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INTRODUCTION
Comparative research, simply put, is the act of comparing two or more things with a view to discovering something about one or all of the things being compared.
This technique is often utilizes multiple disciplines in one study.
When it comes to method, the majority agreement is that there is no methodology peculiar to comparative research. The multidisciplinary approach is good for the flexibility it offers, yet comparative programs do have a case to answer against the call that their research lacks a “seamless whole”.
There are certainly methods far more common than others in comparative studies, however. Quantitative analysis is much more frequently perused than qualitative, and this is seen in the majority of comparative studies can be use quantitative data.
The general method of comparing things is the same for comparative research as it is in our everyday practice of comparisons. Like cases are treated alike, and cases are treated differently; the extent of difference determines how differently cases are treated. The point here is that if one is able to sufficiently distinguish two cases, comparative research conclusions will not be very helpful.
Secondary analysis of quantitative data is relatively widespread in comparative research, undoubtedly in part because of the cost of obtaining primary data for such large things as a country’s policy environment. A typical method of comparing welfare state is to take balance their levels of spending on social welfare.
Comparative research is a methodology in the social sciences that aims to make comparisons across different countries and cultures. A major problem in comparative research is that the data sets in different countries may not use the same categories, or define categories differently.
• TELECOMMUNICATION
Telecommunication is one of the fastest growing service industries in the world. While the accent of growth is one the value added service, such as e-mail, cellular phones etc in the developed countries. This sector a crucial role in spurring growth, especially industrial and service, in any economy.
Multinational companies are investing in developing countries because of huge latest demand. Telephone penetration has reached saturation levels in the developed world. Telecommunication historically has been a state initiated and controlled sector in all countries. The last two decades has witnessed a restricting of the entire sector across the globe, in terms of privatization and competition. Opening up of economics and privatization in the developing countries has triggered influx of foreign capital and technology.
Telecom density is only 2 per 100, which is less than that of China (4.5 per 100) and the world average (10 per 100). Cellular penetration is also low at 0.1% compared to China (1.1%) and Malyasia (2%). To improve penetration will imply an investment of over Rs. 600 billion in next 5 years.
The industry had received the Telecom Policy of 1994 with enthusiasm. It was hoped that this would usher in a new era in the telecom Sector. Unfortunately, delays in implementation and resulting confusion have derailed the same. The initial enthusiastic responses to building have given way to litigation and subsequent delays. Out of the 22 circles made available to the private sector for basic telecom service, only 2 are operational after 5 years.
Despite all the delays, India has managed to take steps towards privatization and introduction of competition in basic telecom services. The government has announced a new telecom policy, which clarifies the future role of Department of Telecommunication. The new ISP policy will promote the use of internet. All this aims to promote investment in the telecom sector. The sector will undergo a dramatic transformation in the next 3-5 years.
The building process was also adversely affected by Himachal futuristic which submitted bids of Rs. 850 Bn for 9 licenses leading in an impasse. The solution formulated by the policy makers to copies number of licenses per company ostensibly, to avoid competition also led to confusion. The bids were made on optimistic demand estimates, which have not yet materialized. This has resulted in most of the companies facing cash losses. Most of the Indian partners do not have the strength to withstand long genestations and selling out to their foreign collaborators. The new telecom policy has addressed this issue also.
A number of MNCs set up joint ventures for manufacture of telecom equipment in the last 3 years. The capacity builds up outstripped demand from the service providers. Due to resource crunch, DOT (the dominant single buyer) delayed placing orders. This resulted in an adverse impact on the bottom-line. A shake out local players (including some PSUs) who are technologically not competitive is bound to happen.
• TRAI (TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA)
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India or TRAI (established 1997) is the independent regulator established by the Government of India to regulate the telecommunications business in India. The TRAI, which draws regulatory power from the TRAI Act of 1997 (Amended 2000), is responsible for:
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Indian Telegraph Act,1885,the functions of
the Authority shall be to-
(a) Make recommendations, on a request from the licensor, on the following matters, namely:
(i) need and timing for introduction of new service provider;
(ii) terms and conditions of license to a service provider;
(iii) revocation of license for non-compliance of terms and conditions of license: (iv)measures to facilitate competition and promote efficiency in the operation of
telecommunication services so as to facilitate growth in such services.
(v) technological improvements in the services provided by the service providers.
(vi) type of equipment to be used by the service providers after inspection of equipment used in the network.
(vii)measures for the development of telecommunication technology and any other matter relatable to telecommunication industry in general;
(viii) efficient management of available spectrum;
(b) Discharge the following functions, namely:-
(i) ensure compliance of terms and conditions of license;
(ii) notwithstanding anything contained in the terms and conditions of the license granted before the commencement of the Telecom Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Ordinance,2000, fix the terms and conditions of inter-connectivity between the service providers;
(iii) ensure technical compatibility and effective inter-connection between different service providers.
(iv) regulate arrangement amongst service providers of sharing their revenue derived from providing telecommunication services;
(v) lay down the standards of quality of service to be provided by the service providers and ensure he quality of service and conduct the periodical survey of such service provided by the service providers so as to protect interest of the consumers of telecommunication services;
(vi) lay down and ensure the time period for providing local and long distance circuits of telecommunication between different service providers;
(vii) maintain register of interconnect agreements and of all such other matters as may be provided in the regulations;
(viii) keep register maintained under clause (viii) open for inspection to any member of public on payment of such fee and compliance of such other requirement as may be provided in the regulations;
(ix) ensure effective compliance of universal service obligations;
• TELECOM SECTOR IN INDIA
More than 125 million telephone network is one of the largest communication networks in world, which continues to grow at a blistering pace.
The rapid growth in the telecom sector can be attributed to the various pro-active and positive policy measures taken by the government as well as the dynamic and entrepreneurial spirit of the various telecom service providers both in private and public sector. The telecom sector has shown impressive growth during the past decade.
Two striking features of this growth viz. increasing preference for mobile phones and higher contribution of private sector in the incremental growth have predominated the telecom sector. The share of mobile phones (including WLL mobile) has overtaken the share of landlines with 62% in the total number of phones. The private sector's contribution is also increasing rapidly. Currently more than 30 lakh phones are being added each month and it is targeted that by the end of 2008 the total number of phones may reach a level of 350 million taking the tele-density to more than 30% which is currently at 24.63%.
Network Expansion: The total number of telephone subscribers has reached 281.62 million at the end of January 2008 as compared to 232.87 million in July 2007. The overall teledensity has increased to 23.63% in January 2008 as compared to 21.20% in August 2007.
Wireless Service: The wireless segment saw a surge of 8.77 million subscribers last month compared to 8.17 million in December2007. This pushed the total wireless subscriber’s base to 242.40 million by Jan 31 2008.
Wireline Subscribers: The wireline segment subscriber base stood at 39.73 million with a decrease of 0.16 million at the end of January 2008.
Teledensity: The gross subscriber base reached 206.83 million at the end of March 2007. The teledensity is 24.63%at the end of January 2008 as compared to 18.31% at the end of March 2007, registering an increase of 6%.
Increasing Role of Private Sector: The private sector has played a significant role in the growth of telecom sector. The share of private sector has risen to 85 per cent in December 2007 from 64.14 per cent in November 2006.
Tariff Rebalancing Measures: There has been a dramatic fall in the tariffs due to increased competition. The minimum effective charges for local calls have fallen considerably in recent months especially for cellular service. The long distance domestic as well as international charges have also fallen considerably.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): TRAI was established under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 enacted on March 28, 1997. The goals and objectives of TRAI are focused towards providing a regulatory framework that facilitates achievement of the objectives of New Technology Policy (NTP) 1999. TRAI has endeavored to encourage greater corporation in the telecom sector together with better quality and affordable prices.
Telecommunication sector in India can be divided into two segments: Fixed Service Provider (FSPs), and Cellular Services. Fixed line services consist of basic services, national or domestic long distance and international long distance services. The state operators (BSNL and MTNL), account for almost 90 per cent of revenues from basic services. Private sector services are presently available in selective urban areas, and collectively account for less than 5 per cent of subscriptions. However, private services focus on the business/corporate sector, and offer reliable, high- end services, such as leased lines, ISDN, closed user group and videoconferencing.
Cellular services can be further divided into two categories: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). The GSM sector is dominated by Airtel, Vodfone-Hutch, BSNL and Spice-Idea Cellular, while the CDMA sector is dominated by Reliance and Tata Indicom. Opening up of international and domestic long distance telephony services are the major growth drivers for cellular industry. Cellular operators get substantial revenue from these services, and compensate them for reduction in tariffs on airtime, which along with rental was the main source of revenue. The reduction in tariffs for airtime, national long distance, international long distance, and handset prices has driven demand.
• CLASSIFICATION OF TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES
1. Basic services
2. Cellular services
3. Internet Service Provider (ISP)
CELLULAR SERVICE
There are five private service operators in each area, and an incumbent state operator. Almost 80% of the cellular subscriber base belongs to the pre-paid segment.
The DOT has allowed cellular companies to buy rivals within the same operating circle provided their combined market share did not exceed 67 per cent. Previously, they were only allowed to buy companies outside their circle.
Growth Drivers
Opening up of international and domestic long distance telephony services are growth drivers in the industry. Cellular operators now get substantial revenue from these services, and compensate them for reduction in tariffs on air time, which along with rental was the main source of revenue. The reduction in tariffs for airtime, national long distance, international long distance, and handset prices has driven demand.
• THE KEY PLAYERS IN THE TELECOM MARKET IN INDIA Cellular Service provider:
Airtel
Vodafone BSNL
Spice/Idea Reliance
Tata indicom Aircel
MTNL
Subscribers
• Wireless subscribers crosses 200 million mark
• Tele density reaches 21.20%
• India has become the second largest wireless network given the exceptional growth in Mobile subscribers in India.
According to latest release by TRAI (Telecom Regulatory authority of India), the total wireless subscribers base stood at 261.09 million at the end of March 2008, compared to 255 million subscribers in U.S. A total of 10.16 million wireless subscribers have been added in the month of March 2008 as against 8.53 million wireless subscribers added in the month of February 2008.
Another landmark that March saw was reaching a total telephone connections to 300 million (wireline+wireless). The overall tele-density is pegged at 26.22% at the end of March 2008 as against 25.31% in February 2008.
The total number of telephone subscribers has reached 241.02 million at the end of August 2007 as compared to 232.87 million in July 2007. The overall teledensity has increased to 21.20% in August 2007 as compared to 20.52% in July 2007.
In the wireless segment, 8.31 million subscribers have been added in August 2007 while 8.06 million subscribers were added in July 2007. The total wireless subscribers (GSM, CDMA & WLL (F)) base reaches 201.29 million at the end of August 2007.