"The 1990's was a decade for the world of telecommunication Everything in the Western World the United States and Europe was evolving in some way by this technological revolution, GSM mobile phones for the first time were available for many who were from America & Europe, and the innovation of this technology was available at a cost to the public where the caller and the receiver had to pay a price per minute which was initially set by regulators & the licence mobile operators in those regions."
Community &
Humanitarian Service
Telecom & Call
Services
Global Network
& Connectivity
In the year of 1995 making a long-distance phone call from western Europe to the rest of the world was expensive and this was due to telecom companies holding monopolies that allowed the incumbent operators to charge high rates. The EU Commission pushed for market liberalization to drive down the prices.
Early Entrepreneurial Journey of Mr. Ranjit Singh Masuta
During this period of time a young Sikh Gentlemen Mr. Ranjit Singh Masuta a resident from Basel / Switzerland who was initially involved in trading scrap metal business, this initiated him to make international calls to several destinations making direct calls via mobile phones were very expensive therefore he used another method known as callback service that reduced the calling cost per minute and increased the calling time while he was saving money for international telephone calls an idea was born to introduce the similar services to the public by developing a software for the Telephone Shops also known has call shops with cabins in main cities in Switzerland and rest of the neighboring European cities. This helped many of the cosmopolitan residents and the tourists to walk in and make discounted long-distance telephone calls at an affordable price to their families, friends and business clients living in APAC, Africa, LATAM, CALA Region, EU, Middle East & to the USA.
Establishment of D.M Enterprise GmbH Telephone Shop
D.M Enterprise GmbH Telephone shop was first of its kind to be opened in 1995 at SBB Bahnhof Basel Unterführung ( Basel Railway Station underground). The Discount International Telephone shop consisted of 12 wooden cabins which were designed for the customers to dial and have a relaxed conversation to their home countries. The need for making a discount long distance international calls was on the rise and therefore the second call shop was opened at Claragraben, Basel from there onwards branches were opened in Basel and other commercial and touristic cities throughout Switzerland. The call shops had its own real time billing software which helped the customers to see the name of the calling country, dialed number, call begin, Call end duration of minutes plus seconds spoken and the total amount. The Call-Shop Solutions and Real Time Billing Software was developed by Mr. Roland Schenk & Team from AVC Schenk & Biesuz GmbH based in Switzerland
The 1990’s: A Decade of Telecommunications Revolution
The 1990's was a decade for the world of telecommunication. Everything in the Western World the United States and Europe was evolving in some way by this technological revolution, GSM mobile phones for the first time were available for many who were from America & Europe, and the innovation of this technology was available at a cost to the public where the caller and the receiver had to pay a price per minute which was initially set by regulators & the licence mobile operators in those regions.
Partnerships with U.S. Telecom Carriers
While the liberalization procedures were going-on in Europe the international calls needed to be routed via a call back system and this technology was based in the USA. D.M Enterprises Founder Mr.Ranjit Singh Masuta struck a few agreements with reputed global telecom carriers (USA Global Link, IDT, DTI, MCI-WorldCom) whose corporate offices were based in the US provided the Call Back Services via a Telehouse located at 50-Hudson New York.
Mr. Ranjit Singh with Michael Moor and Team from USA Global Link during a business visit at our Call-shop in Claragraben Basel Swiss 1997
Recognition and Collaboration with U.S. Companies
Once the Long Distance Int'l Discount Telephone Shop became a success model the US based Telecom Carriers visited Switzerland and after meeting Ranjit Singh Masuta who was the early starter in call shop solutions they wanted to have a joint venture operations of the identical discount Telephone shop model with cabins and call shop solutions in the USA and Europe. This idea and partnership model between the US based Telecom Carriers and Mr.Ranjit Singh Masuta was published in a news article called Newsweek Magazine USA in the month of 1997.
Liberalization of the Telecommunications Industry
The regulatory framework of the telecommunications industry changed radically during the past decade in almost all OECD countries, particularly after 1996-97. As technological innovation made competition increasingly possible in the long-distance and international telephony markets, policy makers sought to liberalise the access of new entrants. New independent regulatory agencies were established with a mandate to open markets to competition, prevent incumbents from abusing their position and avoid collusion between operators. Following these decisions, telecommunications markets became more competitive (Figure 1). Other actions were undertaken to liberalise the industry, including number portability and carrier pre-selection. In addition, progress was made towards the privatisation of state owned operators.
Introduction of Global Line Prepaid Calling Card
There was a surge in the number of mobile users in Switzerland and By November 1997 one million subscribers had already registered; in other words one in seven Swiss residents uses a mobile phone. After carefully analysing both the Fix & Mobile market users Mr. Ranjit Singh Masuta has an early starter launched a Prepaid Calling Card services by the name of GLOBAL LINE partnering with a Swiss company called Cyber Office which was based in Zurich, Switzerland. This Prepaid Calling Card Services had a ten digit Pin number with 0800 and local access number. This calling card product was launched in the 3rd quarter of 1997 and it was made available in many retail outlets, Super Markets, Gas Stations, Kiosks & call shops & PTTs.
Participation at ITU TELECOM Interactive 97
In 1997, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) based in Geneva, Switzerland held the ITU Exhibition which was called "TELECOM Interactive 97". The event took place from September 8 to 14, 1997. It was described as the "world's first interactive multimedia forum and exhibition". D.M Enterprises of Switzerland had the opportunity to directly register with ITU and participate in the Forums & Exhibition. This was an eye opener for us by meeting various companies and innovative people to explore more on the Telecommunications related subjects. A key focus was the Internet and its relationship with the telecommunications industry. The ITU published a report to coincide with the exhibition titled Challenges to the Network: Telecoms and the Internet 1997. There were 215 exhibitors from sectors including telecommunications, computing, broadcasting, and entertainment. The event attracted 20,000 plus telecommunications professionals. In addition to corporate and national pavilions, the exhibition included a cybercafé and a cyber-forum for discussions.
Telecommunications Liberalization in Switzerland
European regulations required that the liberalization of the national Telecommunications market in most European countries completed on 1 January 1998. In Switzerland the end of the PTT monopoly process began with the Telecommunications Enterprise Act of 1997, which fully deregulated the Swiss market for telecommunications. This legislation dissolved the PTT, the state-owned Postal, Telephone, and Telegraph services that had existed since 1920. Effective January 1, 1998, the PTT was officially split into two separate, state-owned companies Swisscom Ltd-The new, publicly limited telecommunications company that would operate in the liberalized market and Swiss Post-The separate institution responsible for postal and financial services. Switzerland's mobile phone network was digitized under the name NATEL D in 1992, and by 1997, digital GSM service was widespread. This provided a foundation for the significant growth that followed deregulation.
Expansion of Global Line International
In 1998 Global Line International Prepaid Calling Card brand became a recognized product within the cosmopolitan people, tourist and locals due to its success in Switzerland and post liberalization of telecommunications market in EU the expansion of this calling card product was available by deploying the latest state of the art calling card switching technology and infrastructure within the tele-houses based in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and in the UK. The Tele-House Colocation & Interconnections services were provided by Colt Europe and New Telco Germany. The Brand name "Global LINE" Prepaid Calling Card was marketed under the registered company name Global Line GmbH within Switzerland. The identical business model was created by incorporating the companies in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, UK and also by signing sales & purchase agreements with third party retail outlets to distribute the brand across Europe.
Participation in ITU World TELECOM 99 + INTERACTIVE 99
The ITU exhibition in Geneva in 1999 was officially titled World TELECOM 99 + INTERACTIVE 99. The event ran for eight days, from October 10 to 17, 1999, at the Palexpo Exhibition and Conference Centre. A group of professional dancers put up what most of the audience described as "a spectacular performance of a lifetime". Many dances have traversed continents for centuries, making the world full of unique identities and shared connections. The dancers demonstrated steps and techniques from almost every continent, showing the multicultural audience the connections which link them together. The spirit, song, music, and colour of costumes all made for a rich blend to celebrate the diversity, shared connections and interdependence in the world of telecommunications. Together, the dancers joined in a dazzling finale to herald the opening of the 8th World Telecommunication Exhibition. This spectacular opening ceremony was honoured by the participation of Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ruth Dreifuss, President of the Swiss Confederation, Yoshio Utsumi, Secretary-General of the ITU, Martine Brunschwig Graf, President of the State Council of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, and Kurt Hellström, President of Ericsson.
The event attracted top leaders from government Ministers and Ambassadors to Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of front-ranked market players, as well as the most respected industry analysts and commentators. More than 4000 people took part in the Forum programme, which encompassed a total of five summits and a number of combined sessions.
Global Line Holding’s Participation at TELECOM 99
Global Line Holding of Switzerland had the opportunity to directly register with ITU and participate in the Forums & Exhibition this was an eye opener for us by meeting multiple companies who was engaged in wireless Communications, Mobile device manufactures from Japan & S.Korea, Pre-Paid Calling Cards & Telecom Carrier Switch vendors, Incumbent operators, Tier one carries, Telecom Regulators and VVIP guests from different parts of the world. By attending the Telecom 1999 forum we had the opportunity of witnessing the Interactive Summit opening which was marked by keynotes from Bill Gates, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corporation, Seiko Noda, Member of Japan's House of Representatives, and Larry Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Oracle. Jorma Ollila, President and CEO of Nokia, spoke on "new directions of interactivity and the Internet", Scott McNealy, Chairman and CEO, Sun Microsystems, focused on questions of "access and distribution for multimedia applications". A number of themes dominated Telecom 99. On the one hand was the promise of a better-connected world in the new millennium. On the other were the shadows of an information gap threatening that promise. Much of the focus was on wireless technology and the Internet. In particular, wireless access to the Internet was at the heart of business strategies of most telecommunication and information technology (IT) companies. Over 200,000 visitors and more than 1,000 exhibitors from 48 countries attended the event.
Formation of World Telecom Network (WTN)
During the ITU World Telecom 99 + INTERACTIVE 99 exhibition Mr.Ranjit Singh Masuta along with his team had some brainstorming sessions to build its own infrastructure by interconnecting incumbent operators and tier-1 carriers to handle bulk number of minutes & SMS lobe. For such mighty projects we need to incorporate another company and simultaneously a new name was registered in our mind that was "World Telecom Network". In The Fourth Quarter of 1999 WTN was incorporated and went into live operations in the new Millennium.
Partnerships and Global Expansion of WTN
In the 1st Q of 2000 World Telecom Network Holding AG went in to sign new partnerships with reputed high end telecom switch manufacturers from Belgium, Germany & in the USA and thereafter signed with globally recognised telecom operators for interconnections via the tele-houses / data centers based in the EU. A few to be mentioned British Telecom, Cable & Wireless, Carrier-1, Global Crossing, Deutsche Telecom, Swisscom, Orange Mobile, Telecom Malaysia, BSNL, VSNL, Banga Telecom, SLT, Dialog Mobile, Hutchison Telecom, SK Telecom, Globe Mobile, PLDT & Vietnam-Telecom.
Gujarat Earthquake Relief - 2001
Zurich Switzerland
World Telecom Network provided telecom services to hard to reach destinations by building its own Pops in Africa, Asia, LATAM region and these V-Sat pops were connected via teleports which were located in France, Germany and Switzerland. Due to its next generation telecom infrastructure model, WTN was able to trade in retail, wholesale minutes and SMS. This project was successful by entering into partnership with Gen-Sat France & Red Cube Switzerland.
Founder Horizon Telecom
GTM 2003 USA
Telecom Infrastructure and Services
WTN Network Operational Centre Frankfurt Germany
V-SAT Teleport in
France
V-SAT Location in Srilanka
Swiss
Teleport
World Telecom Network Holding AG of Switzerland had a partnership with the Swiss Internet Protocol (IP) company, Red Cube, to provide voice/data services globally. Mr.Niklaus Zenger, chairman and chief executive of Red Cube. Expansion into South Asia WTN Holding AG expanded its footprints by setting up its offices in Bangladesh, India & Sri Lanka to provide back end services.
Global Compassion and Community Service Initiatives
Gujarat Earthquake Relief - 2001
In January 2001, a strong earthquake impacted the Kutch District of Gujarat, killing thousands, injuring over 100,000, and destroying over 300,000 homes. WTN Group AG plus Global Line Holding AG together with the support of our community did a fund raising of One Hundred Thousand Swiss Francs and this funds was sent to treat the communities in wake of Gujarat Earthquakes in 2001.
Indian Ocean Tsunami Relief – 2004
On Dec 26, 2004, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami caused incredible destruction and loss of life across five time zones and 14 countries bordering the Indian Ocean. Over 225,000 people were killed, thousands were injured, and 1.7 million were left homeless. WTN Group AG together with Global Line Holding AG did receive support from donors & it was channeled through our telecom network partners in India and Sri Lanka and it was distributed to the affected families for their urgent healthcare services.
Old advertising archives from the nineties
Foundation of Gurdwara
Sahib Langenthal
Gurdwara Sahib – A Place for All
The land to build a holy shrine (Gurdwara) in Langenthal, Switzerland was acquired in 1999. The foundation stone for the first Holy Shrine for the Sikhs 'Gurdwara Sahib' was laid by Hon Shri Dharam Singh Masuta on the 11th of January 2001 and thereafter the Gurudwara Sahib was jointly opened by the Home Minister of Kanton Bern head of the Police & Military Directorate & Mayor of Langenthal Hon Shri Mr. Hans-Jürg Käser and Hon Shri Dharam Singh Masuta in 23rd of September 2006. The total cost for the construction of this Holy Shrine Gurdwara Sahib Langenthal was donated by a humble brotherhood from all walks of life along with devotees, well wishers, private institutions and corporates Ranjit Singh Masuta is the first Sikh in Switzerland. He is the person who initiated the idea and to build the first Gurdwara Sahib which is situated at Langenthal in Switzerland, constructed in traditional Sikh architectural style – a unique landmark in all of Europe. Ranjit Singh Masuta is the leader of the Sikh community in Switzerland. The land to build a holy shrine (Gurdwara) in Langenthal, Switzerland was acquired in 1999. The foundation stone for the first Holy Shrine for the Sikhs 'Gurdwara Sahib' was laid by Hon Shri Dharam Singh Masuta on the 11th of January 2001 and thereafter the Gurudwara Sahib was jointly opened by the Home Minister of Kanton Bern head of the Police & Military Directorate & Mayor of Langenthal Hon Shri Mr. Hans-Jürg Käser and Hon Shri Dharam Singh Masuta in 23rd of September 2006. The total cost for the construction of this Holy Shrine Gurdwara Sahib Langenthal was donated by a humble brotherhood from all walks of life along with devotees, well wishers, private institutions and corporates.
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