Bengaluru, July 11 (IANS) Fueled by Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, the data centre market in south India is projected to grow 65 per cent by 2030, a report showed on Thursday.

This surge is supported by substantial government incentives, strategic infrastructure investments and a rising demand for digital services, according to the report by Colliers India.

The combined installed data centre capacity in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad stands at nearly 200 MW.

“This foundation is set to be significantly bolstered, with 190 MW currently under construction and an additional 170 MW planned,” according to the report.

These developments are expected to increase the total capacity by 80 per cent over the next few years, underscoring the region’s strategic importance in supporting global digital infrastructure.

“With sustained government support and continuous infrastructure development, South India is set to become a global data centre hub,” said Swapnil Anil, Executive Director & Head of Advisory Services, Colliers India.

Chennai currently has an installed capacity of 87 MW, with 156 MW under construction and 104 MW planned.

Bengaluru leverages its strong IT ecosystem. The city currently has an installed capacity of 79 MW, with 10 MW under construction and 26 MW in the planning stages.

Hyderabad is rapidly emerging as a data centre hotspot. The city has an installed capacity of 47 MW, with 20 MW under construction and 38 MW planned.

The monthly recurring charges for data centres in South India are competitive, ranging between Rs 6,650 – Rs 8,500 per kW per month according to the usage, offering significant value for money, said the report.

–IANS

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Paris, July 11 (IANS) Samsung on Thursday announced India pricing for the sixth generation of its foldable smartphone series, with pre-orders for Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 now open.

The Galaxy Z Flip6 (12GB+256GB) will cost Rs 109,999 and the 12GB+512GB version will come for Rs 121,999.

Galaxy Z Fold6 in the 12GB+256GB variant will cost Rs 164,999 while the 12GB+512GB version will come for Rs 176,999.

The 12GB+1TB (silver shadow colour) will cost Rs 200,999, informed the company.

“Those pre-ordering the devices will get two screen and parts replacement as part of ‘Galaxy Z Assurance’ worth Rs 14,999 at just Rs 999,” the company said, adding that existing Samsung flagship customers can avail Rs 15,000 upgrade bonus.

“Together with Al-infused connected Galaxy ecosystem, our new products will empower you and enhance your lives. I am excited to share that both Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 are manufactured at our Noida factory,” said JB Park, President and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra will be available in a 47mm size in Titanium Gray, Titanium White and Titanium Silver colours. Galaxy Watch Ultra will cost Rs 59,999.

On the other hand, Galaxy Watch 7 (40 mm BT) will come for Rs 29,999; Watch 7 (40 mm LTE) for Rs 33,999; Watch 7 (44 mm BT) for Rs 32,999 and Watch 7 (44 mm LTE) for Rs 36,999 (with some offers).

“In addition to the new advanced Galaxy AI algorithm for sleep analysis and get a deeper understanding of your heart health with Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Blood Pressure (BP) monitoring,” said the company.

Galaxy Buds3 are priced at Rs 14,999 and Buds3 Pro for Rs 19,999.

The Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6 and wearable devices (Buds3 series, Watch7 and Watch Ultra) will be available from July 24.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 11 (IANS) India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is set to make great strides in quantum technology, artificial intelligence, critical metals and semiconductor sectors with the United States, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, has told a visiting delegation of the US-India Business Council (USIBC).

The delegation led by Edward Knight, Executive Vice Chairman called on the Union Minister and discussed collaboration in different areas, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The minister recalled PM Modi’s recent visit to the US and highlighted the joint statement on the deployment of greenfield renewable energy, battery storage and emerging green technology projects in India.

Dr Singh emphasised on the government’s vision in AI and Machine learning and expressed optimism over its integration with the AI task force developed by USIBC.

“Large Language Models (LLMs) are being worked upon by the Department of Science and Technology which are aligned with the task force,” the minister informed.

India is now a frontline nation in next-generation technologies.

He also informed the delegation about the ‘Anusandhan NRF’ on the similar lines of the National Research Foundation in the US.

Highlighting India’s progress in the last decade in science and technology, the minister recalled that the biotech industry has reached $140 billion with more than 4,000 companies.

NISAR — a joint mission between NASA and ISRO — is also evidence of India’s prowess in the space sector.

He also referred to the new space policy and its benefits reaped in recent months.

Knight appreciated India’s model of ‘JAM’ (Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and mobile) trinity and direct benefit transfer (DBT), and invited the Minister for the ‘49th India Ideas Summit 2024’.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 11 (IANS) Tech giant Apple has issued a fresh warning to iPhone users in at least 98 countries, including in India, about a potential new mercenary spyware attack like ‘Pegasus’.

According to the Apple warning, it has detected that “you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID”.

In the warning, the iPhone maker further said that this attack is “likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do”.

“Although it’s never possible to achieve absolute certainty when detecting such attacks, Apple has high confidence in this warning — please take it seriously,” the company added.

In October last year, the US-based technology company sent similar warnings to users in India.

In April this year, the tech giant sent threat notifications to select users in 92 countries, including some in India, who may have been targeted using ‘mercenary spyware’ like Pegasus from the NSO Group.

Since 2021, the company has sent threat notifications multiple times a year as it detected these attacks.

Recently, the Indian government warned Apple users in India about multiple vulnerabilities in their devices.

–IANS

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Vienna, July 11 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday termed his Austria visit “historic” and “immensely productive” and said it has added “vigour” to the two countries’ friendship.

Wrapping up his visit to Austria – the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 41 years, PM Modi, in a post on X, said he was happy to have attended diverse programmes in Vienna and thanked Chancellor Karl Nehammer, the Austrian government, and the people for their hospitality and affection.

PM Modi, who reached Vienna on Tuesday evening from Moscow, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Federal Chancery on Wednesday morning.

He was warmly received by Chancellor Nehammer who had last week called the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Vienna as a “special honour” as it came at a time when the two countries are marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.

Following their talks on Wednesday, PM Modi said that India and Austria have identified “new possibilities” to further strengthen mutual cooperation besides also deciding to give a strategic direction to their bilateral ties.

In a joint statement along with the Austrian Chancellor, he said that he also held detailed discussions on the current geopolitical situation in the world, including the conflict in Ukraine or the situation in West Asia.

He mentioned that mutual trust and shared interests have strengthened India-Austria relations.

The Prime Minister also said that India and Austria will work together in areas such as infrastructure development, innovation, renewable energy, hydrogen, water and waste management, artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technology and a blueprint for cooperation over the coming decades has been prepared.

He said that the startup bridge will be accelerated to connect the youth and ideas of both countries, and an agreement on mobility and migration partnership has already been reached, as well as on promoting exchanges between cultural and educational institutions will be promoted.

The PM also said that Austria had been invited to join the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and the Biofuel Alliance.

Addressing a group of leading Austrian and Indian CEOs from diverse sectors including infrastructure, automobile, energy, engineering and start-ups along with Chancellor Nehammer, Prime Minister Modi called on the Austrian business stakeholders to look at the fast-unfolding opportunities in India, as the country moves to become the third-largest economy in the world over the next few years.

He urged Austrian majors to leverage the Indian economic landscape for high-quality and cost-effective manufacturing under the Make in Inda programme both for the domestic and international market, and as a global supply chain destination, and utilise the investment opportunities in India.

PM Modi also met Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen who noted that his country needs India as a partner in a structurally sustainable transformation towards climate neutrality.

Thanking the Indian Prime Minister for visiting Austria, Van der Bellen stated that both countries can work in several areas, including the fight against climate change.

Prime Minister Modi also met Nobel physics laureate Anton Zeilinger and explored the possibilities around quantum technologies, along with a discussion over spirituality. After the meeting, the Austrian scientist said he experienced that PM Modi is a very spiritual person.

The PM also met distinguished Austrian Indologists Professor Birgit Kellner, Dr Martin Gaenszle, Dr Borayin Larios, and Dr Karin Preisendanz and discussed the rich tapestry of Indian history, philosophy, art, and culture, along with the origins of Indology in Austria.

Concluding his visit with an address to the Indian diaspora in Vienna, he said that the world sees India with great hope and everyone across the globe wants to learn more about India.

He also said that India and Austria, though geographically distant, have many similarities.

“Democracy connects both countries (India and Austria). Our shared values are liberty, equality, pluralism, and respect for the rule of law. Our societies are multicultural and multilingual. Both countries, celebrate diversity, and a big medium to reflect these values are elections,” the PM said to loud cheers.

–IANS