Jaisanthini World

FOUR decades ago, two hands and a power cord were  needed to use the world's first mobile phone. Four minutes ago, you probably checked your  messages, sent an email, paid a bill and told the world  what you were doing at that exact moment, all from the  palm of your hand. Yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of the first  successful call from a mobile phone, which weighed 1kg. "The next phase that is emerging is wearing  technology," Telstra Southern Queensland area general  manager Nigel Beaman said, adding advancements are  showing no signs of slowing. "Our whole lifestyles have changed with mobile phones." Mr Beaman said near field communication - similar to  Pay wave technology used by credit cards - would soon  make the need for wallets and purses redundant. Fun phone facts 1973: First mobile weighed 1kg, had 20 minute battery  life 1992: First smart phone ha...

After announcing plans to abolish roaming charges for mobile users when traveling within India from next year, the telecom department is likely to ask operators to implement this consumer-friendly move from March.  Mobile phone companies have opposed the government's plans to do away with roaming charges, which accounts for about 10% of their revenues, and have warned they would be forced to increase tariffs to offset this loss.  According to an internal DoT note (dated November 23) reviewed by ET, the department has listed this consumer-friendly move amongst 'key initiatives to be completed within the next three months'.  By March, the department also wants to expand the mobile number portability (MNP) provision and allow consumers to retain their numbers when they move to a new city or any location in the country without having to pay roaming charges. At present, MNP, the facility that allows customers to retain their number while switching operators,...