BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea taps AST SpaceMobile for satellite-powered mobile connectivity across India
AST SpaceMobile will develop, manufacture, and manage the satellite constellation, while Vi will handle terrestrial network integration, spectrum operations, and market access
BUSINESS
Optiemus to make audio IoT devices for global tech brand OnePlus in India
After recently forging a similar relationship with Xiaomi for smartwatches, Optiemus has teamed up with OnePlus to manufacture key IoT offerings, such as True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds and wireless neckbands, at its Noida facility.
BUSINESS
Indian telcos must monetise 5G first, even as 6G research gains momentum: GSMA chief
Indian companies must work with industrial players, system integrators and enterprise customers to develop and roll out new 5G use cases to help them monetise their investments, Vivek Badrinath has said, adding the real value lies in enterprise adoption of 5G
TELECOM
Tata gains ground in Apple’s supply chain as India-made iPhone exports climb in 2025
In May, 89% of all iPhones made in India were shipped to the U.S., up sharply from 58% a year earlier — a clear reflection of Apple’s strategy to bypass steep U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made products
BUSINESS
Sterlite Tech bets big on AI-led data centre boom, eyes $1 billion opportunity globally
India's current data centre capacity is just 1.5 GW but is expected to double to 3GW in five years. STL expects to see growth in the segment as early as the next quarter
BUSINESS
Realme takes India-born P series global after selling 2 million units online
Buoyed by the strong performance of the realme P1, launched in April 2024 and surpassing 1 million online sales, the company is now launching the realme P3 Series globally. The new lineup promises flagship-level performance and features at competitive prices, focusing on young, online-first users.
BUSINESS
Apple sizzling hot in India despite heatwave, to ship 2.8 million iPhones in Q2
Apple’s stellar run continues at a time when the overall smartphone market is expected to decline 3–4 percent in the June quarter, driven by extreme heat in key regions, which are restricting retail foot traffic, coupled with a seasonal slowdown
BUSINESS
Mobile users can switch between postpaid and prepaid faster as DoT cuts cooling-off period
The move is expected to bring added convenience for millions of mobile users who frequently switch between prepaid and postpaid plans depending on their evolving usage patterns
BUSINESS
Xiaomi recalibrates India strategy with premium push following sales slump, kicks off tablet manufacturing: COO
As it seeks to reposition beyond smartphones, Xiaomi is intensifying its focus on the Internet of Things (IoT) segment, which it views as a key profitability driver. According to Mathur, tablets, TVs, and wearables are among the areas of growth in India.
BUSINESS
India building indigenous AI-native telecom technologies to shape global standards; proposes to host ITU PP-30 conference: DoT
Sanjeev K Bidwai, Member (Technology), DoT, said institutions like C-DoT, IITs, and top R&D centres are developing AI-native telecom technologies while actively shaping global standards through bodies such as ITU-T, ITU-R, and 3GPP
TECHNOLOGY
Zoom deepens India push with Zoom Phone launch in four new circles, Contact Center launch
The company has also introduced Zoom Contact Center in India, bringing its cloud-based, AI-first contact-center-as-a-service (CCaaS) platform to local enterprises and multinational corporations.
BUSINESS
American chipmaker AMD in talks with India for GPU push; says $400 million investment on track
Jaya Jagadish, country head and SVP of silicon design engineering, AMD, has stressed on the need to foster local startups, develop indigenous IPs and nurturing India’s engineering talent to capitalise on the chip opportunity
BUSINESS
Airtel awards multi-year nationwide managed services deal to Ericsson
Coming close on the heels of their collaboration on Airtel’s 5G Core, the new agreement will see Ericsson manage Airtel’s pan-India network through its centralized NOC
BUSINESS
Elon Musk’s Starlink gets satcom licence from the telecom department
With this, Starlink becomes the third satcom company to get a GMPCS licence after Eutelsat's OneWeb and Reliance Jio to provide services in the country
BUSINESS
Starlink moves closer to India launch as satcom license likely this month; Kuiper faces longer wait
Once it secures the GMPCS license, SpaceX will need approval from the Indian space regulator, In-SPACe, for authorisation of Starlink’s services. In contrast, its American rival Amazon Kuiper will have to wait longer, as its application is still being processed.
BUSINESS
GSMA chief calls for fair rules as TRAI’s satcom proposals spark concern
Vivek Badrinath’s remarks come as domestic telcos have raised concerns over TRAI’s proposal to charge satellite spectrum at 4% of adjusted gross revenue, calling it non-transparent.
BUSINESS
Bank funding for Vodafone Idea may dry up if there's no AGR relief
While measures such as the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) converting dues into equity and vendor support are encouraging, they aren’t yet enough to make Vodafone Idea an investible bet.
TELECOM
Vodafone Idea in talks with government on AGR relief after Supreme Court setback
The telco incurred a capex of Rs 4,230 crore in the January–March quarter—its highest since the 2018 merger of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular.
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea pushes for tariff hikes, says engaging with lenders for debt funding
The telco confirmed its plans to launch 5G services across 17 telecom circles by August, a move seen as essential to closing the technology gap with competitors
TECHNOLOGY
Ericsson backs India as a telecom manufacturing hub, says Vodafone Idea making serious comeback efforts
A senior executive said Ericsson plans to fully localise the production of passive antennas by June 2025, laying the foundation for increased value addition and exports
BUSINESS
TRAI seeks industry views on microwave spectrum allocation post-Telecom Act overhaul
Stakeholders have until June 25 to send in their inputs, with counter-comments accepted until July 9
TECHNOLOGY
Realme bets big on premium push to grow market share in 2025 amid industry challenges
The Chinese smartphone maker is also leaning on India as a critical market for global expansion, particularly in the premium segment
BUSINESS
Intelsat gets In-SPACe approval to offer direct broadcast services to Indian broadcast media companies
Intelsat said it has signed new deals with three of India’s largest media companies
BUSINESS
Transsion taps India as export hub for Africa, eyes rural 5G market with Tecno brand push
In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, India CEO Talapatra also revealed that the company has set up a dedicated R&D centre in Noida to boost its India operations, with a key focus on scaling the Tecno brand while maintaining profitability.
