Gopal Vittal will become Airtel Africa's Non-Executive Board Chair in July 2026, succeeding Sunil Bharti Mittal, who confirmed his retirement. Shravin Bharti Mittal will take on the role of Deputy Chair, ensuring continuity in this significant leadership transition.
India's TRAI may cut backhaul spectrum pricing by 50%, easing telecom firms' financial burden & saving crores annually. This move will benefit telcos and end users both.
TRAI mandates '1600' number series for BFSI by 2026 to combat spam and fraud. Financial institutions, NBFCs, and others must adopt the dedicated series for service calls.
Reliance Jio urges TRAI for flexible net neutrality amid 5G advancements like network slicing. Cites global regulators adapting to tech, proposes tailored solutions, like defined upload slice and reduced latency.
Bharti Airtel's credit rating upgraded due to deleveraging and strong financial performance. Market share climbed to 33.5%. Leverage is expected to improve to 1.5x by FY2026-27, driven by Indian operations.
BSNL offers a one-month free 4G service for new customers for just Re 1, starting Oct 15 to Nov 15, 2025. Includes unlimited voice calls, 2GB daily data, 100 SMS and free SIM. Aims to boost customer base.
TRAI recommends 5-year spectrum validity for PMRTS, renewable for another 5, due to tech changes. PMRTS supports crucial communications across industries. This alters the earlier recommendation of two decades validity.
TRAI is reviewing auction strategies for the upcoming spectrum auction in India, including 10 bands and new participants, to boost competition. They consider reserve prices and demand factors for optimal utilization.
TRAI proposes sweeping changes to TV supplier audit framework (Tata Play, Airtel). Aims for transparency, time-bound process, conflict resolution. Broadcasters can attend audits. Fiscal year cycle. Fines for non-compliance.
BSNL aims to boost ARPU and expand its customer base following a ₹25,000 crore investment in 4G infrastructure. A new ₹47,000 crore capital investment plan is set for network upgrades.
SBI reversed its 'fraud' tag on RCom, then re-initiated fraud recognition due to diversion of funds and misutilisation. RCom is undergoing insolvency resolution since 2019.
Telecom cybersecurity regulations are tightening, requiring mobile number validation via a centralized system to combat internet scams and spoofing. Focus on fraud reduction and digital accountability.
Telecom industry AGR grew 1.7% in FY25's last quarter, but Vodafone Idea & BSNL saw declines. Overall minutes of usage increased. Subscriber base decreased by 0.11%.
BSS Magic accelerates API accreditation for telecoms using AI, reducing time and costs. It automates labor-intensive processes, supporting TM Forum's Open Digital Architecture (ODA) and Open APIs.
COAI raises concerns about unfair competition if satellite spectrum is undervalued. Telecom giants argue for equal pricing for comparable services, citing heavy investments in 5G spectrum. Fair pricing is crucial.
Vi continues to lose subscribers despite expanding 4G/5G coverage, while Jio and Airtel gain. Jio leads in 5G FWA with significant market share and ARPU. TRAI data shows Jio gaining overall users.
India's satcom market is poised for rapid growth, projected to reach $20 billion by 2028. Quick policy implementation and satellite internet services are expected to enhance broadband connectivity nationwide.
