Its pre-Diwali and the atmosphere is electric and joyous as usual.
Also many of our projects have delivery surrounding this date, so is hectic too.
Last week-end, following the usual tradition, I was dragged to open market to buy decorative things for home.
We started with traditional Rangoli and then moved towards lights.
Here is where the fun started:
We started the selection process,
Some LED lights that blinked brighter than camera flash for me,
Some sober ones for my parents place.
My father being from old school wanted warranty for each item bought.
How much ever expensive or beautiful the light was, none of them offered any guarantee for durability and service.
On pondering we learn that almost 90% of the lights were "Made in China" and hence no warranty.
The warranty incident reminded me of what the Vodafone India CTO had said in the Leaders-2-Leaders talk at Amdocs.
When asked about the 1 paise/second competition, he mentioned few operators were able to do it due to cheap Chinese equipment
and had raised concerns on quality,security and warranty.
This Diwali and many operators are offering plans and offer in the similar price range due to the Chinese advantage.
It’s raining Bumper offers for subscribers even prepaid as even high-end Black Berry service if offered to them at marginal cost.
However, the Ban by government on Chinese equipment is not lifted yet.
Ø Will the market innovators of 1 paise/minute find a bureaucratic work around?
Ø Will other operators also jump the Band-wagon and buy Chinese equipment later to reduce cost?
Ø Will the Chinese equipment detoriate the overall QoS of the operators?
Ø These are the few Chinese ;-) questions which will haunt the Telecom Operators this Diwali.
Do share your views on this trend as well.
Till then, wish you a
"Very Happy Diwali and an Amazing New Year Ahead"
N'joi the Festival of Lights... Chinese or Otherwise :-D
