This is probably something that the CDMA (code division multiple access) mobile phone service will hate. And that is the fact that in the battle for consumer, it is the GSM (global service for mobility) guys who are miles ahead.

According to a report by 3G Americas, a company that tracks the GSM industry worldwide, cellphone users across the globe choose GSM 10 to 1 over any other wireless mobile technology. The customer base for the GSM family of technologies — GSM, GPRS, EDGE and UMTS or HSDPA — grew by nearly 120 million additional subscribers in the first quarter of 2006 alone, compared to the total net growth of CDMA (including CDMA 20001x and EV-DO) of about 12 million customers.

"Today, the 1.85 billion users of the GSM family of technologies make up more than 81 per cent of the wireless mobile market worldwide, with total subscribers of CDMA at less than 300 million and a 13 per cent market share. There were 57 million customers using UMTS services at the close of first quarter of 2006," said 3G Americas. "The majority of wireless customers are selecting GSM service for the value and variety of products and services that are supported by a global eco-system of manufacturers, encouraged by open technology standards versus proprietary standards," it says.

"In addition, carriers throughout the Americas and worldwide continue to choose EDGE and UMTS/HSDPA as next-generation technologies for wireless data services for many reasons such as spectral efficiency, global roaming, economies of scale, handset availability as well as the potential for increased revenues from 3G services."

Globally, the GSM family of technologies continues its rapid evolution to 3G high-speed wireless data. EDGE is commercially offered by 133 operators across 80 countries, including 31 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. There are 81 additional EDGE networks planned or in deployment. Currently, there are 105 UMTS networks in service across 50 countries, with 59 more planned or in deployment.

Additionally, it says, through its level of scale, GSM serves emerging markets, providing a sub-$30 GSM cost handset to the market and reducing typical capital expenditure for deploying a GSM network to a quarter of that required for CDMA, according to the GSM Association. Data is based on figures from Informa Telecoms and Media.The growth of GSM is evident from the number of carriers upgrading or changing their technology platforms in the industry for a variety of strategic business reasons.

Prajay Engineers Syndicate Limited, one of the leading players in construction and hotel industry from South India, will commence work on its state-of-the-art information technology SEZ, "Prajay Techno Park", situated at Nacharam, Hyderabad, in July.

The company said it is already in advanced discussions with three multinational corporations towards contracting 60-70 per cent of the total built up space. Prajay Techno Park will also have a ready-to-use incubation space for start-up companies. The Prajay Techno Park will have over 1.35 million square feet of built up IT space and will offer a plug-and-play facility to IT companies with all contemporary amenities.

The capital outlay for Prajay Techno Park is expected to be Rs 225 crores and the project is expected to yield Rs 415 crores in revenues over the next 30 months. The company said on Friday that it is appointing internationally reputed consultants for all services such as architecture, project management, landscaping, building management systems and other allied facilities.

To attract MNCs and large IT companies, who plan to start their operations in India, the company is planning a large floor plate of almost 45,000 square feet. Commenting on the techno park, Mr Ravinder Reddy, director, Prajay Engineers Syndicate Limited, said, "With Hyderabad being an acknowledged IT hub, we want to give the companies setting up base here an international facilities’ experience. The plug and play aspect will reduce the lead time for starting their business." The portfolio of Prajay Engineers Syndicate’s development activity includes residential complexes, commercial complexes and multiplexes.