Mobile Services
Use Interpol list, not IWF, to block child sexual abuse content: COAI to Government
NEW DELHI: Industry body COAI has approached the Telecom Department (DoT) flagging operational issues in implementing a directive that mandates use of an IWF list for blocking online child sexual abuse content, and said such sites should be barred as per the ‘Interpol list’ provided by the department.
The COAI in a recent letter to the DoT has said that instructions given by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MEITY) in April 2017 mandating use of IWF (Internet Watch Foundation) list should be withdrawn as it creates an “unfettered monopoly in favour of a single private entity”.
The association said its members are blocking such links based on the Interpol list, and complying with another list will only add to costs and lead to duplication of efforts.
The IWF list can be availed only by those entities who take membership and pay hefty annual fee even as collective subscriptions cannot be negotiated, it outlined.
“We have been highlighting to both DoT as well as MEITY the issues associated with implementation of a particular list from IWF (a private entity) as it creates a monopolistic situation in favour of a single private entity. We also highlighted that our members are already facing this challenge as the fees for obtaining the list are being quoted at exorbitant levels by IWF,” the COAI said.
The solution to the issue is that DoT should procure the list and provide it to all the ISPs, said COAI whose member operators also provide mobile internet services and are required to block such sites according to the DoT’s directions.
IWF offers a dynamic list of individual web pages with child sexual abuse content to its members, who can be guided by the list to filter and block access to such content.
But COAI has said that another operational issue in implementing the directive to use the said IWF list is that collective subscriptions cannot be negotiated and that list can be availed only by those entities who take membership and pay hefty annual fee, thus leaving COAI’s member operators “at the complete mercy of IWF”.
“…While our member operators would implement solution to block any URL list provided by the DoT, they are not in a position to procure the list from IWF…,” COAI said adding that doing so would increase their cost and burden manifold.
As such, operators are already blocking URLs as per INTERPOL list provided by Department of Telecom or DoT and additional subscription to IWF list would lead to duplication given that the same sites are being blocked through the INTERPOL list, COAI said.
The association has, therefore, said that blocking of the sites should continue as per INTERPOL list provided by DoT and that MEITY instruction on using of IWF list should be withdrawn.
“In the event that IWF/any other blocking list is to be adopted, then the same should be procured by DoT and provided to ISPs in line with clause…of the ISP licence,” COAI said.
The mobile operators’ association has said that blocking on such online material should be implemented uniformly across all telecom service providers and internet service providers in India.
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.
