TELECOM OPERATORS
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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