DOT REGULATIONS
Stuck on the tarmac during a ground stop? The rules on how long airlines can keep you on board
The FAA's November 13 nationwide ground stop disrupted flights after communications failures affected air traffic control centers. Passengers still have refund rights when flights are canceled. For domestic tarmac delays, airlines generally must let passengers off within three hours, subject to safety and security exceptions.
FAA nationwide ground stop: What you should NOT do if you want a refund for your canceled flight
FAA ground stop: On November 13, a major telecommunications failure prompted a nationwide FAA ground stop, affecting hundreds of flights. Passengers were informed of their rights concerning refunds for flights that were canceled or delayed. Federal regulations guarantee a full refund for those whose flights were canceled. While airlines must notify affected passengers, they are not liable for additional expenses arising from factors beyond their control.
ET Exclusive | Sunil Mittal’s next big bets: AI, cloud, space telecom and a billion Airtel users
Sunil Mittal reflects on the Bharti Group's journey and outlines future plans during his 50-year entrepreneurial journey. He emphasizes the importance of succession plans and bold investments to ensure growth. Airtel aims to expand into financial services and improve digital infrastructure while keeping cash flow strong. The competitive landscape in telecom presents both challenges and opportunities that Mittal acknowledges.
Four-star Gurnoor blows away New Zealand as hosts bowled out for 134
Gurnoor Brar led India's bowling attack with an impressive performance, taking four wickets against New Zealand. The inexperienced bowlers restricted the hosts to a low score of 134 in the second ODI. Auqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj also contributed with two wickets each, while Arshdeep Singh maintained economic bowling. Daryl Mitchell was the only player to score a half-century for New Zealand during the match.
Government plans to empower TRAI to penalise telecom operators flouting rules
The government is addressing issues related to Trai's authority to penalise telecom operators for violating rules. Complaints about pesky calls and SMS have surged, reaching over 20.75 lakh in just the first half of this year. Although complaints have increased significantly, disconnections of telecom resources misused for such communications have decreased. Meanwhile, the number of blacklisted entities involved in this issue has risen continuously over the last few years.
TReDS sees a festive boost; Nykaa’s growth strategy
Happy Friday! Festive inventory demand has lifted invoice financing on TReDS platforms. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

IND vs NZ: Young pace unit, peerless Kohli script impressive win in 1st ODI
India secured a comfortable victory over New Zealand in the first ODI held in Auckland. Virat Kohli played a key role by scoring 74 runs, which paved the way for the win. A young Indian pace attack excelled, dismissing New Zealand for just 185 runs in 40.2 overs. Kohli's performance included several boundaries, showcasing his skill and control throughout the innings.

Uncertainty is certain: India is resilient and will emerge stronger
Despite global uncertainty, India remains well placed to weather economic and market disruptions, supported by resilient growth, deeper domestic capital markets and rising private investment. Stronger institutions, infrastructure spending and emerging industries could further reinforce the country’s long-term prospects.

Accountability tames AI autonomy as DSCI outlines its liability framework
In the framework titled AI Liability: Industry Guidance for Agentic AI, DSCI said assigning liability solely to the organisation deploying an AI system or to an upstream technology provider would be legally flawed. Agentic AI systems involve multiple layers of models, instructions, integrations, tool calls and human decisions, making it difficult to isolate where responsibility lies when something goes wrong.

Detecting heart attacks beyond hospitals: Sunfox is making ECGs more accessible
Dehradun-based Sunfox Technologies brings a smartphone-powered ECG device that provides portable, clinical-grade heart monitoring beyond hospitals, reaching remote communities and healthcare centres across India.

In 1994, Georgia mixed damaged factory roofing shingles into Chatham Parkway asphalt; later checks found the recycled road performing as well as its control
Every year, millions of tons of asphalt shingles end up in landfills, presenting significant waste management issues. The Georgia Department of Transportation has launched trials to incorporate recycled shingle materials into asphalt mixes, discovering potential cost savings. Performance tests showed these mixes were comparable to traditional asphalt, despite some minor concerns. Other states have mirrored this effort, yielding diverse outcomes regarding durability.

WhatsApp, Telegram must be tied to an active SIM from Jan 1: DoT issues guidelines
The Department of Telecommunications has issued guidelines for messaging apps to link accounts to active SIM cards. Users will need to ensure registered numbers are connected to active SIM cards by January 1, 2027. This measure aims to reduce cyber fraud and misuse of mobile numbers in India. Messaging apps must comply with these rules or risk suspension of functionality.

Online festive sales fizzle; Snowflake CEO on AI’s impact on software
Happy Monday! Festive ecommerce sales have slowed down this year, we tell you why. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

Flight delay rule change: Will your airline still offer a refund if your flight is canceled? Here's how it will affect meal and hotel assistance
A delayed flight can become expensive when an overnight stay enters the picture. A postponed DOT rule could affect how airlines classify disruptions, and the assistance passengers receive.

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.

In 2005, the US required reflective markings on freight cars to improve visibility at crossings; nearly 1 in 4 crossing collisions involved vehicles hitting trains
At night, freight trains can easily go unnoticed, leading to numerous accidents at highway-rail crossings. To address this safety concern, federal regulators introduced mandatory reflective striping on freight cars and locomotives. The goal was to reduce the frequency of collisions between vehicles and trains at these crossings. While experts still discuss the regulations' impact, data shows a notable decrease in these incidents since the measures were enforced.

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.

'There's talk of one party, but three have got Satcom licences': Jyotiraditya Scindia
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted India's technology-agnostic policy towards satellite communications during a recent event. He noted that several companies, including Reliance Jio, OneWeb, and Starlink, received the necessary licenses. While SpaceX's Elon Musk called for quicker licensing for Starlink, the government emphasized its fair authorization framework. The final decision regarding spectrum pricing is forthcoming, which will impact when operators can launch services.
Be agent provocateur: India's internet needs an AI makeover
As India's digital ecosystem experiences rapid transformation, it is imperative to enhance support for the growing presence of AI agents in business and services. By tackling the obstacles within the navigational framework, costs for these agents can be significantly lowered. Revamping e-commerce catalogs and improving data availability will optimize purchase processes.
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