Page 5 - Telecom Sector

Telcos block 20 global carriers allowing spoofed calls to reach India

DoT has asked telcos to flash 'international calls' on all calls originating abroad

Budget 2025: Telcos bat for cut in levies, LTGs contribution in USO fund

The telecom services industry has batted for the abolition of levies and extension of carry forward of business losses to 16 years in its Budget wishlist, and argued that large traffic generators (LTG) should contribute to USO Fund/Digital Bharat Nidhi Fund. It has pitched for a cut in licence fee, and suggested that the definition of gross revenue (GR) be made more precise by stipulating that the revenue from activities that requires no licence, would not be a part of it. The suggestions are aimed at enhancing the financial stability of the telecom sector, COAI said in its recommendations. "Considering the huge capital that Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have to invest in the current scenario, especially for the deployment of 5G, COAI recommends that the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) levy be abolished. Alternatively, the government may consider the suspension of the USO contribution of 5 per cent of AGR, till the existing USO corpus of over Rs 86,000 crore is exhausted

Union Budget 2025-26: Here are the key challenges in the telecom sector

Digital ecosystem growth is facing the increasing risk of cyberattacks on consumers and enterprises alike

DoT launches fraud reporting Sanchar Saathi mobile app: What is it

Originally launched in May 2023, the Sanchar Saathi portal allows users to directly flag such incidents from their call logs

Reliance Jio Q3FY25 results: Net profit jumps 24% to Rs 6,477 crore

Reliance Jio, India's largest telecom operator, on Thursday reported a 24 per cent jump in its October-December quarter net profit as average per-user revenue rose largely due to tariff hike. Its standalone net profit of Rs 6,477 crore in October-December 2024 compared to Rs 5,208 crore in the same period a year back and Rs 6,231 crore in the preceding July-September 2024 quarter, according to a stock exchange filing by the company. Jio's revenue from operations was up at Rs 29,307 crore from Rs 25,368 crore in October-December 2023.

Time for telcos to reap gains from tariff hike: EY's Prashant Singhal

Reduction in levies and tariff hikes are required for telecom operators in the country to reap the benefit of investments they have made in digital infrastructure, according to experts in the sector. Private operators have invested around Rs 70,000 crore in telecom infrastructure and radiowave assets this year to expand the coverage of next-generation 5G services in 2024 for the sector. However, the challenge is to keep 180 million 2G customers connected and encourage them to move to 4G for inclusive growth. "Telecom sector levies need to be rationalised, India is the highest on levies and still one of the lowest on tariffs. Innovation in tariff structure may come in with high usage customers paying more and entry level data users still at similar rates," EY India Markets and Telecom leader Prashant Singhal said. He said that India still had over 18 crore 2G customers who need to move to the 4G bandwagon in 2025 may see that happening. "The investments made by telecom companies

No disruption on Day 1 of mandatory message traceability: Trai officials

90% of businesses accounting for the majority of commercial traffic have registered, telcos say

Banks compliant with Trai's new regulations on message traceability

According to senior public sector bank executives, all the mobile phone numbers are white-labelled for call centres, and compliances are in place as far as large commercial banks are concerned

Tariff hikes, consolidation may lead to further gains for telecom players

Industry likely to benefit further as full gains from tariff hikes seen over next two quarters; consolidation may lead to further increases

Britain approves $19 billion merger between Vodafone UK, Three mobile

Vodafone and Three have committed to spend $14 billion to build a better 5G network that will serve 50 million customers, including the subscribers of Vodafone's network partner Virgin Media O2

UK's Vodafone Group to sell remaining 3% stake in India's Indus Towers

Post this, Vodafone's stake in Indus Towers will fall below 1 per cent. Before this transaction Vodafone had 82.5 million shares or 3.1 per cent stake in Indus Towers

AT&T targets $18 bn in free cash flow by 2027, driven by 5G, fiber growth

The wireless carrier aims to double its fiber internet availability and enhance its 5G network, offering customers bundled discounts on high-speed fiber data and wireless phone services

Govt's nod for bank guarantee waiver will reduce telcos' burden: COAI

Industry body COAI on Tuesday said the Cabinet nod for bank guarantee waiver for past spectrum purchases is a "landmark decision" that would help reduce financial burden on telecom operators in the country. The association - whose members include Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio - further said the move will enhance cash flow, free up capital and enable capital investments in network expansion and technology upgrades. This, COAI said, will ensure a stronger and robust rollout of telecom networks in the future. "COAI welcomes the Union Cabinet's move and thanks the Government on approving the waiving of bank guarantee for telecom operators on spectrum purchased before 2022. This landmark decision will significantly help reduce the financial burden on the telecom operators in the country," SP Kochhar, Director General of COAI said in a statement. The Union Cabinet has waived the requirement to submit bank guarantees for spectrum purchased through auctions held before 2022

Vi Q2 results: Net loss narrows to Rs.7,175 crores, Arpu at Rs 156

4G subscriber base falls after 11 quarters, overall user base shrinks 5 million

Companies may require fresh licence for providing satcom services in India

Existing licence-holding satcom players unsure whether new authorisation would be automatic

Protect key frequency bands used for satellite communications: Industry

The satellite-communication industry has urged the government to protect the key frequency bands used by them, particularly the Ka and Ku bands, from being allocated to terrestrial services. The Satcom Industry Association of India has also asked the government to reserve the 27.5-28.5 GHz band exclusively for satellite services, instead of transferring it to IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) for flexible use, in line with global practices. "Any reduction in satellite bandwidth will not only double the gateway requirements but also increase operational costs for satellite operators, ultimately affecting end-users. We must prioritise the preservation of these frequency bands for satellite-communication services to avoid unnecessary financial burdens," Subba Rao Pavuluri, president, SIA-India, said in a statement. The industry body has also proposed specific frequency ranges in the Ku and Ka bands for the NGSO-based Fixed Satellite Services (FSS). SIA-India represents maj

Telcos warn on OTP disruptions as Trai's new traceability rules begin Nov 1

Trai's new mandate, set to take effect on November 1, would require traceability of messages sent by principal entities, including banks, e-commerce platforms, and financial institutions

Setting the dial to 2030, Bharat 6G Alliance seeks PLI scheme extension

Focus on a 10x jump in patents to lead the 6G wave

Indus Towers Q2FY25 results: Net profit increases 72% to Rs 2,224 cr

Telecom infrastructure company Indus Towers on Tuesday reported a 71.7 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 2,224 crore for the September 2024 quarter. Notably, Q2 FY25 had a write-back of Rs 1,077 crore in provision for doubtful receivables, aided by collections against past overdue, the company said in its earnings release. For the just-ended quarter, the consolidated revenues stood at Rs 7,465 crore, 4.7 per cent higher than the year-ago period. "Our operational performance reflects sustained demand for network expansion and our endeavour towards securing a larger share of our customers' rollouts. This continues to drive our financial performance, aided by steady collection of past overdue from a major customer," Prachur Sah, Managing Director and CEO of Indus Towers, said. Sah noted that given a healthy cash generation, the company had rewarded its shareholders through buyback during the quarter. "We expect the performance to continue in the wake of netw

Trai releases consultation paper on T&C of network authorisations

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday floated a discussion paper on terms and conditions of network authorisations to be granted under the Telecom Act, 2023. DoT had approached TRAI, through a letter dated July 26, 2024, asking it to provide recommendations on terms and conditions, including fees or charges, for authorisation to establish, operate, maintain or expand telecommunication network as per the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. Subsequently, through another letter dated October 17, 2024, DoT requested TRAI to consider an authorisation for satellite communication network under Telecommunications Act, 2023. "In this regard, a consultation paper on 'the Terms and Conditions of Network Authorisations to be Granted Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023' has been placed on the TRAI's website (www.trai.gov.in) for seeking comments/ counter comments from stakeholders," it said. Stakeholders have been asked to submit written comments and counter