Telecom Sector

Vodafone Idea confident of raising funds from SBI-led consortium: CEO

Vodafone Idea expects to close talks with an SBI-led consortium soon after promoter equity infusion and AGR relief improved its financial position

Bharti Airtel Q4 profit falls 33.5% despite strong revenue growth

Telecom major reports strong revenue growth and higher ARPU, while profits decline amid a high base and continued network investments

Bharti Airtel approves ₹28,200 cr share-swap to raise Airtel Africa stake

Bharti Airtel will issue shares to promoter group firm ICIL in a cashless transaction that strengthens its indirect holding in Airtel Africa

Best of BS Opinion: Vodafone must quickly raise capital, improve services

From Vodafone Idea's financial struggles and Bengal's political tensions to oil market reactions during the Iran conflict, here are the top opinions of the day

Hope for Vodafone Idea: The telco must quickly raise capital

The government has supported Vi in many ways so that the sector does not slip into a duopoly

AGR relief eases Vodafone Idea pressure, spectrum debt concerns remain

Reduction in AGR dues may improve Vodafone Idea's ability to raise funds, but rising spectrum payment obligations from FY27 remain a key concern for analysts

Call for a basic plan: Telcos must also offer non-data plans for users

Trai pushes telcos to offer cheaper voice-SMS plans, aiming to improve affordability and digital inclusion amid rising concerns over pricing and limited competition

Reform-linked capex loans to states tied to RoW for telco towers

In the budget for the year 2026-27 outlay for SASCI scheme was enhanced from Rs 1.44 trillion in the revised estimate for FY2026 to Rs 2 trillion

Rising costs, Iran war: Telcos may face dual headwinds in coming quarters

Rising smartphone prices and weaker travel demand may slow 2G upgrades and hit roaming revenues, posing near-term challenges for Indian telcos

Bharti Airtel gain subscribers; Vodafone Idea continues to trail

Jio, on the other hand, continues to remain as the largest carrier and additions may not appear high due to the base effect

India's telecom imports from China rose to $6.37 billion in FY24: Govt

India's imports of telecom instruments from China climbed to USD 6,371 million (about Rs 59,500 crore) in 2023-24, up from USD 5,553 million in 2019-20, Parliament was informed on Wednesday. Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, in a written reply to Lok Sabha, said that total imports in the telecom instruments category rose from USD 13,333 million in 2019-20 to USD 17,010 million in 2023-24. "The imports under the principal commodity 'telecom instruments' have increased from USD 13,333 million in 2019-20 to 17,010 million in 2023-24. Further, the import from China during the period has increased from USD 5,553 million to 6,371 million," the minister said. To boost domestic manufacturing of telecom instruments, he said the government has introduced the Public Procurement order to give preference in government procurement for goods and services which meet the minimum domestic value addition criteria. He also noted the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme

Trai imposes graded penalties for failure to file tariffs in time

Trai tightens compliance norms with graded penalties and interest for delays in tariff reporting by telecom service providers

Telecom sector braces for higher expenses as diesel price increases

Tower firms rely on diesel generators to power sites in non-grid remote, rural areas

No plan to privatise BSNL, says Jyotiraditya Scindia in Lok Sabha

Communications minister says BSNL will remain a public enterprise, highlights subscriber growth and progress in 4G rollout

Telecom industry to need additional ARPU of ₹35-40 to get 15% ROCE: Ind-Ra

Ind-Ra says telcos need a Rs 35-40 ARPU increase to achieve 15% ROCE, indicating another round of tariff hikes even as profitability improves and capex intensity falls across the sector

₹45K cr capex plan may not help Vodafone Idea gain market share: Analysts

HSBC says Vodafone Idea's Rs 45,000 crore capex plan will not help it gain market share as Jio and Airtel outspend it significantly; tariff hikes and cash flow gains remain critical

Allow telcos to offer connectivity: DoT to Noida International Airport

DoT has asked Noida International Airport to allow telcos to set up networks under the Telecommunications Act 2023, marking its second such intervention after Navi Mumbai airport

Indian operators well placed as early adopters of AI in networks: Ekudden

India's rapid 5G rollout is powering early AI adoption in telecom networks, giving local operators a global edge in performance, efficiency and innovation

Bharti Airtel yet to hear from DoT on parity of AGR dues with Vodafone Idea

Airtel has sought parity with Vodafone Idea on AGR dues reassessment and says it has written multiple times to the DoT, while outlining its plans on data centres, ARPU growth and 5G strategy

India's telecom exports to gain competitive advantage from US trade deal

Reciprocal tariffs cut to 18% under the India-US trade deal are expected to improve margins and competitiveness for Indian telecom equipment and optic fibre makers