Mobile Services
HCL Technologies Q3 net profit up 6% to Rs 2,194 crore
NEW DELHI: IT major HCL Technologies today said its consolidated net profit grew 6 per cent to Rs 2,194 crore in the December 2017 quarter and exuded confidence over meeting its revenue and margins forecast for FY2018.
The country’s fourth largest IT services firm had posted a net profit of Rs 2,070 crore in the year-ago period.
HCL Tech’s revenues grew 8.4 per cent to Rs 12,808 crore, from Rs 11,814 crore in the year-ago period, as per the US GAAP accounting norms.
“We finished last quarter on a strong note, with a growth of 3.3 per cent sequentially and 11.2 per cent year-on-year in constant currency terms,” HCL Technologies President and CEO C Vijayakumar told reporters here.
He added that going ahead, the company remains bullish on the market.
“… (We) intend to close the year within our guided range of revenue and margins, though you may see us deliver revenue at the lower end of our guidance. FY’19 also looks promising from the vantage point where we stand today,” he added.
In July, the company had said it expects FY2018 revenue for the company to grow in 10.5-12.5 per cent in constant currency terms.
Operating Margin (EBIT) range for the ongoing fiscal was forecast to be from 19.5-20.5 per cent.
Vijayakumar said the December 2017 quarter was a strong one in terms of deal signings where HCL signed 20 transformational deals across services.
He, however, declined to comment on the contract value. “Our bookings have been the highest this quarter since the last 12 quarters,” he said.
Vijayakumar said clients’ IT budgets are expected to be flat or marginally up and “even though there is tax element (from the US) but it will take some more time to start reflecting in the budgets”.
“Every client thinks IT is important in their business transformation, you hear that uniformly across the board,” he said.
He added that the company continues to pursue IP partnerships and acquisitions which is a “critical element” of the company’s growth strategy.
“We have a healthy pipeline of both organic and inorganic on this front and this gives us a lot of optimism as we move into FY’19,” he said.
In dollar terms, the company’s net profit grew 11.2 per cent to USD 340.3 million, while revenues rose 13.9 per cent to USD 1.98 billion compared to the year-ago period.
HCL Technologies has announced a dividend of Rs 2 per share.
During the quarter, HCL Technologies added 251 people in the reported quarter, taking total headcount to 1,19,291 people. Attrition in IT services (last 12 months basis) stood at 15.2 per cent.
Revenues from Americas grew at 16.6 per cent in the reported quarter from the year-ago period, while that from Europe and Rest of World was higher by 2.5 per cent in constant currency terms.
Financial Services witnessed a y-o-y growth of 10.6 per cent, Manufacturing 21 per cent, Lifesciences and Healthcare 9.7 per cent, and Retail and CPG at 13.1 per cent.
Public services vertical grew marginally, while revenues from Telecommunications, Media, Publishing and Entertainment declined by 6.8 per cent.
Source: Press Trust of India
NEW DELHI: Bharti Airtel, India’s telecommunications services provider, today announced the launch of its ultra-fast 5G services in 125 cities. Airtel 5G Plus service is now available to customers in over 265 cities in the country.
Airtel 5G Plus has three compelling advantages for customers. First, it runs on a technology that has the widest acceptance in the world with the most developed ecosystem. This ensures that all 5G smartphones in India seamlessly work on the Airtel network. Second, the company promises to deliver the best experience – between 20 to 30 times higher speeds than today coupled with brilliant voice experience and super-fast call connect. Finally, Airtel 5G Plus network will also be kinder to the environment with its special power reduction solution. Powered by the reliable Airtel network infrastructure, Airtel 5G Plus will provide superfast access to High-Definition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos et all.
Commenting on the launch, Randeep Sekhon, CTO, Bharti Airtel said, “5G has revolutionized the world of internet, ushering new era of connectivity and communications that will prove to be a game-changer for the country. At Airtel, we remain committed to delivering the highest quality of network and service to our customers as we roll-out 125 more cities today. Airtel was the first in the country to offer 5G services in October 2022, and today’s mega launch is our promise to connect every Airtel customer in the country with ultra-fast Airtel 5G Plus. Our 5G rollout is on track to cover all towns and key rural areas by March 2024.”
Airtel 5G Plus service availability will continue to rapidly expand – including service in all towns and villages in the country soon – as the company is working towards offering nationwide coverage. Airtel is now offering its 5G services in every major city from the upper northern city of Jammu to the southern tip of Kanyakumari.
In the last one year, Airtel has demonstrated the power of 5G with a host of powerful use cases that will change the way customers lead their lives and do business. From India’s first live 5G network in Hyderabad to India’s first private 5G network at the BOSCH facility in Bengaluru to partnering with Mahindra & Mahindra to make its Chakan manufacturing facility, India’s first 5G enabled auto manufacturing unit, Airtel has been at the forefront of 5G innovation.
NEW DELHI: Apple Inc has rolled out a beta programme to enable 5G on Apple devices as the upgrade lets users try out pre-release software.
This software upgrade enables 5G access on Apple devices, as and when service providers Jio, Airtel and Vodafone enable 5G network access, sources said.
Apple Users have to enrol for the Beta Programme on the website, install a profile and download the software.
Jio users using iPhone 12 and above, in cities where JioTrue5G has been rolled out, will be invited to the Jio Welcome Offer. Jio Welcome Offer provides unlimited 5G data at up to 1 Gbps speed to users at no additional cost. However, there is a condition that prepaid users must be on active Rs 239 and above plan. All Postpaid users are eligible for this trial.
Airtel is not providing any special 5G offer like Jio to their users. In the cities/areas in which the Airtel 5G network has been launched, users can trial 5G services as a part of their existing plan, once they have updated the latest Apple Beta software.
While an email sent to Apple did not solicit an immediate response, the firm had last month stated: “We are working with our carrier partners in India to bring the best 5G experience to iPhone users as soon as network validation and testing for quality and performance is completed. 5G will be enabled via a software update and will start rolling out to iPhone users in December”.
Airtel and Jio customers on iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12 and iPhone SE (3rd generation) models can experience 5G as part of Apple’s iOS 16 Beta Software Program. The Apple Beta Software Program is open to anyone with a valid Apple ID who accepts the Apple Beta Software Program Agreement during the sign-up process.
If a user has an iCloud account, that is an Apple ID, it is recommended they use that. If they do not have an iCloud account or any other Apple ID, they can create one.
Customers who want to try the beta software should back up their iPhones before installing the beta software. It is recommended to install the beta software only on non-production devices that are not business-critical. Users can also provide feedback to Apple on quality and usability, which helps Apple identify issues, fix them, and make Apple software even better.
The iOS beta comes with the built-in Feedback Assistant app, which can be opened from the Home screen on the iPhone or iPad or from the Dock on the Mac.
Source: Press Trust of India
5g
Nokia wins multi-year deal with Reliance Jio India to build one of the largest 5G networks in the world
NEW DELHI: Nokia has announced that it has been selected as a major supplier by Reliance Jio to supply 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment from its comprehensive AirScale portfolio countrywide in a multi-year deal. Reliance Jio is India’s number one mobile operator and has one of the largest RAN footprints in the world.
Under the contract, Nokia will supply equipment from its AirScale portfolio, including base stations, high-capacity 5G Massive MIMO antennas, and Remote Radio Heads (RRH) to support different spectrum bands, and self-organizing network software. Reliance Jio plans to deploy a 5G standalone network which will interwork with its 4G network. The network will enable Reliance Jio to deliver advanced 5G services such as massive machine-to-machine communications, network slicing, and ultra-low-latency.
Akash Ambani, Chairman Reliance Jio, commented: “We are pleased to be working with Nokia for our 5G SA deployment in India. Jio is committed to continuously investing in the latest network technologies to enhance the experience of all of its customers. We are confident that our partnership with Nokia will deliver one of the most advanced 5G networks globally.”
Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO at Nokia stated: “This is a significant win for Nokia in an important market and a new customer with one of the largest RAN footprints in the world. This ambitious project will introduce millions of people across India to premium 5G services, enabled by our industry-leading AirScale portfolio. We are proud that Reliance Jio has placed its trust in our technology and we look forward to a long and productive partnership with them.”
Nokia has a long-standing presence in India. This new deal will mean that Nokia is now supplying India’s three largest mobile operators.
