BSNL moves DoT over dues from MTNL, VSNL
New Delhi: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to intervene in the recovery dues amounting to Rs 2,000 crore from Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) and Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL).

BSNL says a sum of Rs 1,300 crore is pending from MTNL as network charges and other dues, while VSNL owes it Rs 770 crore as tariff dues and leased circuit charges which were payable by end-March.

However, MTNL continued to withhold the payment and says stated that dues being demanded had been overestimated and should be much lower. The company even sought more time, stating that it was still in the process of calculating the exact dues.
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Airtel highest seller of pre-paid cards
New Delhi: According to an A C Nielson study, Airtel has emerged as the largest selling pre-paid mobile SIM card in the country though Command and RPG are not far behind. Limited mobility is also catching up and comprises almost one-fifth of all connections sold through retail outlets,

The most popular SIM cards are in the Rs 300 to Rs 499 range and 60 percent to 70 percent of the cellular subscribers are on pre-paid platform.

Airtel is followed by Hutch, which is just ahead of Idea and BPL Mobile cards are the fourth most popular cards in the market. Airtel also tops the charts in dealer penetration followed by brands Hutch, Idea and BPL Mobile.

The largest cellular operators had merged with pre-paid brand Magic under the Airtel umbrella, along with its post-paid connection. Bharti is now promoting its pre-paid and post-paid connections under a single brand, with a planned promotion budget of about Rs 100 crore.
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AirTel to invest Rs 150 crore in Karnataka
Bangalore: AirTel, the leading GSM operator in Karnataka has announced an investment of Rs 150 crore in the state in the next four months on ramping up its infrastructure to increase its capacity and coverage.

Jagdish Kini, CEO- South Central Region, Bharti Mobile Ltd said the company had crossed the five lakh customer base in Karnataka. He added that with the additional investment Bharti's total investment in Karnataka is now of the order of Rs 1,000 crore.

AirTel began its operations in Karnataka in May 2000.
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Ford to source HM engines for 1.6-litre 'Ikon'
New Delhi: Ford India, Indian subsidiary of the world's second- biggest carmaker Ford Motor Co. is launching its 1.6-litre mid-size car 'Ikon' with the engine and gearbox sourced from domestic automaker Hindustan Motors, in the next 1-2 months according to company officials.

The sourcing of the powertrain would help the company increase the local content and make the car more affordable. This is part of plans to become profitable by accounting standards by 2005, the company said.

Ford India recently started sourcing the 'Rocam' engine and gearbox for the 1.3-litre petrol 'Ikon' model from HM's factory in Pithampur (Madhya Pradesh).

The production of the 1.3-litre engine and gearbox has increased the localisation of the car to over 90 per cent, thus enabling Ford India to launch a new model 'Ikon Flair' this month at below Rs five lakh.
At present, the 1.3-litre 'Ikon' model comprises 50 per cent of the sales while the 1.6-litre petrol and 1.8 litre diesel model account for 30 and 20 per cent respectively.
Ford India makes the 'Ikon' in seven variants, including a diesel engine model, at its plant outside Chennai where it has invested Rs 1,700 crore.
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SAIL to offer VRS to 6,000 employees
New Delhi: The Steel Authority of India Ltd plans to ultimately bring its workforce down to one lakh. With this aim in mind the organisation is likely to come out with a fresh round of Voluntary Retirement Scheme soon.

Sail plans to reduce its work force by 10,000 in the current fiscal through a mix of VR and natural retirement. It plans to offer the VRS to 6000 employees.

Sail's current labour force is 1.37 lakh and it had agreed to reduce it to one lakh by 2005 while entering into an agreement with the Government two years back.
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Scooter majors revamp marketing strategies
Mumbai: Kinetic Engineering Ltd and TVS Motors are refurbishing their marketing and ad plans

Kinetic Engg strategy includes a revamped corporate image and its marketing plan includes mass media ad campaigns, retail initiatives, below-the-line activities and direct marketing plans. To announce its revamped corporate image, Kinetic plans to launch an aggressive television ad campaign with a new strapline 'Kinetic: Because You Deserve The Best' soon. Earlier, the adline was—Kinetic—What's Next?

The company has earmarked an ad budget of Rs 8 crore for the next six months. And to support its mass media ad campaign, its showrooms would be revamped to give a new look and its sales personnel put in new uniforms. Kinetic's distribution network includes 400 retailers.
As part of its direct marketing strategy, the company has launched 'Kinetic Marketing Services' as part of which its sales personnel would go to the doorsteps of potential customers.

TVS Motor Company Ltd is also stepping up its below-the-line activities in an effort to promote the new avatar of TVS Victor. TVS recently launched TVS Victor with a slew of new features as part of its marketing strategy. The accent seems to be on an 'effective marketing mix' in the Indian two- wheeler industry which is worth five million units.

TVS Motors Company recently relaunched its popular bike TVS Victor with a host of new features to woo customers.
To promote the new Victor, TVS is focussing on below-the-line activities like consumer promotions and rolled out an ambitious consumer promo tilted 'Balla Ghumao' which will run till the end of August this year.
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