The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) did not like the change in the norms of mobile number portability (MNP). MNP would allow customers to retain the same number even after changing the network service provider. 

According to one clause of MNP norms, a customer can shift from the GSM to CDMA or vice-versa within the same service provider without going through any central agency. 

The British Telecom would provide various telecom services to state owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). The company tied up with BSNL on Monday to offer managed services spanning basic, leased line, Internet, mobile and broadband services.

It would help the telecom giant to expand its broadband network in the rural India. BSNL would also get access to value-added services and all queries and fault management services from BT.

BT would also allow BSNL to access its global MPLS network and managed service expertise. 

Country's largest cellular operator Bharti Airtel has informed that it would launch direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television service christened 'Airtel digital TV' initially in 62 cities from October 9, 2008.

The company claims that Airtel digital TV uses the latest MPEG4 standard with DVB S2 technology, which translates into exceptional picture clarity and consistent high quality audio for the customer. 

In addition Airtel digital TV also uses 20% larger dish antenna that offers better performance during rain.

Tehran - The Iranian capital Tehran on Tuesday opened the Milad Tower which is said to be the world's fourth highest building for telecommunications.

Only the telecommunication towers of Toronto (553.3 metres), Moscow (533.3 metres) and Shanghai (500 metres) are higher than the Milad Tower in western Tehran with a height of 435 metres, media reports in Iran said.

The tower, owned by the Tehran municipality, is also supposed to serve as a commercial and entertainment centre.

Recently the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) was requested by CDMA operators to put a stop on the auction of spectrum for the much awaited third generation (3G) services, till the time there is no clarification on some vital issues on charges of the spectrum. 

The Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India (Auspi) sent a letter to the Telecom Secretary Siddhartha Behura, in which they briefed, “It is not possible to segregate the revenues earned through 2G services from that of 3G services. Auspi reasons that such bifurcation provides an arbitrage for operators to lower spectrum charges.”