Telecom Sector

Scindia, Starlink V-P Dreyer discuss ways to speed up digital inclusion

Starlink executive Lauren Dreyer met Jyotiraditya Scindia after a website glitch briefly displayed India pricing; talks focused on satcom-led last-mile connectivity as Starlink awaits approvals

Brokerages expect 15% tariff hike by Indian telcos from December 2025

Last tariff hike took place in July 2024; telcos have raised tariffs thrice since December 2019

Telecom and energy stocks stop November from ending on a flat note

Without them, foreign portfolio investor flows would have gone off-key

Centre wants greater phone-location surveillance, top phonemakers protest

A measure to track device-level location has no precedent anywhere else in the world, lobbying group India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), which represents both Apple and Google said

From rank 127 to No 1 on App Store, Sanchar Saathi gains amid outrage

An app nobody noticed, until everyone did. Political heat and curiosity pushed it to the top in downloads. How long before the slide?

Inconsistent solutions: Recent telecom directives must be reconsidered

This would in effect install in every smartphone a backdoor, which could be a threat to privacy and security

Sanchar Saathi app can be deleted, says govt; OEMs still reluctant

Apple, other global device makers not on board; India's Lava to comply

DoT tightens fraud rules: Pre-install Sanchar Saathi, bind OTT apps to SIM

Telecom operators want SMS-based OTP to become the primary authentication layer for financial transactions as DoT moves to tighten security

Telcos seek DPDP-telecom rules syncing; COAI to submit proposals to Meity

The ministry notified the rules on November 14, bringing into effect the law

Fundraise, AGR clarity key for Vodafone Idea's next phase of recovery

Brokerages have mixed views on telco's operational performance

Singtel likely to sell 0.8% in Bharti Airtel in ₹10,300 crore deal

Pastel Ltd, a Singtel-owned promoter entity, will sell Bharti Airtel shares worth Rs 10,300 crore at a 3.1% discount to Thursday's closing price as part of its debt-reduction plan

Vodafone Idea's AGR dues lifeline: Relief or risk for India's telecoms?

Earlier this week, the apex court allowed the Centre to re-examine Vi's entire AGR dues up to financial year 2016-17

BSNL achieves 93% of revenue target in September quarter, says Scindia

State-owned telecom firm BSNL achieved 93 per cent of its target revenue at Rs 5,347 crore for September quarter FY26, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday. After the quarterly review of BSNL, the minister said the company's revenue for the first half of current fiscal stood at Rs 11,134 crore. "This quarter we have achieved a 93 per cent revenue run rate vis-a-vis our target. So we had set a target of Rs 5,740 crore, we've achieved Rs 5,347 crore. So, we are very close to a rather bold target that we had set for ourselves based on last year's jump in earnings," Scindia said. The minister said there is a target to increase BSNL's revenue by 20 per cent for full fiscal year to Rs 27,500 crore. "Our ARPU is also increased. It was Rs 81 in Q1 of this year, it's increased to Rs 91 in Q2 of this year. So there's been a 12 per cent improvement in ARPU," the minister said. Average revenue per user (ARPU) is a key metrics to measure growth of a telecom operator. T

SC allows Centre to reassess Vodafone Idea's AGR dues, cites policy grounds

The Supreme Court said the Centre can review Vodafone Idea's AGR dues, calling it a policy decision; the move gives relief to the debt-hit telecom firm and protects 200 million consumers

Bharti Airtel finds its frequency: High Arpu, low capital expenditure

Margins ring loud as controlled spending and per-user revenue amplify financial signals for investors

Trai proposes steeper fines for telcos not reporting tariff change

Trai proposes daily fines up to ₹5 lakh on telcos for delays in reporting tariff changes, aiming to tighten compliance and ensure timely disclosures

Nelco focuses on remote areas, not competing with terrestrial players: MD

Direct-to-device services are also on cards, albeit at later time, since company has a tie-up with US-based Omnispace to provide 5G satellite-based direct-to-device services, signed back in 2022

A promising telecom stack, but India must address sector's health, duopoly

Despite the challenges, the telecom sector in India has scored well on tech advancements. The indigenous 4G technology stack, figuring among the elite five, is an example

Govt unlikely to up Vi stake beyond 49%, says Jyotiraditya Scindia

The telecommunications sector, which currently accounts for 12-14 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), will grow to about 20 per cent over the next decade, the Union minister said

Beyond 5G, India's ambitions extend to 6G, satcom: Scindia at IMC

India's ambitions extend well beyond 5G, with a target of securing 10 per cent of 6G patents, while satellite communications are poised for exponential growth, with the market set to triple by 2033, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Wednesday. Speaking at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, Scindia noted that India has evolved from being a follower of technology to emerging as a digital flagbearer on the global stage. Outlining India's transformation into a self-reliant nation, Scindia said, "the day is not far off when people will say the world depends on India." "I appeal to all of you today, design here, solve here, scale for everywhere. India innovates, and the world transforms," the Minister said. Satellite communications today are expanding horizons, taking connectivity from land to sea to space. The Satcom market today, across telecom and broadcasting, which is at close to USD 4 billion, will triple to almost USD 15 billion by 2033. At the heart of this