Intel Wants JV With ITI

Intel is planning to participate in bids invited by Indian state-owned telecom equipment maker ITI Ltd to set up joint ventures. The loss-making ITI intends to be a minority partner in the proposed joint ventures with a 26 percent stake according to the bid proposals. Other global players that have showed interest include Huawei, Alcatel-Lucent, Samsung and Hitachi. (Read more at Reuters)

Accentium Web Launches Taaza.com

taaza_logo Accentium Web, which runs SecondShaadi.com, Gaadi.com and StudyTimes.com, has launched Taaza.com, which aggregates content across different verticals such as news, videos, loans, insurance, photos and videos from multiple sources. According to the company, users can also submit news and other content and other users can vote and comment on them. (Read more at Alootechie)

(By Preethi) Our Take: There’s nothing very “taaza” about the portal, it is just a me-too initiative. Accentium’s attempt to put up such properties in a market already flooded with options reveals the lack of farsightedness by top management.

Disclosure: Accentium has been founded by MediaNama editor Nikhil Pahwa’s cousin Vivek Pahwa.

DoT Asks BSNL To Hurry 93M Line Tender

The Indian Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has suggested a quick re-tendering of the 93-million GSM line order, from BSNL. The equipment order has already been delayed for nearly a year. Currently, BSNL is already involved in price negotiations with Ericsson for the two zones and for the southern zone with Huawei. It has also given advance purchase orders to both. The problem arose after the government decided not to allow Chinese companies to supply equipment in telecom circles. Huawei was not given the contract and the bid of Nokia Siemens Networks was rejected on some grounds, as a result of which the company went to court. (Read more at Business Standard )

Microsoft’s Online Services

Microsoft has launched ‘Online Services’ in India, which will allow small and medium businesses (SMBs) and enterprise customers to access e-mail and conferencing solutions through Internet, for $2 per user a month.The company has also partnered with HCL Infosystems, Infosys and Wipro to market and offer value-added services around the Microsoft Online Services. The entire suite would be offered at about $10 per user a month, while on a stand alone basis, one would need to pay between $2-5 depending on the product. Medianama had reported on the trial launch of the online services in July. (Read more at Business Standard)

Roshan Tamang Quits Web18

Roshan Tamang, VP and editor, Web18, is set to leave Web 18. He is currently serving his notice period. Tamang had joined Network18 in 2005. He has also worked as vice president and editor, web operations at CNN-IBN. Tamang is now expected to join The Times of India Group. (Read more at Alootechie)