress Party eventually became the tricolour flag of Independent India.

Colours of the Flag:

In the national flag of India the top band is of Saffron colour, indicating the strength and courage of the country. The white middle band indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra. The last band is green in colour shows the fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land.

The Chakra:

This Dharma Chakra depicted the "wheel of the law" in the Sarnath Lion Capital made by the 3rd-century BC Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The chakra intends to show that there is life in movement and death in stagnation.

Flag Code

On 26th January 2002, the Indian flag code was modified and after several years of independence, the citizens of India were finally allowed to hoist the Indian flag over their homes, offices and factories on any day and not just National days as was the case earlier. Now Indians can proudly display the national flag any where and any time, as long as the provisions of the Flag Code are strictly followed to avoid any disrespect to the tricolour. For the sake of convenience, Flag Code of India, 2002, has been divided into three parts. Part I of the Code contains general description of the National Flag. Part II of the Code is devoted to the display of the National Flag by members of public, private organizations, educational institutions, etc. Part III of the Code relates to display of the National Flag by Central and State governments and their organisations and agencies.

There are some rules and regulations upon how to fly the flag, based on the 26 January 2002 legislation. These include the following:

The Do's:

• The National Flag may be hoisted in educational institutions (schools, colleges, sports camps, scout camps, etc.) to inspire respect for the Flag. An oath of allegiance has been included in the flag hoisting in schools.
• A member of public, a private organization or an educational institution may hoist/display the National Flag on all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise consistent with the dignity and honour of the National Flag.
• Section 2 of the new code accepts the right of all private citizens to fly the flag on their premises.

The Don'ts

• The flag cannot be used for communal gains, drapery, or clothes. As far as possible, it should be flown from sunrise to sunset, irrespective of the weather.
• The flag cannot be intentionally allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water. It cannot be draped over the hood, top, and sides or back of vehicles, trains, boats or aircraft.
• No other flag or bunting can be placed higher than the flag. Also, no object, including flowers or garlands or emblems can be placed on or above the flag. The tricolour cannot be used as a festoon, rosette or bunting.

More information on Flag Code of India (282 KB)(PDF file that opens in a new window) 

The Indian National Flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of India. It is the symbol of our national pride. Over the last five decades, several people including members of armed forces have ungrudgingly laid down their lives to keep the tricolour flying in its full glory.

Russia backs PM's remarks on Kudankulam project

Russia's ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin has said that his country's stand on American non- government agencies (NGOs') stalling the Kudankulam nuclear project in Tamil Nadu has been vindicated by a statement made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during an interview with a science magazine on Thursday.


"We have been suspecting it all along, and, I was openly saying this, because it was very strange. Six months after the Fukushima tragedy, all those protesters raise their voices. They were sleeping for six months, and then, all of sudden, they raise their voices against the most secure, the best and the safest (nuclear power) station in the world," said Kadakin in an interview.


"We were perplexed, but now we stand vindicated," Kadkin added.


On Thursday, speaking to the Science journal, Prime Minister Singh said: "The atomic energy programme has got into difficulties because these NGOs, mostly, I think, based in the US, don't appreciate the need for our country to increase energy."




The minister in charge of the Prime Minister's Office, V.Narayanasamy, told on Friday that the union home ministry is investigating the background and funding of these NGOs, and added that the government had received reports that these organisations were being funded by outfits from the United States and some Scandinavian countries.


Manmohan Singh's remarks have sparked off a political row, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asking him to reveal the details of US NGOs' involvement in public.


Without directly naming the United States, Kadakin said some strategic friends of India who were not doing anything for its energy sector, don't like the idea of India becoming strong, and therefore, are stalling the Kudankulam project through proxies.


Kadakin further claimed that some strategic powers wanted to hamper Indo-Russian cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy, and emphasized that Russia wants India to be strong and the people of Tamil Nadu to get electricity.


Russia has expressed hope that it would like India to go ahead with its nuclear energy roadmap.




"The Prime Minister's statement and the home ministry's findings would unlock the situation at Kudankulam," Kadakin said.

CBEC freezes Kingfisher Airlines bank accounts for failure to pay service tax

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) on Friday said that it has frozen the bank accounts of Kingfisher Airlines for its failure to pay service tax arrears. 

"They were paying Rs 1 crore per day. For past few days there has been an interruption. They have not been able to pay, so we have frozen their accounts 2-3 days ago by issuing a letter to the bank," CBEC Chairman S K Goel told reporters. 

The airlines, he further said, had an outstanding indirect tax arrears of Rs 70 crore and about Rs 35 crore is still due from them. 

Promoted by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, Kingfisher Airlines has run into financial problems and has suffered losses of over Rs 1,000 crore during the nine-month period ending December 2011. 

A consortium of 18 bankers including 14 state-owned lenders and four private banks have provide huge sums to the beleaguered airlines which has a total debt of about Rs 7,057 crore and accumulated losses of about Rs 6,000 crore. 

In view of the precarious financial position, the airlines is finding it difficult to procure fresh funds from the banks. 

The bankers have been insisting they would not pump in money unless the promoters infused fresh equity into the company.

India not halting insurance cover on exports to Iran

India' export guarantee agency has not stopped giving insurance cover to shipments to Iran and has only tightened criteria as part of a more cautious approach, official sources said on Friday, as western sanctions make trade with Tehran tougher. 

The sanctions imposed by the United States andEuropean Union to deter Tehran from pursuing its nuclear programme are playing havoc with Iran's ability to pay for its imports, leaving global suppliers jittery about doing business with the Islamic republic. 



About $3 billion in Iranian arrears in payments to India for imports have accumulated since December 2010 when a previous payment conduit was closed under pressure from Washington. Indian rice suppliers have also reported defaults by Iranian buyers. 

"We have been very cautious for the past six months and will try to keep our exposure (to Iran) at the minimal level," said one source at the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC), which covers the risk of Indian exporters selling on credit. 

"But we have not halted cover to Iran exports." Another ECGC source said insurance cover was being given "on a case by case basis" after the agency tightened the norms for cover of goods destined for Iran. A third ECGC source said Iran was on the agency's restricted countries list, along with nations including Yemen and Libya. "Iran figures in the restricted category because of political reasons," the third source told Reuters. 

Two of the ECGC sources said the agency currently had an exposure of up to six billion rupees ($123 million) in providing insurance cover to Indian exports to Iran. 

India is Iran's second-biggest oil client, buying about $11 billion worth of crude every year. Indian exports to Irancome to about $3 billion and the two sides are exploring ways, including barter, to carry on their trade despite sanctions. 

While Indian oil refiners are currently routing their payments to Iran through Turkey's Halkbank, Indian exporters use Dubai-based middlemen to receive payments. Both channels have appeared vulnerable in the face of new tougher sanctions. 

India abides by United Nations sanctions on Iran, but has refused to go along with the new financial measures imposed by the United States and European Union. 

In the face of sanctions that make it difficult for Iran to repatriate the funds from its crude oil exports, it has agreed with India to settle 45 percent of their oil trade using the rupee, which is not freely traded on global markets. Last week, Indian exporters said they should be able to receive payments in rupees for sales to Iran.

NSN HSPA+ Multiflow – Lets One Device Connect to Two BTS Simultaneously

Nokia Siemens Networks and Qualcomm introduces the world’s first “HSPA+ (4G) Multiflow” which may offer Data Rates Upto 600 Mbps and also provide some relief from depressed data network connectivity while on move.

Known as HSPA+ Multiflow, it allows devices located close to the edge of a mobile base station’s cell to connect with a second /another base station serving a neighboring cell. The ‘Multiflow’ name refers to the two different paths data can then take to reach a device.

The feature makes far more efficient use of network resources, delivering up to double the data speed up to 600 Mbps and up to 50% faster response compared to existing HSPA+ 4G networks.

100 million smart devices being added every month and the consequent increase in ‘smart’ applications are leading to the increase in unpredictable data traffic. There is a need for operators to look at how they can tackle this traffic growth, by using network resources efficiently to deliver a better mobile broadband experience.

The HSPA+ Multiflow feature is expected to be 3GPP standardized by mid 2012, and will be available commercially from Nokia Siemens Networks by second half of 2013.