BUSINESS
After US pullout, phone maker HMD banks on India with mass-market 5G phones and security-focused business
HMD has partnered with British cybersecurity firm SafeToNet to integrate AI-driven child protection features into the Fuse device, which is currently available in the UK.
BUSINESS
Indkal in talks to raise $80 mn after $20-mn bridge round; eyes smartphone manufacturing JV
The $80 million round will also help Indkal build component manufacturing capabilities, especially sub-assemblies, through its electronics manufacturing services (EMS) partners.
BUSINESS
Apple’s iPhone 17 series production in India goes full throttle; local factories gear up to meet US, Europe demand
Foxconn subsidiary Hon Hai’s newest Bengaluru facility, which began test runs of Apple’s newest model in April, has already become India’s largest iPhone factory in terms of installed production capacity
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea moves SC against DoT's calculation behind fresh AGR dues
Vodafone Idea has filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the AGR calculation, Moneycontrol has learnt.
BUSINESS
More phones, more offers: Festival sales to bring bigger deals, premium upgrades for buyers
Analysts expect smartphone sales volumes to grow 4% this year, with the overall market value rising 7% as Indian consumers upgrade to higher-priced models
BUSINESS
Apple presses ahead with India scale-up, expands capacity and local sourcing despite US pressure
The only challenge for Apple is in the capital equipment and machinery space, as China has been delaying or blocking the export of critical equipment essential for scaling its operations in India
BUSINESS
Xiaomi India looking to double share in mid-premium smartphones, boost QLED TV contribution to 35 percent, says Chief Business Officer
Backed by a 140 million-strong user base in India and steady leadership despite recent exits, the Chinese smartphone maker said the morale of the business is high, and both Xiaomi and Poco – another brand owned by Xiaomi - will play stronger roles in the premium push.
BUSINESS
Rupee slide may push iPhone 17 prices higher, base variant pegged at Rs 86,000
iPhone launch prices have mirrored the rupee-dollar exchange rate. This link will likely persist even though Apple will manufacture the iPhone 17 locally, say analysts
BUSINESS
Apple battery supplier TDK opens Rs 3,000-cr Li-ion plant in Haryana, to start production by Q4
The Sohna plant will supply batteries for mobile phones, wearables such as watches and earbuds, laptops, and wireless devices. TDK counts Apple, leading smartphone brands, and laptop makers among its key customers.
TECHNOLOGY
Musk's Starlink gets provisional spectrum to start trial satellite broadband service in India
Starlink has now applied for an import license to import equipment to set up its ground station in India
BUSINESS
Dixon, Amber, other EMS firms hail GST cut for TVs, ACs; say will boost demand, manufacturing
GST 2.0: The reform will not only benefit consumers but also provide a major fillip to India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem by expanding the market base and encouraging fresh investments
BUSINESS
GST rate cuts on ACs, TVs, dishwashers to boost consumer demand and local electronics manufacturing: MeitY
According to MeitY, the GST cut on ACs and large-screen TVs is expected to stimulate consumer demand, expanding the overall market size. The cut will also create stronger backward linkages in components such as compressors, displays, and semiconductors
BUSINESS
TVs to get cheaper as govt slashes GST, set to boost festive demand
The move, announced at the Council’s 56th meeting on September 3, is expected to revive demand in India’s $12-billion TV market ahead of the festive season, spurring consumer upgrades to bigger screens and premium technologies like QLED and mini-LED at a time when the industry has been battling declining sales.
BUSINESS
Semiconductor startup Mindgrove eyes local chip packaging deals with Kaynes, CG Power; plans Tata fab tie-up
On the customer side, the startup has already signed a few deals and is in advanced talks with more OEMs, ODMs, and design houses.
BUSINESS
Improving India–China ties unlikely to bring immediate relief to Huawei and ZTE
While India banned several Chinese apps in 2020, Huawei and ZTE were never formally prohibited. Instead, New Delhi tightened security norms through a directive for the telecom sector, which has been in place since June 2021.
BUSINESS
Talks for India-China electronics JVs gather pace after Modi-Xi meeting
Most of the partnerships currently being explored are in the electronics components space, where Indian manufacturers are seeking competitive commercial tie-ups with Chinese majors to bring in technology, scale and cost advantages.
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
