Airtel to Shut Down 3G Completely, Jio Turns No 1, JioPhone 3 and GigaFiber Update

In an expected move, Airtel, once top player - now 3rd, has announced that they will complete shut down of 3G networks (WCDMA/HSPA/HSPA+) across the country. Airtel started 3G shut down in Q2 of 2019 from Kolkata circle and has planned to do in another 6-7 circles in September. The remaining circles will see 3G shut down by March 2020. There is no news of 2G shut down as of now. 

By 3G shut down, Airtel will have more spectrum for 4G. Airtel's 3G networks are on 900 and 2100 MHz band, and sooner or later all spectrum of these bands will tranform into 4G wave. In brief Airtel's LTE network will be largest in the country, transmitting over 900, 1800, 2100 and 2300 MHz band. (in 2015 I wrote a story on LTE2100)

We hope that Vodafone Idea will follow the suit very soon. 

One Plus Promised 3 Years of Shelf Life of its Phones

One Plus 6 Red Edition

I tried my Android luck back in 2010, and one thing I understood that Google backed Android has huge potential. The first Android device in my house, was Samsung Galaxy 3, for my brother. 

However it's more than 8 years now, and Android devices have a strong presence in the market with 4G and 5G support. Indian market also saw huge change - from Nokia, Samsung, Micromax, Lava lost their top positions, and Chinese OEMs are now ruling the market. Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus are the new kings of the turf. 

Through out the period I understood that handset makers needs R&D (research and development) on both software and handware front. Without timely Android/software update a company can't create a good ecosystem. I wrote on this topic as Android Software Update: A Thing Many OEM Skip back in 2017, where I pointed out that only Xioami is not following trend, they are offering Android OTA update to its most of the smartphones at regular intervals. Sorry to add Google's name, as their phones both Nexus series and present Pixel line up, running on stock Android, are getting timely software updates. 

Read more Will RealMe Give Software Updates?

Actually slowest (or never) roll out of updates including critical security ones are one of the biggest complaints of Android users. These days Android/software update is a must, as most handset makers are using forked out Android, like Oxygen OS of OnePlus, ColorOS from Oppo, MIUI from Xiaomi, EMUI by Huawei, Flyme OS from Meizu, FunTouch OS from Vivo, Realme UI by Realme and others. 

And now, after so many years, companies seem interested in our points. By the end of June '18 One Plus announced its Software Maintenance Schedule on their forum. They promised to give regular software maintenance for 24 months (includes new features, Android version upgrades, Android security patch updates) bi-monthly, and software security maintenance for another 12 months in bi-monthly manner. 

Soon Huawei also announced similar schedule for some of its product line. I can see more similar announcements coming from other OEMs. 

Do Ads Helps Xiaomi to Launch Flagship Killers?

being EVIL ?

I was an early Xiaomi buyer, as I bought Redmi Note 3 in 2016. That time the hardware they packed inside it was good, and so is the software. From my point of view, Android device manufacturers should invest in software research and development, and Mi is doing this pretty fine till date on their home grown MIUI OS. 

However as I had upgrade to Redmi Note 4 and saw their rise in the Indian market with affordability and targeted smartphones to different users. 

They have so  many phones launched - Redmi for affordable phones, Redmi Note for bigger but affordable phones, Y series for selfie lovers, A series for mid range Android One program, Poco as flagship killer. Their top brand Mi and Mi Max did not get much success in India. Xiaomi has a different gaming phone brand too - Blackshark! 

However as I used my brother's newly bought Redmi K20 Pro, dubbed as another flagship killer with Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 855 processor, I felt MIUI is more stable (than the POCO MIUI) but there is too many intrusive ads coming from the Xiaomi's apps. Bloatwares can be manageable, but adwares are not. So I looked inside the settings, and found that Xiaomi by default keeps all of ad-gates open, but yes you can block most of them. 

Reliance Piramal Deal in Near Future?

As Times Now reported few hours back, Piramal and Reliance Industries will start a joint venture along with SoftBank.

It is still not sure about RIL's presence in the JV, but stakes are high that new in-laws will tie a business knot.

Now big question remains, what will the focus of this yet to be formed JV between Piramal, Ambani and SoftBank. SoftBank is eyeing for a re-entry into India's e-commerce market, while RIL is still playing softly with AJio. Piramal has no existence in that market, as far as I know.

Piramal is a big name in Indian pharma industry, and Reliance can think to tap that market of healthcare in a country with more than 130 cr people.

I am betting on Indian healthcare sector to get a new player. As of now I don't have idea what they are gonna target? e-health ? Wait, first be Reliance confirmed in it!

Update: All hints indicated to fintech JV and SoftBank is already there. No confirmation of Reliance Jio's inclusion in that JV as of now. It should be noted that Jio Money is already afloat from the time of inception of Jio. 

BSNL WiFi 4G Plus - Data Offload from Cellular Networks !

Back in the era of pre Jio, a handful of service providers came with public WiFi Hotspot services, like Ozone WiFi, Tata Docomo WiFi. They were mostly available in shopping malls, restaurants, coffee shops etc. Their pricing model was use free for 30-60 min, and then pay for it. As Jio nearing to launch their 4G services commercially, Jio also launched its own WiFi services - JioNet. However​ Jionet is mostly defunc now.

As 4G mobility goes mass spread, people almost stopped using WiFi hotspots. But the thing came back strongly. Ozone, the leader in this market was lost in the transition but Google and Indian Railways' telecom arm Railtel created a massive WiFi hotspot network. Google Station, as it's named was a pilot by Google and its partner Railtel started in 2016 targeting the audience who are travelling by trains. This WiFi networks are located at major rail stations of India. Later Google was roped in by Pune Smart City Corporation for similar public WiFi offerings. 

Back in 2012-14 I was pushing for this thing for data offload from mobile network to WiFi. Thankfully with massive data users after 4G went mainstream, telecom operators are thinking in that direction. BSNL is one of first telecom company to offer public WiFi.

Ramzan at Zakaria Street (2019 Edition)

Entrance to Zakaria Street/Nakhoda Masjid

I am again writing on Zakaria, as the last post I wrote on Kolkata's Ramzan special Kebab gully in 2017 (Read: Kebab Gully of Kolkata - Zakaria and Phears Lane). Zakaria is now quite famous among Kolkatans and many no-beef people just visit the area to see the grandeur of the Kebab Gully.

For the first timers, the festival of Ramzan focused on Zakaria street, and extends in surroundings including Kolutola Market/Colootola Bazar, Phears Lane, Chitpur and Rabindra Sarani. Many says the celebration is similar to Delhi’s Chandni Chowk, Mumbai’s Md Ali Road, and Hyderabad’s Old Quarters, I can't verify as I visited none of them. For off-Kolkata people Bangalore has a similar arrangement in old Bangalore but my friend confirms that can't match Zakaria by cost or taste! 

3 Days in Wayanad (April 2019)

This is my first tour to Wayanad, a district of Kerala.

It was middle of April, all the forests are closed to avoid risk of forest fire, and falls are closed due to poor water source. Best time to visit Wayanad is from mid September to February/March, that's post monsoon. During monsoon the forests are also closed as this is the mating time of animals.

It's Summer here, and dry hot climate is not suitable for travel. But we got lucky that rain started there and the greenery become livid and naturally enjoyable.

In Wayanad district, there are 3 main towns lying along the main road to south Kerala - Sultan Bathery, Kalpetta and Vythiri. we stayed at Vythiri.

We made this plan - extensive itinerary. 

day #0  Night bus from B'luru to Kalpetta

day #1 Reaching at Kalpetta at 5am approx. - Edakkal caves, Heritage museum, Phantom Rock, Karapuzha dam + evening sight seeing at Kalpetta

day #2 : Early morning trek to Chembra peak, Pookode lake, Soochipara falls, Chain tree

day #3 :  Kuruva island, Vishnugudi Jain Basadi, Bansurasagar Dam, Meenmurthy Falls, Meenmurthy View point, Wayanad wild life Santuary evening trip and 11pm bus to Bangalore.

However plan had to revise due to the untimely rain in the summer.

Stay: at Mazus Inn - on the main road at Vythiri
As I requested they arranged the car to the sight seeing. 

Mazus Inn has a seperate cafe - Turkish Cafe in the ground floor, and they are really good. Later I found that their kitchen is also a 5-starrer. Awesome food they make.

If you want your stay in the middle of nature there are several resorts across the district of Wayanad - for eg, Morickap at Kalpetta (10k+ per night), Maple Ash at Vythiri (10k+), Saptha Resort at Sultan Bathery (10k+), Earthitects (2 guest/room starting from Rs 47k+) at Kalpetta. 

Day 001 >>>>>>>> 

We reached at Kalpetta at around 5:30 am and took an auto to reach Mazus Inn. Then we took a nap and had breakfast at around 10 am. By the time the car came and we started exploring Wayanad.

Edakkel Caves - first I want to say it's not big as you've seen in Borrah. It's small cave with wall writings. The pictorial writings may be as old as 7000 years old by Neolithics.

 

Wall drawings at Edakkal Cave, Wayanad

But you have to walk a lot, around 900m above, that's nearly 1.5Km step up. You may find it tiring, but then you reach the gate, buy tickets and climb over the stairs (made of iron, steel etc) to the top. When riding up you can see the skyline and natural beauty of Wayanad. 

 

Skyline view of surrounding mountains while walking up to Edakkel Cave

Total time 2.5 hr minimum (upto 4hrs)

Chembra Peak far away

Tea plantation

Heritage museum - closed by then 

Phantom Rock - skipped

Karapuzha Dam - cancelled due to heavy rain

Lakkidi Viewpoint: Just beyond the Wayanad district border, this viewpoint is lying along the highway. Excellent view to Wayanad hills. Spend the evening to see the clouds/mists covering the mountains. 

Chain tree: Nothing exciting you may find, it will be on the Nation Highway to Lakkidi viewpoint. But the story is interesting. 

The story is a British engineer took help of Karinthandan, a local tribal to find a way from Thamarassery to Wayanad. Later Karinthandan was shot dead and his soul started creating accidents in this route. So a priest chained the ghost with the tree. There is small temple, named Changala Muneeswaran Kovil.

This place can be missed if you're not known to this spot. Look for Pepper Wayanad Gate hotel and Chain tree is just opposite to it. There is a nearby tea/coffee shop which can be your help to get tea or coffee after a tiring day.

Day 002  >>

Kuruva Island over Kabini river: Bamboo river rafting is the best part, but waiting time was quite long. The guy who is driving the bamboo raft informed that there is limit of ticket selling, and in peak season people come at early morning. There are fishes in the river, but no crocodile nearby. In winter you may get to see the birds. 

Kuruva Island

From our hotel, Mazus Inn, Kuruva Island is like 40-50km. From here you can go to Kabini's widest part in Karnataka - another 60km drive from Kuruva. There are several river side resorts, eg: Waterwoods

Bansurasagar Dam: Excellent view of the dam, mountains and the lake. Zipline of 40 secs approx can give you little adrenaline rush. Speed boat is also there. 

 

Zipline in Banasura Sagar Dam

There is a Ayurvedic Exhibition Center (Banasura Spices and Ayurvedic Garden) nearby, entry Rs 100, guide will show different trees which are used in Ayurvedic medicines. You can buy stuffs from there.

Near Banasura Dam, there are several top class resorts. If you want to stay at hotel with extreme luxury, your best bet would be Mountain Shadows Resorts (www.mountainshadows.in). Cost Rs 20k+ per night. 

Others nearby Banasura: 

Contour Island - 15K+ per night 

Awe Loch Cottage 

Fern Villa, Wayanad 

Arayal Resorts - 10k+ per night 

Seagot Banasura 

Silvergreen Resort - 5k+ per night

Coffee Groove Restaurant and Resort (cg-ala restaurant) : another excellent place to stay in. The restaurant is superb, you can sit outside - the forest and mountain are in the background. 

Kerala Fish Curry in Coconut Oil at CG-ALA Restaurant

Day 3 : Relaxing day as we have to take the night bus to B'luru. 

Evening visit to Pookode lake is pretty relaxing. It's a family and kid friendly park with the lake in the center. After the rain it was nice to see the small flowers bloomed by the side of the road. Boating facilities are available here. 

Pookode Lake, Wayanad

Mimosa flowers at Pookoode Lake

We took auto from Vythiri at around 10pm to Kalpetta bus stand. there are two bus stand. new one is simply for daytime, hence the bus stand near hotel on the main road is the place. That's the old bus stand. From there we boarded on the bus to return to B'luru. 

That was the end of our trip. But Wayanad came into my mind when I heard of it's local connection with Ramayana. I am sharing the link: https://www.outlooktraveller.com/destinations/india/flipping-through-the-forgotten-ramayanas-of-wayanad 

The local communities have their own version of Hindu mythology and the belief is Valmiki wrote Ramayana here. I suggest you go through the link. 

Today many Wayanad based companies are offering online sale of spices and other things - 

https://wayanadcraft.com/

https://www.wayanadspicesvillage.in/

https://www.wayanadspicevalley.in/

https://wayanadspicestore.com/