"An organisation without an effective internal communication is like a body without soul" - E.V.S. Chakravarthy, CEO, YOU Broadband & Cable India Pvt Ltd
At a time when employees are increasingly disengaged due to concerns regarding unstable business, salary cuts and job losses, an effective internal communication between employees and top management becomes the need of the hour. We take a look at what organisations are doing to bridge the communication gap.
World over, Human Resource professionals and experts in organisational behaviour believe that an effective internal communication is a key determinant in driving efficiency levels within an organisation. This is especially true in today's high-stress, high performance organisational set up where employees are often required to 'stretch' beyond the call of duty to help meet larger organisational goals.
http://timesascent.in/article/1/200910142009101412152731399c2de0/Bridging-communication-gap-at-workplaces-.html
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Keeping workplace stress at bay
At a time, when companies are leaving no stone unturned to ride the economic storm, managing workplace stress has become a crucial issue that needs to be addressed
According to a global survey conducted by Regus, an office workplace solutions provider, 58 per cent of companies worldwide have experienced an appreciable rise in workplace stress over the last two years. The survey found that Indian workers experienced a slightly lower level of stress than their international counterparts, with 57 per cent reporting that their stress levels have grown ‘higher’ or ‘much higher’ over the past two years.
The survey confirmed that 45 per cent of Indian workers are particularly stressed by the increased focus on profitability that has arisen during the recession. Company size has also had an influence on the increased level of stress experienced in recent years. Sector variations on a global level were also apparent throughout the survey, with workers in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry reporting the greatest increase in stress (65 per cent), while retail showed the least growth in stress (52 per cent).
Kishore Velankar, HR- head, YOU Broadband & Cable India Pvt Ltd. feels that any change brings some amount of stress in an individual/employee. “The slowdown did have an impact on the stress levels of employees,” says Velankar. He further adds, “Stress during a slowdown is primarily career/employment related. With performance being a major factor for retention, people who were on the edge felt it more. In a sensitive situation, employees feel the need for regular assurances. Organisations need to be wary of this and communicate in the right way at the right time.”
Web Links - www.timesascent.in/features
According to a global survey conducted by Regus, an office workplace solutions provider, 58 per cent of companies worldwide have experienced an appreciable rise in workplace stress over the last two years. The survey found that Indian workers experienced a slightly lower level of stress than their international counterparts, with 57 per cent reporting that their stress levels have grown ‘higher’ or ‘much higher’ over the past two years.
The survey confirmed that 45 per cent of Indian workers are particularly stressed by the increased focus on profitability that has arisen during the recession. Company size has also had an influence on the increased level of stress experienced in recent years. Sector variations on a global level were also apparent throughout the survey, with workers in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry reporting the greatest increase in stress (65 per cent), while retail showed the least growth in stress (52 per cent).
Kishore Velankar, HR- head, YOU Broadband & Cable India Pvt Ltd. feels that any change brings some amount of stress in an individual/employee. “The slowdown did have an impact on the stress levels of employees,” says Velankar. He further adds, “Stress during a slowdown is primarily career/employment related. With performance being a major factor for retention, people who were on the edge felt it more. In a sensitive situation, employees feel the need for regular assurances. Organisations need to be wary of this and communicate in the right way at the right time.”
Web Links - www.timesascent.in/features
Thursday, December 17, 2009
India largest cable modem market in South East Asia - Report
London-based Technology Research firm Point Topic released its Broadband Report for Q3 2009:
Highlights of the Report:
Total global BB subs at the end of Q3 2009 - appx 452 million.
Subs added in Q3 globally - appx 57 million - 12.6 % of total sub base
India - largest cable modem market in South East Asia with 851,000 subscribers by end Q3 2009. Its subscriber base grew by 7.86 per cent over the quarter from 789,000 in Q2 2009.
Incidentally YOU Broadband & Cable India Pvt Ltd is a leading player in the cable modem space.
Highlights of the Report:
Total global BB subs at the end of Q3 2009 - appx 452 million.
Subs added in Q3 globally - appx 57 million - 12.6 % of total sub base
India - largest cable modem market in South East Asia with 851,000 subscribers by end Q3 2009. Its subscriber base grew by 7.86 per cent over the quarter from 789,000 in Q2 2009.
Incidentally YOU Broadband & Cable India Pvt Ltd is a leading player in the cable modem space.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Speed matters
Two months ago, a South African company decided to call attention to the dismal 1-Mbps ADSL speeds from government-owned incumbent telco Telkom SA via a publicity stunt based on an old IETF April Fool's Day joke called IP over Avian Carriers (IPoAC). In essence, the company hired a carrier pigeon to carry a 4-GB micro-SD card from a branch office in Howick to its head office 70 km away, while the same data was uploaded to the same location via ADSL.
The pigeon won handsomely.
http://www.telecomasia.net/content/you-have-right-broadband?page=0%2C1
The pigeon won handsomely.
http://www.telecomasia.net/content/you-have-right-broadband?page=0%2C1
Thursday, November 26, 2009
YOU Telecom is now YOU Broadband & Cable India Pvt Ltd
With an intention of making its identity, focus and vision clear Citigroup owned broadband major YOU Telecom decided for a name change. The company will henceforth be referred to as YOU Broadband & Cable India Pvt Ltd.
CVCI owned YOU Broadband is led by its CEO Mr. E.V.S. Chakravarthy and is one of the top 6 broadband players in the country with presence across 11 cities.
CVCI owned YOU Broadband is led by its CEO Mr. E.V.S. Chakravarthy and is one of the top 6 broadband players in the country with presence across 11 cities.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Bombay HC dismisses petition by RCom against YOU Telecom
RCIL had in February 2009 filed a legal petition against YOU Telecom for allegedly not paying Rs37 lakh in dues for services provided
Khusboo Narayan
Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Friday dismissed a winding-up petition filed by Reliance Communications Infrastructure Ltd (RCIL), a subsidiary of Reliance Communications Ltd (R-Com), against YOU Telecom India Pvt. Ltd. RCIL had in February 2009 filed a legal petition against YOU Telecom for allegedly not paying Rs37 lakh in dues for services provided. It had also sought 30% interest for delayed payment.
“We have demonstrated the court that service was not up to mark and there were series of emails of such complaints that were made to RCom. In fact RCom has admitted deficiency in its services. Under such circumstances the alleged amount should not be treated as debt against the company and any order such as winding up may not be passed,” E.V.S. Chakravarthy, chief executive officer of YOU Telecom, wrote in an email statement.
“We have also represented the court that the dispute pertains to service providers and hence RCom should have approached appropriate forum (say TDSAT) for the same. The Honourable Court was kind enough to dismiss the petition and directed RCom to approach appropriate forum for any relief....,” he added.
An immediate comment could not be had from Rcom.
YOU Telecom, a broadband service provider owned by Citigroup Venture Capital International, Citigroup Inc.’s private equity arm for growth capital, had in 2007 entered into a contract for bandwidth infrastructure, RCIL said in its petition to the court
Khusboo Narayan
Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Friday dismissed a winding-up petition filed by Reliance Communications Infrastructure Ltd (RCIL), a subsidiary of Reliance Communications Ltd (R-Com), against YOU Telecom India Pvt. Ltd. RCIL had in February 2009 filed a legal petition against YOU Telecom for allegedly not paying Rs37 lakh in dues for services provided. It had also sought 30% interest for delayed payment.
“We have demonstrated the court that service was not up to mark and there were series of emails of such complaints that were made to RCom. In fact RCom has admitted deficiency in its services. Under such circumstances the alleged amount should not be treated as debt against the company and any order such as winding up may not be passed,” E.V.S. Chakravarthy, chief executive officer of YOU Telecom, wrote in an email statement.
“We have also represented the court that the dispute pertains to service providers and hence RCom should have approached appropriate forum (say TDSAT) for the same. The Honourable Court was kind enough to dismiss the petition and directed RCom to approach appropriate forum for any relief....,” he added.
An immediate comment could not be had from Rcom.
YOU Telecom, a broadband service provider owned by Citigroup Venture Capital International, Citigroup Inc.’s private equity arm for growth capital, had in 2007 entered into a contract for bandwidth infrastructure, RCIL said in its petition to the court
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
YOU Telecom bullish on broadband in India
EVS Chakravarthy, CEO, YOU Telecom India gives an overview of the broadband industry
URL: http://www.timesascent.in/section/2/Interviews
URL: http://www.timesascent.in/section/2/Interviews
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Carriers Eye Pay-As-You-Go Internet
Amid Government Push to Open Networks, Some See Cover for Pricing Based on Usage
By CHRISTOPHER RHOADS And NIRAJ SHETH
In the early years of the Internet, the more time people spent online, the more they paid a provider like AOL for their connection. But as customers have shifted to always-on broadband services, many Web surfers have enjoyed all-you-can-eat Internet for a flat rate.
Some cable and telecommunications providers are trying to turn back the clock and return to usage-based pricing for Internet connections. Carriers including AT&T Inc. and Time Warner Cable Inc. say they may have to switch amid a surge in Internet traffic as more people go online to watch videos and download movies.
Recent efforts to introduce usage-based, or metered, broadband services have met stiff resistance from consumers. But a new push by the federal government to adopt rules that would force Internet providers to treat all Web traffic equally, no matter how much bandwidth they take up, could give ammunition to the broadband providers that want to change how they charge for Web access, Internet experts and consumer advocates say.
"This could come down to carriers saying, 'If you don't allow us to manage our networks the way we see fit, then we will just have to cap everything,' " says Phillip Dampier, a consumer advocate focusing on technology issues in Rochester, N.Y. "They'll make it an either/or thing: give them more control over their network or expect metered broadband."
Mr. Dampier was among those who forced Time Warner Cable to shelve a metered Internet pilot program in several cities last year. The company, which had argued the plan would be a fairer way to charge for access, acknowledged it was a "debacle." It won't say if it plans to revive the trials.
Some broadband providers argue that a pay-as-you-go Internet is unavoidable. "A flat-rate, infinitely expandable service is unachievable,"Dick Lynch, chief technology officer of Verizon Communications Inc., said at a recent industry conference, referring to the industry in general. "We're going to have to consider pricing structures that allow us to sell packages of bytes."
Advocates say unlimited monthly Internet service has been critical to the Internet's growth and the formation of online start-ups. Paying by the amount of Internet traffic used could damp usage and the sort of tinkering that can lead to breakthroughs, they warn.
Carriers believe it is only fair that heavy users pay more, especially since online file-sharing software, such as BitTorrent, takes up so much bandwidth.
Last year, the Federal Communications Commission sanctioned Comcast Corp. for violating so-called network neutrality principles. Comcast, which is appealing the decision, had hindered the use of file-sharing software without informing customers. It argued it needed to control such usage to keep traffic flowing properly.
In Beaumont, Texas, and Reno, Nev., AT&T has been pricing Internet access based on usage. Since last year, it has let new customers choose from one of six tiers, depending on the desired speed and how much data they think they will download in a month. Existing customers can keep their old flat-rate plan, which is capped at 150 gigabytes a month
The most basic plan, which costs $19.95, offers 20 gigabytes of downloads; the most expensive, for $65, allows 150 gigabytes a month. For every gigabyte over the limit, there is a $1 fee.
"Some type of usage-based model, for those customers who have abnormally high usage patterns, seems inevitable," an AT&T spokesman says. AT&T declined to provide more details on its trials.
Some cable companies have instituted monthly usage limits, though they are usually so high they affect only the heaviest users. A plan with 150 gigabytes, for example, would enable sending and receiving 75 million emails, or downloading more than 30,000 songs. The average Internet user consumes around 15 gigabytes a month, according to University of Minnesota professor Andrew Odlyzko.
Comcast earlier this year instituted a cap of 250 gigabytes a month. The company says the rule affects a very small minority of its high-usage customers. Some smaller and regional Internet service providers also charge on a metered basis, including Sunflower Broadband in Kansas. Frontier Communications Corp. last year briefly used metered pricing in Rochester before scrapping the policy in the face of protest.
"Unquestionably, the carriers erred in their initial selling of broadband with a flat rate," says Elroy Jopling, research director of Gartner Inc. "They assumed no one would use it as much as they do now, but then along came high-definition movies. They're now trying to get around that mistake."
Network neutrality deals primarily with ensuring that Internet providers don't favor any online traffic over any other. Still, Mr. Jopling and other analysts argue, the net neutrality debate might provide the carriers with an opening to argue for changing that pricing.
The FCC last month proposed strengthening the existing principles on network neutrality—turning them into more strictly enforceable rules—to ensure that carriers treat all Internet traffic equally.The idea is that as Internet providers themselves get more into the content business—as foreshadowed most recently by Comcast's overtures to acquire a majority stake in NBC Universal—they shouldn't be able to make it easier for users to access their own content than other companies' content
The agency also said it wants more transparency in how carriers manage their networks.
In announcing the proposals, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski cited Comcast's approach to BitTorrent, as well as phone companies' blocking the use of online phone services on their networks.
"With network neutrality enforced, the only other option for carrriers is to charge by the byte or to raise the flat-rate pricing," says Johna Till Johnson, president of Nemertes Research. "Right now they're just deciding which one to do. Just be prepared to pay more."
When Time Warner announced last March it would expand its metered-pricing approach to other cities, including Austin and Rochester, protests erupted. Rep. Joe Messa of Rochester introduced a bill in Congress banning tiered Internet pricing plans, arguing the plan would put his city at a disadvantage for corporate investment.
Time Warner Chief Executive Glenn Britt told a conference the following month that the company erred in communicating the rollout, not in the plan itself.
"We did not handle the public relations very well and had a bit of a debacle, to he honest," Mr. Britt said at the conference. "I still think some notion of you use less and pay less, use more and pay more, will ultimately be what happens."
By CHRISTOPHER RHOADS And NIRAJ SHETH
In the early years of the Internet, the more time people spent online, the more they paid a provider like AOL for their connection. But as customers have shifted to always-on broadband services, many Web surfers have enjoyed all-you-can-eat Internet for a flat rate.
Some cable and telecommunications providers are trying to turn back the clock and return to usage-based pricing for Internet connections. Carriers including AT&T Inc. and Time Warner Cable Inc. say they may have to switch amid a surge in Internet traffic as more people go online to watch videos and download movies.
Recent efforts to introduce usage-based, or metered, broadband services have met stiff resistance from consumers. But a new push by the federal government to adopt rules that would force Internet providers to treat all Web traffic equally, no matter how much bandwidth they take up, could give ammunition to the broadband providers that want to change how they charge for Web access, Internet experts and consumer advocates say.
"This could come down to carriers saying, 'If you don't allow us to manage our networks the way we see fit, then we will just have to cap everything,' " says Phillip Dampier, a consumer advocate focusing on technology issues in Rochester, N.Y. "They'll make it an either/or thing: give them more control over their network or expect metered broadband."
Mr. Dampier was among those who forced Time Warner Cable to shelve a metered Internet pilot program in several cities last year. The company, which had argued the plan would be a fairer way to charge for access, acknowledged it was a "debacle." It won't say if it plans to revive the trials.
Some broadband providers argue that a pay-as-you-go Internet is unavoidable. "A flat-rate, infinitely expandable service is unachievable,"Dick Lynch, chief technology officer of Verizon Communications Inc., said at a recent industry conference, referring to the industry in general. "We're going to have to consider pricing structures that allow us to sell packages of bytes."
Advocates say unlimited monthly Internet service has been critical to the Internet's growth and the formation of online start-ups. Paying by the amount of Internet traffic used could damp usage and the sort of tinkering that can lead to breakthroughs, they warn.
Carriers believe it is only fair that heavy users pay more, especially since online file-sharing software, such as BitTorrent, takes up so much bandwidth.
Last year, the Federal Communications Commission sanctioned Comcast Corp. for violating so-called network neutrality principles. Comcast, which is appealing the decision, had hindered the use of file-sharing software without informing customers. It argued it needed to control such usage to keep traffic flowing properly.
In Beaumont, Texas, and Reno, Nev., AT&T has been pricing Internet access based on usage. Since last year, it has let new customers choose from one of six tiers, depending on the desired speed and how much data they think they will download in a month. Existing customers can keep their old flat-rate plan, which is capped at 150 gigabytes a month
The most basic plan, which costs $19.95, offers 20 gigabytes of downloads; the most expensive, for $65, allows 150 gigabytes a month. For every gigabyte over the limit, there is a $1 fee.
"Some type of usage-based model, for those customers who have abnormally high usage patterns, seems inevitable," an AT&T spokesman says. AT&T declined to provide more details on its trials.
Some cable companies have instituted monthly usage limits, though they are usually so high they affect only the heaviest users. A plan with 150 gigabytes, for example, would enable sending and receiving 75 million emails, or downloading more than 30,000 songs. The average Internet user consumes around 15 gigabytes a month, according to University of Minnesota professor Andrew Odlyzko.
Comcast earlier this year instituted a cap of 250 gigabytes a month. The company says the rule affects a very small minority of its high-usage customers. Some smaller and regional Internet service providers also charge on a metered basis, including Sunflower Broadband in Kansas. Frontier Communications Corp. last year briefly used metered pricing in Rochester before scrapping the policy in the face of protest.
"Unquestionably, the carriers erred in their initial selling of broadband with a flat rate," says Elroy Jopling, research director of Gartner Inc. "They assumed no one would use it as much as they do now, but then along came high-definition movies. They're now trying to get around that mistake."
Network neutrality deals primarily with ensuring that Internet providers don't favor any online traffic over any other. Still, Mr. Jopling and other analysts argue, the net neutrality debate might provide the carriers with an opening to argue for changing that pricing.
The FCC last month proposed strengthening the existing principles on network neutrality—turning them into more strictly enforceable rules—to ensure that carriers treat all Internet traffic equally.The idea is that as Internet providers themselves get more into the content business—as foreshadowed most recently by Comcast's overtures to acquire a majority stake in NBC Universal—they shouldn't be able to make it easier for users to access their own content than other companies' content
The agency also said it wants more transparency in how carriers manage their networks.
In announcing the proposals, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski cited Comcast's approach to BitTorrent, as well as phone companies' blocking the use of online phone services on their networks.
"With network neutrality enforced, the only other option for carrriers is to charge by the byte or to raise the flat-rate pricing," says Johna Till Johnson, president of Nemertes Research. "Right now they're just deciding which one to do. Just be prepared to pay more."
When Time Warner announced last March it would expand its metered-pricing approach to other cities, including Austin and Rochester, protests erupted. Rep. Joe Messa of Rochester introduced a bill in Congress banning tiered Internet pricing plans, arguing the plan would put his city at a disadvantage for corporate investment.
Time Warner Chief Executive Glenn Britt told a conference the following month that the company erred in communicating the rollout, not in the plan itself.
"We did not handle the public relations very well and had a bit of a debacle, to he honest," Mr. Britt said at the conference. "I still think some notion of you use less and pay less, use more and pay more, will ultimately be what happens."
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Cyber Cafe Association of India
Close on the heels of media reports of YOU Tel planning cyber cafes, Cyber Cafe Association of India has announced its resolve to provide broadband access to rural areas and Tier 2 and 3 cities/ towns through cyber cafes at affordable rates....
YOU Tel's cyber cafe plans
Citigroup-owned broadband service company YOU Telecom is evaluating options to establish a chain of cybercafés in non-metro cities.
The company hopes to benefit from the pent-up demand for cyber connectivity in the hinterland of the country, according to E.V.S. Chakravarthy, Chief Executive Officer of the company.
"YOU Telecom sees cybercafés as a great opportunity for broadband growth in Tier - 2 and 3 towns and is keen to enter this model. We are evaluating the scenario and will join the fray at an opportune time," Chakravarthy said. The company sees this move as an extension of its association with cyber cafes as bandwidth provider; YOU Telecom currently provides Internet bandwidth to about 70 cybercafé ventures in the country's non-metro cities.
According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, YOU Telecom is the sixth largest telecom broadband player in India with over one lakh subscribers.
YOU Telecom is more likely to go in for the franchisee model for this new business.
The organised market for cybercafes in India is hardly eight percent of the overall pie and consists of players such as Sify and Zapak.
Chakravarthy did not specify the timeframe for starting the cybercafé business. "With growing real estate prices and drop in bandwidth rates, economics will decide on the timing of our entry," he said.
The demand for cybercafés in urban India has been dwindling largely because of high broadband penetration and soaring real estate costs in cities.
However, cybercafés have been sprouting in the non-metro cities largely due to low real estate costs, low PC penetration and various Government initiatives such as the Common Service Centre programme.
The company hopes to benefit from the pent-up demand for cyber connectivity in the hinterland of the country, according to E.V.S. Chakravarthy, Chief Executive Officer of the company.
"YOU Telecom sees cybercafés as a great opportunity for broadband growth in Tier - 2 and 3 towns and is keen to enter this model. We are evaluating the scenario and will join the fray at an opportune time," Chakravarthy said. The company sees this move as an extension of its association with cyber cafes as bandwidth provider; YOU Telecom currently provides Internet bandwidth to about 70 cybercafé ventures in the country's non-metro cities.
According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, YOU Telecom is the sixth largest telecom broadband player in India with over one lakh subscribers.
YOU Telecom is more likely to go in for the franchisee model for this new business.
The organised market for cybercafes in India is hardly eight percent of the overall pie and consists of players such as Sify and Zapak.
Chakravarthy did not specify the timeframe for starting the cybercafé business. "With growing real estate prices and drop in bandwidth rates, economics will decide on the timing of our entry," he said.
The demand for cybercafés in urban India has been dwindling largely because of high broadband penetration and soaring real estate costs in cities.
However, cybercafés have been sprouting in the non-metro cities largely due to low real estate costs, low PC penetration and various Government initiatives such as the Common Service Centre programme.
6th largest broadband service provider
As per recent TRAI's Quarterly Performance Indicators Report, YOU Telecom is the 6th largest broadband service provider in the country by market share....BSNL is the leader..
Friday, August 21, 2009
Freedom Offer from YOU Telecom
August being the Freedom month, YOU Telecom has introduced an exciting offer for customers.
Book broadband connection for the entire 2010 and access free Internet for the rest of 2009...
Offer valid till September 15, 2009 only..
Starter Pack: Rs 1499 for three months
Night Booster for existing customer: Rs 200/month Top Up for unlimited usage during night time....
Book broadband connection for the entire 2010 and access free Internet for the rest of 2009...
Offer valid till September 15, 2009 only..
Starter Pack: Rs 1499 for three months
Night Booster for existing customer: Rs 200/month Top Up for unlimited usage during night time....
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