Airtel launches 4G services in Bangalore After Calcutta, it’s Bangalore who is the next city to benefit from the 4G technology by Bharti Airtel. The 4G technology allows the users to access wireless broadband services at 30-40 mbps speeds compared to 3-4 mbps on 3G platforms. The company has invested around 1.5 billion € in the state of Karnataka to introduce this technology. Mangalore and Mysore will be the next cities to benefit from this new service. The service will then be launched in Pune (Maharashtra) and Chandigarh (Punjab).  

SpiceJet plans to expand its international operations Indian low cost carrier, SpiceJet, plans to fly this year to more international destinations. To this effect, it has obtained the necessary approvals from the Indian aviation authorities to add 6 new international destinations to its current itinerary. With these additional routes, SpiceJet’s weekly international flights will move from 14 flights /week to 64 flights/ week. SpiceJet, whose primary shareholder Mr. Kalanithi Maran holding 43.60% of shares, will add Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Male, Kabul, Dubai and Bangkok to their existing international destinations, Colombo and Kathmandu. The new destinations are expected to increase the carrier’s revenues from international operations from 2.75% to 4.5%.  

  “French touch” in digital design in and around Lille Mobile phone applications, special effects, video games, touch pads, 3D animation, serious game, … digital design is now all around us! If the “French touch” is known and recognised across the globe for the expertise and creativity that it brings to the industry, it is thanks to Lille and the surrounding region in the north of France. Lille stands out in terms of digital design thanks to its state-of-the-art training programmes, its technoparks dedicated to companies that work in this field, and the dynamics of an industry boosted by a regional cluster devoted to image technology, the “Pôle Images ”.                                                                                                                    Schools recognised as far away as India for their excellence The Lille region boasts of a number of internationally renowned institutes in the digital sector like Supinfocom, Supinfogame, Higher Institute of Design and so on. Today, this cluster of schools trains some 1,200 students in animation, video games and industrial design. On finishing their studies, the young professionals are immediately snapped up by major animation studios like PIXAR and DREAMWORK or by games companies of international repute such as GAMELOFT, UBISOFT and HYDRAVISION. Supinfogroup’s reputation now reaches as far as India, where the group of schools has been selected by private investors to set up a campus dedicated to multimedia and video games at Pune, near Mumbai. Pune, presented as the Oxford of South-East Asia, attracts students from across the world. Built and financed by an Indian real estate magnate, the brand-new campus has already welcomed 350 students. The investors were particularly impressed by the quality of films presented by the students and by the prizes that they have won at several international festivals, a resounding endorsement for Supinfogroup’s expertise and excellence!  Two unique sites that contribute to the excellence of the Pôle Images. However, the ambitions of the Lille region are not limited to training the digital elite. The area also intends to develop highly innovative projects across a region that is blessed with exceptional sites for just this purpose. From “Plaine Images ” in the town of Tourcoing… The  Plaine Images business park has its roots in the desire to promote the development of a world-class centre of excellence dedicated to images and to support the convergence of expertise, businesses, screens and formats. Housed in a group of buildings occupying a exceptionally restored former industrial site of 5 hectares,  Plaine Images  promotes the development of its on-site businesses and the synergies between the different sectors of the images industry. In order to create links between artistic projects, companies and research laboratories,  Plaine Images is home to a business incubator and nursery that means that it can host up to 50 companies and 1,000 employees. One of the most notable new ventures on this site dedicated to images is the Imaginarium, a platform where businesses, artists, training structures and research teams can meet and collaborate to boost their creativity and generate new content. At the end of 2012 the Imaginarium will become home to a research-innovation-development space that will be unique in France and Europe. It will be backed by the University of Lille and CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research) and will concentrate on the field of Visual Studies. It will provide state-of-the-art equipment such as a virtual-visit platform, a perception/action laboratory and workshops for artistic experimentation. … to the “Serre Numérique”- “Digital Greenhouse”- in Valenciennes In September 2013 the schools in the Supinfogroup will move to the “Serre Numérique” which is structured around a simple idea: “Digital design in all its forms”. Occupying 15,000m², the Serre Numérique will bring together business leaders, designers, researchers, teachers, students and artists with the aim of embracing every area of digital design: video games, animation, virtual worlds, industrial simulation, urban design and product design, 3D, etc. and, in particular, serious games. It will be a place where training, finance and research will create a stimulating environment for carrying out projects with high added value. The Images Pole: backbone of the digital region The regional Images Pole cluster is made up of 120 companies, 27 specialised training schemes and schools, 22 research bodies and 9 professional associations. Its role is to stimulate growth in the sector by facilitating partnerships between businesses, training centres and researchers who operate in the field of images. It is developing a European perspective by establishing cross-border links as well as encouraging synergies for generating creative content. All in all, enough to give the Lille region the resources to match its ambitions. Contact information: Marie-Hélène Cauchy Communications Manager Tel.: +33 (0) 359 562 336 Email: mh.cauchy@nfinvest.fr Website: www.nordfranceinvest.fr

January 2012 – The boom in data transmission and storage capacity has given rise to cloud computing, where calculations and data are scattered in a universe that is no longer directly accessible to customers, who instead buy processing activities in the same way that one might buy electricity. Three levels of offerings are available: Externally hosted IT infrastructure (IaaS = Infrastructure as a Service); Ready-to-use environments (PaaS = Platform as a Service); and Standardized shared applications sold as services (SaaS = Software as a Service). Revenue from the global market for cloud computing services totaled US$68.3 billion in 2010, while in Europe, the cloud computing market surged 20% and may account for almost 15% of the European software and services market by 2015. The French market was worth €1.85 billion in 2010, of which €672 million were generated by SMEs, and continues to grow strongly. It is set to exceed €2 billion in 2011 and may account for more than 6% of the French software and services market by 2012 (estimate by Nexima). Alongside international operators such as Microsoft, Google, HP, AT&T and IBM, France is home to numerous companies, including ATOS, Cap Gemini, Steria, Orange and SFR. ATOS has recently established Yunano, a joint venture with Chinese company Ufida, to market cloud-based management software and associated services. French software publisher Systancia, with bases in the Alsace and Ile-de-France regions, is a market leader in Europe for application/workstation user environment virtualization. France provides new entrants with a growth-friendly environment. French legislation affords a high level of protection for data and data processing; in particular, regulations governing encryption (Act 2004-575 of June 21, 2004 and Decree 2007-663 of May 2, 2007) cover concerns relating to the sensitivity of data entrusted to cloud computing centers. New entrants include US company Joyent, established in Ile-de-France (Paris region) in 2010, which provides IaaS to LinkedIn, Disney, CNN, Facebook, Yahoo and vente-privee.com, and open-source PaaS to publishers, hosting companies and specialist computer services companies such as Dell and First Service. This pioneering cloud computing start-up is now competing with cloud-based offerings from companies such as Amazon EC2 and Microsoft Azur. In 2010, Dell entered into an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) agreement with Joyent to use its “smart technologies” to offer “turnkey” clouds hosted on its servers. France has eight innovation clusters involved in cloud computing: Cap Digital and System@tic (Ile-de-France), Elopsys (Limousin), Images et réseaux (Brittany/Pays de la Loire), Imaginove and Minalogic (Rhône-Alpes), Secure Communication Solutions (Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur) and the e-secure transaction cluster TES (Basse-Normandie). In 2011, the French Government issued an initial call for projects dedicated to cloud computing R&D as part of its “National Investment Program”. Five projects will receive state aid (€19 million): a software engineering platform (CloudForce project, Orange Labs), an application porting scheme (CloudPort project, Prologue, an SME), a high-performance software infrastructure (Magellan project, Bull), a community cloud ( Nu@age project, Non Stop Systems, an SME), and a higher education establishment cloud (UnivCloud project, INEO). The French Federation of Software Publishers (Association Française des Editeurs de Logiciels – AFDEL) has set up a website ( www.investirdanslenumerique.fr ) to simply the procedure for project owners when submitting project for “National Investment Program” funding. According to David Appia, Chairman & CEO of the Invest in France Agency, “France is a growth market for high-tech and innovative companies, particularly in the cloud computing sector, where the leading players are already here doing business. The French government’s “National Investment Program” is providing a boost to a dynamic network of partnerships created by France’s innovation clusters through its funding offers for projects involving IT system designers, telecoms operators, software publishers, technology integrators, research laboratories and innovative SMEs.” The Invest in France Agency (IFA) is the national agency responsible for promoting and facilitating international investment in France. It also coordinates initiatives to promote France’s economic attractiveness. The IFA network operates worldwide. In France, the IFA works in partnership with regional development agencies to offer international investors outstanding business opportunities and customized services. For further information, please visit www.investinfrance.org   For further information, please contact: Dominique FRACHON Managing Director Invest in France Agency (India) Embassy of France in India 2/50 E Shantipath Chanakyapuri - 110 021 New Delhi Tél. : +91 (0) 11 43 19 63 05 - Fax : +91 (0) 11 43 19 63 09 dominique.frachon@investinfrance.org www.investinfrance.org/India  

BES Expo 2012, International Conference and Exhibition on Terrestrial & Satellite Broadcasting, is being organized by the Broadcast Engineering Society of India  from 11th to 13th February 2012 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi . The event will host a French Pavilion, organized by UBIFRANCE, French agency for international development , bringing together leading companies from the French broadcast industry . The participating French companies are looking forward to showcase their high-tech broadcast solutions and evaluate business opportunities in the Indian market.  The French Pavilion at the trade show brings together 6 renowned companies from the French broadcast industry. This presence includes companies such as DIGIDIA, NEOGROUPE, NETIA, RAMI AUDIO, WINMEDIA and AETA AUDIO SYSTEMS. The main objective is to promote advancement and dissemination of knowledge & practices of broadcasting in the field of Radio & TV and to share their expertise with broadcast engineering professionals in India. The Pavilion offers a comprehensive platform for these companies to showcase their innovative, state-of-the-art technology and share their expertise and professional know-how in the growing media & broadcast industry. Here is a brief profile of all the participants of the French Pavilion (HALL 12 booth No 92-93) : DIGIDIA : Digidia specializes in Digital Radio Transmission. Digidia is a member of DRM and World DMB consortium. Their product portfolio consists of: - DRM30/DRM+:  Content Servers and Modulators and Professional Receivers - Synchronous FM: Head End and Decoders - DAB/DAB+/DMB: Multiplexers, Encoders and IP Gateways, Monitoring Equipment and Professional Receivers Digidia covers transmission of all European Digital Radio Standards and the Synchronous FM through Single Frequency Networks which prevents disturbances when moving from one area to another. Digidia is an R&D orientated company with excellence in COFDM modulation and IP transport technology. DIGIDIA delivers complete systems as well as OEM modules and specific projects. Website: www.digidia.fr NEOGROUPE : Founded in 2002, NeoGroupe specializes in manufacture of software applications for Radio and Television broadcast systems.  The company develops standard and tailor-made applications used in various high-profile talk shows as well as major public organizations worldwide. Their applications feature intuitive functionality which enhances the workflow between individuals in a business environment. These applications include contest management, call screening, SMS/Facebook/Twitter/Iphone Apps, budgeting, purchase and hardware inventory solutions. NeoGroupe also has a custom application division developing customized solutions for media industry clients and a range of interactive applications like programming, sales, production, broadcasting, verification, notifications, and more. Website: www.neogroupe.com NETIA : A GlobeCast company, is a leading provider of software solutions that enable efficient management and broadcast of content. With more than 10,000 users and 200 installations in more than 40 countries, NETIA solutions allow content producers and owners to manage content from ingest to delivery, targeting multiplatform outlets including the Internet, VOD, IPTV services, and mobile devices. Website: www.netia.net RAMI AUDIO : Rami have been designing, building and selling audio devices for radio and TV broadcasting industry for over 30 years. Their product range includes mixing desk, headphone amplifiers, broadcasting equipment, microphone control desk, audio signal routing, telephone hybrids, digital analogue, audio signal detectors, analogue voice over for advertising and many more.  Some of these devices can be connected and controlled from a distance using IP. Rami specialises in providing reporter USB decks for voice off in video edition. Many TV organizations use the PJO series desks. The mixer radio RP500 has been specially designed for the Indian market. It includes seven universal inputs with line and microphone, a USB input for diffusion digital, three analogue outputs for the antenna, recording and listening booth. The RP500 also features an AES EBU digital output. The format is very compact and fitted with the latest generation technology. Website: www.ramiaudio.com WINMEDIA : WinMedia offers affordable radio and TV software solutions with differnt modules and functionalities to meet all the needs of a Broadcast chain like Recording, editing, music scheduling, traffic advertising, playout, and logger and automatic podcasting. WinMedia has now released the latest version of its automation software, WinMedia 2.12 which now allows to manage the cross Media with the video contents. Keep in view the convergence of media (radio, TV, web, podcast), the company has developed integrated tools for multiple media management in its software Suite. The users will be able to manage FM radio, HD radio, SD TV, HD TV, web radio, web TV, together in the same software! The Indian media sector has been amongst the fastest growing sectors in the country over the last two decades. India is currently on the threshold of an entertainment revolution spawned by economic liberalization and the subsequent advent of broadcast industry. Given the emphasis on rapid developments in this field, the French companies from media and broadcast industry are committed to identify new opportunities and challenges and chalk out strategies for business collaborations. Website: www.winmedia.org AETA AUDIO SYSTEMS : Based at Le Plessis Robinson, Paris (France), AETA Audio Systems is a leading international manufacturer of portable sound recording units, mixers and advanced audio codecs, optimized for any kind of media and transmission infrastructure. The label “Made by AETA” is a synonym for high quality and rapid return on investment. With its strong commitment for innovation, the company has an outstanding history of launching innovative high-tech solutions in the industry. AETA is a co-founder of the Audio-Over-IP experts group, a community of industry partners with the common intention to support interoperability between audio codecs. Website: www.aeta-audio.com About Ubifrance: UBIFRANCE is the French agency for international business development, a key public partner in export for French companies. It’s complete range of services include providing information (on markets, legal, regulatory, international financing, calls to tender, sector watch), export consulting, sales actions (prospecting missions, partnership meetings, trade events abroad, communication in the international press, etc.) and the Volunteers for International Experience (Volontariat International en Entreprise – VIE) for the international deployment of skilled human resources. To support French companies of all sizes and all sectors in their development on foreign markets, UBIFRANCE mobilizes the expertise of 2,500 persons in France (Paris and Marseille) and in 120 other countries through its Missions Economiques, clubs and associations, and a network of Press Services.   For further information, please contact: Iwona KUCZMA Head of ICT, Services & Aerospace Department French Trade Commission Consulate General of France, Mumbai Tel: +91 22 66 69 40 72 Email: iwona.kuczma@ubifrance.fr   Press Contact : Deepika PRAKASH Press Officer French Trade Commission Embassy of France, New Delhi Tel: +91 11 24 19 63 51 Email: deepika.prakash@ubifrance.fr  

  Growth and innovation in the French smart card and identification industry November 2011 – Contactless identification and transaction technologies (NFC, for “Near Field Communication”) have experienced rapid development in a global market that enjoyed accelerated growth in 2010 which has continued into 2011. According to Eurosmart, global use of “smart secure devices” in 2011 amounted to almost 6.1 million units (contactless smart cards), used in telecommunications (microprocessor cards – 4.6 million), financial and payment services (one million) and passports, identity and healthcare cards (e-government and e-healthcare – 0.22 million), with the remainder split between a variety of applications, notably in transport (tickets, tolls, etc.) and pay TV. French companies with recognized expertise in the sector include Inside Contactless in Aix‑en‑Provence (Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region), a member of the TES (Secure Electronic Transactions) innovation cluster in Caen (Basse-Normandie region), which has acquired ATMEL’s SMS (Secure Microcontroller Solutions) division; Gemalto in Sophia Antipolis (Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur) ; and TAZ-TAG in Rennes (Brittany), which has entered into a partnership agreement with Toronto-based Canadian company Quand Medical , which specializes in medical information. Foreign investors have been quick to seize opportunities in the French market, making use where possible of tax incentives supporting research and development (e.g. France’s research tax credit). For example, Japanese company SATO provides RFID solutions from its Lille site (Nord-Pas de Calais); U.S. coding and identification company Markem-Imaje has established a site in Bourg-lès-Valence, close to the SCS (Secure Communication Solutions) innovation cluster at Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis (Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur); German company Deister Electronics is a leading player in RFID solutions in the Île-de-France (Paris) region; while Maroc Traitement de Transactions (M2T) has also established an Île-de-France site, aided by the IFA and the Paris Region Economic Development Agency. Innovation clusters Novalog in St-Étienne-du-Rouvray (Haute-Normandie) and Systematic Paris Region, which both specialize in traceability, are home to many foreign companies. The “ 2011 Cards and Identification ” show, due to be held in Paris from November 15-17, 2011, will focus on the contactless card and payment industry, the “object internet” and M2M, as well as the development of identification technologies. In this latter field, Bluelinea is preparing for the 2011 launch of an electronic bracelet to monitor Alzheimer’s patients in their homes. More generally, the ability to monitor any item, cargo, vehicle, animal or person requiring special surveillance will call for detection infrastructure to be installed at mandatory transit points. Furthermore, ethical considerations arising from monitoring and identifying people and goods will need to be considered. Other applications could quickly become widespread: till procedures (bar code scanners), toll points (RFID scanners) and ticketing (for metro systems, shows and performances, vehicle parking and day-to-day transactions). In October 2011, the NFC Forum , a consortium of manufacturers responsible for defining NFC standards, updated the so-called SNEP (Simple NDEF Exchange Protocol) specifications for peer-to-peer sharing. This protocol enables two NFC-equipped phones to exchange data simply by touching the handsets together. This function can be put to a wide variety of uses: exchanging business cards, gathering special offers for use at a later time, contacting and following other people on social networks, and exchanging small amounts of money or travel tickets. In May 2011, the French government issued a €20 million call for projects (“Rolling out NFC contactless mobile services”). Funding will be awarded to 20 to 30 contactless mobile telephony projects to be rolled out in several major French cities offering information and payment transactions. The Invest in France Agency (IFA) is the national agency responsible for promoting and facilitating international investment in France. It also coordinates initiatives to promote France’s economic attractiveness. The IFA network operates worldwide. In France, the IFA works in partnership with regional development agencies to offer international investors outstanding business opportunities and customized services. For further information, please visit www.investinfrance.org ; For further information, please contact: Audrey Lucbernet Invest in France Agency, New Delhi Embassy of France in India 2/50 E Shantipath Chanakyapuri - 110 021 New Delhi Tél. : +91 (0) 11 43 19 63 30 - Fax : +91 (0) 11 43 19 63 09 audrey.lucbernet@investinfrance.org www.investinfrance.org/India  

Franchise Expo Paris 2012 will be held 18 th to 21 st March in Paris 32,000 visitors attended Franchise Expo Paris 2011  establishing this event as the most important annual international meeting on creation of franchises . Not only are potential franchise candidates growing in numbers, but franchise concepts themselves are evolving with new trends. Franchise Expo Paris 2012 will be an opportunity to meet over 450 exhibitors from 20 countries representing 75 business sectors, as well as a host of experts from the world of franchise. Every year, the tradeshow showcases over 110 new and innovative concepts, ranging from the most traditional sectors to the most unexpected e.g. natural and organic products, fashion, theme-based catering and more. Event Focus: Innovation Innovation has always been part of the fast food menu. The segment is forced to permanently seek new areas of growth in order to attract new customers and to build loyalty among regular customers. Ever faster service, organic products on the menu, ordering kiosks for table service and concepts that fully integrate mobility are just some of the avenues being pursued. There are over a dozen franchise concepts being launched every year in the French market. As a result, new franchise players are in most segments such as smoothies and fruit juices, so-called “terroir” fast food etc. In 2012, the tradeshow will further strengthen its international reputation, with an expected 2,500 visitors hailing from 83 countries and with international brands representing 17% of exhibitors . The United Kingdom will be Guest of Honour at Franchise Expo Paris, with a large British Brands Pavilion at the entrance, supported by the British Franchise Association. A delegation of British visitors will attend to receive training in franchising and Master Franchising. There will be a significant presence from Brazil, Canada, Spain, and Italy, as well as representatives from Russia, Turkey, the Netherlands, the United States, Lithuania, Denmark, Tunisia and Greece, to name but a few. The 2012 tradeshow will provide a coaching environment offering individual solutions and a programme of conferences on key issues in company and franchise creation. All those wishing to start their own businesses may benefit from free daily courses at of thefranchise school a tailor-made tour and a Business Creators Village intended to direct and advise start ups. Franchise Expo Paris will also provide a series of business meetings, The Master Franchise Rendez Vous, intended for investors and entrepreneurs wishing to develop their knowledge via franchising and master franchising. For further information: www.franchiseparis.com About Franchise Expo Paris Every year for the past 30 years, Franchise Expo Paris has been boosting the growth of chains in France and abroad and helping thousands of entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams of business creation. Franchise Expo Paris is the ideal meeting venue, putting entrepreneurs and merchants in touch with over 450 French and foreign brands. In order to help them succeed in their projects, Franchise Expo Paris gathers all of the professionals that are able to support, advise and inform them, as well as help them secure the funding they need. And it is due to this unique offer of high-exposure brands/concepts developing in new marketsthat entrepreneurs are in a position to compare and find the Brand, and thus join the chain that best suits their ambitions.    Contact Reed Expositions France France Delaporte International Communication and Exhibitor Relations Manager Phone: +33(0)1 47 56 50 96 Email: France.delaporte@reedexpo.fr   Press Information: Deepika PRAKASH Press Officer French Trade Commission Embassy of France 2/50 E Shantipath, Chanakyapuri New Delhi 110021 Telephone: +91 11 43 19 63 51 Email:  deepika.prakash@ubifrance.fr