Tikona Digital Networks

Tikona Digital Networks
Broadband service provider
Industry Internet service provider
Founded 2007
Headquarters Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Key people
 Prakash Bajpai (Founder, MD & CEO)[1][2]
Products Wireless broadband
Services 4G Internet Services, Wireless Internet Broadband Services, Broadband Services
Website www.tikona.in

Tikona Digital Networks(TDN), referred to simply Call- 7838332177 Delhi as Tikona, is an Indian Internet service provider based in Mumbai. TDN has an all-India Class-A ISP licence granted by the Ministry of Communications, government of India.[2] In 2008, it was founded in Mumbai.[3] It is India’s foremost [4] wireless broadband service provider.[5] A review appearing in a mainstream newspaper in mid-2010 said that Tikona has a base of 2,750,000 customers, including 6000 small and medium business customers.[6]

About

TDN was founded in 2008. The company has recently launched Tikona Infinet (formerly known as HCL Infinet) [7]to provide data services to Enterprises.[8]

Acquisitions

Tikona Digital Networks Pvt. Ltd. bought HCL Infinet from HCL Infosystems in 2011 for an undisclosed amount. [9]

4G Services

Tikona bought TD-LTE-based 4G licences for Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (East) and Uttar Pradesh (West) telecom circle at ₨ 1,058 Crores or ₨ 10.5 Billion. It plans to launch fourth generation or 4G services in the second half of 2013 at 2 paise to 5 paise per MB in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (east and west) and Himachal Pradesh , [10]

News

The Maharana Pratap Inter-State bus terminus (ISBT),one of the biggest terminus of India, which operates bus services from Delhi and seven states will now be enabled with Tikona Digital Networks (TDN) secured wireless broadband Wi-Fi connectivity [11]

In January 2014, Tikona received approval from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board to raise Rs 2.48 billion ($41.8 million) through foreign direct investment.[12] Tikona requested an increase in the foreign equity participation from 71 per cent to 72.58 per cent through the issue of compulsorily convertible debentures and equity shares to the existing non-resident investors. The IFC funding comes as a part of this fund-raising exercise. These expansion plans will also help provide employment to 350 professionals and create 20,000 indirect jobs in support and facilitation functions over the next five to six years.[12]

Tikona Digital Networks recently received $25 million in the form of equity from International Finance Corporation (IFC) after a review.[13] The company is likely to use these proceeds to expand its reach to Tier III and semi-urban markets, as well as for setting up adequate infrastructure for 4G services.[14] The company also broke even on earnings before interest and taxes in early 2013. [15] Tikona is one of the service providers holding broadband wireless access spectrum in the 2300 MHz band and is reviewing for the appropriate time and maturity of the 4G ecosystem before making a foray into the space. Tikona holds 4G spectrum licences in five circles in northwest India, covering Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (East and West) and Himachal Pradesh.[16]

In addition, Tikona has also invested in ensuring that their services, particularly WIBRO are not harmful to the environment. Using cutting edge technology, the company has ensured that energy consumption and emissions are lower than the industry standard. [17]

Investors and Stakeholders

Private equity companies Goldman Sachs holds 40% stake, Oak Investment Partners holds 20% stake, Everstone holds 10% stake, 4% by L&T Infrastructure Finance Company Limited and rest 26% is held by Tikona Trust which is spearheaded by Prakash Bajpai. Since Tikona doesn't have controlling stake therefore it may become an easy acquisition target. It is believed that Malaysia's mobile operator Axiata has been holding discussions with Tikona and may pick up a stake in the company.[10]

Current Reach

Currently postpaid service available in following cities:

Tikona service available in Top 25 cities

[18]

Ahmedabad Agra Allahabad Bengaluru Bhopal
Chennai Coimbatore Delhi Hyderabad Indore
Jabalpur Jaipur Kolkata Kanpur Lucknow
Mumbai Meerut Nagpur Pune Raipur
Rajkot Surat Vadodara Varanasi Vizag

References

  1. ↑ "Tikona to go RIL way on BWA tech - Corporate News". livemint.com. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Tikona in talks to share broadband with 3G enabled telcos". The Hindu Business Line. 12 July 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  3. ↑ "Tikona Digital Networks - About TDN". Tikona.in. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  4. ↑ http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/press-release/tikona-digital-networks-launches-direct-to-officeinternet_476887.html
  5. ↑ "Tikona Digital Networks launches operations in Delhi". Indiainfoline.com. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  6. ↑ http://www.livemint.com/2010/07/05220657/Tikona-to-go-RIL-way-on-BWA-te.html
  7. ↑ http://www.tikona.in/sites/default/files/The_Hindu_Tikona_Infinit_explores_enterprise_data_service_market.pdf
  8. ↑ http://tikona.in/Manufacturing-Supply-Chain-Operational-Excellence-HiTech
  9. ↑ http://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/tikona-digital-networks-buys-hcl-infinet-111012000107_1.html
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 http://www.livemint.com/Companies/rivY9rtsVeZEpMeYg26VhM/Tikona-to-go-RIL-way-on-BWA-tech.html
  11. ↑ http://www.lightreading.in/lightreadingindia/news-wire-feed/156279/tikona-deploy-wifi-delhi-isbt#.UeZtQ9JHL4N
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 http://www.tele.net.in/company-stories/item/15209-tikona-digital-networks-biding-its-time-for-launching-4g?format=pdf
  13. ↑ http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/tikona-to-raise-25-mn-from-ifc-114042600266_1.html
  14. ↑ VC, Circle. "http://www.vccircle.com/news/telecom/2014/04/28/ifc-may-invest-25m-tikona-digital".
  15. ↑ http://tikonareviewindia.blogspot.in/2014/12/milestone-for-tikona-as-it-breaks-even.html
  16. ↑ http://www.tele.net.in/company-stories/item/15209-tikona-digital-networks-biding-its-time-for-launching-4g
  17. ↑ http://tikonainternetplans.blogspot.in/2015/01/tikonas-green-broadband-initiative.html
  18. ↑ http://www.tikona.in/for-home/broadband-plans/features/coverage