BSNL
Govt working on telecom PLI with focus on higher local value addition
The Ministry of Communications is preparing to propose a second edition of the telecom production-linked incentive scheme. This new scheme will emphasize design-led higher value addition in the telecom sector. The first edition of the telecom PLI scheme attracted significant investments and involved approvals from numerous companies. Additionally, incentives under design-led manufacturing have been applied for by several firms. The proposal will undergo inter-ministerial consultation before seeking Union Cabinet approval.
Govt lines up Rs 9,000 crore asset monetisation plan in FY28 to clear MTNL, BSNL liabilities
The Indian government is preparing an asset monetisation plan to address the liabilities of MTNL and BSNL. This plan is expected to generate Rs 9,000 crore in the next financial year. Government officials report that the liabilities of these telecom public sector undertakings are nearly Rs 50,000 crore. Additionally, several properties among the departments have been sorted for ownership clarity.
CBDT issues new clarification on BSNL-MTNL VRS-2019 compensation: Will it affect retirees' income tax benefits?
The CBDT issued a notification clarifying that ex-gratia compensation for BSNL and MTNL VRS-2019 is not retrenchment compensation. This compensation is governed by Section 10(10C) of the Income-tax Act, allowing tax exemptions under certain conditions. Employees must review their tax claims to ensure compliance with this clarification. Compensation exceeding five lakh rupees will remain taxable as salary income.
Rs 9,000 crore land assets monetised so far in FY27
The NLMC, which is working under the aegis of the Department of Public Enterprises under the finance ministry, also has land assets worth another Rs 4,000-5,000 crore belonging to public sector undertakings (PSUs) in the pipeline. These are at various stages of processing, providing an additional pipeline of potential transactions.
Jio, Airtel add nearly equal mobile subscribers in September
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel reported similar subscriber gains in September as Reliance Jio added 2.71 million users. Bharti Airtel followed closely by adding 2.69 million subscribers during the same month. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd also grew by 625,633 subscribers while Vodafone Idea recorded an increase of 550,119 users. Overall, India's wireless mobile subscriber base grew by 6.57 million to surpass 1.3 billion for the first time.
DoT mandates telecom operators to display KYC-registered names for incoming calls starting November 1
The Department of Telecommunications mandates telecom operators to show KYC-registered names with incoming calls from November 1. This initiative aims to reduce cyber fraud, phishing, and unwanted commercial calls. The amendment to Caller Line Identification will officially include Caller Name Identification for subscriber convenience. Trials and consultations informed the decision, involving both operators and civil society groups.
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No more unknown numbers: Caller ID to include callers’ registered names from November 1 under new DoT rules
The Department of Telecommunications in India has amended caller identification regulations for telecom services. Caller IDs will now display the subscriber's registered name from November 1, 2026. This updated definition of Calling Line Identification includes the caller's name in telecom provider records.
Satellite network a 'technology of geopolitical control': Think tank for hard limits on Starlink
An Indian policy group has advised the government to enforce strict conditions on foreign satellite operators. The Kutniti Foundation argues that SpaceX's Starlink poses strategic risks to India's telecommunications sovereignty. The report emphasises the need for India to establish its own satellite constellation to ensure data security. It highlights concerns about potential foreign intelligence vulnerabilities linked to external operators.
No takers: Amid SIR tussle, EC's cloud-linked electoral operations hit turbulence
The Election Commission of India is undergoing difficulties related to the contract with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. As the expiration of the contract approaches, the Commission faces operational risks. Discussions are underway to ensure continuity of electoral IT services during the Special Intensive Revision. A tender has raised concerns as the sole qualifying vendor has not met all requirements.
Suppliers Tejas, C-DoT claim BSNL equipment meet TRAI standards
Tejas Networks and C-DoT have confirmed that their equipment meets the quality benchmarks set by Trai. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd recently sought relaxed compliance timelines for new quality-of-service norms. The state-owned telecom operator cited challenges related to indigenous sourcing obligations in its request to Trai. Both Tejas Networks and C-DoT emphasized compliance with 3GPP standards in their responses.
BSNL geared up for 5G expansion as 4G network delivers desired results, says senior official
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is advancing towards the rollout of its indigenous 5G services across India. The telecom company is also expanding its existing 4G network to enhance connectivity and customer experience. To support users, BSNL has improved its chatbot Vani for better regional language interactions and efficient problem resolution. Additionally, BSNL has partnered with Saptang to implement data filtration mechanisms for improved security of customer data.
India should challenge Elon Musk's monopoly in space-based communications: Former Niti VC Rajiv Kumar
Rajiv Kumar proposed using the $145 billion in the Universal Service Obligation fund for this purpose. Kumar suggested supporting Indian telecom companies like Airtel and Reliance Jio to establish satellite networks.
AI ROI a long-term game for telcos; skipping adoption not an option: IMC CEO Ramakrishna P
Ramakrishna P told ET AI at the IMC 2026 that since telecom operators are providing a wider range of services for businesses, they might soon become more of a tech company.
TCS shares jump 3% ahead of Q2 results. 5 things investors should watch out for
TCS Share Price: According to the average of seven brokerages, TCS revenue is likely to grow about 13% YoY, while profit may rise around 9%. Sequential growth, however, is expected to remain modest, with most analysts pencilling in constant-currency revenue growth of 0.5-0.6%.
TCS Q2 Results Preview: Can the IT bellwether show enough growth to calm investors?
Tata Consultancy Services is scheduled to release its second-quarter results on October 8, with analysts predicting a year-on-year revenue growth of roughly 13%. However, the sequential growth might be modest at around 0.5%-0.6%. Investors will also be looking for updates on new contracts and collaborations with firms like Porsche and BSNL, as market sentiment stays cautious amid ongoing IT sector challenges.
From Landlines to 6G: How India’s Telecom Revolution Transformed Connectivity
India's telecommunication sector has evolved from a sparse network of landlines to a robust mobile connectivity framework, embracing technologies like 2G, 3G, and 4G, culminating in the recent rollout of 5G. As the nation gears up for 6G, it aims to enhance the global digital landscape while improving the daily online experiences of its citizens.
Navigating the future of connectivity and security: A guide to the Suraksha Pillar at IMC 2026
The India Mobile Congress 2026, taking place from October 7 to 10, emphasizes the Suraksha venue, dedicated to advancing digital infrastructure, next-gen connectivity, and robust cybersecurity. Attendees will benefit from various sessions including panels on spectrum management and satellite communications, culminating in an insightful summit on cybersecurity led by prominent industry leaders.
TCIL pays Rs 43.86 crore dividend to government for FY26; profit after tax at Rs 146 crore
Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd has paid a dividend of Rs 43.86 crore to the Government of India. This payment follows an operating revenue of Rs 3,335 crore and a profit after tax of Rs 146 crore. Over five years, the company's revenue has significantly increased from Rs 1,596 crore in FY 2021-22 to Rs 3,442 crore in FY 2025-26.
Samvardhan: Architecting scalable infrastructure and enterprise growth at India Mobile Congress 2026
India Mobile Congress (IMC) is set to take place in New Delhi from October 7-10, spotlighting the future of global connectivity and digital infrastructure. With its primary focus on Samvardhan, the summit will feature discussions around manufacturing, market access, and cutting-edge technologies led by industry experts, all aimed at transforming India's technological landscape.
India Mobile Congress turns 10, and the 2026 Edition lands in Delhi this October
India Mobile Congress 2026 is on from October 7 to 10 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The Department of Telecommunications runs it with COAI. This is the tenth edition. "Scale Without Boundaries" is the theme, and the organisers are working with a footfall estimate north of 150,000 over the four days.
MTNL shares rally 17% as board approves Rs 892 crore Powai property sale amid debt worries
MTNL shares rose sharply after the company’s board approved the sale of its Powai property in Mumbai to the Income Tax Department for Rs 891.53 crore. The asset monetisation comes as the debt-laden PSU seeks to reduce liabilities, which stood at around Rs 40,000 crore in FY26, according to the government.
Bharti Airtel, Vi shares rise up to 2% after Aug mobile subscriber data. Which is Nomura’s top pick?
India added 55 lakh mobile subscribers in August, according to data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. Reliance Jio continued to lead with 24 lakh new users, while Bharti Airtel gained 21 lakh and Vodafone Idea over 5 lakh. Jio holds a market share of 39.31%, followed by Airtel with 38.01%. The growth in urban subscriptions increased by 0.70% from July to August this year.
Jio leads India’s August mobile subscriber additions, Airtel close behind: TRAI
Reliance Jio added the most mobile subscribers in India in August at 2.40 million, followed by Bharti Airtel with 2.11 million, Trai data showed. Vodafone Idea added 506,139 users, extending its subscriber growth streak since February. India’s wireless subscriber base rose 5.51 million to 1.293 billion during August.
India adds 5.5 million mobile users in August; Jio, Airtel drive bulk of gains: TRAI
India’s wireless subscriber base rose by 5.5 million in August to 1.29 billion, with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel accounting for more than 4.5 million additions, TRAI data showed. Urban subscriptions grew significantly faster than rural connections, while the overall telephone, broadband and wireline subscriber bases also expanded during the month.
GFGNL flouts norms, say domestic firms; BSNL flags restrictive conditions
The Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited is facing backlash over its stringent turnover requirements in the tender process. Domestic companies are voicing concerns that these limitations stifle competition. A Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited representative has cautioned against such an exclusionary clause, highlighting that these high financial benchmarks may contravene the Centre's guidelines and state policies.
Village phones are changing as India's hinterland seeks something more
Rural India's telecom landscape shifted from voice to data over a decade. Wireless connections grew significantly, replacing declining wireline services across the nation. Telecom operators now focus on connection quality and user experience for rural consumers. Reliable electricity remains a critical challenge for last-mile network expansion. The focus has moved from basic access to digital productivity and economic growth.
NLMC Investor Meets announced for RINL land e-auction in Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Vijayawada
The National Land Monetization Corporation is organising investor meets across Andhra Pradesh. These meetings will inform participants about the upcoming e-auction of RINL land parcels. The auction will offer 459 plots owned by Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. Prospective investors can learn about the land portfolio and bidding requirements. The e-auction process is scheduled to take place in October.
8th Pay Commission news: Pensioners demand 67% of last pay drawn, Rs 69,000 minimum pay, 3.83 fitment factor
8th Pay Commission latest news: Pensioners proposed a 67% pension of last pay drawn and a minimum pay of Rs 69,000. They also recommended one-rank-one-pension for all central government employees. The association suggested reducing the pension commutation period to eleven years. Defence pensioners' qualifying service should also be reduced on par with civil pensioners. Tax exemption on pension and family pension was also strongly advocated.
BSNL's homegrown 4G network carries 6 PB data per day: C-DoT
BSNL's indigenous 4G network is handling six petabytes of data daily. The network supports 1.75 lakh 4G base stations across one lakh sites. High-definition voice calls are now enabled through IP Multimedia Subsystem deployment. Indigenous 5G RAN technology is currently undergoing live testing on BSNL's network. BSNL aims to compete with private operators using its domestically developed mobile network.
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