Have been discovering the wonders of Facebook recently (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=699296175) and am amazed by it's ability to serve as a platform. Case in point is Mosoma, an online auction application that sits on the underlying social network. My colleagues Arun Sundararajan (NYU Stern) and Alok Gupta (Carlson School, U Minnesota) conceptualized such a platform about a year ago, but being what we are - academics - never got around to implementing the theoretical idea. The key benefit of such a platform is that it uses social capital to build trust in otherwise anonymous e-markets.
This aspect is of particular importance in emerging markets such as China and India. Given eBay's struggles in China, and it's not exactly lighting it up here in India, innovative models such as Mosoma will mesh well with the Asian mindset.
Now, if only we can get Broadband penetration to grow at 1/10th of our mobile growth rate (in India:-)
August 07, 2007
Weekend Trip to the Tech Triangle
This was certainly not my average weekend. Had the pleasure of accompanying Ajit and Savita on the road, talking to ISB alums and prospects on Saturday in Bangalore and Sunday in Chennai. It is great to see the passion for the institute continuing and hope that we can find more ways to connect with the alumni on an ongoing basis. How about everybody getting on Facebook?
Also, used the opportunity to give my 3G talk in what can only be categorized as "two different worlds." On Friday, Alok Goel and Jagjit Chawla (ISB 2007) invited me over to the Google's Infantry Road office in Bangalore. In between medicine balls, lava lamps and a lot of food, we discussed what it will take to get India's wireless information infrastructure up and running. On Monday, got the opportunity to revisiting the 3G issue in the hallowed, (what should be) rosewood paneled halls of The Hindu on Mount Road (Anna Salai) in Chennai. An interesting issue raised by Business Line joint editor Venu is the possibility of having dynamic allocation of 3G spectrum in a spot market. Apparently, this is at the heart of Google's recent proposal to the FCC. Have to dig into this.
Seems like everyone is eager to see what the group of ministers is going to come up with. Will chime in next week on that issue.
RB.
p.s. Note on the title of this blog. Have grown up hearing about the North Indian Golden Triangle (Jaipur, Agra and Delhi). Arguably, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai, while not prime tourist attractions, represent the new technology centric heart of modern India. I must admit the Chennai surprised me on the hipness quotient. The Leather Bar at the Park Hotel is swanky and we even got turned down at an independent authentic-looking Thai restaurant for a Sunday evening dinner. Hyderabad has some catching up to do.
Also, used the opportunity to give my 3G talk in what can only be categorized as "two different worlds." On Friday, Alok Goel and Jagjit Chawla (ISB 2007) invited me over to the Google's Infantry Road office in Bangalore. In between medicine balls, lava lamps and a lot of food, we discussed what it will take to get India's wireless information infrastructure up and running. On Monday, got the opportunity to revisiting the 3G issue in the hallowed, (what should be) rosewood paneled halls of The Hindu on Mount Road (Anna Salai) in Chennai. An interesting issue raised by Business Line joint editor Venu is the possibility of having dynamic allocation of 3G spectrum in a spot market. Apparently, this is at the heart of Google's recent proposal to the FCC. Have to dig into this.
Seems like everyone is eager to see what the group of ministers is going to come up with. Will chime in next week on that issue.
RB.
p.s. Note on the title of this blog. Have grown up hearing about the North Indian Golden Triangle (Jaipur, Agra and Delhi). Arguably, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai, while not prime tourist attractions, represent the new technology centric heart of modern India. I must admit the Chennai surprised me on the hipness quotient. The Leather Bar at the Park Hotel is swanky and we even got turned down at an independent authentic-looking Thai restaurant for a Sunday evening dinner. Hyderabad has some catching up to do.
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