Date:17/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/17/stories/2008081751601200.htm

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Sign up at this telecom gurukulam!

Anand Parthasarathy

Chennai team creates one-stop Web-shop for telecom aspirants

The TelecomMentor web resource — and the Chennai-based team that helped to create it.

Bangalore: It is the fastest growing sector of the global technology business. That over eight million Indians buy mobile phones every month makes this country the world’s most ‘happening’ place for the telecom industry — so why did no one think of creating a Web resource catering for the needs of ordinary people — students, young professionals, aspiring ‘techies’ — who see a future (and ‘their’ own future!) in the telecom business?

A small group of Chennai-based engineers has decided to fill the gap. The result is TelecomMentor, a one-stop shop for those looking for friendly guidance, professional or career help, with a communication technology focus. ( www.telecommentor.com).

The news is nicely segmented into sections on mobile technology, wireless, Internet telephony, etc. — and sorted by region. The directory lists hundreds of telecom companies and their products. A Q&A section features the most recent queries from users. But for those who need more hardcore help, there is an innovative “Click to Talk” feature where you can initiate a telephone talk (maybe through an Internet phone — see story alongside) with an acknowledged expert on the TelecomMentor global panel. This service is charged: It costs half a U.S. cent per minute (one would have liked rupee payment mode).

Another useful feature is video resume, where you can post your biodata for prospective employers in this space.

Co-founded by four ex-Alcatel engineers — Kalai Selvan, Shreeram Venkataramani, Karthik Shankarnarayanan and Rajesh Rajaram — who have each spent over a decade in the telecom industry, TelecomMentor’s flagship web resource was created by a software team smaller than a dozen, based in Chennai. It has seen a steady enrolment of 10 or more a day (you must register to enjoy the full range of services) and a visitor rate of over 500 every day in the few weeks that it has been operational.

By cleverly morphing Web technology with telecom resources and doing it in the very Indian spirit of gurukulam, TelecomMentor is a desi offering shared with the world. This is one techno-guru who will never lack shishyas!