DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION
Sukanta Majumdar slams TMC govt over Birbhum clash, says state police 'defunct'
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar criticized the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government over a reported clash in Birbhum and allegations of explosive materials seizure. He accused the state police of losing professionalism. The government has suspended internet and voice-over-internet telephony services in several areas to prevent rumors and unlawful activities, effective until March 17.
West Bengal: Internet services suspended in parts of Birbhum's Sainthia till March 17
Internet and voice-over-Internet telephony services have been suspended in five Gram Panchayat areas of Sainthia town in West Bengal's Birbhum district from March 14 to March 17 to prevent the spread of rumors and unlawful activities. This order was issued following a stone-pelting incident. Police forces have been deployed to maintain public order.
Telcos move Telecom Secy against shift to authorisation regime
Telecom operators urge the DoT to retain the existing contractual licensing regime, emphasizing its importance in maintaining regulatory certainty and protecting investments. They argue that the new authorisation-based regime, part of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, introduces uncertainty and undermines their contractual rights.
After Airtel, Jio lays out red carpet for Starlink
Elon Musk's Starlink has partnered with Jio Platforms and Bharti Airtel to provide high-speed satellite internet in India. These collaborations represent a significant shift in India's telecom sector and promise to deliver advanced technology without high spectrum costs, benefiting millions of Indian consumers.
Parliamentary panel presses MIB to expedite Broadcast Bill rollout
The Parliamentary Committee has urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to expedite the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, following industry backlash over consultation transparency. The MIB plans detailed consultations and a draft Cabinet Note before the Bill's submission. Given the law's comprehensiveness, the committee seeks an update on its progress.
Reliance Jio and Airtel link up with the Star while Vodafone Idea will face the heat on earth
Airtel and Jio are nearing a deal to bring Elon Musk's Starlink to India, promising super-fast internet services subject to government approval. This could impact Vodafone Idea (Vi) as its shares fell nearly 5% and it lags in 5G rollout. Vi faces challenges with subscriber churn and financial issues amidst this fierce competition.
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Mahakumbh posed significant challenges for telcos; Jio led with speed, coverage: Ookla
Reliance Jio led 5G performance at the Mahakumbh 2025 event in Prayagraj, recording a median download speed of 201.87 Mbps, with Airtel following at 165.23 Mbps. Despite high user density, operators maintained robust network performance through strategic upgrades. Jio reported 83.9% 5G availability and managed significant voice and data service traffic during the event.
UPI ID linked to inactive mobile number? With this move of NPCI, it will be hard to misuse your UPI ID with recycled number
Users will soon be able to delink their old or inactive mobile numbers from UPI IDs easily. Starting March 31, 2025, UPI banks and PSPs must regularly update their internal databases, at least on a weekly basis, to reduce errors due to recycled or churned numbers. Explicit user consent will now be required for porting UPI numbers, which will potentially enhance user security and ensure accurate financial transactions.
Vodafone Idea fails to submit Rs 6,090 crore bank guarantee or Rs 5,493 crore cash to DoT
Vodafone Idea missed the March 10, 2025 deadline to provide a bank guarantee or cash payment to the Department of Telecommunications for a 2015 spectrum auction shortfall. The company might face repercussions, as the government has not granted an extension. This payment is part of the pro-rata based spectrum usage terms announced last December.
Airtel working on tech to wipe out scam, phishing
Bharti Airtel is developing technology to prevent online scams and phishing attempts for its 380 million mobile users. About 80% complete, this solution targets OTP misuse and scam links. However, it won’t control spam and scams on OTT apps due to encryption. Airtel urges regulatory intervention to tackle spam on OTT platforms.
Govt seeks Parliament nod to spend Rs 51,463 cr extra in current fiscal
The government has requested Parliament's approval to spend an additional Rs 51,462.86 crore in the remaining financial year, with significant allocations for pensions and fertiliser subsidies. The overall gross additional expenditure is rs 6.78 lakh crore, with most of it being balanced by savings and receipts.
New Telecom Act to be fully implemented by June-July: DoT's Neeraj Mittal
India’s Telecommunications Act 2023, aimed at reforming the telecom framework, will be fully operational by mid-2024. The new law simplifies licensing for service providers, reduces entry barriers for new players, and includes provisions for satellite spectrum allocation and optimal use of radio waves.
5G base station additions plunge as Jio and Airtel slow down network-building capex
Recent data highlights a significant reduction in quarterly 5G base station additions by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. The decreased rollout of 5G sites is leading to slower revenue growth for tower companies like Indus, as India's top telcos have nearly completed their 5G rollouts and 4G network expansions.
DoT makes satellite equipment testing, certification mandatory ahead of satcom services launch
India will soon mandate testing and certification of satellite equipment, such as gateways and user terminals, for satcom services starting from August-end. This move comes as firms like Eutelsat-OneWeb, Jio-SES, and Starlink prepare to launch their services, awaiting spectrum allocation and regulatory approvals.
Foreign bidders may be allowed in BSNL's 5G network upgrade
India is considering allowing foreign vendors to bid for part of BSNL's $2 billion 5G telecom contract, marking a shift from its previous stance on indigenous technology. The government aims to accelerate BSNL's 5G rollout to boost competitiveness and improve network quality.
How Elon Musk muscled his way into US Federal Aviation Administration
Musk's team is pushing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to modernize its outdated telecommunications systems with SpaceX's Starlink terminals, aiming for rapid implementation. This urgency has led to tension, with the fate of Verizon's existing contract unclear and safety concerns raised by some officials.
UK, Indian academia, industry in joint initiative on advanced research in 6G, satcom
The UK and Indian academia, along with industry giants like TCS and Wipro, have launched the UK-India Future Networks Initiative to advance 6G, optical, and satellite networks research. The four-year project, funded by the UK government with £1.124 million, aims to foster collaboration and innovative advancements in telecommunications.
Reliance Jio, Airtel seek ‘fair competition’ as govt weighs Starlink’s satcom licence
Reliance Jio and Airtel have asked the Indian government to ensure fair competition in the satellite communications sector as it reviews Elon Musk’s Starlink licence. They demand comparable spectrum pricing for satellite and terrestrial services to avoid market distortion. They acknowledge lower prices for non-commercial uses like disaster recovery but insist commercial satellite operators should not get preferential pricing.
Panel seeks factual note on reports of telecom firms allowed to surrender spectrum
A parliamentary committee led by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has requested a factual note from the Ministry of Communications regarding the alleged surrender of spectrum by telecom companies before 2022. The committee highlighted past observations by the CAG concerning deficiencies in spectrum auctions, particularly how some operators secured undue advantages and the poor rollout of BWA services.
Reliance Jio and Airtel seek fair spectrum surrender policy
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have urged the government to ensure a level-playing field in the new spectrum surrender policy. This policy, if approved, would benefit all telcos but would particularly allow Vodafone Idea to save an estimated Rs 40,000 crore.
Can you identify the people around me? Are they aliens? Jyotiraditya Scindia asks Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses — watch what happens next
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia represented India at the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona. Scindia wore Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, combining fashion and technology. He engaged with global technology leaders to strengthen India's position in the tech industry. The event highlighted India's advancements in technology and its vision for the future.
US senator asks U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to answer questions on planned Tesla Cybertruck purchase
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal has inquired about a reported plan for the State Department to purchase $400 million worth of Tesla Cybertrucks for diplomatic use. The State Department claims the contract was planned under Biden and canceled by Trump, but Blumenthal raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving Elon Musk.
FDIs in India drop 5.6% to $10.9 bn in Oct-Dec
Foreign direct investment in India fell by 5.6% to USD 10.9 billion in the October-December 2024 quarter due to global uncertainties. Despite this, cumulative FDI inflows for April-December 2024 increased by 27% to USD 40.67 billion. Major contributors included Singapore, the US, and the Netherlands, with notable investments in services and non-conventional energy sectors.
Trai rejects most of DoT requests on satcom service authorisation
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has rejected several requests from the Department of Telecommunications, maintaining separate authorisation for satellite-based and machine-to-machine services, citing their distinct nature and financial viability. Trai also stood by its recommendation for changes in authorisation rules despite opposition from DoT, ensuring light financial obligations for specialised telecom services.
Trai rejects most of DoT requests on Satcom service authorisation
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has rejected most requests from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on altering recommendations related to the authorisation regime. Trai insists satellite-based and machine-to-machine (M2M) telecommunication services should have separate authorisations to support specialised services and attract startups, despite DoT's preference for integrating them into main service authorisations.
Answering the call of Maha Kumbh: Event saw 20M mobile users per day
Nearly 20 million devotees participated daily in the Maha Kumbh, potentially boosting telecom companies' revenue. The Department of Telecommunications, along with service providers, monitored crowd movement and data traffic. Jio and Airtel added new sites and spectrum. The event increased data traffic by 55%, possibly raising revenue per user by 4%-6%.
DoT mulls fresh terms of (spectrum) surrender, a move that would allow Vodafone Idea save Rs 40,000 crore
The Department of Telecommunications is considering allowing Vodafone Idea and other telcos to surrender spectrum acquired before 2022 to reduce financial burdens. This move, aimed at ensuring a competitive telecom sector, could save Vodafone Idea around ₹40,000 crore and bolster its viability.
Supreme Court dismisses PIL seeking regulation of internet prices
The Supreme Court dismissed a PIL seeking internet price regulation, stating consumers have various options. The bench suggested the petitioner approach the Competition Commission of India for cartelisation claims, while refusing to hear the case under Article 32. The petitioner can still pursue statutory remedies, mentioned the Chief Justice.
Cos get time till March 31 to register SIM dealers
The Department of Telecommunications has extended the deadline for mobile phone operators to register their agents until March 31, due to BSNL needing more time. This initiative aims to curb fraud and spam by ensuring only verified Point of Sale agents can issue SIM cards. From April 1, 2025, only verified agents will be allowed to enroll customers.
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