Weekend Telecom Updates

FIPB has finally cleared the indirect holding of Orascom in Hutchinson Whampoa. Orascom after the FIPB clearance now controls 10% in Hutch India. Orascom controls around 60% of Pakistan cell phone market.

Ahead of Qualcomm’s July-19th board meeting to decide on the handset roylaty issue for Indian cellcos, HFCL, a CDMA operator has announced that it has applied for GSM spectrum for the Punjab circle.

Bharti-Airtel which had announced the launch of it’s fixed wireless phone(FWP), Airtel Mega, today announced of its availability in Kerala.