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One word answer to the question in title is: "Nothing".
At the best, the world can learn from India how to not run telecom
and communication activities.
Some Indian bureaucrats with very high opinion about themselves
and Indian telecom infrastructure may think otherwise.
Sure, they may want to become my guest and teach anyone willing
to learn a thing or two about telecom.
I just returned from India after spending about 3 weeks with friends
and family spread across 1600 kilometers from
Chandigarh in west to Katihar (Bihar) in east. I traveled across the
breadth
by train, plane, vehicles like Balero, and rode pillion
100s of kilometers on motorcycle in areas rural UP straddling Nepal,
and Bihar .
In three weeks of time, I traveled about 2000 Kms.
It used to be so easy to get a sim card at Delhi airport itself at
arrival. Not anymore.
Now you have to go through grueling verification process.
After reaching Chandigarh (my first and last stop), I applied for a sim at
neighborhood shop. but heard nothing for two days. Since I had to
start onward Journey
and my seats were booked, I had not time to waste.
Armed with all kind of IDs that I could provide, I went to Airtel company
showroom in Chandigarh and begged a new sim to be activated.
I had also to provide another mobile number where I could receive an
activation code. After receiving activation code,
I had to call a 5 digit number which my iphone will not call for
some reason. To get my activation completed, I put
the sim into a phone borrowed from my sister so that I can call
the number required for activation.
As per quality of service, the less said the better. They sold me a 4G
sim card but even getting a 3G was a rarity. Most of the places,
internet was slow and intermittent.
Airtel was good at flooding my phone with SMS messages about services
it offered, particularly as I
crossed state boundary into Haryana, UP West, UP east, Bihar etc.
Call quality was very poor at my home right in the heart of Chandigarh.
My phone adapter died after two days of use. So,
I was keeping my phone off most of the time to conserve battery.
I borrowed a power adapter from a family member and used the usb to
lighting
connecter to charge my phone whenever an electric outlet was available.
My kept my phone usage to minimum, just enough to keep myself
connected with my hosts and contacts. Power
situation in rural UP was bad and internet speed rarely exceeded 2G on
my phone.
The last three days of stay, I slightly increased usage of the phone. I
was raking about about 50/60 Rs of phone charging per day. That
translates to about USD 30 per month. This rate is no way cheaper then
the rate I pay here
in US About $100 per month for family plan of four lines for all you can
talk, text, and about 2.5
G of LTE speed internet. Before using airtel sim, I was roaming in
India at 20cents per
min on my T-mobile sim from US.
So, If I have to say it in a few lines about my recent experience of
Indian telecom, I would
say that Indian consumers are paying world class price
to receive a really third class service. This is a rip off and I do not
know what Indian
consumers can do about it.
Part of the reason is that India is stuck into a poverty trap. Very
little is generated in
terms of surplus to be invested in infrastructure or growth activities.
Government is growing day by day at the cost of individuals, displacing
private
creativity and entrepreneurship from all most all walks of life.
The investment priorities needed to bring country
out of this vicious circle does not mesh well with the priorities of
political class and elites.
Basically, some questions that that came to my mind as I was thinking
of what I
experienced during my recent visit:
Is the quality of telecom not tied to overall economic well being of the
country?
Can people of a country buy world class service so long as their income
levels
are at the bottom of the heap. And, is it possible to raise the
income level of the people
without raising their intellectual and emotional levels ?
Sincerely,
Ratnendra Pandey
On 8/21/2016 10:20 AM, Satish Jha wrote:
> Ravi,
>
> The world may learn what it feels comfortable learning from anyone.
> However, to offer someone that they can learn from us is something
> only very special folks may do. They may have to learn a bit, however,
> before anyone begins to learn from them.
>
> Best
>
> --------
> Satish Jha
> T: +1-202-286-2006
> Sent from my iPhone6S+
>
> On Aug 21, 2016, at 11:49 AM, Arun Mehta <[email protected]
> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
>
>> forwarding at Ravi Prasad's request...
>> arun
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: *Ravi VS Prasad* <[email protected]
>> <mailto:[email protected]>>
>> Date: Sun, Aug 21, 2016 at 10:18 AM
>> Subject: What can India teach the world in telecom and information
>> technology?
>> To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
>>
>>
>> Dear Arun,
>>
>> As discussed, I have been asked to write a 22 minute script on what
>> India can teach the world in telecom and information technology.
>>
>> What are the technologies, applications, methodologies, processes
>> which are unique to India, where the rest of the world can learn from
>> India.
>>
>> Say the use of telecom and information technology for the disabled,
>> handicapped, medical applications, agricultural and irrigation
>> applications, etc.
>>
>> These should be unique to India, and should be areas where the rest
>> of the world can learn from India's pioneering work.
>>
>> I would be grateful for your advice. Please also circulate to any
>> others who could provide inputs. I have to submit my script by 24
>> August evening.
>>
>> Many thanks,
>>
>> Ravi Visvesvaraya Sharada Prasad
>>
>> [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
>>
>> Phones
>>
>> 7042630123
>> 7042640123
>> 9871245678
>> 9810911234
>>
>> Ravi Visvesvaraya Sharada Prasad
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> India-gii mailing list
>> India-gii-IAPFreCvJWP2/[email protected] <mailto:India-gii-IAPFreCvJWP2/[email protected]>
>> https://lists.india-gii.org/mailman/listinfo/india-gii
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> India-gii mailing list
> India-gii-IAPFreCvJWP2/[email protected]
> https://lists.india-gii.org/mailman/listinfo/india-gii
--------------090808010902050608040709
Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<html>
<head>
<meta content=3D"text/html=3B charset=3Dutf-8" http-equiv=3D"Content-Ty=
pe">
</head>
<body bgcolor=3D"#FFFFFF" text=3D"#000000">
One word answer to the question in title is:=C2=A0 "Nothing". <br>
At the best=2C the world can learn from India how to not run telecom <b=
r>
and communication activities.<br>
Some Indian bureaucrats with very high opinion about themselves<br>
=C2=A0and=C2=A0 Indian telecom infrastructure may think otherwise.<br>
Sure=2C they may want to become my guest and teach=C2=A0 anyone willing=
<br>
to learn a thing or two about telecom. <br>
<br>
I just returned from India after spending about 3 weeks with friends
<br>
and family spread across 1600 kilometers from<br>
Chandigarh in west to Katihar (Bihar) in east.=C2=A0 I traveled across
the breadth <br>
by train=2C plane=2C vehicles like Balero=2C and rode pillion<br>
100s of kilometers on motorcycle in areas rural UP straddling Nepal=2C
and=C2=A0 Bihar . <br>
In three weeks of time=2C I traveled about 2000 Kms.<br>
<br>
It used to be so easy to get a sim card at Delhi airport itself at
arrival. Not anymore.<br>
Now you have to go through grueling verification process.<br>
After reaching Chandigarh (my first and last stop)=2C I applied for a
sim at <br>
neighborhood shop. but heard=C2=A0 nothing for=C2=A0 two days. Since I =
had to
start onward Journey<br>
and my seats were booked=2C I had not time to waste. <br>
Armed with all kind of IDs that I could provide=2C I went to Airtel
company <br>
showroom in Chandigarh and begged a new sim to be activated.=C2=A0=C2=
=A0 <br>
<br>
I had also to provide another mobile number where I could receive an<br=
>
=C2=A0activation code. After receiving activation code=2C<br>
I had to call a 5 digit number which my iphone will not call for<br>
=C2=A0some reason. To get my activation completed=2C=C2=A0 I put<br>
the sim into a phone borrowed from my sister so that I can call<br>
=C2=A0the number required for activation.=C2=A0 <br>
<br>
<br>
As per quality of service=2C the less said the better. They sold me a
4G <br>
sim card but even getting a 3G was a rarity. Most of the places=2C <br>
internet was slow and intermittent. <br>
<br>
Airtel was good at flooding my phone with SMS messages about
services<br>
=C2=A0it offered=2C particularly as I<br>
=C2=A0crossed state boundary into Haryana=2C UP West=2C UP east=2C Biha=
r etc.<br>
<br>
Call quality was very poor at my home right in the heart of
Chandigarh.<br>
=C2=A0My phone adapter died after two days of use. So=2C<br>
=C2=A0I was keeping my phone off most of the time to conserve battery.<=
br>
I borrowed a power adapter from a family member and used the usb to
lighting <br>
connecter to charge my phone whenever an electric outlet was
available.<br>
My kept my phone usage to minimum=2C just enough to keep myself<br>
=C2=A0connected with my hosts and contacts. Power <br>
situation in rural UP=C2=A0 was bad and internet speed rarely exceeded =
2G
on my phone.<br>
<br>
The last three days of stay=2C I slightly increased usage of the
phone. I <br>
was raking about about 50/60 Rs of phone charging per day. That<br>
translates to about USD 30 per month. This rate is no way cheaper
then the rate I pay here <br>
in US About $100 per month for family plan of four lines for all you
can talk=2C text=2C and about 2.5 <br>
G of LTE speed internet.=C2=A0 Before using airtel sim=2C=C2=A0 I was r=
oaming in
India=C2=A0 at 20cents per <br>
min on my T-mobile sim from US. <br>
<br>
<br>
So=2C If I have to say it in a few lines about my recent experience of
Indian telecom=2C I would <br>
say that Indian consumers are paying world class price <br>
to receive a really third class service.=C2=A0 This is a rip off and I =
do
not know what Indian<br>
=C2=A0consumers can do about it. <br>
<br>
<br>
Part of the reason is that India is stuck into a poverty trap. Very
little is generated in<br>
=C2=A0terms of surplus to be invested in infrastructure or growth
activities. <br>
Government is growing day by day at the cost of individuals=2C=C2=A0
displacing private<br>
=C2=A0creativity and entrepreneurship=C2=A0 from all most all walks of =
life. <br>
The investment priorities needed to bring country <br>
out of this vicious circle does not mesh well with the priorities of
political class and elites.<br>
<br>
<br>
Basically=2C=C2=A0 some questions that that came to my mind as I was
thinking of what I <br>
experienced during my recent visit: <br>
<br>
Is the quality of telecom not tied to overall economic well being of
the country?<br>
Can people of a country buy world class service so long as their
income levels<br>
are at the bottom of the=C2=A0 heap. And=2C=C2=A0 is=C2=A0 it possible =
to raise the
income level of the people<br>
without raising their intellectual and emotional levels ? <br>
<br>
Sincerely=2C<br>
Ratnendra Pandey<br>
<br>
<div class=3D"moz-cite-prefix">On 8/21/2016 10:20 AM=2C Satish Jha
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite=3D"mid:44B5055B-3D4C-4ACA-9572-8655D9AF4CE1-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w@public.gmane.org"
type=3D"cite">
<meta http-equiv=3D"content-type" content=3D"text/html=3B charset=3Du=
tf-8">
<div>Ravi=2C</div>
<div id=3D"AppleMailSignature"><br>
</div>
<div id=3D"AppleMailSignature">The world may learn what it feels
comfortable learning from anyone. However=2C to offer someone that
they can learn from us is something only very special folks may
do. They may have to learn a bit=2C however=2C before anyone begins
to learn from them.</div>
<div id=3D"AppleMailSignature"><br>
</div>
<div id=3D"AppleMailSignature">Best=C2=A0<br>
<br>
<div><span style=3D"background-color: rgba(255=2C 255=2C 255=2C 0)=
=3B
font-size: 13pt=3B">--------</span></div>
<div><span style=3D"background-color: rgba(255=2C 255=2C 255=2C 0)=
=3B">Satish
Jha</span></div>
<div><span style=3D"background-color: rgba(255=2C 255=2C 255=2C 0)=
=3B">T:
+1-202-286-2006</span></div>
<div>Sent from my iPhone6S+</div>
</div>
<div><br>
On Aug 21=2C 2016=2C at 11:49 AM=2C Arun Mehta <=3B<a
moz-do-not-send=3D"true" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]"><a =
class=3D"moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">aru=
[email protected]</a></a>>=3B
wrote:<br>
<br>
</div>
<blockquote type=3D"cite">
<div>
<div dir=3D"ltr">forwarding at Ravi Prasad's request...
<div>arun<br>
<div class=3D"gmail_quote">---------- Forwarded message
----------<br>
From: <b class=3D"gmail_sendername">Ravi VS Prasad</b> <spa=
n
dir=3D"ltr"><=3B<a moz-do-not-send=3D"true"
href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">ravi.v.prasad@g=
mail.com</a>>=3B</span><br>
Date: Sun=2C Aug 21=2C 2016 at 10:18 AM<br>
Subject: What can India teach the world in telecom and
information technology?<br>
To: <a moz-do-not-send=3D"true"
href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]=
</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<p dir=3D"ltr">Dear Arun=2C </p>
<p dir=3D"ltr">As discussed=2C I have been asked to write a
22 minute script on what India can teach the world in
telecom and information technology. <br>
</p>
<p dir=3D"ltr">What are the technologies=2C applications=2C
methodologies=2C processes which are unique to India=2C
where the rest of the world can learn from India. </p>
<p dir=3D"ltr">Say the use of telecom and information
technology for the disabled=2C handicapped=2C medical
applications=2C agricultural and irrigation
applications=2C etc. </p>
<p dir=3D"ltr">These should be unique to India=2C and shoul=
d
be areas where the rest of the world can learn from
India's pioneering work. </p>
<p dir=3D"ltr">I would be grateful for your advice. Please
also circulate to any others who could provide inputs.
I have to submit my script by 24 August evening. </p>
<p dir=3D"ltr">Many thanks=2C</p>
<p dir=3D"ltr">Ravi Visvesvaraya Sharada Prasad </p>
<p dir=3D"ltr"><a moz-do-not-send=3D"true"
href=3D"mailto:[email protected]"
target=3D"_blank">[email protected]</a> </p>
<p dir=3D"ltr">Phones</p>
<p dir=3D"ltr">7042630123<br>
7042640123<br>
9871245678<br>
9810911234<br>
</p>
<p dir=3D"ltr">Ravi Visvesvaraya Sharada Prasad</p>
</div>
<br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote type=3D"cite">
<div><span>_______________________________________________</span><b=
r>
<span>India-gii mailing list</span><br>
<span><a moz-do-not-send=3D"true"
href=3D"mailto:India-gii-IAPFreCvJWP2/[email protected]">India-gii@lists=
.india-gii.org</a></span><br>
<span><a moz-do-not-send=3D"true"
href=3D"https://lists.india-gii.org/mailman/listinfo/india-gi=
i">https://lists.india-gii.org/mailman/listinfo/india-gii</a></span><br>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br>
<fieldset class=3D"mimeAttachmentHeader"></fieldset>
<br>
<pre wrap=3D"">_______________________________________________
India-gii mailing list
<a class=3D"moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href=3D"mailto:India-gii-IAPFreCvJWNPpwUc/[email protected]=
gii.org">India-gii-IAPFreCvJWP2/[email protected]</a>
<a class=3D"moz-txt-link-freetext" href=3D"https://lists.india-gii.org/mail=
man/listinfo/india-gii">https://lists.india-gii.org/mailman/listinfo/india-=
gii</a>
</pre>
</blockquote>
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