New Delhi (The Hawk) : Scientists have found that Covaxin, which is an inactivated whole-virion vaccine, induces robust immune memory to SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern that persist for at least 6 months after vaccination and induces memory T cells that can&nbsp;respond robustly against the variants. This may help in controlling the virus load and thus, reduce the disease severity.BBV152/Covaxin vaccine is based on an Asp614Gly variant and formulated with a toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist molecule (imidazoquinolin) adsorbed to alum. It was the first alum-imidazoquinolin adjuvanted vaccine produced in India and received emergency use authorization from WHO for use in a large population. Although the clinical trial data were available for the vaccine efficacy, important questions remained unanswered for the evidence-based policymaking particularly. These included whether the vaccine induces immune memory, how long the vaccine-induced memory persists, and whether these memory responses are able to sustain against the SARS-CoV-2 variants.&nbsp;<img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image001MYCH.jpg">Scheme 1.&nbsp;The scheme representing the study design to determine the immunological effectiveness of the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine Covaxin®.In a multi-institutional collaboration with THSTI, Faridabad, AIIMS, New Delhi, ESIC Medical College, Faridabad, LNJP Hospital, New Delhi, LJI, LA Jolla, Dr.&nbsp;Nimesh Gupta and group at the National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi, investigated 97 SARS-CoV-2 unexposed individuals who had received vaccine, up to 6 months after 2-dose vaccination. The vaccine-induced responses were compared with the immune memory in 99 individuals recovered from mild COVID-19.The study supported under IRHPA-COVID-19 special call by the Science and Engineering Research Board, a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology, found that&nbsp;the vaccine produces antibodies against Spike, RBD, and Nucleoprotein of the virus, just like in virus infection. However, analyses of both the binding and neutralizing antibodies revealed a reduced recognition of variants of concern like Delta (India), Beta (S. Africa), and Alpha (UK).&nbsp;This study showed that the vaccine is&nbsp;capable of inducing memory B cells. They found this satisfying because antibodies may decline with time, but these memory B cells can replenish antibodies against the virus, whenever required.Their study&nbsp;provided the first-ever evidence of the detailed traits of immune memory generated in human in response to an inactivated virus vaccine.&nbsp;<img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image002VTUF.jpg">Scheme 2. The scheme represents the strategy to measure the SARS-CoV-2 specific memory B cells in the blood sample of participants received 2-dose&nbsp;Covaxin®.&nbsp;The team also found that the vaccine showed potential of producing the SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells.&nbsp;Importantly, and unlike antibodies, the effectiveness of&nbsp;the T cells was well preserved against the variants. Also, these virus-specific T cells were present in the central memory compartment and persisted up to 6 months post-vaccination.The SARS-CoV-2 variants may impact the antibody responses generated by vaccine; however, the T cell responses will be available to respond robustly against the variants. The study published in the Journal&nbsp;Nature Microbiology&nbsp;provides important knowledge for evidence-based policymaking on the future application of Covaxin®.

Scientists have found that Covaxin, which is an inactivated whole-virion vaccine, induces robust immune memory to SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern that persist for at least 6 months after vaccination and induces memory T cells that can respond robustly against the variants. This may help in controlling the virus load and thus, reduce the disease severity.

Covaxin can help in controlling the virus load of SARS-CoV-2 & its variants, reducing disease severity: Study

New Delhi (The Hawk): Government is implementing various schemes under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) to enhance telecom connectivity in the rural and predominately tribal areas of the country including North Eastern Region (NER) and areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE), Border areas, Aspirational Districts and Islands. Also,&nbsp;BharatNet project is implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. The scope of BharatNet has been extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country. The details of the schemes are attached as&nbsp;Annexure-I.The Government on 23.10.2019 approved the revival plan for BSNL and MTNL. The Cabinet inter-alia approved administrative allotment of spectrum for 4G services through capital infusion. On 21.12.2020, the Government approved the allocation of spectrum for Delhi/Mumbai to BSNL. Further, the Cabinet in its meeting held on 14-06-2022 has inter-alia reserved spectrum for BSNL for providing 5G services. Testing of Indian make 4G Equipment, under Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, is already at advance stage and the delivery of the equipment will commence after completion of the testing. People will start getting benefitted once this equipment are deployed and commissioned.Annexure-IDetails of schemes/projects to improve the communication network/system in rural, tribal and hilly areas across the country:-<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Under LWE Phase-I scheme, 2,343 mobile towers have been installed in LWE areas which including 96 mobile towers of the State of West Bengal and are providing services. Under LWE Phase-II scheme, 2,542 mobile towers at Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) identified locations are approved across the LWE States;</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Scheme for providing mobile connectivity in 354 villages of uncovered border areas including Ladakh and Kargil Region, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and other priority areas.;</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for mobile connectivity in the North Eastern Region to provide mobile coverage in uncovered villages and along with the National Highways;</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Scheme for providing 4G mobile connectivity in 502 uncovered villages of Aspirational Districts in four States, namely, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan;</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Scheme for provisioning of 4G based Mobile service in 7287 uncovered villages of Aspirational Districts of 5 States Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Odisha;</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Laying of submarine optical fibre cable between Chennai and Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands for providing connectivity to Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands;</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Submarine OFC connectivity between Kochi and Lakshadweep Islands.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Mobile connectivity to cover uncovered villages and along National Highway (NH 223) in Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands;</li><li class="ql-align-justify">BharatNet project to create network to connect all the Gram Panchayats and villages with broadband infrastructure.</li></ol>This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications, Shri&nbsp;Devusinh Chauhan&nbsp;in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

Government is implementing various schemes under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) to enhance telecom connectivity in the rural and predominately tribal areas of the country including North Eastern Region (NER) and areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE), Border areas, Aspirational Districts and Islands.

4G and 5G Licenses to BSNL and MTNL

New Delhi: The operators' revenue generated from 5G FWA (fixed wireless access) services is likely to increase from $515 million in 2022 to a whopping $2.5 billion next year, a new report showed on Tuesday.
The staggering growth will be driven by 5G's advanced network capabilities, such as ultra-low delay and increased data processing to provide connectivity services that were previously unachievable with 4G technology, according to Juniper Research.
FWA includes services that provide high-speed Internet connectivity through cellular-enabled CPE (customer premises equipment) for uses including broadband and IoT networks.
"The benefits of FWA are now comparable with services using fibre-based networks. Operators have an immediate opportunity to generate revenue from broadband subscriptions directly to end users by providing last-mile solutions underpinned by their existing 5G infrastructure," said Research author Elisha Sudlow-Poole. The operators' 5G FWA revenue will reach $24 billion globally by 2027. The report identified the consumer market as the sector generating the highest revenue for operators; representing 96 per cent of global 5G FWA revenue. However, the report warned that operators must provide a compelling user proposition for FWA solutions through the bundling of services such as video streaming, gaming and smart home security to enrich user experience and gain competitive advantage against incumbent high speed connectivity technologies, such as FTTP (Fibre to the Property). The report also identified private networks as a key monetisation opportunity; offering superior network capabilities over 4G. It recommended that operators use 5G FWA to facilitate the last mile-solution by treating the relationship between FWA and fibre networks as wholly collaborative to maximise network performance and return on investment. —IANS

The operators' revenue generated from 5G FWA (fixed wireless access) services is likely to increase from $515 million in 2022 to a whopping $2.5 billion next year, a new report showed on Tuesday.

5G FWA Services To Generate $2.5 Bn In Operator Revenue By 2023 Globally

Varanasi: All the remaining villages of Uttar Pradesh will be covered with 4G network within a year. According to the government spokesman, the Union Minister of State for Telecom Devusinh Chauhan gave this information during his visit to Varanasi on Saturday. Chauhan along with Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Anupriya Patel, launched installation of mobile towers equipped with 4G network at an event. The Union Cabinet had approved a project for saturation of 4G mobile services in uncovered villages across the country at a total cost of Rs 26,316 crore in July 2022. Chauhan said the 4G saturation project is an ambitious scheme envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create digital connectivity facility for the residents of far-flung areas and thereby bridge the digital divide in 500 days. "This scheme will not only be helpful in including the citizens living in far-flung areas in the mainstream and improving their standard of living, it will also be effective in delivering e-governance, medical and educational facilities and other citizen-centric schemes directly to the beneficiary," the minister said. He further said the locals will get direct and indirect benefits from installation of the mobile towers and the area will also get developed. Chauhan said that 65 remote villages of Varanasi district and adjoining Chandauli, Ghazipur, Mirzapur, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Sonbhadra, Varanasi districts under the Varanasi Business Area will be provided 4G services through 49 new towers and by upgrading seven existing towers. —IANS

All the remaining villages of Uttar Pradesh will be covered with 4G network within a year

All UP Villages To Get 4G Within A Year

New Delhi: In a significant move, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the third package for BSNL, as part of the revival strategy, with the total outlay of Rs 89,047 crore. It includes allotment of 4G and 5G spectrum for BSNL through equity infusion.
The authorised capital of BSNL will be increased from Rs 1,50,000 crore to Rs 2,10,000 crore, official sources said. With this revival package, BSNL will emerge as a stable telecom service provider focused on providing connectivity to remotest parts of India.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told mediapersons after the cabinet meeting that except for a few places in high mountainous regions or Maoist-affected remote areas, BSNL is offering 4G services across the country now. With this spectrum allotment, BSNL will be able to provide pan-India 4G and 5G services, official sources said. It will also be able to give 4G coverage in rural and uncovered villages under various connectivity projects. Fixed wireless access (FWA) services for high-speed internet will also be available. BSNL will also provide services or spectrum for captive non-public network (CNPN). Government had approved the first revival package for BSNL and MTNL in 2019. It amounted to Rs 69,000 crore. In 2022, government had approved the second revival package for both the loss making entities amounting to Rs 1.64 lakh crore.
—IANS

In a significant move, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the third package for BSNL,

Govt Okays Third Revival Package For BSNL With Outlay Of Rs 89,047 Crore

Chennai: Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday took a swipe at the Congress and DMK over dynasty politics and alleged corruption, calling them ''2G, 3G, 4G'' parties and said the time has come in Tamil Nadu to throw away these and give the power to a ''son of the soil''. Responding to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's demand that Shah list out the Centre's special schemes for Tamil Nadu in the past nine years, the senior BJP leader detailed the various initiatives of the Narendra Modi-led Union government for the state in sectors including aviation, railways and roads. Addressing a public meeting here to highlight the nine years of the BJP-led NDA government's achievements, he also lashed out at the two opposition parties at the Centre for opposing the abrogation of Article 370 and lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ''uniting Kashmir'' with India with a stroke of the pen. ''Congress and DMK are 2G, 3G, 4G parties. I am not talking about the 2G (spectrum allocation scam). 2G means two generations, 3G means three generations and 4G means four generations,'' he said. 'The Maran family (of the DMK) is doing corruption for two generations. The Karunanidhi family is doing corruption for three generations. The Gandhi family is 4G. Rahul Gandhi is fourth generation and for four generations they are enjoying power,'' Shah said attacking the two parties. He said the time has come to ''throw out 2G, 3G, 4G and give the power in Tamil Nadu to a son of the soil.'' Asking the crowd if Article 370 should have been removed or not and ''if Kashmir is ours or not,'' he said both Congress and DMK opposed the abrogation of the Article which gave Jammu and Kashmir a special status. ''Both these parties -- Congress and DMK -- were against its abrogation. With one stroke of the pen on August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra modi ended Article 370 and united Kashmir with India,'' Shah added. He charged the DMK and Congress of indulging in corruption running to several thousands of crores of rupees during its 10 year period from 2004 to 2014 and said there were no such allegations against the nine-year-old NDA government. Taking on Stalin over his remarks on the establishment of AIIMS Madurai, Shah said while the DMK was in power for 18 years at the Centre, it had not taken steps to bring the premier medical facility to Tamil Nadu ''but only does corruption'', even as he highlighted the various initiatives of the Centre for Tamil Nadu. This included a manifold increase in devolution of funds to Tamil Nadu, allocation of a defence corridor, two Vande Bharat train services, a new integrated airport terminal that was inaugurated by PM Modi recently here, 11 medical colleges in as many districts benefitting over 1,400 students, renovation of major railway stations in the state including Chennai Egmore and Madurai, a new ESIC medical college hospital that would come up in Coimbatore at an estimated Rs 1,500 crore, 62 lakh toilets and over 2,500 km of roads. Besides these, the Centre and PM Modi in particular were doing a lot for the Tamil language. In many global fora, the Prime Minister has heaped praised on Tamil language, its icons, the Tamil culture and the literature. Tamil classic Tirukkural has been translated into 13 Indian languages. Shah highlighted the Kashi and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam events and said it was an effort by the Centre to popularise the language in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, respectively. Referring to the 2019 summit between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mamallapuram near here, Shah said the PM promoted Tamil Nadu's tourism by inviting the neighbouring country's leader for talks here. He also hailed the installation of the 'Sengol' (sceptre) in the Parliament during its inauguration last month by Modi. Further, aspirants can now write CAPF exams and NEET in Tamil, which was not the case when the Congress-led UPA, in which the DMK was a key constituent, was in power, he said. Expressing confidence that the BJP will return to power with 300 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Union Cooperation Minister wanted Tamil Nadu to return 25 NDA parliamentarians, and said some among them could be inducted in the cabinet as well. At the event, Shah was presented a 'Sengol' as memento. Earlier in the day, Shah attended a meeting of the BJP's Tamil Nadu leaders, including its state president K Annamalai, in Chennai. At the meeting, he pitched for making a Tamil as Prime Minister in the future, party sources said. The BJP veteran, also its former national president, made the remarks at the closed door meeting. Meanwhile, a power cut outside the airport last night when Shah arrived in the city has not gone down well with the BJP leaders. At the Vellore public meeting, Annamalai, in an apparent jibe at the ruling DMK said: ''You may swithch off the lights but not the BJP workers' enthusiasm.''—ANI

Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday took a swipe at the Congress and DMK 

In Swipe At Cong & DMK, Shah Dubs Them '2G,3G, 4G' Parties

New Delhi: Elon Musk-run aerospace company SpaceX has launched the first batch satellites to connect mobile phone users anywhere on the planet. Six of the 21 new Starlink satellites just launched support the company's new 'Direct to Cell' service announced in 2022. "The six Starlink satellites on this mission with 'Direct to Cell' capability will further global connectivity and help to eliminate dead zones," the company posted on X. They'll enable SpaceX to test it with ordinary 4G LTE-compatible phones on T-Mobile in the US, before the text messaging service goes live in multiple countries this year. SpaceX will then add voice and data (and IoT devices) later in 2025 as more D2C satellites come online. "This will allow for mobile phone connectivity anywhere on Earth," posted Musk. "Note, this only supports 7 MM per beam and the beams are very big, so while this is a great solution for locations with no cellular connectivity, it is not meaningfully competitive with existing terrestrial cellular networks," the tech billionaire explained. Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities enable ubiquitous access to texting, calling, and browsing wherever you may be on land, lakes, or coastal waters. Direct to Cell will also connect IoT devices with common LTE standards, according to the company. —IANS

Elon Musk-run aerospace company SpaceX has launched the first batch satellites to connect mobile phone users anywhere on the planet

The Hawk

Tag : 4G

Covaxin can help in controlling the virus load of SARS-CoV-2 & its variants, reducing disease severity: Study

Pankaj Sharma

Tag : 4G

Covaxin can help in controlling the virus load of SARS-CoV-2 & its variants, reducing disease severity: Study

Pankaj Sharma

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