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
BUSINESS
Mohali-based chip maker CDIL plans power semiconductor push, EVs in focus after nod from Centre
The Mohali-based chipmaker is also preparing for a rapid scale up of its strategic partnership with Germany’s Infineon, and the first devices are expected to roll out within months. This quick ramp up is backed by CDIL’s infrastructure and existing customer approvals across industries.
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea names Abhijit Kishore as CEO amid funding, AGR uncertainty
Kishore steps into the top role at a critical juncture for the debt-laden telecom operator, which is struggling to secure fresh debt financing amid uncertainty over adjusted gross revenue (AGR) liabilities.
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea banks on govt AGR relief, fundraise to meet future liabilities: Ravinder Takkar
Vodafone Idea on August 14 reported a net loss of Rs 6,608 crore for Q1 FY26. This is higher than the Rs 6,432 crore net loss reported in Q1 FY25.
BUSINESS
Optiemus launches Corning tech powered screen protector brand RhinoTech, targets Rs 2,000 crore revenue by FY27
Optiemus says the RhinoTech launch is not only a push for Make in India but also a strategic revenue driver that positions the company for aggressive growth in the high-demand mobile accessories market.
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea in talks with private credit funds as bank funding remains elusive
The struggling telco is in talks with Davidson Kempner, Oaktree and Värde Partners to raise a small tranche of debt
BUSINESS
Micromax-owned Bhagwati to manufacture OnePlus premium tablets in India
The collaboration will see flagship models like the OnePlus Pad 3 and OnePlus Pad Lite rolling out of BPL’s Greater Noida facility
BUSINESS
India smartphone market sees modest recovery in 1H25; Apple, Vivo lead growth
Apple’s shipments jumped 21.5% YoY to 5.9 million units in 1H25, with the iPhone 16 emerging as India’s top-selling model, contributing 4% of overall shipments.
BUSINESS
Private telcos raise red flag on direct enterprise spectrum allocation; warn of security threats, revenue loss
COAI said global comparisons with countries like the US, Finland, Germany, and the UK were misleading, as private networks in those markets are typically located in remote or underserved areas.
