Patni hope to sign deals worth $150-$200 mn

Software services firm Patni Computer Systems Ltd said on Thursday it is looking at signing deals worth $150-$200 million in the next 4-6
weeks, a top official said.

Infosys Say Discretionary Client Spending Is Rising

Infosys Technologies Ltd., India’s second-largest software exporter by revenue, has already seen a return in discretionary spending by clients, indicating a recovery in the business sentiment, Chief Executive Kris Gopalakrishnan said Wednesday.

Speaking to Dow Jones Newswires, Mr. Gopalakrishnan flagged protectionism in some economies as a matter of concern, at a time when the Indian software industry is showing signs of a recovery from the impact of the global economic slowdown.

TCS to Hire 30,000 People in FY 2010-2011

IT major Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) plans to hire 30,000 staff in 2010-11 in expectations of rise in demand for services from its overseas clients, a senior official, according official.

“We have made offers for 14,000 new recruits and we expect to make the remaining soon,” vice president and head of global human resources Ajoy Mukherjee said on the sidelines of an industry conference on Wednesday.

Fortis Healthcare to raise Rs 1,250 cr

Hospital chain Fortis Healthcare today said it will raise Rs 1,250 crore by issuing shares in domestic and international markets.

The board of directors of the company have approved to raise Rs 1,250 crore by issuing shares or debentures to meet its funding requirements for addressing various growth opportunities, from time to time, Fortis Healthcare said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Force India 2010 Formula One Car Launched

Force India has podium finishes in its sights with its Mercedes powered VJM03 in F1 2010 – that is the assertion of the Silverstone-based squad’s ‘proud’ owner Dr. Vijay Mallya, as his new baby was launched today (Tuesday) amidst great expectations.

PayPal Services to remain suspended for months

The Internet payment gateway says that its services to and from India will remain suspended for a few months due to revised licensing rules

Popular electronic payment gateway PayPal Inc has said that personal payments to and from India will be suspended for at least a few months until it fully resolves the questions from Indian regulators.

As Toyota fix hybrids, new scrutiny on Corolla

Toyota Motor Corp, the auto maker that made hybrid a household word, is recalling 437,000 of its Prius and other environmentally friendly models, and faces a new U.S. government investigation of its Corolla cars.

The Prius recall comes after complaints by drivers that the brakes on the cars do not work properly and follows hard on the heels of two other massive recalls to repair sticky gas pedals and floor mats that could trap accelerator pedals.

Telenor Asia acquires 7% more in Unitech Wireless

Unitech Limited today received Rs 2,022 crore from Telenor Asia for acquisition of further 7.15 per cent stake in Unitech Wireless by way of issuance of fresh shares.

In a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange the accompany said after taking the existing investment of Rs 4,113 crore made by Telenor, its total investment in Unitech Wireless amounts to Rs 6,135 crore.

Greek woes all set to dominate EU summit

The financial woes of Greece and other euro-zone members are likely to dominate a European Union summit this week that was initially called to debate a long-term growth strategy for the bloc, diplomats say.

Tensions within the 16-country currency area, triggered by Greek fiscal woes and growing concerns over Portugal and Spain, are not yet on the formal agenda for Thursday’s summit but will be added or discussed intensively on the sidelines.

TCS site Hacked, Domain name put on sale

After India’s security agencies and government offices, the country’s largest software company Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) was targeted in a major cyber attack.

Hackers reportedly attacked the company’s website, www.tcs.com and put its domain name on sale on Sunday, Feb 7. The company has, however, restored the website.

India IT BPO market may rise to $285 bn in 2020

India’s IT-BPO market (including exports) could touch $285 billion in 2020 growing at a CAGR of 15 per cent, according to a report.

The IT-BPO industry in India has achieved impressive growth rates over the past decade and stood at $71.6 billion in 2009, said the report prepared by KPMG and ASOCIO (Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organisation).

TRAI puts 4G technology process on fast track

The telecom regulator today started consultations for fourth generation (4G) mobile technology, while its predecessor 3G is trapped in a legal quagmire.

“Yes. We are starting the process and will come out with a consultation paper to look into various issues relating to 4G telecom services,” said Trai chairman J.S. Sarma.

Long Term Evolution (LTE), or 4G, technology can be offered in the 2.1-2.3 MHz spectrum band, and the department of telecom (DoT) is looking at the availability of this frequency.

The launch of third-generation (3G) mobile services has not even reached the bidding stage; legal complications have arisen over the payment of the bid amount and the receipt of spectrum at a later date.

GSLV MK III liquid stage to be tested in Feb says ISRO

After the successful static testing of its Solid Propellant Booster Rocket Stage, S-200, for GSLV Mk III Launch Vehicle that would put heavier satellites in space, India would test the liquid stage later this month.

“We are in the final stages of preparation for the test of the liquid stage (two liquid engines each with 110 tonnes of propellants) at the Liquid Propulsion Centre at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu,” Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K Radhakrishnan told reporters here today.

Turkish Airlines to lease 3 aircraft from jet

Turkish Airlines has inked an agreement with Jet Airways to take three Boeing 777 aircraft from the Indian carrier on lease, a source close to the development said.

Kumar Urban to raise 800 mn USD from pvt placements

Awaiting Sebi clearance for an initial public offer, the Pune-based realty firm Kumar Urban Development today said it is planning to raise up to USD 800 million through private equity placements in various special purpose vehicles (SPVs) next fiscal.