Telecom News
DoT allocates airwaves to all three telecom companies
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has allocated spectrum to all three private telecom operators who purchased airwaves in the June auction. The companies had made the upfront payments on July 26, allowing DoT to garner over ₹1,000 crore from the spectrum sale.
Trai calls up telcos for data on calls made below radar
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has intensified its efforts to combat spam and robocalls by directing all telecom companies to report data on unregistered telemarketers based on consumer complaints from April to June. Despite the government’s allocation of the 140 series for telemarketers, most spam calls originate from standard 10-digit numbers, complicating consumer identification. Trai's new directive requires telecom firms to provide details of the top 25 complainant numbers and has identified several numbers known for spam.
OTP rule for foreign nationals seeking connection relaxed
“It has been reported that the foreign nationals visiting India are facing challenges in obtaining mobile connections in India as they are unable to provide an alternate number which is being used for providing OTP as a signature in the existing D-KYC (digital KYC) process,” the department of telecommunications (DoT) said in a notification on Thursday.
MTNL seeking Rs 1,151.65 cr for paying interest arising out of sovereign guaranteed bonds
“MTNL has sought Rs 1,151.65 crore to meet the payment of interest on Sovereign Guarantee Bonds (SGBs) for Financial Year 2024-25,” Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
MTNL seeks Rs 1,151.65 cr for sovereign guarantee bonds interest this fiscal
Debt-ridden state telecom firm MTNL has requested ₹1,151.65 crore for interest payments on sovereign guarantee bonds for the current fiscal year, Parliament was informed on Thursday. Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar explained that the government has previously allocated funds for MTNL and BSNL's revival, including ₹69,000 crore in 2019 and ₹1.64 lakh crore in 2022 for various measures.
Reliance Jio enhances network capacity to assist relief efforts in Wayanad
At least 30 people went missing in Shimla's Samej Khad area due to a cloudburst, with rescue operations underway. Roads were washed away and a hydro power project damaged. Drones are being used to locate missing people. Another incident occurred in Mandi's Thaltukhod, Padhar subdivision, with one body recovered and 9 people still missing.
Plans afoot to reallocate some broadcasting spectrum for 5G
The government is exploring the possibility of reallocating an additional 100 MHz spectrum in the mid-band from the broadcasting sector to telecom operators for 5G services. This reallocation could meet the increasing 5G demands of telecom companies and generate revenue through auctions. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) is assessing the feasibility and potential impact on the broadcasting industry.
Indus Towers' trade receivables to stabilise depending on Vi's payment clearance
Indus Towers' management foresees a delay in stabilising trade receivables, dependent on Vodafone Idea's clearance of past dues. Receivables dropped 11.3% to Rs 5,722 crore in Q1 with improved Vi collections but no fixed timeline yet. Indus CFO mentioned ongoing payment plan discussions with Vi. Indus initiated a share buyback, excluding major stakeholder Bharti Airtel; Indus reported a 43% YoY profit increase in Q1 FY25 driven by Airtel's 5G rollout and Vi overdue recoveries.
Singular packs unlikely to benefit telcos, users: Industry executives
Data consumption has exploded in India, as such services are available for unlimited usage, along with complementary voice and SMS, he said. "Subscriber usage patterns fluctuate depending on their choice of video consumption, game streaming, etc. It is therefore difficult to determine the exact quantum of their need, and whether subscribers may be paying for services which they don't use."
Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal’s remuneration for FY24 jumped 92% to Rs 32.27 crore
For the last three years since FY21, Mittal was receiving a reduced remuneration of Rs 15 crore as the company was battling challenges on multiple fronts - industry turbulence, large regulatory hits and a black swan event in the form of a pandemic.
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India's 2047 goal of USD 35 trillion economy offers Airtel big growth opportunities: Sunil Mittal
India's ambition to be a USD 35 trillion economy by 2047 offers immense growth opportunities for Airtel, said Chairman Sunil Mittal. He highlighted 5G's critical role in India's digital growth and Airtel's commitment to lead this transformation. Mittal praised India's digitisation efforts, which contribute significantly to GDP and emphasized sustained investments in critical sectors.
SAR Televenture signs pact to deploy 4G sites for Vodafone Idea
The deal is part of Vi's larger network expansion plan, "for which they have started locking-in vendors", SAR MD Rahul Sahdev told ET. "We are aiming for a deeper partnership with Vi as there is no operational hitch after the company concluded fundraising recently."
Airtel accelerates 5G revolution by re-farming mid-band spectrum to meet surging demand
Bharti Airtel, announced on Monday that it has begun re-farming its existing mid-band spectrum to accommodate the rapidly increasing traffic demand on its 5G network. According to an exchange filing, with a growing number of customers transitioning to 5G, Airtel is reallocating its mid-band spectrum to expand 5G services across the 1800, 2100, and 2300 MHz bands nationwide.
Vodafone Idea offers to clear remaining Nokia dues of Rs 1,500 crore
Vodafone Idea plans to settle its remaining ₹1,500 crore dues to Nokia by December 2025 through cash installments. Earlier, Vi issued equity shares to Nokia to clear half of its ₹3,000 crore debt. Despite payment delays, Vi is negotiating with Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung for network equipment.
Telecom connectivity in all villages in next 12 months: Scindia
Jyotiraditya Scindia declared a 12-month target to provide telecom connectivity to all Indian villages, with 24,000 still needing saturation. Special funds and weekly monitoring have led to 13,000-14,000 villages covered. Increased budget allocations aim to boost the North East, including flood management and connectivity projects.
MediaTek VP calls tieup with Jio 'game changing'
MediaTek teamed up with Reliance Jio's subsidiary JioThings to explore the two-wheeler and electric vehicle market in India with Android-based smart digital cluster solutions. MediaTek will handle hardware and design services, while Jio will integrate their applications and strategy. The partnership is seen as a game-changer by MediaTek's vice president, CK Wang.
