SMS Service re-starts

The SMS service in J&K has restarted with effect from today. Operators would have faced huge losses due to it's closure for security reasons since about July 2008. Now they can expect that thier revenues would double up as there will be more SMSing now due to an increased user base since then and also due to the relief to the user who shall now be able to send SMS.

To send SMS to Airtel Subscribers within J&K Circle

As the Administration remains numb on restarting the SMS service, for those of you who are finding it difficult to do without SMSing, here is a method by which you will be able to send the SMS to Airtel subscribers within the J&K Circle. This is applicable only for Airtel subscribers.

Change your SMS service center to : +91 98 100 51905

Get going!

SMS Service Still not operational in J&K

The SMS Service which was banned in J&K in the wake of agitations that rocked J&K over Amarnath Land row in July 2008, is still not made operational. The administration either seems to have forgotten to get the same re-activated by issuing an order to the operators or the cell phone operators are generating more revenue where every SMS that a user would have sent is being converted to a Call instead and hence generating more revenue for them!

The silence of the Administration on this issue is not justified as J&K at present is not in a war like situation and companies who rely on SMS to transmit information to thier customer base are feeling that thier businesses are being affected by the numbness of the Adminsitration to look into this issue.

Dedicated Internet Options in Kashmir

The following are the options available for having a dedicated Internet Access in Kashmir :

1. Broadband offered by

• BSNL (upto 8Mbps)
• Airtel Enterprise Services (upto 2 Mbps)
• Kashmir Infotech Pvt. Ltd. (upto 2 Mbps)
  

2. VSAT Internet
3. VPN by Tulip Telecom Limited

BSNL broadband is provided over their PSTN connections. They have a limitation and generally the Application goes in the waiting list till the ports become available in the respective exchange.

AES broadband is generally terminated at the client's end over Wireless Ethernet Radio and is easier to obtain but the cost is higher than the BSNL broadband. AES offers 1:1 or 1:2 bandwidth options.

Kashmir Infotech Pvt. Ltd. is the fastest to obtain over Wireless Ethernet Radio as they a network around Srinagar city and the deployment is quick and support is excellent.

E-commerce options

I have been asked by a lot of e-commerce enthusiasts about the options available in Kashmir for accepting Payments via credit cards on their web site.

It is possible to start accepting payments on your web site through a host of options like :

1. Credit Cards
2. Net Banking Accounts
3. ITZ Cash Cards
4. MChek

The payment debit cycle depends on the Payment Gateway that you choose to integrate on your web site. Again, there are options like HDFC Direct Pay, ICICI Pay Seal, etc. Every PG has different transaction rates applicable and start up fees. Depending on the net revenue that you expect to turn out on a monthly basis, you can choose the one that is most economical.