Page 3 - Telecom Minister

GatiShakti Sanchar portal launched; legal backing for RoW by Dec: Vaishnaw

Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday launched GatiShakti Sanchar portal that will centralise and speed up approvals for laying of fibre and tower installations, boosting upcoming 5G roll out

Trai seeks views from stakeholders on monitoring cross-media ownership

TRAI released a consultation paper on 'Issues Relating to Media Ownership' after the government asked it to reconsider its recommendations made in 2014

Next set of telecom reforms to ensure agile regulatory framework: Vaishnaw

The government is creating a framework "which should stay for next 30-40 years" through the upcoming round of reforms, the minister emphasised

Govt telecom revenues in FY'23 to be significantly higher than BE: Official

The telecom revenue collection is expected to be higher than the budget estimates of Rs 53,986.72 crore for the current financial year at Rs 71,959.24 crore

Long-awaited 5G spectrum auction expected in April-May 2022: Official

According to the DoT, 5G is expected to deliver download speed 10 times faster than 4G services

Telecom Minister urges for deployment of products designed, made in India

Citing better quality and costs, Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday made an aggressive pitch for adoption of products that are designed and made in India

Looking at 3 telcos' proposals on converting dues into equity: Vaishnaw

The government is examining proposals from three telecom companies keen to opt for converting interest on deferred spectrum and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues into equity, Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. The minister -- responding during Question Hour to a query if the government has any equity in private telecom firm Vodafone -- said a one-time option was given to telecom companies to either pay upfront the interest on AGR dues or convert it in the form of equity in lieu of that as part of the structural reforms announced in September last year. The one-time option was given to telecom companies to ensure the government's revenue is not compromised, he said. The minister said, "Three companies have exercised that option. We have received their letters and we are examining them." The option was also given because the telecom sector has been going through a tough phase for many years, due to which, the balance sheet of many companies is not go

Trai recommendation on 5G spectrum by March: Telecom Minister

The telecom minister Ashwani Vaishnaw on Tuesday said that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's recommendation on 5G spectrum is expected to come by March

Govt only an investor in telcos post conversion of liabilities: Vaishnaw

Debt liabilities will continue to remain with telcos after conversion of interest liabilities into equity, says Telecom Minister

CAG flags anomalies in accounts of units under IT, telecom ministries

The CAG on Monday reported multiple irregularities in the accounts of units under the IT and telecom ministries

Top headlines: Chairman rules out Tata Sons' revamp; telcos get govt relief

Business Standard brings you the top headlines from today

5G spectrum auction most probably in February 2022: Telecom minister

The 5G spectrum auctions will "most probably" be held in February 2022, and the government may even try for a January timeline, Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday.

Voda Idea seeks 1-year moratorium on Rs 8,200 cr spectrum instalment

Vi has appro­ached the government to seek one-year mor­a­torium on payment of spectrum instalment of over Rs 8,200 crore, due in April 2022

Cabinet approves Rs 19,041 cr viability gap funding for BharatNet project

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved public private partnership mode for the rollout of BharatNet project in 16 states with viability gap funding of Rs 19,041 crore, Telecom Minister R S Prasad said.

Govt must close 'legal disputes' hurting telecom: Sunil Mittal on AGR dues

Bharti Airtel chairman says dispute over payments has caused 'significant distress' to the industry

TV ratings agency needs reforms for credibility, says telecom regulator

TRAI said several concerns relating to neutrality and reliability of the existing rating system have been raised by stakeholders, which necessitated a need to review the existing system

Voda Idea pays Rs 1,367 cr to govt towards licence, spectrum charges

Officials said that the telecom department has received the payment made by Vodafone Idea, and added that other operators had made their payments earlier

AGR dues: Govt to balance compliance, telcos' health, consumer interest

The government will ensure coordination on three aspects -- compliance to SC order, ensuring health of the sector and customer interest, the source added

DoT's Jan 23 order issued without telecom minister, secy consent: Sources

A senior government official privy to the development said the January 23 order was issued by the DoT without the consent of the telecom minister or DoT secretary

AGR verdict: Sunil Mittal approaches Prasad, others over statutory dues

Supreme Court had on October 24 upheld government contention that non-core revenue in telecoms groups should be included in adjusted gross revenue