TELECOM OPERATORS
Who will get the kill switch? India satcom showdown intensifies
Two big battles are raging as India's commercial satcom business gets ready to launch. One is for customers, market share and the lucrative business of connecting places beyond the reach of fibre and mobile towers. The other is for control over the infrastructure carrying India's communications traffic, and the 'kill switch'.
PM Modi summons telecom secretary over website takedowns, sources say
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office has summoned Telecom Secretary Amit Agrawal in response to concerns regarding fraudulent court orders. These orders, which improperly called for the blocking of 129 betting websites, have prompted the telecoms ministry to launch an internal investigation, while local police are probing potential forgery.
TRAI crackdown on spam: Over 1.24 lakh mobile connections barred or disconnected in Jul-Sep
TRAI enforced strict regulations against over 1.24 lakh telecom resources for violating unsolicited commercial communications rules. The regulator responded to 15.29 lakh complaints, classifying 7.23 lakh as actionable during the quarter. It blocked 3,725 SMS headers and blacklisted 374 entities from obtaining telecom resources for one year.
Stock picks of the week: 6 stocks with consistent score improvement and upside potential of up to 28% in 1 year, according to analysts
It is not time yet to abandon the discipline that got you through the bad patch which the market has seen in the last over two years. So, get sound companies on a watchlist and keep a close eye on two key global factors.
Vi seeks DoT nod to retain expiring 4G spectrum
Vodafone Idea has approached the Department of Telecommunications to secure the renewal of its expiring 4G spectrum. The company is seeking to maintain service continuity as significant portions of its spectrum are due for renewal. Valued discussions are ongoing regarding a financing package with lenders to support network investments. As of now, Vodafone Idea's subscriber base includes 194.4 million individuals with a substantial number using 4G services.
Multiple lenders' involvement delaying loan; spectrum renewal not to hit services: Vodafone Idea CEO
Vodafone Idea is experiencing delays in securing a loan from the SBI-led consortium, affecting its plans. The company's CEO, Abhijit Kishore, mentioned that funds from private and foreign banks are sufficient for current capex. Vodafone Idea is working on plans to upgrade its network by 2027 and enhance competitiveness. Its average revenue per user has shown improvement, although losses have increased due to exceptional items.
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Sunil Mittal says India must hold satellite 'Kill Switch', warns against dependence on single provider
Sunil Bharti Mittal advocates for India to independently manage its satellite communications infrastructure for national security. He highlights the various satellite operators, including Elon Musk's Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb, competing for market access. Mittal argues that India should not rely solely on foreign providers for critical communications.
How a Ludhiana bicycle parts maker became India's lord of the rings
Sunil Bharti Mittal began his entrepreneurial journey in 1976, starting a bicycle-parts business in Ludhiana. After facing various challenges, he transitioned into telecommunications by manufacturing push-button telephones. Mittal founded Airtel in 1995 and navigated through intense competition, especially with the arrival of Reliance Jio. His strategic decisions helped Airtel grow into a major player in both India and international markets.
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.
Exceptional items widen Vodafone Idea loss
Vodafone Idea recorded an exceptional loss of ₹462 crore from the remeasurement of settlement assets linked to shares earmarked by Vodafone Group entities. Barring exceptional items, the net loss stood at ₹5,513 crore, marginally lower than ₹5,562 crore a year earlier.
Vi bets on network expansion as subscriber gains improve, capex picks up
Vodafone Idea Ltd is focused on network expansion as it aims to improve subscriber growth and customer offerings. The company has introduced new services like free international roaming and family prepaid plans. While the Q2FY27 loss deepened to Rs 5,979 crore, operational revenue rose by 6.2% to Rs 11,884 crore. Capital expenditures exceeding Rs 13,200 crore indicate a commitment to network enhancements.
Vodafone Idea Q2 Results: Loss widens to Rs 5,975 crore, revenue rises 6% YoY; ARPU jumps to Rs 198
Vodafone Idea Q2 Results: Telecom operator Vodafone Idea reported a widening of its net loss to Rs 5,975 crore in the September quarter of FY27 (Q2FY27), partly due to the adverse impact of mark-to-market adjustments on treasury assets. The company had reported a net loss of Rs 5,584 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year (Q2FY26).
MEA says "power grid integration" with ASEAN is promising as India eyes deeper digital cooperation
India is looking to solidify partnerships with ASEAN countries in digital public infrastructure and telecommunications. The country seeks to leverage its experience in power grid integration for regional energy security. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the Philippines will coincide with the 49th ASEAN Summit. Various world leaders will participate in discussions on regional cooperation and challenges.
Desible.ai raises Rs 32 crore in round led by Prime Venture Partners
Founded in 2025 by Uttam Tiwari and Omkar Raikar, Desible.ai is building an AI-powered workflow orchestration platform that helps financial institutions automate customer engagement, servicing, collections, and compliance-related processes. The company started with voice-based automation and is expanding its platform to channels such as WhatsApp, SMS, and email.
Five IndiaAI empanelled companies ineligible for new compute bid
CDAC requires bidders to own, lease or operate a Tier-III, Rated-3 or higher data centre in India. Bidders must also hold the required ISO certifications and operate a network operations and security operations centre in India.
HFCL shares gain 2% after securing Rs 834 crore export orders for optical fibre cables
HFCL has secured an export order worth Rs 834.36 crore for optical fibre cable supplies, adding to its growing international order book. The latest win comes after a strong Q2 performance and ambitious revenue growth guidance for FY27.
HFCL secures Rs 834 crore export orders, eyes AI data centre demand
Telecom gear maker HFCL has announced an export order worth approximately Rs 834.36 crore. This order is for supplying optical fibre cables to an unnamed international customer. The completion of the order is projected by June 2027, reaffirming client confidence in the company's capabilities. Additionally, HFCL's consolidated profit has dramatically increased, driven by demand from AI data centres.
ET AI Business Transformation Masterclass heads to IIM Bangalore to decode enterprise AI adoption
The AI Business Transformation Masterclass & Awards 2026 at IIM Bangalore will feature leaders from IndusInd Bank, PhonePe, PepsiCo, Shadowfax, Myntra, Shopify, NVIDIA and other organisations. Sessions will cover agentic AI, voice technology, supply chains, contextual commerce and physical AI, followed by the ET Most Innovative AI Product Awards 2026.
India blocked 129 betting websites on basis of fake high court orders: Report
India's government ordered internet providers to block 129 betting websites based on fraudulent high court orders. Investigations have been initiated after it was revealed that these court orders were fake. The Rajasthan and Allahabad High Courts confirmed that the supposed orders did not exist in their records. Concerns about the authenticity of legal documents are growing due to technology advancements.
TRAI sets port charge ceilings for IP-based interconnection, effective Jan 2027
TRAI has capped annual charges for telecom IP interconnection ports at ₹5.6 lakh for 1 Gbps and ₹42.3 lakh for 10 Gbps, effective January 1, 2027. The ceilings apply across fixed-line, mobile and long-distance services, with operators free to negotiate lower rates.
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.
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.
TRAI rules out penalties on operators based on user tests
Launching the Network Anubhav platform, Lahoti said there would be "no penalty on the basis of user test alone." A penal action, he said, "has to follow certain standards before you conclude that it is a failure." Trai, he added, does not impose penalties but financial disincentives for not meeting specific regulatory requirements.
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.
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.
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.
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