BUSINESS
Wearable brand Boult tracking rival BoAt’s IPO after a solid year, backs duty barrier against Chinese dumping
India’s second-largest audio gear maker is on track to close the fiscal with a 33% revenue growth, and is closely following rival BoAt’s IPO plans. Boult will now expand into newer categories and is willing back efforts to counter China’s dumping of products into India.
BUSINESS
iPhone 16E joins Apple’s ‘Made in India’ lineup for local sales and exports
With this move, Apple has now localized production for its entire iPhone 16 series. The company has already been manufacturing previous models, including the base versions of the iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone 13, through its contract partners in India.
BUSINESS
DoT orders social media platforms to remove content that promotes telecom ID fraud
The DoT advisory follows reports of social media influencers demonstrating how to alter their calling line identification (CLI) when making calls, causing the recipient to see a different number.
TECHNOLOGY
TVs to get costlier as falling rupee, high input costs take a toll on manufacturers
Industry watchers said that several other smaller brands, currently grappling with market challenges stemming from a slowdown in demand and increasing margin pressure, are also contemplating price hikes to avoid losses. They may take a decision by next month.
BUSINESS
Made-in-India iPhones have the loudest ring with FY25 export set to hit Rs 1.80 lakh crore
Mobile phones remain the most significant driver of India’s electronics exports, with the US emerging as a key market. ICEA Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo said smartphones are on track to become India’s top export commodity for the first time ever.
BUSINESS
Production at Sriperumbudur factory remains uninterrupted, says Samsung amid escalating labour strike
A company source acknowledged that production initially dipped when the protest began but has since returned to normal
BUSINESS
AGR case explained: SC’s final call and what it means for Vodafone Idea, Airtel
With the dismissal of the review petitions, telecom companies have exhausted their legal options to challenge the AGR dues. Although a curative petition could still be filed, its chances of success are minimal. Hence, operators are now seeking a new relief package from the government.
BUSINESS
Telcos slam TRAI’s new spam rules, question exclusion of WhatsApp, other OTTs and telemarketers
Telecom companies have flagged the hike in penalties, saying telemarketers are the true originators and beneficiaries of unsolicited commercial communications and they are the one who should be held accountable
BUSINESS
SC junks final AGR plea: With all legal options closed, govt relief now telcos’ only hope
Now, telcos have no other option but to rely on the government for another relief package. Moneycontrol reported on January 18 that the government is considering proposals to relax AGR dues, which could significantly reduce the financial burden on telcos
BUSINESS
BSNL posts Rs 262 crore profit in Q3, marking its first profit since 2007
This Rs 262-crore profit underscores BSNL’s resurgence and long-term sustainability, says A. Robert J. Ravi, CMD, BSNL
BUSINESS
Samsung bets on budget 5G smartphones to reclaim market share from Chinese rivals
Tapping the sub-Rs 10,000 5G segment can help Samsung capture an additional 3-5% of the market share after losing substantial volume and in the face of aggressive pricing of Chinese rivals
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
