And the biggest looser will be airtel....

CDMA has been traditionally faster than GSM, though both technologies continue to rapidly leapfrog along this path. Both boast "3G" standards, or 3rd generation technologies. EVDO, also known as CDMA2000, is CDMA`s answer to the need for speed with a downstream rate of about 2 megabits per second, though some reports suggest real world speeds are closer to 300-700 kilobits per second (kbps). This is comparable to basic DSL. As of fall 2005, EVDO is in the process of being deployed. It is not available everywhere and requires a phone that is CDMA2000 ready. GSM`s answer is EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution), which boasts data rates of up to 384 kbps with real world speeds reported closer to 70-140 kbps. With added technologies still in the works that include UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone Standard) and HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), speeds reportedly increase to about 275—380 kbps. This technology is also known as W-CDMA, but is incompatible with CDMA networks. An EDGE-ready phone is required. In the case of EVDO, theoretical high traffic can degrade speed and performance, while the EDGE network is more susceptible to interference. Both require being within close range of a cell to get the best speeds, while performance decreases with distance. Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards: In the United States only GSM phones use SIM cards. The removable SIM card allows phones to be instantly activated, interchanged, swapped out and upgraded, all without carrier intervention. The SIM itself is tied to the network, rather than the actual phone. Phones that are card-enabled can be used with any GSM carrier. The CDMA equivalent, a R-UIM card, is only available in parts of Asia but remains on the horizon for the U.S. market. CDMA carriers in the U.S. require proprietary handsets that are linked to one carrier only and are not card-enabled. To upgrade a CDMA phone, the carrier must deactivate the old phone then activate the new one. The old phone becomes useless. ...

Since more data services will be used on phone so CDMA has a definite edge and there will be a kind of switch from GSM to CDMA also......

Dear Rdadhe, Yes PPF & PF r the only debt products which r tax free as per current Tax law. But once the new Direct Tax code `ll take place, the things `ll not remain same. Now to answer how much one should invest in these debt products & how much in Eq. the answer `ll depend upon several factors - 1. Age of investor 2. Risk appetite 3. current portfolio structure 4. Time remain to retirement 5. Financial liabilities 6. Over all time available for investment to grow To name a few. After identifying the above & some other factors an investor may decide her own split of Eq. & debt. Thanks Ashal ...

Yes, as dear Ashal pointed out, these are all debt like investments and should be clubbed together with other market linked debt instruments. Regards, Wadia...

Dear rdadhe, I appreciate your reply. But, buying 1 gram pure gold is possible? Though there are 1 gram stuff available, but then what about purity and making charges? Then, if you want to use them for remaking other ornaments, again you loose money. Am I right? Comment on this. Thanks...

Dear Rdadhe, PF, PPF & superannuation corpus along with ur normal FDs & debt funds all form the debt part of ur portfolio. Even one may consider the traditional life insurance policies under debt category. Yes ur observation is correct that in all the above investments the underlying assets are debt. Thanks Ashal...

I agree,
This must have been a business decision. Better to cut losses before deploying more cash.
Regards...

That is an incredible answer. Thanks for a detailed and informative reply.

My only exposure to CDMA was the starting Reliance phone. I could never use it as freely as GSM of IDEA. Now I am adicted to Blackberry and would think long before going elsewhere.

Regards...

The move to untangle the complicated tax structure and establish GST across the whole country, will be a big help in making India more competitive. The simplification will also help reducing manpower in the govt. I remember reading that 85% of the money collected as Octroi goes in the salaries of people who collect it.
Compared with the western world, Indian companies pay far more taxes and get nothing in return.
I hope the planned constitutional amendments are passed without too many legal hurdles.
The way this govt is going ahead with reforms can catapault India on a fast track to growth.
Regards
...

Why should CDMA be better than GSM?
...

This will be a real test for this highly innovative industry. The companies will have to be really focussed on service quality and customer satisfaction. We may see many users switch.
India is going in the right direction. Customers will ensure that the weak companies are weeded out.
Regards...

Dear Ashal,

I was just wondering. It make a long term sense to max your PPF each year. Along with PF & Superannuation, it is the only tax free investment avaliable at the moment. (not sure for how long)

After this, normally working people find it very difficult to find large amount of cash to save in other avenues. Is it not therefore best to focus on a % split between Debt & Equity for your age and profile and then allocate the investible cash accordingly? Mostly, this will mean that major portion of your disposable income should go in equity related investments.
Regards...

Dear wadia,
Is it proper to consider your PF/PPF/Super-annuation as a debt investment along with FD`s & debt funds when you calculate the net portfolio exposure to debt? After all these increase at similar rates and their underlying assets are debt.
Regards
...

bhusbhac,

I really do not care. Reliance is a very sucessful business. Worth investing at any time if your horizon is long. I will be very happy if the stock goes down. Can pick up a few more.

Regards...

Radhika,

Any extreme is harmful. Socialism is not as absolute as Communism. I would prefer a social democracy over a pure capitalistic society.
All businessmen need a thriving economy to make their millions. Paying taxes and adhering to good coporate governance will not come unless there is some control from the govt. Looking back on the US meltdown, it is very easy to agree.
Regards...

If you see last quarter results, Interest cost is almost equal to 50% of the turnover. over 42% of owners equity is pledged to banks.The economy is not going to recover in a hurry. So we can see a spectacular fall in this company. It can simply go bankrupt.
Most of the industry is having over capacity and lower demand. This normally results in market prices plumetting. Suzlon needs turnover quick with good margins, to come out of the debt trap.
Regards...

radhika,

China imports electriity coal at low prices and exports oil & oil products at premium prices. Looking at the limited options available to North Korea, China will always be able to exploit this unequal relationship to their advantage. China will allow transgressions from N Korea as these do not harm them. They may even extract some things from the western word in return of containing N Korea.

I do not think USA has the financial freedom or clout available to attack any one at this time. They must be busy finding some excuse to exit Afghanistan today.

Regards...

Frankly, I do not understand the chartists neither do I care what they predict. To me, it is similar to the Roman priests trying to predict outcome of wars by studying bones of dead animals. Inscrutable and unpredictable the market is.
Indian Hotels looks to have a sound business model. Best to pick up this stock at declines, to get enough shares so that when it goes up eventually, there will be a pot of gold for long term investors....