Telecom Sector

BSNL has also rolled out a national Wi-Fi roaming service for its FTTH customers, providing high-speed internet access at BSNL hotspots at no extra cost, helping users reduce their data expenses

Chart of the Day: Tariff hikes trigger SIM consolidation in telecom market

Mobile number portability requests rose significantly in July 2024 indicating elevated churn in the telecom sector

Sharp rise in market share for Bharti Airtel in Hexacom markets shows superior execution: Jefferies

The analysts believe that this trend will continue given the lower teledensity in the regions--Rajasthan and North East--in which the subsidiary operates.

Tax reforms, regulatory relief: Indian telecom's call to action in Union Budget 2024-25

By achieving the fastest 5G rollout globally, the Indian telecom industry has showcased its potential to drive the vision of a digitally empowered India.

“Adverse judicial outcome” for telcos raises worries about retrospective tax: Kotak Institutional Equities

The bigger worry, according to the report, would be if income-tax authorities raise demand for the shortfall in tax payment for the prior period, along with penalties

RIL tariff concerns look overdone, expect 36% upside, says Jefferies

The telecom tariff hike may be delayed till after the general elections in May 2024 but when it comes in, it can quickly change the market structure in favour of RIL, the brokerage has said in its latest report

At 22, this engineer creates software to check call drops in crowded places

Have you ever been in a crowded, public place, trying to connect a crucial phone call, but kept experiencing call drops? Niranjan Akella, a 22-year-old engineering graduate, is trying to solve this pesky problem with a software.

Telecom not a good sector to invest; remain bullish on PSU banks: Rakesh Jhunjhunwala

Deliberating on the telecom sector in India, Jhunjhunwala said that it is not a good sector to invest in, as it constantly requires investment

'Strong interest' for 700 MHz; 5G auction resumes after Rs 1.45 trillion bid on Day 1

Govt is bracing itself for a encouraging mop up in 5G auctions after bids crossed Rs 1.45 lakh crore on Day 1. Unsold in the last 2 auctions, the 700 MHz band too has finally found takers. Telecom Min says auction likely to conclude today.

Vodafone Idea plans to raise up to Rs 500 crore from promoter

“A board meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday to consider among other things a proposal for raising of funds aggregating up to Rs 500 crore by way of issuance of shares and/or convertible warrants on a preferential basis to one or more entities belonging to Vodafone Group (one of the promoters of the company),” the telecom operator said in a filing on June 19.

5G deployment to begin in August; roll-out to commence in a few cities by year-end

"India's name is on the top of the list of trusted network providers. When India develops a technology, entire world is interested in it," said Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Decoding PLI: Telecom PLI, a chance for India to become a global 5G player

Ind-Ra says the PLI scheme for telecom and networking products can help India become a high-value component manufacturer, provided it can formulate sound IPR polices and build high-latency infrastructure 

Telecom industry to witness healthy revenue growth in FY23: Report

The sector has been saddled with debt due to complications such as the 'Adjusted Gross Revenue' (AGR) case verdict, which brought in a huge immediate liability on the books of telecom operators.

Vodafone Idea to convert interest on spectrum auction installments, AGR dues into equity

Following conversion, it is expected that the Government will hold around 35.8% of the total outstanding shares of the Company, and that the Promoter shareholders would hold around 28.5% (Vodafone Group) and around 17.8% (Aditya Birla Group), respectively

Won’t opt for equity conversion of interest on deferred spectrum, AGR dues: Bharti Airtel

In October 2021, Airtel had opted for the four-year moratorium on AGR and spectrum dues. However, the telecom companies was required to pay interest on these statutory dues during the moratorium period.

Airtel withdraws scheme for new corporate structure announced in April 2021

Airtel noted that the "seminal" telecom sector reforms package announced by the government has significantly boosted the outlook and investor confidence for the industry while simplifying the licence framework.

DoT amends telecom licence norms to relax penal provisions

The department will now charge 2 per cent interest above the one-year marginal cost of lending rate (MCLR) of State Bank of India for delay in payment of licence fees or any other statutory dues and the interest will be compounded annually.

Bharti Airtel's Rs 21,000 crore rights issue to open on October 5

The issue size has been fixed as "up to 392,287,662 Rights Equity shares", Bharti Airtel said, and reiterated the rights issue price of Rs 535 per fully paid-up equity share, including face value of Rs 5 and premium of Rs 530 per equity share.

Cabinet approves four-year moratorium on telecom company dues in a boost for Vodafone Idea

The government made a raft of structural changes to offer relief to the embattled telecom industry and announced a four-year moratorium on payment of adjusted gross revenue and spectrum dues to help companies, in particular Vodafone Idea, to manage cash flows. The moratorium comes with a Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) + 2 percent, making it revenue-neutral for the government.

Cabinet approves major reforms in telecom sector, here are key highlights

With the measures, the government is looking to boost 4G proliferation, infuse liquidity and create an enabling environment for investment in 5G networks with the new set of reform measures.

Bharti Airtel to consider capital raising options as Board of Directors meet on August 29

The announcement, which is pursuant to the Sebi Regulations, 2015, comes at a time when Airtel, along with rival Vodafone-Idea (Vi), is reeling under financial challenges.

Videocon AGR dues: SC restrains Centre from encashing Airtel's bank guarantee for three weeks

A Department of Telecommunications notice, issued to Bharti Airtel on August 17, warned that failure to make payment will result in invocation of its bank guarantees.

Govt to find solution to issue of telecom dues, says Revenue Secretary

Nearly Rs 15,900 crore of non-adjusted gross revenue (AGR) spectrum dues became payable from April 2022.

Read full text of Kumar Mangalam Birla’s letter to govt on ‘looming crisis’ before Vodafone India

After reports confirmed that Kumar Mangalam Birla has offered to hand over his stake in Vi to a government entity, the company's shares tumbled over 16 percent.