BUSINESS
Delays in BSNL’s 4G network rollout hinder India's plans to export 4G, 5G tech
The government’s plan to introduce local telecom technology by the second half of 2024 has been delayed due to equipment supply and deployment issues
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea not engaged with govt on any stake offload plans: CEO Akshaya Moondra
Vodafone Idea’s payment obligations to the government stood at Rs 2,09 lakh crore as of June 30, including deferred spectrum payment obligations of Rs 1.39 lakh crore and AGR liability of Rs 70,320 crore
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea losing subscribers to BSNL after tariff hike; company expects customers to return soon: Akshaya Moondra, CEO
Within 15 days of tariff hikes, 250,000 customers have ported to BSNL from private telcos, especially Vodafone Idea
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea to finalise 4G, 5G contracts with Nokia, others in a month, says CEO Akshaya Moondra
A part of the 5G network, along with the broader 4G expansion, will be deployed immediately in areas or circles where consumers are using 5G smartphones
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea begins 4G network expansion; says current Capex needs being met out of equity funds
For the 4G expansion, the telco is working with European telecom equipment vendors – Ericsson and Nokia
TECHNOLOGY
Made-in-India Pixel smartphones start rolling out in the country
Google is looking to scale up its Pixel smartphone business in India in order to capitalise on the rising demand for premium smartphones among consumers
BUSINESS
Bharti Group ready for big UK play with BT stake purchase, say analysts
Bharti is exploring an investment opportunity, leveraging its reasonable cash reserves following the 5G rollout in India and improving financials, analysts say
BUSINESS
BSNL 5G network to go live within 6-8 months of achieving March 2025 4G rollout target: Sources
BSNL has deployed 15,000 4G towers across circles such as Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, UP West, and Haryana and plans to increase this number to 80,000 by the end of October.
BUSINESS
Apple’s satcom services partner Globalstar plans India foray
Globalstar Inc. provides emergency SOS services on Apple's iPhones. In 2023, Apple introduced satellite-based SOS services, powered by Globalstar's LEO satellite network, to its iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15, and iPhone 15 Pro. This allows users to access emergency SOS services via satellite in exceptional circumstances where they are off-grid without mobile or Wi-Fi coverage.
BUSINESS
Centre won’t go all out to save MTNL, will honour existing commitments
While, the government will honour all dues arising out of payment of interest on MTNL bonds, it is unlikely to facilitate any other measures to aid the recovery of the beleaguered telecom firm.
BUSINESS
Government welcomes FDI in auto sector, including from China, says Hanif Qureshi
Heavy industries additional secretary Hanif Qureshi says the FAME3 outlay has not been finalised as the ministry is gathering views from various quarters of the automobile industry
BUSINESS
Dixon in advanced joint venture talks with electronics component companies: Atul Lall, MD
The top executive added that the company is in "deep dialogues" with potential partners and is looking to strengthen the relationship through a financial joint venture for other modules.
BUSINESS
Airtel may find postpaid, rural markets, 5G fixed wireless as next growth levers: Analysts
Analysts say Bharti Airtel has sharpened its go-to-market strategy for 5G Fixed Wireless Access to complement its fiber broadband service in the country. This is aimed at growing its home broadband business.
BUSINESS
Jio consistently gained market share in enterprise connectivity; signed marquee deals for digital services: RIL
India’s top telecom operator is aggressively increasing its presence across key industry verticals like BFSI, Government, and Manufacturing, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) said in its annual report for 2023-24, released on August 7.
BUSINESS
Reliance Jio turned 'data dark' India into a data rich nation: Mukesh Ambani
RIL, through its subsidiaries like Jio Platforms and Reliance Jio, is also making concerted efforts to build capabilities in evolving technologies such as AI/ML, AR/VR, robotics, and natural language recognition and processing.
BUSINESS
Jio plans to take indigenously developed telecom technologies to the world: RIL
Jio Platforms and its subsidiaries have filed for 1,255 patents and granted 144 in FY2023-24. The cumulative count of patents granted increased to 331 as of March 2024, RIL annual report has said
TELECOM
Early signs of tariff hike are encouraging; reasonable returns for industry only at Rs 300 ARPU: Airtel MD
Bharti Airtel's average revenue per user per month, an important metric used by telecom companies to measure revenue generation, increased 5.5% YoY to Rs 211 in Q1FY25
BUSINESS
Airtel’s 5G SA network will go live for FWA service soon, says MD Gopal Vittal
To grow the home broadband business, Vittal said that fibre will be the main component to connect homes in the country.
BUSINESS
Sterlite Tech MD asserts strong case for zero duties in EU anti-dumping case; expects company performance improvement
STL expects its overall business to start improving and swing back to profitability in the coming quarters as high inventory levels in the US—a key priority market—reduce and start to normalise. Its focus on improving capability utilisation across factories to improve volumes and cost optimization will also help it post profits in the coming quarters.
BUSINESS
Telcos worried over strict quality of service norms, fear hike in cost load
Telcos such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea said that these QoS parameters prescribed in the new regulations have not been introduced by any other regulator in other similar economies.
BUSINESS
Qualcomm advocates for design-linked incentive scheme for smartphone market, intensifies focus on laptop market
At present, the DLI scheme is limited to startups. A few companies have been approved for claiming incentives. India is evaluating a proposal to include large multinational companies in its $200 million DLI scheme, if they are ready to design chips in the country.
BUSINESS
Apple India revenue to cross $9.5 billion in 2024, iPhone shipments to rise 18-20%
According to Counterpoint data accessed by Moneycontrol, the iPhone maker’s non-smartphone revenue is projected to reach $1.3 billion in 2024, reflecting a 14 percent year-on-year growth. iPhone revenues alone will be around $8.2 billion in the 2024 calendar year.
BUSINESS
Apple iPhone sees 14% slump in shipments amid simmering competition; slips in value share
Notably, Apple's iPad segment delivered an exceptional performance in Q2 2024, marked by 91 percent quarter-over-quarter and 47 percent year-over-year growth. Apple secured the 2nd position in the tablet market in the quarter.
BUSINESS
Indus Towers engaging with Vodafone Idea to finalise payment plan, eyes improved cash flows, says MD
MD Prachur Sah said Indus is confident about collecting past dues and is looking forward to participating in the network expansion of the third-ranked telecom operator.
