Page 31 - Telecom Sector

Tariffs still very low, pricing revival critical for telecom sector: Birla

Telecom tariffs are "still very low" and pricing revival is critical for the long-term growth of the sector, Vodafone Idea Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said on Wednesday. Addressing Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) shareholders at the company's Annual General Meeting, Birla said the telecom industry had witnessed the first round of tariff hikes by all operators in December 2019. "However, tariffs are still very low and therefore pricing revival is critical for the long-term growth of the sector," he said. The Average Revenue Per User (ARPUs) in the Indian market continue to remain the lowest in the world, while data consumption is among the highest globally. "The verdict on the long-pending industry issue of Adjusted Gross Revenue or AGR also added to the financial woes of telecom operators... Efforts from the Government of India to soften the financial burden by recommending payment through instalments has now been upheld by the Supreme Court," Birla said. In a stock exchange filing, ...

Pharma secy P D Vaghela to take over as new Trai chairman from R S Sharma

The Gujarat-cadre IAS officer has also served in the state as commissioner of commercial tax. He was also instrumental in bringing GST in 2017

Looking forward to work with new TRAI chief for telecom growth: COAI

Industry body COAI on Monday said it looks forward to working with new TRAI chairman P D Vaghela, as it sought continued support of the telecom regulator

Telcos ask govt to auction E&V spectrum bands instead of de-licensing them

Spectrum in E&V bands can be utilised for both high-capacity access spectrum for voice and data services as well as backhaul link spectrum.

Not possible to please everyone, not in a popularity contest: Trai's Sharma

Like every other industry, telecom also has demand and supply side aspects to be taken into consideration, said Sharma

Senior bureaucrat P D Vaghela appointed TRAI chairman, says DoPT

Vaghela, a 1986-batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre, is currently Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals

Voda-Idea shares jump 14% after arbitration case win; m-cap at Rs 29,769 cr

The stock jumped 13.60 per cent to close at Rs 10.36 on the BSE. During the day, it zoomed 14.91 per cent to Rs 10.48.

No need for 5G trials in India to test the technology, says Nokia

Nokia's stance is markedly different from the leading telecom company, Reliance Jio.

Top headlines: Harley-Davidson exits India, S&P on Indian banking system

From BSE 500 index underperforming since March, GAIL cutting supplies after fire at ONGC plant to S&P on banking system recovery, Business Standard brings you top news of the evening

Delhi HC asks TRAI to take action against those not complying with norms

The court noted that TRAI's counsel has shown some definitions of provisions but said they are of no use if no action is to be taken by the telecom regulator after issuance of show cause notices.

BSNL raises over Rs 8,500 crore through sovereign guarantee bonds

BSNL received a total of 229 bids valued at Rs 17,183 crore

France's Iliad makes $4.2 billion bid for Polish telecom firm Play

Iliad, which has already agreed to buy 40% of Play from two shareholders, said it had now bid for all of the operator at 39 zlotys per share, a 38.8% premium to Play's Friday close

TRAI issues rules for clear communication of tariff plans, terms by telcos

TRAI issued a fresh set of rules for publication and advertisement of tariff plans by telcos, in a bid to boost transparency in mobile offers and to help subscribers make informed decisions

Trai decision on OTT services a forward-looking approach: Broadband group

TRAI's decision to not regulate OTT services is a forward-looking approach in interest of the consumers and will aid the progress of the sector, BIF said

Raising broadband quality, speed requires holistic approach: Trai official

Raising quality and speed of broadband for better experience involves a multi-pronged approach, and Trai has made suggestions including strengthening of infrastructure, proliferation of WiFi hotspots

Data consumption, gentle price hikes to drive telecom sector growth: Report

Rising data consumption and "gentle" price hikes are expected to drive ARPU recovery, while access to high-speed internet will be industry growth catalysts, according to a report

Vodafone Idea's new brand identity "Vi"; Tariff hike on cards

The telco has till now been advertising the two brands separately

Vi is We: Two yrs after merger Voda Idea integrates to create new identity

The relaunch, coming two years after the August 2018 merger of Vodafone and Idea Cellular, is to have a combined brand identity and advertising around it

Vodafone Idea to make major strategic announcement today, rebranding likely

Vodafone Idea is owned by Vodafone plc and the Aditya Birla group (ABG)

Vodafone decides to stick with no-equity plan after decade of washout

UK telecom giant has invested over $16.4 billion in the country, but hardly made any returns for its UK shareholders