Maruti Suzuki is launching the all new Swift and is using social media (precisely, Facebook) to create buzz for the launch.
This is the first time a Maruti Suzuki vehicle will be first launched online, before the company officials unveil it formally. “The market reaction for the all the new Swift has been extremely encouraging and we are hopeful that the pre-launch bookings will cross the 50,000 units mark by Wednesday, when we formally launch the car,” says Shashank Srivatsava, chief general manager (marketing), Maruti Suzuki.[source]
End to pesky calls, SMSes in sight in four to six weeks
In a relief to millions of mobile phone users, telecom regulator TRAI today said it will take 4-6 weeks to curb the menace of unsolicited calls and SMSes after DoT cleared the ‘140’ number series exclusively for landline phones of telemarketing companies.
DoT has cleared the ‘140’ number series exclusively for landline phones of telemarketing companies to help consumers recognize such calls.[source]
Post office to function as a Bank (?)
The department of posts is working on a plan to get a bank licence, which will be sent to the Cabinet for approval. Once it gets a go-ahead, the postal department will formally seek a licence from the Reserve Bank of India.
If the plan is approved and India Post gets to start its own banking operations, it has the potential to emerge as one of the biggest banks in the country, thanks to its massive network and reach. India Post, the largest postal network in the world, comprises 1.55 lakh post offices, of which nearly 1.4 lakh are in rural areas. [source]
SEBI wants powers to see phone call, e-mail records
The Securities and Exchange Board of India has sought powers to seek e-mail and call records from telecom service providers. This move, the market regulator hopes, will help it prevent black money entering the market as also keep an eye on insider trading.[source]
Educomp ties up with Kanchi mutt to set up 100 schools
Educomp Solutions, a leading education company, today announced its joint venture with Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam to set up a 100 schools across the country. To be set up under the patronage of Kanchi Sankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi, the schools will be known as Sri Kanchi Sankara Universal Academy.
DoT may ask Bharti Hexacom to pay 20% dividend
The Telecom Ministry is likely to ask the private sector telecom company Bharti Airtel to give at least 20 per cent dividend to public sector TCIL which holds 30 per cent stake in Bharti Hexacom.
Hexacom offers mobile services in six north-eastern states (excluding Assam) and Rajasthan and has a little over 15 million customers. The government owns 30 per cent in Bharti Hexacom through Telecom Consultants of India (TCIL).[source]
Lava plans $15-m investment to expand abroad
Lava International, one of the new entrants in India’s burgeoning mobile handset space, is all set to invest $15 million (around Rs 67 crore) for expanding into overseas markets.
The Noida-headquartered company plans to expand in Nigeria, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nigeria over the next three years [source].
