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Danish Khan

Editor - Telecoms And Consumer Technology

Moneycontrol

Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 13 years

Satellite spectrum pricing still under discussion; govt bars overseas use of Indian gateways: MoS Telecom

TELECOM

Satellite spectrum pricing still under discussion; govt bars overseas use of Indian gateways: MoS Telecom

Elon Musk’s Starlink was the most recent company to secure a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence from DoT after meeting all security compliance requirements under its letter of intent (LoI)

Any relief to Vodafone Idea must be cleared by Cabinet, PMO, Finance Ministry: MoS Pemmasani

TELECOM

Any relief to Vodafone Idea must be cleared by Cabinet, PMO, Finance Ministry: MoS Pemmasani

Reports suggest DoT has proposed 'multiple relief options' to the PMO, including a fresh two-year moratorium on AGR payments, smaller annual instalments, and waivers on penalties and interest.

C-DoT’s indigenous 5G stack strengthens strategic telecom capabilities: Minister Pemmasani

TECHNOLOGY

C-DoT’s indigenous 5G stack strengthens strategic telecom capabilities: Minister Pemmasani

The minister said the system aided armed forces during Operation Sindoor

Smartphone maker Vivo expands ZEISS partnership under new imaging strategy

BUSINESS

Smartphone maker Vivo expands ZEISS partnership under new imaging strategy

The initiative aims to make R&D in night photography, portraits, telephoto, and video, while expanding into health and cross-device applications.

Vivo enters mixed reality device race with Vision headset

BUSINESS

Vivo enters mixed reality device race with Vision headset

The debut marks a milestone for Vivo, making it the first Chinese smartphone brand to extend into MR hardware. The company said it took four years to develop the device

iPhone exports powered 30 percent surge in India’s smartphone shipment during the first half of 2025

BUSINESS

iPhone exports powered 30 percent surge in India’s smartphone shipment during the first half of 2025

According to Counterpoint Research’s Make in India Service, the US accounted for 54 percent of India’s total smartphone exports in H1CY25, up sharply from 30 percent a year earlier, with Apple alone contributing over three-fourths of the volume.

Vodafone Idea partners with IBM to modernise its IT systems, accelerate digital initiatives

BUSINESS

Vodafone Idea partners with IBM to modernise its IT systems, accelerate digital initiatives

At the centre of the collaboration is an AI Innovation Hub, which will bring together experts from Vi and IBM Consulting to co-create AI solutions, automation tools, and digital accelerators

Smartphone makers seek lowest GST slab to recharge stagnant demand after Centre's reform pitch

COMPANIES

Smartphone makers seek lowest GST slab to recharge stagnant demand after Centre's reform pitch

According to handset makers, the high tax rate has tied up working capital, increased manufacturing costs and eroded India’s global competitiveness

Apple leases office floors in Bengaluru for 10 years in a deal worth Rs 1,010 crore

BUSINESS

Apple leases office floors in Bengaluru for 10 years in a deal worth Rs 1,010 crore

Apple has leased the space for a monthly rent of Rs 6.31 crore, which translates into Rs 235 per square feet per month at Embassy Zenith, Sankey Road at Vasanth Nagar in Bengaluru. As part of the deal, Apple has leased 5th to 13th floor of the building.

Vodafone Idea eyes non-bank funds, urges Centre to settle AGR dues to enable bank’s support by March

BUSINESS

Vodafone Idea eyes non-bank funds, urges Centre to settle AGR dues to enable bank’s support by March

Outgoing CEO Akshaya Moondra's comments come days after Moneycontrol exclusively reported that Vodafone Idea has entered in early discussions with private credit funds including Davidson Kempner, Oaktree and Värde Partners to raise a small tranche of debt.

Telecom sector’s operating profit to rise 12–14% in FY26, ARPU may climb to Rs 225: Crisil

BUSINESS

Telecom sector’s operating profit to rise 12–14% in FY26, ARPU may climb to Rs 225: Crisil

ARPU levels could climb to Rs 220–225 in FY26, up from Rs 205 in FY25, Crisil Ratings’ director Anand Kulkarni has said. The rise will be driven by operators trimming low-data plans and linking 5G access to higher data packs

Mohali-based chip maker CDIL plans power semiconductor push, EVs in focus after nod from Centre

BUSINESS

Mohali-based chip maker CDIL plans power semiconductor push, EVs in focus after nod from Centre

The Mohali-based chipmaker is also preparing for a rapid scale up of its strategic partnership with Germany’s Infineon, and the first devices are expected to roll out within months. This quick ramp up is backed by CDIL’s infrastructure and existing customer approvals across industries.

Vodafone Idea names Abhijit Kishore as CEO amid funding, AGR uncertainty

BUSINESS

Vodafone Idea names Abhijit Kishore as CEO amid funding, AGR uncertainty

Kishore steps into the top role at a critical juncture for the debt-laden telecom operator, which is struggling to secure fresh debt financing amid uncertainty over adjusted gross revenue (AGR) liabilities.

Vodafone Idea banks on govt AGR relief, fundraise to meet future liabilities: Ravinder Takkar

BUSINESS

Vodafone Idea banks on govt AGR relief, fundraise to meet future liabilities: Ravinder Takkar

Vodafone Idea on August 14 reported a net loss of Rs 6,608 crore for Q1 FY26. This is higher than the Rs 6,432 crore net loss reported in Q1 FY25.

Optiemus launches Corning tech powered screen protector brand RhinoTech, targets Rs 2,000 crore revenue by FY27

BUSINESS

Optiemus launches Corning tech powered screen protector brand RhinoTech, targets Rs 2,000 crore revenue by FY27

Optiemus says the RhinoTech launch is not only a push for Make in India but also a strategic revenue driver that positions the company for aggressive growth in the high-demand mobile accessories market.

Vodafone Idea in talks with private credit funds as bank funding remains elusive

BUSINESS

Vodafone Idea in talks with private credit funds as bank funding remains elusive

The struggling telco is in talks with Davidson Kempner, Oaktree and Värde Partners to raise a small tranche of debt

Micromax-owned Bhagwati to manufacture OnePlus premium tablets in India

BUSINESS

Micromax-owned Bhagwati to manufacture OnePlus premium tablets in India

The collaboration will see flagship models like the OnePlus Pad 3 and OnePlus Pad Lite rolling out of BPL’s Greater Noida facility

India smartphone market sees modest recovery in 1H25; Apple, Vivo lead growth

BUSINESS

India smartphone market sees modest recovery in 1H25; Apple, Vivo lead growth

Apple’s shipments jumped 21.5% YoY to 5.9 million units in 1H25, with the iPhone 16 emerging as India’s top-selling model, contributing 4% of overall shipments.

Private telcos raise red flag on direct enterprise spectrum allocation; warn of security threats, revenue loss

BUSINESS

Private telcos raise red flag on direct enterprise spectrum allocation; warn of security threats, revenue loss

COAI said global comparisons with countries like the US, Finland, Germany, and the UK were misleading, as private networks in those markets are typically located in remote or underserved areas.

India's easing China tensions smoothen road to electronics JVs in local manufacturing push

INDIA

India's easing China tensions smoothen road to electronics JVs in local manufacturing push

Experts believes such partnerships are critical to scaling up domestic manufacturing in certain sectors

iPhone component maker Murata begins India production with advanced capacitor facility in Tamil Nadu

BUSINESS

iPhone component maker Murata begins India production with advanced capacitor facility in Tamil Nadu

The new unit marks Murata’s manufacturing debut in India and is a part of its broader push to diversify production beyond Japan.

Amber in talks with PE firms to raise funds for EMS subsidiary ILJIN, eyes new  acquisitions, says CEO Singh

BUSINESS

Amber in talks with PE firms to raise funds for EMS subsidiary ILJIN, eyes new acquisitions, says CEO Singh

The company is also open to acquisitions for new verticals, Jasbir Singh has said. Amber is eyeing a 9% share in the PCB market with the help of the new Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) and plans to set up India's largest plant in Jewar

India’s electronics exports surge 47% in Q1 FY26, smartphones lead the charge

TELECOM

India’s electronics exports surge 47% in Q1 FY26, smartphones lead the charge

ICEA has projected electronics exports to reach $46–50 billion by the end of FY26, building on the momentum from FY24 and FY25, when exports stood at $29.1 billion and $38.6 billion, respectively.

Airtel awaiting govt response on AGR relief, expects fair treatment: MD Gopal Vittal

BUSINESS

Airtel awaiting govt response on AGR relief, expects fair treatment: MD Gopal Vittal

On the broader issue of mobile tariffs, Vittal flagged that India’s average revenue per user (ARPU) and data rates per GB remain among the lowest globally, even compared to countries with lower per capita income.

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