BUSINESS
Nokia, Qualcomm bag 5G Fixed Wireless Access devices deal from Airtel
The latest annoucment follows a recent "multi-year, multi-billion extension deal" between Airtel and Nokia to deploy 4G and 5G equipment across key Indian cities and states. Nokia's European rival Ericsson also won a similar deal from Airtel late last year.
BUSINESS
DoT demands Rs 6,090 crore bank guarantee from Vodafone Idea
This bank guarantee is meant to cover a one-time shortfall in payments for spectrum acquired after 2015.
BUSINESS
TRAI announces major overhaul of regulations to battle unwanted calls and messages; to penalise telcos
In a bid to curb telemarketing abuse, TRAI has prohibited the use of standard 10-digit numbers for promotional calls.
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea CEO confident of AGR solution, resumes debt-funding talks with banks
Vodafone Idea, says Akshaya Moondra, has restarted discussions with banks for debt-funding but banks are also looking at some clarity on the AGR front and final position of the government.
BUSINESS
TWS face-off: Rapid growth of Chinese brands challenges dominance of Indian giants like boAt
Chinese smartphone brands will continue to grow rapidly in 2025, further eroding the market share of Indian brands, say analysts. Their focus on quality, price and omnichannel networks will come in handy
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea to roll out 5G in Mumbai by March, with Delhi, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Patna set for April launch
During the third quarter, Vodafone Idea said it rapidly expanded our 4G coverage and capacity during this year. In the last nine months, the telco increased our 4G population coverage by ~41 million, reaching 1.07 billion by the end of Dec'24 compared to 1.03 billion in Mar'24.
BUSINESS
China's export curbs: Hi-tech machinery supply issue for electronics factories getting better after MEA’s intervention
The MEA remains in continuous discussions with its Chinese counterparts, and the issue is being resolved, making it unlikely to impact the expansion plans of major players like Apple, Foxconn, and Lenovo, sources said
BUSINESS
Electronics industry must export more to be globally competitive: MeitY secretary
For Indian manufacturers, tie-ups with Chinese firms are crucial at this stage to develop a resilient world-class supply chain before striking out on their own, S Krishnan has said
BUSINESS
Bharti Airtel to cut capex; wants further tariff adjustments: Gopal Vittal
Vice-Chairman and MD Gopal Vittal said the telco's annual capex spending will see a sharp moderation in FY25 and FY26 versus the record Rs 33,000 crore spending scaled in FY24
BUSINESS
Bharti Airtel will not be an early mover in GPU as a service space, says Gopal Vittal
Jio Platforms, Tata Communications, E2E Networks, Ctrls Datacenters and Yotta Data Services are among those offering the service under the IndiaAI mission
BUSINESS
RBI's first rate cut in five years may boost demand for smartphones, electronic goods
Lower interest rates on personal loans and credit cards will likely encourage spending on high-value items like smartphones, laptops, and televisions.
BUSINESS
India’s 5G growth: Trai backs auctioning more spectrum in key mmWave bands
On February 4, TRAI proposed auctioning spectrum in the 37-37.5 GHz and 37.5-40 GHz frequency bands while excluding the 42.5-43.5 GHz range due to the lack of a supporting device ecosystem.
BUSINESS
Smartphone makers hop on quick commerce bandwagon amid offline retailer pushback
Offline mobile retailers are resisting this shift, arguing that quick commerce undermines the traditional retail ecosystem and fuels the grey market
BUSINESS
Retailers urge Vivo to rethink Zepto tie-up, warn of market disruption
AIMRA, representing 1.5 lakh retailers, has said quick commerce does not add value but disrupts the retail network. Short-term sales tactics can destabilise long-term retail relationships, it has said
BUSINESS
China's Oppo, facing pressure to sign up with an Indian partner, outsources some production to Bhagwati-Huaqin JV
Oppo remains in talks with several Indian Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) players for a Dixon/Vivo-like partnership, but has started producing smartphones via the Bhagwati-Huaqin joint venture at the Greater Noida factory, previously operated by Vivo, Moneycontrol has learnt.
BUSINESS
Trump tariffs: Made-in-India Apple iPhone exports set to surge as India’s electronics sector gears up for major growth
In the Trump era, India's policymakers will have to be nimble, should try for broader trade agreements with the US and at home, the government must takes steps to make India a competitive global player, say experts
BUSINESS
Duty reduction on carrier-grade Ethernet switches to reduce litigations, catalyse 5G investments
An Ethernet switch connects wired devices to the Internet. Switches are extensively deployed in enterprise, private, and telecom operators' networks.
BUSINESS
India's telecom revenue projected to plunge 33% in FY26: Budget 2025 documents
The higher revenue in FY25 is attributed to spectrum allocations to BSNL and the Railways, substantial advance payments from Bharti Airtel for past spectrum auctions, and proceeds from the second 5G spectrum sale. A portion of the Rs 11,340.78 crore raised from this 5G auction was also included in FY25's revenue.
BUSINESS
New duty structure for Interactive Flat Panel display to create Rs 10,000-cr mkt; to help Dixon's display plans
Dixon will invest in an assembly line of interactive flat-panel display TVs and parts, and the production will start in collaboration by September this year.
BUSINESS
No smartphone price cuts likely despite duty reduction on components in Budget 2025
According to the Union Budget document released on February 1, the government is reducing BCD from 2.5% to nil on sub-parts used in the manufacturing of PCBAs, camera modules, connectors, wired headsets, microphones and receivers, USB cables, and fingerprint readers/scanners for mobile phones.
BUSINESS
No income tax till Rs 12 lakh under New Tax Regime to drive demand for smartphones, laptops
In a major boost for the middle class, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a massive taxation reform in Union Budget FY26 today. In the Part B announcements, Sitharaman said that there will be no income tax up to Rs 12 lakh per annum under New Tax Regime.
BUSINESS
C-DOT reducing dependency on foreign telecom technologies: Economic Survey
The C-DOT has been instrumental in developing indigenous 4G and 5G core solutions, reducing reliance on global vendors and helping reduce telecom imports
BUSINESS
India's electronics market largely assembly-focused; represents just 4% of the global share: Economic Survey
India has drastically reduced dependence on smartphone imports, with 99 percent now manufactured at home. In FY24, the country produced approximately 33 crore mobile phone units
BUSINESS
Economic Survey 2025: Indians biggest data consumers making the most of world's cheapest rates
India has become the second-largest telecommunications market globally, with more than 1.18 billion telephone subscribers and 941 million broadband, as of October 31
