Reliance Telecom quietly launches basic services in Gujarat
In an unusually low-key entry into the basic telecom services arena, Reliance Telecom Limited (RTL), the licencee for Gujarat, has initiated basic telephony services in Gujarat -- though apparently, without the knowledge of the Department of Telecommunications.

DoT in the dark?
Even though the local DoT officials might have been kept in the loop on Reliance plans to set up an exchange, official DoT sources in Delhi say that this is not legally sufficient.

IndAsia, Smifs take stake in Pyramid Cyberway
IndAsia Fund Advisors and Smifs Venture Capital have acquired a combined stake of nearly 40 per cent in Pyramid Cyberway Limited whose first portal went live late last year. Christened CopperNet.com, it is the world's first online copper exchange.

US-based AEO News Corp to pick 40 per cent in Vas Animation
The US-based AEO News Corp. is picking up a 40% stake in the Mumbai-based Vas Animations and Entertainment Ltd.

Motorola to offer WAP phones for less than Rs 10,000
Motorola is all set to break the price barrier with its WAP-enabled phones. While Nokia's WAP phones available in the market are priced at more than Rs 20,000, Motorola plans to launch phones in the price range of under Rs 10,000.

FM majors on a manhunt
Within a month of acquiring licences, several players in the FM Radio business are out scouting for talent to man their radio operations.


  CommerceNet eChecks out the secure payment system for B2B deals
  e-Briefing
  BconnectB ties up with Qimpro for `quality' assessment services
  Microsoft India launches state-of-the-art lab
  Shapre Global, Daywalker Studios in JV
  Datapro clinches ties with e-Vyapar for e-commerce training
  Zee sports channel soon
  Compaq offers Internet devices
  News bytes
  GDR Software to roll out products for healthcare sector
  TSN gets Rs 13.5 crore in second round of funding
  NetSynergy to form marketing hub with 150 SMEs
  Mascot ties up with German company for providing IT solutions
  CBS reports loss of $38 m due to Internet strategy costs
  Asia's first wireless institute to be set up in Bangalore
  Intel eyes more funding in Indian firms
  Want a helluva catchy Web address? Go to Hell.com
  Wall Street's strong gains fail to inspire Asian stocks
  Beware of small software IPOs, you could be taken for a ride!
  Jeevan Soft's IPO opens on April 29
  British Telecom unveils high-speed Net access
  Euro shares weakened by Nasdaq fall
  Taiwan stocks plunge 4.3%
  Amsterdam stock market almost blocked WOL entry
  Sega to enter Internet phone business
  Lacoste to collar higher growth with new strategy
  ...And woo dot.com generation
  Chaitra Leo Burnett bags Videocon account
  Tata Steel's in-house campaign stresses gyan in the new steelennium
  Advertising forecasters remain upbeat on ad-spending estimates
  New Campaigns