ET Telecom (Economic Times)

ET Telecom (Economic Times)

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India’s telecom business and policy coverage: carriers, 5G, spectrum, devices, and infrastructure.

Reliance Communications Files Review Plea Against SC Order on Spectrum Sale Under IBC
NewsMar 16, 2026

Reliance Communications Files Review Plea Against SC Order on Spectrum Sale Under IBC

Reliance Communications has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court challenging the February 13 order that bars the sale or transfer of spectrum under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). The court held that spectrum, as a scarce public resource,...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Scindia Launches First Integrated Phygital Service Centre in MP's Guna District
NewsMar 16, 2026

Scindia Launches First Integrated Phygital Service Centre in MP's Guna District

Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated India’s first integrated phygital service centre in Umri village, Guna district, Madhya Pradesh. The Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Pilot combines healthcare, education, agriculture, financial and e‑governance services under one roof, powered by BharatNet’s high‑speed...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
AAP's Raghav Chadha Reignites Demand for 30-Day Tariffs, Affordable Voice-Only Plan
NewsMar 14, 2026

AAP's Raghav Chadha Reignites Demand for 30-Day Tariffs, Affordable Voice-Only Plan

AAP MP Raghav Chadha has called on Indian telecom operators to align prepaid recharge cycles with calendar months and to keep essential voice and SMS services active long after a pack expires. He also proposed an inexpensive incoming‑only plan for...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
TRAI Moots Termination Charges to Tackle Spam
NewsMar 14, 2026

TRAI Moots Termination Charges to Tackle Spam

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has drafted rules to impose termination charges on commercial Application‑to‑Person (A2P) calls, aiming to curb bulk spam calls that masquerade as personal conversations. The proposal mirrors existing fees on commercial SMS and exempts...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
JSW, ST Telemedia Among Firms Eyeing Stake in Vodafone Idea
NewsMar 14, 2026

JSW, ST Telemedia Among Firms Eyeing Stake in Vodafone Idea

India's Vodafone Idea is courting strategic investors as it grapples with heavy debt and a shrinking market share. Singapore‑based ST Telemedia and India's JSW Group have entered exploratory talks to acquire a stake, joining other domestic and foreign suitors. The government,...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
CAG's BSNL Loss Estimate From Reliance Jio Deal Misinterpreted; Rectified Now: Pemmasani
NewsMar 12, 2026

CAG's BSNL Loss Estimate From Reliance Jio Deal Misinterpreted; Rectified Now: Pemmasani

The Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) report claimed that BSNL lost ₹1,757.76 crore by not billing Reliance Jio for add‑on technology on shared tower infrastructure between 2014 and 2024. Minister of State for Telecom Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani clarified that the loss estimate stemmed from...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
US-Based Emerson Eyes India's Semiconductor Sector Business
NewsMar 12, 2026

US-Based Emerson Eyes India's Semiconductor Sector Business

Emerson is positioning its test and measurement portfolio to serve semiconductor manufacturers establishing fabs and OSAT facilities in India. Leveraging its 2023 $8.2 billion acquisition of National Instruments, the company is already working with firms like Kaynes Semicon and offers a local...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Centre Acts to Prevent Damage to Underground Utilities During Telecom Cable Laying: Scindia
NewsMar 12, 2026

Centre Acts to Prevent Damage to Underground Utilities During Telecom Cable Laying: Scindia

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that the government has rolled out multiple safeguards to protect underground utilities, including drinking water pipelines, during telecom cable installations. The 2024 Telecommunication Right of Way Rules empower public entities to set conditions and claim...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
SC Upholds Bharti Telecom's Share Capital Reduction
NewsMar 11, 2026

SC Upholds Bharti Telecom's Share Capital Reduction

The Supreme Court of India rejected appeals from 35 minority shareholders of Bharti Telecom Limited, upholding the company’s 2018 decision to reduce its share capital by cancelling a small block of shares. The court affirmed that the valuation process, which...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Telecom Tower Companies Express Concern over Stoppage of LPG Supply
NewsMar 11, 2026

Telecom Tower Companies Express Concern over Stoppage of LPG Supply

Telecom tower manufacturers in India have seen LPG supplies cut off after a government order redirected public‑sector LPG to domestic consumers. The Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA) warned that the loss of LPG, which powers galvanization furnaces, could force plants...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Optiemus to Invest ₹156 Crore in Unit Optiemus Electronics
NewsMar 10, 2026

Optiemus to Invest ₹156 Crore in Unit Optiemus Electronics

Optiemus Infracom’s board approved a ₹156 crore equity infusion into its wholly‑owned subsidiary Optiemus Electronics (OEL) and a ₹40 crore infusion into GDN Enterprises, both on a right‑issue basis. The transactions raise Optiemus’s shareholdings to 2.43 crore in OEL and 64.33 lakh in GDN,...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
MeitY Awaiting Industry Inputs on Plans to Slash Timeline for Data Protection Compliance: S Krishnan
NewsMar 10, 2026

MeitY Awaiting Industry Inputs on Plans to Slash Timeline for Data Protection Compliance: S Krishnan

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is considering shortening the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) compliance window for significant data fiduciaries from 18 months to 12 months. The proposal is still under review, with the government awaiting detailed...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Wipro Enterprises Eyes Entry Into Semiconductor Sector
NewsMar 10, 2026

Wipro Enterprises Eyes Entry Into Semiconductor Sector

Wipro Enterprises is exploring entry into semiconductor manufacturing, focusing on outsourced assembly and test (OSAT) operations. The company is in early talks and is actively scouting a credible technology partner to enable the move. This initiative follows similar investments by...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Continuous Margin Improvement, Large Deal Rise Reflects Clients' Trust in New Positioning: TechM CEO
NewsMar 9, 2026

Continuous Margin Improvement, Large Deal Rise Reflects Clients' Trust in New Positioning: TechM CEO

Tech Mahindra reported its operating margin expanded to 13.1% in the December 2025 quarter, a 100‑basis‑point rise and the ninth consecutive quarter of improvement. The firm also recorded a 48% surge in large‑deal volume, with total contract value hitting $1.096 billion, the...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Karnataka Hopeful of Attracting Semicon, Components Companies: KDEM CEO
NewsMar 9, 2026

Karnataka Hopeful of Attracting Semicon, Components Companies: KDEM CEO

Karnataka is actively courting semiconductor fabrication and OSAT investors, with KDEM CEO Sanjeev Gupta saying the state is in talks with several international firms. Despite interest, some companies have chosen other Indian states for their plants, leaving Karnataka without a...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
DoT May Stick to Its 5% Charge for Satcom Spectrum
NewsMar 9, 2026

DoT May Stick to Its 5% Charge for Satcom Spectrum

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is set to retain a 5% adjusted gross revenue (AGR) usage fee for satellite communications (satcom) spectrum, rejecting the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) 4% proposal. DoT will also apply a 1% discount for...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Airtel Lines up $1 Bn Investment for Data Centre Arm Nxtra
NewsMar 9, 2026

Airtel Lines up $1 Bn Investment for Data Centre Arm Nxtra

Bharti Airtel's data‑centre subsidiary Nxtra Data is raising $1 billion to expand capacity to a gigawatt scale. The round includes $300 million each from Airtel and private‑equity firm Carlyle, and a $400 million commitment from Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed’s Alpha Wave Global. Funds will...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Jio, Airtel, Vi, Oppose Permitting Internet Providers to Offer DLCs, Seek Forbearance
NewsMar 6, 2026

Jio, Airtel, Vi, Oppose Permitting Internet Providers to Offer DLCs, Seek Forbearance

Indian telecom giants Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and state‑run BSNL have formally opposed a draft regulatory change that would allow Internet Service Providers to offer dedicated leased circuits (DLCs) to enterprises. The operators argue that permitting ISPs to...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Jio IPO Timeline Nears as $4 Billion Listing Looms
NewsMar 6, 2026

Jio IPO Timeline Nears as $4 Billion Listing Looms

Reliance Industries is preparing Jio Platforms' mega‑IPO, slated for early 2026, targeting a $4‑4.5 billion raise by selling a minimum 2.5% free float. Analysts argue the tiny public float could force the shares to trade at a premium, potentially neutralising the...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
DoT Seeks Legal Clarity on Dues of Insolvent Telcos
NewsMar 4, 2026

DoT Seeks Legal Clarity on Dues of Insolvent Telcos

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked the Attorney General for legal guidance on how to handle adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues of insolvent telcos Reliance Communications and Aircel after the Supreme Court ruled that spectrum cannot be transferred or...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
'Jio, Airtel Deliver Digital Access to 1.4 Billion Indians Uniquely at $2 per Month'
NewsMar 3, 2026

'Jio, Airtel Deliver Digital Access to 1.4 Billion Indians Uniquely at $2 per Month'

Cisco President Jeetu Patel highlighted the unprecedented scale of low‑cost broadband in India, where Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are providing internet to 1.4 billion people at roughly $2 per month. He emphasized Cisco’s role in powering this rollout through networking,...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Jio Platforms Appoints Dan Bailey as President to Lead International Business
NewsMar 3, 2026

Jio Platforms Appoints Dan Bailey as President to Lead International Business

Jio Platforms has appointed Dan Bailey as president to head its international business. Bailey, a veteran with 35 years in consulting and investment banking, will join the executive committee and report to Akash Ambani from London. His hiring coincides with...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
AI-Based Spam Data Must Be Shared in Hours, Trai to Telcos
NewsMar 3, 2026

AI-Based Spam Data Must Be Shared in Hours, Trai to Telcos

TRAI has ordered all Indian mobile operators to share AI‑based spam detection data on a blockchain platform within hours, requiring terminating carriers to flag suspected spam CLIs and originating carriers to notify senders and verify KYC. If five or more...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Bharti Airtel 15% Away From Achieving ARPU of ₹300: Analysts
NewsMar 2, 2026

Bharti Airtel 15% Away From Achieving ARPU of ₹300: Analysts

Bharti Airtel’s average revenue per user (ARPU) stands at ₹259, putting it about 15% short of its ₹300 target, according to BoFA Securities analysts. The shortfall is attributed to the need for higher tariffs in the mid‑to‑upper segment and a...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Ericsson Wins Deals to Modernise Vi's Postpaid Billing, Expand 4G, 5G Networks
NewsMar 2, 2026

Ericsson Wins Deals to Modernise Vi's Postpaid Billing, Expand 4G, 5G Networks

Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson has secured new contracts with India’s Vodafone Idea (Vi) to modernize its postpaid billing and extend 4G and 5G coverage nationwide. The agreement adds Ericsson Charging and AI‑driven Telco IT applications, enabling real‑time charging for voice,...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Digital Connectivity Readiness: Trai Proposes New Evaluation, Rating Norms for Real Estate Projects
NewsFeb 27, 2026

Digital Connectivity Readiness: Trai Proposes New Evaluation, Rating Norms for Real Estate Projects

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has unveiled a proposal to overhaul digital connectivity readiness ratings for real‑estate projects. The plan expands the existing five‑star scale to a nine‑star system with half‑star increments and introduces a design‑stage assessment that...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
India on Global 6G Standard-Setting Table for the First Time: Jyotiraditya Scindia
NewsFeb 27, 2026

India on Global 6G Standard-Setting Table for the First Time: Jyotiraditya Scindia

India’s communications minister announced that the country completed the world’s fastest 5G rollout in just 22 months, achieving 99.9% district coverage and connecting 400 million users. For the first time, India has secured a seat at the global 6G standard‑setting tables...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Jio Strengthens Market Leadership in Q3FY26 with Strong Revenue Growth: Report
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Jio Strengthens Market Leadership in Q3FY26 with Strong Revenue Growth: Report

Reliance Jio reinforced its telecom dominance in Q3 FY26, posting adjusted gross revenue of ₹321 billion, a 3.9% quarterly and 11.2% annual increase. Its AGR market share climbed to 43%, gaining 41 basis points sequentially and 114 basis points year‑on‑year, surpassing...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Trai Holds Off on Net Neutrality Rules for 5G Network Slicing
NewsFeb 26, 2026

Trai Holds Off on Net Neutrality Rules for 5G Network Slicing

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has taken a wait‑and‑see stance on whether existing net‑neutrality rules apply to 5G network slicing, offering no immediate guidance. Telecom operators are urging the government to explicitly permit slicing, arguing it is essential...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
BSNL Core Operating Profit Grows by 105% in 9-Month Period of FY26: Jyotiraditya Scindia
NewsFeb 25, 2026

BSNL Core Operating Profit Grows by 105% in 9-Month Period of FY26: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited reported a core operating profit (EBITDA) of ₹4,858 crore for the nine months ending 31 December 2025, marking a 105% jump from the same period last year. Revenue rose 13% to ₹17,705 crore in FY 26’s first three quarters, while average...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Viasat Calls for Multi-Orbit Connectivity to Bolster India's Space Sovereignty
NewsFeb 25, 2026

Viasat Calls for Multi-Orbit Connectivity to Bolster India's Space Sovereignty

Viasat’s President Ben Palmer urged India to adopt multi‑orbit, multi‑band satellite communications to secure spectrum access and resilient SATCOM. He highlighted the company’s push for compact terminals that give beyond‑line‑of‑sight connectivity to tactical unmanned platforms. Palmer praised India’s strategic stance...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Trai Cuts 5G Spectrum Reserve Prices by up to 37% Ahead of Auctions
NewsFeb 25, 2026

Trai Cuts 5G Spectrum Reserve Prices by up to 37% Ahead of Auctions

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has reduced 5G spectrum reserve prices by 7‑37% across nine bands, offering roughly 11,789 MHz of airwaves at an estimated ₹2.10 lakh crore. It also proposes reclaiming spectrum from insolvent players and keeping the upper 6 GHz...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
India Seeks to Create Conducive Environment for Submarine Cable Investments, Says TRAI’s AK Lahoti
NewsFeb 24, 2026

India Seeks to Create Conducive Environment for Submarine Cable Investments, Says TRAI’s AK Lahoti

India is positioning itself as a hub for submarine cable investment, with TRAI chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti announcing a 60% year‑on‑year increase in total lit capacity to 309 Tbps and an 81% rise in activated capacity to 268 Tbps as of December 2025....

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
India's Tech Infra as Public Good Can Be Emulated for AI Across Global South, Says ITU Official
NewsFeb 24, 2026

India's Tech Infra as Public Good Can Be Emulated for AI Across Global South, Says ITU Official

India’s digital public infrastructure—most notably Aadhaar and UPI—has been highlighted by ITU strategic‑engagement chief Fred Werner as a replicable model for AI diffusion across the Global South. Werner argues that the country’s ability to scale technology for over a billion...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Marvell Aims to Localise Global Semiconductor Solutions for India: Navin Bishnoi
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Marvell Aims to Localise Global Semiconductor Solutions for India: Navin Bishnoi

Marvell Technology is localising its global semiconductor portfolio for the Indian market, establishing R&D centres in Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad. The company is collaborating with Indian academia—IITs, NITs and IIITs—to build a talent pipeline and shape semiconductor curricula. Marvell’s data‑centre...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Centre Approves ₹2,432 Crore to Implement Amended BharatNet Programme in Andhra Pradesh
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Centre Approves ₹2,432 Crore to Implement Amended BharatNet Programme in Andhra Pradesh

The Indian government has approved ₹2,432 crore to fund the Amended BharatNet programme in Andhra Pradesh. The scheme, managed by the newly formed Andhra Pradesh BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (APBIL), will upgrade 13,426 gram panchayats to a ring‑topology optical fiber network and...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
Tata Communications, RailTel Join Hands to Develop AI-Ready Digital Infrastructure
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Tata Communications, RailTel Join Hands to Develop AI-Ready Digital Infrastructure

Tata Communications has teamed up with state‑run RailTel to build AI‑ready digital infrastructure for India and global markets. The partnership will modernise RailTel’s 63,000 km optical‑fiber network, add AI‑enabled platforms, and strengthen cyber protection and sovereign cloud capabilities for sensitive workloads....

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)
DoT Asks Noida International Airport to Allow Telcos to Set up Infrastructure
NewsFeb 23, 2026

DoT Asks Noida International Airport to Allow Telcos to Set up Infrastructure

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has formally instructed the upcoming Noida International Airport to treat telecom operators as entitled to in‑building network installations under the Telecommunications Act, mirroring a similar dispute at Navi Mumbai airport. The clarification follows a request from...

By ET Telecom (Economic Times)