Telecom News
PMO tells DoT to double down on mobile fraud
The PMO has directed the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to enforce mandatory biometric Aadhaar verification for all mobile connections in India to combat cybercrime and digital fraud. The DoT is using AI tools to detect fake documents and has disconnected 26.7 million numbers, working closely with law enforcement agencies.
Netflix, Amazon, and Google invest big in CDNs to meet growing data demands in India's Tier-2 cities
Exponential growth in data consumption driven by OTT platforms, ecommerce websites, and government services is prompting companies like Netflix, Amazon, Meta, Google, Cloudflare, and Akamai to invest in content delivery networks in smaller Indian cities, addressing the demand for high-performance CDNs amidst increasing internet penetration and booming digital economy.
DoT okays majority of Trai suggestions on service authorisation
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has approved most of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (Trai) recommendations on a new service authorisation mechanism. This mechanism will replace the existing licensing regime under the new Telecommunications Act, requiring telcos to migrate post-license tenure completion.
TCS expects margin benefits as BSNL deal tapers; to create 25K-seat capacity in Bengaluru: CFO
TCS expects to boost profit margins as the BSNL deal phases out over the next few quarters. The company plans to add over 25,000 seats in Bengaluru with a new land acquisition. TCS aims to compensate for the BSNL revenue drop with other sources while working towards expanding current profit margins.
Low data rates: India's new ringtone to attract foreign companies
India is promoting its low data tariffs and rapid adoption of 5G services to attract foreign investments from companies in sectors such as ride hailing, telemedicine, and digital payments. The government aims to highlight affordable internet access and the growing availability of 5G devices to potential global investors.
Vodafone Idea settles Rs 1,910 crore dues to Indus Towers with fresh equity injection
Vodafone Idea has cleared Rs 1,910 crore of its old dues to Indus Towers with cash from new equity issued to Vodafone Group. This increased Vodafone Group's stake in Vodafone Idea to 24.39%. The funds raised were also used to repay outstanding borrowings. Vodafone's obligations to Indus under Security Arrangements are now fully satisfied.
Telcos want DoT to take Trai's international call
Telecom operators in India are urging the DoT to accept Trai's definition of international traffic, which could increase telcos' SMS revenues by over ₹400 crore annually. The new definition will help prevent international messages from being misclassified as domestic, addressing a longstanding issue involving multinational companies and e-commerce giants.
Jio steps up 5G monetisation plans ahead of possible listing
Reliance Jio is scaling up its 5G-based fixed wireless access business, Jio AirFiber. Jio aims to add 1 million AirFiber customers within 30 days. The higher ARPU from 5G-based services is expected to accelerate 5G monetisation and attract investors for a potential IPO by late 2025. Jio Platforms is valued at $98 billion.
Vodafone Idea readying rollout of 5G from March
"Partnering with global leaders such as Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung, we are driving a transformative three-year investment plan. By March 2025, thousands of new sites will enhance your connectivity, elevating your network experience to extraordinary heights," Akshaya Moondra, chief executive at Vi, informed subscribers in a letter. ET has reviewed a copy of the letter.
Airtel may race past Reliance Jio & Voda Idea in Q3 revenue growth
Bharti Airtel is expected to achieve stronger sequential revenue growth compared to Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea in the fiscal third quarter, driven by residual effects of tariff hikes and increased mobile broadband users. All three telcos will likely see ARPU growth, benefiting from previous rate hikes.
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Jyotiraditya Scindia meets telecom equipment manufacturers to discuss boosting production
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia met with telecom equipment manufacturers like Nokia and Ericsson to discuss strategies for enhancing production and addressing export challenges in India. The Department of Telecommunications has formed advisory committees with industry stakeholders to provide updates and propose solutions for boosting the Indian communication sector.
GFGNL to deliver 25000 fiber to home connections in rural areas for greater internet connectivity
Gujarat Fiber Grid Network Limited plans to supply 25,000 Fiber-to-Home connections to rural households, offering services such as Wi-Fi, cable TV, OTT, and online education. The initiative aims to bridge the urban-rural digital divide with advanced connectivity and e-governance measures.
Airtel, Vodafone Idea exit Wi-Fi JV Firefly Networks
Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have agreed to sell their stakes in Firefly Networks to iBus Network and Infrastructure for Rs 4.5 crore each. This transaction ends the joint-venture started in 2014 and is expected to be finalised within 30 days.
From international calls to messages, telcos see minefield in govt’s draft data rules
Top telecom companies and legal experts expressed concern over new draft data protection rules, highlighting potential problems with international calls and data localization. They warn these rules could increase operational challenges and compliance costs, as well as raise security risks and privacy concerns.
Tighter anti-spam norms in a mth; TRAI pilot soon to onboard past user consents onto digital system
TRAI will begin a pilot to onboard past and paper-based consents for commercial communications onto its DLT platform. Also, new spam control regulations and separate tariff vouchers for voice and SMS will be implemented. Recommendations on satellite spectrum and network authorisation are on the agenda for 2025.
Let millions of data users bloom and telco top lines will cross a trillion
The Indian telecom sector's quarterly revenue is expected to cross ₹1 lakh crore in the next two to three years. This growth is driven by higher tariffs and increasing data consumption. The shift from 2G to 4G and 5G is also contributing. Despite some macro headwinds and industry challenges, the sector remains optimistic about its future revenue outlook.
