INDIA TELECOM
Market may deliver bumper returns by next Diwali as valuations and earnings align, says Raamdeo Agrawal
Indian equities enter Samvat 2083 on a strong note, with Nifty surging 8.6% last week and reclaiming 25,000. Motilal Oswal Chairman Raamdeo Agarwal cites improving earnings, ₹45,970 crore in FPI inflows, stable currency and easing global pressures as potential drivers.
India on right track in AI; firms moving from pilots to production: Oracle's Shailender Kumar
Indian businesses have shifted from AI pilot projects to widespread deployment, discovering tangible benefits. Cost, skills, and infrastructure remain obstacles that companies face in this transition. Oracle India is actively engaging with educational institutions to improve data science training and address skill gaps. Growing data centers are enhancing the country’s AI infrastructure and supporting business needs.
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.
Airtel's premiumisation push comes at a cost as net subscriber additions fall 78%
Bharti Airtel's net mobile subscriber additions plunged 78% sequentially to 7.2 lakh in the September quarter after it discontinued its Rs 299 prepaid smartphone plan, pushing churn higher. However, stronger ARPU growth to Rs 271 helped offset slower additions, supporting revenue and operating profit growth.
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.
Britannia CEO plays down Reliance's pricing threat in India biscuit market
Reliance Industries' Independence biscuits are entering India's competitive biscuit market with packs starting at Rs 5, but Britannia CEO Rakshit Hargave says disrupting the category will be harder than its Campa cola play. With biscuits already priced at Rs 5 and Rs 10, aggressive discounts could hurt margins. Britannia is also raising prices and shrinking pack sizes amid rising input costs.
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Bharti Airtel reclaims No. 2 spot among India's most valuable companies, overtakes Jio Platforms
Bharti Airtel has reclaimed its position as India's second-most valuable listed company, overtaking Jio Platforms with a market capitalisation of Rs 13.15 lakh crore. The development follows a 31% year-on-year rise in Q2 net profit and comes amid a strong rally in benchmark indices for a seventh consecutive session.
Quant Small Cap Fund adds Jio Platforms and 4 others; increases stake in Adani Power, 5 more
Quant Small Cap Fund added Jio Platforms, Primo Chemicals and three other stocks to its portfolio in October. The fund also increased exposure to Adani Power and LIC Housing Finance, exited five stocks and trimmed holdings in three others.
FIIs turn buyers in IT, telecom stocks in second half of October ahead of Diwali
Technology stocks in India are seeing increased interest from foreign institutional investors as Diwali approaches. After struggling in the first half of October, the IT and telecom sectors have gained attention. Foreign portfolio investors made significant net purchases of Indian equities in late October. This upward trend follows substantial selling earlier in the month. The shift highlights a renewed focus on technology investments within the Indian market.
Bharti Airtel shares jump 3% after Q2 net profit rises 31% YoY. What are brokerages saying?
Bharti Airtel shares rose on Friday after the telecom major reported a 31% year-on-year rise in Q2 FY27 net profit to Rs 8,887.5 crore. Revenue grew 17%, while ARPU improved to Rs 271. Brokerages largely remained positive, citing strong growth, improving margins and healthy cash flow generation.
Airtel profit surges 33% to Rs 9,015 crore in Q2, outpacing Jio in ARPU growth
Bharti Airtel has reported a profit surge to ₹9,015 crore in the September quarter. Average revenue per user increased to ₹271, widening the lead over Reliance Jio. The company missed analyst profit estimates due to high network operating costs impacting margins. Bharti Airtel added 1.2 million postpaid customers during this quarter but faced subscriber growth challenges. Overall revenue rose 16.7% year-on-year, indicating strong performance despite competitive pressures.
TRAI moots satellite network-as-a-service model, bars infra providers from directly serving users
TRAI has recommended a new framework for satellite communications, which includes authorising satellite network providers. These providers can offer infrastructure and capacity services to eligible telecom operators without directly serving consumers. The framework also enables potential direct-to-device connectivity using satellite and terrestrial mobile spectrum. Authorised providers will have an authorisation period of up to 20 years, with possible renewal.
Bharti Airtel Q2 Results: Net profit jumps 31% YoY to Rs 8,887 crore; revenue up 17%; ARPU rises to Rs 271
Bharti Airtel Q2 Results: Bharti Airtel reported a 31% year-on-year (YoY) increase in net profit to Rs 8,887.5 crore for the September quarter (Q2FY27), compared with Rs 6,791.6 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal.
AI, data, cybersecurity lead tech hiring with 30.3% share in September quarter
In India, the demand for roles in AI, data, and cybersecurity within Global Capability Centers (GCCs) has surged, even amid a slight overall hiring decline. AI and data professional roles saw a 14% increase quarter-on-quarter, while cybersecurity positions grew by 12%. Notably, tier-2 cities like Coimbatore achieved a remarkable 30% growth. By 2030, the GCC workforce in India is projected to reach between 2.7 and 2.8 million.
TRAI's new Network Anubhav platform to map real-world network speeds, call quality
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India recently introduced the Network Anubhav Platform for consumers. This new platform allows users to compare mobile and broadband networks based on location and performance. Consumers can view network tests, filter results, and make informed choices about service providers.
India-EU FTA to simplify and reinforce corporate cooperation, says Swedish Ambassador Petra Menander
The proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will simplify and reinforce bilateral corporate collaboration, said Sweden's Ambassador to India Petra Menander, pointing to expanded opportunities for technology transfers and joint industrial initiatives.
Indus Towers equips 50,000 sites with solar power; plans to double count by FY29
Indus Towers has installed solar systems at 50,000 telecom sites, adding around 300 MW of capacity, and aims to double the number by FY29. The company says the initiative, combined with battery storage and energy-management systems, has helped cut energy costs by 8-10% per kilowatt and reduce diesel consumption.
Cert-In gets Mythos access, being careful with testing: Officials
Government agencies cannot download the AI’s source code or weights for running on their own, completely isolated or ‘air-gapped’ systems. Instead, to use Mythos, they must send their proprietary data, code, or network blueprints over the internet to Anthropic’s cloud servers.
Corning operationalises Pune optical plant; capacity expansion planned by 2027
The company’s other plant in Chennai, has begun production of finishing glass for the first time in India. Inaugurated in December, 2025, it is currently undergoing validation by original equipment manufacturers (OEM), and will commence commercial production within the next few quarters, Pillai said.
Telcos to face up to Rs 20 lakh fine per quarter per circle for complaint redressal lapses
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has introduced new rules for telecom operators and internet providers to enhance complaint redressal. These providers will face penalties up to Rs 20 lakh if they fail to resolve consumer complaints quickly. The rules require complaint centres to operate 24 hours with human representatives available for assistance. Consumers will now have a shorter time frame of 15 days to appeal complaint resolutions.
Diwali cheer! Mukesh Ambani gets $8.5 billion richer in a day as RIL shares soar
Mukesh Ambani experienced a significant increase in wealth following a rally in Reliance Industries shares. The company's stock rose by 11.64%, marking its strongest gain in over six years. Reliance's quarterly earnings surpassed expectations, especially in its oil-to-chemicals and telecom sectors. Analysts have since shown increased optimism about the company's financial outlook and growth prospects. However, challenges remain for Reliance's retail business and overall stock recovery.
Experts say health technology, preventive healthcare at inflection point, India ready to leverage
With a focus on preventive healthcare and wellness, India is on the verge of harnessing new technological innovations. Sangita Reddy from Apollo Hospitals stresses the significance of wearable devices in spotting health issues early on. In collaboration with Apollo Hospitals, Garmin Health is targeting rural health efforts and highlighting the event's health technology strides.
TRAI proposes board-approved AI policies, risk classification and mandatory incident reporting for telecom operators
TRAI has proposed draft guidelines requiring telecom operators using AI to adopt board-approved policies, classify AI systems by risk and report critical incidents to the regulator. The framework also mandates AI governance committees, human oversight, impact assessments and inventories of AI systems, making telecom entities accountable for their AI-driven operations.
French billionaire Xavier Niel gets CCI approval to acquire 16.2% stake in Vodafone
Xavier Niel's investment vehicle, Vega SAS, has obtained approval from the Competition Commission of India to purchase a 16.2 percent stake in Vodafone Group for approximately 4.4 billion pounds. Post-acquisition, Vega SAS will become Vodafone's primary shareholder, a pivotal step as Vodafone continues to concentrate on its core markets following earlier restructuring efforts. This decision also complies with India's fair competition regulations, promoting healthy market dynamics.
TRAI releases draft guidelines on responsible AI use in telecom networks, services
TRAI has released draft guidelines for the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence across telecom networks and services, inviting public comments by November 27, 2026. The proposed framework seeks to align the sector's AI adoption with the Centre's India AI Governance Guidelines, focusing on accountability, transparency, fairness and safety.
Jio & let Jio, India’s crackling telco space
India's Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are now among the world's top telecom companies due to significant evolution. The integration of AI technologies is transforming telecom networks and helping to optimize operations effectively. This shift enhances the capacity for high-speed data transfer, which is essential for supporting AI applications. Telecom firms are addressing challenges such as siloed data and adapting to provide better services.
Jio Platforms breaks into global top 5 telcos after listing
Jio Platforms made its public listing in India, achieving a market cap of $137.3 billion. This valuation positions it as the fifth-largest telecom company worldwide, surpassing Deutsche Telekom. Global competitors like China Mobile and Verizon continue to lead in market capitalization. Jio's valuation reflects its advanced 4G and 5G networks, which differ from legacy infrastructures of global giants.
COAI seeks rationalised pricing for microwave backhaul spectrum
The Cellular Operators Association of India emphasizes the need for early implementation of TRAI's spectrum charge recommendations. This follows the Department of Telecommunications retaining the existing pricing framework despite previous recommendations for reductions. COAI points out that the current structure poses a significant burden on operators' costs. As demand for microwave backhaul is expected to grow substantially, predictable charges are essential.
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