VARINDIA IT MAGAZINE

This standard completion is an essential milestone to enable cost-effective and full-scale development of 5G NR, which will greatly enhance the capabilities of 3GPP systems, as well as facilitate the creation of vertical market opportunities. 3GPP plans to continue to develop Release 15, including the addition of support for Standalone 5G NR operation also agreed upon by 3GPP in Dubrovnik. 3GPP TSG RAN Plenary Meeting in Lisbon successfully completed the first implementable 5G NR specification. AT&T, BT, China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Huawei, Intel, KT Corporation, LG Electronics, LG Uplus, MediaTek Inc., NEC Corporation, Nokia, NTT DOCOMO, Orange, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom, Sony Mobile Communications Inc., Sprint, TIM, Telefonica, Telia Company, T-Mobile USA, Verizon, Vodafone, and ZTE have made a statement that the completion of the first 5G NR standard has set the stage for the global mobile ...

IIIT-Hyderabad in association with TalentSprint unveiled a report on Demand for Expertise in Disruptive Technologies among Technology Professionals. The report showcases trends among working professionals in Hyderabad on how they are gearing up to acquire expertise in the latest AI/ML technologies. The data was collated and analysed in association with TalentSprint and it summarizes program applicant data to highlight how technology professionals are gearing up to acquire the latest AI/ML expertise in Hyderabad, an analysis of applicant data reveals four key insights. First, professionals with more than five years in the industry are keen to upgrade themselves. Second, there is a rising demand for AIL/ML programs from professionals working in the IT services sector. Third, start-ups and small companies are embracing disruptive technologies rapidly. Fourth, women professionals and young professionals with less than five years of experience are not sufficiently aware of the need ...

IBM has announced that it has reached agreement to resolve the patent lawsuit between IBM and The Priceline Group pending in the United States District Court for Delaware. "As part of the confidential settlement, the parties will obtain patent cross-licenses to each company’s worldwide patent portfolio. IBM takes pride in its reputation and track record for innovation. This agreement further demonstrates the value of our intellectual property that results from this innovation," said Dr. William Lafontaine, general manager of Intellectual Property for IBM. "We are pleased this matter has been resolved through negotiation and licensing.” Read Moe

In a recent development announced by Shri C.R. Chaudhary, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution,GoI said in Rajya Sabha the government if anyone do not possess Aadhaar, are required to make application for Aadhaar enrolment by giving their name, address, mobile number with Ration Card number and other details with their fair price shop owners or through the web portal provided for the purpose by State/UT. In the light of the provisions of the above notification, benefits under NFSA cannot be denied by State/UT Governments for the only reason that eligible beneficiaries do not possess Aadhaar. Linking of Ration Cards with Aadhaar of beneficiaries would facilitate in ensuring correct targeting of the beneficiaries for distribution of subsidised food grains or cash transfer of food subsidies under NFSA. Streamlining and upgradation of Targeted Public Distribution System [TPDS] is a continuous process. Department of Food & Public Distributio...

New technologies that are poised to redefine our economy. Such as, Blockchain is a technology for a new generation of transactional applications that establishes trust, accountability and transparency while streamlining business processes. A blockchain has two main concepts. A business network, where members exchange items of value through a ledger, which each member possesses and whose content is always in sync with the others. It is the most disruptive technology of this decade.Blockchain technology market size will be worth 2.3 billion by 2021. A blockchain is a shared, encrypted ledger that is maintained by a network of computers. It's like a giant spreadsheet shared by many, that shared by multiple people, better known as blockchain, has the potential to eliminate huge amounts of record-keeping, save money.Blockchain is getting implemented across industries and professions. Several technology companies have already moved into this area, including Microsoft with the...

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (“RJIL”) has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of specified assets of Reliance Communications Limited (“RCOM”) and its affiliates. The acquisition is subject to receipt of requisite approvals from the Governmental and regulatory authorities, consents from all lenders, release of all encumbrances on the said assets and other conditions precedent. The consideration is payable on completion and is subject to adjustments as specified in the agreement. An asset monetization process for RCOM assets was mandated by the lenders of RCOM, who appointed SBI Capital Markets Limited to run the process. The process is supervised by an independent group of distinguished industry experts. RJIL emerged as the successful bidder in the two-stage bidding process.... Read More

Bitcoin or virtual currencies (VC) has grown to 20-fold rise to reach new high to 3000% this year. It is like the elephant in the room, a lot of people don’t want to talk about it because they have invested in it. Bitcoin does not have a legal status as a currency in most of the world, and authorities usually do not know how best to approach thefts. Some larger exchanges have replaced customer funds after a theft from the exchange itself, but at this stage they are not legally obliged to do so. The entire process works with blockchain, which is a record of all transactions on a decentralised network of computers across the world. Bitcoin going Mainstream… Bitcoin has provoked gambling. Bitcoin is a decentralized global digital currency that runs on a peer-to-peer network called the blockchain. It was launched in 2009 by a person or group of people operating under the name Satoshi Nakamoto. The currency obeys its own internal logic. Bitcoin has hit a tipping point ...

In the wake of the current consolidation in the telecom industry, while also the Vodafone-Idea merger and sector-wide financial stress, Huawei Technologies has brought down its direct workforce in India by almost a third. The economic stress caused in the sector after the disruption caused by billionaire Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio's entry, and the amalgamation between Vodafone and Idea have proved to be a double setback for the network vendor's workforce. A company source said, on the condition of anonymity said, that there has been a job cut since early this year with nearly 30% of the employees having now gone out of the company, while some of them who were in the field teams have been rehired on a contractual basis. The employees were asked to leave on the basis of performance, network shutdowns and declining telco business, the source added...... Read More

Vodafone has confirmed the rollout of its VoLTE services beginning January 2018. In the first phase, Vodafone VoLTE service will be available in Mumbai, Gujarat, Delhi, Karnataka, and Kolkata and will be extended across the country in a short time. Vodafone’s VoLTE services will allow Vodafone SuperNet 4G customers to experience HD quality crystal-clear voice with super call connect time. Vodafone 4G customers will experience VoLTE at no additional charges. All they need is a handset supporting Vodafone VoLTE and a 4G SIM. Announcing Vodafone VoLTE service, Sunil Sood, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Vodafone India, said, “Vodafone is getting Future Ready with the advent of newer technologies and digital services. The introduction of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) will enhance customer experience with HD quality calling and offer our customers newer possibilities. Vodafone VoLTE is an important step towards introducing futuristic technology enhancing our Data S...

Post the raise on import duty on smartphones, the price of almost every iPhone model that Apple sells in India has gone up by Rs.3,720. The move to increase customs duty was announced to promote domestic manufacturers and give an impetus to Modi government's ambitious “Make-in-India” initiative. From the earlier 10 per cent, the government had increased import taxes on smartphones to 15 per cent. Other electronic items to get a tax hike included television sets, projectors, and water heaters which saw 5-10 per cent increase in basic customs duty. Apple was expected to increase the prices of iPhones in India soon after the customs duty hike, as it imports them for sale in India. According to updated prices on Apple India's website, the 256GB version of iPhone X has been raised by Rs.3,720 to Rs.1,05,720. Similarly, consumers will have to shell out Rs.88,750 for the 256GB variant of iPhone 8 Plus after an increase.... Read More

Wipro has announced an investment of $2.05 million in a US-based data management software startup, Imanis Data (formerly Talena). It is reported that the company has made a strategic investment of $2.05 million in this tranche, taking the total investment to$4.05 million. The transaction has been done through cash and note conversation, the company said in a stock-exchange disclosure. Wipro released that it has acquired minority stake of less than 20% on a fully diluted basis. Imanis was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Delaware, US.... Read More

The founder of debt-laden tech conglomerate LeEco is facing yet another setback and this time from the China Securities Regulatory Commission Beijing branch. Jia Yueting has been ordered by the Security Commission to return to the country by the end of this month and deal with the company’s debts. The CSRC in its letter on Monday said that its failure to repay debts is “a serious violation of the legal rights and interests of listed companies and the interests of investors, with an extremely negative social impact”.  Shares of LeEco’s parent company, Leshi Internet Information and Technology Corp., were traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange until April, but trading soon halted allowing the company to review a restructuring plan.  Leshi was launched in 2004 by Jia as a video streaming service. In 2016, it embarked on an ambitious expansion plan under the LeEco brand, which included an agreement to buy American TV maker Vizio for $2 billion, the launch of smartphones...

As part of the initiatives under the Digital India programme of the Central government, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh has launched a high-speed broadband internet service in the state. People from Jammu, Srinagar, Ladakh, and Katra would now be able to avail the benefits of the service. During the launch, Singh said, "By improving digital connectivity and improving digital literacy in the country, we will be able to promote inclusive growth that covers electronic services, products, devices and job opportunities." According to the minister, the launch of the service would assist in achieving the goal of the Digital India programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.... Read More

Strengthening its probe into bitcoin investments and trade, the Income Tax (IT) department is set to send notices to 4 to 5 lakh high net worth individuals (HNI) who were trading on this unregulated virtual currency across the country. The Bengaluru wing of the tax department had conducted surveys at nine such exchanges last week to check instances of tax evasion. Official sources said that the department has found that out of the estimated 20 lakh entities registered on these exchanges, about 4 to 5 lakh were "operational" and indulging in transactions and investments. The investigation team has now dispatched the information of the individuals and entities found on these exchanges to eight other such wings across the country for a detailed probe.... Read More

Founder of Iris Computers, Sanjiv Krishen has taken over the company from Dragon Singapore, a John Sculley company. Dragon Singapore had acquired controlling stake in Iris Computers through InflexionPoint.  Iris showed consistent business growth for more than 20 years reaching a turnover of Rs 2,600 crores. Requiring fresh investment for further expansion of the company Iris Computers tied up with Dragon, Singapore 4 years ago for additional limits. However in September last year Dragon closed down in Singapore unable to fulfil its further obligations. Sanjiv Krishen acquired the company from them for a few compelling reasons: 1. To ensure that the jobs of the company's employees - the Iris family - remained secure. 2. To maintain the continuous flow and running of the business between vendors and Iris resellers. 3. To reinfuse the original ‘Iris responsiveness’ and enthusiasm that the partners and customers missed. The original management team of Kamini Talwar, Som Arya...

Dell has recently announced the launch of XPS 13, a high-performance, artfully constructed laptop in India. The stunning 13.3-inch laptop sports virtually borderless Infinity Edge touch display, a design pioneered by Dell, and is backed by the unmatched Intel 8th-generation core processors offering increased performance. Dell XPS 13 has been consistently winning accolades as one of the best 13” Windows notebooks and is one of the jewel products of the XPS family. The XPS 13 has all of the manageability and select security features of Latitude in an aggressively thin and competitive form factor. The Dell XPS range is an acclaimed range and has garnered over 300 product awards, with a number of industry “firsts” and “bests” across form factor breakthroughs, display prowess, battery life to its acclaim. Dell’s iconic virtually borderless InfinityEdge display maximizes screen space by squeezing a 13.3-inch display in an 11-inch form. With a bezel only 5.2 mm thin, starting ...

Vodafone India and itel Mobile have entered into a strategic partnership to provide an exciting cashback offer on the purchase of feature-intensive itel A20 smartphone. The offers provide a cashback of Rs.2,100 to a customer buying itel A20 bringing its effective price down from Rs.3,690 to just Rs.1,590. This partnership underlines the common mission of both itel and Vodafone to popularize 4G connectivity in the country. It aims to propel the growth of data adoption by providing access to a smartphone and mobile internet, thereby empowering customers to remain connected always at extremely pocket-friendly prices. To avail this exclusive offer, itel and Vodafone customers will have to buy the itel A20 smartphone priced at Rs.3,690 and recharge with Rs.150 or more in a calendar month for 18 months. The recharge can be done either cumulatively or as a one-time recharge. At the end of 18 months, customers will receive a cashback of Rs.900. Upon continuing to recharge Rs.15...

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited has written to Airtel and sought a reversal of subsidy amounts that have been wrongfully credited to the Airtel Payment bank accounts. A company statement said: “HPCL has requested that the subsidy amounts of consumers whose LPG subsidies have been wrongfully credited to Airtel Payment bank accounts be immediately transferred back to the customer’s earlier bank account or to the respective oil marketing companies.” According to reports, ₹167 crore have been wrongfully credited to the Airtel Payment Bank interface through 31 lakh transactions. The oil marketing companies and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas have been getting a large number of complaints from consumers regarding non-credit of the LPG subsidy amounts into their earlier bank accounts for the past few weeks, the HPCL statement added.... For more information, visit   :  http://www.varindia.com/news/hpcl-writes-to-airtel-payments-banks-for-r...

The GST Council has today decided to make the electronic-way bill compulsory from February 1. If implemented, the bill will come two months ahead of the earlier plan and will thus make ferrying of goods quicker across states. Under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rules, ferrying goods worth more than Rs 50,000 within or outside a state will require securing an electronic-way or e-way bill by prior online registration of the consignment. “The rules for implementation of nationwide e-way bill system for inter-state movement of goods on a compulsory basis will be notified with effect from February 1, 2018. This will bring uniformity across states for seamless inter-state movement of goods,” the finance ministry said in a statement. The Council, headed by finance minister Arun Jaitley, met earlier during the day via video conference to advance the implementation of e-way bill under the Goods and Services Tax (GST). To generate an e-way bill, the supplier and transporter w...

Siemens is gaining further momentum in digitalization and is the first company worldwide to set up 20 centers for digital customer applications in the industrial sector. Each of these MindSphere Application Centers for digital offerings from Siemens spans multiple locations in different countries and specializes in a particular industry in which Siemens is active. Today, around 900 software developers, data specialists and engineers are already working together with Siemens customers at these centers to develop digital innovations for data analysis and machine learning. These new solutions are being developed on MindSphere, Siemens’ open, cloud-based operating system for the Internet of Things (IoT). To be close to its customers, the company has distributed its 20 centers across around 50 locations in 17 countries worldwide. “We are continuously expanding our leadership role in industrial digitalization,” said Joe Kaeser, Siemens President and CEO. “With our global experience i...