Page 2 - Telecom Industry

Protect key frequency bands used for satellite communications: Industry

The satellite-communication industry has urged the government to protect the key frequency bands used by them, particularly the Ka and Ku bands, from being allocated to terrestrial services. The Satcom Industry Association of India has also asked the government to reserve the 27.5-28.5 GHz band exclusively for satellite services, instead of transferring it to IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) for flexible use, in line with global practices. "Any reduction in satellite bandwidth will not only double the gateway requirements but also increase operational costs for satellite operators, ultimately affecting end-users. We must prioritise the preservation of these frequency bands for satellite-communication services to avoid unnecessary financial burdens," Subba Rao Pavuluri, president, SIA-India, said in a statement. The industry body has also proposed specific frequency ranges in the Ku and Ka bands for the NGSO-based Fixed Satellite Services (FSS). SIA-India represents maj

Trai rating platform to assess, rate properties on quality of connectivity

Trai has decided to set up a 'rating platform' to assess and rate properties on the quality of digital connectivity as the telecom regulator outlined an elaborate framework and norms to nudge property managers to think of a "good digital connectivity experience" for customers. Based on the quality of digital connectivity and scores awarded, the properties will be assigned star-based ratings -- ranging from one star to five. The properties for digital connectivity rating are classified into different categories - Residential, Government Properties, Commercial Establishments, Other private or public areas, Stadiums or Sports Arenas or spaces of frequent gathering and Transport corridors, Trai said. Unveiling the contours of a new rating framework on Friday, Trai noted that the coverage and quality of digital connectivity inside buildings remains a major issue despite significant coverage of the 4G (LTE) network, the rollout of the 5G network and availability of more spectrum bands. T

ITU to prioritise global standards on DPI and AI after India push

The World Telecom Standardization Assembly in Delhi adopted resolutions across new tech areas

Satellite spectrum wars: No auction, foreign companies likely to benefit

Despite domestic telcos' insistence, earlier legal judgements have only called auction 'preferable' in the case of natural resources

Indus Towers Q2FY25 results: Net profit increases 72% to Rs 2,224 cr

Telecom infrastructure company Indus Towers on Tuesday reported a 71.7 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 2,224 crore for the September 2024 quarter. Notably, Q2 FY25 had a write-back of Rs 1,077 crore in provision for doubtful receivables, aided by collections against past overdue, the company said in its earnings release. For the just-ended quarter, the consolidated revenues stood at Rs 7,465 crore, 4.7 per cent higher than the year-ago period. "Our operational performance reflects sustained demand for network expansion and our endeavour towards securing a larger share of our customers' rollouts. This continues to drive our financial performance, aided by steady collection of past overdue from a major customer," Prachur Sah, Managing Director and CEO of Indus Towers, said. Sah noted that given a healthy cash generation, the company had rewarded its shareholders through buyback during the quarter. "We expect the performance to continue in the wake of netw

Trai releases consultation paper on T&C of network authorisations

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday floated a discussion paper on terms and conditions of network authorisations to be granted under the Telecom Act, 2023. DoT had approached TRAI, through a letter dated July 26, 2024, asking it to provide recommendations on terms and conditions, including fees or charges, for authorisation to establish, operate, maintain or expand telecommunication network as per the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. Subsequently, through another letter dated October 17, 2024, DoT requested TRAI to consider an authorisation for satellite communication network under Telecommunications Act, 2023. "In this regard, a consultation paper on 'the Terms and Conditions of Network Authorisations to be Granted Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023' has been placed on the TRAI's website (www.trai.gov.in) for seeking comments/ counter comments from stakeholders," it said. Stakeholders have been asked to submit written comments and counter

No tariff hike on cards, want to retain existing customers: BSNL CMD

State-run telco launches anti-spam network, direct to device satcom, intranet TV services, and a new logo

Generation gap: Will 6G find enough use cases to go where 5G hasn't?

Hope rises as a new generation of telecom technology knocks on our doors. Will it live up to expectations?

Musk's win on satellite spectrum raises prospect of price war with Ambani

The Indian government says its decision to allocate spectrum administratively to whoever applies for it is in line with global trends

Nokia cuts 2,000 jobs in China, 350 in Europe as part of restructuring

A Nokia spokesperson confirmed the company had opened consultations relating to laying off 350 employees in Europe but declined to comment on Greater China

Telecom gear maker Ericsson maps out India's 5G dominance over the US

Projects Indian telcos will upgrade to 5G Advanced in two years

Work on 9 priority areas including connectivity for all: Scindia to telcos

Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is learnt to have asked telecom industry leaders to work on nine priority areas, including connectivity for all, in the next six months. The minister held a meeting with telecom industry leaders including Bharti Airtel MD and CEO Gopal Vittal, Reliance Jio managing director, Pankaj Pawar, Vodafone Idea CEO Akshay Moondra, Qualcomm senior vice president and President of Qualcomm India Savi Soin, Mediatek Country Head Anku Jain, industry body COAI Director General SP Kocchar etc at the India Mobile Congress. "The minister has asked industry to work on nine priority areas. He has asked the industry to form a task force to work on the areas identified by the ministry," an industry source, who was present in the meeting, told PTI. According to a source, the minister has asked telecom leaders to work on providing connectivity for all within the next six months, boosting fibre to the home connections, securing telecom networks and preventing ...

Satcom spectrum's admin allocation big step to connect remote areas: ISpA

Indian Space Association on Wednesday said the government's clear stance on the allocation of Satcom spectrum on an administrative basis is a major step in connecting remote and unserved areas and inclusion of all in digital India. Indian Space Association's (ISpA) Director General AK Bhatt said the satellite industry awaits the final decision based on telecom regulator Trai's consultation paper on spectrum costing. Bhatt noted that the regulator has proposed few methodologies, and added that the satellite industry is "aware" that it will pay a "cost" based on the best method. "We in ISpA welcome the Minister of Telecom for his very unequivocal and clear statement on the method of allocation of spectrum for satellite communication. The government's intent, which had been defined in the Telecom Act, 2023, and which clearly lays down that the assignment of spectrum should be by administrative method and (that) is the globally harmonised method followed all over for using the shared ..

India second highest target for ransomware attacks in Asia Pacific: Report

Global ransomware attacks have risen by 18 per cent, with India's top three targets being the manufacturing, telecommunications, and technology sectors

India set to lead 6G revolution; our telecom sector aggressive: Scindia

India is resolved to lead the world in 6G, communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Tuesday, terming the telecom sector of the country as 'aggressive' and 'ambitious'. Scindia, speaking at the inauguration of India Mobile Congress and World Telecommunication Standardization (WTSA) 2024, said with the Bharat 6G Alliance, India hopes to contribute at least 10 per cent patents to 6G standardisation. "It is our belief and our commitment -- India followed the world in 4G, we marched with the world in 5G, but we shall lead the world in 6G," the minister asserted. With the fastest 5G rollout in India wherein 98 per cent of districts and 90 per cent of all villages were covered in a span of just 21 months, Scindia said it is the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effort of not just embracing, but bracing the country to become the first-mover in 6G technology. "It is noteworthy that the Indian Mobile Congress and the International 6G Symposium demonstrates both local and global ...

Network issue: India still lags US and China in 5G rollout, shows data

The index assigns countries an overall score on the state of 5G development based on two broad categories: 5G infrastructure and 5G services, each given equal weight

Majority of 5G network users experience reduction in call drop: Survey

More than half of respondents who have migrated to the 5G network have experienced a reduction in call drops and an improvement in data speed, online survey firm LocalCircles said in a report on Monday. According to the survey, 53 per cent of smartphone users surveyed say the call drop or connect situation has improved after migrating from 3G and 4G to 5G services. Around 30 per cent of respondents shared that there has been no improvement in the call drop rate, 9 per cent complained that it has somewhat deteriorated, and 5 per cent shared that the call drop problem has "significantly deteriorated" in the survey. LocalCircles claims that the survey received a total of over 47,000 responses from consumers (smartphone users) located in 361 districts, while the number of responses to each question varied. The survey conducted between August 5, 2024, and October 10, 2024, found that 60 per cent of smartphone users surveyed who have migrated to 5G say the data connection is faster compa

India advances in 6G race, ranks among top six in global patent filings

Starting Oct 15, Delhi will host the World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly providing a forum for delegates from 190 countries

PM Modi likely to inaugurate ITU's telecom standard meet, IMC on Oct 15

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the first-ever telecom standard conference to be organised by the UN's International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in India as well as the India Mobile Congress (IMC) on October 15, according to the invitation sent by organisers of both the events. The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) conference is held at a gap of four years. The recommendations and proposals approved at WTSA set the direction for development of communication technologies. "ITU is excited to announce that WTSA-24 will be inaugurated by His Excellency, the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, on Tuesday 15 October 2024," ITU said in an official note. Telecom department-backed India Mobile Congress 2024 eighth edition will also be held concurrently with WTSA 2024. The size of the annual India Mobile Congress (IMC) has almost doubled since last year in terms of participation from foreign countries, exhibitors, startups ...

PHD Chambers seeks revision of Trai satcom paper for level playing field

After Reliance Jio, the industry body PHD Chamber of Commerce has also demanded revision of telecom regulator Trai's consultation paper on rules for satellite spectrum allocation, alleging that it misses questions around the level playing field between Satcom and terrestrial networks. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Director Ranjeet Mehta, in a letter to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Chairman AK Lahoti, said that not addressing the issue of a level playing field between terrestrial and satellite-based communication service violates Article 14 of the Constitution. "The absence of questions addressing the issue of a level playing field in the consultation paper prevents many stakeholders from considering these concerns and providing crucial inputs to Trai. "Moreover, not addressing the concerns to ensure a level playing field between satellite and terrestrial access services during the consultation process may violate Article 14 of the Indian Constitution