Indian telecom sector is expanding its base despite tight economic conditions and global slowdown. Country witnessed record increase in GSM subscriber in October. It has now become the fastest growing mobile market of the world, where telecom companies are offering services at quite low rates.

Keeping in mind the needs of fashion conscious customers in India, Spice has revealed its plans to come out with its sophisticated mobile handset S930, which will carry a very reasonable price tag of just Rs 7999. It would be an extraordinary handset with lots of innovative features. The Spice phone S930 has been equipped with Finger Swipe Touch Screen (FSTS) that will let the young India to explore the new technologies at a very reasonable price.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), a leading state run telecom operator, has announced that it is considering acquiring companies in Africa and Middle East.

While commenting on the proposals, Mr. Kuldeep Goyal, BSNL chairman and managing director stated, “We are looking at developing economies such as Africa and Middle East countries.”

The company is proposing expansion in mobile and broadband sectors in the countries where telecom density is low.

The Union Government has decided to charge for additional spectrum above 6.2 MHz in addition to the license fees. The magnitude of additional sum would be decided by Telecom Commission, the policy-making arm of the Department of Telecommunications.

In order to generate additional revenues from 2G spectrum, the government has decided to charge a fee of 1-2 percent of mobile operators. The government has also decided to levy a one-time charge for spectrum beyond 6.2 MHz radio frequency.

The government has also made it clear that the operators with more than 8 Mhz spectrum will have to pay an additional 2 per cent of their revenues to the Government annually. Those with less than 8 Mhz will have to pay one per cent more than what they already give to the Government as spectrum charges. Currently, the maximum spectrum charge being paid by mobile operators is four per cent of their annual revenue. This will now go up to six per cent.

Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTSL) announced that it has rolled out CDMA operations in the Assam circle with an initial investment of Rs 100 croreit.

In the early stage of launch, TTSL will offer seamless coverage in 31 towns of Assam and will shortly be introducing services in the North East region.

According to the sources, the company has launched a range of products, which include prepaid and postpaid mobile services, photon-high speed internet access, fixed wireless telephony under the brand name Walky Talky and a host of value-added services.