Heathrow throws the driver out

Heathrow Airport in London is one of the busiest airports in the world with over 67 million passengers stopping by annually. The Terminal 5 complex in Heathrow which was opened in 2008 by Her Royal Highness is the largest free-standing structure in the United Kingdom which took 19 years to complete @ the cost of £4 billion.It can handle 35 million passengers annually and it is used exclusively by British Airways.

However, the most unique attraction of Terminal 5 or Heathrow for that matter, is going to be the Personal Rapid Transit or PRT’s.

PRT’s are driverless cabs which look like space pods , will be used for carrying passengers within the Airport

Call Rates R.I.P.

As Rakesh wanted to buy a new mobile of the smartphone breed ,Dhiru and I were discussing about different mobiles and the new age mobile applications with him.Just then occurred to me that in the near future there will be no more call rates as such.

Let me explain .Almost every smartphone is equipped with 3g, Wi-Fi & other such wireless connectivity solutions. Wi Max and 3g networks have already been launched in some areas of India.Suppose I have a Smartphone ,so does my friend and we both have a WiMax connection, then I don't have to call or text through the GSM or CDMA connection but I will be using the Gtalk to IM or Skype to call.I will be charged for the data usage only which will be much lesser than call rates.

That means with Internet access everywhere, mobile users can stay connected through the internet itself and not necessarily through traditional networks like GSM .So there will be no more Mobile operators but only Internet service providers.

Yes it will be long time for the entire change but it will surely disrupt the telecom business model and entirely change the rules of the industry.This type of scenario is referred as a strategic inflection point,only the companies which will accept this and adapt future technologies will sustain in the future.

With telecom operators rolling out more networks and smartphones becoming more cheaper, its just a matter of time and it will happen...eventually .

Let the Games Begin

In less than 24 hours ,worlds greatest sports event 'The Olympics' is set to begin.The number 8 is considered lucky in Chinese culture so Beijing 2008 Olympics will officially commence on 08.08.08 at 8.08 am.
The theme for this year's Olympics is "One World One Dream"based on three concepts "Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People's Olympics"
China has put tremendous efforts in making this event a tremendous success.The government along with the people have all come together in organizing this major event. In spite of many hurdles especially the massive earthquakes,China has is ready be the host for the world.

Looking at the venues, the new facilities,their planning & execution,I think India will have to wait for atleast a decade more for it to try its chances to play host.But for that to happen,the efforts to start by now itself.We need a infrastructure revolution which will not only increase our chances but also would do good for overall development. I don't think there are any major infrastructure projects being executed other than the Kashmir-Kanyakumari Highway.Most of the projects under progress are just filling the gaps and do not provide much of a base for long term initiatives. Instead of complicating the existing infrastructure in the cities, new landscapes like SEZ's just outside the city must be given high priority and also include large scale residential projects which should be affordable by the lower middle class which will pave way to the creation of such industrial cities.

If such long term initiatives are executed successfully in a fair manner then India might play host in 2020.So for now we will witness China play host and keep up the Olympics spirit alive.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN