Page 10 - Telcos

DoT checking if SC's AGR definition applies to companies other than telcos

These companies may suddenly be given demand notices running into crores and they may object to DoT's not informing them for so many years about this

Top 10 biz headlines: Moody's cuts India outlook, telecom war, and more

From the tussle between traders and FMCG firms to Qatar Air's interest in buying stake in IndiGo, here are the top 10 business headlines for the day

Will banks accept telcos' demand for more funding? Lenders' meet this week

According to the court order on October 24, the telecom companies have three months to pay spectrum usage charges and licence fees in the way adjusted gross revenue has been calculated by the govt

AGR verdict: Reliance Jio says telcos have sufficient capacity to pay dues

It also slammed the Cellular Operators Association of India for writing ex-parte to the government on the financial distress in the sector

Spectrum cost, dividends drying up cash flows for SE Asian telcos: Moody's

The agency expects these trends to continue through at least 2021, and does not see telecom companies generating enough cash to pay down debt and reduce elevated leverage

DoT seeks relief for BSNL, MTNL once again, but with fewer demands

Dept has apparently sought funds for VRS schemes of the two firms and allotment of 4G spectrum, proposes to raise finances via asset monetisation

Telcos to get Rs 13,000-crore revenue boost for inter-connect user charges

The sector Ebitda would get a boost, feel analysts.

Bharti Airtel plans to raise up to $1 bn via bond issue to reduce debt

Telecom major Bharti Airtel is planning to raise funds up to USD 1 billion (about Rs 7,000 crore) via a bond issue by its subsidiary Network i2i, the proceeds of which will be used to reduce debt. "...offering of USD denominated Guaranteed Subordinated Perpetual Securities by Network i2i Limited (a direct 100 per cent subsidiary of Bharti Airtel) expected to be rated BB by both S&P and Fitch may follow, subject to market conditions," Bharti Airtel said in a regulatory filing. Bharti Airtel has appointed a clutch of bankers including BofA Merrill Lynch, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citigroup, HSBC, J P Morgan and Standard Chartered Bank as joint bookrunners and joint lead managers to organise a series of fixed income investor meetings and calls across Asia, Europe and the US starting Wednesday, it added. Sources said that the fundraising is likely to be in range of USD 750 million to USD 1 billion, and the final figure will be arrived at based on the market response. The proceeds from ..

Trai's plan to extend IUC regime will disincentivise 4G upgrade, says Jio

Telco also contests incumbents' claim that move will help them financially

COAI wants telcos to discuss issue of interconnect usage charges reasonably

The IUC was originally proposed to be made nil from January 1, 2020. But Trai is now reviewing the timeline

High prices deterring telcos from bidding for 5G spectrum: Industry group

The industry laments that the spectrum prices proposed in India are four times higher than other markets

Telcos performance diverging in face of Reliance Jio's growth: Fitch

The deep-pocketed Jio's entry has so far impacted all the telcos, forcing mergers and also bankruptcy filings

Telcos oppose allocation of 700 MHz spectrum to railways, call for auction

Telcos said the spectrum allotted to Railways for captive use should not be utilised for commercial services for passengers as such services should be provisioned by entities that hold a valid license

Govt to begin a special audit of telcos in March; DoT selects 7 auditors

Move comes at a time when the sector is grappling with liquidity issues seeking various measures such as debt restructuring, insolvency resolution and release of input tax credit stuck with the govt

Airtel, Voda Idea wean off double SIM users by upping least recharge tariff

By hiking minimum monthly recharge, the hope is these subscribers will move out, improving operators' average revenue per user

Telecom companies brace for a 4% fall in average revenue per user

ARPU expected to bottom out gradually in September quarter

Telcos to invest Rs 1.3 lakh cr in next 2 yrs: Bharti Enterprises VC

Over Rs 1-1.25 lakh crore has been invested in mobile tower industry in the last 10 year

Drop in cost puts telcos on path of recasting business strategy

In packet switch, calls free up resources dynamically for other users, thereby significantly increasing network efficiency

IMG to meet again to discuss financial woes of telcos

Even though the inter-ministerial group (IMG) on telecom has reached a consensus on increasing the tenure of spectrum payment, cut in interest rate and shifting of PLR into MCLR, it is yet to take a call on any reduction in USOF levy, which currently stands at 5 per cent of the adjusted gross revenue (AGR).As per sources, the panel, which was formed to address the financial stress in the telecom sector, will meet again to further discuss the issues.The IMG will try to finish its report before August 27 after which it will be placed before Telecom Commission for final approval.The Telecom Commission, which is the highest decision making body of Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is likely to meet on September 1. "Extending the deferred payment schedule to 16 years, and converting the PLR (prime lending rate) into the MCLR (marginal cost of funds-based lending rate) are mostly finalised," a source said.The IMG has seven members including officials from the DoT DoT and the finance ...

IMG report on telcos' financial distress likely in 20 days: Manoj Sinha

The group will look into the policy reforms, strategic interventions for the telecom sector