Battle for Supremacy in Cloud – Apple Vs Google vs Microsoft

Empirical Data suggests that iPhone ASP premium of $300 / device is driven by consumer perception of superior hardware/aesthetic design (materials, industrial design, brand), given we believe Android and iOS software capabilities are converging, and Google is ahead in Cloud Services. Apple CEO Tim Cook has shared his belief that Google is Apple’s top competition in Cloud Services. What is Cloud Service Ecosystem ? The ecosystem includes, Cloud Services to Consumer, 2) Cloud Services to Enterprise, and 3) Portals to Cloud Services within third party apps and devices. (more…)

Idea’s Risk of Spectrum Renewal in 2015 Auction, LTE Delay A Risk ?

In the upcoming 2015 mega spectrum auctions, Idea Cellular has 900 Mhz spectrum up for renewal in 9 circles accounting for about 72% of Idea’s last twelve month (LTM) revenues. In 2 circles (Gujarat and UP (West)), Idea has almost no back-up spectrum to offer voice services and about 15% of its revenues from these circles would be at high risk if it is unable to renew the spectrum.

In the upcoming spectrum auctions in February 2015, 59 MHz of 900 MHz and 9.2 Mhz of 1800 Mhz frequency of Idea are coming up for renewal. If we take DoT reserve prices as the auction price, we expect total renewal outgo to be Rs172 bn for Idea following the auction.

Idea has significant gaps in its (more…)

Demand for 3G Data / 2G – 900MHz Renewal Spectrum in 2015 Auction

2015 Mega Telecom Spectrum Auction reserve price is on expected lines except for 900 MHz, where it is materially higher than TRAI’s recommendations (modestly higher than Telecom Commission’s recommendation). We expect good demand for 900 MHz spectrum as it is primarily renewal spectrum, which existing owners will try to retain in the backdrop of DoT mandating bidding in blocks of 5 MHz instead of TRAI’s recommended 3.6MHz and Operators having opposed the same in pre bid conference. The 900Mhz Spectrum can be very efficiently used for 3G Mobile Data Services as well as 2G Voice services.

The government has decided to (more…)

What Does Zomato’s Acquisition of UrbanSpoon Mean to InfoEdge ?

Zomato has finalized to acquire Urbanspoon, a local restaurant guide that provides reviews from experts in the US. Urbanspoon provides information on restaurants throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, and is an operating business of IAC. IAC is a leading media and Internet company that owns more than 20 operating businesses comprising over 150 brands and products. The acquisition size is estimated at ~US$60m and funding will be done through its recent fund raising.

Zomato has 331,000 restaurants listed in 19 countries and has a team of over 750 people. As per Zomato, Urbanspoon has been a dominant player in the US, Canada and Australia for years, and has rich local restaurant content. This acquisition provides an entry point into some key markets like US and Australia and establishes a presence to (more…)

Tencent Launches China’s First Online Only Bank – WeBank

At a time when Corrupt Congress led Government in India was planning a step backwards to launch Banks on the basis of Sex, Caste Creed and Color, our neighbor China swiftly moved to regulate Online Only banks. Tencent, for instance, launched China’s first online private bank (WeBank) in a ceremony in Shenzhen on 4 Jan 2015. WeBank, which is fully internet-based with no physical branches in China, offers small loans of less than RMB1m to small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Chinese premier Li Keqiang enabled WeBank’s first loan during the ceremony, extending RMB35,000 of credit to a truck driver. Full operations are expected to begin in April.

Alibaba affiliate Ant Financial also received one of five similar online private banking licenses issued in (more…)