Page 8 - Telecom Services

Finance Ministry cold to Bharti Airtel plea on dues-to-equity switch

If Airtel's request is accepted, the government would have 2 to 4 per cent equity in the telco

Connectivity is a constitutional duty, not commodity: Scindia to telcos

Telecom service providers must rethink providing connectivity not as a commodity but as a constitutional commitment keeping in mind key factors like affordability, availability, accessibility with blazing data speeds, Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Tuesday. While speaking at an event organised by internet service providers body ISPAI and government-backed Nixi, the minister said five days ago India has moved from being the 5th largest economy in the world to become the 4th largest, and he takes pride in representing telecom which is growing at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14 to 16 per cent as well as with the CAGR of 12-13 per cent in northeast. "You are the engineers of equity. You are the builders of bridges. And you are the keepers of the digital flame of India. Reimagine connectivity not necessarily as a commodity but a constitutional commitment," the minister said. He asked telecom operators and internet service providers (ISP) to follow six foundational .

Revenue-share model 2.0: Levy USO-like fee on OTTs, telcos tell DoT

LTGs take up a significant portion of the network bandwidth, the carriers claimed previously, while asking them to give a share of their revenues towards the infrastructure spend

India may soon get satellite data plans priced below ₹840 per month

Starlink and other satcom firms may launch services in India with unlimited data plans priced under ₹840/month, aiming rapid user growth despite high spectrum and licence fees

43% of Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio smartphone users have shifted to 5G

43% of total smartphone users of Reliance Jio and Airtel have already jumped on the bandwagon

Tata group telecom services provider share zooms 28% in 2 days; here's why

Tata Sons Ltd, the holding company of the Tata Group, may be forced to infuse fresh capital into its loss-making telecom arm, Tata Teleservices.

42% WhatsApp users got job scam messages asking for payment, finds survey

A LocalCircles survey reveals 42% of WhatsApp users in India received fake job offers demanding payment. The report highlights rising impersonation and fraud cases across the messaging platform

TCS gets Rs 2,903 crore BSNL order for 4G rollout at 18,685 sites

BSNL places Rs 2,903 crore APO with TCS for planning and maintenance of 4G network; Tejas Networks to supply RAN equipment worth Rs 1,525 crore

Freeing up 6GHz band to hurt 5G expansion, telecom operators may tell DoT

Telecom firms plan to oppose DoT's draft rules delicensing lower 6 GHz band, saying it will hamper 5G rollout and cost-effective mid-band spectrum deployment

Fixed wireless access gets strong signal in India's rural heartland

Jio had about 44% of its subscriber base in rural parts by March

India will see fastest satcom rollout, says Jyotiraditya Scindia

Minister says India's satcom market will grow from $2.3 billion to $20 billion by 2028 as Starlink awaits final clearance and QoS becomes key focus for telcos

Voda-Idea hits 52-wk low; falls 12% in 2 days as SC dismisses AGR dues plea

Vodafone Idea said that the Hon'ble Supreme Court refused to admit the Writ Petition filed by the company, seeking appropriate relief in the AGR matter.

Telcos cry foul over Trai's 'complement, not compete' satellite stand

These conclusions were part of Trai's recommendation on pricing of spectrum for satellite services to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), released a few days ago

Centre delicenses lower 6 GHz band; boost for Wi-Fi 6E and 7 networks

The largest unused spectrum block so far, 6 GHz has seen a tug-of-war between telecom and Wi-Fi operators; the Centre's move favours broadband and low-power devices

After Vodafone Idea, Airtel files plea in Supreme Court over AGR dues

Bharti Airtel and Bharti Hexacom have moved the Supreme Court seeking relief from AGR dues, following Vodafone Idea's plea. The telcos warn of financial strain without a waiver on interest & penalties

Telecom sector sees strong fresher hiring intent for 1st half of 2025: Rpt

The Indian telecom sector is seeing stable workforce demand, with 45 per cent of companies surveyed indicating fresher hiring intent for the first half of 2025, according to a latest report. The TeamLease EdTech Career Outlook Report (January-June 2025), which surveyed 649 companies across India, revealed that telecom remains a significant employment generator as the sector transitions to 5G networks, cloud-native architecture, and enhanced cyber resilience. The telecom roles are blending with IT and data functions, creating hybrid job profiles that didn't exist a few years ago, the report noted. While the sector witnessed a marginal decline from the 48 per cent freshers hiring intent reported in the previous half-year (July-December 2024), the momentum remains robust, driven by demand for specialised roles. "As the world marks World Telecom Day, the Indian telecom sector continues its stable trajectory in workforce demand, with 45 per cent freshers hiring intent projected for the

Finance ministry considers 10% duty on key telecom gear amid tax disputes

Plans new product classification for items at heart of Samsung, Nokia cases

India among top six nations in global 6G patent filings: MoS Telecom

With over 111 projects funded to the tune of Rs 300 crore, MoS Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani says 6G has the potential for an economic impact worth $1 trillion

4% of AGR as spectrum charge: Trai paves way for satellite internet

TRAI recommends 4 per cent AGR-based SUC for satcom, Rs 3,500 per MHz fee, no auctions, and exemptions for rural users to promote affordability and competition

Telcos boost vigilance, network readiness to ensure seamless connectivity

Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, Indian telecom operators have taken immediate measures to ensure uninterrupted connectivity, including intra-circle roaming arrangements and setting up of control centres for constant vigil, as well as diesel stock-up for telecom towers. The telecom department held a meeting with operators earlier this week, and asked telcos to establish national-level control centres and ensure network continuity and close coordination at all times. Sources said the meeting took place on May 7, and all telcos offered their full commitment to the government in immediately activating measures including round-the-clock monitoring of networks, in light of the prevailing situation. The telecom department on the same day issued an office memo detailing the measures. Telcos were asked to share details of their nodal officers in charge of control centres, and ensure roaming arrangements work smoothly so customers have 24/7 connectivity. They were also .