Telecom firms cheer govt's digital push

Reach of mobile payments rose six per cent in the week following note ban, usage frequency up 15%

At a time when businesses say they are reeling under the impact of demonetisation, some telecom and information technology (IT) companies have reason to cheer.

The central government's push on digitisation has created a new market for these companies, which say they're prepared to offer the latest technology for telecom companies.

From sectoral data, around 12 million more Indians have started using digital wallets. The reach of mobile payments rose six per cent in the week following the demonetisation announcement, while usage frequency surged 15 per cent, says Rajan Mathews, director-general at the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

"Between the networks and