Sharekhan

Sharekhan is Indias leading online retail broking house. Launched on February 8, 2000 as an online trading portal, Sharekhan has today a pan-India presence with over 1,529 outlets serving 950,000 customers across 450 cities. It also has international presence through its branches in the UAE and Oman. Sharekhan offers services like portfolio management, trade execution in equities, futures & options, commodities, and distribution of mutual funds, insurance and structured products. These services are backed by quality investment advice from an experienced research team which offers investment and trading ideas based on fundamental and technical research respectively, market related news, statistical information on equities, commodities, mutual funds, IPOs and much more. Sharekhan is a member of the Bombay Stock Exchange, the National Stock Exchange and the countrys two leading commodity exchanges, the NCDEX and MCX. Sharekhan is also registered as a depository participant with National Securities Depository and Central Depository Services. Sharekhan has set category leadership through pioneering initiatives like Trade Tiger, an Internet-based executable application that emulates a broker terminal besides providing information and tools relevant to day traders. Its second initiative, First Step, is targeted at empowering the first-time investors. Sharekhan has also set its global footprint through the India First initiative, a series of seminars conducted by Sharekhan to help the non-resident Indians participate and benefit from the huge investment opportunities in India.

TOP MANAGEMENT

Mr. Tarun Shah

CEO, Sharekhan

Mr. Jaideep Arora

Director, Product Development

Mr. Shanker Vailaya

Director, Operations, Finance and Legal Functions

Indian Telecom Industry

From 90s when Telephone (Fixed Wire-line) was a luxury, with low penetration levels helped by the uneven terrains Indian telecommunication industry has taken a big leap with wireless subscriber bases growing at a phenomenal pace from a mere 3m subscribers in Sep 00 to around 870m as of Oct11, implying a 60% CAGR. Although the primary reason for such a huge jump was the easy availability of the services vis--vis the earlier fixed telephony (a luxury), lower tariffs and more disposable income along with a large pool of young population. Over the years, wireless services has garnered over 90% of the total telephony market, with state-owned BSNL as the leader in the landline domain and Bharti Airtel leading the cellular services with other players like Reliance, Idea Cellular and Vodafone posing a tough competition. Among the various segments, cellular (mobile) segment has been the key contributor; especially prepaid services, with its wide offerings of services, has been leading the growth wave.

Telecommunication has been recognized the world-over as a powerful tool of development and poverty reduction through empowerment of masses. It is one of the key enabler for 'inclusive and sustainable' growth and in areas of poverty reduction, employment generation, gender equity, balanced regional development and special protection for vulnerable sections of the society. Indian telecommunication sector has emerged as a strong growth engine for the Indian economy in the last decade with the country witnessing tremendous growth in wireless sector. The penetration of internet and broadband has also improved. The Government of India approved a project for creation of National Optical Fibre Network for connecting 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats with support from Univeral Service Obligation Fund (USOF). The proposed National Telecom Policy, under finalization in consultation with various stakeholders is a step forward for bringing rapid and equitable growth of this sector

Indian Telecommunication sector maintained the impressive growth rate during the current year. Indian telecom network has 926.55 million connections at the end of December'11 with 893.86 million wireless connections and is the second largest network in the world after China. The one billion mark also appears to be achievable. The penetration of internet and broadband has also improved with 20.99 million internet subscribers and 13.30 million broadband subscribers across the country. The future progress of telecommunication in our country is very encouraging as operators have started rolling out the wireless broadband networks in the country and soon the services are expected to be available in the entire country

The opening of the sector has not only led to rapid growth but also benefited the consumers through low tariffs as a result of intense competition. Telecom sector has witnessed a continuous rising trend in the total number of telephone subscribers. From a mere 22.81 million telephone subscribers in 1999, the number increased to 846.33 million at the end of March, 2011. The total number of telephones stands at 926.55 million at the end of December'11 showing addition of 80.22 million during the period from April to December'11. Wireless telephone connections have contributed to this growth as their number rose from 165.09 million in 2007 to 811.60 million in March, 2011 and 893.86 million at the end of December'11. The wire line connections have however, declined from 40.77 million in 2007 to 34.73 million in March, 2011 and 32.69 million in December'11

Wireline Wireless Gross Total Annual Growth

Growth of Telephone over the Years (In Millions) March'07 March08 March09 March10 March11 March12 40.77 39.41 37.97 36.96 34.73 32.17 165.09 261.08 391.76 584.32 811.6 919.17 205.86 300.49 429.73 621.28 846.33 951.34 44.88% 45.96% 43.01% 44.58% 36.22% 12.40%

ROLE AND FUNCTIONS

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is responsible for policy formulation, performance review, monitoring, international cooperation, Research & Development and grant of licences to operators for providing basic and value added services in various cities and telecom circles as per approved policy of the Government. The Department also allocates frequency and manages radio communications in close coordination with the International bodies. It is also responsible for enforcing wireless regulatory measures and monitoring the wireless transmission of all users in the country. The office of Administrator, USO as an attached office of DoT was set up w.e.f. June 1, 2002 for the purpose of implementation of Universal Service Support Policy. After formation of BSNL in October 2000, following are the functions assigned to the DoT under Government of India (Allocation of Business), Rules, 1961:-

Policy formulation, licensing and coordination matters relating to telegraphs, telephones, wireless, data, facsimile and Telematics services and other similar forms of communications. International cooperation in matters connected with telecommunications, including matters relating to all concerned international bodies such as International Telecommunication Union (ITU), its Radio Regulation Board (RRB), Radio Communication Sector (ITU-R), Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), Development Sector (ITU-D), International Telecommunication Satellite Organization (INTELSAT), International Mobile Satellite Organization (INMARSAT), Asia Pacific Telecommunication (APT). Promotion of standardization, research and development in telecommunications. Promotion of private investment in Telecommunications. Financial assistance for the furtherance of research and study in telecommunications technology and for building up adequately trained manpower for telecom programme, including:-

a) assistance to institutions/scientific institutions and to universities for advanced scientific study and research; and b) grant of scholarships to students in educational institutions and other forms of financial aid to individuals including those going abroad for studies in the field of telecommunications. Procurement of stores and equipment required by the Department of Telecommunications. Telecom Commission. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal. Administration of laws with respect to any of the matters specified in this list, namely: a) The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (13 of 1885); b) The Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 (17 of 1933); and c) The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 (24 of 1997).

Wireline Market Share

Challenges in Telecom Sector.

Industry challenges - High penetration levels, high BPL population, limited 3G demand and fierce competition Sector challenges - Resource constraints, new telecom policy, lower availability of 3G spectrum, excess spectrum charges, and abolition of 3G roaming charges Regulatory challenges - Non-clarity on M&A, exit policies and 2G Spectrum overhang.

The Indian telecom sector has undergone major transformations through significant policy reforms. The regulatory reforms in the telecom sector from 2000 to 2011 can be broadly classified into the following three distinct phases. Phase 1 20002003: Telecom sectors were opened up to competition. Phase 2 20042007: Regulator encouraged competition

and also set the stage for future growth. Phase 3 20082011: More choices were brought in for consumers in terms of technology and services.

Importance of the Telecommunications Sector

The interplay of three factorsregulation, liberalisation, and technologymakes this sector an interesting study. There are continuous technological changes and evolving regulatory climate. While Indian telecommunication companies, increasingly buoyant and confident, have started venturing outside the country and investing abroad, the telecom manufacturing in India is still to attract investment on a sustained basis. Mobile phones are popular due to their personal, portable, and digital nature, enabling people to be always connected. There are increasing innovations, especially development of mobile applications. The low cost of handsets in India and the innovative budget telecom network have lowered the barrier to entry of consumers to the market.9 On the supply side, mobile connections are relatively cheaper than fixed line telephony.10 The telecommunications sector plays an increasingly important role in the Indian economy. It contributes to economic growth and the GDP and generates revenue for the government and generates jobs. In short, telecom sector has a multiplier impact on the economy. We have come a long way. However, certain challenges such as encouraging telecom manufacturing in India, spreading teledensity, and Internet services across India to bridge the digital divide are still to be fully met.

Total Number of Wireline Subscribers and Growth Rate in India, 19812011

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

In the context of privatisation of telecommunication services following New Economic Policy (NEP), 1991 and NTP 1994, a multi-operator scenario emerged both in the basic as well as cellular services in which private operators were competing with government or government-owned entities. For an orderly and healthy growth of the telecommunications sector as also for protection of consumer interests, it was felt necessary to separate the regulatory functions of the government from the service providing functions. Accordingly, the government decided to set up an independent telecom regulatory authority. An ordinance was issued on January 25, 1997, establishing the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) as an independent regulatory agency for the telecom sector. Apart from regulating licenses issued by the central government, TRAI was also vested with certain quasi-judicial authority to adjudicate and settle disputes.

Spectrum Management

In 1992 the government invited competitive bids for two non-exclusive cellular mobile licenses for a 10-year period, extendable by five years, for the four metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. The license specified the use of GSM standards for offering cellular services. Eight licenses were issued in 1994. In case of circles the government invited tenders for two non-exclusive licenses for each circle. Selection among technically qualified bidders was on the basis of the highest levy (later converted to license fee) which was measured over 10 years of license period.