BUSINESS
Samsung boosts retail muscle but says festive smartphone sales may remain flat despite strong monsoon
Samsung, however, expects strong volume growth in tier-3, tier-4, and rural markets, while the overall market will see value growth as consumers upgrade to premium devices.
BUSINESS
Amid Trump's tariffs, Apple expands Hyderabad hub by 64,000 sq ft for a monthly rent of Rs 80 lakh
The Hyderabad office is a major development hub for Apple Maps, with a focus on geospatial technology and data modeling. The office was officially opened in May 2016 by Apple CEO Tim Cook.
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea doubles down on cloud, expands multi-cloud strategy to counter rivals; pilots private 5G
Vi is building a cloud-neutral, multi-partner platform that will allow enterprises to manage workloads across providers such as AWS, Google, and Microsoft, while also expanding engagements with its existing partners.
BUSINESS
Apple enters next retail phase with Bengaluru flagship retail store launch, signals deeper retail commitment in India
Apple is now projected to sell iPhones worth $12.1 billion (over Rs 1 lakh crore) in India in 2025, up from $10.8 billion in 2024, according to IDC data reported by Moneycontrol on July 22.
TELECOM
Vi Business expands enterprise client ties amid 4G, 5G transformation, says Chief Enterprise Business Officer
Vi Business has adopted a partner-led, cloud-neutral strategy, working with players like Yotta and CtrlS to build a multi-cloud platform layer and managed services capabilities, while also exploring new partnerships.
BUSINESS
GSMA urges DoT to drop plan for direct enterprise spectrum allocation
GSMA’s letter comes as the DoT reinitiates its spectrum demand study for private 5G, the second such exercise since June 2022 when it first allowed CNPNs to either lease spectrum from operators or seek it directly
BUSINESS
Govt to begin work on smartphone PLI 2.0 to boost exports, competitiveness with China, Vietnam
Industry executives, who are pushing for PLI 2.0, argue that extending support is critical for India to meet its $500-billion electronics output target by 2030
BUSINESS
boAt to co-develop India-made chips with HrdWyr; Tata Electronics to assemble
boAt plans to integrate it into 25 percent of its devices by 2026, starting with the premium Nirvana range
COMPANIES
Ex-Poco head Himanshu Tandon to lead Nothing’s CMF unit as VP, to help with expansion strategy
Nothing recently shifted its global marketing operations to India, underlining the country’s role as a strategic launchpad for the brand
BUSINESS
Micromax arm Bhagwati setting up two new mega factories in Greater Noida; Chinese electronics component JVs soon: Rahul Sharma
The new facilities will not only assemble smartphones, tablets, servers and IoT devices but also manufacture key electronics components such as displays and mechanics, signalling a deeper shift into component-level value addition.
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea in advanced talks to raise Rs 5,000 crore, deal likely to close in next few weeks
According to people directly aware of the matter, the debt will be raised by Vodafone Idea Telecom Infrastructure Limited, a group subsidiary that houses part of the company’s telecom infra and renewable energy assets
TECHNOLOGY
PE giants eye $20–25 bn bet on India’s digital infra, including data centres, AI cloud by 2030
Investments are pouring into edge data centres, AI-ready hyperscale campuses, and scalable fibre networks, with more than $15 billion already committed and deployed since 2020
TELECOM
BSNL to float tender for 3–4 lakh new towers, roll out low-cost plans to woo private telco users
To tackle SIM accessibility, BSNL is piloting doorstep SIM delivery through India Post in Tamil Nadu and testing eSIM services for a nationwide rollout
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)
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.
TECHNOLOGY
C-DoT’s indigenous 5G stack strengthens strategic telecom capabilities: Minister Pemmasani
The minister said the system aided armed forces during Operation Sindoor
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
